JP2011158393A - Navigation device and guide route searching method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a navigation device and a guide route searching method capable of setting a more suitable guide route by utilizing sufficiently map data held by a server, while suppressing a communication time and communication cost. <P>SOLUTION: Route search is requested to a server 140, from a starting spot to a finishing spot of a partial route satisfying a prescribed specific condition from a first guide route searched for based on first map data held by the navigation device 100, and a second guide route acquired by replacing the partial route included in the first guide route with a second partial route searched for by the server 140 based on second map data which are different from the first map data is set as the final guide route. Hereby, only a route having a possibility of searching for a route having a smaller link cost, from inside the first guide route searched for by the navigation device 100, can be re-searched for based on the newer second map data having a larger amount of information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a navigation device having a route guidance function and a guidance route search method.

  In general, a navigation device that guides driving of a vehicle not only displays a map around the current location, but also has a function of automatically setting and guiding a guidance route from the current location to the destination by specifying the destination. ing. This route guidance function uses map data to automatically search the route with the lowest cost from the current location to the destination by performing a simulation such as the breadth-first search (BFS) method or Dijkstra method, and guides the searched route. Set as a route.

  After the guide route is set, the guide route is drawn thickly with a different color so that it can be distinguished from other roads on the map image while the vehicle is running. Also, when the vehicle approaches within a predetermined distance from the guidance intersection on the guidance route, an intersection guide map (an enlarged view of the intersection and an arrow indicating the direction of travel at this intersection) is displayed, and the direction of travel is indicated by voice. The driver is guided to the destination by performing the intersection guidance such as.

  In recent years, a development of the above navigation device has been put into practical use. The navigation device uses a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone to send setting information indicating a departure place and a destination to a server and request a search for a guidance route. Based on the setting information received from the navigation device, the server searches for a guide route from the departure point to the destination based on the map data and road traffic information held by the server, and indicates the searched guide route Send information to the navigation device.

  The navigation device stores map data in a storage device such as a DVD or a hard disk. However, the map data held by the navigation device has a low update frequency. Compared to this, the map data held by the server is updated more frequently, is newer than the map data of the navigation device, and has a larger amount of information. In addition, the server can collect road traffic information corresponding to road conditions in a wider range than the navigation device. Therefore, the navigation device can set a more optimal guidance route based on the route information received from the server.

  However, in the above-described navigation device, the server searches for the entire route from the departure point to the destination, so that the amount of information that the navigation device receives from the server increases. Therefore, there is a problem that it takes a long time until the route information is completely acquired from the server in the navigation device, and the communication fee becomes high.

  In addition, the technique which searches only a part of the whole path | route from the departure place to the destination with a server is proposed (for example, refer patent document 1). In the technique described in Patent Document 1, a partial route between a departure point and a takeover point is calculated by a navigation client, and a partial route between the takeover point and a destination is calculated by a route server. As a result, even if a destination that cannot be searched for the entire route only by the map data possessed by the navigation client is set, the route information of the partial route searched by the route server having a wide range of map data is obtained. By using the navigation client, it is possible to set a guidance route for the entire route.

Special table 2008-510152

  However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, the partial route is searched by the route server only when a destination that is not included in the map data of the navigation client is set. Therefore, when the destination included in the map data of the navigation client is set, the search function of the route server using new map data with a large amount of information or a wide range of road traffic information cannot be fully utilized, and it is more optimal. There was a problem that a guide route could not be set.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and while sufficiently reducing the communication time and communication cost, fully utilizing the map data (preferably also road traffic information) held by the server, It is an object to be able to set a more optimal guide route.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, in the present invention, a portion satisfying a predetermined specific condition from the first guidance route from the starting point to the destination searched based on the first map data of the navigation device. A route is extracted and specified as a re-search target route, and the server is requested to search for a route from the start point to the end point of the specified re-search target route. Then, the second guide route obtained by replacing the partial route included in the first guide route with the second partial route searched by the server based on the second map data different from the first map data is finally obtained. Is set as a typical guidance route.

  According to the present invention configured as described above, among the first guidance routes searched by the navigation device based on the first map data, the server satisfies the predetermined specific condition based on the second map data. Since the search is performed again, a route with a lower link cost may be searched. Accordingly, it is possible to set a more optimal route by fully using the second map data held by the server. In addition, since only a part of the guidance route searched by the navigation device is searched by the server and transmitted to the navigation device, the amount of information received from the server by the navigation device is suppressed, and communication time and communication cost can be suppressed. .

It is a block diagram which shows the example of whole structure of the navigation system by 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the operation example of the navigation system by 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the example of whole structure of the navigation system by 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of presentation of the partial path | route by 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the operation example of the navigation system by 2nd Embodiment.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration example of a navigation system 120 including a navigation device 100 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the navigation system 120 includes a navigation device 100 and a server 140. Among these, the navigation apparatus 100 is installed in the vehicle which a user drives. For example, the server 140 is installed in an information distribution center that distributes information to the navigation device 100. The navigation device 100 and the server 140 are connected by a wireless communication line.

