JP2010197261A - Navigation device and traffic control system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To control the guiding order of a route in a navigation device so as to allow a vehicle to more actively pass through a desired point or to allow it to more passively pass through the relevant point. <P>SOLUTION: This navigation device includes a searcher for searching for a route from a departure place to a destination while referring to road information according to a prescribed rule, a road information storage for therein storing a previously-given first piece of road information, and a road information generator for generating a second piece of road information corresponding to a designated road element. The searcher is for searching for the route while referring to the second piece of generated road information in preference to the first piece of road information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for controlling the display order of routes displayed on a navigation device, in other words, the ease of route guidance.

With the spread of ETC devices, toll road management companies provide a new service called ETC discount service.
If the ETC discount service is used, the highway toll will be reduced, so that users tend to actively use the ETC discount service.
For a toll road management company, even if the toll is reduced, if the use of the expressway under its management is promoted, it will meet the purpose.
However, the ETC discount service is a service that is difficult for users to understand because of its short history and the existence of multiple types of services.
Technologies that support the use of such an ETC discount service are disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2.

JP 2007-78464 A JP 2006-302205 A

The contents and application conditions of ETC discount services are often changed. In addition, there are new highways in urban suburbs, as well as new ETC gates on existing highways and toll roads, making it increasingly difficult for users to manage traffic to make the most of the ETC discount service. It is becoming.
This also hinders the promotion of the use of ETC discount services for toll road management companies.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to make it possible to more actively utilize the updated ETC discount service when the ETC discount service is updated in the navigation device. For this purpose, the inventors have considered that a route that can be applied with the ETC discount service can be displayed and guided higher in the navigation device (to be easily displayed as a recommended route).
In addition, the navigation apparatus actively controls the driver by controlling the display order of the route passing through a point where a service other than the ETC discount service is performed (for example, a desired road, intersection, or other facility). Or I noticed that I could passively lead to the service. On the other hand, when a traffic jam or the like is expected, the guidance to a traffic jam road can be avoided by lowering the display order of the route passing through the point (by making it difficult to display as a recommended route).
By using such a navigation function, traffic control can be performed. For example, if you want to suppress the entry of vehicles to a given road, you can designate the road from the traffic control center and stop the road, or make the cost information of the road extremely high. It is possible to prevent the road from being included in the route guided by the navigation device.

The present invention has been made based on the above findings of the present inventors, and the first aspect is defined as follows. That is,
A search unit that searches for a route from a departure place to a destination by referring to road information according to predetermined rules;
A road information storage unit for storing first road information assigned in advance;
A road information generation unit that generates second road information corresponding to the designated road element,
The search unit is configured to search the route by referring to the generated second road information with priority over the first road information.

According to the navigation device described in the first aspect thus defined, the second road information corresponding to the designated road element is generated. The search unit preferentially refers to the second road information generated in this way to identify the route. Here, to refer to the second road information preferentially means to refer only to the second road information when the second road information is generated.
Thereby, the display order of the route is changed depending on whether or not the designated road element is included in the route. That is, the ease with which the recommended route is displayed is changed.
Road elements include roads and intersections.
The road information includes at least information about links, information about nodes, and cost information. The cost information is determined for each road (link), for example, and the route cost is calculated by adding the cost information of all roads constituting the route. A route with a smaller route cost has a higher recommended order in the navigation device. That is, it is displayed at a higher level. Costs can also be determined corresponding to intersections (nodes).

Here, changing the road information of the designated road element is also performed when the data to be changed is differentially distributed in order to update the map software of the navigation device online. However, the change of the road information is only a change between the first road information installed in advance in the navigation device. Therefore, the road information before the change is substantially canceled and cannot be used for the route search.
On the other hand, in the invention described in the first aspect, second road information corresponding to the designated road element is generated, and the generated second road information is preferentially referred to. Therefore, the first road information is also usable.

The second road information can be generated independently of the first road information or can be generated in association with the first road information.
In the second aspect of the present invention, the second road information is generated in association with the first road information, that is, based on the first road information. That is, the second aspect of the present invention is defined as follows.
In the navigation device defined in the first aspect, the road information generation unit generates the second road information based on the first road information read from the road information storage unit.
The personality of the route search possessed by the navigation device is largely due to the first road information installed in advance in the navigation device. Therefore, as defined in the second aspect, the second road information is the first road information. By generating based on the road information, the individuality of the navigation device is maintained even when the route search is performed using the second road information.

It is preferable that the second road information is generated from the first road information only when the search unit accesses the designated road element. This is to reduce the burden on the navigation device by reducing the calculation for generating the second road information to the minimum necessary, thereby realizing high-speed treatment.
That is, the third aspect of the present invention is defined as follows.
In the navigation device defined in the first or second aspect, when the search unit accesses the designated road element, the road information generation unit generates the second road information.

From the viewpoint of cost information, the present invention can be defined as follows (the invention of the fourth aspect).
In the navigation device defined in any one of the first to third aspects, the road information includes cost information for calculating a route cost, and the road information storage unit stores predetermined first cost information. Including a cost information storage unit
The road information generation unit includes a cost information generation unit that generates second cost information corresponding to a designated road element,
The search unit includes a route cost calculation unit that calculates a route cost of the searched route, the route cost calculation unit refers to the generated second cost information in preference to the first cost information, and The route cost of the searched route is calculated.

