JP2009300327A - Route output device and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a route output device that causes a display device to perform displaying which is capable of allowing a user to readily determine whether or not the user will travel via a position around a route. <P>SOLUTION: A plurality of routes from a departure node A to a destination node K are computed so as to obtain a link traveling time period of each of the routes and each margin time period for arrival at the destination node by a target arrival clock time is computed for each of the routes. The computed margin time periods are displayed on a display section by respectively correlating them with the routes. In accordance with the above configuration, the user can see each of the routes displayed on the display section and know the margin time of the route at the same time. Namely, the user can determine whether or not the user travels via a position around the computed route without setting via-points respectively. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a route output device and a program for displaying a guidance route on a display device.

  When a conventional navigation device performs route guidance to a destination, a plurality of routes are calculated and presented to the user according to various parameters such as distance, time, or the number of right turns, and the user can select a route from the plurality of routes. Guidance is provided for the selected route.

  In this method, at the time of route guidance, the route selected by the user is usually displayed on the display device as a single line on the map. Therefore, the user's psychological barrier to deviating from the route is high, and it is difficult to travel on a road off the route. Also, if the user has a target time to arrive at the destination, he / she will not be able to arrive at the destination by the target arrival time even after going through a facility or the like that is off the route. It is also possible to go through a certain place.

To solve this problem, the user has conventionally input a destination, a target arrival time at the destination, a transit location, and a stay time at the transit location. There is a technique that allows the user to know the arrival time (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2000-346667 A

  However, in the prior art, the user selects a facility displayed on the map or selects a facility from the facility DB, thereby setting which facility at which point to stop. It was complicated to have to enter the stay time. In addition, it is not desirable to perform these operations while the vehicle is running from the viewpoint of safety. On the other hand, there is a problem that performing these operations after stopping the vehicle in a safe place is complicated.

  The present invention has been considered in view of such a problem, and provides a route output device that causes a display device to display a display that allows a user to easily determine whether or not a route exists around a route. The purpose is to do.

  The route output device according to claim 1, which is made to solve the above problem, includes a departure point position information setting unit, a departure time setting unit, a destination point position information setting unit, a target arrival time setting unit, and a map. Data acquisition means, route calculation means, travel time calculation means, margin time calculation means, and display control means are provided. The departure point position information setting means sets departure point position information, which is information that can specify the position of the departure point, and the departure time setting means sets a departure time, which is a time to leave the departure point. Further, the destination location information setting means sets destination location information that is information that can identify the location of the destination, and the target arrival time setting means sets the target arrival time that is the target time of arrival at the destination. Set. Further, the map data acquisition means acquires node information, link information, and link travel time information, and the route calculation means includes departure point position information, destination point position information setting means set by the departure point position information setting means. Based on the destination point position information set by the above, the node information and link information acquired by the map data acquisition means, a route that can be reached from the departure point to the destination point is calculated. The travel time calculation means calculates the travel time for the route calculated by the route calculation means based on the link travel time information acquired by the map data acquisition means, and the allowance time calculation means is calculated by the route calculation means. With respect to the route, a margin time in the middle of the route is calculated based on the travel time, the departure time, and the target arrival time calculated by the travel time calculation means. The display control means causes the display device to display the allowance time calculated by the allowance time calculation means in association with the route calculated by the route calculation means using at least one of characters or figures.

  According to such a route output device, the user can know the margin time for the route at the same time while looking at the route displayed on the display device. That is, the user can determine whether or not to go through a place located around the calculated route without individually setting the waypoint.

  By the way, the route output device may calculate only one route and display it on the display device. However, the route output device calculates a plurality of routes for the same departure point and the same destination point, and displays the same. It should be displayed at the same time. That is, the route calculation means calculates a plurality of routes for the same departure point and the same destination point, and the travel time calculation means calculates the travel time for each route calculated by the route calculation means, The calculating means calculates a margin time for each route calculated by the route calculating means, and the display control means associates each margin time calculated by the margin time calculating means with a corresponding route for a character or figure. At least one of them may be displayed simultaneously on the display device (claim 2).