  First, the configuration of the navigation device 100 will be described. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 11 denotes a recording medium such as a DVD-ROM, which stores various types of first map data necessary for map display, route search, and the like. The first map data includes road unit data necessary for various processes such as map matching and route search. A road unit relates to a road link corresponding to a road that connects a node corresponding to a point where a plurality of roads intersect, such as an intersection or a branch, and a node on the road and another node adjacent thereto. Contains information. Although the DVD-ROM 11 is used here as the recording medium for storing the first map data, other recording media such as a CD-ROM, a hard disk, and a semiconductor memory may be used.

  In the present embodiment, road unit data includes accident location information, link travel time information, traffic jam prediction information, travel evaluation information, and fuel consumption evaluation information. The accident frequent occurrence point information is information created by statistically analyzing past accident information and indicates a point (road link) where accidents frequently occur. Link travel time information is information created for each road link by statistically analyzing past traffic information, and the estimated time required for the vehicle to enter a road link and pass through the road link. (Link travel time). In addition, roads with a link travel time of more than a certain time (for example, narrow roads entering large national roads, roads connected to intersections where many roads intersect, roads with traffic lights near railroad crossings, etc.) The bottleneck road. The traffic congestion prediction information is information created by statistically analyzing past traffic congestion information, and indicates a road link that is not a bottleneck road but is predicted to be prone to traffic congestion. The travel evaluation information indicates the degree of difficulty of traveling of the host vehicle for each road link. The fuel efficiency evaluation information indicates the degree of fuel efficiency when the host vehicle travels on each road link.

  A vehicle position detection unit 12 detects the current position of the vehicle at predetermined intervals, and includes a self-contained navigation sensor, a GPS receiver, a position calculation CPU, and the like. The self-contained navigation sensor includes a vehicle speed sensor (distance sensor) that outputs a single pulse for each predetermined travel distance to detect the travel distance of the vehicle, and an angular velocity sensor such as a vibration gyro that detects the rotation angle (movement direction) of the vehicle (Relative orientation sensor). The self-contained navigation sensor detects the relative position and direction of the vehicle using these vehicle speed sensor and angular velocity sensor.

  The position calculation CPU calculates an absolute own vehicle device (estimated vehicle position) and a vehicle direction based on relative position and direction data output from the self-contained navigation sensor. The GPS receiver receives radio waves transmitted from a plurality of GPS satellites by a GPS antenna and performs a three-dimensional positioning process or a two-dimensional positioning process to calculate the absolute position and direction of the vehicle (the vehicle direction is The calculation is based on the current vehicle position and the current vehicle position one sampling time ΔT before).

  Reference numeral 13 denotes a DVD-ROM control unit that controls reading of the first map data from the DVD-ROM 11. Reference numeral 14 denotes a map data storage unit (corresponding to the first map data storage unit of the present invention), which temporarily stores the first map data read from the DVD-ROM 11 under the control of the DVD-ROM control unit 13. Store. That is, the DVD-ROM control unit 13 receives the vehicle current position information from the vehicle position detection unit 12 and outputs a read instruction of the first map data in a predetermined range including the vehicle current position, thereby displaying the map. The first map data necessary for searching for the guidance route is read from the DVD-ROM 11 and stored in the map data storage unit 14.

  Reference numeral 15 denotes an operation unit such as a remote control, a touch panel, or an operation switch. The user sets various information (for example, a route guidance destination or waypoint) to the navigation device 100 or performs various operations (for example, a menu). Selection operation, map enlargement / reduction operation, manual map scrolling, numeric input, etc.).

  Reference numeral 16 denotes a destination setting unit, which sets a point designated through the operation of the operation unit 15 by the user as a destination on the destination setting operation screen displayed on the display 17. Then, the destination setting unit 16 outputs destination information indicating the set destination to the guidance route searching unit 20.

  Reference numeral 18 denotes a road traffic information acquisition unit that acquires and guides road traffic information edited at the road traffic information center through optical beacons, radio wave beacons, or FM multiplex broadcasting installed on roads around the host vehicle. Output to the route search unit 20. The road traffic information includes traffic jam information, traffic fault information, traffic regulation information, required time information, and the like. The traffic jam information indicates a traffic jam location and its length (road section). The traffic fault information indicates information such as accidents, broken cars, construction, falling objects on the road, road surface freezing and the like. The traffic regulation information indicates information such as road closure, speed regulation, chain regulation, entrance closure of highways and the like. The required time information indicates a time required for passing through a certain road section.

  A weather information acquisition unit 19 acquires weather information (for example, clear, cloudy, rainy, snow, etc.) of the current nationwide location via the Internet (not shown), and guide route search unit 20 and identification unit 24. Output to. The weather information acquisition unit 19 generates weather image data around the vehicle position based on the vehicle position information detected by the vehicle position detection unit 12. Then, the weather information acquisition unit 19 outputs the generated weather image data to the display 17 to display weather information around the vehicle position on the display 17.

  The guidance route search unit 20 includes first map data stored in the map data storage unit 14, road traffic information output from the road traffic information acquisition unit 18, and weather information output from the weather information acquisition unit 19. Based on the above, link costs on various routes from the vehicle position (departure point) detected by the vehicle position detection unit 12 to the destination set by the destination setting unit 16 are sequentially added to obtain the link cost. The route having the smallest sum of the two is searched as the first guidance route.