According to the navigation device of the fourth aspect defined in this way, the route cost, which is a general parameter for specifying the route display order, is used. As a result, as a means for specifying the display order of the route, the general-purpose function of the navigation device can be used as it is, and an inexpensive navigation device can be provided.
From the viewpoint of cost information, for example, when it is desired to guide more vehicles to a desired road, the road is designated and the cost information of the road is reduced. As a result, the route cost of the route including the road is reduced, so that the display order is higher (more easily recommended road). On the other hand, when it is desired to limit the guidance of the vehicle to a desired position, the road to which the position belongs is designated and the cost information of the road is increased. As a result, the route cost of the route including the road increases, and the display order is maintained at a lower level.

The fifth aspect of the present invention is defined as follows. That is,
In the navigation device defined in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the road information generation unit generates the second road information corresponding to the specified road element when the specified condition is met.
According to the navigation device of the fifth aspect defined as described above, the vehicle can be guided so as to be applicable to a more detailed purpose by specifying the condition. When the fifth aspect is carried out, either one of the first road information and the second road information is used in accordance with a designated condition corresponding to the same road element (for example, the same road). Therefore, the first road information must always be available. Therefore, in the present invention, the second road information is generated without rewriting the first road information.

  For example, as specified in the sixth aspect, when a section of a toll road to which the ETC discount service is applied is specified as a road element, the scheduled travel time of the section on the searched route is applied with the ETC discount service. When it is within the time range, the cost information of the section is reduced (generation of second cost information). On the other hand, even if the section is designated as a road element, the cost information of the section is not changed if the scheduled travel time is outside the ETC discount service application time on the searched route (maintaining the first cost information) ).

  Further, as defined in the seventh aspect, the second road information corresponding to the designated road element can be generated only when the user information, the period, and / or the traffic jam information match a predetermined condition. is there. For example, as user information, only vehicles equipped with an ETC device can be guided to a section of a toll road where an ETC discount service can be received. Furthermore, by setting specific conditions such as sex and age, only drivers that meet the conditions can be actively or passively guided to the designated road. Similarly, by setting a specific period (time zone) condition, the vehicle can be actively or passively guided to a designated road only during a period that meets the condition. When the designated road is congested, the road manager and the road information provider lower the display order of the route including the road by increasing the cost information of the road. As a result, vehicle guidance to the designated road (in a traffic jam) is suppressed.

The eighth aspect of the present invention is defined as follows. That is,
A cost information storage unit for storing first cost information given in advance;
A cost information generation unit that generates second cost information corresponding to the designated road element;
A first search unit that searches for a route from a departure place to a destination according to a first rule, and refers to the generated second cost information in preference to the first cost information, and The first search unit (priority) for searching for the first route (priority) from the destination to the destination, and the first route (from the departure point to the destination) with reference to only the first cost information ( A first search unit comprising a first search unit (basic) for searching for (basic);
A second search unit for searching for a second route from the departure point to the destination according to a second rule;
A route cost calculation unit for calculating a route cost of the first route (priority), the first route (basic), and the second route;
The display order of the first route (priority) and the second route based on the route cost calculated by the route cost calculation unit, the display order of the first route (basic) and the second route, A display order specifying unit for specifying
In the display order of the first route (priority) and the second route specified by the display order specifying unit, and the display order of the first route (basic) and the second route, the second route When the display order of the route is different, the counter unit for changing the counter value,
A navigation device comprising:

  According to the navigation device defined in the eighth aspect defined as described above, the route search is performed by using only the first cost information by performing the route search reflecting the second cost information. When the display order of the searched route is different from the result, the change in the display order can be quantitatively specified as the counter value. Thus, the effect of designating road elements can be quantitatively evaluated.

The ninth aspect of the present invention is defined as follows. That is,
In the navigation device defined in the eighth aspect, the cost information generation unit generates the second cost information based on the first cost information read from the cost information storage unit.
According to the navigation device defined in the ninth aspect defined as described above, the function described in the second aspect is also exhibited in addition to the function of the eighth aspect.

The tenth aspect of the present invention is defined as follows. That is,
In the navigation device defined in the eighth or ninth aspect, the cost information generation unit generates the second cost information when the first search unit (priority) accesses the designated road element. .
The navigation device of the tenth aspect defined in this way has the same operation as the navigation device of the third aspect.

The eleventh aspect of the present invention is defined as follows. That is, in the navigation device defined in any one of the eighth to tenth aspects, the cost information generation unit generates the second cost information corresponding to the specified road element when the specified condition is met. To do.
The navigation device of the eleventh aspect defined in this way has the same operation as the navigation device of the fifth aspect.

The twelfth aspect of the present invention is defined as follows. That is, in the navigation device defined in the eleventh aspect, the designated road element is a toll road section to which the ETC discount service is applied, and the designated condition is a time for which the ETC discount service is applied. The cost information generation is performed when the route searched by the search unit includes a section of a toll road to which the ETC discount service is applied, and the scheduled travel time of the section is a time to which the ETC discount service is applied. The unit reduces the first cost information corresponding to the section of the toll road to which the ETC discount service is applied, and generates the second cost information.
According to the navigation device of the twelfth aspect defined as described above, the same operation as the navigation device of the sixth aspect is achieved.

The thirteenth aspect of the present invention is defined as follows. That is,
In the navigation device defined in the eleventh aspect, the specified condition is user information, a period, and / or traffic jam information.
According to the navigation device of the thirteenth aspect defined as described above, the same operation as the navigation device of the seventh aspect is achieved.

  The navigation device has been described above. However, if the function of this navigation device is assigned to the fixed base server and the output of the server is simply displayed on the terminal of each vehicle (also has the function of an input terminal). However, the operation of the vehicle can be controlled by controlling the output of the server. For example, by increasing the cost information of a desired road element, it is possible to reduce the approach of a vehicle to the road element. For example, when the road is flooded due to heavy rain, the cost information of the road is set extremely high in order to prevent vehicles from entering the road.

