JP2008292416A - Navigation device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the waiting time of a user for searching by much shortening the route searching time in the navigation device. <P>SOLUTION: The navigation device is provided with an input operation part, an information memory part for storing the navigation information, and a control part for searching route. When a user inputs a departure spot and destination at the input operation part (S1) and a prescribed time Ts is established (S2), a CPU 11 starts for searching a route (S3), if a searching time T exceeds the Ts (YES at S4), a continuous searching estimation time Ta is obtained (S5), and at the same time researching a estimation time Tb by returning the present layer to a higher order layer (S6). If the time Tb does not exceed the time Ta in the CPU 11 (YES at S7), the route search is performed again (S8). When NO is at S7, the route search is continued from the present estimation spot (S9). Thereby, shorter time route search is made possible, and the waiting time for searching can be reduced. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a navigation device that searches for a route between predetermined points designated by a user and presents the searched route to the user.

  Conventionally, a navigation device stores, as navigation information, a search data file for route search in an information storage unit, reads search data such as map data for determining a route from this search data file, and reads from the current location a destination. The route guidance is performed by searching the route up to and displaying the searched route on the display.

  In a conventional navigation device, the search data in a search data file is known to have a hierarchical structure composed of a plurality of layers from lower to higher. Search data in this type of device is, for example, layers 1 to 3 In Layer 1, in addition to highways and toll roads such as expressways and toll roads, national roads, major local roads, prefectural roads, etc., narrow streets (roads narrower than general roads) ), All roads such as introduction roads are recorded. In Layer 2, among the roads in Layer 1, roads with a large road width, roads with a large number of lanes, speed limits such as highways and toll roads such as expressways and toll roads, national roads, major local roads, etc. High roads, roads with good vehicle flow, etc. are recorded. Further, in Layer 3, roads with a larger road width, roads with a large number of lanes, roads with a high speed limit, roads with good vehicle flow, etc. are recorded among the roads of Layer 2. Each layer 1 to 3 is formed by a data file.

  In general, when driving a long distance of several hundred kilometers, the driver often uses an expressway, and when driving a medium distance of several tens of kilometers, the driver may use a national road, a main local road, a prefectural road, etc. Often used. Accordingly, the configuration of each layer 1 to 3, for example, the number of layers, the roads constituting each layer 1 to 3, the search data area of each layer 1 to 3, and the like are determined by the distance traveled. Yes.

  In addition, when searching for a route with a short distance, search data of layer 1 is mainly used, and when searching for a route with a long distance, search data of layers 1 to 3 is used. This is because when searching for a route with a long distance, if only layer 1 is used, it becomes difficult to secure a memory capacity necessary for performing a route search process, that is, a route search process. This is because it becomes impossible to search for the route, or the processing speed of the route search processing decreases.

  Further, the search data of the lower layer is used as it is closer to the departure point and the destination, and the search data of the upper layer is used as it is farther from the departure point and the destination. In the vicinity of the departure point and the destination, the search data of layer 1 is used, and the search data of all roads are the search targets.

  However, as the road map becomes more detailed, the map data of each layer also increases, so it takes time to search for the destination. For this reason, the user may be annoyed or anxious due to an increase in the waiting time in route search, and may spend extra time by restarting the search. In particular, when the distance between points to be searched is long, the number of search routes increases. Therefore, the route search often takes time, and it has been desired to shorten the route search time.

  By the way, as shown in Patent Document 1, a search time prediction means for predicting the time required for route search is provided before route search, and when a large amount of processing time is required for route search, the user There is known a route search device capable of taking measures such as notifying the user of processing time for route search without causing irritation to the user or feeling uneasy. However, although this apparatus can notify the processing time during route search, it cannot shorten the route search time.

  Further, as disclosed in Patent Document 2, a navigation device that predicts a search time required for a route search before the route search and changes and controls the display screen of the display device according to the predicted search time is known. However, when the route search time is long, this device starts the vehicle early before the search is completed, and the route search time cannot be shortened.