  In the present embodiment, when the guide route search unit 20 performs a search, the road link that is determined to be congested or congested based on the road traffic information or the weather is bad based on the weather information (for example, rain or snow falls) By adding a sufficiently large weight to the link cost of road links included in the area, the road links are made difficult to be selected as a part of the guidance route.

  Reference numeral 21 denotes a guidance route memory. When the first guidance route is searched by the guidance route search unit 20, data of the searched first guidance route (a set of road links from the current position to the destination) ) Is temporarily stored as the first guide route information. In addition, when the second partial route is set by the guide route setting unit 27 to be described later, the guide route memory 21 is a second guide route in which a part of the first guide route is replaced with the second partial route. Is temporarily stored as second guide route information.

  A map display control unit 22 is a map image around the vehicle position based on the vehicle position information detected by the vehicle position detection unit 12 and the first map data stored in the map data storage unit 14. Generate data. Then, the map display control unit 22 outputs the generated map image data to the display 17 to display the map image around the vehicle position on the display 17.

  Reference numeral 23 denotes a guidance route guidance unit. When the first guidance route is searched by the guidance route search unit 20, the vehicle position information detected by the vehicle position detection unit 12 and the map data storage unit 14 are stored. Guidance route guidance is performed based on the first map data and the first guidance route information (or second guidance route information) stored in the guidance route memory 21. Specifically, the guidance route guide unit 23 overlaps the map image generated by the map display control unit 22 with the first guidance route (or the second guidance route) with another road on the display 17. Is displayed thickly in different colors to provide travel guidance to the destination of the first guide route (or second guide route). In addition, the guidance route guide unit 21 is provided each time the host vehicle approaches an intersection or a branch point (hereinafter referred to as a guidance intersection) that should be route-guided on the first guidance route (or the second guidance route). Route guidance for guidance intersections.

  Reference numeral 24 denotes a specifying unit, which includes first map data stored in the map data storage unit 14, first guide route information stored in the guide route memory 21, and weather output from the weather information acquisition unit 19. Based on the information, all partial routes satisfying a predetermined specific condition are extracted from the first guide route searched by the guide route search unit 20 and all the extracted partial routes are specified as re-search target routes. To do. Further, the specifying unit 24 outputs re-search target route information indicating the specified re-search target route to the route search request unit 25 and the guide route setting unit 27. Here, the predetermined specific condition is composed of six conditions for extracting a partial route that may be searched by the server 140 for a route with a lower link cost. Will be described in the following order.

  The first specific condition is the accident frequent occurrence point information included in the first map data that is included in the first guide route searched by the guide route searching unit 20 and stored in the map data storage unit 14. It is a condition that it is a road section existing within a predetermined range (for example, within a radius of 100 [m]) from the accident frequent occurrence point indicated by. This is a condition because there is a high possibility that traffic jams will occur due to accidents at accident-prone points, and traffic congestion will occur if there is an actual accident. Moreover, the reason why it is within the predetermined range is that there is a possibility of traffic jam due to the influence of the vicinity of the accident frequent occurrence point. Since there is a request for the user to search for a route that avoids the vicinity of the accident-prone point as much as possible, the road section including not only the accident-prone point but also the surrounding area is extracted as a partial route.

  The second specific condition is the link travel time information included in the first map data included in the first guide route searched by the guide route search unit 20 and stored in the map data storage unit 14. And a road section existing within a predetermined range (for example, within a radius of 100 [m]). This is a condition because a bottleneck road with a link travel time of a predetermined time or longer is a road section where there is a high possibility of traffic congestion. Also, the reason why it is within the predetermined range is that the vicinity of the bottleneck road is also affected and there is a possibility of traffic jam. Since there is a demand for the user to search for a route that avoids the vicinity of the bottleneck road as much as possible, not only the bottleneck road but also the road section including the vicinity is extracted as a partial route.

  The third specific condition is based on the traffic congestion prediction information included in the first map data included in the first guide route searched by the guide route search unit 20 and stored in the map data storage unit 14. It is a condition that the road link is predicted to be prone to traffic congestion and the road section exists within a predetermined range (for example, within a radius of 100 [m]). This is a condition because the road indicated by the traffic jam prediction information is a road section where traffic jams are highly likely to occur. Moreover, the reason why it is within the predetermined range is that the vicinity of the road is also affected and there is a possibility of traffic jam. Since there is a request for the user to search for a route that avoids the vicinity of the road as much as possible, not only the road where traffic congestion is expected to occur but also the road section including the surrounding area is extracted as a partial route. To do.

  The fourth specific condition is based on the travel evaluation information included in the first map data included in the first guide route searched by the guide route search unit 20 and stored in the map data storage unit 14. It is a condition that the road link is evaluated as being difficult to travel and the road section exists within a predetermined range (for example, within a radius of 100 [m]). This is based on the fact that roads corresponding to road links that are evaluated to be difficult to travel (for example, tunnels, back roads, mountain roads, etc.) are congested due to narrow width or insufficient pavement. This is because the road section is likely to be. Moreover, the reason why it is within the predetermined range is that the vicinity of the road is also affected and there is a possibility of traffic jam. Since there is a demand for the user to search for a route that avoids the vicinity of the road as much as possible, not only the road that is evaluated to be difficult to travel, but also the road section including the surrounding area is extracted as a partial route.

