JP2012255758A - Navigation device and navigation method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide technique which enables a driver to easily execute a specific action that may reduce a congestion level of a road in which congestion easily occurs so as to solve such a problem in a conventional navigation device using technique which presents a congestion level by acquiring congestion information in a predetermined section of a road that although the device can present a driver with the congestion level in advance, the device cannot contribute to reduction of congestion at a congestion point.SOLUTION: A navigation device comprises a congestion reducing guidance means which specifies a link string having a predetermined characteristic which can be a congestion factor among links included in a recommended route, acquires a congestion level of the specified link string to determine whether the congestion level exceeds a predetermined congestion level, and when it exceeds the predetermined congestion level, performs travel guidance which may reduce congestion according to the characteristic of the link string.

Description

  The present invention relates to navigation technology.

  Conventionally, a navigation apparatus uses a technique for acquiring traffic jam information for a predetermined section of a road and presenting the degree of traffic jam. Patent Document 1 describes a technique regarding such a navigation device.

JP 2008-64448 A

  In the navigation apparatus as described above, although the degree of traffic jam can be shown to the driver in advance, the traffic jam at the traffic jam location cannot be reduced.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a technique that allows a driver to easily implement a specific measure that can reduce the degree of traffic congestion on a road on which traffic congestion is likely to occur.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, a navigation device according to the present invention is a navigation device mounted on a vehicle, wherein a travel situation specifying means for specifying a current location of the vehicle and a travel direction of the vehicle, and the travel situation specification Road identifying means for identifying a road in the travel direction from the current location identified by the means, and a congestion cause portion identifying means for identifying a portion having a predetermined characteristic that causes traffic congestion among the roads identified by the road identifying means A traffic jam determining unit for acquiring a traffic jam degree of the portion of the road specified by the traffic jam cause part specifying unit and determining whether or not a predetermined traffic jam level is exceeded; If it is determined that the degree of traffic congestion is exceeded, the traffic jam mitigation guide that provides driving guidance that can reduce traffic jam according to the characteristics of the portion of the road. Characterized in that it comprises a and.

  Further, the navigation method of the present invention is a navigation method of a navigation device mounted on a vehicle, the navigation device comprising a traveling situation identifying unit that identifies a current location of the vehicle and a traveling direction of the vehicle, A road identification procedure for identifying a road in the direction of travel from the current location identified by the travel status identification means, and a traffic jam cause for identifying a portion having a predetermined characteristic that causes traffic congestion among the roads identified in the road identification procedure In the traffic jam determination procedure, the traffic jam determination procedure for determining whether or not the traffic congestion degree of the portion of the road identified in the traffic jam cause traffic flow specifying portion is exceeded a predetermined traffic jam level. If it is determined that the predetermined traffic congestion level is exceeded, the traffic congestion is reduced according to the characteristics of the portion of the road. Characterized in that it comprises a congestion relief guide procedure for and can travel guidance, the.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a navigation device. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the link table. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the sag portion definition table. FIG. 4 is a functional configuration diagram of the arithmetic processing unit. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the congestion reduction guidance process. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a modification of the sag portion definition table. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a modified example of the congestion reduction guidance process.

  Hereinafter, a navigation device 100 which is an in-vehicle device to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration diagram of the navigation device 100.

  The navigation device 100 includes an arithmetic processing unit 1, a display 2, a storage device 3, a voice input / output device 4 (including a microphone 41 as a voice input device and a speaker 42 as a voice output device), an input device 5, and a ROM. A device 6, a vehicle speed sensor 7, a gyro sensor 8, a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver 9, an FM multiplex broadcast receiver 10, and a beacon receiver 11 are provided.

  The arithmetic processing unit 1 is a central unit that performs various processes. For example, the present location is detected based on information output from various sensors 7 and 8, the GPS receiver 9, the FM multiplex broadcast receiver 10, and the like. Further, map data necessary for display is read from the storage device 3 or the ROM device 6 based on the obtained current location information.

  The arithmetic processing unit 1 develops the read map data in graphics, and displays a mark indicating the current location on the display 2 in a superimposed manner. Further, using the map data or the like stored in the storage device 3 or the ROM device 6, the starting point (current location) and the destination (or the waypoint, transit point, stopover point, etc.) instructed by the user ) Are searched for the optimum route (recommended route). Further, the user is guided using the speaker 42 and the display 2.

