JP2007271381A - Navigation device and method, and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a navigation device capable of enjoying the benefit of a discount system advantageously as much as possible even when a vehicle starts out from a departure place at an arbitrary time. <P>SOLUTION: The navigation device determines whether a route from the departure place to a destination retrieved by a normal method passes a turnpike road such as a highway. When it passes the turnpike road, the discount system that cannot be used originally can be used by dividing the route of the turnpike road (step S23). When only one kind of discount system can be originally used, two kinds of discount systems can be used collectively. Therefore, toll of the turnpike road can be reduced to the smallest amount. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a navigation device for a vehicle, that is, an in-vehicle navigation device, and more specifically, to a navigation device in which a toll on a toll road, which is mainly a highway, is kept low by using a discount system. The present invention also relates to a navigation method executed by such a navigation device, and further to a computer program for executing such a navigation method in a computer system.

  A vehicle navigation device (on-vehicle navigation device) usually displays a current estimated position on a display device as if traveling on a road by performing map matching with map data. In addition, the driver sets a starting point (usually detected by the navigation device itself) and a destination, and has a function of searching for an optimum route between them.

  On the other hand, in recent years, automatic toll collection systems (Electric Toll Collection System: ETC system) that do not need to send and receive charges each time have become widespread on toll roads such as expressways. Various discount systems are implemented for users of this ETC system. However, it is troublesome for the driver to check in advance what kind of discount system is being implemented. In addition, since the ETC system does not give or receive actual fees, the driver often cannot recognize whether or not he has benefited from the discount system. Therefore, there is a possibility that the discount system cannot be fully utilized even though a considerable discount can be obtained when the route is selected well. The same applies to a discount system that is applied even when the ETC system is not used.

For this reason, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a device (specifically, a toll to be paid at a toll gate on a toll road in advance in consideration of a discount and informing a driver at a predetermined timing (specifically, Has proposed a navigation device). Patent Document 2 also stores in advance information on toll roads and discount times of their tolls, and navigation that guides the route to the destination so that vehicles pass the toll roads during the discount hours. A device has been proposed.
JP 2005-18247 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-41760

  However, in the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above, the fact that the discount system is applied and the extent (discount rate, discount amount, etc.) are found just before actually entering the toll road. In addition, in the invention disclosed in Patent Document 2, in order to use the discount system, it is necessary to drive the vehicle in accordance with the discount time zone defined in the discount system, and in some cases, access to the toll road A waiting time is required to adjust the time. Such an invention disclosed in Patent Document 2 may be useful for drivers and carriers who are engaged in transportation by vehicles. However, a driver of a general private car rarely travels in accordance with a discount time zone, and usually, the driver usually departs at an arbitrary time and travels to a destination for the convenience of the driver. Therefore, in the invention disclosed in Patent Document 2, a driver of a general private car cannot enjoy much benefit.

  The present invention has been made in view of the circumstances as described above, and provides a navigation device that can enjoy the benefits of the discount system as advantageously as possible even when the departure place departs at an arbitrary time. Is the main purpose.

  The navigation device according to the present invention is simply a toll by dividing the route of the toll road when the route from the departure place to the arrival place searched by a normal method passes through a toll road such as an expressway. The discount system can be enjoyed more advantageously.

  According to a first aspect of the navigation apparatus of the present invention, map data storage means storing map data including information indicating the position of a road, position detection means for detecting the position of a vehicle, and destination setting for setting a destination And a route searching means for searching for a route from the position of the vehicle detected by the position detecting means to the set destination when the destination is set by the destination setting means. The toll storage means for storing the toll for toll roads and information on the discount system for the toll charges according to the travel distance and / or travel time zone, and the toll road is on the route searched by the route search means. Means for determining whether the toll is included, and when the route search means determines that a toll road is included in the searched route, the toll storage means stores the toll. A route obtained by dividing the route of the toll road included in the searched route so that the toll differs depending on the travel distance and / or travel time zone of the toll road by referring to the information on the discount system being operated It is characterized by searching.

  According to a first aspect of the navigation method of the present invention, there is provided a navigation device comprising map data storage means storing map data including information indicating the position of the road, and position detection means for detecting the position of the vehicle. In a navigation method for searching for a route from a vehicle position detected by the position detection means to a set destination when a destination is set, a toll on a toll road and a travel distance and / or a travel A step of reading information on the discount system for the toll according to the time zone, and searching for a route from the position of the vehicle detected by the position detection means to the set destination when the destination is set Step, determining whether the searched route includes a toll road, and determining that the searched route includes a toll road, Dividing the toll road route included in the searched route so that the toll varies depending on the travel distance and / or travel time zone of the toll road by referring to the information on the discount system. It is characterized by including.

  Further, the first invention of the computer program according to the present invention provides a computer connected to map data storage means for storing map data including information indicating the position of the road, and position detection means for detecting the position of the vehicle. A computer program for searching for a route from a vehicle position detected by the position detection means to a set destination when a location is set, and for the toll on the toll road and travel A procedure for reading information on the toll discount system according to distance and / or travel time zone, and a destination set from the position of the vehicle detected by the position detection means when the destination is set A procedure for searching for a route up to, a procedure for determining whether or not a toll road is included in the searched route, and a toll road is included in the searched route If it is refused, the route of the toll road included in the searched route so that the toll differs depending on the travel distance and / or travel time zone of the toll road by referring to the information on the discount system And a procedure for dividing the data.

