JP2007333433A - Rest point proposal device, and rest point proposal system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To extremely naturally propose a point allowing passengers including a driver to take rest action to reduce fatigue of them by preventing the passengers from exchanging unnecessary concerns with one another. <P>SOLUTION: The rest point proposal device and system are provided by being controlled to acquire route point information related to a route point existing in a rest area which is set by an area setting part 21 and where passengers riding on a vehicle want to get out of the vehicle to take a rest, and related to genre information without being stored as retrieval history in an information retrieval history storage part 15, and to provide the acquired route information to the passengers at timing calculated based on the present position of the vehicle. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a break point proposing device and a break point proposing system for proposing a break point that prompts a passenger to take a break by providing peripheral information on a route to reach a destination.

  Generally, when the vehicle is continuously driven to some extent, the driver can realize a more comfortable drive by taking a break by temporarily stopping the vehicle and then getting off. In particular, when forced to drive to a destination for a long time, it is very beneficial in terms of health, such as being able to reduce the feeling of fatigue by occasionally taking a break as described above.

  However, the driver has a strong desire to reach the destination as soon as possible, and because it is difficult to grasp the degree of fatigue objectively by himself, it is possible to actively take breaks at appropriate times. There are many cases where it is impossible.

Thus, a method has been proposed in which the driver's fatigue level is predicted from the arrival status to the destination, and a break point is automatically set on the guidance route based on the predicted fatigue level (for example, Patent Documents). 1). Thus, the driver can easily grasp the optimum break point set on the guidance route.
JP 2001-227968 A

  However, the technique proposed in Patent Document 1 provides a break point for fatigue based on the driving behavior of the driver, and is considered for other passengers who are on the vehicle together with the driver. It has not been.

  The longer you are in a closed space such as a vehicle, the more tired you are, not just the driver. Long-term continuous driving behavior increases driver fatigue, but driving behavior with a certain degree of tension has the opposite effect of reducing psychological stress in a closed space. For such drivers, passengers other than the driver do not have fatigue due to driving behavior, but mental, physical, and fatigue that the driver feels due to being still in a closed space I feel a little different fatigue.

  When a driver and a passenger other than the driver are on board in the vehicle, it is very important to provide a break as appropriate in order to eliminate such fatigue. There is a risk that troublesome negotiations such as which one proactively proposes a break will be required, and there will be further fatigue in addition to the fatigue described above.

  For example, the driver is in a position to proactively propose a break because he / she is driving, but a passenger other than the driver is in a position where it is difficult to propose a break. . Therefore, it is necessary for the driver to actively propose a break by himself / herself in consideration of the passenger. At this time, based on the relationship with the passenger as described above, the driver can prevent the passenger from feeling heavier by his / her feelings, It is an important element to maintain a good relationship.

  In this way, when a driver and a passenger other than the driver are on board, there is a delicate human relationship according to the role in the vehicle, so it is necessary to reach the destination. There is a problem that it is very difficult to propose a natural break without stress.

  Therefore, the present invention has been proposed in view of the above-described circumstances, and can take a resting action that reduces the fatigue of passengers including the driver until the vehicle reaches the destination. It is an object of the present invention to provide a break point proposing device and a break point proposing system that enable a passenger to propose a point very naturally without unnecessary care.

  The break point proposing device of the present invention displays a current position detecting means for detecting a current position of a vehicle, a destination setting means for setting a destination, and a map corresponding to the current position of the vehicle drawn from map data. On the other hand, a route guidance unit that performs route guidance to the destination set by the destination setting unit, and route point information that is information about a route point that the vehicle arbitrarily passes through, is a genre that characterizes the route point information. Storage means for storing information in association with information, and search history storage for storing, as search history, genre information that characterizes the route point information that is a search target each time the route point information stored in the storage means is searched And a passenger boarding the vehicle get off and take a break based on the route guided by the route guidance unit Break area setting means for setting a desired break area, and route point information regarding a via point existing in the break area set by the break area setting means, and stored as a search history in the search history storage means Arrived after a predetermined time based on the current position of the vehicle detected by the current position detecting means and the information acquiring means for acquiring the passing point information associated with the non-genre information by searching the storage means A predicted arrival position that is predicted to be calculated in a predetermined time slot, a surrounding area of the calculated predicted arrival position is set as a predicted arrival area, and is set by the predicted arrival area setting means Via point identification means for identifying via points existing in the predicted reach area, and the information acquisition When the transit point information acquired by the stage is information related to the transit point specified by the transit point specifying unit, control is performed so as to provide the passenger with the transit point information acquired by the information acquiring unit. The above-described problems are solved by providing the control means.

  The break point proposing system according to the present invention performs an authentication process according to an on-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle and an access request from a user from the on-vehicle device, and starts data communication with the on-vehicle device according to an authentication processing result. A central processing unit.

  In this break point suggestion system, the central processing unit sets a destination setting means for setting a destination requested by data communication from the in-vehicle device, and a map corresponding to the current position of the vehicle drawn from map data. The route guidance means for performing the route guidance to the destination set by the destination setting means to the in-vehicle device while displaying the information, and the route information that is information on the route point through which the vehicle arbitrarily passes A storage unit that stores point information in association with genre information that characterizes the route point information, and characterizes the route point information that is a search target each time the route point information stored in the storage unit is searched Search history storage means for storing genre information as a search history for each user, and guidance by the route guidance means A rest area setting means for setting a rest area where a passenger who gets on the vehicle wants to get off and take a rest based on a route to be taken, and a via point existing in the rest area set by the rest area setting means Information acquiring means for acquiring the passing point information associated with the genre information not stored as search history in the search history storage means by searching the storage means, and data Based on the current position of the vehicle transmitted from the in-vehicle device by communication, the predicted arrival position predicted to arrive after a predetermined time is calculated in a predetermined time slot, and the surrounding area of the calculated predicted arrival position is predicted arrival A predicted arrival area setting means set as an area, and a predicted arrival area set by the predicted arrival area setting means Via point specifying means for specifying a via point existing in the in-vehicle device, the via point information acquired by the information acquiring means of the central processing unit is specified by the via point specifying means of the central processing device. By providing a control means for controlling to provide the occupant with the passing point information acquired by the information acquiring means and transmitted by data communication in the case where the information is about the passing point, Resolve.

  According to the present invention, the passengers need to take a resting point that can take a resting action that reduces the fatigue of the passengers including the driver before the vehicle reaches the destination. It makes it possible to make proposals very naturally without doing so.

  In addition, the present invention provides route point information that does not depend on the driver's arbitrary preference, etc., and proposes the route point associated with the route point information as a break point, so that the destination point is reached. It is possible to take a break while having unexpected and unexpected experiences that were not expected on the way, and to greatly improve the passenger's satisfaction.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
First, with reference to FIG. 1, a rest point suggesting apparatus 1 shown as the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[Configuration of break point proposal device 1]
As shown in FIG. 1, the break point proposal device 1 includes an input device 5, a display control unit 6, a display 7, a navigation device 10, and a break point proposal processing unit 20. The break point proposing device 1 is mounted on a vehicle or the like that is a moving body, and can take a break action that reduces the fatigue of the passengers including the driver until the vehicle reaches the destination. Points can be proposed very naturally.

  The input device 5 is an input unit of the break point suggesting device 1 and can operate the navigation device 10 and the break point suggestion processing unit 20 or input commands for using each function. As the input device 5, for example, various input devices such as a keyboard, a touch panel used in combination with the display 7, a mouse, and a pointing device can be used. The input device 5 may be a remote controller that remotely operates the break point suggesting device 1.

  The input device 5 may be a voice input device when the break point suggesting device 1 is provided with a voice recognition function, and the break point suggesting device 1 can be operated by voice input.

  The display control unit 6 generates a display image to be displayed on the display 7 in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 30, and performs display control of the generated display image. For example, the display control unit 6 reads out map data, road data, and the like from the storage unit 13 according to an instruction from the control unit 30 and generates a navigation map as a display image. Is read as a display image, an information providing image for proposing a break point is generated, and display control is performed so that both are appropriately displayed on the display 7.

  The display 7 is a display unit that displays a display image from the navigation device 10 and a display image from the break point suggestion processing unit 20 in accordance with the display control process of the display control unit 6. The display 7 is a liquid crystal display or the like, and is installed at a position that is easy for the user to visually recognize, for example, when it is mounted on a vehicle, the position is easily visible to the driver. The display panel of the display 7 may be a touch panel that combines the functions of the input device 5 described above. A plurality of displays 7 may be provided in the vehicle so that passengers other than the driver can easily see.