From a different point of view, this function is achieved by the traffic control system.
The fourteenth aspect of the present invention can be defined as follows. That is,
A road element designating part for designating a road element;
A search unit that searches for a route from a departure place to a destination by referring to road information according to predetermined rules;
A road information storage unit for storing first road information assigned in advance;
A road information generating unit that generates second road information corresponding to the road element specified by the road element specifying unit,
The search unit refers to the generated second road information in preference to the first road information, and searches for the route.

  According to the traffic control system defined in the fourteenth aspect defined in this way, the traffic volume to the road element can be simplified depending on whether or not the designated road element is actively incorporated into the route. Can be controlled.

The traffic control system defined in the fifteenth aspect of the present invention is defined as follows. That is, in the traffic control system defined in the fourteenth aspect, the road information generation unit generates the second road information based on the first road information read from the road information storage unit.
According to the traffic control system defined in the fifteenth aspect defined in this way, the same effect as in the second aspect is achieved.

The traffic control system defined in the sixteenth aspect of the present invention is defined as follows. That is, in the traffic control system defined in the fourteenth or fifteenth aspect, the road information generation unit generates the second road information when the search unit accesses the designated road element.
According to the traffic control system of the 16th aspect prescribed | regulated in this way, there exists an effect | action equivalent to a 3rd aspect.

In a traffic control system according to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the traffic control system defined in any one of the fourteenth to sixteenth aspects, the road information includes cost information for calculating a route cost, and the road information storage unit Including a cost information storage unit for storing the determined first cost information;
The road information generation unit includes a cost information generation unit that generates second cost information corresponding to a designated road element,
The search unit includes a route cost calculation unit that calculates a route cost of the searched route, the route cost calculation unit refers to the generated second cost information in preference to the first cost information, and The route cost of the searched route is calculated.
According to the traffic control system of the 17th aspect prescribed | regulated in this way, there exists an effect | action equivalent to a 4th aspect.

The traffic control system according to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention is the traffic control system according to the fourteenth to sixteenth aspects, further comprising condition specifying means for specifying a condition corresponding to a road element.
The road information generation unit generates the second road information corresponding to the designated road element when the condition designated by the condition designation unit is met.
According to the traffic control system of the 18th aspect prescribed | regulated in this way, there exists an effect | action equivalent to a 5th aspect.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a navigation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a storage area of the counter memory. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the cost information generation unit. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the link / node etc. information generation control unit. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the navigation device of the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a data structure of navigation information used in the navigation device of the embodiment. FIG. 7 shows a display example on the display unit. FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the route search operation. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a navigation device according to another embodiment.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
A navigation device 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a navigation information distribution unit 10 and a navigation information utilization unit 100. The navigation information distribution unit 10 is in charge of information processing as a navigation device and functions as a server having the navigation information utilization unit 100 as a client. A plurality of user terminals A to M are connected to the navigation information distribution unit 10 via the network N1. The plurality of user terminals A to M constitute a navigation information utilization unit 100.
One user terminal A includes a control unit 101, a display unit 103, an input unit 105, a vehicle position detection unit 111, and a memory unit 113.

  The control unit 101 is a computer device including a CPU, a buffer memory, and other devices, and controls other elements constituting the user terminal A. The display unit 103 includes a display, and displays map information and other information necessary for navigation. The display unit 103 can also include a voice guidance device. The input unit 105 is used for setting a destination and the like. As the input unit 105, a touch panel type input device that cooperates with the display content of the display can be used. A mode selection unit 107 as a mode selection permission unit designates a search mode desired by the user. For example, selection of a desired search mode is permitted through a touch panel input unit from a plurality of search modes (general road priority mode, toll road priority mode, distance priority mode, time priority mode, etc.) displayed on the display. When there is no selection by the user, the mode is automatically selected. In this case, all modes are executed, and the route with the lowest route cost is the recommended route.

The own vehicle position detection unit 111 detects the current position of the user terminal using a GPS device or a gyro device. By plotting the detected position on the road map, it is possible to record the traveling locus of the vehicle provided with the user terminal.
A computer program is stored in the memory unit 113, and this computer program is read into the control unit 101, which is a computer device, and causes it to function.
Other user terminals have the same configuration as the user terminal A and are connected to the navigation information distribution unit 10 via the network N1.

The navigation information distribution unit 10 includes a control unit 11, a memory unit 15, a search unit 20, a road information storage unit 30, a road information generation unit 40, a display order specification unit 55, a comparison unit 60, an ETC discount information update unit 70, a toll calculation. Part 80 is provided.
A computer program is stored in the memory unit 15, and this computer program is read into the control unit 11 including a CPU to cause the control unit 11 to function. The control unit 11 controls each element constituting the navigation information distribution unit 10.

The destination information set by the input unit 105 of the user terminal A, the current vehicle position information detected by the vehicle position detection unit 111, and the designated search mode are sent to the search unit 20. The search unit 20 selects the first search unit 201 according to the specified search mode (first rule). When another search mode (second rule) is designated, the second search unit 202 is selected. The search unit 20 includes first to nth search units 201 to 20n, and each of the first to nth search units 201 to 20n functions according to a search mode.
When the search route is not specified by the user, the route with the lowest route cost is specified for each search mode, and the route with the lowest route cost is displayed as a recommended route in all search modes.

  Each of the first to nth search units 201 to 20n includes a priority search unit P and a basic search unit B. For example, the first search unit (priority) 201P preferentially refers to the second cost information generated by the cost information generation unit 410. The first search unit (basic) 201B refers to only the first cost stored in the cost information storage unit 310 without referring to the second cost generated by the cost information generation unit 410.