  The fifth specific condition is based on the fuel efficiency evaluation information included in the first map data included in the first guide route searched by the guide route search unit 20 and stored in the map data storage unit 14. This is a condition that the road link is evaluated as having poor fuel efficiency and the road section exists within a predetermined range (for example, within a radius of 100 [m]). This is because the road corresponding to the road link that is evaluated as having poor fuel efficiency has a high slope, a low legal speed, a high number of traffic lights, etc. It is. Moreover, the reason why it is within the predetermined range is that the vicinity of the road is also affected and there is a possibility of traffic jam. Since there is a demand for the user to search for a route that avoids the vicinity of the road as much as possible, not only a road evaluated as having poor fuel efficiency but also a road section including the vicinity thereof is extracted as a partial route.

  The sixth specific condition is included in the first guidance route searched by the guidance route search unit 20, and the weather information output from the weather information acquisition unit 19 causes bad weather (for example, rain or snow falls). It is a condition that the road section is included in the area indicated by The condition is that roads included in areas where the weather is indicated to be bad are likely to be congested due to slow vehicle speed or poor visibility in front of the vehicle. That's why. Since there is a request for the user to search for a route that avoids the road section as much as possible, a road section included in an area indicated as having bad weather is extracted as a partial route.

  The route search request unit 25 communicates with the server 140 through the communication unit 26, and searches for a route from the start point to the end point of the re-search target route indicated by the re-search target route information output from the specifying unit 24. Route search request information indicating that a request is made to the server 140 is transmitted to the server 140. The route search request information includes re-search target route information output from the specifying unit 24.

  The guide route setting unit 27 (corresponding to the receiving unit and the guide route setting unit of the present invention) communicates with the server 140 through the communication unit 26 and receives the second partial route information transmitted from the server 140. . Then, the guidance route setting unit 27 extracts, from the server 140, the re-search target route indicated by the re-search target route information output from the specifying unit 24 among the first guidance routes stored in the guidance route memory 21. The second partial path indicated by the received second partial path information is replaced. That is, the guide route setting unit 27 stores the second guide route data obtained by replacing a part of the first guide route in the guide route memory 21 as the second guide route information, so that the second guide route is stored. Set. Thereafter, the guidance route guidance unit 23 uses the vehicle location information detected by the vehicle position detection unit 12, the first map data stored in the map data storage unit 14, and the guidance route setting unit 27 to guide the route memory. Guide route guidance is performed based on the second guide route information stored in 21.

  Next, the configuration of the server 140 will be described. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 30 denotes a map data storage unit, which stores second map data different from the first map data stored in the map data storage unit 14 of the navigation device 100. The second map data stored in the map data storage unit 30 has a high update frequency, is newer than the first map data held by the navigation device 100, and has a larger amount of information. For example, a newly opened road is reflected. Has been. In the present embodiment, the road unit data included in the second map data also includes accident location information, link travel time information, traffic jam prediction information, travel information, like the first map data held by the navigation device 100. Evaluation information and fuel consumption evaluation information are included.

  Reference numeral 31 denotes a road traffic information acquisition unit, which acquires road traffic information in various parts of the country distributed at predetermined time intervals from a road traffic information center (not shown) and outputs it to the route search unit 33. That is, the server 140 can acquire a wide range of road traffic information as compared with the navigation device 100 that acquires road traffic information around the host vehicle. The road traffic information includes traffic jam information, traffic fault information, traffic regulation information, required time information, and the like similar to those acquired by the navigation device 100.

  A weather information acquisition unit 32 acquires weather information (for example, clear, cloudy, rainy, snow, etc.) of the current nationwide location via the Internet (not shown) and outputs it to the route search unit 33.

  The route search unit 33 communicates with the navigation device 100 through the communication unit 34 and receives the route search request information transmitted from the route search request unit 25 of the navigation device 100. The route search unit 33 also includes the second map data stored in the map data storage unit 30, the road traffic information output from the road traffic information acquisition unit 31, and the weather output from the weather information acquisition unit 32. Based on the information, the link cost on various routes from the start point to the end point of the re-search target route indicated by the re-search road information included in the received route search request information is sequentially added, and the total link cost Is searched for as the second partial route. Further, the route search unit 33 communicates with the navigation device 100 through the communication unit 34, and transmits second partial route information indicating the searched second partial route to the navigation device 100.

  In the present embodiment, when the route search unit 33 performs a search, the road link determined to be congested or congested based on the road traffic information or the weather is bad based on the weather information (for example, rain or snow is falling). ) By adding a sufficiently large weight to the link cost of road links included in the region, the road links are made difficult to be selected as a part of the guidance route.

  Next, the operation of the navigation system 120 in this embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the navigation system 120. In the process of step S100 in FIG. 2, after the navigation device 100 is activated, the guidance route search unit 20 searches for the first guidance route from the vehicle position to the destination, and guides the first guidance route information as a result. It starts by storing it in the path memory 21.

