JP2009174855A - System and equipment for route search - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system for route search which draws out with high accuracy the amount of fuel to be consumed on the occasion of passing through a route. <P>SOLUTION: The system is provided with a route searching device 100 equipped with a candidate route drawing-out part 110 which draws out a candidate route leading to the destination of a driver's own vehicle, a fuel consumption calculating part 120 which calculates the fuel consumption in the case of the vehicle passing through the candidate route, based on the fuel consumption in running on the occasion of the vehicle running along the candidate route and on the fuel consumption on the occasion of the vehicle departing after a stop as to a stopping point on the candidate route where the vehicle possibly stops, a route selecting part 130 which selects one route and an output part 140 which outputs the route. The system is provided also with a route search assisting device which has a demand receiving part 11 which receives a demand for acquisition of the probability of the stop as to the stopping point on the candidate route, a stop probability calculating part 12 which calculates the probability of the stop at the stopping point relating to the demand for acquisition, referring to a stop probability data base 21, and a sending part 13 which sends out the calculated probability of the stop to the route searching device 100. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a route search system and a route search device that search for a route using fuel efficiency as an index.

There is known a route search device that uses an average relationship between carbon dioxide emission and vehicle speed to search for a route between a departure point and a destination where greenhouse gas emission is minimized (see Patent Document 1). ).

JP 2005-30823 A

  However, since the fuel consumption at the start of the vehicle may differ from the fuel consumption during driving, depending on the evaluation based on the average relationship between the carbon dioxide emission and the vehicle speed, the route search based on the highly accurate fuel consumption There was a problem that could not be done.

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a route search system and a route search device capable of obtaining the fuel consumption amount when the host vehicle passes the route with high accuracy.

  The present invention acquires a stop probability indicating the probability that the vehicle will stop at a predetermined stop point on the route, and based on the stop probability and a reference fuel consumption amount that is defined in advance as a consumption amount at the start of the vehicle. The above-described problem is solved by calculating the fuel consumption amount at the time of start and obtaining the fuel consumption amount when the host vehicle passes through the route using the fuel consumption amount at the time of start.

  According to the present invention, since the fuel consumption amount at the start according to the stop probability of the stop point can be taken into account, even when the fuel consumption at the start of the vehicle is different from the fuel consumption amount at the time of traveling, high accuracy The route search based on the fuel consumption obtained in step 1 can be performed.

  The route search system 1000 according to the present embodiment includes an apparatus having a function of obtaining the fuel consumption amount of each route so that the route searched using the distance, time, fee, etc. as an index can be further evaluated from the viewpoint of fuel consumption amount. It is.

  The calculated fuel consumption of each route is used as an index during route search, and the route search with the route with the lowest fuel consumption as the recommended route from the viewpoint of emphasizing environmental protection, or the user together with distance, time, fee, etc. It is possible to perform a route search that can also consider fuel consumption.

  A route search system 1000 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of the entire route search system 1000.

  The route search system 1000 of this embodiment includes an in-vehicle device 2000 mounted on a vehicle and a server 3000 that can communicate with the in-vehicle device 2000.

  Further, the in-vehicle device 2000 includes a route search device 100, a communication terminal 200 that communicates with the outside, a map database (map DB) 300 having map information, a vehicle controller 500 that acquires information about the vehicle, and the vehicle It has a vehicle information storage device 400 that stores information about the vehicle acquired from the controller 500, and a monitor / speaker 600 having an input function.

The route search device 100 and the vehicle controller 500 are configured by combining operation circuits such as a CPU, an MPU, a DSP, and an FPGA. The communication terminal 200 is a mobile phone or the like, and the map database 300 uses a recording medium such as an HDD, CD, MD, DVD, or optical disk. The vehicle information storage device 400 is constituted by a RAM or the like.

  The server 3000 includes a route search assist device 10, a data storage device 20 that stores data necessary for processing of the route search assist device 10, a server-side map database (map DB) 30 having map information, and the outside. It has the delivery apparatus 40 which delivers information, and the communication part 50 which communicates with the exterior.

The route search assist device 10 is configured by combining operation circuits such as a CPU, MPU, DSP, and FPGA. The data storage device 20 is composed of a RAM or the like. The server-side map database 30 uses a recording medium such as an HDD, CD, MD, DVD, optical disk, etc., as in the vehicle side. The communication network of the communication unit 50 is a mobile phone network, UWB, DSRC, wireless LAN, or the like.

  The in-vehicle device 2000 and the server 3000 can exchange information with each other via the communication terminal 200 and the communication unit 50.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a block configuration of the route search system 1000.

  Hereinafter, based on FIG. 2, each configuration of the route search device 100 and each configuration of the route search assist device 10 will be described.

  As illustrated in FIG. 2, the route search device 100 includes a candidate route deriving unit 110, a fuel consumption calculation unit 120, a route selection unit 130, and an output unit 140.

  The candidate route deriving unit 110 of the present embodiment refers to the map information in the map database 300 and guides a candidate route from the departure point to the destination. The candidate route deriving unit 110 according to the present embodiment uses a navigation function 1101 (with GPS: Global Positioning System 700) provided by the present embodiment to arbitrarily select distance priority, required time priority, toll priority, toll road priority, congestion avoidance, and the like. Route candidates based on the index are derived. The candidate route to be derived may be one route or a plurality of routes. The derived candidate route information includes link information constituting the candidate route, and information on stopping points that may stop on the candidate route. In addition, the information on each candidate route can include the (expected) time of passing through the node of each link and the (expected) time of passing through the stop point. It is possible to acquire and use traffic information on a route for determining required time, passage time, and traffic status from VICS (Vehicle Information and Communication System).