The route cost calculation unit 210 calculates the route cost of the route searched by the first to nth search units 201 to 20n.
The route cost calculated by the route cost calculation unit 210 is stored in the route cost storage unit 50.
The display order specifying unit 55 refers to the route cost of each route stored in the route cost storage unit 50 and specifies the display order of the route. The route with the lowest route cost is displayed on the display unit of the navigation information using unit 100 as the recommended route.

The comparison unit 60 compares the display order of each route specified by the display order specifying unit 55. As a result, when the search is performed using the second cost information preferentially and the display order of the route is changed as compared with the search using only the first cost information, the counter 601 counts the counter value. To change. Thereby, the change of the display order is quantified. The counter value can be changed according to the degree of change of the display order. For example, although the route cost of the route searched in the toll road priority mode using only the first cost information is the highest compared to the route cost of the route searched in the other mode, When the second cost information is preferentially used, when the route cost of the route searched in the toll road priority mode is the lowest compared to the route cost of the route searched in the other mode, the counter value is Outputs the maximum value.
The counter value is stored in the counter memory 610.

Commands P1 to PX to preferentially use the second cost information for the designated road element are sent from the road management servers A to N to the navigation information distribution unit 10.
The commands P1 to PX are input to the road information generation unit 40 to define the generation of the second cost information and the like, and are also sent to the comparison unit 60. The counter values corresponding to the commands P1 to PX are stored in the counter memory 610. The regions 610-1 to 610-X for storing are formed (see FIG. 2). In each of the areas 610-1 to 610 -X, the display order change of the route caused by the respective commands P1 to PX is stored as a counter value, so that the effect of each command P1 to PX can be obtained by reading the counter value. Can measure.

The road information storage unit 30 stores road information (first road information) as data installed in a general-purpose navigation device. The road information storage unit 30 includes a link / node information storage unit 301 and a cost information storage unit 310 for storing information related to links and nodes for specifying a route. Road information is composed of information related to link nodes and the like and cost information. The link / node etc. information storage unit 301 stores road type information, road route restriction information, and the like as link information. The presence / absence of a traffic signal is stored as node information.
Cost information (first cost information) corresponding to road elements (links, nodes) is assigned to the cost information storage unit 310.
Information stored in the link / node information storage unit 301 and the cost information storage unit 310 is determined in advance. Such information is not rewritten except during maintenance of the navigation device.

The road information generation unit 40 generates second road information corresponding to the designated road element. The road information generation unit includes a link / node information generation unit 401 and a cost information generation unit 410.
A detailed configuration of the cost information generation unit 410 is shown in FIG.
The cost information generation unit 410 includes a cost information generation control unit 411, a command storage unit 412, and a second cost information identification unit 415.
The cost information generation control unit 411 controls various elements constituting the cost information generation unit 410.
The command storage unit 412 includes command storage areas 412P1 to 412PX for storing the commands P1 to PX designated by the user. Each command specified by the user includes road element information for specifying a road element whose cost should be changed, conditions for generating the cost information, and parameters for calculating the second cost information based on the first cost information. In accordance with these, each of the command storage areas 412P1 to 412PX is provided with a designated road element storage unit 4121, a specified condition storage unit 4122, and a parameter storage unit 4123.
The parameter stored in the parameter storage unit 4123 stores a constant (which may be a negative number) to be added to the first cost information (numerical value) that serves as a reference when generating the second cost.

In this embodiment, the second cost information specifying unit 415 specifies the second cost information by adding a predetermined parameter to the first cost information, but the second cost information specifying method Is not limited to the above. The first cost information may be multiplied by the parameter as a coefficient.
In addition, the parameter storage unit 4123 stores the data directly describing the second cost information, and the second cost information specifying unit 415 directly receives the second cost information from the parameter storage unit 4123. This can also be generated by reading.
For example, when it is desired to surely prevent entry into a designated road, large cost information is given as the second cost information. At this time, the second cost information is determined regardless of the first cost information. This is because no problem occurs.

  The navigation device generally uses route cost when specifying a route to be recommended from a plurality of candidate routes. Therefore, the recommended route can be changed by changing the cost information as described above. On the other hand, by restricting the direction of the course, it is possible to prevent entry into the designated road. In other words, it is possible to prevent the vehicle from entering the designated road by generating information on the link of the designated road as the second road information and using it preferentially.

Generation of such road information is executed by the link / node information generation unit 401.
As shown in FIG. 4, the link / node etc. information generation unit 401 includes a link / node etc. information generation control unit 403, a command storage unit 402, and a second link / node etc. information identification unit 405.
The link / node etc. information generation control unit 403 controls various elements constituting the link / node etc. information generation unit 401.
The command storage unit 402 includes command storage areas 402P1 to 402PX for storing commands P1 to PX designated by the user. Each command specified by the user includes road element information for specifying a road element, conditions for generating the second road information, and information such as the second link node, etc., and according to these, each command storage area 402P1 ˜402PX includes a designated road element storage unit 4021, a specified condition storage unit 4022, and a second link / node information storage unit 4023.
According to the command used in the link / node etc. information generating unit 401, the second link / node etc. information is determined corresponding to the designated road element, and the second link / node etc. information specifying unit In step S405, the information is read from the corresponding storage unit 4023 and specified.
In this embodiment, the second link / node etc. information specifying unit 405 specifies the first link / node etc. information stored in the link / node etc. information storage unit 301 when specifying the second link / node etc. information. Of course, it is possible to generate the second link / node information by referring to the first link / node information.