  First, the specifying unit 24 includes the first map data stored in the map data storage unit 14, the first guide route information stored in the guide route memory 21, and the weather output from the weather information acquisition unit 19. Based on the information, all partial routes satisfying a predetermined specific condition are extracted from the first guide route searched by the guide route search unit 20 and all the extracted partial routes are specified as re-search target routes. (Step S100). Then, the specification unit 24 outputs re-search target route information indicating the specified re-search target route to the route search request unit 25 and the guidance route setting unit 27.

  Next, the route search request unit 25 indicates that the server 140 is requested to search for a route from the start point to the end point of the re-search target route indicated by the re-search target route information output from the specifying unit 24. The request information is transmitted to the server 140 through the communication unit 26 (step S120).

  Next, the route search unit 33 of the server 140 receives the route search request information transmitted from the route search request unit 25 of the navigation device 100 through the communication unit 34 (step S140). Next, the route search unit 33 outputs the second map data stored in the map data storage unit 30, the road traffic information output from the road traffic information acquisition unit 31, and the weather information acquisition unit 32. Based on the weather information, a route search from the start point to the end point of the re-search target route indicated by the re-search road information included in the route search request information is performed (step S160). Then, the route searching unit 33 transmits second partial route information indicating the searched second route to the navigation device 100 through the communication unit 34 (step S180).

  Next, the guidance route setting unit 27 of the navigation device 100 receives the second partial route information transmitted from the server 140 through the communication unit 26 (step S200). Then, the guidance route setting unit 27 extracts, from the server 140, the re-search target route indicated by the re-search target route information output from the specifying unit 24 among the first guidance routes stored in the guidance route memory 21. A second guidance route is set by replacing the second partial route indicated by the received second partial route information (step S220). After the processing is completed, the navigation system 120 ends the processing in FIG.

  As described above in detail, in the first embodiment, the first guidance route from the departure point to the destination searched based on the first map data, road traffic information, and weather information that the navigation device 100 has. A partial route satisfying the specific condition is extracted and specified as a re-search target route, and a route search from the start point to the end point of the specified re-search target route is requested to the server 140. Then, the second route in which the partial route included in the first guidance route is replaced with the second partial route searched by the server 140 based on the second map data, road traffic information, and weather information that the server 140 has. This guide route is set as the final guide route.

  According to the first embodiment configured as described above, a route that satisfies a predetermined specific condition among the first guidance routes searched by the navigation device 100 is searched again by the server 140. The second map data held by the server 140 has a high update frequency, is newer than the first map data held by the navigation device 100, and has a larger amount of information. In addition, the server 140 can collect road traffic information corresponding to road conditions in a wider range than the navigation device 100. Therefore, the server 140 may search for a route with a lower link cost. Accordingly, it is possible to set a more optimal route by fully using the second map data and road traffic information held by the server 140. In addition, since only a part of the first guidance route searched by the navigation device 100 is searched by the server 140 and transmitted to the navigation device 100, the amount of information that the navigation device 100 receives from the server 140 is suppressed, and the communication time Communication costs can be reduced.

  The predetermined specific condition is, for example, an accident frequent occurrence point included in the first map data stored in the map data storage unit 14 and included in the first guide route searched by the guide route search unit 20. This is a condition that the accident occurs frequently indicated by the information and the road section exists within a predetermined range therefrom. The first map data held by the navigation device 100 has a low update frequency, is older than the map data held by the server 140, and has a smaller amount of information. For this reason, even if a new road that does not pass through the accident occurrence point or its vicinity is actually opened, it cannot be searched unless the new road is included in the first map data. Furthermore, since the navigation apparatus 100 can acquire road traffic information according to road conditions only in the vicinity of the host vehicle, the navigation apparatus 100 cannot search for a route that avoids traffic congestion in a road section far from the host vehicle. On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, there is a possibility that the server 140 searches for a route with a lower link cost for the road section (partial route) including not only the accident frequent occurrence point but also its surroundings. A more optimal route can be set by fully using the second map data and road traffic information held by the server 140.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the navigation system 120 including the navigation device 100 ′ according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the navigation device 100 ′ includes a specifying unit 24 ′ instead of the specifying unit 24 of FIG. The navigation device 100 ′ further includes a presentation unit 28 and a determination unit 29 as its configuration. 3 that have the same reference numerals as those shown in FIG. 1 have the same functions, redundant description thereof will be omitted here.

  The specifying unit 24 ′ includes first map data stored in the map data storage unit 14, first guide route information stored in the guide route memory 21, and weather information output from the weather information acquisition unit 19. Based on the above, all partial routes that satisfy a predetermined specific condition are extracted from the first guide route searched by the guide route search unit 20. Then, the specifying unit 24 ′ outputs extracted partial route information indicating the extracted partial route to the presentation unit 28. The predetermined specific conditions are the same as those in the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  Further, when selected partial route information described later is output from the determination unit 29, the specifying unit 24 ′ specifies a partial route indicated by the selected partial route information as a re-search target route, and the specified re-search target route is determined. The re-search target route information shown is output to the route search request unit 25 and the guide route setting unit 27.