  If it becomes like this, the user can know the allowance time about each path | route simultaneously, seeing the several path | route displayed on the display apparatus. That is, the user can determine over a wider area whether or not the route is located around the calculated route.

  When a plurality of routes are calculated and displayed on the display device at the same time, part of the routes may overlap. In that case, it becomes a problem of which route of the overlapping routes is displayed. Therefore, the display control means may be configured such that the longest spare time among the corresponding spare times is set as the spare time of the overlapping portions of the overlapping portions of the respective paths (claim 3).

  For example, it is assumed that a route overlaps in a section C in the middle of two routes of a route A having a margin time of 15 minutes and a route B having a margin time of 30 minutes. In this case, even if the user stays for 15 minutes at any place in the section C, if he / she passes through the route B thereafter, he / she can still arrive at the destination with a margin of 15 minutes. Therefore, for the section C, if the margin time of the route A is prioritized (selected) and displayed on the display device, the user can grasp the maximum margin time. Therefore, the user can more appropriately determine whether or not the route is located around the calculated route.

  By the way, the margin time may be displayed on the display device in association with the route itself (that is, a line indicating the route). However, it is assumed that there is a margin time including a periphery of a predetermined range based on the route. Further, it may be displayed on a display device (claim 4). That is, the target of the margin time may be displayed in association with the surface instead of the line.

If it becomes like this, a user's psychological barrier with respect to entering the side road which was not displayed as a path | route will become low.
The “predetermined range” may be a fixed distance range such as 300 m from the route, for example, but is a distance range in which it is possible to deviate from the route and return to the route within a margin time. Particularly good (claim 5).

  In such a range, compared with the case where the range is set by a fixed numerical distance, it is possible to further prevent the occurrence of a situation where the arrival time when the route is off exceeds the target arrival time. it can.

  In addition, you may implement | achieve the function as each means mentioned above with a program (Claim 6). If such a program is executed by a computer built in the route output device, the route output device has the same operations and effects as the route output device of the present invention described above. In addition, the program can be distributed using a network or the like, and the replacement of the program in the route output device is easier than the replacement of parts. Therefore, it is possible to easily improve the function of the path output device.

  Embodiments to which the present invention is applied will be described below with reference to the drawings. The embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment, and can take various forms as long as they belong to the technical scope of the present invention.

[Description of configuration]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a navigation device 20 in which the function of the route output device of the present invention is incorporated.

  The navigation device 20 is mounted on a vehicle and includes a position detection unit 21 that detects the current position of the vehicle, a wireless communication unit 25 that performs wireless communication with the outside, and an operation switch group 28 for inputting various instructions from a user. Similarly to the operation switch group 28, various instructions can be input, and a remote control terminal (hereinafter referred to as a remote controller) 27 that is separate from the main body of the navigation device 20 and a remote controller that inputs signals from the remote controller 27. A sensor 26, a map data input unit 29 for inputting data from a map storage medium in which map data, voice data, and the like are recorded, a display unit 30 for displaying a map and various information, and various guide voices, etc. A voice output unit 31 for outputting, a voice input unit 32 for inputting voice spoken by the user and outputting an electric signal based on the inputted voice, An in-vehicle LAN communication unit 33 that communicates with various ECUs connected to the LAN, the above-described position detection unit 21, wireless communication unit 25, operation switch group 28, remote control sensor 26, map data input unit 29, voice input unit 32 The wireless communication unit 25, the display unit 30, the audio output unit 31, and the control unit 39 that controls the in-vehicle LAN communication unit 33 are provided according to input from the in-vehicle LAN communication unit 33.

  The position detector 21 receives a radio wave from a GPS (Global Positioning System) artificial satellite via a GPS antenna (not shown) and outputs the received signal to the controller 39. In addition to the vehicle, And a distance sensor 24 that detects the distance traveled by the vehicle and outputs the detection result to the control unit 39. ing. Based on the output signals from these units 22 to 24, the control unit 39 calculates the position, direction, speed, etc. of the vehicle. Although there are various methods for obtaining the current position based on the output signal from the GPS signal receiving unit 22, either a single positioning method or a relative positioning method may be used.