  The first invention of the navigation device, navigation method and computer program of the present invention relates to a discount system stored in the toll storage means when it is determined that a toll road is included in the searched route. By referring to the information, the route of the toll road is divided so that the toll of the toll road differs according to the travel distance and / or travel time zone of the toll road.

  According to a second aspect of the navigation device of the present invention, in the first aspect of the navigation device, the route search means includes the toll road included in the searched route so that the toll on the toll road is the lowest. A route obtained by dividing the route is searched for.

  According to a second aspect of the navigation method of the present invention, in the first aspect of the navigation method, the step of dividing the route of the toll road includes the step of dividing the toll road to the searched route so that the toll on the toll road is the lowest. The route of the toll road included is divided.

  According to a second aspect of the computer program of the present invention, in the first aspect of the computer program, the procedure for dividing the toll road route is the searched route so that the toll road toll is the lowest. The route of the toll road included in is divided.

  In the second inventions of the navigation apparatus, navigation method and computer program of the present invention, in each first invention, the route of the toll road is divided so that the toll on the toll road is the lowest.

  According to a third aspect of the navigation device of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the navigation device, a time detection means for detecting time, an average speed storage means for storing an average speed according to the type of road, The charging standard for tolls of toll roads included in the searched route with reference to the time detected by the time detection means and the average speed according to the type of road stored in the average speed storage means Means for calculating the arrival time at the position to be, and the route search means, based on the calculated arrival time at the position that serves as a charging reference for the toll of the toll road, It is characterized by searching for a route obtained by dividing the route of the toll road included.

  According to a third aspect of the navigation method of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the navigation method, the navigation device includes a time detection means for detecting time, and an average hourly speed storing an average hourly speed according to the type of road. Storage means, and when it is determined that a toll road is included in the searched route, according to the time detected by the time detection means and the type of road stored in the average speed storage means Referring to the average speed, the method further includes a step of calculating an arrival time at a position that is a charging standard for a toll charge of the toll road included in the searched route, and the step of dividing the toll road route is calculated The route of the toll road included in the searched route is divided on the basis of the arrival time at the position that becomes the billing standard for the toll of the toll road.

  According to a third aspect of the computer program of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the computer program, the computer stores time detecting means for detecting time, and average speed per hour that stores the average speed according to the type of road. Is further connected to the storage means, and the computer stores the time detected by the time detection means and the average hourly speed storage means when it is determined that the searched route includes a toll road. The computer is caused to further execute a procedure for referring to the average speed according to the type of the road, and calculating the arrival time at a position that is a charging standard for the toll of the toll road included in the searched route, In the procedure of dividing the route of the toll road, the search is performed based on the arrival time at the position that is the charging standard for the toll for the toll road calculated. Characterized in that for splitting the path of the toll road included in the route.

  In the third invention of the navigation device, navigation method and computer program of the present invention, the time detected by the time detection means and the average hourly speed storage means are stored in each of the first and second inventions. By referring to the average hourly speed according to the type of road, the arrival time at the position that is the charging standard for the toll road included in the searched route is calculated. Then, the route of the toll road is divided on the basis of the arrival time at the calculated position for charging the toll of the toll road.

  According to the first invention of the navigation device, the navigation method and the computer program of the present invention, it is possible to receive a discount system that cannot be received originally, and originally receive only one type of discount system. When it is possible, the toll road route included in the searched route is divided so that two types of discount systems can be received together.

  According to the second invention of the navigation device, navigation method, and computer program of the present invention, in each first invention, the toll road included in the searched route so that the toll road has the lowest charge Is divided.

  According to the third invention of the navigation device, navigation method, and computer program of the present invention, in each of the first and second inventions, arrival at a position that is a charging standard for the toll road included in the searched route Since the calculation of time becomes more accurate, the effects of the first or second invention of the navigation device, the navigation method, and the computer program can be more reliably exhibited.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. Note that the information processing portion of the present embodiment is typically realized by controlling a computer with software (a computer program according to the present invention). The software in this case realizes the operational effects of the present invention by physically utilizing computer hardware, and the conventional technology is also applied to the common parts with the conventional technology. However, the types and configurations of hardware and software in this case, the range to be processed by software, and the like can be changed to various forms. Therefore, in the following description, a virtual circuit block that realizes each function of the present embodiment is used.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a navigation apparatus according to the present invention, and a navigation method according to the present invention is executed under the control of a computer program according to the present invention. A navigation apparatus according to the present invention (hereinafter referred to as the present invention apparatus) is basically an in-vehicle navigation apparatus mounted on a vehicle (automobile), and a recording medium on which a computer program and various necessary data are recorded is installed. It is also possible to search for a route by reading it into a personal computer.

  The device of the present invention is basically configured in the same manner as this type of conventional device. That is, as shown in the functional block diagram of FIG. 1, an absolute position / orientation / time detection unit 1, a relative position detection unit 2, a vehicle speed detection unit 3, a main control unit 4 including peripheral circuits, a memory group 5, and a large capacity storage The apparatus 10 includes an FM multiplex reception and processing unit 11, an optical / radio wave beacon reception and processing unit 12, a user interface unit 13, an ETC vehicle-mounted device 17, and the like. Note that a display unit 14, an audio output unit 15, and an input unit 16 are connected to the user interface unit 13.