  The arithmetic processing unit 1 of the navigation device 100 has a configuration in which each device is connected by a bus 25. The arithmetic processing unit 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 21 that executes various processes such as numerical calculation and control of each device, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) that stores map data, arithmetic data, and the like read from the storage device 3. ) 22, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 23 for storing programs and data, and an I / F (interface) 24 for connecting various types of hardware to the arithmetic processing unit 1.

  The display 2 is a unit that displays graphics information generated by the arithmetic processing unit 1 or the like. The display 2 is configured by a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or the like.

  The storage device 3 is composed of at least a readable / writable storage medium such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or a nonvolatile memory card.

  This storage medium stores a link table 200 that is map data (including link data of links constituting roads on a map) necessary for a normal route search device, and a sag portion definition table 300. . In the present embodiment, the sag portion definition table 300 is provided as a characteristic road shape that causes traffic congestion. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any other road shape that causes traffic congestion may be used. It is good also as providing the table which can define the shape of, for example, a sharp curve etc. An example thereof will be described later as a modification of the first embodiment.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the link table 200. The link table 200 includes, for each mesh identification code (mesh ID) 201, which is a partitioned area on the map, link data 202 of each link constituting a road included in the mesh area.

  For each link ID 211 that is a link identifier, the link data 202 includes coordinate information 222 of two nodes (start node and end node) constituting the link, a road type 223 indicating the type of road including the link, and a link length. Link length 224 indicating the link travel time 225 stored in advance, altitude information 226 including information specifying the altitude of the start node and the end node of the link, and a limit indicating the speed limit of the road including the link Speed 227, etc.

  Here, by distinguishing the start node and the end node for the two nodes constituting the link, the upward direction and the downward direction of the same road are managed as different links.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the sag portion definition table 300. The sag portion definition table 300 includes, for each road type that specifies the type of road (such as “highway”, “national road”), the range of the slope of the downhill that constitutes the sag portion, and the uphill connected to the downhill. This is a table for storing information defining the range of the gradient.

  For example, the sag portion definition table 300 includes a road type 301 that is information for specifying a road type, a downhill gradient range 302 for specifying a downhill gradient range, and an uphill for specifying an uphill gradient range. Gradient range 303.

  In this embodiment, a link having a higher elevation of the end node than the elevation of the start node of the link is assumed to be an uphill, and a link having a lower elevation of the end node than the elevation of the start node is assumed to be a downhill. And For example, if the elevation of the end node of the link is higher than the elevation of the link start node, the ratio of the difference between the elevation of the link start node and the end node to the link distance is the upslope, When the uphill slope is equal to or higher than a predetermined value (for example, 1%), the link is made uphill. Also, in the case of a link whose elevation at the end node of the link is lower than the elevation at the start node of the link, the ratio of the drop (positive value) between the elevation of the link start node and the end node to the link distance Is a downward slope, and when the downward slope is a predetermined value (for example, 1%) or more, the link is assumed to be a downward slope. In addition, a link in which the elevation of the start node and the elevation of the end node are the same or within a predetermined range (for example, less than 1% of the upward gradient or less than 1% of the downward gradient) is defined as a flat road. Further, when downhill links are continuous or when uphill links are continuous, the continuous links are grouped together, and each grouped link row is defined as one downhill or one uphill.

  In the present embodiment, a link sequence composed of a downhill and an uphill that is connected to the downhill in a straight line direction and that has an end node of the downhill as a start node is a sag unit. Define. Still further, a link string composed of a flat road and an uphill connecting to the flat road in a straight line direction and having an end node of the flat road as a start node is also regarded as a sag portion.

  The road type 301 includes information specifying the type of road, that is, a road classified according to the type of management source such as “highway”, “automobile road”, “national road”, “prefectural road”, etc. The type and the like are stored. The road type information may be a road type classified according to the type of the management source, and is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a type according to the legal maximum speed of the road. .

  The downhill slope range 302 stores information for specifying the downhill range of the downhill portion constituting the sag portion. In the present embodiment, as described above, the sag portion includes a downhill (or flat road) portion and an uphill portion. The information stored in the downhill gradient range 302 is information that specifies the downhill gradient of the downhill (or flat road) portion of the sag portion. Therefore, the range of the downhill slope has a lower limit of 0%, which is a flat road.