  The presenting unit 28 displays the partial path indicated by the extracted partial path information output from the specifying unit 24 ′ on the display 17 and presents it to the user. Specifically, the presentation unit 28 overlaps the map image generated by the map display control unit 22, and the partial route to be presented is different from other roads (including other parts of the first guidance route). Display thick in color.

  The determination unit 29 determines whether the partial route presented by the presentation unit 28 is selected through the operation of the operation unit 15 by the user. If it is determined that the partial route has been selected, the determination unit 29 outputs selected partial route information indicating the selected partial route to the specifying unit 24 '. On the other hand, if it is determined that the partial route is not selected, the determination unit 29 does not output the selected partial route information to the specifying unit 24 ′.

  FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating a presentation example of a partial route on the map screen according to the second embodiment. This map screen displays a map of a place away from the vehicle position by a scroll operation by the user. In FIG. 4A, reference numerals 200 and 220 denote partial paths on the first guide path 230 displayed on the map image by the presentation unit 28. 240 and 260 are keys that are displayed on the screen of the display 17 and select the partial routes 200 and 220 as re-search target routes, respectively.

  FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating an example of a confirmation dialog displayed when the key 240 is selected through the operation of the operation unit 15 by the user on the screen illustrated in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4B, when the key 240 is selected on the screen of the display 17 shown in FIG. 4A, a map image in which the periphery of the partial path 200 corresponding to the key 240 is enlarged is displayed. In addition, a confirmation dialog 280 for confirming whether or not the partial route 200 is finally selected is displayed on the enlarged map. On the confirmation dialog 280, the reason extracted as a partial route by the specifying unit 24 '(in the example of FIG. 4B, it is predicted that traffic congestion is likely to occur) is displayed in a concise manner, and the partial route is displayed. A key 300 for instructing to finally select 200 and a key 320 for instructing not to finally select the partial path 200 are displayed.

  In the confirmation dialog 280 illustrated in FIG. 4B, when the key 300 (“Yes”) is selected through the operation of the operation unit 15 by the user, the determination unit 29 displays the partial path presented by the presentation unit 28. It is determined that 200 has been selected, and selected partial path information indicating the selected partial path 200 is output to the specifying unit 24 ′. On the other hand, when the key 320 (“No”) is selected through the operation of the operation unit 15 by the user, the determination unit 29 determines that the partial path 200 presented by the presentation unit 28 has not been selected and selected. The partial path information is not output to the specifying unit 24 ′.

  Next, the operation of the navigation system 120 in the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the navigation system 120. In the process of step S300 in FIG. 5, after the navigation device 100 ′ is activated, the guidance route search unit 20 searches for the first guidance route from the vehicle position to the destination, and obtains the first guidance route information as a result. It starts by storing it in the guide route memory 21.

  First, the specifying unit 24 ′ is output from the first map data stored in the map data storage unit 14, the first guide route information stored in the guide route memory 21, and the weather information acquisition unit 19. Based on the weather information, all partial routes satisfying a predetermined specific condition are extracted from the first guide route searched by the guide route search unit 20 (step S300). Then, the specifying unit 24 ′ outputs extracted partial route information indicating all extracted partial routes to the presentation unit 28.

  Next, the presentation unit 28 displays the partial path indicated by the extracted partial path information output from the specifying unit 24 'on the display 17 and presents it to the user (step S320). Next, the determination unit 29 determines whether or not the partial route presented by the presentation unit 28 is selected through the operation of the operation unit 15 by the user (step S340).

  If determination unit 29 determines that a partial route has not been selected (NO in step S340), navigation system 120 ends the process in FIG. On the other hand, when the determination unit 29 determines that the partial route has been selected (YES in step S340), the determination unit 29 outputs selected partial route information indicating the selected partial route to the specifying unit 24 ′. The specifying unit 24 ′ specifies the partial route indicated by the selected partial route information output from the determining unit 29 as the re-search target route, and sets the re-search target route information indicating the specified re-search target route to the route search request unit 25. And output to the guidance route setting unit 27.

  Next, the route search request unit 25 indicates that the server 140 is requested to search for a route from the start point to the end point of the re-search target route indicated by the re-search target route information output from the specifying unit 24 ′. Search request information is transmitted to the server 140 through the communication part 26 (step S360).

  Next, the route search unit 33 of the server 140 receives the route search request information transmitted from the route search request unit 25 of the navigation device 100 ′ through the communication unit 34 (step S380). Next, the route search unit 33 outputs the second map data stored in the map data storage unit 30, the road traffic information output from the road traffic information acquisition unit 31, and the weather information acquisition unit 32. Based on the weather information, a route search from the start point to the end point of the re-search target route indicated by the re-search road information included in the route search request information is performed (step S400). Then, the route search unit 33 transmits second partial route information indicating the searched second route to the navigation device 100 ′ through the communication unit 34 (step S420).

  Next, the guidance route setting unit 27 of the navigation device 100 ′ receives the second partial route information transmitted from the server 140 through the communication unit 26 (step S440). Then, the guide route setting unit 27 selects the re-search target route indicated by the re-search target route information output from the specifying unit 24 ′ out of the first guide routes stored in the guide route memory 21. The second guide route is set by replacing the second partial route indicated by the second partial route information received from (step S460). After the processing is completed, the navigation system 120 ends the processing in FIG.