  Next, the configuration of the navigation device 10 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the navigation device 10 includes a GPS 12 to which a GPS (Global Positioning System) antenna 11 is connected, a storage unit 13, a storage unit 14, an information search history storage unit 15, and an arithmetic processing unit 16. I have. The navigation device 10 detects the current position of the mounted vehicle and provides route guidance to a desired destination while displaying a map corresponding to the current position of the vehicle drawn from the map data.

  The GPS 12 receives a signal transmitted from a GPS satellite by the GPS antenna 11, thereby performing position measurement by GPS navigation and obtaining absolute position (latitude, longitude) information. The obtained absolute position information is output to the arithmetic processing unit 16. The absolute position information detected by the GPS 12 can be used as the current position information of the vehicle in the break point proposal process by the break point proposal processing unit 20.

  The storage unit 13 stores various application software executed by the navigation device 10 and various data necessary for navigation such as map data of a map to be displayed, road data used for map matching, route guidance, and the like.

  In the storage unit 13, for example, a CD-ROM (Compact Disk-Read Only Memory), a DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disk-Read Only Memory), which is a removable storage medium, or a fixedly installed HD (Hard) Disk) or the like can be used. Further, as the storage unit 13, various types of removable media equipped with a semiconductor memory such as a flash memory may be used.

  Various data stored in the storage unit 13 can be updated if the storage unit 13 is not a medium such as a ROM that cannot be written. For example, when the break point proposing device 1 has a communication function that can be connected to a network such as the Internet, the latest information can always be prepared by updating various information as needed.

  The storage unit 14 stores information on a transit point, which is a place where a passenger who gets on the vehicle can get off and take a break when the vehicle passes. The storage unit 14 stores information related to transit points (hereinafter referred to as transit point information) in association with genre information that characterizes. For the storage unit 14, for example, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, a fixed HD, or the like can be used. Further, as the storage unit 14, various types of removable media equipped with a semiconductor memory such as a flash memory may be used.

  A transit point is defined as, for example, a restaurant, a retail store, a facility where a passenger can visit, a facility where they can visit, or an event itself held at a facility or a predetermined place.

  The route point information is, for example, the contents sold at the facility, the service provided, or the contents of an event held at a place for a predetermined period. Therefore, a plurality of route point information exist at one route point. The route point information includes, as attribute information, name information indicating the name of the route point provided (facility name, event name, etc.), location information indicating the location of the route point, and when new registration or update is possible Has a registration date and an update date and time.

  The genre information that characterizes the waypoint information is information that makes it possible to roughly understand what kind of information the waypoint information is, and it is possible to associate a plurality of pieces of genre information with one waypoint information. It is very flexible information.

  For example, there is a retail store that provides fresh vegetables sent directly from the production area as via points, and the via point information “directly produced vegetables (directly produced vegetables)” is stored in the storage unit 14 with respect to the via points. . The genre information that characterizes this transit point information ranges from those that can be generally assumed such as “local special product sales” and “vegetable sales” to “XX radish” that bears the production area.

  The route point information can be newly registered and updated if the storage unit 14 is not a medium such as a ROM that cannot be written. For example, when the break point proposing device 1 has a communication function that can be connected to a network such as the Internet, the latest information can always be prepared by performing new registration and update of the transit point information as needed.

  Further, the route point information stored in the storage unit 14 may be used for normal navigation processing of the navigation device 10. For example, genre information is prepared as a menu, and via point information is presented on the display 7 by selecting genre information that the driver likes. Then, in response to the selection of desired transit point information from the transit point information presented on the display 7, route guidance with the transit point corresponding to this transit point information as a destination is automatically performed. To be executed on.

  The information retrieval history storage unit 15 is associated with the retrieved transit point information when the transit point information stored in the storage unit 14 is retrieved by the information retrieval unit 22 of the break point proposal processing unit 20 described later. Genre information is stored as a search history. The information search history storage unit 15 also stores genre information associated with the route point information as a search history even when the route point information is searched in the normal navigation process of the navigation device 10.

  The arithmetic processing device 16 includes a destination setting unit 17 and a route guide unit 18.

  The destination setting unit 17 sets a destination input by the user via the input device 5.

  The route guidance unit 18 determines the position on the map of the vehicle on which the navigation device 10 is mounted from the absolute position (latitude, longitude) information output from the GPS 12 and the relative position information output from an autonomous navigation unit (not shown). Is calculated. Then, the route guidance unit 18 executes application software stored in the storage unit 13 and uses the destination set by the destination setting unit 17 and the calculated current position information to calculate the destination from the current position. Route guidance is performed to set an optimal travel route to the ground and provide route guidance (navigation) to the vicinity of the destination. At this time, voice navigation can also be executed by controlling a voice signal processing unit and a voice output unit (not shown) provided in the navigation device.

  In this route guidance unit 18, the position information calculated from the absolute position information from the GPS 12 and the relative position information from the autonomous navigation unit (not shown) is used as the current point of the vehicle in the break point proposal processing by the break point proposal processing unit 20. It may be used as position information.

  Next, the configuration of the break point proposal processing unit 20 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the break point suggestion processing unit 20 includes an area setting unit 21, an information search unit 22, and a scheduled passage time calculation unit 23.

  When an optimum route to the destination is set by the route guide unit 18 of the navigation device 10, the area setting unit 21 is requested to take a rest after a passenger boarding the vehicle gets off based on this route. Set the area. The area setting unit 21 passes a predetermined time zone after a driving duration when it is desirable to put a break when the required time to the destination is a predetermined time or more, for example, 60 minutes or more. The area near is set as a rest area.

  For example, the predetermined time zone after the driving continuation time during which it is desirable to put a break is a time zone corresponding to 30 minutes to 45 minutes after the start of driving the vehicle. That is, since it is desirable to sandwich a break if driving continuously for 30 minutes to 45 minutes, a break area including break point candidates to be proposed is set in the vicinity region of the route passing in this time zone.

  In addition, the area setting unit 21 calculates a predicted arrival position where the arrival of the vehicle is predicted after a predetermined time, for example, 30 minutes or more, based on the current position of the vehicle, and predicts a surrounding region of the calculated predicted arrival position Set as reachable area. As will be described later, when a predicted arrival area is set, a via point that exists in the predicted arrival area is searched, and if this searched via point is a candidate for a break point, the via point related to this via point is searched. Point information is provided.

  The predicted arrival area is an area that is provided for determining the timing for starting the provision of route point information of a route point that is a break point candidate.

  The area setting unit 21 takes a certain amount of time to determine whether the vehicle is a high-speed moving object or whether or not to stop at the transit point presented by the transit point information after the provision of the transit point information is started. In consideration of the necessity, the predicted arrival area is set so that provision of the passing point information starts considerably early from the time when the passing point is reached.

  The value after 30 minutes or more is the value obtained by experiments. If it is a transit point that is a candidate for a break point that exists in the surrounding area of the predicted arrival position that is predicted to arrive 30 minutes or more after the current position, there is a grace period of 30 minutes or more even if it is provided to the passenger Therefore, it is possible to secure a sufficient time to make a decision as to whether or not to stop, and it is possible to prevent the information from passing meaninglessly even though the information is provided.

  The area setting unit 21 calculates a predicted arrival position and periodically executes a process for setting a predicted arrival area in a predetermined time slot. The area setting unit 21 may calculate the predicted arrival position in consideration of the current speed of the vehicle in addition to the current position of the vehicle. In the case where the current speed of the vehicle is not used, for example, an average value of speeds up to immediately before or a speed limit of the traveling path acquired from road information or the like may be used. Thereby, a more reliable predicted arrival position can be calculated.

  In the rest area set by the area setting unit 21, the information search unit 22 stops the vehicle and passes the route point information regarding the waypoints that are candidates for places where the passenger can get off and take a break. The storage unit 14 of the navigation device 10 is accessed and searched. Specifically, the information search unit 22 refers to the position information indicating the position of the route point that is the attribute information of the route point information in the storage unit 14, and is included in the break area set by the area setting unit 21. Search for location information only.