  In the uphill gradient range 303, information for specifying the range of the uphill portion of the uphill portion constituting the sag portion is stored. In the present embodiment, as described above, the sag portion includes a downhill (or flat road) portion and an uphill portion. The information stored in the uphill slope range 303 is information that specifies the uphill slope of the uphill portion of the sag portion. Therefore, the range of the uphill slope is an upper slope that does not include a flat road, for example, an upper slope of 1% is the lower limit.

  Returning to FIG. The voice input / output device 4 includes a microphone 41 as a voice input device and a speaker 42 as a voice output device. The microphone 41 acquires sound outside the navigation device 100 such as a voice uttered by a user or another passenger.

  The speaker 42 outputs a message to the user generated by the arithmetic processing unit 1 as an audio signal. The microphone 41 and the speaker 42 are separately arranged at a predetermined part of the vehicle. However, it may be housed in an integral housing. The navigation device 100 can include a plurality of microphones 41 and speakers 42.

  The input device 5 is a device that receives an instruction from the user through an operation by the user. The input device 5 includes a touch panel 51, a dial switch 52, and other hardware switches (not shown) such as scroll keys and scale change keys.

  The touch panel 51 is mounted on the display surface side of the display 2 and can see through the display screen. The touch panel 51 specifies a touch position corresponding to the XY coordinates of the image displayed on the display 2, converts the touch position into coordinates, and outputs the coordinate. The touch panel 51 includes a pressure-sensitive or electrostatic input detection element.

  The dial switch 52 is configured to be rotatable clockwise and counterclockwise, generates a pulse signal for every rotation of a predetermined angle, and outputs the pulse signal to the arithmetic processing unit 1. The arithmetic processing unit 1 obtains the rotation angle from the number of pulse signals.

  The ROM device 6 includes at least a readable storage medium such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) such as a CD-ROM or a DVD-ROM, or an IC (Integrated Circuit) card. In this storage medium, for example, moving image data, audio data, and the like are stored.

  The vehicle speed sensor 7, the gyro sensor 8, and the GPS receiver 9 are used by the navigation device 100 to detect the current location (own vehicle position).

  The vehicle speed sensor 7 is a sensor that outputs a value used to calculate the vehicle speed.

  The gyro sensor 8 is composed of an optical fiber gyro, a vibration gyro, or the like, and detects an angular velocity due to the rotation of the moving body.

  The GPS receiver 9 receives a signal from a GPS satellite and measures the distance between the mobile body and the GPS satellite and the rate of change of the distance with respect to three or more satellites to thereby determine the current location, travel speed, and travel of the mobile body It measures the direction.

  The FM multiplex broadcast receiver 10 receives an FM multiplex broadcast signal transmitted from an FM multiplex broadcast station. FM multiplex broadcasting includes VICS (Vehicle Information Communication System: Registered Trademark) information, current traffic information, regulatory information, SA / PA (service area / parking area) information, parking information, weather information, and FM multiplex general information. As text information provided by radio stations.

  The beacon receiving device 11 receives rough current traffic information such as VICS information, regulation information, SA / PA (service area / parking area) information, parking lot information, weather information, emergency alerts, and the like. For example, it is a receiving device such as an optical beacon that communicates by light and a radio beacon that communicates by radio waves.

  FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the arithmetic processing unit 1. As illustrated, the arithmetic processing unit 1 includes a main control unit 101, an input receiving unit 102, an output processing unit 103, a sag unit specifying unit 104, and a traffic jam reduction traveling guide unit 105.

  The main control unit 101 is a central functional unit that performs various processes, and controls other processing units according to the processing content. Also, information on various sensors, the GPS receiver 9 and the like is acquired, and map matching is performed to identify the current location. In addition, the travel history is stored in the storage device 3 for each link by associating the travel date and time with the position as needed. Further, the current time is output in response to a request from each processing unit. In addition, the optimum route (recommended route) connecting the starting point (current location) instructed by the user and the destination (or the point where the user heads, such as a transit point, a relay point, a stopover point, etc.) is searched and deviated from the recommended route. The user is guided by using the speaker 42 and the display 2 so as not to cause the failure.