  As described above in detail, in the second embodiment, the partial route extracted by the specifying unit 24 'is displayed on the display 17, and when the displayed partial route is selected by the user, the partial route is searched again. The target route is specified. According to the second embodiment configured as described above, the user can be made to recognize the partial route and then select whether or not the server 140 needs to search for the partial route. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the server 140 from unnecessarily searching for the partial path intended by the user when the need for re-searching is low. Therefore, since the partial route re-searched by the server 140 is reduced, the amount of information received by the navigation device 100 ′ from the server 140 is further suppressed as compared with the first embodiment. It can be suppressed more.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, an example in which all partial routes that match a predetermined specific condition are extracted from the first guidance route searched by the guidance route search unit 20 has been described. The present invention is not limited to this. For example, only a road section that exists within a predetermined range from the current position of the vehicle on which the navigation device 100 (100 ′) is mounted and that satisfies the predetermined specific condition may be extracted as a partial route. Here, being within a predetermined range from the current position of the vehicle means, for example, being within a prefectural range including the current position of the vehicle, existing on a map screen including the current position of the vehicle, It means that it exists within a predetermined distance (for example, 1 [km]) from the current position. As a result, the partial route to be re-searched performed by the server 140 can be reduced, and the amount of information received from the server 140 by the navigation device 100 (100 ′) can be suppressed. Communication costs can be reduced.

  In the first and second embodiments, the first map data held by the navigation device 100 (100 ′) includes developing area information indicating the developing area, and the specifying unit 24 (24 ′) The road section included in the developing area may be extracted as a partial route based on the developing area information. There are many newly opened roads in the vicinity of road sections included in developing regions, and there is a demand for users to search for a route through the road as much as possible if the link cost is low . However, since the first map data held by the navigation device 100 (100 ′) has a low update frequency and is older than the map data held by the server 140 and has a smaller amount of information, the newly opened road is the first map data. May not be included. On the other hand, the second map data held by the server 140 may be included. Therefore, there is a possibility that the server 140 searches for a route with a lower link cost for a road section that satisfies the above specific condition.

  The first and second embodiments further include a travel history information storage unit that stores travel history information indicating past travel history of the vehicle on which the navigation device 100 (100 ′) is mounted, and the specifying unit 24 ( 24 ′) is a route that deviates from the first point on the first guide route searched by the guide route search unit 20 based on the travel history information and returns to the second point on the first guide route. May be extracted as a partial route from the first point to the second point. In this way, the route from which the user has deviated from the first point on the first guidance route to the second point on the first guidance route from the past driving experience, and the first point that was initially searched In addition to the route from to the second point, a route with a lower link cost may be searched by the server 140 based on the second map data.

  In the first and second embodiments, the specifying unit 24 (24 ′) may extract a road section corresponding to a toll road existing on the first guidance route as a partial route. For example, a toll road may be heavily congested due to reasons such as temporary tolls being temporarily free or discounted, but general roads may be vacant. In this case, the information on the toll road where the toll is temporarily free or discounted is actually the second map data held by the server 140 although the link cost should actually be set lower for ordinary roads. Therefore, it is impossible to search for a route that avoids traffic jam in consideration of information on the toll road. Therefore, there is a possibility that the server 140 searches for a route with a lower link cost for a road section that satisfies the above specific condition.

  In the first and second embodiments, the specifying unit 24 (24 ′) may put a time zone and a season into predetermined specific conditions when extracting a partial route. For example, the first map data stored in the map data storage unit 14 includes accident-prone location information (link travel time information, traffic jam prediction information, travel evaluation information, or fuel consumption evaluation information) for each season and each time zone. Make it. Then, based on the accident frequent occurrence point information corresponding to the current season (or the time zone including the current time), it is included in the first guidance route searched by the guidance route search unit 20, and from the accident frequent occurrence point A road section existing within a predetermined range may be extracted as a partial route. Similarly, time zones and seasons may be taken into account when extracting partial routes based on link travel time information, traffic jam prediction information, travel evaluation information, or fuel consumption evaluation information.

  In the first and second embodiments, an example of extracting a partial route based on six specific conditions from the partial routes included in the first guidance route searched by the guidance route search unit 20 is described. Although described, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, partial paths may be extracted based on fewer than six specific conditions. In the second embodiment, when an instruction is given from the user through the operation of the operation unit 15, only the partial route that matches the specific condition corresponding to the partial route selected by the user in the past is extracted. May be.

  Alternatively, priority order may be set among the six specific conditions, and partial paths may be extracted in order from the one that matches the high priority specific condition until a predetermined number is reached. In this case, when the user can select a partial route as in the second embodiment, the partial routes are presented in order from the one that matches the specific condition with the highest priority. When all of the presented items are not selected, or when there is no one that matches the specific condition, the one that matches the specific condition with the next highest priority is presented. Here, the priority may be arbitrarily set by the user, or the priority of each specific condition may be automatically set in descending order of the number of selections based on the user selection history.