  The absolute position / azimuth / time detection unit 1 calculates the absolute position coordinates and direction on the ground surface with respect to the current position of the vehicle (automobile) in which the device of the present invention is mounted, that is, the own vehicle position. Radio waves transmitted from GPS satellites are received by an antenna or receiver. The relative position detector 2 detects the relative direction of the host vehicle using a gyro or the like. The vehicle speed detection part 3 calculates the speed of the own vehicle by processing the vehicle speed pulse output for detecting the speed of the own vehicle.

  In addition, since the information regarding time is also included in the radio wave transmitted from the GPS satellite, it is possible to detect the time (current time). Therefore, in the present embodiment, the current time is detected from the radio wave of the GPS satellite received by the absolute position / orientation / time detector 1. However, with respect to the current time, if it is accurate to some extent, it is possible to use a built-in timer or to use time information included in radio waves of various digital broadcasts.

  The main control unit 4 including peripheral circuits controls the entire apparatus of the present invention, and details will be described later. The memory group 5 is composed of various memories storing various information necessary for the operation of the apparatus of the present invention. For example, a main program (computer program according to the present invention) is stored, ROM 6 accessed from the main control unit 4 at the time of start-up and the like, the main program is loaded as necessary, and also used as a working area. The DRAM 7 includes a non-volatile SRAM 8 for backing up information such as various settings even when the main power supply is shut off, a VRAM 9 for the display unit 14 and the like.

  The display unit 14 and the voice output unit 15 are for searching for a guidance map (including a three-dimensional display, a landmark display, etc.), a menu display (including a confirmation screen for the driver, etc.), a destination list, a place name, and the like. Various information, such as a search syllabary table, a toll road usage fee by ETC system, warning and display, etc. is output as image display and synthesized speech.

  The input unit 16 includes an operation panel, a remote controller, a joystick, and the like, and receives information such as commands and numerical values input by the driver by operating various keys on the operation panel, various keys on the remote controller, the joystick, and the like. For example, input of desired points on the map displayed on the display unit 14, landmarks, menu buttons, facility name list, search syllabary, etc., input of the upper limit amount of use of the ETC system desired by the driver Etc. can be performed.

  Note that the display unit 14 can input commands, numerical values, and the like in the same manner as the input unit 16 by simply touching an item such as an arbitrary point on the map displayed on the screen, a menu button, etc. with a finger. It is also possible to configure as a touch panel having the same function as the possible input unit 16.

  The user interface unit 13 uses an I / O control circuit, a driver, and the like to display and transmit signals between the display unit 14, the audio output unit 15 and the input unit 16 and the main control unit 4. An image is displayed on the unit 14, a synthesized voice is generated from the voice output unit 15, and a command, a numerical value, or the like received by the input unit 16 is input to the main control unit 4.

  The large-capacity storage device 10 is provided for storing various types of large-capacity data such as DVDs and HDs (hard disks), particularly map database (DB) data, and outputting them to the main control unit 4. The contents of the map database include, for example, route search data indicating the network structure of roads centered on map data, display data indicating landmarks such as gas stations, etc., and usage fee data for each toll road It is.

  The mass storage device 10 also stores average speed information. In this average speed information, for example, the average road speed is 20 km / h, the so-called expressway speed is 80 km / h, and the speed of non-highway motor vehicles is 50 km / h. included. In addition, there are cases where there are tolls and tolls free on motorway roads that are not highways, but since the maximum speed limit is 60 km / h in both cases, the average speed is assumed to be 50 km / h. Is remembered.

  However, the above numerical values are based on the premise that the device of the present invention is used in Japan. When the device of the present invention is used in countries / regions other than Japan, appropriate average speed information may be stored in the large-capacity storage device 10 according to the laws and road conditions of each country / region.

  The ROM 6 stores an application program that is read into the DRAM 7 at the time of startup, for example. This application program includes basic data necessary for the operation of the apparatus of the present invention, such as a menu button and a Japanese syllabary panel.

  The FM multiplex reception and processing unit 11 is provided for receiving VICS traffic information included in FM broadcasts and FM broadcast radio waves. Furthermore, the optical / radio wave beacon reception and processing unit 12 is provided for receiving traffic information of VICS contained in the optical beacon or the radio beacon when the vehicle passes the broadcasting facility installed on the road. ing. The VICS traffic information includes information such as traffic jams, accidents, regulations, construction, and travel time (travel time) to the destination.

  The ETC in-vehicle device 17 is a position (hereinafter simply referred to as an entrance or toll gate) that is a charging standard for tolls set at the entrance / exit of a toll road through wireless communication with an antenna on the road side via a built-in amplifier (not shown). For example, it is provided to automatically collect charges when passing through a gate for an ETC system. Since the ETC system itself is a known technique, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The main control unit 4 includes functional blocks such as a destination designation unit 30, a route search unit 31, a guidance control unit 32, a current position calculation unit 33, and a drawing unit 34. However, these functional blocks are virtual functional blocks realized by the CPU executing the computer program described above. Further, the discount condition storage unit 35 is a function realized by storing information such as “late night discount”, “commuting discount”, “early night discount”, “large city suburb section”, etc. in HD, for example. .

