JP2011017596A - Navigation apparatus, navigation method, and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simply lead out a recommended moving route using a specific road by efficiently integrating information on specific roads such as a byroad or a sightseeing road into route information used for route search.SOLUTION: A navigation apparatus for leading out a recommended moving route to a destination of a moving body (for example, a vehicle) includes a specific route information memory F2 for storing specific route information showing a specific route, and a road map information memory F3 for storing road information, determines retrieval object road information which is a retrieval object of specific route information in the road information, specifies a specific route on reference to the specific route information, and leads out the recommended moving route using the specified specific route.

Description

  The present invention relates to a navigation device, a navigation method, and a computer program for causing an operation control of a navigation device to derive a recommended travel route by effectively using route information stored in advance.

  Conventionally, a navigation system is known as a system for supporting the arrival of a moving body such as a vehicle or a human at a destination. For example, this navigation system derives the current position of the moving object by GPS (Global Positioning System), obtains a recommended moving route by route search processing based on the current position information of the moving object and road map information, and this recommended Based on the travel route, automatic travel route guidance (hereinafter referred to as “route guidance”) is performed. For example, in a vehicle equipped with a car navigation device, road map information and current position information of the vehicle are displayed on a display device (monitor), and a recommended travel route to a destination is searched and displayed on the display device. To display the directions visually. Some car navigation devices have a function of notifying a route by hearing by outputting a guidance voice.

  In car navigation devices, a recommended travel route is mainly derived using the Dijkstra method. In this case, the road information is composed of nodes, which are coordinate points indicating road intersections, road structure change positions, and the like, and links indicating routes on which movable bodies such as roads connecting the nodes can move. Generally, a route cost obtained by quantifying the length of a road, a required travel time, and the like is set, and a route having a minimum accumulated route cost from a departure point to a destination is derived as a recommended travel route.

  In such a car navigation device, an accident or disaster occurred in a route using a route to avoid a congested section, a route using a tourist road to move on a road with good scenery, or a predetermined area. It is required to derive a route using a detour route that is sometimes recommended for use as a recommended travel route to the destination.

  In order to meet such a demand, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses performing a recommended travel route search taking into account that the required travel time increases due to traffic congestion. Specifically, when the estimated traffic jam route to the destination is searched by reflecting the required travel time based on the road traffic information in the route search network database, and it can be determined that the searched traffic jam forecast route satisfies a predetermined condition It is disclosed that a recommended travel route is used. In addition, a route search method that considers a loophole to avoid traffic congestion has been proposed.

  However, in order to accurately calculate the required travel time due to traffic jams, there is a problem that a communication means for acquiring road traffic information is required and the cost increases. In addition, it is necessary that the road to be searched is a target road of the road traffic information providing service, and it is difficult to obtain accurate road traffic information of all roads. In addition, there is a problem that it is difficult to accurately quantify traffic conditions and the quality of the landscape as route costs.

  Therefore, paying attention to the fact that roads used for loopholes and back roads are determined to some extent, various types of road road or back road road information that are registered in advance and used for route search have been proposed. For example, in Patent Document 2, it is determined whether or not the vehicle is in a traffic jam state based on the moving speed of the moving body, and the road registered as a loop-off in the traffic jam state is displayed so as to be distinguishable from other roads. It is disclosed. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-228561 discloses setting conditions for displaying a loophole. Further, Patent Document 4 extracts a plurality of route candidates from the current position to the destination by a known method, selects a route candidate corresponding to the target road of the exit road or the back road, and at a predetermined timing. Displaying is disclosed.

Japanese Patent No. 4246250 JP-A-5-216406 JP 2006-266701 A JP 2006-275729 A

  However, all of the conventional car navigation devices described above are focused on displaying pre-registered loopholes, and there is no problem that it is not possible to easily derive a recommended travel route using loopholes. was there. Thus, in the conventional car navigation apparatus described above, information on specific roads such as loopholes and sightseeing roads is not efficiently incorporated in the route information used for route search, and such specific roads are used. There was a problem that the recommended travel route could not be derived easily.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention efficiently incorporates information related to a specific road such as a loophole or a tourist road into route information used for route search, and easily derives a recommended travel route using the specific road. The purpose is to be able to.

  A navigation device according to the present invention is a navigation device for deriving a recommended travel route to a destination of a mobile object, and includes a start point node indicating a start point of a specific route suitable for a specific application and an end point node indicating an end point of the specific route. A specific route information storage unit for storing specific route information indicating the specific route by a link group connecting the node group, and a coordinate point indicating a road intersection, a road structure change position, or the like A plurality of nodes, a link indicating a route on which the mobile body can move, such as a road connecting the nodes, and a node indicating the start point of a specific route when the node is the start point node, Road information storage means for storing road information, which is information associated with specific route node information indicating that it is an end point of a specific route when it is an end point node; Search target road information determining means for determining search target road information to be searched for the specific route information in the road information, and a starting point node of the specific route included in the search target road information determined by the search target road information determining means A node search means for searching for an end node corresponding to the start node, and a specific path specification for specifying a specific path having the start node and the end node detected by the node search means with reference to the specific path information And a recommended movement route deriving means for deriving a recommended movement route using the specific route specified by the specific route specifying means.

  With the above configuration, information related to specific roads such as loopholes and sightseeing roads can be efficiently incorporated into the route information used for route search, and recommended travel routes using specific roads can be easily derived. become.

  That is, when the road information incorporating the start and end nodes of the specific route so as to be identifiable is managed as route information used for the route search, and the user desires to derive the recommended travel route using the specific route, the specific route Since the specific route having the start point node and the end point node included in the search target road information to be searched is identified and the recommended travel route is derived using the specified specific route, the route calculation of the specific route is performed. Therefore, the recommended travel route using a specific road can be easily derived.

  The navigation device of the present invention may be configured such that the specific route information storage means stores specific route information related to a specific route such as a sightseeing road, a loop-off route, or a detour.

  In the navigation apparatus of the present invention, the recommended travel route deriving unit includes a recommended travel route candidate deriving unit that derives a recommended travel route candidate without using the specific route information, and the search target road information determining unit includes: The road information indicating the recommended travel route candidate derived by the recommended travel route candidate deriving unit may be determined as the search target road information.

  In the navigation device of the present invention, the specific route information includes main section information indicating a main section having a function suitable for the specific use in the specific route, and an auxiliary function having an auxiliary function for the main section. It may be configured to include auxiliary section information indicating a section.

  Further, the navigation device of the present invention includes a current position information receiving unit that receives the current position information of the moving body, and the specific route information based on the current position information received by the position information receiving unit according to the movement of the moving body. Specific route travel determination means for determining whether the mobile body is traveling on a specific route according to the presence or absence of a specific route that includes position information that matches or approximates the current position information, and The recommended travel route deriving unit may be configured to derive a recommended travel route using the specific route when the specific route travel determining unit determines that the vehicle is traveling on the specific route.