The toll calculation unit 80 calculates a toll for the toll road when the toll road is included in the route searched by the search unit 20. The toll fee calculation unit 80 includes an ETC discount information storage unit 810, a toll fee storage unit 820, and a calculation unit 830. The ETC discount information storage unit 810 includes an update information storage unit 811 and a basic information storage unit 813.
The normal toll on the toll road is stored in the toll storage unit 820. Information regarding discount services when using the ETC is stored in the ETC discount information storage unit 810. In the ETC discount information storage unit 810, the basic information storage unit 813 stores information on basic (in other words, invariable) discount services. Such basic discount information includes late-night discount.
The ETC discount information includes a toll road section, a time zone, a discount rate, and the like.

The updated information storage unit 811 stores updated ETC discount information. Separately from the basic information, the updated ETC discount information can be stored in the update information storage unit 811 to distinguish the updated ETC discount information from the basic ETC discount information. Information related to a so-called ETC discount service for a limited time is stored in the update information storage unit 811.
For example, a command Q1 for updating ETC discount information is sent from the road management server A managed by the toll road management company to the ETC discount information update unit 70, and the ETC discount information update unit 70 stores the contents stored in the update information storage unit 811 (ETC Rewrite discount information).

Since the ETC discount information includes the section and time zone of the toll road, a command P1 is generated that inputs the section of the toll road as designated road element information and inputs the time zone as designated condition information to the road information generation unit 40. be able to. According to this command P1, when the searched route includes a section related to the updated ETC discount information and the scheduled travel time of the section is within the discount target time zone, the cost information of the section is reduced. The parameters are set as follows.
As a result, a route that includes the section of the toll road related to the updated ETC discount information and that the scheduled passage time of the section is within the discount target time zone is displayed higher. This promotes the use of the updated ETC discount service.

Next, the operation of the navigation device 1 of the embodiment will be described with reference to the chart of FIG.
The section of the toll road to which the newly provided ETC discount service (limited time) is applied is designated as a road element, and the vehicle on which the user terminal is placed is actively guided to the section. .

(Step 1: Update ETC discount information)
A command Q1 for updating ETC discount information by the ETC discount information specifying unit 91 in any one of road management servers A to N such as a toll road management company connected to the navigation information distribution unit 10 via the network N2 When input to the navigation information distribution unit 10, the ETC discount information update unit 70 writes and stores the ETC discount information to be updated in the update information storage unit 811.
The ETC discount information stored in the update information storage unit 811 includes a toll road section, a period during which the ETC discount service is applied, and a discount rate.

The operation of the toll calculation unit 80 is as follows.
The toll calculation unit 80 specifies a toll road section based on the route specified by the search unit 20, and calculates a toll for the toll road section with reference to a toll table stored in the toll storage unit 820. When using a plurality of toll road sections, calculation is performed for each section. The toll calculated here is a normal fee and does not reflect the ETC discount.
Next, the calculation unit 830 refers to the ETC discount information stored in the ETC discount information storage unit 810, and determines the ETC discount based on the toll road section included in the searched route and the scheduled travel time of the toll road section. Calculate the charge.
When using the ETC discount information, the calculation unit 830 first accesses information stored in the update information storage unit 811 and then accesses information in the basic information storage unit 813. This is because the updated ETC discount information is used preferentially.

The ETC discount fee information (normal toll information, ETC discount fee information, toll information (normal toll-ETC discount fee)) obtained in this way is transmitted by the control unit 11 as shown in FIG. To form navigation information. In addition to the route information and ETC discount fee information, the navigation information also includes information (user ID, vehicle type, etc.) that identifies the user.
This navigation information is stored in the memory unit 15.
All the navigation information formed based on the request from each user terminal is also stored in the memory unit 15.

The navigation information stored in the memory unit 15 is sent to the corresponding user terminal with reference to the user information (user ID) and displayed on the display unit 103. A display mode is shown in FIG.
In FIG. 7, “ETC” indicates that an ETC discount fee is applied. That is, when the vehicle is operated along the searched route, the ETC discount service is applied, and as a result, the ETC discount fee is lower than the normal toll.

(Step 3: Send and save command P1)
In the flowchart of FIG. 5, when promoting the use of the ETC discount service updated by the toll road management company, a command P <b> 1 is transmitted via the road element specifying unit 93 and the condition specifying unit 95. P1 includes (1) toll road section, (2) period, and (3) parameters corresponding to the ETC discount information stored in the update information storage unit 811. 1) The section of the toll road is stored in the designated road element storage unit 4121 as shown in FIG. On the other hand, (2) the ETC discount service application period is also stored in the designated condition storage unit 4122. (3) The changed parameter is stored in the parameter storage unit 4123.

In step 5, a route search command is input from the user terminal A. This route search command specifies at least the vehicle position and the destination on the user terminal A side, and is sent to the search unit 20 of the navigation information distribution unit 10 via the network N1. The route search command can include a desired departure time and a desired arrival time.
In step 7, the search unit 20 performs a route search. In this case, the search mode is not specified in particular, and as a result, all search modes are executed, and the route with the lowest route cost is displayed on the display unit 103 of the navigation information using unit 100 as the recommended route.

The first route search unit 201 corresponding to the first search mode operates (step 70) and executes the flowchart of FIG. In step 71 of FIG. 8, the first route (priority) is provisionally determined based on the information on the vehicle position and the destination. At this time, for the cost information, the value specified by the second cost information specifying unit 415 is used. That is, the first cost information corresponding to the same road element is not used.
In addition, when the command P1 is stored in the cost information generating unit 410, the second cost information specifying unit 415 may be operated to generate the second cost information and stored in the buffer memory. In the example, every time the first route search unit 201 accesses the designated road element stored in the designated road element storage unit 4121, the second cost information specifying unit 415 is operated, and the second cost information is obtained. Is generated. Thereby, the burden concerning the hardware of a navigation apparatus can be reduced.

