JP2011053221A - Navigation apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To search for an appropriate route by calculating an amount of area passage time required to pass through each area based on an average vehicle speed in that area and by searching for a route based on statistical traffic information corresponding to times of arrival at respective areas calculated based on the amounts of area passage time. <P>SOLUTION: A navigation apparatus includes: a map data memory in which link data on each link is stored; a statistical traffic information memory in which statistical traffic information on each link is stored in association with a time zone; an area arrival time calculation unit for calculating the time of arrival at each of a plurality of areas based on an amount of passage time required to pass through that area; a statistical traffic information search unit for searching for statistical traffic information on each link contained in the area in the time zone corresponding to the time of arrival at the area thus calculated; and a route search unit for searching for a route based on the link data and the statistical traffic information on each link thus found. The size of each area is set in accordance with the degree of traffic jam in that area. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a navigation device.

  Conventionally, in a navigation device mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile, an optimum route from a set departure point to a destination is searched based on road map data and displayed on a display means. . In this case, the route is searched so that the distance from the starting point to the destination is the shortest, or the route is searched so that the required time is the shortest.

  In addition, for each mesh area obtained by dividing the map into multiple areas, the distance from the departure point to the mesh area can be determined so that an appropriate route can be searched in consideration of actual traffic volume and traffic jam information. A technique has been proposed in which statistical traffic information in a time zone corresponding to a reference arrival time determined in accordance with this is acquired, and a route is searched using statistical traffic information on links in the mesh region (for example, Patent Document 1). reference.).

JP 2004-301777 A

  However, in the conventional navigation device, since the required time is determined according to the distance from the starting point to the mesh area, the characteristics for each mesh area are not considered, and the appropriate time zone Statistical traffic information could not be used, and an appropriate route could not be searched.

  The present invention solves the problems of the conventional navigation device and searches for a route based on statistical traffic information corresponding to the arrival time to each area calculated based on the transit time required to pass through the area. Thus, an object of the present invention is to provide a navigation device that can search for an appropriate route.

  Therefore, in the navigation device of the present invention, a map data storage unit that stores link data of each link, a statistical traffic information storage unit that stores statistical traffic information of each link in association with a time zone, and a plurality of An area arrival time calculation unit that calculates the arrival time to each area based on the transit time required to pass through the area for each area, and the calculated arrival time to the area is included in the corresponding time zone A statistical traffic information search unit that searches for statistical traffic information of each link, and a route search unit that searches for a route based on the link data and the statistical traffic information of each searched link, This is set according to the degree of congestion in the area.

  According to the present invention, a route is searched based on statistical traffic information corresponding to the arrival time at each area calculated based on the transit time required to pass through the area. Therefore, an appropriate route can be searched.

It is a figure which shows the example of the area passage time for every area in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the statistical traffic information of each link in embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the navigation apparatus in embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of area passing time for each area in the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of statistical traffic information of each link in the embodiment of the present invention.

  In the present embodiment, the navigation device is a vehicle navigation device mounted on a vehicle such as a passenger car, a truck, a bus, or a motorcycle, and includes a calculation means such as a CPU and an MPU, a storage means such as a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, and an optical disk. A kind of computer having a communication interface and the like. The navigation device includes a GPS (Global Positioning System), a geomagnetic sensor, a distance sensor, a steering sensor, a beacon sensor, a gyro sensor, a current position detection processing unit that detects a current position, map data including road data, search data, and the like A data recording unit as a storage means for storing a route, a route search process for searching for a route to a set destination based on inputted information, a route guidance process, a POI (Point for searching a point or facility) of Interest) A navigation processing unit that performs various arithmetic processes such as a navigation process such as a search process, an input unit, a display unit, a voice input unit, a voice output unit, and a communication unit, and has a route to a set destination. Search and give guidance.

  The data recording unit stores map data as information used for searching. That is, the data recording unit includes a database composed of various data files, and in addition to search data for searching for a route, the display unit displays a guide map along the searched route, In order to display guidance information, various data such as facility data are recorded. Note that the data recording unit also includes information on links, which are units constituting a road. The data recording unit also records various data for outputting predetermined information by the audio output unit.

  The input unit is for correcting a position at the start of traveling or inputting a destination, such as an operation key, a push button, a jog dial, a cross key, etc. arranged in the navigation device body. However, it may be a remote controller. When the display unit is a touch panel, it is preferable that the display unit includes operation switches such as operation keys and operation menus displayed on the display screen of the display unit. In this case, an input can be performed by pressing, that is, touching, the operation switch like a normal touch panel.