  Further, the navigation device of the present invention includes a stop point information storage unit that stores stop point information indicating a position of a predetermined stop point in association with the specific route information, and the current position information according to the movement of the moving body. Based on the current position information received by the receiving means, the stop point information is searched with reference to the stop point information and searching for a stop point within a predetermined distance from the current position information, and the stop point searching means detects It is good also as a structure provided with the stop point guidance means which guides a stop position.

  The navigation device of the present invention comprises current position information receiving means for receiving current position information of the moving body, and traveling direction receiving means for receiving traveling direction information of the moving body, and the search target road information determining means is The search target road information may be determined from the position information received by the position information receiving unit and the traveling direction information received by the traveling direction receiving unit.

  The navigation method of the present invention is a navigation method for deriving a recommended travel route to a destination of a moving body, and a plurality of nodes that are coordinate points indicating road intersections, road structure change positions, and the like, A link indicating a path that the mobile body can move, such as a road connecting nodes, and a start point of a specific path when the node is the start node, and a case where the node is the end node Is the road information stored in the road information storage means for storing the road information, which is information associated with the specific path node information indicating the end point of the specific path, of the specific path suitable for the specific use. A pair of nodes including a start point node indicating the start point and an end point node indicating the end point of the specific route, and a specific route information search pair indicating the specific route by a link group connecting the node groups Search target road information determination process for determining search target road information, and a start point node of a specific route included in the search target road information determined in the search target road information determination process and an end point node corresponding to the start point node A node search process for searching for a specific path, a specific path specifying process for specifying a specific path having a start point node and an end point node detected by the node search process with reference to the specific path information, and the specific path specification And a recommended travel route deriving process for deriving a recommended travel route using the specific route specified in the processing.

  Furthermore, the computer program of the present invention is a navigation program for causing a navigation device to control the operation so as to derive a recommended movement route to a destination of a moving body, and the navigation device is configured to cause a road intersection or a road structure. A plurality of nodes that are coordinate points indicating the change position, a link that indicates a route that the moving body can move, such as a road that connects the nodes, and a start point of a specific route when the node is the start point node Stored in road information storage means for storing road information, which is information associated with specific route node information indicating that it is an end point of a specific route when the node is the end point node. The road information includes a start node indicating a start point of a specific route suitable for a specific application and an end node indicating an end point of the specific route. A search target road information determination process for determining search target road information to be searched for specific route information indicating the specific route by a link group connecting the node group and the node group, and the search target road information determination process The node search process for searching for the start point node of the specific route included in the road information to be searched and the end point node corresponding to the start point node, and the node search process with reference to the specific route information A specific route specifying process for specifying a specific route having the specified start and end nodes, and a recommended moving route deriving process for deriving a recommended moving route using the specific route specified in the specific route specifying process. Is for.

  According to the present invention, information relating to a specific road such as a loophole or a sightseeing road can be efficiently incorporated into the route information used for route search, and a recommended travel route using the specific road can be easily derived. .

It is the schematic which shows an example of the route guidance system using the navigation apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a block block diagram which shows an example of embodiment of the navigation apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the storage state of the recommended travel route information memorize | stored in the recommended travel route memory | storage part with which the navigation apparatus which concerns on this invention is provided. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the storage state of the specific route information memorize | stored in the specific route information storage part with which the navigation apparatus which concerns on this invention is provided. It is the schematic which shows an example of the route guidance information output device implement | achieved by using the route guidance system using the navigation apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the navigation process in the navigation apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the specific route information which the specific route specific | specification part with which the navigation apparatus which concerns on this invention is provided acquires. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example in case the navigation apparatus which concerns on this invention performs the derivation | leading-out process of the recommended movement path | route using a specific path | route. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the recommended movement route change process in the navigation apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example in case the navigation apparatus which concerns on this invention performs a recommended movement route change process. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the storage state of the stop point information memorize | stored in the stop point information storage part with which the navigation apparatus which concerns on this invention is provided. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the outline | summary of the route guidance of the navigation apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the stop point guidance process in the navigation apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the specific route | root derivation | leading-out process in the navigation apparatus which concerns on this invention.

<First Embodiment>
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  The navigation device 10 according to the present invention has a route search function and a route guidance function, and uses a specific route whose usefulness for a specific application is evaluated in advance using a known route search process or a survey or a statistical method. This is an apparatus for performing route guidance processing so that the vehicle travels on the recommended recommended travel route.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a route guidance system (hereinafter referred to as “the present system”) using the navigation device 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the route guidance system of this example includes a navigation device 10, a vehicle positioning device 20, an output device 30, and an input device 40.

  The own vehicle position measurement device 20 is a device that measures the current position of the vehicle, receives a GPS signal sent from a GPS satellite, and moves from an initial position or a GPS sensor that measures the position based on the GPS signal. It consists of a speed sensor that measures the amount (distance), a gyro sensor that measures the traveling (moving) direction, and the like.

  A GPS sensor is a so-called GPS receiver, receives a GPS signal radiated from a GPS satellite, measures a distance (pseudo distance) between the GPS satellite and the GPS receiver itself, and receives a plurality of satellites. Are simultaneously received to calculate the current position (GPS positioning solution) of the GPS receiver itself.

  The own vehicle position measurement device 20 is mounted on a moving body (hereinafter described as an example of “vehicle”), and in addition to a GPS receiver (antenna) that receives a GPS signal, the received GPS signal is decoded. And a signal processing unit that outputs the data to the navigation device 10.

  The output device 30 is a device that outputs route guidance information from the navigation device 10, and for example, an image display device (display device, monitor) 31 that displays image information, and a sound output device (speaker device) that outputs sound information as sound. ) 32. The image display device 31 displays the road map information and the current position information of the vehicle on the display screen, and also displays the recommended travel route to the destination on the display screen, thereby visually informing the route. . In addition, the voice output device 32 outputs the guidance voice information as a voice, thereby informing the route of the moving route by hearing.

  The input device 40 is an input device that gives various instructions to the navigation device 10. In this example, the input device 40 is configured by, for example, operation buttons displayed on the display screen of the output device 30.

  FIG. 2 is a block configuration diagram illustrating a configuration example of the navigation device 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the navigation device 10 includes a recommended travel route storage unit F1, a specific route information storage unit F2, a road map information storage unit F3, a route search unit 11, and a host vehicle position information reception unit 12. The search target road information determination unit 13, the node search unit 14, the specific route specification unit 15, the direction information reception unit 16, the route guidance unit 17, and the control unit C are included. In addition, each part which comprises the navigation apparatus 10 is connected to the bus | bath B which transmits a control signal, data, etc.

  The navigation apparatus 10 is configured by an information processing apparatus such as a mobile type personal computer, a PND (Portable Navigation Device), or a dedicated device. Although not shown, the navigation device 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a program storage unit, an OS (Operating System), and the like. The CPU has a function of controlling and controlling each component of the navigation device 10 according to a computer program stored in the program storage unit and executing a program process. The program storage unit includes a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like, and is a storage medium that stores various computer programs used by the navigation device 10.