Next, in step 73, it is verified whether or not the road element included in the provisionally determined route matches the condition stored in the designated condition storage unit 4122. In this embodiment, when a toll road subject to the ETC discount service is included in the tentatively determined route, it is verified whether the scheduled passage time of the section is within the time zone of the ETC discount service. To do.
When the conditions match, the provisionally determined first route (priority) is determined, the route cost is calculated, and stored in the route cost storage unit 50 (step 75).
For road elements that do not match the condition, the application of the second cost information is canceled, the route search is performed again by making the first cost information correspond (step 74), the route cost of the re-searched route is calculated, the route The cost is saved in the cost saving unit 50 (step 75).

In step 76, the first route (basic) is searched using only the first cost information without using the second cost information. In step 77, the route cost is calculated and stored in the route cost storage unit 50. (Step 77).
Returning to the flowchart of FIG.
The process of FIG. 8 is performed for all search modes 1 to n (steps 9 and 11), and the display order specifying unit 55 performs the first to nth routes (priority) and the first to nth routes (basic) routes. The display order is specified by comparing the costs (step 13).

The comparison unit 60 compares the display order of the routes and recommends the route with the lowest route cost. At this time, if the k-th route (priority) reflecting the second cost information is recommended as the recommended route (step 15; Y), in step 16, the k-th route based only on the first cost information. The route cost of the route (basic) is compared with the second smallest route cost. Then, when the route cost of the kth route (basic) is larger than the second smallest route cost (that is, when it is less than or equal to the third), the counter 601 is operated (step 17), and the counter value is stored in the counter memory 610. (Step 19).
Here, it can be verified in step 15 and step 16 whether or not the designation of the road element by the command P1 has changed the display order of the route including the road element in the navigation device.
When the change in the display order is recognized by the command P1, the counter 601 is operated and the counter value is stored in the counter memory 610. This counter value is stored in the counter value storage area 610-1 corresponding to the command P1 of the counter memory 610. All cases where the display order is changed by the command P1 to become a recommended route are counted up.

In the above example, the recommended route is used as a reference. However, when the display order of the k-th route (priority) is higher than the k-th route (basic) by two or more places, in other words, the k-th route. When there is another route (searched in another mode) having a route cost larger than the (priority) route cost and smaller than the k-th route (basic) route cost, the counter is operated. May be.
In the above example, the kth route (priority) is provisionally determined with priority given to the second cost information regardless of whether the condition is specified, and then the first cost information is used for road elements that do not meet the conditions. The route is re-searched with reference. Of course, the route can be searched while referring to the first cost information and the second cost information every time the route is searched. Furthermore, a route may be provisionally determined based on the first cost information, and then the route may be re-searched for the designated road element reflecting the second cost information.

FIG. 9 shows a navigation apparatus 1000 according to another embodiment. In FIG. 9, the same elements as those in FIG.
The navigation apparatus 1000 of FIG. 9 is configured by combining the navigation information distribution unit 10 and the user terminal 100 of the navigation apparatus 1 of FIG.
That is, this navigation apparatus 1000 is mounted and used in each vehicle. The user interface unit 1100 performs the same operation as the navigation information utilization unit 100 of FIG.
Since the navigation device 1000 is mounted on each vehicle, only the counter value as a result of the vehicle is stored in the counter memory 610. Therefore, it is preferable to connect the management server 97 that sucks up and counts the counter values of each navigation device 1000 to the network N2.

  The present invention is not limited to the description of the embodiments and examples of the invention described above. Various modifications may be included in the present invention as long as those skilled in the art can easily conceive without departing from the description of the scope of claims.