  The destination designation unit 30 holds, for example, information representing a point designated on the map image displayed on the display unit 14 or a destination designated on the destination list, and gives the route search unit 31 with the information.

  The current position calculation unit 33 is a functional block for calculating the current position of the vehicle. Specifically, the current position calculation unit 33 calculates the current position of the vehicle by combining GPS navigation positioning and autonomous navigation positioning. In GPS navigation positioning, the current position is calculated by using information obtained from the absolute position / azimuth / time detection unit 1 based on radio waves transmitted from artificial satellites. In the autonomous navigation positioning, the current position is detected using information obtained from the relative position detector 2 and the vehicle speed detector 3 based on the geomagnetism and the speed of the vehicle.

  The route search unit 31 searches for the optimum route from the current position of the vehicle to the destination specified by the destination specifying unit 30 with reference to the data in the map database. Note that the optimum route searched by the route search unit 31 is basically searched according to conditions such as the shortest distance and the shortest time. Based on the current position calculated by the current position calculation unit 33 and the like, the guidance control unit 32 provides a road to the driver with a synthesized voice, a screen display, and the like so that the vehicle can travel the route searched by the route search unit 31. Give guidance.

  The drawing unit 34 draws an image displaying the current position on the map based on the map database data and the current position data calculated by the current position calculating unit 33, thereby rendering the display unit 14 in a bitmap memory or the like. And a process related to image display such as displaying the route searched by the route search unit 31 superimposed on the route.

  In the discount condition storage unit 35, various discount information such as late night discount information 36, commuting discount information 37, early morning / night discount information 38, metropolitan suburbs section information 39, and the like are stored in advance.

  Hereinafter, as an example, a discount system for highway usage fees for vehicles using the ETC system implemented by the Japan Highway Public Corporation (hereinafter referred to as JH) as of September 2005 will be described. However, this is only an example of a discount system for explaining the operation of the apparatus of the present invention, and the JH discount system itself may be changed at any time, and on toll roads managed by entities other than JH There are cases where discount systems are implemented, and there is a possibility that each country / region other than Japan has its own discount system.

  The late night discount is applied when driving on the expressway managed by JH from midnight to 4 am, and the discount rate is 30%.

  Commuter discount is applied when passing through the entrance or exit toll booth from 6am to 9am or from 5pm to 8pm and the discount rate is 50%. However, this commuting discount is limited to a mileage of 100 km or less (from the entrance to the exit), and is not applicable to the suburbs of metropolitan areas described later, and is applied only once each in the morning and afternoon of the same day. There is a condition that.

  Early morning and night discounts apply when you pass through the entrance or exit toll booth between 10pm and 6am the following day, and the discount rate is 50%. However, this early-morning / night-time discount has a condition in which at least one section travels within the suburbs of a large city, which will be described later, and a single travel distance is within 100 km.

  The following sections are designated as suburban areas. In the Tokyo area, between Kawaguchi and Kazo on the Tohoku Expressway, between Misato and Yatabe on the Joban Expressway, between Wangan Ichikawa and Narita on the East Kanto Expressway, between Narita and New Airport on the New Airport Road, and Nerima on the Kanetsu Expressway Between Tokyo and Atsugi on the Tomei Expressway, between Oizumi and Misato on the Tokyo Outer Ring Road, between Takaido and Hachioji on the Chuo Expressway.

  Also, in the Osaka area, between Otsu and Nishinomiya of Meishin Expressway, between Suita and Nishinomiya Kita in Chugoku, between Suita and Matsubara in Kinki, between Matsubara and Kishiwada Izumi in Hanwa, It is between Tenri on the famous Hando road and Matsubara, between Higashi Seta on the Keiji bypass and the foot of Kumiyama.

  The discount condition storage unit 35 stores the above information in advance and is referred to when the route search unit 31 searches for a route.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the temporal relationship of the various discount systems described above on the time axis of one day. As is clear from this schematic diagram, for example, the commuting discount in the afternoon and the discount in the early morning and evening are close in time, so if you get off the expressway from the general road and enter the expressway again, both discounts It is understood that the system can be used. Further, it is understood that both discount systems can be used in the same way because the early night and night discount and the morning commute discount are continuous in time.

  Therefore, when using the expressway managed by JH, depending on the time zone, travel distance, travel section (whether it is a suburb section of a big city, etc.) When entering the expressway, in other words, if the expressway is divided and used, a plurality of discount systems can be used in combination. In that case, whether the total amount of toll is higher or lower than that when traveling without leaving the expressway is case by case. However, by using a combination of several discount systems, it is possible to reduce the toll on the expressway to a lower level.

  Next, the operation of the apparatus of the present invention configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 showing the control procedure by the main control unit 4. FIG. In the following description, it is assumed that only an expressway that is a toll road managed by JH is used. However, it goes without saying that the present invention is also applicable to cases where various toll roads managed by operators other than JH are also used.