  The route search unit 11 performs route search processing for deriving a recommended travel route from a departure position (for example, current position) to a destination. In the route search process, for example, the input of destination information from the user is received, the location information of the destination is specified based on the received destination information, and the location information of the destination and the vehicle position measurement device 20 are specified. Based on the current position information measured in this way, a recommended travel route from the current position to the destination is derived with reference to the road information, and a process for generating a travel route surrounding map including a road map including the recommended travel route is performed. . In addition, since a well-known technique is used about a route search process, detailed description here is abbreviate | omitted.

  The own vehicle position information receiving unit 12 performs a process of receiving the current position information of the vehicle. Here, the current position is indicated by latitude and longitude, for example. This current position information is measured and transmitted by the own vehicle position measuring device 20.

  The recommended travel route storage unit F <b> 1 is a unit that stores the recommended travel route obtained by the route search unit 11. The route search unit 11 may derive a plurality of recommended travel route candidates, and one recommended travel route candidate selected by the user may be used as the recommended travel route, or a plurality of routes may be managed as the recommended travel route. Good.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a storage state of recommended travel route information stored in the recommended travel route storage unit F1. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the recommended travel route information includes route configuration node information and route configuration link information indicating nodes and links that constitute the recommended travel route.

  Here, the path configuration node information is information for identifying the nodes that constitute the recommended travel path. In this example, the node ID, the position information, the node attributes, the specific path node information, and the specific path Information including an ID. In this example, latitude and longitude are used as node position information.

  As node attributes in this example, an intersection type (“a” in FIG. 3), a guidance information type (“b” in FIG. 3), and a branching point classification (“c” in FIG. 3) are set. Thereby, route guidance is performed.

  The specific route node information indicates whether or not each node constituting the road information is a node constituting a specific route whose usefulness for a specific application is evaluated in advance using a survey or a statistical method. Information. That is, it can be easily understood from the specific route node information whether or not the nodes constituting the recommended travel route include the nodes constituting the specific route. Furthermore, the specific route node information in this example also indicates that when each node is the start point or end point of the specific route (hereinafter referred to as “start point node” and “end point node”, respectively).

  In addition, when the link connected to each node constitutes a trunk route to be described later, the information may be stored.

  Further, the route configuration link information is information for specifying a link constituting the recommended travel route, and in this example, a specific link ID (an ID that can uniquely identify a road) and position information ( Specified by coordinates and vectors). Accordingly, road information (link ID) while traveling can be obtained from position information on the recommended travel route.

  Note that the route configuration node information may be changed according to time conditions, the moving direction of the vehicle, and the like. Specific route information and route search using the specific route information will be described in detail later.

  The specific route information storage unit F2 is means for storing specific route information for specifying a specific route whose usefulness for a specific application has been evaluated in advance using a survey or a statistical technique. Here, the specific route information in this example refers to information that collectively indicates a plurality of continuous road groups connected to each other.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a storage state of the specific route information stored in the specific route information storage unit F2. As shown in FIG. 4, the specific route information is information including a specific route ID, a route type, a route name, an area ID, a route start point, a route end point, and presence / absence of an auxiliary section. Here, the route type indicates what purpose each specific route is effective for. For example, “pathway”, “tour road”, “detour”, and the like are set. The route start point and the route end point specify the nodes that are the start point and the end point of the specific route. When there are branch points on the specific route, a plurality of start points and end points may be set. Although not shown, the specific route information may differ depending on the time and the traveling direction of the vehicle. For example, this may be an escape route in which the available traffic time is defined, or a one-way exit route.

  The specific route can be provided with a main section and an auxiliary section. The main section in this example is a section composed of a main path that is evaluated as a path that exhibits a function as a specific path. That is, for example, when the type of a specific route is a tourist road, a route connecting a road with a good view or a tourist spot is the main section. On the other hand, the auxiliary section in this example means a section including an auxiliary route recommended as a route to a specific route or a route away from the specific route. That is, for example, a route connecting an entrance of a tourist road from an intersection of an expressway IC or a national road is an auxiliary section. By managing the specific route in this way, the specific route can be managed in more detail. Also, for example, when a user tries to pass a specific route, attention may be given to the characteristics of the specific route (for example, “the road is narrow” if it is “pathway”) at an appropriate timing. .

  In addition, it is good also considering the path | route which detours the predetermined area in a main area as an auxiliary area. Further, since there are a plurality of routes on the way of avoiding traffic jams, the way that seems to be most effective based on a prior survey may be used as the main section, and another way along the way may be used as the auxiliary section. Moreover, it is good also considering the road and intersection to avoid detour from the main section as an auxiliary section. Thereby, derivation | leading-out of the recommended movement path | route using a part of specific path | route can be provided with respect to a user.

  The road map information storage unit F3 is a storage medium that stores map information divided into rectangular ranges (hereinafter referred to as “mesh”) divided by a certain latitude width and latitude width. In addition to being stored in the road map information storage unit F3, the map information can be stored in an auxiliary storage device as a removable medium called an SD memory card, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, or the like. Further, the map information may be downloaded via a communication network such as the Internet. In addition, the road map information storage unit F3 manages roads as road information by representing roads as nodes and links, and stores route configuration node information and route configuration link information (see FIG. 3) for each node and link. It is. That is, the route search unit 11 acquires information necessary for the route search process from the road map information storage unit F3. The road information may be different depending on the time and the traveling direction of the vehicle. Here, in the road information in this example, the length and passage time of each link are stored as route costs. In addition, the road information has a plurality of hierarchies. In this example, the road information is for neighborhood (stores all roads), for short distance (stores roads other than narrow streets), for medium distance (prefecture roads or more). Storage) and long-distance use (stores highways and national roads). In this case, for example, hierarchical information may be set for the nodes and links constituting the road information. Thereby, the road information which is the object of the route search can be properly used depending on the route search condition. That is, for example, when the current position and the destination are long distances, the amount of road information existing between them is enormous, so by performing route search processing using road information set for long distance use The processing load on the route search unit 11 can be reduced.

  The search target road information determination unit 13 determines search target road information to be searched for specific route information in the road information. As the search target road information, the recommended travel route information stored in the recommended travel route storage unit F1 is set as a search target, for example, road information existing between each latitude and longitude indicating the current position and the destination. Alternatively, a configuration may be adopted in which road information within a predetermined range from the current position or the recommended travel route is a search target.

  The node search unit 14 performs a process of searching for nodes constituting the specific route within the search target determined by the search target road information determination unit 13. Further, in this example, the node search unit 14 performs a process of determining that there is a specific route when the information group to be searched includes a start point node and an end point node indicating the same specific route. That is, for example, the node search unit 14 first refers to the path configuration node information and detects a node for which “present” is set. Next, the specific route ID set for the detected node is confirmed, and when there are a plurality of nodes having the same specific route ID, the specific route ID and the node ID are transmitted to the specific route specifying unit 15. To do. In this example, it is determined that there is a specific route only when a node group having the same specific route ID includes a start point node and an end point node, and the node ID and the specific route ID are specified. For example, when the node group in which the same specific route ID is set includes two or more nodes constituting the main route in the same specific route, the specific route is transmitted to the route specifying unit 15. It is good also as a structure which performs the process determined with having. In other words, if a specific route that can travel on a specific route from the road indicated by the search target road information and return to the road indicated by the search target road information again is used to derive the recommended travel route It is good.

