JP2010210485A - Driving support system and method for supporting driving - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a driving support technique allowing high-reliability peripheral facility guidance based on an actual traffic situation of a road. <P>SOLUTION: In this driving support system, traffic information is acquired on a traffic situation of a road to store installation data that represent installation information including the names and positions of installations in association with road link ID as to a road allowing access to the installations. A route is searched for from a present position of the vehicle up to the installation to generate guidance information showing a traffic situation of the road by using the link ID. The guidance information is presented to a user. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a driving support technology.

  2. Description of the Related Art Navigation devices that display route guidance and traffic information to cars and pedestrians using map data digitized so as to be usable by a computer are known. Furthermore, in such a navigation apparatus, a function for searching and guiding facilities (peripheral facilities) existing around the current position of the user is known. In such route guidance and surrounding facility guidance, the specific facility concentration level of the surrounding area is grasped by searching the area with the specific facility based on the map information and displaying the specific facility concentration level. A technique for making it possible to do this is known (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2004-109146 A

  In the above-described conventional technology, a specific facility where a traffic jam is predicted is determined, and a traffic jam is predicted by setting an area where the specific facility exists as a predicted traffic jam area. For this reason, there is a problem that an area where specific facilities (for example, department stores) are concentrated within a predetermined range is regarded as “traffic jam” regardless of the actual traffic situation on the road.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a driving support technology that enables highly reliable guidance of surrounding facilities based on actual traffic conditions on a road.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to solve at least a part of the problems described above, and the invention can be implemented as the following forms or application examples.

[Application Example 1]
A travel support system for a vehicle traveling on a road, provided using a unique road link ID for identifying the road, a traffic information acquisition unit for acquiring traffic information on the traffic situation of the road; A facility data storage unit in which facility data representing facility information including a name and a location of a facility is stored directly or indirectly in association with the road link ID for a road accessible to the facility; and the vehicle A route search unit that searches for a route from the current position to the facility, a guide information generation unit that generates guide information indicating a traffic situation of the route using the road link ID, and the guide information A travel support system comprising: an information presentation unit for presenting to a user of the travel support system.
In this way, facility data representing facility information including the name and position of the facility can be associated with traffic information regarding road traffic conditions (for example, traffic jams and traffic regulations). Therefore, the driving support system can present the traffic status of each route to the surrounding facility to the user. Since the traffic information related to the traffic situation of the road is created based on the actual traffic situation of the road, it is possible to provide a reliable facility guidance based on the actual traffic situation of the road.

[Application Example 2]
In the driving support system according to the application example 1, the road link ID is set to each of the first road portion and the second road portion whose traveling directions are opposite to each other with respect to a road that can be bidirectionally passed. Different ID values are assigned, and the facility data includes access information indicating whether or not the facility facing the road that can be bidirectionally accessed is accessible from each of the first and second road portions. The guide information generating unit includes the traffic information related to the road link ID associated with each of the first and second road portions, with respect to the facility facing the road that is capable of bidirectional traffic; A travel support system that generates the guidance information based on information regarding which of the first and second road portions is included in the route from the vehicle to the facility.
In this way, in the facility data, information on whether or not the facility facing the road that can be bidirectionally accessed can be accessed from each of the first and second road portions whose traveling directions are opposite to each other (access information). ) Is included. For this reason, for example, when a facility is adjacent in the upward direction of the road and only the downward direction is congested, erroneous determination of the driving support system can be suppressed. Further, for example, it is possible to suppress a situation in which a user cannot travel to the facility because the center separation zone of the road exists even though the user has traveled to the vicinity of the target facility. As a result, it is possible to provide more reliable peripheral facility guidance based on actual traffic conditions on the road.
[Application Example 3]
In the driving support system according to the application example 1 or 2, when the route to the facility includes traffic information indicating that the road is congested or blocked, an alternative facility that replaces the facility is searched. The travel support system further comprising an alternative facility search unit, wherein the information presentation unit presents information related to the alternative facility to the user.
In this way, even if there is traffic information indicating that the road is congested or not in the route to the target facility, the user can obtain information on the alternative facility (for example, facility data and road). Traffic conditions).

  Note that the present invention can be realized in various modes. For example, the present invention includes a driving support system, a driving support device, a driving support server, a driving support method, a computer program for realizing the functions of the method or device, a storage medium storing the computer program, and the like. Can be realized.