  At this time, the information search unit 22 accesses the information search history storage unit 15 and refers to the genre information stored as the search history of the via point information, and the via points categorized by the genre information not included in the search history Search for information only.

  This is a process based on a basic policy when a rest point is proposed by the rest point proposing device 1 in which the passengers propose very naturally without unnecessary consideration, and reflects the driver's preference. In addition, the route point information corresponding to the genre information in the search history is not consciously used for the suggestion of the break point, so that consideration is given to passengers other than the driver.

  Further, the information search unit 22 searches the route point existing in the predicted reach area set by the area setting unit 21 by accessing the storage unit 14 of the navigation device 10. Specifically, the information search unit 22 searches the location information indicating the location of the transit point that is the attribute information of the transit point information in the storage unit 14, and within the predicted arrival area set by the area setting unit 21. Identify existing transit points.

  The scheduled passage time calculation unit 23 calculates a scheduled passage time when passing through a transit point corresponding to the transit point information searched by the information search unit 22.

  The control unit 30 is a control unit that comprehensively controls the break point proposing device 1, and cooperates with the navigation processing by the navigation device 10 and the break point proposing processing using the route point information by the break point suggesting processing unit 20. To control.

  The control unit 30 is information on the via points that are obtained by searching the rest area by the information searching unit 22 and existing in the predicted arrival area that is also searched and specified by the information searching unit 22. The display control unit 6 is controlled so as to provide the acquired transit point information to the passenger who has boarded the vehicle.

  The break point proposing device 1 configured as described above is a passenger including a driver according to the time required to reach the destination when the navigation device 10 performs route guidance to the vicinity of the destination desired by the user. Set a rest area where it is desired to get off the vehicle and take a break. In addition, it provides passengers with via-point information on via-points that are located in the break area and have a very low possibility of stopping by themselves regardless of the passenger's preference, etc. By doing so, a candidate for a break point can be proposed.

[Processing Operation of Break Point Proposal Device 1]
Next, the processing operation of the break point proposing device 1 having the configuration shown in FIG. 1 will be described using the flowchart shown in FIG.

  In step S1, the control unit 30 determines whether the user has requested the destination setting unit 17 of the navigation device 10 to set the destination via the input device 5 and requests the route guidance unit 18 to provide route guidance. To do. The control unit 30 sets the destination by the destination setting unit 17 and guides the route by the route guidance unit 18. When the navigation device 10 operates, the control unit 30 proceeds to step S2 and starts a break point proposal process for proposing a break point. To do.

  On the other hand, when the navigation device 10 is mounted on the vehicle and the function is not used, the control unit 30 does not require much breaks such as commuting, commuting to school, and moving to the neighborhood. It is assumed that the vehicle is used, and the process returns to step S1 to enter a standby state for the break point proposal process.

  In step S <b> 2, the area setting unit 21 calculates a required time from the current position to the destination using the current position information detected by the GPS 12 of the navigation device 10. If the required time is 60 minutes or more, the area setting unit 21 proceeds to step S3 because it is necessary to propose a break point. In addition, when the required time from the current position to the destination is less than 60 minutes, the area setting unit 21 ends the break point proposal process because it is not necessary to propose a break point.

  In step S <b> 3, the area setting unit 21 determines a point that passes after 30 minutes (area start point) and a point that passes after 45 minutes (area end point) on the route set by the route guide unit 18 of the navigation device 10. calculate. And the area setting part 21 sets the area | region of the both sides via the path | route connected by an area start point and an area end point, and this path | route as a rest area.

  The size of the rest area is defined by the distance from the route between the area start point and the area end point. The rest area is an area where the main purpose of stopping is to stop when the vehicle arrives on the route from the area start point to the area end point.

  The distance from the route between the area start point and the area end point that defines the size of the break area may be set in advance as a default value in a memory (not shown) of the break point suggestion processing unit 20, or an input device 5 may be arbitrarily set by the user.

  In addition, the area starting point is a point that passes 30 minutes later and the area end point is a point that passes 45 minutes later, but this may start a break when driving for a long time of 60 minutes or more. It is determined based on the desired time, and is not limited to these values. The area start point and area end point may be set in advance as default values in a memory (not shown) of the break point proposal processing unit 20 or may be arbitrarily set by the user via the input device 5. Good.

  In step S4, the information search unit 22 accesses the storage unit 14 of the navigation device 10, and whether there is a transit point in the break area set in step S3 and whether one or more transit point information is stored. Search for it. The information search unit 22 proceeds to step S5 when no corresponding route point information is stored in the storage unit 14, and proceeds to step S7 when stored.

  In step S5, as a result of searching the storage unit 14 by the information search unit 22, the control unit 30 determines that there is no transit point in the break area and no transit point information is stored. The time required from the farthest point, which is the farthest point on the set route to the destination, is calculated. If the required time is 60 minutes or longer, the control unit 30 proceeds to step S6 because it is necessary to propose a break point. In addition, when the required time from the farthest point to the destination is less than 60 minutes, the control unit 30 ends the break point proposal process because it is not necessary to propose a break point.

  In step S6, the area setting unit 21 cancels the rest area set in step S3, sets the farthest point described above as a new area start point, and calculates a point that passes 15 minutes after the farthest point on the set route. And set it as a new area end point. Then, the area setting unit 21 sets a new area start point, a route connected by the area end point, and regions on both sides via this route as a new rest area. When step S6 ends, the area setting unit 21 returns the process to step S4.

  In step S <b> 7, the information search unit 22 accesses the information search history storage unit 15 of the navigation device 10, and the history of genre information that characterizes the route point information stored as the search history of the route point information that has already been searched. In step S4, it compares with the genre information of the waypoint information of the waypoints existing in the break area obtained by searching the storage unit 14.

  And the information search part 22 is the via point information characterized by the genre information which does not exist in the search history of the genre information memorize | stored in the information search history memory | storage part 15 among the via point information of the via point which exists in a rest area. If there is one or more, the process proceeds to step S8. If there is no one, the process proceeds to step S10.

  In step S8, the information search unit 22 is characterized by genre information that does not exist in the search history of the genre information stored in the information search history storage unit 15 among the via point information of the via points existing in the break area. If there are three or more pieces of point information, the process proceeds to step S9. If less than three, the process proceeds to step S11.

  In step S9, the control unit 30 indicates the current point information of the vehicle detected by the GPS 12 and the position of the via point, which is attribute information of the via point information, for the three or more via point information searched in step S8. Based on the received position information, sorting is performed in the order of via points closer to the current position.

  In step S10, the information search unit 22 uses the search result in step S4, and the newly registered registration time or the updated update time of the route point information stored in the storage unit 14 is the latest route. Select up to 2 items in order from the point information.

  By the way, when the storage unit 14 is a storage medium such as a ROM and cannot be newly registered or updated, the latest route point information cannot be selected. In the case of such media restrictions, the information search unit 22 uses the search result in step S4 to select a maximum of two route point information of the route points close to the current position of the vehicle from the storage unit 14. To do.

  In step S11, if the control unit 30 does not go through step S9, the control unit 30 stores and holds all the route point information of less than three in a memory not shown. In addition, when step S9 is performed, the control unit 30 acquires a maximum of two sorts of route point information in the sort order, and stores and stores the information in a memory (not shown). Further, when step S10 is performed, the control unit 30 stores and holds the route point information selected in step S10 in a memory (not shown).

  In step S12, the control unit 30 newly routes the route to the predetermined destination obtained by the navigation device 10 in step S1 through the route point corresponding to the route point information stored in the memory (not shown) at the shortest distance. The route guidance unit 18 of the navigation device 10 is recalculated so as to obtain a simple route. At this time, the route guidance unit 18 calculates the number of route point information stored in a memory (not shown), for example, a maximum of two, for a new route that passes through the route point at the shortest distance.

  Then, when the route guide unit 18 calculates a new route that passes through the transit point in the break area, the control unit 30 controls the scheduled passage time calculation unit 23 so that the vehicle is operated based on the new route. Calculate the estimated time of passing through the transit point. The scheduled passage time calculation unit 23 uses the current position information detected by the GPS 12 of the navigation device 10 to calculate the scheduled passage time from the positional relationship between the current position and the transit point.

  In step S13, the area setting unit 21 calculates a predicted arrival position where the arrival of the vehicle is predicted after a predetermined time, for example, 30 minutes or more, based on the current position of the vehicle, and the surrounding area of the calculated predicted arrival position Is set as the predicted arrival area.