  The fuel consumption calculation unit 120 calculates the fuel consumption when the host vehicle passes the candidate route guided by the candidate route deriving unit 110. That is, the fuel consumption amount is calculated when the host vehicle travels from the departure point to the destination by following the candidate route. When the vehicle actually passes through the route, the vehicle is unlikely to travel at a constant speed from the starting point to the destination, and may stop temporarily at a stop point such as a crossing or an intersection and start again. In this embodiment, passing the route means arriving at the destination from the departure point according to the actual traffic regulation of the route, including a scene of traveling at a constant speed and a scene of stopping and starting at a stop point such as a crossing or an intersection. That means.

  By the way, the fuel consumption of the vehicle varies depending on the traveling pattern such as cruise, traveling at a predetermined speed or more, deceleration, stopping, and starting. An example of the fuel consumption ratio for each running pattern is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the fuel consumption rate at the time of stopping and starting (a scene of starting after stopping) may be larger than the fuel consumption rate at the time of cruising.

  Therefore, in calculating the fuel consumption amount when passing the route, if the fuel consumption amount at the time of stopping and starting is ignored, the accurate fuel consumption amount cannot be calculated.

  The fuel consumption calculation unit 120 of the present embodiment calculates the fuel consumption during traveling and the fuel consumption during startup separately from the viewpoint of calculating the fuel consumption in consideration of the fuel consumption during stopping and starting. To do. Specifically, the fuel consumption amount calculation unit 120 of the present embodiment includes a travel time fuel consumption amount calculation unit 121 and a start time fuel consumption amount calculation unit 122.

  Furthermore, the fuel consumption amount calculation unit 120 includes a summation unit 123, and the fuel consumption amount during traveling and the fuel consumption amount calculation unit 122 during start calculated by the traveling fuel consumption calculation unit 121 and when the host vehicle travels are calculated. The fuel consumption amount at the time of start when the host vehicle starts after stopping is obtained and added up to obtain the fuel consumption amount for each candidate route.

  First, the traveling fuel consumption amount calculation unit 121 will be described. The traveling fuel consumption amount calculation unit 121 calculates a traveling fuel consumption amount for each candidate route when the host vehicle travels on the candidate route.

  Specifically, the fuel consumption during travel is the amount of fuel consumed by travel when passing through the candidate route. This “running” state can be defined as a state in which the vehicle moves at a predetermined speed or higher. The fuel consumption during driving is calculated as follows. First, the average speed is calculated from the link distance and the link travel time for each link constituting the candidate route. Then, a fuel consumption rate (cc / km) with respect to the average speed is derived with reference to a speed-fuel efficiency conversion table 1211 as shown in FIG. Multiply the derived fuel consumption rate by the link distance. Thereby, since the fuel consumption amount for each link can be derived, the fuel consumption amount during traveling of each candidate route can be calculated by obtaining the sum of these.

  An example of a method for calculating the fuel consumption during travel will be described with reference to FIG. Candidate route X shown in FIG. Taking link C as an example, if the distance of link C is 1 km and the travel time of link C is 0.04 h (2.4 min), the average speed of link C is 25 km / h. Referring to the speed-fuel consumption conversion table 1211 illustrated in FIG. 4, the fuel consumption rate at an average speed of 25 km / h is 90 cc / km. Therefore, the fuel consumption of link C is 90 cc / km × 11 km = 90 cc. The same processing is performed for links A, B, D, and E other than link C, and the fuel consumption of each link is obtained. If the calculated fuel consumption of each link is A: 40cc, B: 50cc, C: 90cc, D: 70cc, E: 40cc, the fuel consumption of the candidate route X is 290cc. This process is performed for all candidate routes.

  Note that the speed-fuel consumption conversion table 1211 shown as an example in FIG. 4 can prepare a plurality of patterns according to the vehicle type, the displacement, and the drive system (2WD / 4WD). If the map information of the map database 300 includes link gradient information, a plurality of gradient-specific speed-fuel efficiency conversion tables 1212 corresponding to the gradient levels are prepared, and the gradient-specific speed-fuel efficiency conversion tables 1212 are prepared. The fuel consumption during traveling can be calculated with reference to FIG.

  The speed-fuel consumption conversion table 1211 can be stored in the route search device 100 in advance. Further, the fuel consumption amount and speed detected during actual traveling can be acquired from the vehicle controller 500, and can be created or updated based on the actually measured values. This update is performed by the update function 1223c of the memory 1223 based on the fuel consumption at the time of start obtained from the vehicle information storage device 400.

  Next, the starting fuel consumption amount calculation unit 122 will be described. The fuel consumption calculation unit 122 at the time of start obtains fuel consumption at start when the host vehicle starts after stopping at a stopping point that may stop on the candidate route, and adds this for each candidate route. The fuel consumption at the time of start for each candidate route is calculated.

  In addition, the start time fuel consumption calculation unit 122 of the present embodiment calculates the start time fuel consumption at each stop point with reference to the probability that the host vehicle will stop at the stop point. That is, the starting fuel consumption amount calculation unit 122 includes a stop probability acquisition unit 1222, acquires the stop probability for the stop point through which the host vehicle passes on the candidate route, from the route search assist device 10 on the server 3000 side, Based on the acquired stop probability and a reference fuel consumption amount that is defined in advance as an amount that the vehicle consumes when starting, a fuel consumption amount at the time of starting when the host vehicle starts after stopping on the candidate route is calculated. By considering the stopping probability at the stopping point, high-accuracy fuel consumption that takes into account the starting fuel consumption for candidate routes that include stopping points with a high probability of stopping and a high frequency of stopping-starting travel patterns Can be calculated. The reference fuel consumption amount can be defined for each exhaust amount, each vehicle type, and each vehicle type.