  When the node search unit 14 determines that there is a specific route, the specific route specification unit 15 refers to the specific route information storage unit F2 and acquires predetermined information from the corresponding specific route information. The specific route specifying unit 15 has a function of extracting specific route information in consideration of the traveling direction of the vehicle, the current time, and the estimated arrival time on the specific route. For example, the “start point” of the route in the specific route information is “end point” if the traveling direction of the vehicle is reversed, and if the specific route is a one-way road or a time-designated road, the traveling direction and time This is because it may not be appropriate to consider using for route guidance.

  The azimuth information receiving unit 16 has a function of receiving azimuth information that specifies the traveling direction of the vehicle.

  The route guidance unit 17 performs route guidance processing for guiding the route of the travel route based on the recommended travel route information derived by the route search unit 11. In addition, since a well-known technique is used about a route guidance process, detailed description here is abbreviate | omitted.

  The control unit C includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, controls and controls each component of the navigation device 10 and executes its processing.

  Here, an example of the display mode of the display screen of the image display device 31 in the present system will be described. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a display screen displayed by the screen display device 31. As shown in FIG. 5, road map information and vehicle current position information are shown on a display which is an image display device 31. Therefore, if a route search is performed, a recommended movement route to the destination is searched for and displayed on the display, thereby performing route guidance for visually informing the route.

  As shown in FIG. 5, search execution buttons 41, 42, and 43 for receiving a specific route search request from the user are provided on the display screen of the image display device 31 in this example.

Next, the operation of the navigation device of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of navigation processing executed by the navigation device 10 in the present system. In the navigation processing, a specific route is identified using the recommended travel route derived by the route search processing, and processing for deriving the recommended travel route using the identified specific route and starting route guidance is executed.

  Hereinafter, a case where the user presses the search execution button 41 and searches for a loophole as a specific route will be described as an example. Note that a detailed description of processing not particularly related to the present invention may be omitted. Similarly, other processes described below may be omitted for processes not particularly related to the present invention.

  In the navigation process, first, the control unit C receives a destination setting via the input device 40 (step S101). Next, the control unit C determines whether or not a recommended movement route is derived using the specific route (step S102). In this example, for example, when an exit path search request due to the user pressing the search execution button 41 is accepted (Y in step S102), the route search unit 11 derives a recommended travel route by route search processing and recommends the recommended travel. It memorize | stores as a route candidate (step S103). On the other hand, when the path search request is not accepted (N in Step S102), the route search unit 11 derives a recommended travel route by route search processing, and stores the derived recommended travel route in the recommended travel route storage unit F1 (Step S102). S110).

  When the recommended travel route candidate is stored, the search target road information determination unit 13 determines the road information indicating the recommended travel route candidate as the search target (step S104), and the node search unit 14 is included in the search target road information. The nodes constituting the specific route are searched (step S105). Then, the node search unit 14 determines whether there is a specific route in the search target road information based on the presence / absence of the start point node and the end point node.

  If the node search unit 14 determines that there is a specific route (Y in step S106), the specific route specification unit 15 receives the specific route ID and the node ID from the node search unit 14, and the specific route information storage unit F2 (See FIG. 4), information associated with the acquired specific route ID is acquired (step S107). In this example, since the loopback search is performed, the specific route specifying unit 15 refers to the route type in the specific route information, and acquires the specific route information when “pathway” is set. . On the other hand, when the node search unit 14 determines that there is no specific route in the search target road information (N in step S106), the route search unit 11 determines a recommended travel route candidate as a recommended travel route ( Step S111), the route guidance unit 17 starts route guidance.

  Here, the node search unit 14 is configured to transmit these node ID and specific route ID to the specific route specifying unit 15 when two or more nodes constituting the main route in one specific route are included. Also good.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of specific route information acquired by the specific route specifying unit 15. As shown in FIG. 7, the specific route specifying unit 15 is a predetermined item preset as information used for deriving a recommended travel route using a specific route from the specific route information stored in the specific route information storage unit F2. Is extracted and memorized. In this example, the specific route ID, the route type, the specific route configuration node list, and the specific route configuration link list are extracted and stored as the specific route information used for deriving the recommended travel route using the specific route. Here, as shown in FIG. 7, the specific path configuration node list is information that each node constituting the specific path has, and in this example, the node ID, whether it is a main or auxiliary section, Information indicating whether it is a merging point and whether it is a start point or an end point is included. The specific route configuration link list is information that each link constituting the specific route has, and in this example, includes a link ID and information indicating whether it is a main route or an auxiliary route.

  When the specific route information is acquired, the route search unit 11 derives a recommended travel route using the specific route (step S108). Here, the recommended travel route information and the specific route information acquired by the specific route specifying unit 15 can be illustrated in FIG. 8, for example.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a case where the navigation device 10 according to the present invention performs a recommended travel route derivation process using a specific route. In FIG. 8, the starting point where the route search is performed is indicated by a symbol S, and the destination is indicated by a symbol G. In addition, each link constituting the recommended travel route candidate obtained by the route search process is indicated by a one-dot chain line, and among the links constituting the specific route acquired by the specific route specifying unit 15, those in the auxiliary section are indicated by dotted lines, The main section is shown by a solid line.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the start point node N11 and the end point node N13 of the specific route are positioned on the recommended travel route candidates (links L11, L12, L13a, and L14) derived by the route search process by the route search unit 11. Therefore, the derivation of the recommended travel route using the specific route by the route search unit 11 is performed by replacing the links L12, 13a in the recommended travel route candidate information indicating the recommended travel route candidates with the links L1, L2a, L3, L4, L5, L6. , L13b, and the node N12 only needs to be replaced with the nodes N1 to N6.

  When the recommended travel route using the specific route is derived, the route guidance unit 17 starts route guidance based on the recommended travel route information (step S109).

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the recommended travel route derived by the route search process is stored as a recommended travel route candidate, a specific route is identified using this, and the recommended travel route using the identified specific route is determined. To derive. That is, the branch point nodes N11 and N13 to the specific route located on the recommended travel route candidate derived by the route search process are detected, and the specific route is configured instead of the links L12 and L13a constituting the recommended travel route candidate. A route using the links L1, L2a, L3, L4, L5, L6, and L13b is set as a recommended moving route. As a result, a route to the destination can be derived using a specific route according to the user's intention.

  Although not specifically mentioned in the above-described embodiment, depending on the configuration of the recommended travel route and the specific travel route, there is a node that can be both the start node and the end node among the nodes constituting the specific route. Sometimes it will be. That is, for example, in FIG. 8, there is a case where there is a link connecting the node N12 and the node N3. In such a case, a recommended travel route including a branch point may be derived, or a specific route may be specified by receiving selection of a start point and an end point of the specific route by the user.