  The display unit displays operation guidance, an operation menu, operation key guidance, a route from the current position to the destination, guidance information along the route, and the like. As the display unit, a CRT, a liquid crystal display, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) display, a plasma display, a hologram device that projects a hologram on a windshield, or the like can be used.

  In the present embodiment, from the viewpoint of function, the navigation device associates and stores a plurality of areas obtained by dividing a map and link data of each link included in the area, A statistical traffic information storage unit that stores statistical traffic information in association with a time zone; an area transit time calculation unit that calculates an area transit time required to pass through the area based on the average vehicle speed of the area; An area arrival time calculation unit that calculates an arrival time to each area based on the area transit time, and statistical traffic information that searches for statistical traffic information corresponding to the arrival time of each link in the area including the link A search unit; and a route search unit that searches for a route based on the searched statistical traffic information. In this case, the average vehicle speed of the area may be calculated based on the statistical traffic information of each link included in the area. The average vehicle speed of the area may be set according to the type of the area. Furthermore, the average vehicle speed of the area may be changed according to the weather. Further, the navigation device may include a guide unit that guides the calculated arrival time to each area and a setting unit that sets a destination. In this case, the guidance unit may guide the arrival time at the area where the set destination exists as the arrival time at the destination. Moreover, a guidance part may divide | segment and display a map for every area, and may display the arrival time to each area on a map.

  Here, the map data storage unit is included in the data recording unit and stores an area. The area is, for example, a secondary mesh as a 10-fold area mesh in the integrated area mesh defined in “JIS X 0410-1976 area mesh code”. The secondary mesh is a rectangular area having a side of about 10 km, and the “National Digital Road Map Database” created by the Japan Digital Road Map Association has 4713 nationwide maps. The secondary mesh. The area may be divided based on a prefecture unit or a municipality unit, or may be divided into rectangular areas each having a side of about 1 [km]. In addition, road data included in each area includes road branch points (including intersections, T-junctions, etc.), at least nodes indicating the positions of road inflection points, and data relating to links connecting the nodes. Link data as is included. The link data includes information such as a link ID, which is an identification number assigned to the link, coordinates of the start point and end point of the link, and a distance from the start point to the end point.

  The statistical traffic information storage unit is also included in the data recording unit, and statistical traffic that has been statistically processed by accumulating past traffic information, travel history information of the own vehicle or other vehicles as actual travel data, etc. Store information. The statistical traffic information is created, for example, by collecting VICS (R) (Vehicle Information & Communication System) information created in the past, information on traffic control systems such as the police and the Japan Highway Public Corporation. Associated with the link. Further, national road / street traffic situation survey conducted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, that is, data of road traffic census may be stored as a part of statistical traffic information.

  In the present embodiment, the statistical traffic information is stored in the statistical traffic information storage unit as shown in FIG. In this case, the statistical traffic information is stored for each link and for each time zone in the form of the required time and the degree of congestion. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the time zone is set every 15 minutes, but may be every 30 minutes, every hour, or can be set arbitrarily. . The statistical traffic information is used as predicted traffic information in a time zone after the current time when the vehicle will pass the corresponding link.

  The area passing time calculation unit is included in the navigation processing unit, and calculates the area passing time required for passing through the area based on the average vehicle speed of the area. The average vehicle speed in the area is calculated based on, for example, VICS (R) information of each link included in the area, information on traffic control systems such as the police and the Japan Highway Public Corporation, travel history information on probe cars, and the like. It can also be calculated from statistical traffic information as shown in FIG. Then, an area passing time required to pass through the area when traveling at the average vehicle speed of the area is calculated. For example, when the area is a rectangular area such as a secondary mesh, the area passing time is calculated by dividing the traveling distance by the average vehicle speed, assuming that the length of the diagonal line is the traveling distance for passing through the area. The The length of the diagonal line can be obtained by multiplying the vertical or horizontal dimension of the area by the route 2.

  FIG. 1 shows an example of the calculated area passing time for each area. In FIG. 1, each rectangle represents each area, numbers 1 to 6 given on the left side identify rows, and letters a to f given on the upper side identify columns. A numerical value such as 3 minutes or 5 minutes in each rectangle indicates an area passing time. The other points in FIG. 1 will be described later.