  First, the driver inputs a destination by, for example, specifying the destination on a map image displayed on the display unit 14 or selecting and specifying the destination from a destination list. Information regarding the input destination is stored in the destination designating unit 30 and given to the route searching unit 31 (step S11). When the information on the destination is given, the route search unit 31 reads the current position at that time calculated by the current position calculation unit 33 and searches for the optimum route as a temporary route (step S12). However, the temporary route searched at this time is a condition preset by the driver, for example, a condition such as the shortest distance, the shortest time, etc., and also a highway (hereinafter referred to as a so-called highway and a car that is not a highway). The search is performed according to conditions that can be set by the driver, such as whether priority is given to a highway including a dedicated road), whether to use it at all, or to give priority to a general road. A known technique can be used for processing for searching for a temporary route that is the optimum route.

  Next, the route search unit 31 determines whether or not the highway is included in the temporary route searched as described above (step S13). If the temporary route does not include an expressway (NO in step S13), the expressway discount system itself cannot be used, so the route search unit 31 directly uses the temporary route searched in step S12 as a confirmed route. Determine (step S14). In this case, the temporary route searched in step S12 is displayed on the display unit 14 as a confirmed route, and route guidance is performed according to this route.

  On the other hand, when the highway is included in the temporary route searched in step S12 (YES in step S13), the route search unit 31 specifies the entrance or exit of the highway included in the temporary route (specifically, as described above). Is calculated the estimated time of arrival at the toll road charging standard set at the entrance / exit of the toll road (step S15). For example, the route search unit 31 is based on the average hourly speed information stored in the large-capacity storage device 10, and the average road is 20 km / h, the so-called expressway is average 80 km / h, and the vehicle is not a highway Assuming that each road travels at an average of 50 km / h, based on the current time detected by the absolute position / direction / time detector 1, the expressway included in the temporary route (the so-called expressway and the motorway are The arrival time at the entrance and exit of the In the following, the section of the highway included in the temporary route is referred to as a high speed section.

  In addition, although there is a case where there is a charge and a case where there is a charge for an automobile exclusive road that is not a highway, since the maximum speed limit is 60 km / h in both cases, the average speed is assumed to be 50 km / h. However, a method for obtaining the estimated arrival time at such a specific point is known. In this case, it is needless to say that the traffic jam information obtained by the FM multiplex reception and processing unit 11 and / or the light / radio wave beacon reception and processing unit 12 may be referred to.

  If the arrival time at the entrance or exit of the expressway included in the temporary route is obtained, the route search unit 31 may apply any discount system based on the estimated arrival time at the entrance and exit. Is determined based on information on various discount systems stored in the discount condition storage unit 35 (step S16). When this determination result is NO, that is, the estimated arrival time at the entrance or exit of the expressway included in the temporary route is not within the discount target time, and does not travel on the expressway during the time zone subject to the midnight discount In this case (NO in step S16), it means that the discount system cannot be applied at all. Therefore, in this case, the route search unit 31 determines the temporary route searched in step S12 as a confirmed route as it is (step S14). In this case, the temporary route searched in step S12 is displayed as a confirmed route on the display unit 14, and the road guidance is performed according to this route, as in the case where the expressway is not included in the temporary route described above.

  However, if the time of arrival at the entrance or exit of the expressway included in the temporary route is within the time when the discount system is applied, or if you travel on the expressway during the midnight discount period, some discount system May apply. However, since the determination in step S16 is based on only information related to the time when the vehicle travels on the temporary route, whether or not the discount system is actually applied is determined as follows. .

  If it is determined in step S16 that any discount system may be applied (YES in step S16), the route search unit 31 determines which discount system the applicable discount system is, and the discount condition storage unit 35 Judgment is made based on information on various discount systems stored in (step S17). As a result, when it is determined that the applicable discount system is commuting discount (YES in step S18), the route search unit 31 assumes that the commuting discount may be applied, and will be described later in FIG. The process proceeds to S41 and subsequent steps. On the other hand, when the applicable discount system is other than commuting discount (NO in step S18), the route search unit 31 assumes that a discount system other than commuting discount may be applied as shown in FIG. The process proceeds to step S21 and subsequent steps.

  If the applicable discount system is a discount system other than the commuting discount (NO in step S18), the applicable discount system is a late night discount or an early morning night discount. Accordingly, the route search unit 31 first determines whether or not the metropolitan suburb section is included in the expressway included in the temporary route obtained in step S12 (step S21). When the expressway included in the temporary route does not include a suburb section of a large city (NO in step S21), only the late night discount is applied from the condition of the discount system described above. Therefore, in this case, the route search unit 31 determines that only the late night discount may be applied to the expressway included in the temporary route, and determines the temporary route searched in step S12 as a confirmed route as it is (step S14). ). In this case, the temporary route searched in step S12 is displayed on the display unit 14 as a confirmed route, and route guidance is performed according to this route. However, the midnight discount system is not actually applied when a temporary route is searched so as not to travel on the expressway during the time zone subject to the midnight discount system.