<Second Embodiment>
Further, in the second embodiment, when route guidance is performed based on the recommended travel route derived by the route search unit 11, the recommended travel route can be changed to a recommended travel route using a specific route. . That is, it differs from the first embodiment in that changes in current position information are taken into account.

  In other embodiments described below, the description will focus on parts that are different from the first embodiment described above. Therefore, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted. Unless otherwise specified, the same components are assumed to be the same. Note that the components described here include the processing operation of the navigation device 10 in this example, and description of the same processing as in the example of the first embodiment may be omitted.

  In the present embodiment, the navigation device 10 further includes a recommended travel route travel determination unit 21 and a specific route travel determination unit 22. The recommended travel route travel determination unit 21 refers to the recommended travel route storage unit F1 based on the current position information received by the host vehicle position information reception unit 12 according to the movement of the vehicle, and a position that matches or approximates this current position information. A process for determining whether or not the departure from the recommended travel route is performed according to the presence or absence of the link ID or node ID for which information is set. The recommended travel route travel determination unit 21 transmits the determined result to the specific route travel determination unit 22.

  The specific route travel determination unit 22 determines that the recommended travel route travel determination unit 21 deviates from the recommended travel route, based on the current position information received by the vehicle position information reception unit 12, the specific route information storage unit F <b> 2. , And a process of determining whether or not the vehicle is traveling on a path according to the presence or absence of a link ID or node ID for which position information that matches or approximates the current position information is set. The specific route travel determination unit 22 transmits the determined result to the specific route specification unit 15.

Hereinafter, an example of the operation of the navigation device 10 in the present embodiment will be described.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a recommended movement route change process executed by the navigation device 10. In the recommended travel route changing process in this example, the recommended travel route derived by the route search process and the specific route are displayed so as to be identifiable, and a process for changing the recommended travel route information according to the situation of the vehicle position is performed.

  The recommended movement route change process is started when the control unit C receives a search request for a specific route during route guidance. When the control unit C accepts an exit path search request caused by, for example, the user pressing the search execution button 41, the node search unit 14 refers to the recommended travel route information stored in the recommended travel route storage unit F1, and the specific route It is determined whether or not there is (step S201). At this time, the search target road information determination unit 13 may set the entire recommended travel route information as a search target, or determine only recommended travel route information indicating a recommended travel route through which the vehicle has not yet passed as a search target. It is good.

  When the node search unit 14 determines that there is a specific route (Y in Step S201), the specific route specification unit 15 refers to the specific route information stored in the specific route information storage unit F2, and specifies the specific route ID. Information associated with is acquired (step S202). In this example, the following description will be given assuming that the same specific route information as the specific route information indicating the loop-off shown in the first embodiment is acquired (see FIG. 7). If the node search unit 14 determines that there is no specific route (N in step S201), the control unit C performs a process of notifying the user that there is no escape route (step S208), and changes the recommended travel route. End the process and resume route guidance. In addition, it is good also as a structure which can change the road information made into search object at this time into the road information which exists within the predetermined distance, for example from a recommended movement path | route.

  When the specific route information is acquired, the control unit C performs a process for displaying the specific route on the display screen so as to be distinguishable from other roads. At this time, the recommended movement route and the specific route are displayed on the display screen, so that the user can drive more safely. That is, it is possible to give a sense of security that the user has an option by not limiting the route to be displayed to one type.

  Here, the recommended travel route information and the specific route information acquired by the specific route specifying unit 15 can be illustrated in FIG. 10, for example. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the case where the navigation device 10 in the present example performs the recommended travel route changing process. In FIG. 10, a starting point for performing a route search is indicated by a symbol S, and a destination is indicated by a symbol G. In the present embodiment, a description will be given by taking as an example a case in which a link that constitutes an auxiliary route other than a route that connects a node on the recommended travel route and the main section and a route indicated by the node are not displayed.

  In addition, each link constituting the recommended movement route obtained by the route search process is indicated by a one-dot chain line, and among the links constituting the specific route acquired by the specific route specifying unit 15, those in the auxiliary section are indicated by a dotted line. The section is shown by a solid line. Further, the position indicated by the current position information is indicated by a symbol M.

  Under such circumstances, when the vehicle starts from the departure place S, in the navigation device 10, the vehicle position information receiving unit 12 receives the vehicle position information, which is current vehicle position information, from the vehicle position measurement device 20. Upon receipt (step S203), the recommended travel route travel determination unit 21 determines whether or not the recommended travel route deviates (step S204).

  If it is determined that the vehicle has deviated from the recommended travel route (Y in step S204), it is determined whether or not the specific route traveling determination unit 22 is traveling on the specific route based on the current position information (step S205). If it is determined that the vehicle is traveling on a specific route (Y in step S205), the route search unit 11 derives a recommended travel route using the specific route on which the vehicle is traveling (step S206). . Then, the recommended travel route information so far is changed to the derived recommended travel route information (step S207), and the route guidance is resumed. On the other hand, if it is determined that the vehicle is not traveling on the specific route (N in step S205), the control unit C ends the recommended movement route changing process, and the route guidance unit 17 resumes the route guidance.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, a search request for specific route information is received during route guidance, the specific route is displayed together with the recommended travel route targeted for route guidance, and the vehicle exits as the specific route. Is used, route guidance is performed based on a recommended travel route using a specific route. In other words, when the route guidance target deviates from the recommended travel route and starts to travel on the specific route, a new recommended travel route can be derived simply by replacing a part of the recommended travel route information with the specific route information. it can. Thereby, when a user chooses to run on a specific route deviating from the recommended travel route, route guidance according to the user's selection can be quickly performed. Further, by displaying the recommended travel route that does not use the specific route and the specific route together, the user can drive with confidence.

  In this example, the specific route may be always displayed, or may be displayed, for example, when the vehicle approaches within a predetermined distance from the starting point position of the specific route.

<Third Embodiment>
In the third embodiment, the route guidance based on the recommended travel route information may be switched to route guidance based on predetermined information registered in advance. That is, the first and second embodiments described above are different in that the route guidance based on the recommended travel route information is switched to the route guidance based on the stop point information according to the position information of the vehicle. By doing in this way, even when the route guidance of the recommended movement route using the specific route including the branch point in the traveling direction is performed, the route guidance suitable for the user can be easily performed. Note that the “route guidance” here is not only intended to guide the user, but also, for example, using a voice output device, “speech to the left when you turn left at the next intersection. Or providing information that simply displays a route leading to a famous building near the current location so that it can be distinguished from the recommended travel route.

  In other embodiments described below, the description will focus on parts different from the first and second embodiments described above. Therefore, the same components as those in the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted. The same components are assumed unless otherwise described.

  In the present embodiment, the navigation device 10 further includes a stop-point information storage unit F4 and a stop-point approach determination unit 23.