It is explanatory drawing which shows schematic structure of the guidance terminal as one Example of this invention. It is a figure explaining the content of the database stored in the memory | storage part. It is explanatory drawing about matching with a facility and a VICS link. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a facility database. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the periphery search process in a driving assistance system. It is explanatory drawing about a periphery search process. It is explanatory drawing about the periphery search process in 2nd Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows schematic structure of the guidance terminal in 3rd Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the facility database in 3rd Example. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the periphery search process in 3rd Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the related database in 3rd Example. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the periphery search process in 4th Example. It is explanatory drawing about the periphery search process in 4th Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows schematic structure of the guidance terminal in 5th Example. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the periphery search process in 5th Example. It is explanatory drawing about the periphery search process in 5th Example.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following order based on examples.
A. First embodiment:
B. Second embodiment:
C. Third embodiment:
D. Fourth embodiment:
E. Example 5:
F. Variation:

A. First embodiment:
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a guide terminal 200 as an embodiment of the present invention. A guidance terminal 200 as a driving support system for a vehicle traveling on a road includes a current location detection unit 201, a display panel 202, a VICS reception unit 203, an audio output unit 204, an input unit 205, and a storage unit 206. And a main control unit 210. The guidance terminal 200 in the present embodiment is a car navigation system that is mounted on a car, displays traffic information including a map to the user, and provides route guidance.

  The current location detection unit 201 is a device that receives radio waves transmitted from artificial satellites that constitute a GPS (Global Positioning System / Global Positioning System). As the current location detection unit 201, a gyro sensor or the like may be used in addition to GPS. The display panel 202 includes a liquid crystal display and a drive circuit that drives the liquid crystal display. The audio output unit 204 includes a speaker for outputting audio when guiding to the user, a circuit for driving the speaker, and the like. The input unit 205 includes a group of keys such as a direction input key 205a and other operation keys 205b. The user of the guide terminal 200 can perform various operations by using these keys.

  A VICS receiving unit 203 serving as a traffic information acquiring unit is a receiving unit for acquiring traffic information regarding road traffic conditions provided by VICS (Vehicle Information and Communication System / VICS is a registered trademark). This traffic information is, for example, traffic jam information and regulation information (regulation information due to accidents, construction, disasters, weather conditions, etc.) on expressways and ordinary roads. Information from the VICS is provided by, for example, a radio wave beacon, an optical beacon, or FM multiplex broadcasting using a unique road link ID (VICS link number) for identifying a VICS link representing a road.

  The storage unit 206 can be configured by a hard disk, a flash memory, a memory card, or the like. The storage unit 206 stores a map database 207, a route database 208, and a facility database 209. Details of the databases 207 to 209 will be described later. The storage unit 206 may be configured to store various data for operating the guide terminal 200 in addition to the various databases described above. Moreover, it is good also as a structure which the user of the guidance terminal 200 can store various data arbitrarily. The main control unit 210 is a controller for controlling the above-described units 201 to 206 of the guide terminal 200. The main control unit 210 includes a CPU (not shown) and an internal storage device such as a ROM and a RAM. The main control unit 210 implements functions as a route search unit 211, a facility search unit 212, and a guidance information generation unit 213 by executing various programs stored in an internal storage device (RAM or ROM). .

  FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the contents of the database stored in the storage unit 206. FIG. 2 conceptually shows the contents of the map database 207, the route database 208, and the facility database 209 described above.

  The map database 207 stores data representing a map image (map image data) in a vector data format. The map image data may be stored in a raster data format such as a bitmap format or a JPEG data format instead of the vector data format. The map image data includes data representing the shape of topography, buildings, roads, and the like.

  The route database 208 stores route data relating to routes (hereinafter also referred to as “roadways”) through which a vehicle can pass among traffic routes (road networks) existing in an area corresponding to the map image represented by the map image data. Has been. This route data includes road network data indicating the arrangement of traffic routes on the ground surface and route attribute information associated with the road network data. The road network data includes node data representing element points ND (hereinafter also referred to as “nodes”) in the traffic route and link data representing line segments LK (hereinafter also referred to as “links”) connecting the nodes. . The node ND represents, for example, an intersection, a T-junction, a branch point, a start point, an end point, and the like. The link LK represents a traffic route such as the above-described roadway, for example. The route attribute information is information that is associated with the node ND or the link LK and represents the attribute. As shown in FIG. 2, the route attribute information includes, for example, text data Z11 including the name of the link LK (for example, the name of the road, the number of lanes, the speed limit), and the name of the node ND (for example, the name of the intersection). . The route attribute information associated with one node ND or link LK may be one or plural.