  On the other hand, if the highway included in the temporary route includes a suburb of a large city, the discount system described above allows early night discounts if the mileage is within 100 km (runs within at least one suburb of a large city) In addition, there is a possibility that one mileage is within 100km). Therefore, in this case (YES in step S21), the route search unit 31 determines whether or not the high-speed section including the suburban section of the temporary route exceeds 100 km (step S22). If the determination result in step S22 is NO, that is, if the travel distance (the distance between the entrance and exit of the expressway included in the temporary route) does not exceed 100 km, only the early morning and night discount is applied. In this case (NO in step S22), the route search unit 31 determines that only early morning / night discount may be applied, and determines the temporary route searched in step S12 as a confirmed route as it is (step S14). In this case, the temporary route searched in step S12 is displayed on the display unit 14 as a confirmed route, and route guidance is performed according to this route.

  On the other hand, if the determination result in step S22 is YES, specifically, the highway section included in the provisional route obtained in step S12 includes a metropolitan suburb section, and the travel distance (included in the provisional route). If the distance of the high-speed section is over 100km, you can get off at a general road and then drive on the highway again. There may be a late night discount applied. In other words, both discount systems are applied together by getting off the expressway once outside the metropolitan suburban section that is as close as possible to the suburban section of the highway included in the temporary route, and then traveling again on the expressway. It will be possible. However, in this case, although the high speed section of the temporary route should be used once, it is used in two steps. The toll on the expressway is not a simple distance-proportional system, but is the sum of the charge proportional to the distance and the usage fee at the entrance / exit of the expressway. When using roads, the total tolls may be expensive even if a discount system is used. Therefore, when using the high speed section included in the temporary route only once as it is, and when using the high speed section divided at least twice, such as once getting off the general road and entering the highway again It will be necessary to compare the charges.

  Due to the above circumstances, the route search unit 31 searches for an alternative route obtained by dividing the high speed section of the temporary route so that the highway is used once within a range not exceeding 100 km including a suburb of a large city ( Step S23). In this case, an early night discount is applied to the former, and a late night discount is applied to the latter. Such an alternative route is at least one alternative route if a method of going outside the expressway and entering the same expressway again from the same entrance / exit at the middle of the expressway section included in the temporary route Can be searched. In addition, it is also effective to use a general road in which two highways are short-cut near the junction between the two highways. Further, when several alternative routes are possible, the route search unit 31 may search all of the plurality of alternative routes.

  In any case, when at least one alternative route is searched as described above, the route search unit 31 calculates the total amount of toll when using the alternative route (step S24). However, when there are a plurality of alternative routes, the total of the alternative routes and the toll fee may be displayed on the display unit 14 so that the driver can select an arbitrary alternative route. However, an alternative route with the lowest total toll may be automatically selected at this point by setting in advance by the driver. Note that these tolls are stored in advance in the mass storage device 10.

  When the toll for the alternative route is obtained in this way, the route search unit 31 uses the temporary route obtained in step S12 (in this case, the high-speed section included in the temporary route travels with one use). The toll (total high-speed section charge) is compared with the toll of the alternative route (the high-speed section included in the temporary route is divided into at least two parts) (step S25). As a result of this comparison, if the total high-speed section fee is lower or the same as the toll for the alternative route (YES in step S25), the route search unit 31 determines the temporary route searched in step S12 as a confirmed route as it is ( Step S14). In this case, the temporary route searched in step S12 is displayed on the display unit 14 as a confirmed route, and route guidance is performed according to this route.

  On the other hand, as a result of the comparison in step S25, if the total high-speed section fee is higher than the toll of the alternative route (NO in step S25), the route search unit 31 determines the alternative route searched in step S23 as the confirmed route. (Step S26). In this case, the display unit 14 is not the temporary route searched in step S12, but the alternative route searched in step S23 (at least once in the middle of the high-speed section included in the temporary route, get out of the highway and return to the highway again. The route that enters the road) is displayed as the confirmed route, and the route guidance is performed according to this route.

  However, as described above, when there are a plurality of alternative routes, the total amount of each alternative route and toll is displayed on the display unit 14 so that the driver can select any alternative route. Good. In this case, the alternative route selected by the driver is displayed as the confirmed route, and route guidance is performed according to this route.

  The above is the processing procedure when it is determined in step S18 that the commuting discount is not applied but another discount system may be applied. However, when it is determined in step S18 that the commuting discount is applicable, it is necessary to determine whether only the commuting discount is applied or whether the commuting discount is actually applied. In other words, as mentioned above, commuting discounts are not applicable to the suburbs of large cities, and are applied only when the usage distance is 100 km or less, and only once each morning and afternoon on the same day. It is use. For this reason, it is necessary to determine whether or not the temporary route searched in step S12 satisfies these conditions. In this case, the process proceeds to step S41 shown in FIG.

  First, the route search unit 31 determines whether or not a metropolitan suburb section is included in the high speed section included in the temporary route searched in step S12 (step S41). If the high speed section included in the temporary route searched in step S12 does not include a metropolitan suburb section (NO in step S41), a commuting discount may be applied. In this case, when the distance of the high speed section included in the temporary route is 100 km or less (NO in step S42), only the commuting discount is applied. Therefore, in this case, the route search unit 31 determines the temporary route searched in step S12 as a confirmed route as it is (step S14). In this case, the temporary route searched in step S12 is displayed on the display unit 14 as a confirmed route, and route guidance is performed according to this route.