  The operation switch group 28 includes a touch panel configured integrally with the display surface of the display unit 30, mechanical key switches provided around the display unit 30, and the like. The touch panel and the display unit 30 are laminated and integrated. There are various types of touch panels, such as a pressure-sensitive method, an electromagnetic induction method, a capacitance method, or a combination of these methods. It may be used.

  The remote controller 27 includes a plurality of buttons. When any one of the buttons is pressed, a signal corresponding to the type of the button reaches the remote control sensor 26 via short-range wireless communication such as infrared rays. ing.

The remote control sensor 26 receives a signal sent from the remote control 27 and outputs the received signal to the control unit 39.
The wireless communication unit 25 acquires accident information, traffic jam information, etc. from the VICS information center via optical beacons, radio wave beacons, etc. installed on the roadside, and obtains tourist guidance information, etc. from the server via the packet communication network To do.

  The map data input unit 29 is a device for inputting various data stored in a map data storage medium (not shown) (for example, a hard disk or a DVD-ROM). The map data storage medium includes map data (node data, link data, road width data, road type data, traffic regulation data, link travel time, road name data, intersection data, etc.), POI data (POI name data, genre data) , Position data, etc.), voice data for guidance, voice recognition data, etc. are stored. Instead of inputting these data from the map data storage medium, these data may be input via a communication network.

  The display unit 30 includes a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, and the like. The display screen of the display unit 30 includes a current position of the vehicle detected by the position detection unit 21 and map data input from the map data input unit 29. Additional data such as a mark indicating the identified current location, a guide route to the destination, a name, a landmark, and a mark of various facilities can be displayed in an overlapping manner. Also, facility guides can be displayed.

  The voice input unit 32 outputs an electric signal (voice signal) based on the input voice to the control unit 39 when the user inputs (speaks) voice. The user can operate the navigation device 20 by inputting various voices to the voice input unit 32.

  The in-vehicle LAN communication unit 33 is responsible for communication with various ECUs (engine ECU, AT-ECU, brake ECU, etc.) and various sensors (direction indicator sensor, door open / close sensor, etc.) connected to the in-vehicle LAN.

  The control unit 39 is composed mainly of a well-known microcomputer comprising a CPU, ROM, RAM, flash memory, I / O and a bus line connecting these components, and is stored in the ROM, flash memory, and the like. Various processes are executed based on the program. For example, the current position of the vehicle is calculated as a set of coordinates and traveling directions based on each detection signal from the position detection unit 21, and a map near the current position read via the map data input unit 29 is displayed on the display unit 30. From the current position to the destination based on the processing to be performed, the map data read via the map data input unit 29, and the destination set by operating the operation switch group 28, the remote controller 27, etc. A process for calculating an optimum route, a process for guiding the route by displaying the calculated route on the display unit 30 or outputting the sound as a voice to the audio output unit 31, and the like are executed.

[Description of operation]
Next, processing related to the present invention in the operation of the navigation device 20 will be described.

(1) Route Output Processing The route output processing executed by the control unit 39 will be described using the flowchart of FIG. The route output process is started when the user issues a command for setting the route to the navigation device 20 via the operation switch group 28.

  When starting the execution of the route output process, the control unit 39 first sets a departure node (S101). Specifically, for example, the node that is closest to the vehicle position calculated based on the signal output from the position detection unit 21 (the vehicle position on which the navigation device 20 is mounted) is set as the departure node. It is possible. Further, a node that is closest to a position input by the user to the navigation device 20 via the operation switch group 28 may be set as a departure node.

  Subsequently, the control unit 39 sets a departure time (S103). Specifically, for example, it is conceivable to set the current time when performing this setting as the departure time. Alternatively, the time input by the user to the navigation device 20 via the operation switch group 28 may be set as the departure time.

  Subsequently, the control unit 39 sets a destination node (S105). Specifically, by operating the operation switch group 28 by the user, the node that is closest to the point specified on the map or the point selected from the memory points is displayed via the map data input unit 29. The map data in the map data storage medium is selected with reference to the map data and set as a destination node.