  The facility database 209 functioning as a facility data storage unit stores facility data representing facility information including the name and position of the facility. The facility database 209 includes a facility point BP indicating the location of the facility and facility information associated with the facility point BP. The facility information Z21 includes, for example, the name of the facility existing at the position represented by the facility point BP. Further, the facility information associated with one facility point BP may be one or plural.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the association between facilities and VICS links. In FIG. 3, all roads are two-way roads, the VICS link and the route data link have a one-to-one correspondence, and the end points of the VICS link and the route data node are common. . A different VICS link number is assigned to each of the first and second road portions whose traveling directions are opposite to each other in the bidirectionally accessible road. The facility SP1 is associated with the VICS links VL3 and VL4. Similarly, the facility SP2 is associated with the VICS link VL8, the facility SP3 is associated with the VICS links VL13 and 14, and the facility SP4 is associated with the VICS link VL9.

  This association is performed when the facility can be accessed from the VICS link. Therefore, it can be seen that the facility SP1 can be accessed via the VICS link VL3 or the VICS link VL4. Note that “accessible” does not mean that the facility is simply located near the road. For example, a state where a facility is accessible from a road is expressed as “accessible” to the road. Information that facilitates the recognition of the facility, such as an advertisement for the facility, usually exists at a position where the facility can be entered from the road. Therefore, this information can be used for guidance. On the other hand, the facility SP4 can be accessed only from the VICS link VL9. This means that a right turn is impossible because a median strip exists between the opposite lanes (that is, VICS links L9, 10).

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the facility database 209. The facility database 209 in this embodiment includes an ID field, a name NM field, facility point BP information, a genre CA field, and two VICS link related information as access information. The facility point BP information includes a latitude LA field and a longitude LO field. The VICS link related information includes a VICS link number VNO field, a base point CP field, and a position PO field.

  In the ID field, a symbol that can uniquely identify each facility is stored. The name of the facility is stored in the name NM field. The latitude of the facility is stored in the latitude LA field. The longitude LO field stores the longitude of the facility. The genre CA field stores a category name when the facilities are classified based on a certain standard. In the present embodiment, the configuration includes one genre CA field, but a configuration including a plurality of pieces of genre-related information may be employed. If it does so, since a facility can be classified hierarchically, it is preferable at the point which the convenience improves.

  The access information is information indicating whether or not the facility facing a road that can be bidirectionally accessed is accessible from each of the road portions. The VICS link number VNO field stores a VICS link number for identifying a VICS link associated with a facility. In the base point CP field, an identification symbol of a node ND serving as a base point for specifying the position of the facility among the nodes serving as the end points of the VICS link associated with the facility is stored. The position PO field stores a ratio (%) of the distance from the base point CP to the facility when the distance of the VICS link with which the facility is associated is 100%. Thus, in the present embodiment, the facility data and the VICS link number for the road facing the facility are directly associated with each other in advance. In addition, although the access information in a present Example was demonstrated as what is two VICS link relevant information, the number of VICS link relevant information may be one, and it is good also as providing two or more. The items in the facility database 209 are merely examples, and may include other information.

  In the example of FIG. 3, the facility SP1 can be accessed from the VICS link VL3. The distance from the base node N5 of the VICS link VL3 to the facility SP1 is 50% of the distance of the VICS link VL3 associated with the facility SP1. On the other hand, the facility SP1 can also be accessed from the VICS link VL4 which is a road whose traveling direction is opposite to that of the VICS link VL3. The distance from the base node N2 of the VICS link VL4 to the facility SP1 is 50% of the distance of the VICS link VL4 with which the facility SP1 is associated. Therefore, the entry whose ID field is SP1 in the facility database 209 has the contents shown in FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the peripheral search process in the driving support system. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the peripheral search process. First, the main control unit 210 specifies the current position PP of the vehicle and the user movement direction PD based on the current position information detected by the current position detection unit 201 (FIG. 5: Step S110). In the example of FIG. 6A, the current position PP is on the VICS link VL13, and the user movement direction PD is a direction toward the node N5.