Further, as shown in Patent Document 3, a navigation system that divides a searched route to a destination, searches again for the divided route, and determines a search route based on a search result by the re-search process. It has been known. However, in this system, the divided route is re-searched, and the route search is performed using the branch road as the target of the search data as necessary. Therefore, the number of search routes in the route search increases, and the route search time becomes long. There was a case.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-138509 JP 2004-138507 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-130668

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problem, and in a navigation device that performs route search and guides the route to the destination, the route search can be performed in a shorter processing time. An object of the present invention is to provide a navigation device that can reduce the waiting time for route search.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 is equipped with an input means for inputting a destination, a route search means for searching for a candidate route from a current location to the input destination, An information storage means for storing navigation information necessary for route search by the route search means, wherein the route search means searches for a candidate route from the current location to the destination based on the navigation information. Search time predicting means for predicting a search time required for the route search means, predetermined time setting means for setting a predetermined time for comparing with the search time for the candidate route by the route search means, and for the candidate route by the route search means When the search time exceeds the predetermined time set by the predetermined time setting means, the candidate route is narrowed down to the route. A re-route search means for re-searching, a re-search time prediction means for predicting a re-search time required for re-searching a candidate route to the destination by the re-route search means, and a control means for controlling the entire apparatus And when the search time for the candidate route by the route search means exceeds a predetermined time set by the predetermined time setting means, the control means continues to the destination as it is. The search time prediction unit predicts the continuous search prediction time when the candidate route is searched until, and compares the continuous search prediction time with the re-search prediction time predicted by the re-search time prediction unit, When the continuous search prediction time is shorter, the search for candidate routes by the route search means is continued, and when the re-search prediction time is shorter, candidates by the reroute search means And it executes a re-search process over bets.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the navigation device of the first aspect, the search data of the navigation information is recorded as a plurality of layers hierarchized according to the degree of detail from a lower road to an upper road, and the route The search means and the reroute search means search or re-search for a candidate route using search data of a plurality of layers.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the navigation device of the second aspect, the reroute search means stops searching for a lower layer than the current layer and moves to a higher layer than the current layer, except in the vicinity of the departure point and the destination. Return and re-search.

  According to the invention of claim 1, when the continuous search prediction time is shorter, the search for the candidate route by the route search means is continued, and when the re-search prediction time is shorter, the candidate route by the reroute search means. Therefore, the route search can be performed in a shorter search time. Thereby, since a quick route search can be performed, the waiting time at the time of a user's route search can be shortened, and the convenience improves.

  According to the invention of claim 2, a route search is performed using a plurality of layers including various roads from a lower road (for example, a road having a narrower width than a general road) to an upper road (for example, an expressway or a national road). Therefore, the effect of claim 1 can be accurately obtained.

  According to the invention of claim 3, since the reroute search means stops searching the lower layer from the current layer and returns to the upper layer from the current layer and searches again except near the departure point and the destination, In particular, when searching for a route to a distant destination where the use of higher layers increases, the route can be searched faster.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a block configuration of a navigation apparatus 1 according to the present invention. The navigation device 1 of the present embodiment includes an input operation unit (input unit) 2, a position detection unit 3, an information storage unit (information storage unit) 4, a display unit 5, a voice guidance unit 6, a traffic information reception unit 7, and a device. A control unit (control means) 10 for controlling the whole is provided, and guides a route from a destination candidate registered in the database to a destination selected by the user.

  The input operation unit 2 is used for inputting information related to route guidance such as a departure place and a destination. The input operation unit 2 also includes an operation panel 21 for inputting route search conditions and requesting route guidance by a touch operation and a key operation, a remote control 22 for operating the device by remote control, and a route described later. A predetermined time setting unit (predetermined time setting means) 23 is provided for setting a predetermined time for comparison with the search time for a candidate route by the search unit 11a. The operation panel 21 is configured by providing a touch panel on a display screen of the display unit 5 described later. By operating the input operation unit 2, the user can perform various instructions and settings such as searching for a destination candidate and changing the display screen setting. The predetermined time setting unit 23 may be provided in the remote controller 22 as a selection key.