The stop point information storage unit F4 stores stop point information indicating stop points such as tourist facilities, nearby parking lots, restaurants, and souvenir shops on a specific route. The stop point approach determination unit 23 has a function of determining whether or not the vehicle has approached a predetermined distance to any of the stop point, the guidance start point, and the guidance content change point. In addition, the route guiding unit 17 in this example has a route guidance function for guiding the user to the stop point based on the stop point information.
By providing the guidance start point, it is possible to start route guidance based on the stop point information at an appropriate timing. Further, by providing the guidance content change point, it is possible to perform route guidance according to the movement situation of the user.

  FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a storage state of the stop point information stored in the stop point information storage unit F4. As shown in FIG. 11, the stop point information includes a specific route ID, a guidance start node ID, a guidance content change node ID, guide facility information indicating a facility existing at the stop point, and location information of the stop point (for example, , Position coordinates, nearest specific path configuration node information, etc.). Here, the guidance start node ID is an ID for specifying the node set as the guidance start point, and the guidance start point is the route guidance unit 17 when the current position information approaches within a predetermined distance. Is a point where the route guidance is started based on the corresponding guidance facility information. The guidance content change node ID is an ID for identifying the node set as the guidance content change point, and the guidance content change point is a point where the route guidance unit 17 changes the content of the route guidance. . In addition, instead of or in combination with the guidance content change point, when the vehicle approaches within a predetermined distance, the route guidance unit 17 performs route guidance based on the corresponding guidance facility information. It is good also as a structure using.

Here, the route guidance performed by the navigation device 10 in this example will be described.
FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an outline of route guidance in this example. In FIG. 12, among the nodes constituting the specific route, the start point node of the specific route is indicated by S, the connection point nodes with other specific routes are indicated by C, and the others are indicated by N31 to N37. In addition, the main route that is the recommended travel route among the links constituting the specific route is indicated by a solid line, and the auxiliary route is indicated by a dotted line. Further, guidance information of the node is indicated by a balloon, and a corresponding stop point (parking lots A to D) is indicated on the link based on the position information.

  Under such circumstances, the navigation device 10 in the present embodiment receives the current position information of the vehicle at predetermined time intervals. Then, when the vehicle passes through the node N31 during route guidance of the recommended travel route, route guidance is started using the stop point information. First, when the vehicle approaches the node N32 within a predetermined distance, the parking lots A to D are guided. In addition, as parking lot guidance in this case, it is good also as a structure which performs the route guidance based on the stop point information in preference to the route guidance based on the recommended travel route information, for example. Further, as parking lot guidance, the number of parking spaces in each parking lot and the distance to the tourist facility may be displayed as a list, or the route to each parking lot may be highlighted and displayed.

  When the vehicle approaches the parking lot D and approaches the node N33 within a predetermined distance, the parking lots A to C except the parking lot D are guided. When the vehicle approaches the parking lot A and approaches the node N37 within a predetermined distance, the parking lots B and C are guided.

Hereinafter, an example of the operation of the navigation device 10 in the present embodiment will be described.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a stop-point guide process executed by the navigation device 10. In the stop point guidance process in this example, when the position of the vehicle traveling on the specific route reaches a predetermined position, a process for guiding the user to the predetermined stop point is performed.

During execution of route guidance by the recommended travel route using the specific route, it is determined whether or not the specific route traveling determination unit 22 is traveling on the specific route based on the current position information received by the vehicle position information receiving unit 12. To do. And when it determines with driving | running | working on the specific route (the specific route in which "tourist road" is set in this example), the control part C performs the process for starting a stop point guidance process .
In the stop point guide process, first, the stop point approach determination unit 23 determines whether or not the vehicle has approached the guide start point in the stop point information within a predetermined distance based on the current position information (step S301). ).

  When it is determined that the vehicle has approached the guidance start point within a predetermined distance (Y in step S301), the route guidance unit 17 starts route guidance based on the stop point information (step S302). When the route guidance is started, the recommended travel route travel determination unit 21 determines whether or not the vehicle deviates from the recommended travel route based on the current position information (step S303). Here, if it is determined that the vehicle is traveling along the recommended travel route (N in step S303), the stop point approach determination unit 23 determines whether the vehicle is based on the current position information with respect to the guidance content change point in the stop point information. It is determined whether or not the vehicle has approached within the distance (step S304).

  If it is determined that the stop point approach determination unit 23 has approached the guidance content change point (Y in step S304), the route guidance unit 17 changes the route guide content based on the stop point information in the stop point information (step S305). The process proceeds to step S303. That is, for example, the route guidance unit 17 guides the parking lots A, B, C, and D until the vehicle passes through the node N32 and approaches the node N34 within a predetermined distance, and the node N34 is predetermined. After approaching within the distance, parking lots A, B, and C are guided (see FIG. 11).

  If it is determined that the vehicle has deviated from the recommended travel route (Y in step S303), it is determined whether or not the specific route traveling determination unit 22 is traveling on the specific route based on the current position information (step S306). ). Here, when it is determined that the vehicle is traveling on the specific route (Y in Step S306), the vehicle is traveling on an auxiliary route that is not included in the recommended travel route in the specific route that constitutes the recommended travel route. Since the determination can be made, the route search unit 11 changes the specific route including the auxiliary route on which the vehicle is traveling to the recommended travel route (step S307), continues the route guidance, and transitions to step S304. On the other hand, if it is determined that the vehicle is not traveling on the specific route (N in step S306), the route search unit 11 ends the stop point guidance process (step S309) and resumes route guidance. At this time, the route search unit 11 performs a normal route search process using the current position information as a departure point and does not use the specific route information, and ends the stop information guidance process in the navigation device 10 or the vehicle A route search process may be executed with the current position as the departure point and the guidance start position in the stop point information as the destination.

  If it is determined in step S304 in the stop point guidance process that the vehicle has not approached the guidance content change point (N in step S304), the stop point approach determination unit 23 determines that the vehicle is within a specific route based on the current position information. It is determined whether or not the stop point is approached within a predetermined distance (step S308).

  Here, until the vehicle approaches the stop point within the specific route within a predetermined distance (N in step S308), the control unit C continues the stop point guide process (transition to step S303).

  When the current position of the vehicle approaches the stop point within the specific route within a predetermined distance (Y in step S308), the control unit C ends the stop point guide process (step S309).

  As described above, in the present embodiment, route guidance using a specific route that has a branch point by setting a stop point is provided. In this way, when there are a plurality of options for drop-off points in advance, or for places where the drop-off points are crowded, it is possible to register and use route guidance information in advance for users. Appropriate route guidance can be provided. This can be said to be useful in comparison with the current situation where services that provide parking lot congestion are provided only at some tourist facilities.

  In the above-described embodiment, the route guidance unit 17 performs the route guidance using the stop point information stored in the stop point information storage unit F4. However, the route search unit 11 recommends based on the stop point information. It is good also as a structure which changes the movement route information and performs the process which guides a vehicle to the position which the stop point information shows.