  The input receiving unit 102 receives an instruction from the user input via the input device 5 or the microphone 41, and controls each unit of the arithmetic processing unit 1 so as to execute processing corresponding to the requested content. For example, when the user requests a search for a recommended route, the output processing unit 103 is requested to display a map on the display 2 in order to set a destination.

  The output processing unit 103 receives screen information to be displayed, converts it into a signal for drawing on the display 2, and instructs the display 2 to draw.

  The sag unit specifying unit 104 uses the information indicating the current location detected by the main control unit 101, the map data stored in the link table 200, and the like on the route to the destination or in the traveling direction. Search for and identify. Specifically, for example, the sag part specifying unit 104 determines whether or not each link constituting the recommended route corresponds to the definition information stored in the sag part definition table 300, and the corresponding link. A column is specified, and the link column is specified as a sag part. Alternatively, when the recommended route is not set, the sag portion specifying unit 104 is within a predetermined distance in the direction (for example, ahead of the vehicle) where the vehicle is predicted to travel on the road to which the current location of the vehicle belongs. The sag part is specified for the link.

  When the latest sag part is specified by the sag part specifying part 104, the traffic jam reducing travel guide part 105 guides the user about measures for reducing the traffic jam in the sag part. When the vehicle has a driving assistance function such as an ACC (Auto Cruise Control) function, the setting of the function is changed to guide traveling that is expected to be effective in reducing traffic congestion. For example, the inter-vehicle distance in the ACC setting is set long, the vehicle speed is set to an average speed of surrounding vehicles below the speed limit, or acceleration / deceleration is set gently. Although not shown, the contents to be guided are stored in the storage device 3 in association with necessary measures according to road conditions.

  Each functional unit of the arithmetic processing unit 1 described above, that is, the main control unit 101, the input receiving unit 102, the output processing unit 103, the sag unit specifying unit 104, and the traffic jam reduction traveling guide unit 105, the CPU 21 reads and executes a predetermined program. Is built by Therefore, the RAM 21 stores a program for realizing the processing of each functional unit.

  In addition, in order to make an understanding of the structure of the navigation apparatus 100 easy, each above-mentioned component is classified according to the main processing content. Therefore, the present invention is not limited by the way of classifying the components and their names. The configuration of the navigation device 100 can be classified into more components depending on the processing content. Moreover, it can also classify | categorize so that one component may perform more processes.

  Each functional unit may be constructed by hardware (ASIC, GPU, etc.). Further, the processing of each functional unit may be executed by one hardware or may be executed by a plurality of hardware.

[Description of operation]
Next, the operation of the navigation device 100 will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a traffic jam reduction guidance process in which guidance for reducing traffic jams is provided to the user during route guidance. This flow is started at a predetermined interval (for example, one minute interval) while traveling on the route searched by the navigation device 100.

  First, the sag portion specifying unit 104 detects the current location (step S001). Specifically, the sag identifying unit 104 inquires the main control unit 101 about the current location, and the main control unit 101 identifies the current location and passes it to the route search unit 104.

  Next, the sag portion specifying unit 104 determines whether there is a sag portion in the vicinity of the current location (step S002). Specifically, the sag part specifying unit 104 first reads out links included in a set guidance route that are within a predetermined distance (for example, 1 km) from the current location as target links in order from the current location. At the same time, the link following the read target link is read as a subsequent link. Then, the sag portion specifying unit 104 determines whether the target link and the subsequent link conform to the definition as the sag portion defined in the sag portion definition table 300. And the sag part specific | specification part 104 determines with there being a sag part in the vicinity, when an object link and a subsequent link follow the definition as a sag part. The sag part specifying part 104 determines that there is no sag part in the vicinity when the target link and the subsequent link that meet the definition of the sag part do not exist.