  Subsequently, the control unit 39 sets a target arrival time (S110). Specifically, the time input to the navigation device 20 by operating the operation switch group 28 by the user is set as the target arrival time.

  Subsequently, for each node in the predetermined range, the control unit 39 uses a known route such as the Dijkstra method to calculate the shortest time route and the expected arrival time when passing from the departure node to the destination node using the node as a via node. Calculation is performed by a search method (S115). For example, when there are three nodes A, B, and C within a predetermined range, the shortest time path and expected arrival time when passing from the departure node to the destination node with the node A as a transit node, the node The shortest time path and expected arrival time when passing from the departure node to the destination node using B as the transit node, and the shortest time path and expected arrival time when passing from the departure node to the destination node via the node C The three sets of are calculated. Here, the “predetermined range” is a range where there is a node that may be routed, and for example, a rectangular region whose diagonal is a departure node and a destination node may be considered. In addition, instead of targeting all the nodes within the predetermined range, the predetermined range may be further divided into a plurality of sections, and only one node may be selected from each section. The expected arrival time is obtained by adding the link travel times of the links constituting the route and adding the departure time.

Subsequently, the control unit 39 excludes the route that exceeds the target arrival time set in S110 from the shortest time route calculated in S115 (S120).
Subsequently, a margin time for each shortest time path calculated in S115 is obtained (S125). Specifically, a time obtained by subtracting the predicted arrival time calculated in S115 from the target arrival time is obtained as a margin time.

  Subsequently, the control unit 39 sets a margin time for the route in the nodes constituting the route (S130). However, the longest node belonging to a plurality of paths is set. For example, the node constituting the path A with a margin time of 15 minutes is node (1) → node (2) → node (3) → node (4) → node (5), and the margin time is 10 minutes. When the nodes constituting the route B are node (1) → node (6) → node (7) → node (4) → node (5), node (1), node (2), node (3) , Node (4) and node (5) are set with a margin time of 15 minutes, and nodes (6) and node (7) are set with a margin time of 10 minutes.

  Subsequently, the control unit 39 outputs the route information, the node for which the allowance time is set, and information about the allowance time to a program for executing a map display process to be described later (S135).

  Subsequently, the control unit 39 determines whether it is necessary to update information such as the margin time output in S135 (S140). “Need to update” means that, for example, the current position of the vehicle deviates from the route with the least margin time determined in S125, the user stays in the middle of the route, or traffic congestion occurs. Then, the case where the average speed of the vehicle is greatly reduced can be considered. In this determination, when it is determined that it is necessary to update the information such as the surplus time (S140: Yes), the process returns to S115, and when it is determined that it is not necessary to update the surplus time or the like (S140). : No), it stays at this step until it becomes necessary to update the margin time.

(2) Map display process Next, the map display process which the control part 39 performs is demonstrated using the flowchart of FIG. The map display process is started when the user issues a command to display the map to the navigation device 20 via the operation switch group 28.

  When starting the execution of the map display process, the control unit 39 first calculates the current position (S205). Specifically, the vehicle position (the vehicle position where the navigation device 20 is mounted) is calculated based on the signal output from the position detection unit 21.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether information such as a margin time has been received from the route output process (S210). The information received from the route output process is information output in S135 of the route output process. In this determination, when it is determined that information such as a margin time has been received from the route output process (S210: Yes), the process proceeds to S220, and it is determined that no information such as a margin time has been received from the route output process. (S210: No), the process proceeds to S215.

  In S215, which proceeds when it is determined that no information such as margin time has been received from the route output process, based on the map data input from the map data storage medium via the map data input unit 29 and the current position calculated in S205. Then, a map and an icon indicating the current position are drawn on the display unit 30. Then, the process proceeds to S225.

  On the other hand, in S220 which proceeds when it is determined that information such as a margin time has been received from the route output process, the map data input from the map data storage medium via the map data input unit 29, the current position calculated in S205, and the route Based on the information such as the margin time received from the output process, a route, a map in which the margin time is color-coded, and an icon indicating the current position are drawn on the display unit 30. Then, the process proceeds to S225.