Moreover, it is good also as a structure which narrows down the stop point to guide by comparing the distance of the own vehicle position and each stop point. Furthermore, for example, when guiding a parking lot as a stop-by point, information for guiding an alternative parking lot may be added when the parking lot where the user arrives is full. Furthermore, route information recommended for moving from each stop point to the original recommended moving route may be set.
<Fourth embodiment>
Further, in the fourth embodiment, it is possible to derive a recommended movement route using a specific route even when the destination is not set by the user. That is, it differs from the first to third embodiments in that the recommended travel route information derived by the route search processing by the route search unit 11 is not set as the search target for the specific route information.

  In other embodiments described below, the description will focus on parts different from the first to third embodiments described above. Therefore, the same components as those in the first to third embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

  In the present embodiment, the navigation device 10 further includes a virtual recommended travel route deriving unit 24.

  The virtual recommended travel route deriving unit 24 is present in the road that is currently running or in the direction of the road as it is based on the current position information received by the vehicle position information receiving unit 12 and the direction information received by the direction information receiving unit 16. The route information indicating the road to be collected is collected for a predetermined distance and stored as temporary recommended travel route information.

Hereinafter, an example of the operation of the navigation device 10 in the present embodiment will be described.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the specific route derivation process executed by the navigation device 10. The specific route deriving process in this example will be described by taking as an example a case where a user presses the search execution button 43 and searches for a detour as a specific route.

  When the specific route derivation process is started in response to the user's detour search request, the search target road information determination unit 13 determines whether or not the recommended travel route information is stored in the recommended travel route storage unit F1 (step S401). . If it is determined that the recommended travel route information is not stored (Y in step S401), the vehicle position information receiving unit 12 receives the current position information (step S402), and the direction information receiving unit 16 is in the vehicle. The traveling direction information is received (step S403).

  Here, the virtual recommended travel route deriving unit 24 acquires route information that is to be passed when the vehicle travels a predetermined distance from the current position in the traveling direction, and stores the recommended travel route as a virtual recommended travel route. Store in the part F1 (step S404). In addition, when there is a T-junction or a dead end within a predetermined distance, for example, if the user cannot proceed along the road, the user is notified of the fact and the specific route deriving process is terminated, or the route information is obtained until it can be acquired. Or a virtual recommended movement route may be obtained. Further, at this time, it is possible to accept a temporary destination input by the user, derive a recommended travel route from the current position to the temporary destination, and store it as a virtual recommended travel route.

  When the virtual recommended travel route information is stored, the node search unit 14 determines whether or not there is a specific route (step S405). When the node search unit 14 determines that there is a specific route (Y in step S405), the specific route specification unit 15 refers to the specific route information stored in the specific route information storage unit F2 and specifies the specified specific route ID. The information associated with is acquired (step S406), and the specific route deriving process is terminated. In this example, since the detour search is performed, the specific route specifying unit 15 refers to the route type in the specific route information, and acquires the specific route information when “detour” is set. And

  In this example, since the specific route is derived using the virtual recommended movement route, there is a possibility that the virtual route does not follow the user's intention. For this reason, a virtual route is displayed on the display screen, or information on the derived detour, for example, “There is a detour set by the police when the road is closed. It is good also as a structure which alert | reports messages, such as "it can come out to □."

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when a destination is not set, a provisional recommended travel route is derived and a search target for a specific route is determined. As a result, for example, while traveling on a route that the user recognizes as not requiring route guidance by the navigation device 10, it becomes impossible to pass a normal route due to unforeseen circumstances such as traffic matters or fires, and search for a detour When a request is made, a specific route according to the user's intention can be quickly searched.

  In the first to fourth embodiments described above, information that is a candidate for a recommended travel route that is derived by a known route search process using the Dijkstra method and stored in the recommended travel route information storage unit F1 is used. Although the configuration is such that specific route information is searched, as another embodiment, a recommended travel route including a specific route is selected from a state in which no recommended travel route candidate information is stored in the recommended travel route information storage unit F1. It is good also as a structure derived | led-out directly. In this case, the search target road information determining means, the node search means, and the specific route specifying means are also directly derived. For example, the Dijkstra method is used by using road information within a predetermined range including the current position and the destination. When a route search is performed by the known route search processing used, it is confirmed whether the node to be adopted as a recommended route search limb node is a node constituting a specific route, and is a starting point node constituting the specific route In some cases, the specific route to the end point node is regarded as one link, and when the end point node is within the search range, the end point node is marked with a specific mark and registered in the search node list, and appears in a direction not using the specific route. If a search mark is added to all the search limb nodes and the search is continued, and the search limb reaches the end node, it is determined by the specific mark and the determination mark in the route candidate selection. To adopt a specific route as the recommended route candidates, to clear the marks in consideration of the fact that there may be a special route once again present in the search for later, to continue the search from the end node. If the search limb does not reach the end point node, the specific route cannot be a recommended route, so the route candidate to the calculated end node is deleted, and the end point node is removed from the list of search limb nodes. Further, when multiple candidate travel routes including a specific road are calculated in the route candidate selection at the option node from the departure point to the destination, for example, the route with the lowest route cost is derived as the recommended travel route. What should I do?

  As described above, in each of the above-described embodiments, the navigation device that derives the recommended travel route to the destination of the moving body (for example, a vehicle) is the start point indicating the start point of the specific route suitable for the specific application. A node group including a node and an end point node indicating the end point of the specific route, a specific route information storage unit F2 for storing specific route information indicating the specific route by a link group connecting the node group, a road intersection or a road structure A plurality of nodes that are coordinate points that indicate change positions, links that indicate routes that a moving body can move, such as roads that connect the nodes, and the start point of a specific route if the node is the start node When the node is an end point node, a road map information storage unit F3 that stores road information that is information associated with specific path node information indicating that the end point of the specific path is Prepared, determining road information to be searched for specific path information from road information, searching for a start point node of a specific path and an end point node corresponding to the start point node included in the determined search target road information, and specifying The specific route having the detected start and end nodes is identified with reference to the route information, and the recommended travel route using the specified specific route is derived. It is possible to efficiently incorporate information related to the route information used for route search and to easily derive a recommended travel route using a specific road.

  That is, when starting point node information and end point node information are set and managed in specific route information and the user desires to derive a recommended moving route using the specific route, the starting point node is included in the search target road information to be searched. Therefore, it is possible to execute an efficient process without considering a specific route that is unlikely to be used by the user.

  In addition, users can obtain traffic information using, for example, radio before starting driving and confirm the traffic congestion points, so that the recommended travel can be taken into consideration if there is an effective way to avoid traffic congestion points from the beginning. The route can be set. In addition, since route calculation for a specific route can be omitted, a recommended travel route using a specific road can be easily derived.

  In the first embodiment described above, the recommended travel route candidate is derived without using the specific route information, and the road information indicating the derived recommended travel route candidate is determined as the search target road information. It becomes possible to perform a search considering only a specific route that is more likely to be used by the user.