  In addition, the stop probability acquisition unit 1222 includes an identifier for identifying a stop point on the candidate route, together with the ID (communication address) of the route search device 100 of itself, in the stop search probability acquisition request. be able to. As a stop point identifier, a traffic light management number can be used. The route search assist device 10 side can send the stop probability at the stop point to the route search device 100 side based on the identifier of the stop point.

  Incidentally, in the present embodiment, the stop probability is described as being acquired from the route search assist device 10 via the communication unit. However, the stop probability for the stop point is stored on the route search device 100 side in an accessible state. (Stop probability database 1222a), it may be read when calculating the fuel consumption at the time of start.

  Next, details of the starting fuel consumption amount calculation unit 122 will be described.

  As described above, the probability that the host vehicle stops at the stopping point differs for each stopping point. For example, there are stop points that always stop, such as “crossing” and “pause sign”, while there are stop points that may or may not stop depending on the passage timing, such as “traffic light”. The starting fuel consumption amount calculation unit 122 of the present embodiment acquires a stop probability according to the attribute of the stop point.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the starting fuel consumption amount calculation unit 122 includes a stop point specifying unit 1221, a stop probability acquisition unit 1222, and a memory 1223.

  The stop point identifying unit 1221 refers to the map database 300 including the attribute of the stop point, and it is indispensable to determine whether or not the stop point on the candidate route is an indispensable stop point that always stops like a railroad crossing, for example. A stop point specifying function 1221a is provided.

  The stop probability acquisition unit 1222 can request the stop search probability for all stop points on the candidate route to the route search assist device 10, but in this embodiment, the stop probability request is requested according to the stop point attribute. Do. That is, the stop probability acquisition unit 1222 does not request a stop probability when the stop point specifying unit 1221 specifies that the stop point is an essential stop point. On the other hand, when the stop point is not an essential stop point, that is, when the stop point is a conditional stop point that stops according to the condition, the stop probability acquisition unit 1222 is indispensable for the host vehicle to pass on the candidate route with respect to the route search assist device 10. Request acquisition of stop probability for stop points other than stop points.

  When the stop point is identified as an essential stop point, the start time fuel consumption calculating unit 122 calculates the start time fuel consumption of the host vehicle passing through the candidate route based on the reference fuel consumption. On the other hand, when it is specified that the stop point is not an essential stop point, the fuel consumption amount at the start of the own vehicle passing the candidate route is calculated based on the stop probability acquired from the route search assist device 10 and the reference fuel consumption amount. calculate.

  Here, a method for defining the stop probability will be described with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, the stop probability is managed on the route search assist device 10 side, but will be described here for convenience of explanation.

  6 is a diagram for explaining the stopping probability when the vehicle goes straight at the intersection, and FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the stopping probability when the vehicle turns right at the intersection.

  The three figures shown in FIG. 6 are arranged in chronological order in the order of t0 → tn → te. At the stop observation start t0, there is one vehicle that stops to wait for a signal. Thereafter, at tn, two vehicles stop. At the end of stop observation (after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start, for example, 5 minutes) te, five vehicles have passed the intersection. Thus, when there are five vehicles that have passed through the traffic light S1 in the unit observation time (ex. 5 minutes), two of them have stopped waiting for the signal, so the vehicle stops at the traffic light S1. The probability is 2/5 = 40%.

  The three diagrams shown in FIG. 7 are diagrams arranged in chronological order in the order of t0 → tn → te. At the stop observation start t0, one vehicle stops for a right turn waiting. Thereafter, at tn, only one vehicle stops. At the end of stop observation (for example, 5 minutes after the elapse of a predetermined time from the start) te, five vehicles have passed the intersection. Thus, when there are five vehicles that have passed through the traffic light S2 during the unit observation time (ex. 5 minutes) from t0 to tn, one of them has stopped to wait for the signal, so the traffic light S2 The probability that the vehicle will stop is 1/5 = 20%.

  6 and 7, different traffic signals S1 and S2 have been described as examples. However, even for the same traffic signal, a stop probability can be obtained for each passing route. That is, the stop probability of an intersection (stop point) on a straight route that passes straight through an intersection with a traffic light and the stop probability of an intersection (stop point) on a right turn route that passes right after passing a traffic light can be obtained separately. it can.

  The storage unit 14 of the route search assist device 10 performs the above processing a plurality of times for each stop point, and stores the result in the stop probability database 21 as a stop probability.

  The reference fuel consumption used to calculate the fuel consumption at start is the fuel consumption (cc / km) at start taking into account the vehicle type, displacement and drive system (2WD / 4WD). Defined consumption. Although not particularly limited, the reference fuel consumption can be defined as the fuel consumption consumed from the stop state to the cruising speed (for example, 40 km / h). The reference fuel consumption is stored in the memory 1223 so that it can be read as a start reference fuel consumption table 1223a. When the map information of the map database 300 includes the gradient information of the stopping point, it is possible to provide a starting reference fuel efficiency table 1223b for each gradient according to the gradient level. In addition, the starting reference fuel efficiency table 1223a can acquire the fuel consumption detected at the time of actual starting from the vehicle controller 500, and can be updated based on the actually measured value. This update is performed by the update function of the memory 1223 based on the fuel consumption at the time of start acquired from the vehicle information storage device 400.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the fuel consumption calculation process is performed separately for the essential stopping points that must be stopped and the other stopping points. Since the stop probability is requested to the route search assist device 10 only when the stop point is not necessarily an indispensable stop point, the time cost required for communication is maintained while maintaining high fuel consumption accuracy. The cost of information processing can be suppressed.