  The information search unit 22 accesses the storage unit 14 of the navigation device 10 to search for and identify a via point that exists in the predicted reach area set by the area setting unit 21.

  In the control unit 30, the via points existing in the predicted arrival area searched and specified by the information search unit 22 correspond to the via point information acquired by searching the rest area by the information search unit 22. Determine if it is a point.

  The control unit 30 controls the display control unit 6 according to the fact that the waypoint information acquired by searching the rest area is information about the waypoints existing in the specified predicted arrival area. By displaying via point information stored in a memory (not shown) via the display 7 together with the estimated passing time passing through the via point calculated in step S12, a via point that is a candidate for a break point is provided to the user. And suggest.

  The display control unit 6 is more conservative of route point information proposed as a break point by the break point suggestion processing unit 20 than the map image used for navigation by the navigation device 10, and is attached to the map image as the main information to the user. Display control of a display image is performed so that it may be visually recognized.

  In the example shown in FIG. 3A, via-point information proposed as a break point is displayed in the display image IF1 having a size of about 1/6 in the upper right area of the display image Map1 such as a map. ing. In the example shown in FIG. 3B, via-point information proposed as a break point is displayed in the right area of the display image Map2 such as a map, in the display image IF2 having a size of half or less. It is displayed.

  As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the information to be displayed in the display image via the display 7 includes at least the passing point information P1 and the scheduled passage time information T1 calculated in step S12. In addition, route point name information M1 may be added as attribute information. In the example shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, these pieces of information are shown as break point proposal information A and B.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, in the display images IF1 and IF2 that display the waypoint information, the passengers of the vehicle such as “Sometimes have a pleasant drive with a rest” are displayed. A message prompting for a break may be attached.

  In addition, the break point proposing device 1 is provided with an audio signal processing unit so that route point information stored in a memory (not shown) of the break point proposal processing unit 20 is converted into an audio signal and output as a sound from a speaker (not shown). Then, via points that are candidates for break points may be provided to the user and suggested.

  The control unit 30 sets the predicted arrival area in the next time slot when the via point information acquired by searching the rest area is not information regarding the via points existing in the specified predicted arrival area. It will be in a standby state.

  In the following description, information such as route point information and scheduled passage time displayed via the display 7 as break point candidates is collectively referred to as break point proposal information.

  In step S <b> 14, the control unit 30 determines whether or not the user who has visually confirmed the break point proposal information displayed on the display 7 has expressed his intention to stop by using a desired via point as a break point. For example, when the desired break point proposal information displayed on the display 7 is selected by the user via the input device 5, the control unit 30 uses the via point proposed in the break point proposal information as a break point. Judge that he has expressed his intention to stop by.

  If there is an intention expression by the user, the control unit 30 proceeds to step S15, and if there is no intention expression, the control unit 30 proceeds to step S22.

  In step S15, the control unit 30 controls the display control unit 6 in response to the intention expressed by the user, and causes the route guidance unit 18 to calculate the position of the route point scheduled to be routed and in step S12. The route to the destination when the route point is passed is displayed on the display 7.

  In step S16, the control unit 30 determines whether the vehicle has stopped and the passenger got off before reaching the transit point expressed in step S14 based on the current position information detected by the GPS 12 of the navigation device 10. Verify whether the passenger has taken a break before reaching the transit point. Whether the vehicle is stopped is determined using, for example, a detection value of a vehicle speed sensor (not shown) mounted on the vehicle, and whether the vehicle is alighted is determined using a detection value of a human sensor provided in the vehicle.

  When the vehicle stops and the passenger does not get off, the control unit 30 proceeds to step S17. When the vehicle stops and the passenger gets off, the control unit 30 proceeds to step S20.

  In step S <b> 17, the control unit 30 verifies whether the vehicle has stopped and the passenger has got off at the transit point expressed in step S <b> 14 based on the current position information detected by the GPS 12 of the navigation device 10. Determine if the passenger has taken a break at the transit point.

  If the vehicle stops and the passenger gets off, the control unit 30 proceeds to step S18. If the vehicle stops and the passenger does not get off, the control unit 30 advances the process to step S23.

  In step S18, the control unit 30 waits until the vehicle departs after the stop of the vehicle and the passenger getting off is detected. When the vehicle departs, the process proceeds to step S19.

  In step S <b> 19, the control unit 30 instructs the navigation device 10 to newly display the route from the transit point that has been stopped as a break point to the destination, which has already been calculated in step S <b> 12, on the display 7. After the process of step S19 is complete | finished, the control part 30 returns a process to step S2 in order to start the process which proposes the next rest point.

  In step S20, the control unit 30 waits until the vehicle departs after the vehicle stops and the passenger getting off is detected before reaching the transit point expressed in step S14. In that case, the process proceeds to step S21.

  In step S21, the control unit 30 determines that a break has been made in front of the transit point declared in step S14, and reroutes the route from the current position to the destination to the route guide unit 18 of the navigation device 10. Let it be calculated. Then, the control unit 30 instructs the navigation device 10 to newly display the calculated route from the current position to the destination on the display 7. After the process of step S21 is complete | finished, the control part 30 returns a process to step S2 in order to start the process which proposes the next rest point.

  In step S22, the control unit 30 displays the break point proposal information on the display 7 in step S13 in response to the absence of the intention to stop by passing the route point proposed in step S13 as a break point. From within the predetermined time, for example, within 30 minutes, it is determined whether the stop of the vehicle and the passenger getting off are detected at any place.

  If the vehicle stops and the passenger gets off, the control unit 30 proceeds to step S18. If the vehicle stops and the passenger does not get off, the control unit 30 advances the process to step S23.

  In step S23, regardless of whether or not the intention is expressed in step S14, the control unit 30 has passed all the transit points displayed on the display 7 as the break points in step S13. The process returns to step S2 to promptly propose a new break point.

  In any of the processing steps of the flowchart shown in FIG. 2, when the destination is reset by the user, the processing from step S1 is executed.

[Effect of the first embodiment]
As described above, the break point proposing device 1 shown as the first embodiment of the present invention is required to reach the destination when the navigation device 10 performs route guidance to the vicinity region of the destination desired by the user. A rest area where a passenger including a driver gets off the vehicle and wants to take a rest is set according to time. In addition, among the transit points that exist in the break area and can be used for various experiences and tours, provide transit point information to the passengers regarding transit points that are very unlikely to stop by themselves regardless of the passenger's preference. To suggest break points.

  This makes it possible for the passengers to take resting points that can take resting actions that reduce the fatigue of the passengers, including the driver, before the vehicle reaches the destination, without the passengers having to worry about each other. It can be proposed very naturally.

  In addition, we provide route point information that does not depend on the driver's arbitrary preference, etc., and propose the route point related to this route point information as a breakpoint, so we expect it on the way to the destination. It is possible to take a break while having an unexpected and unexpected experience that was not possible, and the passenger's satisfaction can be greatly improved.

  At this time, because the rest area is set based on the route to the destination, a waypoint that stops a little without deviating significantly from the route is proposed as a breakpoint candidate via the waypoint information. Can do.

  In providing route point information regarding a route point that is a candidate for a break point, the information search unit 22 is a region around a predicted arrival position that is predicted to arrive after a predetermined time set by the area setting unit 21 The route point existing in the predicted reachable area is searched and specified. And the control part 30 provides this via point information to a passenger, when the acquired via point information is the information regarding the specified via point.

  As a result, route point information related to a route point that is a candidate for a break area can be provided to the passenger considerably early after a predetermined time, for example, after the vehicle arrives at the route point, such as after 30 minutes or more. Therefore, it is possible to secure a sufficient time for determining whether or not to stop at the waypoint corresponding to the provided waypoint information.

  Accordingly, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the passenger passes through the corresponding via point meaninglessly without making an appropriate determination even though the via point information is provided.

  In addition, since the break point proposing device 1 sets a break area based on the required time to the destination, the transit point where the break can be taken is set to an appropriate position according to the length of the required time and an appropriate number of times. It can be proposed as a break point candidate via the route point information.

  Further, in the break point proposing device 1, the display control unit 6 controls the waypoint information to be displayed on the display 7 along with a map image for route guidance that is the main information. It is possible to encourage the passengers of the vehicle including the driver to take a resting action very naturally. This is particularly effective when there are a plurality of passengers because it is difficult to propose a break and the frequency of taking a break needs to be increased.