  In S225, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the drawing in S215 or S220. The “predetermined time” here is an execution interval of drawing a map, and is a time that should be determined according to the hardware processing capability of the navigation device 20. For example, a time of 0.5 seconds is suitable. In this determination, when it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed (S225: Yes), the process proceeds to S205, and when it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed (S225: No), this step (S225). Stay on.

(3) Method for Setting Allowance Time for Nodes Constructing Route Next, a specific example of the method for setting the allowance time for nodes constituting the route in S130 of route output processing will be described with reference to the schematic diagram of FIG. explain.

  As shown in FIG. 4, it is assumed that the departure node is node A, the destination node is node K, and nodes from node B to node J exist within the predetermined range described in S115. To do. The link travel time between the nodes is as shown in the figure. The departure time is 12:00 and the target arrival time is 13:10.

  In this case, for each node (node B to node J) within a predetermined range, when calculating the shortest time path and margin time when passing from the current position node to the destination node using the node as a via node, Thus, the route, arrival time and margin time are obtained.

Route: A → B → D → E → H → J → K, Expected arrival time: 12:55, Margin time: 15 minutes Route: A → B → D → E → H → I → K, Expected arrival time: 13 : 00, Margin time: 10 minutes Route: A → B → D → E → F → I → K, Expected arrival time: 13:05, Margin time: 5 minutes Route: A → B → F → I → K, Prediction Arrival time: 13:05, Margin time: 5 minutes Route: A → B → D → G → H → J → K, Expected arrival time: 13:05, Margin time: 5 minutes Route: A → C → D → E → H → J → K, predicted arrival time: 13:00, margin time: 10 minutes Subsequently, the margin time of the route is set in the nodes constituting the route (S130). However, the longest node belonging to a plurality of paths is set. Then, a margin time is set for the node as follows.

Node A margin time: 15 minutes Node B margin time: 15 minutes Node C margin time: 10 minutes Node D margin time: 15 minutes Node E margin time: 15 minutes Node F margin time: 5 minutes Node G Spare time: 5 minutes Spare time for node H: 15 minutes Spare time for node I: 10 minutes Spare time for node J: 15 minutes Spare time for node K: 15 minutes (4) Draw a map by colorizing the spare time Next, a method of drawing the map by color-coding the margin time in S220 of the map display process will be described with reference to the schematic diagram of FIG. The node configuration in the schematic diagram of FIG. 5 is the same as that of FIG.

  Of the previously calculated routes, the ones with the longest margin time are selected as the drawing targets in order. The route with the longest allowance time (route with the allowance time of 15 minutes) is A → B → D → E → H → J → K. A range that can be returned to this route again within 15 minutes after deviating from the links constituting this route is drawn together with the route (see range 301).

  Next, a route with a long margin time (a route with a margin time of 10 minutes) is A → B → D → E → H → I → K and A → C → D → E → H → J → K. The range that can return to the route again within 10 minutes after deviating from the links constituting these routes is drawn together with the route while giving priority to the previously drawn range (ranges 302 and 303). See). The ranges 302 and 303 are drawn with a color and pattern different from those of the other ranges.

  Next, the route with the longest margin time (the route with the margin time of 5 minutes) is A → B → D → E → F → I → K, A → B → F → I → K, and A → B → D. → G → H → J → K. The range that can return to the route again within 5 minutes after deviating from the links constituting these routes is drawn together with the route, giving priority to the previously drawn range (range 304, 305). See). The ranges 304 and 305 are drawn with a color and pattern different from those of the other ranges.

Finally, characters representing the spare time are displayed in association with the nodes.
[Effect of the embodiment]
As described above, the navigation device 20 causes the display unit 30 to display the surplus time along the route in association with the route. Therefore, the user can know the spare time for the route while watching the route displayed on the display unit 30. That is, the user can determine whether or not to go through a place located around the calculated route without individually setting the waypoint.

  In addition, the navigation device 20 calculates a margin time for each of the calculated routes, and displays them on the display unit 30 in association with the corresponding routes. Therefore, the user can know the margin time for each route at the same time while looking at the plurality of routes displayed on the display unit 30. That is, the user can determine over a wider area whether or not the route is located around the calculated route.