  By the way, unlike the above-mentioned “crossing” and “traffic light” on a straight road, there may be a case where one stop probability cannot be associated with one stop point. For example, when there are two routes, a straight route and a right / left turn route, as routes passing through the “intersection”, different stopping probabilities may occur between the straight route and the right / left turn route. In such a stop point, although the position and attribute of the stop point are common, different stop probabilities occur. In such a stopping point having two or more different passing routes, different stopping probabilities can be defined for each passing route.

  The start time fuel consumption amount calculation unit 122 of the present embodiment calculates the start time fuel consumption amount using a stoppage probability corresponding to the passing route of the host vehicle.

  In order to acquire the stop probability according to the passing route of the host vehicle, the stop probability acquiring unit 1222 of the present embodiment is configured to stop the route search assist device 10 through which the host vehicle passes and before and after passing the stop point. A stop probability acquisition request including link information or identification information attached to each passing route is sent out, and a request for stopping probability corresponding to the passing route is sent. Incidentally, the route search assisting device 10 refers to the map information in the map database 30, derives a passing route of the own vehicle from the stopping point and link information before and after passing the stopping point, and routes the stopping probability according to the passing route. It can be sent to the search device 100. Of course, it is also possible to treat stopping points with different passing routes as different stopping points, and request the stopping probability of the stopping point according to the passing route to the route search assist device 10.

  Thus, when a plurality of stopping probabilities occur at one stop point, for example, even when there are two routes, a straight route and a right / left turn route, to pass through an intersection, the host vehicle actually passes. Since the starting fuel consumption can be calculated based on the stop probability of the route, the fuel consumption can be calculated with high accuracy as a result.

  Next, an example of calculating the fuel consumption at start will be specifically described based on FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, when the host vehicle P travels on the candidate route Y, the stop point specifying unit 1221 refers to the map database 300 including the stop point attribute information, and the stop point “ The crossing T1 "is specified as an essential stop point. The fuel consumption calculation unit 122 at the time of start is based on the reference fuel consumption based on the fuel consumption at start at the stop-start at the stop point “Trail T1” without requesting the stop probability to the route search assist device 10. To calculate.

  Next, the stop point specifying unit 1221 specifies that the stop point “traffic light 1” next to the departure point is not an essential stop point with reference to the map database 300 including the attribute information of the stop point. The starting fuel consumption amount calculation unit 122 requests the route search assist device 10 for a stop probability when passing through a straight route out of the stop probability of the traffic light 1. The management number of the traffic light 1 and link information passing before and after the traffic light 1 can be included in the request for the stop probability. The starting fuel consumption amount calculation unit 122 calculates the starting fuel consumption amount consumed by the stop-start at the stop point “signal 1” based on the reference fuel consumption amount and the acquired stop probability.

  Subsequently, the stop point specifying unit 1221 specifies that the stop point “traffic light 2” next to the host vehicle is not an essential stop point with reference to the map database 300 including the attribute information of the stop point. The starting fuel consumption amount calculation unit 122 requests the route search assist device 10 for a stop probability of passing through a right turn route among the stop probability of the traffic light 2. In this case, the request for the stop probability can include the management number of the traffic light 2 and the information of the link B and the link C passing before and after the traffic light 2 and can be caused to make a determination on the route search assist device 10 side.

  Then, the starting fuel consumption amount calculation unit 122 calculates the starting fuel consumption amount consumed by the stop-start at the stop point “signal 2” based on the reference fuel consumption amount and the acquired stop probability.

  The starting fuel consumption amount calculation unit 122 adds the starting fuel consumption amounts of the crossing T1 and the traffic lights S1 and S2, and calculates the total value as the starting fuel consumption amount of the candidate route Y. The fuel consumption calculated by the fuel consumption calculation unit 120 is sent to the route selection unit 130 in association with the candidate route.

  The route presentation function 131 of the route selection unit 130 presents the candidate route with the fuel consumption added thereto to the user. An example of candidate route presentation is shown in FIG. The route selection unit 130 receives a selection command via a monitor / speaker 600 having an information input / output function. The selected candidate route is sent to the output unit 140 for use in route guidance. The output unit 140 outputs route guidance for one route via the monitor / speaker 600. In this way, by adding fuel consumption to candidate routes derived by indicators such as distance priority, required time priority, toll road priority, etc., fuel consumption is low even if it takes some time until the road fee or arrival time It is possible to provide a route that reflects the user's awareness of the environment, such as selecting a route.

  Of course, the route selection unit 130 can send the candidate route with the lowest fuel consumption to the output unit 140 from the viewpoint of emphasizing environmental protection without waiting for the user's selection input. The output unit 140 can present the candidate route via the monitor / speaker 600.

  Next, the route search assist device 10 will be described. For convenience of explanation, portions described in association with the route search device 100 will be described while avoiding duplication.

  The route search assist device 10 has a function of updating a stop probability database based on information acquired from a vehicle, and a function of sending a stop probability in response to a request from the route search device 100 mounted on the host vehicle.

  First, construction or updating of the stop probability database will be described. The route search assist device 10 includes a storage unit 14 that stores information in a stop probability database.

  The accumulation unit 14 sequentially collects stop information when the stop point passes from the in-vehicle device 2000 or the route search device 100n mounted on a plurality of vehicles (including the host vehicle and vehicles other than the host vehicle) that pass the stop point. To do. The stop information at the time of passing the stop point includes an identifier for specifying the stop point closest to the traveling direction side of the stop point and the fact that the vehicle has stopped. Further, the stop information can include the date and time (calendar, time) when the vehicle stopped and the traffic jam information of the stop point. The date and time can be acquired from the timer on the in-vehicle device 2000 side, and the traffic jam information can be acquired using VICS (Vehicle Information and Communication System).