  In the first and second embodiments, the specifying unit 24 (24 ′) has a plurality of extracted partial paths, and a predetermined distance (for example, several hundreds [m]) among the plurality of partial paths. If there is a partial route with an interval of within, the partial route with an interval within the predetermined distance is connected on the guidance route from the start point of the closest partial route to the end point of the furthest partial route from the current position. A road section may be extracted as a partial route.

  In the first and second embodiments, it is not always essential that the navigation device 100 (100 ′) includes the road traffic information acquisition unit 18. If the road traffic information acquisition unit 18 is not provided, the navigation apparatus 100 (100 ′) searches the first guidance route without considering the road traffic information. Therefore, there is a high possibility that the server 140 searches for a route with a lower link cost. Thereby, it is possible to set a more optimal route by making full use of the second map data and road traffic information held by the server 140.

  In addition, each of the first and second embodiments described above is merely an example of a specific example for carrying out the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be interpreted in a limited manner. It will not be. In other words, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the spirit or main features thereof.

14, 30 Map data storage unit 19, 32 Weather information acquisition unit 20 Guide route search unit 24, 24 'identification unit 25 Route search request unit 27 Guide route setting unit 28 Presentation unit 29 Determination unit 100, 100' Navigation device 200, 220 Partial route 230 First guidance route

Claims (14)

A first map data storage unit for storing first map data necessary for route search;
A guidance route search unit for searching for a first guidance route from a departure place to a destination based on the first map data;
A specifying unit for extracting a partial route satisfying a predetermined specific condition from the first guide route searched by the guide route searching unit, and specifying the extracted partial route as a re-search target route;
A route search requesting unit that requests the server to search for a route from the start point to the end point of the re-search target route specified by the specifying unit;
A receiving unit for receiving, from the server, a second partial route searched based on the second map data different from the first map data by the server in response to a request by the route search request unit;
A navigation comprising: a guidance route setting unit configured to set a second guidance route obtained by replacing the partial route included in the first guidance route with the second partial route as a final guidance route. apparatus. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein
A presentation unit for presenting the partial route extracted by the specifying unit;
A determination unit for determining whether or not the partial route presented by the presenting unit is selected by a user;
The specifying unit, when the determination unit determines that the partial route presented by the presentation unit is selected, specifies the selected partial route as the re-search target route. . The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein
The first map data includes accident frequent occurrence point information indicating a position of a point where accidents frequently occur,
The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the specifying unit extracts a road section existing within a predetermined range from the accident frequent occurrence point as the partial route based on the accident frequent occurrence point information. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein
The first map data includes link travel time information indicating a link travel time of each road link;
The said specific part extracts the road area which exists in the predetermined range from the road link whose said link travel time is more than predetermined time based on the said link travel time information as a said partial route, The navigation apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein
The first map data includes traffic jam prediction information indicating a road link predicted to be prone to traffic jams,
The navigation device, wherein the specifying unit extracts a road section existing within a predetermined range from the road link indicated by the traffic jam prediction information as the partial route. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein
The first map data includes travel evaluation information indicating a degree of difficulty in traveling on a road corresponding to each road link,
The navigation device is characterized in that, based on the travel evaluation information, a road section existing within a predetermined range is extracted as the partial route from a road link evaluated to be difficult to travel. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein
The first map data includes fuel efficiency evaluation information indicating a degree of fuel efficiency when traveling on a road corresponding to each road link,
The navigation device is characterized in that, based on the fuel efficiency evaluation information, a road section existing within a predetermined range is extracted as the partial route from a road link evaluated as having poor fuel efficiency. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein
A weather information acquisition unit that acquires weather information indicating the weather;
The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the specifying unit extracts, as the partial route, a road section included in an area indicated as having bad weather based on the weather information acquired by the weather information acquisition unit. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein
The first map data includes development area information indicating a development area;
The navigation device, wherein the specifying unit extracts a road section included in the development area as the partial route based on the development area information. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein
A travel history information storage unit that stores travel history information indicating past travel history of the vehicle equipped with the navigation device;
Based on the travel history information, the specifying unit includes a route that deviates from the first point on the first guide route and returns to the second point on the first guide route. A navigation device that extracts a road section from the first point to the second point as the partial route. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein
The navigation device characterized in that the specifying unit extracts a road section corresponding to a toll road existing on the first guidance route as the partial route. The navigation device according to any one of claims 3 to 11,
The navigation device, wherein the specifying unit extracts the partial route from a road section existing within a predetermined range from a current position of a vehicle on which the navigation device is mounted. The navigation device according to any one of claims 3 to 11,
The navigation apparatus, wherein the second partial route is searched by the server based on the second map data and road traffic information acquired by the server. A first step of searching for a first guidance route from the departure place to the destination based on the first map data necessary for the route search;
A second step of extracting a partial route satisfying a predetermined specific condition from the first guidance route searched in the first step, and specifying the extracted partial route as a re-search target route;
A third step of requesting the server to search for a route from the start point to the end point of the re-search target route specified in the second step;
A fourth step of receiving, from the server, a second partial path searched based on the second map data different from the first map data by the server in response to a request in the third step; ,
And a fifth step of setting, as a final guidance route, a second guidance route obtained by replacing the partial route included in the first guidance route with the second partial route. Search method.