  However, in step S42, when the use distance of the high speed section included in the temporary route searched in step S12 exceeds 100 km (YES in step S42), the commuting discount is not applied as it is, but the high speed section is divided into two. By doing so, the commuting discount is applied to one of the sections. In this case, the route search unit 31 searches for an alternative route obtained by dividing the high speed section of the temporary route so that the highway is used once within a range not exceeding 100 km (step S43). Commuting discounts can only be received once each morning and afternoon. Therefore, if the high-speed section is divided so that the commuting discount is applied to the nearest 100km of the high-speed section included in the temporary route, the discount system is not applied to the remaining sections, but the toll is The lowest price. However, if you have searched for a temporary route that uses the commuting discount in the evening hours and is in a time zone where you can use the early morning and night discount after entering the expressway, the highway section included in the temporary route It is sufficient to search for an alternative route that is divided into commuting discounts and early morning and night discounts.

  In any case, when at least one alternative route is searched as described above, the route search unit 31 proceeds to the above-described step S24, and calculates the total amount of toll when using the alternative route. However, when there are a plurality of alternative routes, the total of the alternative routes and the toll fee may be displayed on the display unit 14 so that the driver can select an arbitrary alternative route. However, an alternative route with the lowest total toll may be automatically selected at this point by setting in advance by the driver. After this, the route search unit 31 performs the processing after step S25 described above.

  If it is determined in the previous step S41 that the high speed section included in the temporary route searched in step S12 includes a metropolitan suburb section (YES in step S41), the commuting discount may not be applied. is there. In this case, the route search unit 31 determines whether or not the high speed section included in the temporary route searched in step S12 is longer than 100 km including the suburb section of the big city (step S45). That is, if the high-speed section included in the temporary route does not exceed 100 km including the suburb section of the big city (NO in step S45), a part of the temporary route, specifically, a section other than the suburb section of the big city Since the commuting discount is applied to the route, the route search unit 31 determines the temporary route searched in step S12 as it is as the confirmed route (step S14). In this case, the temporary route searched in step S12 is displayed on the display unit 14 as a confirmed route, and route guidance is performed according to this route.

  On the other hand, if the high speed section included in the temporary route exceeds 100 km including the suburb section of a large city (YES in step S45), the commuting discount is not applied as it is. In this case, however, commuting discounts and other discounts may be applied together. That is, since the commuting discount is applied to portions other than the suburb section of the big city, the route search unit 31 applies the commuting discount to the portion outside the suburb section of the large city in the temporary route searched in step S12. To search for alternative routes. Specifically, the route search unit 31 divides the high speed section of the temporary route so that the highway is used once within a range not exceeding 100 km outside the suburban section of the large city included in the temporary route. An alternative route is searched (step S46). As a result, commuting discounts will be applied to sections of the high-speed section included in the temporary route that do not exceed 100km outside the suburbs of large cities. However, if the early morning and night discount is available after entering the expressway using the evening commuter discount, it is divided into the commuting discount and early morning and night discount of all high speed sections included in the temporary route. And search for an alternative route to use.

  In any case, when at least one alternative route is searched as described above, the route search unit 31 proceeds to the above-described step S24, and calculates the total amount of toll when using the alternative route. However, when there are a plurality of alternative routes, the total of the alternative routes and the toll fee may be displayed on the display unit 14 so that the driver can select an arbitrary alternative route. However, an alternative route with the lowest total toll may be automatically selected at this point by setting in advance by the driver. After this, the route search unit 31 performs the processing after step S25 described above.

  As described above, according to the present invention, when the route from the departure place to the arrival place searched by a normal method passes through a toll road such as an expressway, the toll is divided by dividing the toll road route. Since the discount system can be enjoyed more advantageously, the benefits of the discount system can be enjoyed as advantageously as possible even when the departure place departs at an arbitrary time.

  In the above-described embodiment, the discount system that can be received when departing from the departure place at any time is utilized, but the departure is made so that the toll on the expressway is the lowest. It is of course possible to search for the time. However, in this case, a certain amount of waiting time may be required when entering the expressway and while traveling on the expressway (actually in the service area, parking area, etc.).

  Also, when actually driving the vehicle according to the searched route, the time of entering and exiting the expressway is adjusted, specifically, waiting for time at an appropriate place (for example, SA, PA on the expressway). Of course, it may be possible to obtain a more advantageous discount. Therefore, for example, a temporary route cannot be used for a discount system, or only one type of discount system can be received. However, for example, a certain discount system can be further received with only a short waiting time. In this case, the route search unit 31 may calculate such a waiting time and a discount amount for the toll and display it on the display unit 14. In this case, the driver may determine how to drive the vehicle by his / her own intention in consideration of the waiting time and the discount amount.

  The main program stored in the ROM 6, that is, the computer program according to the present invention, is stored in the map DB stored in the large-capacity storage device 10, the average hourly speed information, and further in the discount condition storage unit 35. Various times of departure from the departure point using a personal computer can be stored by storing it in a general-purpose personal computer together with information such as midnight discount, commuting discount, early morning night discount, and metropolitan suburbs. Thus, a plurality of routes can be searched. In this case, the user (driver) of the personal computer can know the departure time when the toll on the highway is the lowest.