  The in-vehicle device 2000 on the vehicle side accumulates link information of a route on which the vehicle currently travels in the vehicle information storage device 400 at predetermined time intervals (for example, every N seconds). When it is determined that the vehicle has stopped based on the vehicle speed information acquired from the vehicle controller 500 having the vehicle speed acquisition function, for example, when the vehicle speed is a predetermined value (5 km) or less for a predetermined time, a map on the in-vehicle device 2000 side Referring to the database 300, the management ID and stop time of a traffic light (stop point) within a predetermined distance (M meters) along the traveling direction of the vehicle are set and sent to the route search assist device 10 as stop information. To do. The route search assist device 10 acquires stop information via the communication unit 50. The storage unit 14 shapes the acquired stop information into data that can be statistically processed, performs statistical processing, and stores the stop information in the stop probability database 21 of the data storage device 20 as a stop probability.

  Thus, the stop probability database includes the stop probability for each stop point. In addition, when there are two or more different passing routes at the stopping point, that is, when two or more passing routes with different stopping probabilities are included in the passing route of the stopping point, the stopping probability is determined for each passing route of the stopping point ( Statistics can be made on the probability of stopping on a straight route at an intersection and the probability of stopping on a right or left turn route on an intersection). In this case, the passing route can be associated with the combination of the stopping point and the route link information before and after passing the stopping point. Thereby, it is possible to determine the stopping point for each passing route from the stopping point and the route link information before and after passing the stopping point. Furthermore, the stop probability can be statistically analyzed for each date and time (for example, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 days when logistics is highly likely), for each day of the week, for each time zone, and for each traffic situation. In this example, the stoppage probability database is stored in the data storage device 20 other than the route search assist device 10, but it is also possible to provide the stoppage probability in the storage unit 14 without performing communication. is there.

  Accumulation of this stop information can be performed when an acquisition request for a stop probability related to a stop point on the candidate route is received from the route search device 100. In this case, the storage unit 14 stores the stop probability in the stop probability database 21 via the communication unit 50 and the request receiving unit 11. Note that the stop information can be acquired not from the vehicle but from a monitoring device provided on the roadside. In this case, the monitoring device includes at least a camera and a communication unit.

  Next, a function of sending a stop probability in response to a request from the route search device 100 will be described.

In order to execute the above function, the route search assisting device 10 according to the present embodiment includes a request receiving unit 11, a stop probability calculating unit 12, and a sending unit 13.

The request accepting unit 11 accepts an acquisition request for a stopping probability regarding a stopping point on the candidate route derived by the candidate route deriving unit 110 on the in-vehicle route searching device 100 side. As described above, the acquisition request includes the identifier of the nearest stop point along the route in the traveling direction when the host vehicle stops (the state where the speed is less than the predetermined threshold continues for a predetermined time), and the self ( Including the communication address of the route search device 110).

In addition, the request receiving unit 11 can receive a stop probability acquisition request including the date and time when a stop point on the candidate route passes and the traffic jam information of the stop point from the route search device 100.

The stop probability calculation unit 12 refers to the stop probability database 21 regarding the probability that the vehicle will stop at the stop point, updated by the storage unit 14 described above, and the stop probability of the stop point related to the acquisition request received by the request reception unit 11 Is calculated.

Specifically, the stop probability calculation unit 12 includes a specifying unit 12A and a calculation unit 12B.

The specifying unit 12A specifies a stop point related to the acquisition request. This specification part 12A can specify the attribute of a stop point from a viewpoint of whether a stop point is an essential stop point which must stop. This specification can be performed based on the determination of the route search device 100, or can be performed with reference to the map database 30 on the server side including the stop point attribute.

Further, when the passing route of the stop point includes two or more pass routes having different stop probabilities, the specifying unit 12A specifies the pass route at the stop point for the vehicle related to the stop probability acquisition request. Specifically, the specifying unit 12A refers to the server-side map database 30 for the vehicle related to the acquisition request for the stop probability, based on the route link information before and after passing the stop point and the stop information when the stop point passes. Identify the route of the stop point.

The calculation unit 12B refers to the stop probability database 21 and calculates the stop probability of the specified stop point. When the passing route at the stopping point is specified, the stopping probability when the passing point passes the stopping point is calculated.

In addition, the calculation unit 12B refers to the stop probability database 21 regarding the stop points arranged for each date and time, and calculates the stop probability of the stop point according to the acquisition request including the passage date information received by the request reception unit 11. . Even on the same road, the congestion situation varies depending on the date and time, and the stopping probability of the stopping point also differs. By calculating the stop probability according to the passage date and time as in the present embodiment, it is possible to calculate the fuel consumption at start with high accuracy.

Further, the calculation unit 12B refers to the stop probability database 21 regarding the stop points arranged for each traffic jam information (the traffic jam situation), and responds to the acquisition request including the traffic jam information of the stop points received by the request reception unit 11. The stop probability of the stop point is calculated. Even on the same road and the same date and time, the congestion situation differs depending on the traffic situation, and the stopping probability of the stopping point also differs. By calculating the stop probability according to the traffic jam situation as in this embodiment, it is possible to calculate the fuel consumption at start with high accuracy.

The sending unit 13 sends the stop probability calculated by the stop probability calculating unit 12 to the route search device 100. The destination address is specified by the destination specifying function 14a from the stop probability acquisition request.

  Next, the control procedure of the route search system 1000 of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a control procedure of the route search device 100, and FIG. 11 explains an operation procedure of the route search device 100 and the route search assist device 10 when performing the fuel consumption calculation process at the time of start. It is a flowchart for.