  Further, in the first embodiment described above, the specific route information includes main section information indicating a main section having a function suitable for a specific use in the specific route, and an auxiliary section having an auxiliary function for the main section. It is possible to manage the specific route in more detail and to derive the recommended travel route using the specific route according to the user's intention. become.

  Further, in the second embodiment described above, the current position information of the moving body is received, and the specific path information is referred to based on the received current position information according to the movement of the moving body, and the position that matches or approximates the current position information According to the presence or absence of a specific route including information, it is determined whether the mobile body is traveling on the specific route, and when it is determined that the mobile body is traveling on the specific route, a recommended travel route using the specific route is derived. With this configuration, when the user selects to travel on a specific route deviating from the recommended travel route, a recommended travel route corresponding to the travel route can be quickly derived. In addition, by displaying a route that does not use the specific route and a route that uses the specific route, it is possible to continue the movement with more peace of mind for the user.

  In the third embodiment described above, the stop point information storage means for storing the stop point information indicating the position of the predetermined stop point in association with the specific route information is provided, and accepted according to the movement of the moving body. Based on the current position information, it is configured to refer to the stop point information, search for a stop point within a predetermined distance from the current position information, and guide the detected stop point. It is possible to easily provide an appropriate route guidance in a place where the stop points are crowded.

  In the above-described fourth embodiment, the current position information of the moving body is received, the traveling direction information of the moving body is received, and the search target road information is determined from the received position information and traveling direction information. Even if the destination is not set, it is possible to derive the recommended travel route using the specific route according to the user's intention.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, since the specific route information storage unit F2 that stores specific route information related to a specific route such as a sightseeing road, a bypass, or a detour is provided, the recommended travel route using the specific route is used. By deriving, it is possible to provide a route suitable for the intended use of the user.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is industrially useful in an industry that handles devices that provide vehicle route guidance, and is also useful in the electrical appliance market such as a car navigation device that can display an electronic map.

F1 Recommended travel route information storage unit F2 Specific route information storage unit
F3 Road map information storage unit F4 Stop point information storage unit 10 Navigation device 11 Route search unit 12 Vehicle position information reception unit 13 Search target road information determination unit 14 Node search unit 16 Direction information reception unit 17 Route guidance unit 20 Vehicle position Positioning device 21 Recommended travel route travel determining unit 22 Specific route travel determining unit 23 Stopping point approach determining unit 24 Virtual recommended travel route deriving unit 30 Output device 31 Image display device 32 Audio output device 40 Input device

Claims (9)

A navigation device for deriving a recommended travel route to a destination of a moving object,
A node group including a start point node indicating a start point of a specific route suitable for a specific application and an end point node indicating an end point of the specific route, and specific route information indicating the specific route are stored by a link group connecting the node groups. Specific route information storage means for
A plurality of nodes, which are coordinate points indicating road intersections, road structure change positions, and the like; a link indicating a path on which the moving body can move, such as a road connecting the nodes; and the node is the start node Indicates the start point of a specific route, and when the node is the end point node, road information that is associated with specific route node information indicating the end point of the specific route is stored. Road information storage means;
Search target road information determining means for determining search target road information to be searched for the specific route information among the road information;
Node search means for searching for a start point node of a specific route included in the search target road information determined by the search target road information determination means and an end point node corresponding to the start point node;
Specific route specifying means for specifying a specific route having a start point node and an end point node detected by the node search means with reference to the specific route information;
And a recommended travel route deriving unit for deriving a recommended travel route using the specific route identified by the specific route identifying unit. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the specific route information storage unit stores specific route information related to a specific route such as a sightseeing road, an exit route, and a detour. The recommended travel route derivation means comprises recommended travel route candidate derivation means for deriving a recommended travel route candidate without using the specific route information,
The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the search target road information determination unit determines road information indicating a recommended travel route candidate derived by the recommended travel route candidate derivation unit as the search target road information. The specific path information includes main section information indicating a main section having a function suitable for the specific use in the specific path, and auxiliary section information indicating an auxiliary section having an auxiliary function for the main section. The navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. Current position information receiving means for receiving current position information of the mobile body;
According to the movement of the moving body, referring to the specific route information based on the current position information received by the position information receiving means, according to the presence or absence of a specific route including position information that matches or approximates the current position information, A specific route traveling determination means for determining whether the mobile body is traveling on a specific route,
The recommended travel route deriving unit derives a recommended travel route using the specific route when the specific route travel determining unit determines that the vehicle is traveling on the specific route. A navigation device according to any one of the above. Stop point information storage means for storing stop point information indicating the position of a predetermined stop point in association with the specific route information;
A stop point that refers to the stop point information based on the current position information received by the current position information receiving unit and searches for a stop point within a predetermined distance from the current position information according to the movement of the moving body Search means;
The navigation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a stop point guide unit that guides the stop position detected by the stop point search unit. Current position information receiving means for receiving current position information of the mobile body;
Traveling direction reception means for receiving the traveling direction information of the mobile body,
The said search object road information determination means determines the said search object road information from the position information which the said position information reception means received, and the advancing direction information which the said advancing direction reception means received. The navigation device according to any one of the above. A navigation method for deriving a recommended travel route to a destination of a moving object,
A plurality of nodes, which are coordinate points indicating road intersections, road structure change positions, and the like; a link indicating a path on which the moving body can move, such as a road connecting the nodes; and the node is the start node Indicates the start point of a specific route, and when the node is the end point node, road information that is associated with specific route node information indicating the end point of the specific route is stored. Of the road information stored in the road information storage means, a node group including a start point node indicating a start point of a specific route suitable for a specific application and an end point node indicating an end point of the specific route, and the node group are connected. Search target road information determination processing for determining search target road information to be searched for specific route information indicating the specific route by a link group;
A node search process for searching for a start point node of a specific route included in the search target road information determined in the search target road information determination process and an end point node corresponding to the start point node;
A specific route specifying process for specifying a specific route having a start point node and an end point node detected in the node search process with reference to the specific route information;
And a recommended travel route deriving process for deriving a recommended travel route using the specific route identified in the specific route identifying process. A navigation program for causing a navigation device to control the operation so as to derive a recommended travel route to a destination of a moving object,
In the navigation device,
A plurality of nodes, which are coordinate points indicating road intersections, road structure change positions, and the like; a link indicating a path on which the moving body can move, such as a road connecting the nodes; and the node is the start node Indicates the start point of a specific route, and when the node is the end point node, road information that is associated with specific route node information indicating the end point of the specific route is stored. Of the road information stored in the road information storage means, a node group including a start point node indicating a start point of a specific route suitable for a specific application and an end point node indicating an end point of the specific route, and the node group are connected. Search target road information determination processing for determining search target road information to be searched for specific route information indicating the specific route by a link group;
A node search process for searching for a start point node of a specific route included in the search target road information determined in the search target road information determination process and an end point node corresponding to the start point node;
A specific route specifying process for specifying a specific route having a start point node and an end point node detected in the node search process with reference to the specific route information;
A navigation program for executing a recommended travel route deriving process for deriving a recommended travel route using the specific route specified in the specific route specifying process.

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