  Furthermore, when the desired route point information is selected from the proposed route point information via the input device 5, a new route to the destination via the route point corresponding to the route point information is displayed on the display 7. Since the displayed route guidance is provided, the rider of the vehicle including the driver can be guided to the resting behavior very naturally without exerting labor.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a rest point suggestion system 2 shown as a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

[Configuration of break point proposal system 2]
As shown in FIG. 4, the break point suggestion system 2 includes a central processing unit 40 that executes main processing in the break point suggestion system 2 and an in-vehicle device that is mounted on a vehicle 80 and can communicate with the central processing unit 40. 70 and a display 7 also mounted on the vehicle 80. The break point suggestion system 2 has substantially the same function as the break point suggestion apparatus 1 shown as the first embodiment of the present invention, and until the vehicle equipped with the in-vehicle device 70 reaches the destination, It is possible to propose a break point that can take a break action that reduces the fatigue of the passengers including the driver very naturally.

  The break point suggestion system 2 is a client / server system system in which the in-vehicle device 70 mounted on the vehicle 80 is a client and the central processing unit 40 is a server. For example, a business that operates the central processing unit 40 The user on the vehicle 80 side receives the service provided by the person via the in-vehicle device 70.

  First, the configuration of the central processing unit 40 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the central processing unit 40 includes a communication unit 41, a user database 42, a control unit 43, a navigation device 50, and a break point proposal processing unit 60.

  The communication unit 41 performs data communication with the in-vehicle device 70 mounted on the vehicle 80 via a predetermined network.

  The user database 42 stores user information for managing users who receive a break point proposal service provided by the break point proposal system 2. For example, the user database 42 stores a user ID (IDentification), which is an account ID that uniquely identifies a user registered as user information, and a network authentication password in association with each other. The account ID may be a vehicle ID that uniquely identifies the vehicle 80 on which the in-vehicle device 70 is mounted instead of the user ID.

  The user database 42 includes, for each account ID, a usage history storage field 42a that functions in the same manner as the information search history storage unit 15 included in the navigation device 10 of the break point proposal device 1 shown as the first embodiment of the present invention. Provided.

  The use history storage field 42a of the user database 42 is searched via point information when the information searching unit 62 of the break point proposal processing unit 60 described later searches for the passing point information stored in the storage unit 52 described later. The genre information associated with is stored as a search history. In addition, in the use history storage field 42a, genre information associated with the route point information is stored as a search history even when the route point information is searched in the normal navigation process of the navigation device 50.

  The navigation device 50 includes a storage unit 51, a storage unit 52, an arithmetic processing unit 53 having a destination setting unit 54 and a route guide unit 55, and the vehicle 80 transmitted from the in-vehicle device 70 of the vehicle 80. The current position is acquired, a map corresponding to the current position of the vehicle drawn from the map data is transmitted to the in-vehicle device 70, and route guidance to a desired destination is performed.

  The storage unit 51, the storage unit 52, and the arithmetic processing unit 53 of the navigation device 50 are completely the same as the storage unit 13, the storage unit 14, and the arithmetic processing unit 16 included in the navigation device 10 of the break point proposing device 1 described with reference to FIG. Since it is the same function, description is abbreviate | omitted. However, the position information transmitted from the in-vehicle device 70 is used as the position information of the vehicle 80 used in the route guidance by the route guidance unit 55. In addition, the storage units 51 and 52 can be updated at any time via a network such as the Internet using a medium having a larger capacity than the storage units 13 and 14 and capable of writing and updating. .

  The break point suggestion processing unit 60 includes an area setting unit 61, an information search unit 62, and a scheduled passage time calculation unit 63, and driving on the vehicle 80 on the route set by the navigation device 50. Break points can be proposed for passengers including passengers.

  The area setting unit 61, the information search unit 62, and the scheduled passage time calculation unit 63 of the break point suggestion processing unit 60 are the area setting unit 21 provided in the break point proposal processing unit 20 of the break point suggestion device 1 described with reference to FIG. Since the functions are the same as those of the information search unit 22 and the scheduled passage time calculation unit 23, description thereof is omitted. However, the position information transmitted from the in-vehicle device 70 is used as the position information of the vehicle 80. Further, the information search unit 62 refers to the genre information stored as the search history in the use history storage field 42a of the user database 42.

  Next, the in-vehicle device 70 mounted on the vehicle 80 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the in-vehicle device 70 includes a GPS 72 to which a GPS antenna 71 is connected, a communication unit 73, a calculation processing device 74 having a display control unit 75 and a control unit 76, and an input device 77.

  The GPS 72 receives a signal transmitted from a GPS satellite by the GPS antenna 71, thereby performing position measurement by GPS navigation and obtaining absolute position (latitude, longitude) information. The obtained absolute position information is transmitted to the central processing unit 40 via the communication unit 73 by the arithmetic processing unit 74. The absolute position information detected by the GPS 72 is used for each process that requires position information in the navigation device 50 and the break point proposal processing unit 60 of the central processing unit 40.

  Further, the control unit 76 of the arithmetic processing unit 74 obtains position information from the absolute position information detected by the GPS 72 and relative position information output from an autonomous navigation unit (not shown) mounted on the vehicle, and communicates this. The information may be transmitted to the central processing unit 40 via the unit 73 and used for each process that requires position information in the navigation device 50 and the break point proposal processing unit 60 of the central processing unit 40.

  The communication unit 73 performs data communication with the central processing unit 40 via a predetermined network.

  The display control unit 75 generates a display image to be displayed on the display 7 using data transmitted from the central processing unit 40 in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 76, and performs display control of the generated display image. For example, the display control unit 75 generates a map for navigation as a display image using map data, road data, and the like transmitted from the central processing unit 40 in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 76. An information providing image for proposing a break point is generated as a display image using the transmitted waypoint information, and display control is performed so that both are appropriately displayed on the display 7.

  The control unit 76 is a control unit that controls the in-vehicle device 70 in an integrated manner. In response to an access request based on an account ID and password input from the user via the input device 77, a predetermined network network by the communication unit 73 is set. The authentication process with the central processing unit 40 is started.

  The input device 77 can input a command for operating the in-vehicle device 70, input an account ID and password in an access request, and input a command for the central processing unit 40. As the input device 77, for example, various input devices such as a keyboard, a touch panel used in combination with the display 7, a mouse, and a pointing device can be used. The input device 5 may be a remote controller that remotely operates the break point suggesting device 1.

  Further, the input device 77 may be a voice input device when the on-vehicle device 70 is provided with a voice recognition function, and can operate the on-vehicle device 70 by voice input.

  The display 7 is exactly the same as that used in the break point proposing device 1 and displays a display image based on the data processed and transmitted by the central processing unit 40 in accordance with the display control processing of the display control unit 75. It is a display unit. The display 7 is a liquid crystal display or the like, and is installed at a position that is easy for the user to visually recognize, for example, when it is mounted on the vehicle 80, mainly at a position that is easily visible to the driver. The display panel of the display 7 may be a touch panel that combines the functions of the input device 77 described above. A plurality of displays 7 may be provided in the vehicle 80 so that passengers other than the driver can easily see.

  The control unit 43 is a control unit that comprehensively controls the central processing unit 40, and links the navigation processing by the navigation device 50 and the break point suggestion processing using the route point information by the break point suggestion processing unit 60 to each other. Control while.

  Further, the control unit 43 performs an authentication process on the account ID and password transmitted as an access request from the in-vehicle device 70 based on the user information stored in the user database 42, and passes through the in-vehicle device 70 according to the authentication processing result. Access to the central processing unit 40 is permitted. A user who is permitted to access can use the functions of the navigation device 50 and the break point suggestion processing unit 60 of the central processing unit 40 via the in-vehicle device 70.

  Further, the control unit 43 gives various statistical processing results regarding the transit point information stored in the storage unit 52 that is registered and updated as needed via a network such as the Internet as attribute information of the transit point information. be able to.

  For example, sales of goods or services given via point information are collected from each via point via a network such as the Internet, and the result of statistical processing of the collected points is stored in the storage unit 52 as attribute information. Give to point information. As a result, the information search unit 62 can easily search the storage unit 52 for route point information given to the best-selling goods and services.