  First, the control procedure of the route search device 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 10, in the route search device 100, when a route search command (startup command) is input (S01), the candidate route derivation unit 110 causes the required time priority, travel distance priority, toll road priority, general road A route search based on each index such as priority is performed (S02). As a result, one or more candidate routes are derived. The fuel consumption amount calculation unit 120 calculates the fuel consumption amount of each candidate route (S03). The calculation of the fuel consumption amount is performed until completion for all routes (S04).

  The fuel consumption calculation process will be described. First, one candidate route whose fuel consumption is not calculated is selected (S05). In the present embodiment, the fuel consumption amount calculation unit 120 calculates the fuel consumption amount when traveling and the fuel consumption amount when starting. First, the travel time fuel consumption calculation unit 121 calculates the travel time fuel consumption (Df) of the selected candidate route (S06). The fuel consumption during traveling can be calculated based on the travel distance of the candidate route with reference to a speed-fuel consumption table as shown in FIG.

  Subsequently, the starting fuel consumption amount calculation unit 122 calculates the starting fuel consumption amount (Sf) of one candidate route for which the traveling fuel consumption amount is calculated (S07). The process of calculating the fuel consumption at start will be described in detail later.

  Then, the summing unit 123 adds the running fuel consumption (Df) calculated in S06 and the starting fuel consumption (Sf) calculated in S7 (Df + Sf).

  When the fuel consumption amounts for all candidate routes are calculated (Yes in S04), the candidate routes and the fuel consumption amounts are associated with each other and presented (an example of presentation is shown in FIG. 9). Then, the route with the smallest fuel consumption is selected (S10), and route guidance is performed for the selected route. Here, the process of automatically selecting the route with the least fuel consumption from the viewpoint of emphasizing environmental protection is shown, but the route can also be selected based on a user selection command.

  Next, the starting fuel consumption calculation process shown in S07 of FIG. 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 11 shows operations of the route search device 100 and the route search assist device 10 relating to the calculation processing of the fuel consumption at start.

  First, the stop point specifying unit 1221 of the start time fuel consumption calculating unit 122 specifies a stop point on the candidate route with reference to the map database 300. The stop point identification unit 1221 determines whether or not the stop point on the candidate route is an essential stop point that must be stopped such as a crossing or a stop sign (S102). Since the stop probability of such an essential stop point is 100%, it is possible to calculate the fuel consumption amount at the time of start without inquiring about the route search assist difference 10. On the other hand, the required stop points are inquired about the route search assist difference 10 because the stop probabilities are different. When a stop point other than the essential stop points is included on the candidate route (Y in S102), the stop probability acquisition unit 122 sends a stop probability acquisition request for the stop point to the route search assist device 10 via the communication terminal 200. (S103). The acquisition request for the stop probability can include the date and traffic jam information in addition to the identifier of the stop point for which the stop probability is to be acquired.

  The request reception unit 11 of the route search assist device 10 acquires a stop probability acquisition request via the communication unit 50 (S104). The stop probability calculation unit 12 identifies the stop point related to the acquisition request from the identifier of the stop point included in the stop probability acquisition request (S105). The stop probability calculation unit 12 refers to the stop probability database 21 and calculates the stop probability of the specified stop point (S106). If the acquisition request includes information such as the scheduled stop point passage time, requested date and time (day of the week, date), and traffic jam information, refer to the stop probability database 21 that is statistically analyzed by date and time or traffic jam status. However, it is preferable to calculate the stop probability according to the date and time of passing the stop point or the traffic situation.

  Then, the sending unit 13 sends the stopping probability of each stopping point calculated in S105 toward the communication address of the route search device 100 (S107).

  The stop probability acquisition unit 1222 acquires the stop probability for the requested stop point (S108).

  The starting fuel consumption amount calculation unit 122 calculates the starting fuel consumption amount for all the stopping points on the candidate route by using the acquired stopping probability and referring to the starting reference fuel consumption table 1223a and the like. The starting fuel consumption amount for each candidate route is added to calculate the starting fuel calculation amount (Sf) for each candidate route (S109).

  And the process after S07 of FIG. 10 is performed.

  Finally, update processing of the stop probability databases 21 and 21 ′ of the route search assist device 10 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

  The vehicle controller 500 of the in-vehicle device 2000 acquires travel link information, vehicle speed, and stop point information of the host vehicle (S201). The acquired information is accumulated in the vehicle information storage device 400 (S202). This vehicle information storage device accepts access from the route search device 100.

  The stop information sending function 1222b of the stop probability acquisition unit 1222 of the route search device 100 monitors whether or not the host vehicle is stopped (S203). Specifically, the stop information sending function 1222b is obtained when the vehicle speed of the host vehicle acquired by the vehicle controller 500 is equal to or lower than a predetermined value (for example, 10 km / h or lower, 20 km / h or lower) for a predetermined time. It is determined that the host vehicle has stopped (Y in S203).

  When the host vehicle stops, an identifier for specifying the stop point closest to the stop position along the traveling direction and stop information including the stop time are sent to the route search assist device 10. The accumulation unit 14 of the route search assist device acquires the stop information via the communication unit 50 or the communication unit 50 and the request acquisition unit 11 (S205). The stop information can include stop date and time (calendar) and traffic information of stop points. The traffic volume of the route for judging the traffic situation can be obtained from VICS (Vehicle Information and Communication System).

  The specifying unit 12A of the stop probability calculating unit 12 specifies a stop point (S206). If there are multiple passing routes that pass through the stop point, the other route is also specified. The accumulating unit 14 accumulates the newly acquired stop point and stop time, and updates the stop probability database 21. If the stop probability database 21 has already been created, the stop probability is calculated by adding the newly acquired stop point and stop time, and the stop probability database 21 is updated (S208).

  Since the route search system 1000, the route search device 100, and the route search assist device 10 according to the present embodiment are configured and operate as described above, the following effects can be obtained.