  Next, the facility search unit 212 searches for a facility (hereinafter also referred to as “neighboring facility group”) that exists within a certain range from the current position of the vehicle (FIG. 5: step S120). Specifically, one or more facilities existing within a certain range of the current position are searched by comparing the position of the facility derived from the values of the latitude LA field and the longitude LO field of the facility database 209 with the current position. To do. In the example of FIG. 6A, four facilities SP1 to SP4 are searched as the peripheral facility group. In this case, considering that the user goes to the facility by making a U-turn or detouring the road, the facility (facility SP3) that the user has already passed through is assumed to be a search target. Facilities that have already passed may be excluded from search. Moreover, in step S120, it is good also as what receives the input of the conditions for a surrounding facility group search from a user. The conditions for searching for the surrounding facility group can be, for example, the genre of the facility, the range in which the facility is searched, and the like.

Next, the route search unit 211 searches each route from the current position PP of the vehicle to each facility in the surrounding facility group. And the guidance information generation part 213 searches the congestion condition of the road which can access a surrounding facility group in the following procedures (FIG. 5: step S130). This congestion status search is performed for each of the facilities searched in step S120.
(1) Refers to the value of the VICS link number VNO field of the entry in the facility database 209 where the data of the facility is stored.
(2) The traffic information acquired from the VICS receiving unit 203 is searched for the VICS link number obtained in (1).
(3) When there are a plurality of VICS link related information for the facility, (1) and (2) are executed for other VICS link related information.
In the example of FIG. 6A, the VICS links VL3, VL8, and VL10 links (thick lines in the figure) are congested. In this embodiment, since the facility data and the VICS link number are directly associated with each other, the route search (step S130) can be omitted.

  Next, the guide information generation unit 213 generates guide information (FIG. 5: Step S140). This “guidance information” is information indicating the traffic situation of each route from the current position of the vehicle to each facility in the surrounding facility group. The guide information is generated by linking the route searched by the route search unit 211 and the congestion state of the road searched by the guide information generation unit 213. In particular, for facilities facing roads that allow two-way traffic, the traffic information related to the VICS link numbers associated with the first and second road parts whose traveling directions are opposite to each other and the current position of the vehicle Guidance information is generated based on information regarding which of the first and second road portions is included in the route to the facility.

  After the guide information is generated, the display panel 202 as the information presenting unit presents the guide information to the user (FIG. 5: Step S150). FIG. 6B shows an example of guidance information presented to the user. On the display panel 202 of the guidance terminal 200, as the guidance information, the name of the facility, the location of the facility, the distance from the current position PP to the facility, and the presence or absence of traffic on the route from the current position PP to the facility Is displayed. In the example of FIG. 6B, the “congestion” symbol is displayed on the display panel 202 for facilities (facility SP1, SP2) where the route from the current position PP to the facility is congested. Not only the presence / absence of traffic jams, but also the level of traffic jams (slightly congested / congested / congested, etc.) may be displayed. Furthermore, instead of the distance from the current position PP to the facility, or together with the distance, the required time from the current position PP to the facility may be displayed.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, facility data representing facility information including the name and position of a facility can be associated with traffic information regarding road traffic conditions (for example, traffic jams and traffic regulations). Therefore, the driving support system can present the traffic status of each route to the surrounding facility to the user. Since the traffic information related to the traffic situation of the road is created based on the actual traffic situation of the road, it is possible to provide a reliable facility guidance based on the actual traffic situation of the road. In addition, the facility data includes information (access information) on whether or not the facility facing the road that can be accessed in both directions is accessible from each of the first and second road portions whose traveling directions are opposite to each other. included. For this reason, for example, when a facility is adjacent in the upward direction of the road and only the downward direction is congested, erroneous determination of the driving support system can be suppressed. Further, for example, it is possible to suppress a situation in which a user cannot travel to the facility because the center separation zone of the road exists even though the user has traveled to the vicinity of the target facility. In this way, the user can know information on the surrounding facilities and the presence or absence of traffic on the way while staying in the vehicle. For this reason, the user can avoid the traffic jam in advance by selecting a facility with no traffic jam on the way.