  Here, the process in which the sag part specifying unit 104 determines whether the target link and the subsequent link conform to the definition as the sag part will be described below. First, the sag portion specifying unit 104 obtains the road type of the target link, the elevation of the start node, the elevation of the end node, and the link length, the road type 223, the elevation information 226, and the link length 224 of the link table 200. Read and identify each. Next, the sag identifying unit 104 links the value obtained by subtracting the elevation of the end node from the elevation of the start node (that is, a negative value if the elevation of the end node is higher than that of the start node). The ratio of the length is calculated to obtain the degree of gradient. If the obtained degree of gradient is −1% or less, the sag portion identifying unit 104 determines that the target link corresponds to an uphill, and the link sequence configured by the target link and the subsequent link is the sag portion. It is determined that the definition is not met. Then, the sag part specifying unit 104 determines whether or not the following link is defined as a sag part with the subsequent link as the target link and the link following the subsequent link as a new subsequent link.

  If the obtained gradient degree is a value exceeding −1%, the sag identifying unit 104 assumes that the target link is a flat road or a downhill, and therefore may be in accordance with the definition of the sag, Further scrutinize whether the definition of the sag part is met.

  In the process of examining whether or not the definition of the sag part is met, the sag part specifying unit 104 determines whether or not the definition of the sag part stored in the sag part definition table 300 is met. The sag part specifying unit 104 specifies a record corresponding to the road type of the target link among the records stored in the road type 301 of the sag part definition table 300, and sets the downhill slope range 302 and the uphill slope range 303. Read stored information.

  The sag identifying unit 104 determines whether or not the degree of gradient of the target link is included in the range of values stored in the downhill gradient range 302. If the range is not included in the range, the target link and the subsequent link are determined. It is determined that the link string configured by the above does not conform to the definition of the sag portion. In this case, as described above, the sag portion specifying unit 104 determines whether or not the definition as the sag portion is met, with the subsequent link as the target link and the link following the subsequent link as a new subsequent link. Return control to.

  When the degree of gradient of the target link is included in the range of values stored in the downhill gradient range 302, the sag identifying unit 104 further calculates the gradient for the subsequent link in the same manner as described above, and the subsequent link. Is determined to be included in the range of values stored in the uphill slope range 303. When the degree of gradient for the subsequent link is not included in the range of values stored in the uphill gradient range 303, the sag identifying unit 104 determines that the link sequence configured by the target link and the subsequent link is sag. It is determined that it does not comply with the definition of the part, and as described above, the subsequent link is set as the target link, and the link following the subsequent link is newly set as the subsequent link, and it is determined whether the definition as the sag part is met. Return control to the process. When the grade of the gradient for the subsequent link is included in the range of values stored in the uphill gradient range 303, the sag identifying unit 104 determines that the link sequence composed of the target link and the subsequent link is the sag It is determined that it conforms to the definition, that is, the sag portion. The above is the details of the process for determining whether the target link and the subsequent link conform to the definition as the sag portion.

  If the sag portion is not in the vicinity of the current location (“No” in step S002), the main control unit 101 returns the process to step S001.

  When the sag part is in the vicinity of the current location (“Yes” in step S002), the main control unit 101 acquires the congestion information of the sag part (step S003). Specifically, the main control unit 101 reads out the traffic jam information acquired from the outside via the beacon receiving device 11 or the FM multiplex broadcast receiving device 10, and the target link (or the subsequent link) in the link sequence constituting the sag unit. Link, or the degree of traffic congestion for both the target link and the subsequent link).

  Then, the traffic jam reduction travel guide unit 105 determines whether or not there is traffic jam in the sag unit (step S004). Specifically, the traffic congestion reduction traveling guide unit 105 determines that the information indicating the degree of traffic congestion acquired in step S003 includes a predetermined threshold (for example, “no traffic jam”, “congested”, “congested traffic”, etc.). "Congestion" etc.) is determined, and if it exceeds, it is determined that there is a traffic jam. Note that the presence of traffic jam may be determined by determining, for example, on average whether or not a predetermined threshold is exceeded using the degree of traffic jam of both the target link and the subsequent link.

  When there is no traffic jam in the sag portion (“No” in step S004), the traffic jam reduction traveling guide unit 105 ends the traffic jam reduction guidance process.

  When there is a traffic jam in the sag unit (“Yes” in step S004), the traffic jam reduction travel guide unit 105 determines whether or not the vehicle equipped with the navigation device 100 has an ACC (Auto Cruise Control) function. (Step S005).