  In this embodiment, the fuel consumption at the time of starting at a relatively high fuel consumption rate is calculated by calculating the fuel consumption of the route including the fuel consumption at the time of starting after stopping at the stop point on the route. The fuel consumption amount considering the consumption rate can be obtained, and as a result, the fuel consumption amount when passing through the route can be calculated with high accuracy.

  Further, in the present embodiment, by calculating the fuel consumption at start based on the stop probability for each stop point and the reference fuel consumption predefined as the consumption consumed by the vehicle at start, the stop point The amount of fuel consumption corresponding to the stop probability can be obtained. At the stop point, if the host vehicle stops, fuel consumption occurs at the start, but if the host vehicle does not stop, fuel consumption does not occur at the start. In this embodiment, in consideration of the stop probability for each stop point on the route, and calculating the fuel consumption at start according to the stop probability, the fuel consumption at start calculated at the time of the route search is used in actual driving It can be approximated to the fuel consumption at start-up. Thereby, a route search based on highly accurate fuel consumption can be executed.

  In this embodiment, the starting fuel consumption amount at the stop point and the traveling fuel consumption amount for traveling along the route are calculated separately. As described above, the fuel consumption amount can be calculated with high accuracy by separately calculating the fuel consumption amount at the time of traveling and when the vehicle is started with different fuel consumption states.

  Further, when calculating the fuel consumption at the time of starting, a reference fuel consumption defined in advance as the consumption at the time of starting the vehicle is used. This reference fuel consumption is calculated based on the fuel consumption at the time of actual starting. Thus, the accuracy can be further improved.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, when acquiring the stop probability, it is determined whether the stop point is an essential stop point that must be stopped, such as a crossing, a temporary stop, and the like. The search assist device 10 is requested for a stop probability. Since the stop probability is acquired from the route search assist device 10 only when the stop probability is unknown, the communication cost and the processing cost can be reduced while maintaining high calculation accuracy of the fuel consumption.

  Moreover, the accumulation | storage part of the route search assistance apparatus 10 accumulate | stores the stop probability in the stop probability database 21 according to the stop point distinguished for every passing route of a stop point, when two or more different pass routes exist in a stop point. With reference to such a stop probability database 21, it is possible to acquire stop probabilities that are distinguished for each passing route. Even with the same stopping point, the stopping probability when passing the stopping point on the straight route and the stopping probability when passing the stopping point on the right or left turn route may be different. According to this embodiment, since it is possible to obtain the fuel consumption at start using the stop probability statistically calculated for each passing route of the stop point, the fuel consumption at start calculated at the time of the route search is used at the time of actual traveling. It can be approximated to fuel consumption when starting. Thereby, it is possible to execute a route search that presents highly accurate fuel consumption.

  Further, the stop probability database 21 of the present embodiment can include stop probabilities arranged for each date and time category such as day of the week, month, day, end of month, or beginning of month. Accordingly, the stop probability calculation unit 12 may calculate the stop probability of the stop point in the date / time category corresponding to the date / time based on the date / time passing the stop point included in the acquisition request acquired from the route search device 100. Therefore, the fuel consumption at start can be determined with high accuracy. That is, even with the same stopping point, the stopping probability may differ depending on the date and time such as weekdays, Saturdays, Sundays, the end of the month, the beginning of the month, the end of the year, etc., but in this embodiment, the stopping probability statistically used for each date and time category is used. Therefore, the fuel consumption at start can be determined with high accuracy that matches the actual driving.

  Furthermore, the stop probability database 21 of the present embodiment can include stop probabilities arranged for each traffic situation. Thereby, since the stop probability calculation part 12 can calculate the stop probability of the stop point corresponding to the traffic jam condition based on the traffic jam information of the stop point included in the acquisition request acquired from the route search device 100. Accurate fuel consumption at start can be obtained. In other words, even with the same point, the probability of stopping may vary depending on traffic conditions such as accidents, construction, traffic regulations, etc., but in this embodiment, the start probability is calculated using the stopping probability that is statistically determined for each traffic situation. In order to obtain the fuel consumption amount, it is possible to obtain the fuel consumption amount at start with high accuracy that matches the actual running.

  In the present embodiment, the example in which the stop probability database 21 is provided on the route search assist device 10 side has been described. However, the stop probability database 21 may be provided on the route search device 100 side. In this case, since it is not necessary to transmit / receive the acquisition request and the stopping probability between the route search device 100 and the route search assist device 10, in addition to the above effects, communication cost and information processing cost can be reduced. .

  The embodiment described above is described for facilitating the understanding of the present invention, and is not described for limiting the present invention. Therefore, each element disclosed in the above embodiment is intended to include all design changes and equivalents belonging to the technical scope of the present invention.

1 is a diagram showing an outline of a route search system 1000. FIG. It is a figure which shows the block configuration of the route search system 1000. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the fuel consumption ratio according to a running pattern. It is a figure which shows an example of a speed-fuel-consumption conversion table. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the calculation method of the fuel consumption amount at the time of driving | running | working. It is a figure for demonstrating the stop probability when a vehicle goes straight through an intersection. It is a figure for demonstrating the stop probability when a vehicle turns right at an intersection. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the calculation method of the fuel consumption at the time of start. It is a figure which shows the example of presentation of a candidate path | route. It is a flowchart figure for demonstrating the operation | movement process of a route search apparatus. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the calculation process of the fuel consumption at the time of start. It is a flowchart figure for demonstrating a stop probability database update process.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1000 ... Route search system 2000 ... In-vehicle apparatus 100 ... Route search apparatus 110 ... Candidate route derivation part 120 ... Fuel consumption calculation part 121 ... Fuel consumption calculation part 122 at the time of driving | running | starting Fuel consumption calculation part 123 ... Summation part 130 ... route selection unit 140 ... output unit 200 ... communication terminal 300 ... map database 400 ... vehicle information storage device 500 ... vehicle controller 600 ... input / output device, monitor / speaker 3000 ... server 10 ... route search assist device 30 ... server side Map database