  The position detection unit 3 uses a satellite navigation system (GPS) to obtain current position information such as the latitude and longitude of the vehicle from a GPS antenna, and the traveling direction of the vehicle is determined by using the geomagnetism. , A gyro sensor 33 for detecting the traveling direction of the vehicle in a relative direction, and a distance sensor 34 for detecting the traveling distance of the vehicle from the rotational speed of the wheels. The position detection unit 3 detects the current position of the vehicle using position information, direction information, distance information, and the like from the GPS receiver 31 and other sensors.

  The information storage unit 4 is an external storage device that stores route search information that is information necessary for route search, such as navigation programs and data, and includes, for example, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, or the like. The information storage unit 4 includes a program for performing processing such as route search, a display output control program and data necessary for route guidance, a program for performing voice output control necessary for voice guidance, and data necessary for the program. Stored. The route search information data stored in the information storage unit 4 is map data, road data, toll road / ferry usage fee data, guidance data, map matching data, destination data, registration point data (address, telephone number, etc.) , Genre-specific data, calendar data, and other files. It is also possible to store only data on the CD-ROM and store the program in the control unit 10.

  The route search information data further includes a search data file that stores search data read for route search. The search data has a hierarchical structure composed of a plurality of layers (here, layers 1 to 5) from the lower layer to the upper layer. In Layer 1, in addition to highways and toll roads such as expressways and toll roads, national roads, major local roads, prefectural roads, etc., all narrow streets (roads narrower than ordinary roads), introduction roads, etc. Roads are stored, and in layer 2, roads of general roads such as highways and toll roads such as expressways and toll roads, national roads, main local roads, and prefectural roads are stored among the roads in layer 1. In Layer 3, roads with wide roads, roads with a large number of lanes, and flow of vehicles, such as highways and toll roads such as expressways and toll roads, national roads, and major local roads, are good among the roads of Layer 2 Roads etc. are memorized. In the layer 4, roads with a larger road width, roads with a large number of lanes, such as highways and toll roads such as expressways and toll roads, national roads, etc. are stored among the roads in layer 3. In layer 5, roads with higher speed limits and roads with good vehicle flow are stored among the roads in layer 4. Each layer 1 to 5 is formed by a data file.

  The display unit 5 is configured by a simple liquid crystal display or the like, and displays guidance information necessary for the user on the display screen. Here, based on the map data and the guidance data processed by the control unit 10, information on the destination, destination name, time, distance, route to the destination, route search time, and the like are displayed. Further, the display unit 5 can be used as the operation panel 21 using a touch panel provided on the display screen, etc., so that the user can perform point input, road input, etc. by touching the screen or tracing the screen. It is configured.

  The voice guidance unit 6 performs route guidance, route search time guidance, and the like by voice. The voice guidance unit 6 outputs a guidance voice signal formed by the control unit 10 described later, and the output from the voice output unit 61. A speaker 62 that amplifies the sound is provided. By the voice guidance of the voice guidance unit 6, the driver can know the route information, the route search time, etc. without looking at the display unit 5.

  The traffic information receiving unit 7 includes a VICS / FM multiple receiver 71 that sequentially receives current road traffic information outside the vehicle. VICS (Vehicle Information & Communication System) provides road traffic information in real time, and transmits information by FM multiplexing (text broadcasting), radio wave beacon, and optical beacon. The latest road traffic information such as traffic congestion information and traffic accident information from this VICS is transmitted to the control unit 10, and the control unit 10 takes this road traffic information into consideration and searches for a route to the destination and a route search. Time can be calculated.