  By giving such statistical processing results as attribute information of the waypoint information by the control unit 43, the selection criteria for selecting the waypoints to be proposed as break points can be increased, so that the passengers are unnecessary for each other It is possible to carry out the proposal of a very natural break point without worrying about it more variously and surely.

[Processing of break point proposal system 2]
Next, the processing operation of the break point proposal system 2 having the configuration shown in FIG. 4 will be described using the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

  In step S31, first, the control unit 43 of the central processing unit 40 uses the user information stored in the user database 42 in response to a user access request from the in-vehicle device 70 via a predetermined network, Perform password authentication processing. The control unit 76 of the in-vehicle device 70 transmits a desired destination input via the input device 77 to the central processing device 40 from the communication unit 73 in response to the access request being authenticated by the central processing device 40. To do.

  Next, the control unit 43 of the central processing unit 40 causes the destination setting unit 54 of the navigation device 50 to set a destination, and determines whether or not the route guidance unit 55 is requested to perform route guidance. When the destination setting unit 54 sets the destination and the route guidance unit 55 performs the route guidance and the navigation device 50 operates, the control unit 43 proceeds to step S32 and starts a break point suggestion process for proposing a break point. To do.

  On the other hand, if there is no request for using the navigation device 50 from the in-vehicle device 70, the control unit 43 regards the use of the vehicle 80 as an extremely daily use that does not require much breaks such as commuting, commuting to school, and moving to the neighborhood. It returns to step S31 and will be in the standby state of a break point proposal process.

  In step S <b> 32, the area setting unit 61 calculates the required time from the current position to the destination using the current position information transmitted from the in-vehicle device 70. If the required time is 60 minutes or longer, the area setting unit 61 proceeds to step S33 because it is necessary to propose a break point. In addition, if the required time from the current position to the destination is less than 60 minutes, the area setting unit 61 ends the break point proposal process on the assumption that there is no need to propose a break point.

  In step S33, the area setting unit 61 determines a point that passes 30 minutes later (area start point) and a point that passes 45 minutes later (area end point) on the route set by the route guide unit 55 of the navigation device 50. calculate. And the area setting part 61 sets the area | region on both sides via the path | route connected by the area start point and the area end point, and this path | route as a rest area.

  The size of the rest area is defined by the distance from the route between the area start point and the area end point. The rest area is an area that stops when the vehicle 80 arrives on the route from the area start point to the area end point, and is defined as a distance that is not too far away from the route. .

  The distance from the route between the area start point and the area end point that defines the size of the rest area may be preset as a default value for each user in the user database 42, or via the input device 77. The user may arbitrarily transmit it.

  In addition, the area starting point is a point that passes 30 minutes later and the area end point is a point that passes 45 minutes later, but this may start a break when driving for a long time of 60 minutes or more. It is determined based on the desired time, and is not limited to these values. The area start point and the area end point may be set in advance as default values for each user in the user database 42, or may be arbitrarily transmitted by the user via the input device 77.

  In step S34, the information search unit 62 accesses the storage unit 52 of the navigation device 50, and whether there is a transit point in the break area set in step S33 and whether one or more transit point information is stored. Search for it. The information search unit 62 proceeds to step S35 when no corresponding route point information is stored in the storage unit 52, and proceeds to step S37 when stored.

  In step S35, the control unit 43 searches the storage unit 52 by the information search unit 62. As a result, there is no transit point in the break area, and no transit point information is stored. The time required from the farthest point, which is the farthest point on the set route to the destination, is calculated. When the required time is 60 minutes or longer, the control unit 43 proceeds to step S36 because it is necessary to propose a break point. In addition, when the required time from the farthest point to the destination is less than 60 minutes, the control unit 43 ends the break point suggestion process because it is not necessary to propose a break point.

  In step S36, the area setting unit 61 cancels the rest area set in step S33, sets the farthest point described above as a new area start point, and calculates a point that passes 15 minutes after the farthest point on the set route. And set it as a new area end point. Then, the area setting unit 61 sets a new area start point, a route connected by the area end point, and regions on both sides via this route as a new rest area.

  Next, the route point information acquisition process in step S37 will be described using the flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, in step S51, the information search unit 62 accesses the use history storage field 42a of the user database 42 and sets the genre information that characterizes the route point information stored as the search history of the route point information that has already been searched. In step S34, the history is referred to and compared with the genre information of the route point information of the route points existing in the break area obtained by searching the storage unit 52.

  Then, the information search unit 62 includes route point information characterized by genre information that does not exist in the search history of the genre information stored in the use history storage field 42a among the route point information of route points existing in the break area. Search for.

  In step S52, the information search unit 62 includes the via points characterized by genre information that does not exist in the search history of the genre information stored in the usage history storage field 42a among the via point information of the via points existing in the break area. If there are two or more pieces of information, two arbitrary waypoint information is acquired from the storage unit 52 and the process proceeds to step S60. On the other hand, if there are less than two corresponding route point information, the information search unit 62 acquires only the corresponding route point information and proceeds to step S53.

  In step S53, the information search unit 62 searches the storage unit 52, and among the route point information of route points existing in the break area, new registration / update processing is most recently performed within a predetermined latest period. Obtained in order from the via point information. The predetermined latest period is, for example, the past week.

  In step S54, the information search unit 62 determines whether the total number of transit point information acquired up to step S53 is two. If the acquired information is two in total, the process proceeds to step S60, and if it is less than two, the process proceeds to step S55.

  In step S55, the information search unit 62 searches the storage unit 52, and among the route point information of route points existing in the break area, the information search unit 62 has been ranked as a best seller within a predetermined most recent period, that is, recently sold well. Acquired in order from via point information such as goods and services. The predetermined period is an optimal period for verifying the sales of goods, for example, the past one month.

  In step S56, the information search unit 62 determines whether the total number of transit point information acquired up to step S55 is two. If the total number of pieces of information acquired is two, the process proceeds to step S60, and if it is less than two, the process proceeds to step S57.

  In step S57, the information search unit 62 searches the storage unit 52, and has been a long seller from a predetermined day among the route point information of the route points existing in the break area, that is, has been sold since a certain time. The information is acquired in order starting from the passing point information of the continued goods and services. The predetermined date is, for example, a date when route point information is registered in the storage unit 52 or a date when the facility is opened.

  In step S58, the information search unit 62 determines whether the total number of transit point information acquired up to step S57 is two. If the total number of pieces of information acquired is two, the process proceeds to step S60, and if it is less than two, the process proceeds to step S59.

  In step S <b> 59, the information search unit 62 searches the storage unit 52, and the latest registration and update processing has been performed most recently, without limiting the period, of route point information of route points existing in the break area. The relay point information is acquired in order from the relay point information until the total of the relay point information acquired up to step S59 is two.

  In step S60, the control unit 43 stores and holds the two waypoint information acquired by the information search unit 62 in a memory (not shown).

  The route point information acquisition process in step S37 described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 6 uses the statistical processing result regarding the route point information as the attribute information of the route point information stored in the storage unit 52, and the attribute information of the route point information. This process can be realized by giving In this process, the break point proposal system 2 shown as the second embodiment is different from the break point proposal device 1 shown as the first embodiment described above, and becomes a client / server type system form. Therefore, the route point information stored in the storage unit 52 of the central processing unit 40 can be managed collectively.

  Returning to the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 again, the processing after step S38 will be described.

  In step S38, the control unit 43 newly routes the route to the predetermined destination obtained by the navigation device 50 in step S31 via the via point corresponding to the via point information stored in the memory (not shown) at the shortest distance. The route guidance unit 55 of the navigation device 50 is recalculated so as to obtain a simple route. At this time, the route guiding unit 55 calculates the number of route point information stored in a memory (not shown), for example, a maximum of two, for a new route that passes through the route point at the shortest distance.

  When the route guide unit 55 calculates a new route that passes through the transit point in the break area, the control unit 43 controls the scheduled passage time calculation unit 63 to control the vehicle 80 based on the new route. To calculate the estimated passage time of passing the transit point. The scheduled passage time calculation unit 63 uses the current position information transmitted from the in-vehicle device 70 to calculate the scheduled passage time from the positional relationship between the current position and the transit point.

  In step S39, the area setting unit 61 calculates a predicted arrival position where the arrival of the vehicle is predicted after a predetermined time, for example, 30 minutes or more, based on the current position of the vehicle, and the surrounding area of the calculated predicted arrival position Is set as the predicted arrival area.