Claims (7)

A route search system having a route search device that searches for a route from the host vehicle to a destination, and a route search assist device that exchanges information with the route search device,
The route search device
Candidate route deriving means for deriving a candidate route from the departure point to the destination by referring to the map information;
A fuel consumption amount calculating means for calculating a fuel consumption amount when passing through the candidate route guided by the candidate route deriving means;
Route selection means for selecting one of the candidate routes whose fuel consumption is calculated by the fuel consumption calculation means;
Output means for outputting the route selected by the route selection means,
The fuel consumption calculation means calculates a fuel consumption at start when the host vehicle starts after stopping at a stop point that may stop on the candidate route for each candidate route. Having a quantity calculator,
The starting fuel consumption calculating unit obtains, from the route search assist device, a stopping probability indicating the probability that the vehicle will stop at the stopping point, and is defined in advance as the acquired stopping probability and consumption at the time of starting. And starting fuel consumption when passing through the candidate route based on the calculated reference fuel consumption,
The route search assist device includes:
Request accepting means for accepting a request for obtaining a stopping probability regarding a stopping point on the candidate route derived by the candidate route deriving means of the route search device;
A stop probability calculating means for calculating a stop probability of the stop point related to the acquisition request received by the request receiving means with reference to a stop probability database including a stop probability indicating the probability that the vehicle will stop at the stop point;
A route search system comprising: sending means for sending the stop probability calculated by the stop probability calculation means to the route search device. The route search system according to claim 1,
The fuel consumption calculation means of the route search device comprises:
A travel time fuel consumption calculating unit that calculates a travel time fuel consumption when the host vehicle travels along the candidate route;
A starting fuel consumption calculating unit that calculates, for each candidate route, a starting fuel consumption when the host vehicle starts after stopping for the stopping point on the candidate route;
The fuel consumption during running calculated by the fuel consumption calculation unit during travel and the fuel consumption during start when the host vehicle starts after stopping after calculated by the fuel consumption calculation unit during start And a summation unit for obtaining a fuel consumption amount for each candidate route. In the route search system according to claim 2,
The starting fuel consumption calculating unit refers to map information including an attribute of the stop point, determines whether the stop point on the candidate route is an indispensable stop point for stopping, and the stop When the point is the essential stopping point, the fuel consumption at the time of start of the own vehicle passing through the candidate route is calculated based on the reference fuel consumption amount, and when the stopping point is not the essential stopping point, the route From the search assist device, obtain a stop probability for a stop point other than the essential stop points through which the host vehicle passes on the candidate route, and determine the candidate route based on the acquired stop probability and the reference fuel consumption amount. A route search system that calculates the fuel consumption at the time of start of a passing vehicle. In the route search system according to claim 3,
The route search assist device includes:
From a plurality of vehicles that pass through the stopping point, it sequentially collects stop information including whether or not there is a stop at the stop point, and includes storage means for storing the collected stop information in the stop probability database for each stop point,
When there are two or more different passing routes at the stopping point, the accumulation means includes route link information collected from vehicles passing through the stopping point before and after passing the stopping point and stopping information at the time of passing the stopping point. Based on the stopping probability database for each stopping point distinguished for each passing route of the stopping point,
The stop probability calculating means determines a passing route of the host vehicle at the stop point based on a stop point through which the host vehicle passes and link information before and after passing the stop point included in the acquisition request, A route search system that refers to the stop probability database and calculates a stop probability when passing the stop point on the determined passage route. In the route search system according to claim 3,
The route search assist device includes:
From a plurality of vehicles that pass through the stopping point, sequentially collecting stop information at the time of passing the stopping point, comprising storage means for storing the collected stopping information in the stopping probability database for each stopping point,
The storage means, when the passing route of the stopping point includes a straight passing route and a right / left turn passing route, the route link information collected before and after the stopping point collected from the vehicle passing the stopping point and the stopping point Based on the stop information at the time of passing, the stop information is stored in the stop probability database for each stop point distinguished for each of the straight passing route and the right / left turn passing route,
The stopping probability calculating means is configured to determine whether the passing route of the host vehicle is a straight traveling route at the stopping point based on the stopping point through which the host vehicle passes and the route link information before and after passing the stopping point included in the acquisition request. A route search system that determines whether the route is a right or left turn passage route and calculates a stop probability when the stop point is passed through the determined passage route with reference to the stop probability database. In the route search system according to claim 4 or 5,
The starting fuel consumption calculation unit of the route search device stores the reference fuel consumption in a rewritable manner and updates the reference fuel consumption based on the actual fuel consumption at the start of the host vehicle. Route search system with the function to do. Candidate route deriving means for deriving a candidate route from the departure point to the destination by referring to the map information;
Fuel consumption calculation means for calculating the fuel consumption when passing through the candidate route;
Route selection means for selecting one route from the candidate routes for which the fuel consumption is calculated;
Output means for outputting the selected route,
The fuel consumption calculation means calculates a fuel consumption at start when the host vehicle starts after stopping at a stop point that may stop on the candidate route for each candidate route. Having a quantity calculator,
The starting fuel consumption calculation unit obtains a stopping probability for the stopping point stored in an accessible state, and the reference fuel consumption defined in advance as the acquired stopping probability and consumption at the time of starting. A route search device that calculates the starting fuel consumption for each candidate route based on the amount.

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