  The control unit 10 includes a CPU 11, a flash memory 12, a ROM 13, and a RAM 14. The CPU 11 includes a route search unit (route search unit) 11a, a search time prediction unit (search time prediction unit) 11b, a reroute search unit (reroute search unit) 11c, and a research time prediction unit (research time prediction unit) 11d. In addition to the route search processing based on the search data information for route search in the information storage unit 4, the output of route guidance information, and the display control of output guidance information, various calculation processes are executed.

  In the CPU 11, when the user inputs a destination with the input operation unit 2, the route search unit 11 a searches for a candidate route from the current location to the destination. The search time prediction unit (search time prediction unit) 11b predicts a search time necessary for the route search unit 11a to search for a candidate route from the current location to the destination based on the navigation information. The reroute search unit (reroute search means) 11c re-squeezes the route by narrowing down the candidate route when the search time of the candidate route by the route search unit 11a exceeds the predetermined time set by the predetermined time setting unit 23. Explore. The re-search time prediction unit (re-search time prediction unit) 11d predicts a re-search time necessary for re-searching the candidate route to the destination by the re-route search unit 11c.

  The flash memory 12 reads a program from the CD-ROM of the information storage unit 4 and stores it. The ROM 13 stores a program for updating the program and data stored in the information storage unit 4 based on the program check of the flash memory 12 and the program and data stored in the flash memory 12, and the RAM 14 The searched route guidance information such as the coordinates of the searched destination, the road name, etc. and the data being processed are temporarily stored. Further, the control unit 10 converts the voice read from the information storage unit 4 based on the voice output control signal from the CPU 11 into an analog signal and outputs the voice signal to the voice output unit 61 as a voice guidance signal, and the position detection unit 3. A sensor input interface for taking in sensor signals from the sensors, and a clock for measuring time such as movement time. Note that all the programs used in the present embodiment may be stored in the information storage unit 4, or some or all of the programs may be stored in the ROM 13 of the control unit 10.

  The overall system flow of the navigation device of this embodiment will be described. The predetermined time setting unit 23 sets in advance a predetermined time for comparison with the search time of the candidate route by the route search unit 11a and stores it in the database. . When the user inputs a starting point and a destination using the input operation unit 2, the route search unit 11a starts from the layer of the starting point and starts a route search using each layer. When the search time of the candidate route by the route search unit 11a exceeds a predetermined time preset by the predetermined time setting unit 23, the CPU 11 continues to search for a candidate route to the destination by the route search unit 11a. In addition to predicting the continuous search prediction time in this case by the search time prediction unit 11b, the re-search time prediction unit 11d predicts the re-search prediction time when the candidate route is re-searched. Further, the continuous search prediction time predicted by the search time prediction unit 11b is compared with the re-search prediction time predicted by the re-search time prediction unit 11d. If the continuous search prediction time is shorter, the route search unit 11a continues to search for a candidate route. If the re-search prediction time is shorter, the reroute search unit 11c performs candidate route re-search processing. Execute. As a result, the CPU 11 can automatically switch to a route search that can be performed in a shorter search time if the route search time elapses a predetermined time, so that the route search time can be shortened.

  Next, the operation procedure of the navigation device 1 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the user inputs a starting point and a destination using the input operation unit 2 (S1), and then sets a predetermined time Ts in the predetermined time setting unit 23 (S2), the route search unit 11a uses the route using the layer. The search is started (S3). When the route search time T by the route search unit 11a exceeds the predetermined time Ts (YES in S4), the CPU 11 continuously searches for a destination from the current predicted point in the current layer by the search time prediction unit 11b. The continuous search prediction time Ta in the case is obtained (S5), and at the same time, the re-search time prediction unit 11d returns the current layer to the previous upper layer and re-calculates the route search to calculate the re-search prediction time Tb. Obtain (S6). Here, when the re-search prediction time Tb is shorter than the continuous search prediction time Ta (YES in S7), the CPU 11 performs a route re-search process in the re-route search unit 11c (S8) and is searched by the re-search process. The route is guided on the display unit 5 (S11). If NO in S7, the route search process from the current predicted point is continued (S9), and the route searched in the continuous search process is similarly guided on the display unit 5 (S11). Also, if NO in S4, if the route search process is completed (YES in S10), the searched route is guided on the display unit 5 (S11), and if NO in S10, the process returns to S4. The steps after S4 are repeated.

With reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B, a route search example according to the above operation procedure will be described. In these drawings, in the vertical direction at the left end, layer blocks from a lower layer 1 to a higher layer 5 are shown in numerical order. Further, in the horizontal direction, a plurality of branch points in the route of each layer are represented, and these branch points are indicated as branch blocks B _{1 to} B _n . That is, the search route is searched in a form connecting branch blocks within each layer or between layers. Here, the search points in each branch block are indicated by P1, P2,... Pn, where P1 is a starting point and Pn is a destination.

FIG. 3A shows an example of an initial route search, and shows a path up to the middle of the initial route (indicated by a bold line) initially searched. In path (route) of the initial route, first, in departure P1 branch block _{B 1} Layer 4, branched block B of the path PT2 is selected from PT1~PT4 path that was selectable (indicated by dashed lines) Layer 4 Tied to P2 of ₂ . Subsequently, the path PT7 from the path PT5~PT8 was selectable chosen in P2, this path PT7 is coupled to P3 of the branch block _{B 3} of the layer 3. Further, the path PT12 from the path PT9~PT2 was selectable is selected by P3, the path PT12 is connected to P4 of the branch blocks _{B 4} Layer 2. Furthermore, the path PT15 from the path PT13~PT16 was selectable is selected by P4, the path PT15 is coupled to P5 branch block _{B 6} Layer 2, thereby, the path from P1 to P5 are searched. If the route search time T by the route search unit 11a reaches the predetermined time Ts during the search, the CPU 11 determines whether to continue the search or to search again.

FIG. 3 (b) shows the initial search for the route in FIG. 3 (a). When the route search time T exceeds the predetermined time Ts at the time of searching up to P5, the re-search prediction time Tb becomes the continuous search prediction time Ta. An example of a re-search route (indicated by a double line) searched by performing a route re-search process in the re-route search unit 11c in a shorter case will be shown. In the re-searched route, firstly, the P5 search points in the layer 2, (shown by dotted arrows) returns to P4, further returned to P2 branch block B ₂ Layer 4, Layer decrease from P2 Layer 4 The route is re-searched (within the range of layer 4 and layer 5) within the range that does not exist (except for the vicinity of the starting point and destination).

In this route re-search, first, the path PT5 and the path PT6 can be selected from P2 in consideration of not reducing the layer, but the same layer 4 path PT6 is selected and the layer 4 branch block B ₃ is selected. To P6. Path from P6 is susceptible from the path PT20~ path PT22, ignoring the path PT22 of the lower layer (indicated by the dashed line), leading to P7 branch block _{B 4} layers 5 located on top of layer The path PT21 is selected. Then, from P7, go straight to P8 of branch block B _n-2 in the same layer, and when approaching the destination Pn, a more detailed map is required, so the path PT24 is selected at P8 and the same as the destination P9 of the branch block _Bn-1 of layer 3 is selected, and the destination Pn of the final branch block _Bn is searched. As a result, the re-search route passes the road of a layer higher than the departure point and destination layers except for the vicinity of the departure point P1 and the destination point Pn, so that there are few road branches and the path can be narrowed. It is possible to search for a route to the destination in search time. In FIG. 3B, the reroute search is performed by returning from P2 of layer 2 to P2 of layer 4, but it is also possible to perform the reroute search by returning to P3 of layer 3.

  As described above, according to the navigation device 1 of the present embodiment, when the route search time T elapses the predetermined time Ts set by the user, the continuous search prediction time Ta predicted by the search time prediction unit 11b, When the re-search prediction time Tb predicted by the search time prediction unit 11d is compared, and the continuous search prediction time Ta is shorter, the search for the candidate route by the route search unit 11a is continued, and the re-search prediction time Tb When the route is shorter, the re-route search unit 11c performs candidate route re-search processing, so that route search can be performed in a shorter search prediction time. Thereby, route search time can be shortened, a user's search waiting time can be shortened, and the convenience increases.