B. Second embodiment:
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the peripheral search process in the second embodiment. The difference from the first embodiment shown in FIG. 6 is the display method of the guidance information on the display panel 202, and other configurations and operations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  FIG. 7A is the same as FIG. FIG. 7B shows an example of guidance information presented to the user in the second embodiment. On the display panel 202 of the guidance terminal 200, a map image around the current position PP is displayed as guidance information. On this map image, the name of the facility, the symbol indicating the facility at the location where the facility exists, the distance from the current position PP to the facility, and the presence or absence of traffic on the route from the current position PP to the facility Is displayed. In the example of FIG. 7B, the color of the symbol indicating the facility is changed to express that the route is congested. Of the guidance information, the information window indicating the name of the facility and the distance from the current position PP to the facility indicates the facility on the map image selected by the user (for example, the touch panel display panel 202). The symbol may be displayed when the user touches the symbol.

  Thus, in the driving support system in the second embodiment, the guidance information is displayed as a symbol on the map image. For this reason, it is easy for the user to visually grasp the direction and distance of the facility.

C. Third embodiment:
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of the guidance terminal 200a in the third embodiment. The only difference from the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is that the contents of the facility database 209a and the related database 300 are provided, and other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the facility database 209a in the third embodiment. The only difference from the first embodiment shown in FIG. 4 is that the access information includes two link related information instead of the two VICS link related information, and the other configuration is the same as the first embodiment. is there. The link related information includes a link number LNO field, a base point LCP field, and a position LPO field. In the link number LNO field, a link number for identifying a link associated with a facility is stored. In the base point LCP field, an identification symbol of a node ND serving as a base point for specifying the position of the facility among nodes existing at both ends of the link associated with the facility is stored. The position LPO field stores the ratio (%) of the distance from the base point LCP to the facility when the distance of the link with which the facility is associated is 100%. Thus, in this embodiment, the facility data and the link number for the road facing the facility are associated with each other. Similar to the VICS link related information of the first embodiment, the number of link related information may be one, or two or more may be provided.

  In the example of FIG. 3, the facility SP1 can be accessed from the link L52. The distance from the base node N5 of the link L52 to the facility SP1 is 50% of the distance of the link L52 with which the facility SP1 is associated. Furthermore, the facility SP1 can also be accessed from the link L25. The distance from the base node N2 of the link L25 to the facility SP1 is 50% of the distance of the link L25 with which the facility SP1 is associated. Therefore, the entry whose ID field is SP1 in the facility database 209a has the contents shown in FIG.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the peripheral search process in the third embodiment. The only difference from the first embodiment shown in FIG. 5 is that the process of step S130 is replaced with the process of step S200, and other operations are the same as those of the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the relational database 300 in the third embodiment. The association database 300 includes a link number NO field and a VICS link number VNO field. The association database 300 has a function of associating links on route data with VICS links.

In the third embodiment, the route search unit 211 searches each route from the current position PP of the vehicle to each facility in the surrounding facility group. And the guidance information generation part 213 searches the congestion condition of the road which can access a surrounding facility group in the following procedures (FIG. 10: step S200).
(1) Refers to the value of the link number LNO field of the entry that stores the data of the facility in the facility database 209a.
(2) Using the link number obtained in (1) as a key, the value of the link number NO field in the related database 300 is searched to obtain the VICS link number VNO associated with the link number.
(3) The traffic information acquired from the VICS receiving unit 203 is searched for the VICS link number obtained in (2).
(4) When there are a plurality of link related information for the facility, (1) to (3) are executed for other link related information.

  As described above, in the third embodiment, the facility data and the VICS link number are indirectly associated in advance. For this reason, as in the first embodiment, it is possible to provide highly reliable peripheral facility guidance based on the actual traffic situation on the road.

D. Fourth embodiment:
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the peripheral search process in the fourth embodiment. The only difference from the first embodiment shown in FIG. 5 is that the processes of steps S300 to S330 are added after the process of step S140, and other operations are the same as those of the first embodiment. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of the peripheral search process in the fourth embodiment. Differences from the first embodiment shown in FIG. 6 are as follows, and the others are the same as those of the first embodiment.
・ VICS link VL3 (FIG. 13A, thick line) is congested ・ Guidance information display method on display panel 202 (FIG. 13B)

  In the fourth embodiment, the route search unit 211 includes a facility that includes traffic information indicating that the road is congested or not in the route to each facility after the generation of guidance information (FIG. 12: step S140). It is determined whether or not there is (FIG. 12: step S300). If there is no such facility, the process proceeds to step S150, and the display panel 202 as the information presenting unit presents guidance information to the user.