  The information search unit 62 accesses the storage unit 52 of the navigation device 50 to search for and identify the waypoints that exist in the predicted reach area set by the area setting unit 61.

  The control unit 43 includes transit point information stored in a memory (not shown), position information that is attribute information of the transit point information, scheduled passage time information that passes through the transit point calculated by the scheduled passage time calculation unit 63, and information search. Position information indicating the position of the transit point existing in the predicted reach area searched by the unit 62 is transmitted from the communication unit 41 to the in-vehicle device 70 via a predetermined network.

  The control unit 76 of the in-vehicle device 70 compares the position information that is the attribute information of the waypoint information transmitted from the central processing unit 40 with the position information that indicates the position of the waypoint that exists in the predicted reachable area. Whether the via point existing in the predicted arrival area searched and specified by the information search unit 62 is a via point corresponding to the via point information obtained by searching the rest area by the information search unit 62. Judge whether.

  The control unit 76 matches the position information of each other, and the waypoint information acquired by searching the rest area is information about the waypoints existing in the specified predicted arrival area. Then, by controlling the display control unit 75 to display the passing point information stored in the memory (not shown) via the display 7 together with the scheduled passing time passing through the passing point, the passing points that are candidates for the rest point are displayed. Provide and suggest to users.

  The display control unit 75 is more conservative of the route point information proposed as the break point by the break point suggestion processing unit 60 than the map image used for navigation by the navigation device 50, and accompanies the map image as the main information to the user. Display control of a display image is performed so that it may be visually recognized.

  As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the transit point information is incidentally transmitted through the display 7 without obstructing the main information as in the break point proposing device 1 according to the first embodiment. Is displayed.

  In addition, the in-vehicle device 70 is provided with an audio signal processing unit, the route point information transmitted from the central processing unit 40 is converted into an audio signal, and is output as audio from a speaker (not shown) to become a break point candidate. A via point may be provided to the user and suggested.

  The control unit 76 sets the predicted arrival area in the next time slot when the passing point information acquired by searching the rest area is not information regarding the passing point existing in the specified predicted arrival area. It will be in a standby state.

  In the following description, information such as route point information and scheduled passage time displayed via the display 7 as break point candidates is collectively referred to as break point proposal information.

  In step S <b> 40, whether the control unit 43 of the central processing unit 40 has transmitted a statement of intention to stop by a user who has visually confirmed the break point proposal information displayed on the display 7, via a desired via point as a break point. Judging. For example, when the desired break point proposal information displayed on the display 7 is selected by the user via the input device 77 of the in-vehicle device 70 and transmitted to that effect, the control unit 43 uses the break point proposal information. Judge that he has expressed his intention to stop at the proposed waypoint as a breakpoint.

  If there is an intention expression by the user, the control unit 43 proceeds to step S41. If there is no intention expression, the control unit 43 proceeds to step S48.

  In step S41, the control unit 43 receives the position information of the route point scheduled to be routed according to the intention expressed by the user and the route point calculated by the route guidance unit 55 in step S38. The route information to the destination is transmitted to the in-vehicle device 70.

  In response to this, the control unit 76 of the in-vehicle device 70 controls the display control unit 75 to cause the route guidance unit 55 to calculate the position of the via point scheduled to be transmitted transmitted from the central processing unit 40 and in step S38. The route to the destination when the route point is passed is displayed on the display 7.

  In step S42, based on the current position information transmitted from the in-vehicle device 70, the control unit 43 determines whether the vehicle 80 has stopped and the passenger has exited before reaching the transit point expressed in step S40. Verify whether the passenger has taken a break before reaching the transit point. The stop of the vehicle 80 is determined using, for example, a detection value transmitted from a vehicle speed sensor (not shown) mounted on the vehicle 80, and whether or not the vehicle has been removed is transmitted from a human sensor provided in the vehicle 80 or the like. Judgment is made using the detected value.

  The control unit 43 proceeds to step S43 when the vehicle 80 stops and the passenger does not get off, and proceeds to step S46 when the vehicle 80 stops and the passenger gets off. .

  In step S43, the control unit 43 verifies whether the vehicle 80 has stopped and the passenger has got off at the waypoint expressed in step S40 based on the current position information transmitted from the in-vehicle device 70. Determine if the passenger has taken a break at the transit point.

  If the vehicle 80 stops and the passenger gets off, the control unit 43 proceeds to step S44. If the vehicle 80 stops and the passenger does not get off, the control unit 43 proceeds to step S49. .

  In step S44, after the stop of the vehicle 80 and the passenger getting off are detected, the control unit 43 waits until the vehicle 80 departs. When the vehicle 80 departs, the process proceeds to step S45.

  In step S45, the control unit 43 instructs the navigation device 50 to transmit to the in-vehicle device 70 route information from the waypoint that has been stopped as a break point, which has already been calculated in step S38, to the destination. In response to this, the control unit 76 of the in-vehicle device 70 controls the display control unit 75, and the destination when the route guidance unit 55 calculates the route point calculated in step S38 transmitted from the central processing unit 40. A new route is displayed on the display 7.

  After the process of step S45 is complete | finished, the control part 43 returns a process to step S32, in order to start the process which proposes the next rest point.

  In step S46, the control unit 43 waits until the vehicle 80 is departed after the vehicle 80 stops and the passenger getting off is detected before reaching the transit point expressed in step S40. If the vehicle has departed, the process proceeds to step S47.

  In step S47, the control unit 43 determines that a break has taken place in front of the transit point declared in step S40, and sends a route from the current position to the destination to the route guide unit 55 of the navigation device 50. Recalculate. Then, the control unit 43 instructs the navigation device 10 to transmit the calculated route information from the current position to the destination to the in-vehicle device 70.

  In response to this, the control unit 76 of the in-vehicle device 70 controls the display control unit 75 to display the route from the current position to the destination calculated by the route guidance unit 55 transmitted from the central processing unit 40 on the display 7. New display.

  After the process of step S47 is complete | finished, the control part 43 returns a process to step S32, in order to start the process for proposing the next rest point.

  In step S48, the control unit 43 displays the break point suggestion information on the display 7 in step S39 in response to the fact that there is no intention to stop by using the transit point proposed in step S39 as a break point. From within the predetermined time, for example, within 30 minutes, it is determined whether the stop of the vehicle 80 and the passenger getting off are detected at any place.

  If the vehicle 80 stops and the passenger gets off, the control unit 43 proceeds to step S44. If the vehicle 80 stops and the passenger does not get off, the control unit 43 proceeds to step S49. .

  In step S49, regardless of whether or not the intention is expressed in step S40, the control unit 43 has passed all the transit points displayed on the display 7 as the break points in step S39. The process returns to step S32 in order to promptly propose a new break point.

  In any of the processing steps of the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, when the destination is reset by the user, the processing from step S31 is executed.

[Effect of the second embodiment]
As described above, the rest point suggestion system 2 shown as the second embodiment of the present invention is required to reach the destination when the navigation device 50 performs route guidance to the vicinity of the destination desired by the user. A rest area where a passenger including a driver gets off the vehicle and wants to take a rest is set according to time. In addition, among the transit points that exist in the break area and can be used for various experiences and tours, provide transit point information to the passengers regarding transit points that are very unlikely to stop by themselves regardless of the passenger's preference. To suggest break points.

  This makes it possible for the passengers to take resting points that can take resting actions that reduce the fatigue of the passengers, including the driver, before the vehicle reaches the destination, without the passengers having to worry about each other. It can be proposed very naturally.

  In addition, we provide route point information that does not depend on the driver's arbitrary preference, etc., and propose the route point related to this route point information as a breakpoint, so we expect it on the way to the destination. It is possible to take a break while having an unexpected and unexpected experience that was not possible, and the passenger's satisfaction can be greatly improved.

  At this time, because the rest area is set based on the route to the destination, a waypoint that stops a little without deviating significantly from the route is proposed as a breakpoint candidate via the waypoint information. Can do.

  Further, in providing route point information regarding a route point that is a break point candidate, the control unit 43 of the central processing unit 40 is predicted to arrive after a predetermined time set by the area setting unit 61. A route point existing in the predicted arrival area which is the area around the position is searched and specified. And the control part 76 of the vehicle-mounted apparatus 70 is the information regarding the via point which the via point information transmitted from the central processing unit 40 by data communication exists in the prediction reach | attainment area similarly transmitted from the central processing unit 40 by data communication. If this is the case, this waypoint information is provided to the passenger.