  The average vehicle speed of the area may be set according to the type of the area. Here, the types of areas are, for example, types such as areas belonging to urban areas and areas belonging to suburban areas. In general, since there are many signals and pedestrians in an area belonging to an urban area, it can be considered that the average vehicle speed is lower than in an area belonging to a suburban area.

In this case, the urban area is, for example, an area with high population density such as DID (Densely Inhabited District), an urban area in a government-designated city, an area where the number of roads is a predetermined number or more, etc. it can. The suburbs are areas other than the urban areas. Note that DID is a population-intensive district, and the Statistics Bureau of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications defines a city area that satisfies both of the following conditions (1) and (2) as DID.
(1) Area where high population density (approximately 4000 people / [Km ² ] or more) census wards are gathered within the boundaries of municipalities (2) Area where population is over 5000 people The area is calculated using the results obtained from the census conducted once every five years.

  Furthermore, the average vehicle speed in the area may be changed according to the weather. In general, in the case of rain, it can be considered that the average vehicle speed decreases because the visibility is poor and the road surface is slippery. Also, in the case of dense fog, it can be considered that the average vehicle speed is low because of poor visibility. Furthermore, in the case of snowfall, it can be considered that the average vehicle speed is lower than that in the case of rain.

  The area arrival time calculation unit is included in the navigation processing unit, and calculates the arrival time to each area based on the area passing time. In FIG. 1, numerical values such as 15 min and 20 min in parentheses in each rectangle indicate the time required for arrival in the area. Therefore, the time obtained by adding the required arrival time to the current time is the arrival time in each area.

  Here, based on the example shown in FIG. 1, a method in which the area arrival time calculation unit calculates the arrival time in each area will be described. In this case, the current position of the vehicle is in the area 4-c where the current position mark ▲ is shown. Therefore, since the area 4-c is an area corresponding to the current position, the required arrival time is not shown.

  Then, the area arrival time calculation unit accumulates the area transit time of the area on the route that starts from the area corresponding to the current position and arrives at the area corresponding to the destination. The time required for arrival in the area corresponding to is calculated. First, areas located around the area corresponding to the current position, that is, areas 3-b, 3-c, 3-d, 4-b, 4-d, 5-d adjacent in the eight directions of the area 4-c. Assuming that b, 5-c and 5-d are areas corresponding to the destination, the area 4-c is the only area on the route that passes before reaching these areas. Therefore, the arrival time required for the areas 3-b, 3-c, 3-d, 4-b, 4-d, 5-b, 5-c and 5-d is the area passing time of the area 4-c, That is, 15 minutes.

  Next, a case will be described in which an area located further around an area located around the area corresponding to the current position, for example, an area 3-e is set as an area corresponding to the destination. In this case, a route is set so that the accumulated value of the area passing time up to the area 3-e is minimized. This is because when searching for a route, a route that requires the shortest time is searched. The route can be set as necessary so that the cumulative value of the area passing time becomes an average value.

  In the example shown in FIG. 1, it can be seen that the cumulative value of the area passing time becomes the smallest when a route arriving at the area 3-e from the area 4-c via the area 3-d is adopted. In this case, 20 minutes, which is a value obtained by adding the area passing time (5 minutes) of area 3-d to the area passing time (15 minutes) of area 4-c, is the required time for arrival in area 3-e. Thereafter, by repeating the above-described operation, as shown in FIG. 1, it is possible to calculate the time required for arrival in all areas as shown in FIG.

  The statistical traffic information search unit is included in the navigation processing unit, and searches for the statistical traffic information corresponding to the arrival time for each link included in the area. In this case, the statistical traffic information is stored for each time zone as shown in FIG. For this reason, the statistical traffic information search unit determines which time zone the arrival time to each area corresponds to, and searches for statistical traffic information corresponding to the corresponding time zone.

  Furthermore, the route search unit is included in the navigation processing unit, and searches for a route based on the searched statistical traffic information. In this case, since the route can be searched by a method such as Dijkstra using statistical traffic information in a time zone corresponding to the arrival time at each link, an appropriate route can be searched.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 1, it is assumed that the current position of the vehicle is in the area 4-c where the current position mark ▲ is shown and the current time is 9:00. Taking the link 1001 included in the area 4-d as an example, the arrival time at the area 4-d is 9:15. Therefore, in the statistical traffic information as shown in FIG. The traffic congestion degree “congested” at 9: 15-9: 30 is searched by the statistical traffic information search unit. Then, the route search unit searches the route for the link 1001 using “congestion” as the search cost. Further, taking the link 1013 included in the area 4-f as an example, the arrival time to the area 4-f is 9:33. Therefore, in the statistical traffic information as shown in FIG. The statistical traffic information search unit searches for the degree of traffic jam “no traffic jam” from 9:30 to 9:45. The route search unit searches for a route for the link 1013 using “no traffic jam” as the search cost.