  On the other hand, when there is a facility that includes traffic information indicating that the road is congested or not in the route to each facility, the route search unit 211 also determines other routes (hereinafter referred to as “detour routes”) to the facility. Is called) (step S310). In the example of FIG. 13A, the facility SP1 can be accessed from the VICS link VL3. However, since the VICS link VL3 is congested, the route search unit 211 searches the detour route DR (slashed in the drawing) that can access the facility SP1 and passes through the VICS link VL4 that is not congested.

  Next, the route search unit 211 generates detour information (FIG. 12: step S320). This “detour information” is information about the detour route including the presence / absence of the detour route. For example, the presence / absence of the detour route, the distance to the facility when the detour route is passed, and the facility when the detour route is taken There are time required. Note that steps S310 and S320 are performed for each of the plurality of facilities when the route to the plurality of facilities in the peripheral facility group is congested.

  After the detour information is generated, the display panel 202 as the information presenting unit presents the detour information together with the guidance information to the user (FIG. 12: Step S330). FIG. 13B shows an example of detour information and guidance information presented to the user at this time. On the display panel 202 of the guidance terminal 200, a detour information window DD is displayed in addition to the guidance information described in FIG. In the example of FIG. 13B, a detour information window DD is displayed next to the “congestion” symbol on the display panel 202 for a facility (facility SP1) where the route to the facility is congested, and the detour route is passed. The distance to the facility should be presented. In addition, when the user selects the detour information window DD (for example, when the user touches the desired detour information window DD on the touch panel display panel 202), the route guidance based on the detour route is performed. It is also good. Further, when there are a plurality of detour paths, detour information for the plurality of detour paths may be presented.

  As described above, in the driving support system according to the fourth embodiment, even when there is traffic information indicating that the road is congested or not in the route to the destination facility, the user can make a detour to the destination facility. Information can be obtained.

E. Example 5:
FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of the guidance terminal 200b in the fifth embodiment. The only difference from the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is that an alternative facility searching section 214 is provided in the main control section 210, and the other configurations are the same as in the first embodiment. Details of the alternative facility search unit 214 will be described later.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the peripheral search process in the fifth embodiment. The only difference from the first embodiment shown in FIG. 5 is that the processes of steps S400 to S430 are added after the process of step S140, and the other operations are the same as those of the first embodiment. FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of the peripheral search process in the fifth embodiment. Differences from the first embodiment shown in FIG. 6 are as follows, and the others are the same as those of the first embodiment.
-A point where a wide area is targeted for search than illustrated in Fig. 6 (A)-A point where the VICS link VL3 (Fig. 16 (A) thick line) is congested.

  In the fifth embodiment, after the generation of the guidance information (FIG. 15: Step S140), the alternative facility searching unit 214 includes the traffic information indicating that the road is congested or not in the route to each facility. It is determined whether or not there is (FIG. 15: step S400). If there is no such facility, the process proceeds to step S150.

On the other hand, when there is a facility including traffic information indicating that the road is congested or not in the route to each facility (for convenience, such a facility is also referred to as “congested facility”), the alternative facility searching unit 214. Searches for an alternative facility to replace the facility (step S410). This alternative facility search can be performed, for example, by the following procedure.
(1) A surrounding facility group search similar to step S120 is performed with the search range set to a wider area.
(2) From the peripheral facility group searched in (1), a facility of the same genre as the traffic congestion facility (specifically, a facility having the same genre CA field value (FIG. 4)) is extracted.

  In the example of FIG. 16A, the route to the facility SP1 is congested. Therefore, the alternative facility search unit 214 searches for alternative facilities SP5 and SP6 that replace the facility SP1 with a wider search range. Next, the display panel 202 as an information presenting unit presents information regarding the alternative facility to the user together with the guidance information (FIG. 15: step S430). FIG. 16B shows an example of alternative facility information and guidance information presented to the user at this time. If the route from the current position PP to the alternative facility is congested or unsuccessful, it is preferable to display a “congested” symbol on the display panel 202, as with the guidance information.