  As a result, route point information related to a route point that is a candidate for a break area can be provided to the passenger considerably early after a predetermined time, for example, after the vehicle arrives at the route point, such as after 30 minutes or more. Therefore, it is possible to secure a sufficient time for determining whether or not to stop at the waypoint corresponding to the provided waypoint information.

  Accordingly, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the passenger passes through the corresponding via point meaninglessly without making an appropriate determination even though the via point information is provided.

  Furthermore, in the break point suggestion system 2, since the central processing unit 40 executes the break point proposal process in response to a request from the in-vehicle device 70, it is possible to greatly reduce the processing load on each in-vehicle device 70. . Therefore, the vehicle-mounted device 70 can be provided to the user at a low cost, and the break point proposal processing service can be easily realized.

  Further, the control unit 43 can give the statistical processing results acquired from the respective transit points and aggregated as attribute information of the transit point information. As a result, the selection criteria for selecting the waypoints to be proposed as breakpoints can be increased, so that the passengers can make extremely natural breakpoint proposals more diversely and reliably without unnecessary consideration for each other. Can be executed.

  In addition, since the break point proposal system 2 sets a break area based on the required time to the destination, the transit point where the break can be taken is set to an appropriate position according to the length of the required time and an appropriate number of times. It can be proposed as a break point candidate via the route point information.

  Further, in the break point suggestion system 2, the display control unit 75 controls the waypoint information to be displayed on the display 7 along with a map image for route guidance that is the main information. It is possible to encourage the passengers of the vehicle including the driver to take a resting action very naturally. This is particularly effective when there are a plurality of passengers because it is difficult to propose a break and the frequency of taking a break needs to be increased.

  Furthermore, when the desired route point information is selected from the proposed route point information via the input device 77 of the in-vehicle device 70, a new route to the destination via the route point corresponding to the route point information is obtained. Is obtained by the navigation device 50 of the central processing unit 40. And since it is transmitted to the in-vehicle device 70 by data communication and a new route via the waypoint is displayed on the display 7 and route guidance is made, it is possible to carry out the vehicle passengers including the driver without labor. It can lead to a resting behavior very naturally.

  Further, the break point suggestion system 2 shown as the second embodiment of the present invention is an advertisement proposal system in which advertisement data is stored in the storage unit 52. Based on the processing operations of the flowcharts shown in FIGS. In the same way as when proposing a transit point that becomes a break point via the transit point information, an advertisement of a genre that does not depend on the user's arbitrary preference is provided. Therefore, it is possible to propose a product or service related to the user, and thus, the user's satisfaction can be greatly improved by proposing a product or service that is unexpected or highly contingent.

  The above-described embodiment is an example of the present invention. For this reason, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and according to the design or the like, as long as the technical idea according to the present invention is not deviated from other embodiments. Of course, various modifications are possible.

It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of the break point proposal apparatus shown as the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the processing operation of the said break point proposal apparatus. It is the figure which showed an example at the time of displaying via point information via a display. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of the rest point proposal system shown as the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the processing operation of the said break point proposal system. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the via point information acquisition process operation | movement in the flowchart of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Break point proposal apparatus 2 Break point proposal system 5 Input device 6 Display control part 7 Display 10 Navigation apparatus 13,14 Storage part 15 Information search history storage part 16 Arithmetic processing apparatus 17 Destination setting part 18 Route guidance part 20 Break point proposal Processing unit 21 Area setting unit 22 Information retrieval unit 30 Control unit 40 Central processing unit 41 Communication unit 42 User database 42a Usage history storage field 43 Control unit 50 Navigation device 51 Storage unit 51, 52 Storage unit 53 Arithmetic processing unit 54 Destination setting Unit 55 Route Guidance Unit 60 Break Point Proposal Processing Unit 61 Area Setting Unit 62 Information Retrieval Unit 70 On-vehicle Device 73 Communication Unit 74 Arithmetic Processing Device 75 Display Control Unit 76 Control Unit 77 Input Device

Claims (8)

Current position detecting means for detecting the current position of the vehicle;
Destination setting means for setting the destination;
Route guidance means for guiding the route to the destination set by the destination setting means while displaying a map corresponding to the current position of the vehicle drawn from map data;
Storage means for storing route point information, which is information about a route point through which the vehicle arbitrarily passes, in association with genre information characterizing the route point information;
Search history storage means for storing, as a search history, genre information that characterizes the route point information that is a search target each time the route point information stored in the storage means is searched;
Based on the route guided by the route guidance means, a rest area setting means for setting a rest area where a passenger boarding the vehicle is desired to get off and take a break;
Route point information associated with genre information that is route point information related to a route point existing in the break area set by the break area setting unit and is not stored as a search history in the search history storage unit. , Information acquisition means acquired by searching the storage means;
Based on the current position of the vehicle detected by the current position detection means, a predicted arrival position predicted to arrive after a predetermined time is calculated in a predetermined time slot, and a region around the calculated predicted arrival position is predicted arrival A predicted arrival area setting means for setting as an area;
Via point identifying means for identifying a via point existing in the predicted arrival area set by the predicted arrival area setting means;
When the route point information acquired by the information acquisition unit is information related to the route point specified by the route point specifying unit, the route point information acquired by the information acquisition unit is provided to the passenger. A break point proposing device comprising: control means for controlling The break point proposing device according to claim 1, wherein the break area setting means sets the break area based on a required time to the destination set by the destination setting means. The control means attaches the route point information acquired by the information acquisition means to the main information without obstructing the main information visually provided via the display means installed in the vehicle. The break point proposing device according to claim 1, wherein the rest point suggesting device is controlled so as to be provided visually. Among the waypoint information provided by the control by the control means, comprising a selection means for selecting a desired waypoint information by a passenger who has boarded the vehicle,
The route guidance means performs route guidance to the destination via a route point corresponding to the selected route point information in response to selection of desired route point information by the selection means. The break point proposing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: A breakpoint comprising: an in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle; and a central processing unit that performs authentication processing in response to an access request from a user from the in-vehicle device and starts data communication with the in-vehicle device according to an authentication processing result A proposal system,
The central processing unit is configured to set a destination requested by data communication from the in-vehicle device,
Route guidance means for performing route guidance to the destination set by the destination setting means to the in-vehicle device by data communication while displaying a map corresponding to the current position of the vehicle drawn from map data When,
Storage means for storing route point information, which is information about a route point through which the vehicle arbitrarily passes, in association with genre information characterizing the route point information;
Search history storage means for storing, as a search history for each user, genre information that characterizes the route point information that is a search target each time the transit point information stored in the storage means is searched;
Based on the route guided by the route guidance means, a rest area setting means for setting a rest area where a passenger boarding the vehicle is desired to get off and take a break;
Route point information associated with genre information that is route point information related to route points existing in the break area set by the break area setting unit and is not stored as a search history in the search history storage unit , Information acquisition means acquired by searching the storage means;
Based on the current position of the vehicle transmitted from the in-vehicle device by data communication, a predicted arrival position predicted to arrive after a predetermined time is calculated in a predetermined time slot, and a region around the calculated predicted arrival position is predicted Predicted arrival area setting means for setting as an arrival area;
Via point identifying means for identifying via points existing in the predicted arrival area set by the predicted arrival area setting means,
The in-vehicle device, when the route point information acquired by the information acquisition unit of the central processing unit is information on the route point specified by the route point specifying unit of the central processing unit, the information acquisition unit A break point proposing system comprising: control means for controlling to provide the occupant with the passing point information acquired and transmitted by data communication. The rest point suggestion system according to claim 5, wherein the rest area setting means of the central processing unit sets the rest area based on a required time to the destination set by the destination setting means. The control unit of the in-vehicle device obstructs the main information visually provided via the display unit installed in the vehicle, the route point information acquired by the information acquisition unit and transmitted by data communication. The break point suggestion system according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the system is controlled so as to be provided visually in association with the main information. The in-vehicle device has selection means for selecting a desired via point information by a passenger who has boarded the vehicle, among the via point information provided by the control by the control means,
The route guidance means of the central processing unit selects the desired waypoint information by the selection means, and passes the waypoint corresponding to the waypoint information selected in response to being notified by data communication. The route point proposal system according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein route guidance to a destination is performed on the in-vehicle device by data communication.

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