Hereinafter, matters included in the present invention will be disclosed.
(1) A search step for searching for a route from the departure place to the destination with reference to road information according to a predetermined rule;
A road information generation step for generating second road information corresponding to the designated road element,
The search method is characterized in that the route is searched by referring to the generated second road information in preference to the first road information given in advance.
(2) The navigation method according to (1), wherein the road information generation step generates the second road information based on the first road information read from the road information storage unit.
(3) According to (1) or (2), when the designated road element is accessed during the search of the search step, the road information generation step generates the second road information. The described navigation method.
(4) The road information generation step includes a cost information generation step of generating second cost information corresponding to the designated road element,
The search step includes a route cost calculation step of calculating a route cost of the searched route, and the route cost calculation step prioritizes the generated second cost information over predetermined first cost information. The navigation method according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the route cost of the searched route is calculated.
(5) The road information generation step generates the second road information corresponding to the specified road element when the specified condition is met (1) to (4) The navigation method according to any one of the above.
(6) The designated road element is a section of a toll road to which an ETC discount service is applied, and the designated condition is a time during which the ETC discount service is applied, and the ETC discount is applied to the searched route. When a section of a toll road to which the service is applied is included and the scheduled passage time of the section is a time to which the ETC discount service is applied, the road information generation step includes the toll road to which the ETC discount service is applied The navigation method according to (5), wherein the second cost information is generated by reducing the first cost information corresponding to the section.
(7) The navigation method according to (5), wherein the specified condition is user information, a period, and / or traffic jam information.
(8) a cost information generation step for generating second cost information corresponding to the designated road element;
A first search step for searching for a route from a departure place to a destination according to a first rule, wherein the first search step includes the second cost information generated in advance A first search step (priority) for searching for a first route (priority) from a starting point to a destination, referring only to the first cost information; A first search step comprising a first search step (basic) for searching for a first route (basic) from a starting point to the destination;
A second search step for searching for a second route from the departure place to the destination according to a second rule;
A route cost calculating step of calculating a route cost of the first route (priority), the first route (basic) and the second route;
The display order of the first route (priority) and the second route based on the route cost calculated by the route cost calculation unit, the display order of the first route (basic) and the second route, A display order identifying step for identifying
In the display order of the first route (priority) and the second route specified by the display order specifying unit, and the display order of the first route (basic) and the second route, the second route When the display order of the route is different, the counting step to change the counter value,
A navigation method characterized by comprising:
(9) The navigation method according to (8), wherein the cost information generation step generates the second cost information based on the first cost information.
(10) The cost information generation step generates the second cost information when accessing the designated road element during the search of the first search step (priority). The navigation method according to 8) or (9).
(11) The cost information generation step generates the second cost information corresponding to the designated road element when the designated condition is met (8) to (10). The navigation method according to any one of the above.
(12) The designated road element is a section of a toll road to which an ETC discount service is applied, and the designated condition is a time during which the ETC discount service is applied, and the ETC discount is applied to the searched route. When the section of the toll road to which the service is applied is included and the scheduled passage time of the section is the time to which the ETC discount service is applied, the cost information generation step includes the toll road to which the ETC discount service is applied The navigation method according to (11), wherein the second cost information is generated by reducing the first cost information corresponding to the section.
(13) The navigation method according to (11), wherein the specified condition is user information, a period, and / or traffic jam information.
(14) a road element designating step for designating a road element;
A search step for searching a route from the departure place to the destination by referring to road information according to a predetermined rule;
Road information generating step for generating second road information corresponding to the road element specified by the road element specifying unit,
In the traffic control method, the searching step searches the route by referring to the generated second road information in preference to the first road information given in advance.
(15) The traffic control method according to (14), wherein the road information generation step generates the second road information based on the first road information read from the road information storage unit.
(16) According to (14) or (15), the road information generation step generates the second road information when the designated road element is accessed during the search in the search step. The traffic control method described.
(17) The road information generation step includes a cost information generation step of generating second cost information corresponding to the designated road element,
The search step includes a route cost calculation step of calculating a route cost of the searched route, and the route cost calculation step converts the generated second cost information into the predetermined first cost information. The traffic control method according to any one of (14) to (16), wherein the traffic cost of the searched route is calculated by referring preferentially.
(18) A condition designating step of designating a condition corresponding to the road element is further provided,
The road information generation step generates the second road information corresponding to the specified road element when the condition specified in the condition specification step is met (14) to (14) The traffic control method according to any one of 17).
(19) A computer program for navigation, comprising:
Search means for searching for a route from the departure place to the destination by referring to road information according to a predetermined rule;
Function as road information generation means for generating second road information corresponding to the designated road element,
The computer is made to function as search means for searching for the route by referring to the generated second road information in preference to the first road information given in advance. program.
(20) The computer is
The computer program according to (19), which functions as road information generation means for generating the second road information based on the first road information read from the road information storage unit.
(21) The computer
The computer program according to (19) or (20), wherein when the search unit accesses the designated road element, the search unit functions as a road information generation unit that generates the second road information. .
(22) The computer further
The road information generating means includes cost information generating means for generating second cost information corresponding to the designated road element;
The search means includes route cost calculation means for calculating a route cost of the searched route, and refers to the generated second cost information in preference to predetermined first cost information, The computer program according to any one of (19) to (21), wherein the computer program is made to function as route cost calculation means for calculating a route cost of the searched route.
(23) The computer
Any one of (19) to (22), which functions as road information generation means for generating the second road information corresponding to the specified road element when the specified condition is met A computer program according to the above.
(24) The computer
The designated road element is a section of a toll road to which the ETC discount service is applied, the designated condition is a time during which the ETC discount service is applied, and the ETC discount service is applied to the searched route. The first cost corresponding to the section of the toll road to which the ETC discount service is applied is included when the section of the toll road to be included is included and the scheduled passage time of the section is the time to which the ETC discount service is applied The computer program according to (23), wherein the computer program functions as road information generation means for generating the second cost information by reducing information.
(25) The computer program according to (23), wherein the specified condition is user information, a period, and / or traffic jam information.
(26) A computer program for navigation, the computer
Cost information generating means for generating second cost information corresponding to the designated road element;
A first search means for searching for a route from a departure place to a destination according to a first rule, wherein the first search means stores the generated second cost information in a cost information storage unit. First search means (priority) for searching for a first route (priority) from a departure place to a destination by referring to the first cost information stored and given in advance, and the first cost The first search means comprising: first search means (basic) for searching for a first route (basic) from the departure place to the destination with reference to only information;
Second search means for searching for a second route from the departure place to the destination according to a second rule;
Route cost calculating means for calculating the route cost of the first route (priority), the first route (basic) and the second route;
The display order of the first route (priority) and the second route based on the route cost calculated by the route cost calculation unit, the display order of the first route (basic) and the second route, Display order specifying means for specifying,
In the display order of the first route (priority) and the second route specified by the display order specifying unit, and the display order of the first route (basic) and the second route, the second route Counting means for changing the counter value when the display order of the route is different,
A computer program characterized by functioning as:
(27) The computer
The computer program according to (26), wherein the computer program is caused to function as cost information generation means for generating the second cost information based on the first cost information.
(28) The computer is
(26) characterized by functioning as cost information generation means for generating the second cost information when the designated road element is accessed during the search of the first search means (priority). Or the computer program as described in (27).
(29) It is made to function as a cost information generation means for generating the second cost information corresponding to the specified road element when the specified condition is met (26) to (28) ) The computer program according to any one of the above.
(30) The designated road element is a section of a toll road to which an ETC discount service is applied, and the designated condition is a time during which the ETC discount service is applied, and the ETC discount is applied to the searched route. When the toll road section to which the service is applied is included and the scheduled passage time of the section is the time to which the ETC discount service is applied, the first road corresponding to the toll road section to which the ETC discount service is applied The computer program according to (29), wherein the computer program functions as cost information generation means for generating the second cost information by reducing the cost information of one.
(31) The computer program according to (29), wherein the specified condition is user information, a period, and / or traffic jam information.
(32) The computer further
The computer program according to any one of (14) to (31), wherein the computer program is caused to function as road element designating means for designating a road element.
(33) A recording medium for recording the computer program according to any one of (19) to (32).