  In addition, when a portable personal computer such as a notebook personal computer is used as the general-purpose personal computer, the personal computer is equivalent to the navigation device according to the present invention even when the navigation device is not mounted on the vehicle itself. It is also possible to realize the function.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, it is assumed that the ETC on-vehicle device 17 is provided. However, when there is a discount system that can be used even when the ETC system is not used, the navigation that does not include the ETC on-vehicle device 17 is provided. It becomes possible to apply this invention also to an apparatus.

It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the navigation apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the time relationship of various discount systems in the time axis of one day. It is a flowchart which shows the control procedure for demonstrating operation | movement of the navigation apparatus of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the control procedure for demonstrating operation | movement of the navigation apparatus of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the control procedure for demonstrating operation | movement of the navigation apparatus of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Absolute position / direction / time detection unit 2 Relative position detection unit 3 Vehicle speed detection unit 4 Main control unit including peripheral circuit 5 Memory group 6 ROM
10 Mass Storage Device 11 FM Multiplex Reception and Processing Unit 12 Optical / Radio Beacon Reception and Processing Unit 16 Input Unit 30 Destination Specification Unit 31 Route Search Unit 33 Current Location Calculation Unit 35 Discount Condition Storage Unit 36 Late Night Discount Information 37 Commuter Discount Information 38 Early morning and night discount information 39 Metropolitan suburbs section information

Claims (9)

Map data storage means storing map data including information indicating the position of the road, position detection means for detecting the position of the vehicle, destination setting means for setting the destination, and the destination setting means by the destination setting means In a navigation device comprising route search means for searching for a route from a vehicle position detected by the position detection means to a set destination when set,
Toll storage means for storing information on a toll road toll, and information on the toll discount system according to travel distance and / or travel time zone;
Means for determining whether the route searched by the route search means includes a toll road,
When it is determined that the searched route includes a toll road, the route search means refers to the information on the discount system stored in the toll storage means, and the travel distance of the toll road and A navigation device characterized in that a route obtained by dividing a route of a toll road included in the searched route is searched so that a toll differs depending on a travel time zone.   2. The route searching means searches for a route obtained by dividing a route of a toll road included in the searched route so that a toll charge on the toll road is the lowest. The navigation device described in 1. Time detection means for detecting time;
Mean speed storage means for storing the average speed according to the type of road,
The charging standard for tolls of toll roads included in the searched route with reference to the time detected by the time detection means and the average speed according to the type of road stored in the average speed storage means And a means for calculating the arrival time at
The route search means searches for a route obtained by dividing the route of the toll road included in the searched route based on the calculated arrival time at a position that is a charging standard for the toll of the toll road. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the navigation device is provided. When the destination is set by a navigation device comprising map data storage means for storing map data including information indicating the position of the road and position detection means for detecting the position of the vehicle, the position detection means detects the destination. In a navigation method that searches for a route from the location of the vehicle in question to the set destination,
Reading information on a toll road toll and a discount system for the toll according to travel distance and / or travel time; and
Searching for a route from the position of the vehicle detected by the position detecting means to the set destination when the destination is set;
Determining whether a toll road is included in the searched route;
When it is determined that a toll road is included in the searched route, by referring to the information on the discount system, the toll varies depending on the travel distance and / or travel time zone of the toll road. Dividing the route of the toll road included in the searched route.   5. The route according to claim 4, wherein the step of dividing the route of the toll road divides the route of the toll road included in the searched route so that the toll fee of the toll road is the lowest. Navigation method. The navigation device includes time detection means for detecting time, and average speed storage means for storing average speed according to the type of road,
When it is determined that a toll road is included in the searched route, referring to the time detected by the time detection means and the average speed according to the type of road stored in the average speed storage means And a step of calculating an arrival time at a position that is a charging standard for a toll of the toll road included in the searched route,
The step of dividing the route of the toll road is to divide the route of the toll road included in the searched route based on the calculated arrival time at a position that is a charging standard for the toll of the toll road. The navigation method according to claim 4, wherein the navigation method is characterized. When the destination is set in the computer connected to the map data storage means for storing the map data including the information indicating the position of the road and the position detection means for detecting the position of the vehicle, the position detection means detects the destination. A computer program for searching for a route from a vehicle position to a set destination, wherein the computer
A procedure for reading information on the toll road toll and the discount system for the toll according to the travel distance and / or travel time; and
A procedure for searching for a route from the position of the vehicle detected by the position detection means to the set destination when the destination is set;
A procedure for determining whether a toll road is included in the searched route,
When it is determined that a toll road is included in the searched route, by referring to the information on the discount system, the toll varies depending on the travel distance and / or travel time zone of the toll road. A computer program for executing a procedure for dividing a route of a toll road included in a searched route.   The procedure for dividing the route of the toll road is to divide the route of the toll road included in the searched route so that the toll fee of the toll road becomes the lowest amount. Computer program. The computer is further connected to time detection means for detecting time and average speed storage means for storing average speed according to the type of road,
When the computer determines that the searched route includes a toll road, the average speed according to the time detected by the time detection means and the type of road stored in the average speed storage means And further executing a procedure for calculating an arrival time at a position that is a charging standard for tolls of toll roads included in the searched route,
In the procedure for causing the computer to divide the route of the toll road, the route of the toll road included in the searched route is calculated based on the arrival time at the position that is a charging standard for the toll of the toll road calculated. The computer program according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the computer program is divided.

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