  Moreover, the navigation apparatus 20 makes the longest allowance time of the allowance time corresponding to the overlap part of each path | route as the allowance time of the overlap part. Therefore, the user can more appropriately determine whether or not to go through a place located around the calculated route.

  Further, the navigation device 20 displays on the display unit 30 that there is a margin time even for a range that can deviate from the links constituting the calculated route and return to the route again within the margin time. It has become. Therefore, the user's psychological barrier to entering a side road that was not displayed as a route is reduced.

[Correspondence with Claims]
The correspondence between the terms used in the description of the embodiment and the terms described in the claims is shown.
The process in S101 of the route output process corresponds to the function as the departure point position information setting unit, the process in S103 of the route output process corresponds to the function as the departure time setting unit, and the process in S105 of the route output process is the destination point. The function corresponds to a function as position information setting means, and the process in S110 of the route output process corresponds to a function as target arrival time setting means.

  Further, the map data input unit 29 corresponds to the map data acquisition means, the processing in S115 of the route output process corresponds to the function as the route calculation means and the travel time calculation means, and the processing in S125 of the route output processing calculates the allowance time. It corresponds to a function as a means, and the process in S220 of the map display process corresponds to a function as a display control means.

It is a block diagram for demonstrating schematic structure of the navigation apparatus which is embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating a route output process. It is a flowchart for demonstrating a map display process. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the method of setting margin time to the node which comprises a path | route. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the method of drawing a map by color-coding allowance time.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 ... Navigation apparatus, 21 ... Position detection part, 22 ... GPS signal receiving part, 23 ... Gyroscope, 24 ... Distance sensor, 25 ... Wireless communication part, 26 ... Remote control sensor, 27 ... Remote control, 28 ... Operation switch group, 29 ... Map data input unit, 30 ... Display unit, 31 ... Audio output unit, 32 ... Audio input unit, 33 ... In-vehicle LAN communication unit, 39 ... Control unit.

Claims (6)

Departure point position information setting means for setting departure point position information, which is information that can specify the position of the departure point;
Departure time setting means for setting a departure time that is a time to depart from the departure point;
Destination location information setting means for setting destination location information, which is information that can identify the location of the destination,
Target arrival time setting means for setting a target arrival time which is a target time of arrival at the destination point;
Map data acquisition means for acquiring node information, link information, and link travel time information;
The starting point position information set by the starting point position information setting unit, the destination point position information set by the destination point position information setting unit, the node information and link information acquired by the map data acquiring unit A route calculation means for calculating a route that can be reached from the departure point to the destination point;
Travel time calculation means for calculating a travel time based on the link travel time information acquired by the map data acquisition means for the route calculated by the route calculation means;
With respect to the route calculated by the route calculating means, a margin time calculating means for calculating a margin time in the middle of the route based on the travel time, the departure time, and the target arrival time calculated by the travel time calculating means. When,
Display control means for displaying the allowance time calculated by the allowance time calculating means on a display device in association with the route calculated by the route calculating means by at least one of characters or figures;
A path output device comprising: The route output device according to claim 1,
The route calculation means calculates a plurality of the routes for the same starting point and the same destination point,
The travel time calculation means calculates the travel time for each route calculated by the route calculation means,
The margin time calculating means calculates the margin time for each route calculated by the route calculation means,
The display control means simultaneously displays each margin time calculated by the margin time calculation means on a display device in association with each corresponding route by at least one of characters or figures;
A path output device characterized by the above. The route output device according to claim 2,
The display control means, for the overlapping portion of each of the paths, the longest margin time of the corresponding margin time as the margin time of the overlapping portion,
A path output device characterized by the above. In the route output device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The display control means performs the display, assuming that there is a margin time including a periphery of a predetermined range based on the route,
A path output device characterized by the above. The route output device according to claim 4, wherein
The predetermined range is a distance range in which it is possible to deviate from the route and return to the route within the margin time.
A path output device characterized by the above.   The program for functioning a computer as said each means of the path | route output apparatus in any one of Claims 1-5.