  Moreover, since the search data of navigation information is included in a plurality of layers of roads that are hierarchized according to the degree of detail from the lower road to the upper road, the route search unit 11a and the reroute search unit 11c By searching or re-searching the candidate route using the search data of the plurality of layers, the route search prediction time can be obtained in more detail, and the accuracy of the search prediction time is improved.

  In addition, the reroute search unit 11c stops searching for a lower layer than the current layer, and returns to an upper layer from the current layer and searches again except for the vicinity of the departure point P1 and the destination Pn. When searching for a route to the ground, the use of higher layers including roads with few branches such as expressways is increased, and the route search time can be further shortened.

  Further, the prediction of the continuous search time by the search time prediction unit 11b is performed by adding the difference (expressed by a coefficient) of the data layer of the route searched by the route search unit 11a to the distance from the prediction current time point to the arrival point. It can also be obtained by calculating an estimate of the predicted time.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the structure of the said embodiment, A various deformation | transformation is possible suitably in the range which does not change the meaning of invention. For example, in the present embodiment, only one predetermined time is set. However, it is possible to speed up the search time by setting a plurality of predetermined times so that a reroute search can be performed a plurality of times. In addition, by specializing in route guidance using a route with a high layer for guidance in long-distance driving, the search processing can be speeded up by omitting the lower layer with large capacity and reducing the data capacity. Since the memory capacity can be reduced, the cost can be reduced.

The block block diagram of the navigation apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. The flowchart for demonstrating the operation | movement procedure of an apparatus same as the above. (A) is a figure explaining the flow of route search based on the operation | movement procedure of an apparatus same as the above, (b) is a figure explaining the flow of route search at the time of performing a reroute search in (a).

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Navigation apparatus 2 Input operation part (input means, predetermined time setting means)
4 Information storage unit 10 Control unit (control means)
11 CPU (control means)
11a Route search unit (route search means)
11b Search time prediction unit (search time prediction means)
11c Reroute search unit (reroute search means))
11d Re-search time prediction unit (re-search time prediction means)
23 Predetermined time setting unit (predetermined time setting means)

Claims (3)

Onboard vehicle, input means for inputting a destination, route search means for searching for a candidate route from the current location to the input destination, and navigation information necessary for route search by the route search means are stored. A navigation device comprising information storage means for
A search time prediction means for predicting a search time required for the route search means to search for a candidate route from the current location to the destination based on the navigation information;
A predetermined time setting means for setting a predetermined time for comparison with the search time for the candidate route by the route search means;
Re-route search means for re-searching the route by narrowing down the candidate route when the search time of the candidate route by the route search means exceeds a predetermined time set by the predetermined time setting means;
Re-search time prediction means for predicting a re-search time necessary for re-searching a candidate route to the destination by the re-route search means;
Control means for controlling the entire apparatus,
The control means includes
When the search time for the candidate route by the route search means exceeds the predetermined time set by the predetermined time setting means, the continuation when the route search means continues to search for a candidate route to the destination as it is When the search prediction time is predicted by the search time prediction means, the continuous search prediction time is compared with the re-search prediction time predicted by the re-search time prediction means, and the continuous search prediction time is shorter The navigation device is characterized in that the search for a candidate route by the route search means is continued and a re-search process for the candidate route by the re-route search means is executed when the re-search prediction time is shorter.   The search data of the navigation information is recorded as a plurality of layers hierarchized according to the level of detail from the lower road to the upper road, and the route search means and the reroute search means are used to search for a plurality of layers. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the candidate route is searched or re-searched using data. The re-route search means stops searching for a lower layer than the current layer and returns to a higher layer than the current layer and searches again except for the vicinity of the departure point and the destination. Navigation device.

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