1, 1000 Navigation device 20 Search unit 30 Road information storage unit 310 Cost information storage unit 40 Road information generation unit 410 Cost information generation unit,
50 Route cost storage unit 55 Display order specifying unit

Claims (18)

A search unit that searches for a route from a departure place to a destination by referring to road information according to predetermined rules;
A road information storage unit for storing first road information assigned in advance;
A road information generation unit that generates second road information corresponding to the designated road element,
The search unit is configured to search the route by referring to the generated second road information with priority over the first road information.   The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the road information generation unit generates the second road information based on the first road information read from the road information storage unit.   The navigation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when the search unit accesses the designated road element, the road information generation unit generates the second road information. The road information includes cost information for calculating a route cost, and the road information storage unit includes a cost information storage unit that stores predetermined first cost information,
The road information generation unit includes a cost information generation unit that generates second cost information corresponding to the designated road element,
The search unit includes a route cost calculation unit that calculates a route cost of the searched route, the route cost calculation unit refers to the generated second cost information in preference to the first cost information, and The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the route cost of the searched route is calculated.   The said road information generation part produces | generates the said 2nd road information corresponding to the said designated road element, when the designated conditions are adapted, The Claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned. Navigation device.   The designated road element is a section of a toll road to which an ETC discount service is applied, and the designated condition is a time during which the ETC discount service is applied, and the ETC discount is applied to a route searched by the search unit. When the section of the toll road to which the service is applied is included and the scheduled passage time of the section is the time to which the ETC discount service is applied, the road information generation unit The navigation device according to claim 5, wherein the second cost information is generated by reducing the first cost information corresponding to a section.   The navigation apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the designated condition is user information, a period, and / or traffic jam information. A cost information storage unit for storing first cost information given in advance;
A cost information generation unit that generates second cost information corresponding to the designated road element;
A first search unit that searches for a route from a departure place to a destination according to a first rule, and refers to the generated second cost information in preference to the first cost information, and The first search unit (priority) for searching for the first route (priority) from the destination to the destination, and the first route (from the departure point to the destination) with reference to only the first cost information ( A first search unit comprising a first search unit (basic) for searching for (basic);
A second search unit for searching for a second route from the departure point to the destination according to a second rule;
A route cost calculation unit for calculating a route cost of the first route (priority), the first route (basic), and the second route;
The display order of the first route (priority) and the second route based on the route cost calculated by the route cost calculation unit, the display order of the first route (basic) and the second route, A display order specifying unit for specifying
In the display order of the first route (priority) and the second route specified by the display order specifying unit, and the display order of the first route (basic) and the second route, the second route When the display order of the route is different, the counter unit for changing the counter value,
A navigation device comprising:   The navigation device according to claim 8, wherein the cost information generation unit generates the second cost information based on the first cost information read from the cost information storage unit.   The said cost information production | generation part produces | generates the said 2nd cost information, when the said 1st search part (priority) accesses the said designated road element, The said 2nd cost information is characterized by the above-mentioned. Navigation device.   The said cost information generation part produces | generates the said 2nd cost information corresponding to the said designated road element, when the designated conditions are adapted, The Claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned. Navigation device.   The designated road element is a section of a toll road to which an ETC discount service is applied, and the designated condition is a time during which the ETC discount service is applied, and the ETC discount is applied to a route searched by the search unit. When a section of a toll road to which the service is applied is included and the scheduled passage time of the section is a time to which the ETC discount service is applied, the cost information generator generates a toll road to which the ETC discount service is applied. The navigation device according to claim 11, wherein the second cost information is generated by reducing the first cost information corresponding to a section.   The navigation device according to claim 11, wherein the specified condition is user information, a period, and / or traffic jam information. A road element designating part for designating a road element;
A search unit that searches for a route from a departure place to a destination by referring to road information according to predetermined rules;
A road information storage unit for storing first road information assigned in advance;
A road information generating unit that generates second road information corresponding to the road element specified by the road element specifying unit,
The search unit refers to the generated second road information in preference to the first road information, and searches for the route.   The traffic control system according to claim 14, wherein the road information generation unit generates the second road information based on the first road information read from the road information storage unit.   The traffic control system according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the road information generation unit generates the second road information when the search unit accesses the designated road element. The road information includes cost information for calculating a route cost, and the road information storage unit includes a cost information storage unit that stores predetermined first cost information,
The road information generation unit includes a cost information generation unit that generates second cost information corresponding to a designated road element,
The search unit includes a route cost calculation unit that calculates a route cost of the searched route, the route cost calculation unit refers to the generated second cost information in preference to the first cost information, and The traffic control system according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein a route cost of the searched route is calculated. A condition designating unit for designating a condition corresponding to the road element;
18. The road information generation unit generates the second road information corresponding to the designated road element when the condition designated by the condition designation unit is met. The traffic control system according to any one of the above.

Images