  In addition, as the statistical traffic information of the link, it is possible to search for a route by using the required time instead of the degree of congestion. In this case, it is possible to search for a route by converting the required time into a search cost, or it is possible to search for a route having the shortest time by accumulating the required time.

  In addition, when a general road and a highway are included in the route, regarding the range of the highway, statistical traffic information corresponding to the arrival time in the area set for the highway is used. In this case, since the highway has a higher vehicle speed than a general road, it is desirable that the area for the highway is set larger than the normal area. For example, when a normal area is a rectangular area having a side of about 10 [km], the area targeted for the expressway is preferably a rectangular area having a side of about 40 [km]. In addition, the area for the expressway can be set to the same size as the normal area. In this case, it is desirable to set the area passing time to be shorter than the normal area.

  For general road ranges, the route is searched based on statistical traffic information corresponding to the arrival time to the normal area, and for highway ranges, it corresponds to the arrival time to the area targeted for the highway. A route is searched based on statistical traffic information. Thereby, even when a general road and a highway are included in the route, an appropriate route can be searched.

  Here, the time zone corresponding to the arrival time at each area in the example shown in FIG. 1 is distinguished according to the pattern given to each area. In the case of the area 4-c to which no pattern is given, the time zone corresponding to the arrival time corresponds to the time zone of less than 15 minutes from the current time. In the case of an area to which a pattern similar to the areas 1-d to 1-f is given, the time zone corresponding to the arrival time corresponds to a time zone of 15 minutes to less than 30 minutes from the current time. Further, in the case of an area having the same pattern as the areas 1-a to 1-c, the time zone corresponding to the arrival time corresponds to a time zone of 30 minutes or more and less than 45 minutes from the current time. Furthermore, in the case of area 6-f, the time zone corresponding to the arrival time corresponds to a time zone of 45 minutes or more and less than 60 minutes from the current time.

  In the present embodiment, the route search can be omitted. In this case, the guide unit guides the arrival time to each area calculated by the area arrival time calculation unit. The guide unit includes a display unit and an audio output unit.

  And the said guidance part divides and displays the map displayed on a display part for every area, for example, displays the arrival time to each area on a map, and guides the arrival time to each area. . That is, the arrival time at each area is guided by superimposing and displaying the diagram as shown in FIG. 1 on the map. In this case, it is desirable to display the time obtained by adding the required arrival time to the current time instead of the required arrival time to the area as the arrival time. Further, the display of the area passing time can be stopped if necessary. Thereby, the user of the navigation apparatus can grasp the arrival time to each area around the current position.

  In addition, when the destination is set by the setting unit, the guide unit displays the predicted arrival time at the area where the destination exists on the display unit, or outputs the voice from the voice output unit to output the destination. We will guide you as the estimated arrival time.

  Furthermore, instead of the estimated arrival time in each area, it is also possible to guide the time required for arrival in each area. In this case, the guide unit can guide the time required to arrive at each area by superimposing and displaying the diagram as shown in FIG. 1 on the map displayed on the display unit.

  Thus, by omitting the route search, the processing burden on the navigation device can be reduced.

  Next, the overall operation of the navigation device will be described. Here, the operation when searching for a route will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the navigation device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  First, the navigation device acquires the current time. Subsequently, the vehicle area is acquired from the vehicle position. In this case, based on the current position detected by the current position detection processing unit, the area where the current position of the vehicle exists is identified as the own vehicle area from the areas stored in the map data storage unit.

  Then, the navigation device starts a loop and repeats n × n areas around the vehicle area. That is, the operation described below is repeated for a predetermined number of areas around the own vehicle area. The predetermined number, that is, n × n or the number n can be arbitrarily set.

  Here, the navigation device designates an area. Initially, the vehicle area is specified. And the said navigation apparatus estimates the passage time from the designated area about each area around the designated area. In this case, as described above with reference to FIG. 1, the area arrival time calculation unit calculates the arrival time to each area from the area where the current position of the vehicle exists, and the calculated arrival time is estimated. And

  And if the said navigation apparatus repeats the above-mentioned operation | movement by the nxn area around the own vehicle area, it will end a loop. Subsequently, the navigation device searches for a route using the estimated passage time and ends the process. In this case, as described above, the statistical traffic information search unit searches the statistical traffic information corresponding to the arrival time at each area as the estimated transit time for each link included in the area for each area. . And a route search part searches a route using the statistical traffic information in the time slot | zone to which the arrival time to each link contained in a route corresponds.