  As described above, in the driving support system according to the fifth embodiment, even when there is traffic information indicating that the road is congested or not in the route to the destination facility, the user can substitute for the destination facility. Information about the facility (for example, facility data and road traffic conditions) can be obtained.

F. Variation:
The present invention is not limited to the above-described examples and embodiments, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist thereof. For example, the following modifications are possible.

F1. Modification 1:
In the above embodiment, the facility is described as being associated with the VICS link or the link in the route data. However, the facility is not limited to a link, and may be associated with a node.

F2. Modification 2:
In the said Example, the guidance terminal was illustrated as an example of a driving assistance system. However, the driving support system may be configured as a client-server type such as a communication car navigation system or a route guidance system using a mobile phone.

F3. Modification 3:
In the above embodiment, “traffic jam” is exemplified as an example of undesirable traffic information in the route. However, unfavorable traffic information is not limited to “traffic jam”, and arbitrary information can be adopted. For example, it can be regulation information such as a road closure.

F4. Modification 4:
In the above-described embodiment, the case of using a link having a distinction between the upper and lower lines of the road has been described. However, the present invention can be realized even in the case of a link in which the upper and lower lines of the road are not distinguished (a link in which the upper and lower lines of the road are expressed by one link). In this case, it is preferable to provide a field for storing information indicating whether or not the facility can be accessed by turning the road to the right in the facility database.

F5. Modification 5:
In the said Example, the restaurant was mentioned as an example of a facility. However, the facility is not limited to a restaurant and can be any facility. For example, it may be a convenience store, a gas station, a national chain store, a supermarket, a parking lot, a public facility such as a police box, or the like.

F6. Modification 6:
In the above embodiment, the guide information is presented from the display panel as image data. However, the embodiment is not limited to the mode exemplified in the above embodiment, and for example, it is possible to generate guidance information as voice data and output it from the voice output unit. Also, image data and audio data can be used together.

    200, 200a, 200b ... guidance terminal, 201 ... current position detection unit, 202 ... display panel, 204 ... audio output unit, 205 ... input unit, 205a ... direction input key, 205b ... operation key, 206 ... storage unit, 207 ... map Database 208: Route database 209, 209a Facility database 210 ... Main control unit 211 ... Route search unit 212 ... Facility search unit 213 Guidance information generation unit 214 ... Alternative facility search unit 300 ... Related database .

Claims (4)

A driving support system for a vehicle traveling on a road,
A traffic information acquisition unit that acquires traffic information related to the traffic situation of the road, provided using a unique road link ID for identifying the road;
A facility data storage unit in which facility data representing facility information including the name and position of the facility is stored in association with the road link ID for a road accessible to the facility, directly or indirectly,
A route search unit for searching for a route from the current position of the vehicle to the facility;
Using the road link ID, a guide information generating unit that generates guide information indicating a traffic situation of the route;
An information presentation unit for presenting the guidance information to a user of the driving support system;
A driving support system comprising: The driving support system according to claim 1,
As for the road link ID, different ID values are assigned to the first road portion and the second road portion whose traveling directions are opposite to each other with respect to a road that can be bidirectionally passed,
The facility data includes access information indicating whether the facility facing the road that can be bidirectionally accessed is accessible from each of the first and second road portions,
The guidance information generation unit relates to the traffic information related to the road link ID associated with each of the first and second road portions, and the vehicle A travel support system that generates the guidance information based on information regarding which of the first road portion and the second road portion is included in the route to the facility. The driving support system according to claim 1 or 2,
If the route to the facility includes traffic information indicating that the road is congested or blocked, the route further includes an alternative facility search unit that searches for an alternative facility in place of the facility,
The information presentation unit is a driving support system that presents information about the alternative facility to the user. A driving support method for a vehicle traveling on a road,
(A) a computer obtaining traffic information relating to a traffic situation of a road provided by using a unique road link ID for identifying the road;
(B) the computer searching for a route from the current position of the vehicle to the facility;
(C) Facility data representing facility information including the name and position of the facility is stored in advance in association with the road link ID for a road accessible to the facility directly or indirectly. The step of generating guide information indicating the traffic situation of the route using the road link ID,
(D) a computer presenting the guidance information to a user of the driving support method;
A driving support method comprising:

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