Next, a flowchart will be described.
Step S1: Obtain the current time.
Step S2 The own vehicle area is acquired from the own vehicle position.
Step S3 The loop is started and repeated for n × n areas around the own vehicle area.
Step S4: Specify an area. Initially, the vehicle area is specified.
Step S5: For each area around the designated area, the passage time from the designated area is estimated.
Step S6: Repeat for n × n areas around the own vehicle area and end the loop.
Step S7: The route is searched using the estimated passage time, and the process is terminated.

  Thus, in this embodiment, the area passing time required to pass through the area is calculated based on the average vehicle speed of the area, and the arrival time to each area calculated based on the area passing time is calculated. The route is searched based on the corresponding statistical traffic information. Therefore, appropriate statistical traffic information can be used, and an appropriate route can be searched.

  In the present embodiment, a case has been described in which the navigation device performs processing to search for a route or guide arrival time, etc., but the above processing is performed by a personal computer or the like to drive or the like. You may make it search a route | route before going out or guide arrival time etc. In addition, a server provided in an information center or the like may perform the processing and transmit the processing result to a navigation device as a client, a personal computer, or the like.

  Further, the route to the destination is searched based on the map data, and the arrival time of the destination is calculated for the links included in the searched route using the statistical traffic information corresponding to the arrival time to each area. You can also

  In addition, the size of the area can be changed according to the time zone. For example, when the time zone is a so-called rush hour (for example, 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM), the size of each area is reduced. In this case, if the size of the area in the normal time zone is 10 [km] square, it is 5 [km] square during rush hours. On the other hand, when the time zone is a vacant time zone such as midnight, the size of each area is increased (for example, 20 [km] square).

  Furthermore, the size of the area can be changed according to the degree of congestion. For example, when the area passing time is initially calculated by setting the size of each area to 10 [km] square, and the area passing time is long as a whole (for example, the average value of the area passing time is calculated and the average value is predetermined) If the value is larger than the value, it is considered that the degree of traffic congestion is high, so the size of each area is reduced (eg, 5 [km] square). On the other hand, when the area transit time is short overall (eg, when the average value of the area transit time is calculated and the average value is smaller than the predetermined value), it is considered that the degree of congestion is low. (For example, 20 [km] square).

  Further, it is possible to change only the size of a part of the area instead of changing the size of all the areas. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 1, when the congestion degree is high only in the area 4-d, the size is reduced only in the area 4-d (for example, 5 [km] square). Furthermore, instead of changing the size of the area, a plurality of areas can be combined into a single area. For example, if the congestion levels of nine areas 1-a, 1-b, 1-c, 2-a, 2-b, 2-c, 3-a, 3-b and 3-c are low, these Nine areas are combined into one area, and the area passing time of the area is calculated.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, It can change variously based on the meaning of this invention, and does not exclude them from the scope of the present invention.

  The present invention can be used for a navigation device.

Claims (3)

(A) a map data storage unit for storing link data of each link;
(B) a statistical traffic information storage unit for storing the statistical traffic information of each link in association with a time zone;
(C) an area arrival time calculation unit that calculates an arrival time to each area based on a transit time required to pass through the area for each of a plurality of areas;
(D) a statistical traffic information search unit that searches for statistical traffic information of each link included in the area in a time zone corresponding to the calculated arrival time;
(E) a route search unit that searches for a route based on the link data and the statistical traffic information of each searched link,
(F) The navigation device characterized in that the size of the area is set according to the degree of congestion in the area. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the traffic congestion degree is obtained by an average value of passage times of the plurality of areas. (A) a map data storage unit for storing link data of each link;
(B) a statistical traffic information storage unit for storing the statistical traffic information of each link in association with a time zone;
(C) an area arrival time calculation unit that calculates an arrival time to each area based on a transit time required to pass through the area for each of a plurality of areas;
(D) a statistical traffic information search unit that searches for statistical traffic information of each link included in the area in a time zone corresponding to the calculated arrival time;
(E) a route search unit that searches for a route based on the link data and the statistical traffic information of each searched link,
(F) The navigation device, wherein the size of the area is set according to a time zone.

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