  When the vehicle has an ACC function (“Yes” in step S005), the traffic jam reduction travel guide unit 105 determines whether or not it is necessary to change the ACC setting (step S006). Specifically, the traffic light reduction travel guide unit 105 acquires the ACC setting content, determines whether the ACC setting content is different from the traffic light reduction setting in the sag unit, and the case is different. Is determined to require setting. For example, the ACC setting value of the inter-vehicle distance includes a plurality of stages of “short (40 m)”, “standard (100 m)”, and “long (200 m)”, and the ACC setting value of the vehicle speed includes “limit speed” and “recommended speed”. (Average travel speed of surrounding vehicles acquired from an external traffic information center, etc.) ", and the acceleration / deceleration ACC setting value has multiple stages such as" slow "and" normal " An example will be described. In this case, a specified value of “long” is set as the ACC setting value of the inter-vehicle distance, a specified value of “recommended speed” is set as the ACC setting value of the vehicle speed, and a specification of “slowly” is set as the ACC setting value of acceleration / deceleration. If the value is set, the traffic jam reduction travel guide unit 105 determines that the setting is not different from the traffic jam reduction setting in the sag unit. Otherwise, the traffic jam reduction travel guide unit 105 determines that the setting is different from the setting for traffic jam reduction in the sag unit.

  When the ACC setting needs to be changed (“Yes” in step S006), the traffic jam reduction travel guide unit 105 changes the ACC setting (step S007). The traffic congestion reduction travel guide unit 105 changes the set value of the ACC to be set according to the situation of the road based on a predetermined case classification. For example, when the degree of the downhill slope of the sag part is larger than a predetermined slope, the congestion reduction travel guide part 105 changes the setting according to a predetermined road condition such as setting the inter-vehicle distance to “long”. The ACC setting item and the setting value that are the targets of the are specified and changed. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the traffic jam reduction travel guide unit 105 may uniformly set the ACC setting value to a predetermined value.

  When it is not necessary to change the ACC setting ("No" in step S006), or when the vehicle does not have the ACC function ("No" in step S005), and after changing the ACC setting (step S007 is executed) After), the traffic jam reduction travel guide unit 105 performs voice guidance according to the road conditions (step S008).

  Specifically, the traffic congestion reduction travel guide unit 105 provides voice guidance to alert the driver according to the road conditions based on predetermined case classification. For example, when the degree of the downhill slope of the sag part is larger than a predetermined slope, a traffic guidance for reducing traffic congestion is provided according to a predetermined road condition such as voice guidance to “ensure a longer inter-vehicle distance”. 105 performs voice guidance by specifying the items to be voice guidance and the content to be guided. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the traffic jam reduction travel guide unit 105 may perform voice guidance according to predetermined items and contents to be voice guided uniformly.

  The above is the processing content of the congestion reduction guidance process. By performing the traffic jam reduction guidance process described above, the navigation device 100 operates in advance so that the traffic jam is reduced when the road in the traveling direction has a shape such as a sag portion that causes traffic jams. Can make people aware. In addition, vehicle travel control can be performed so as to reduce traffic congestion.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described above.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, the navigation device 100 can inform the driver of traveling for reducing traffic congestion according to the shape of the road.

  In addition, when the ACC function is mounted on the vehicle, the navigation device 100 can contribute to alleviating the degree of traffic congestion.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. The above embodiment can be variously modified within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. For example, it is possible to set the processing content shown in FIG.

  Before explaining the processing contents of the traffic jam reduction travel guidance process of FIG. 7, the sag part definition table 350 used in the traffic jam reduction travel guidance process will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a sag portion definition table 350 that is an example in which 300 in the first embodiment is modified in the present embodiment. The sag portion definition table 350 in the present embodiment includes a road type 351, a downhill gradient range 352, an uphill gradient range 353, and a curve radius 354. The sag portion definition table 350 is stored in the storage device 3 of the navigation device 100. Further, for each link stored in the link table 200, information on the shape of the link, in particular, a curve radius for specifying a horizontal angle difference is stored.

  The road type 351 is the same as the road type 301 of the sag portion definition table 300 in the first embodiment, and the downhill gradient range 352 and the uphill gradient range 353 are also downhill gradient ranges of the sag portion definition table 300, respectively. 352 and the uphill slope range 353 are the same.

  The curve radius 354 is information for identifying a traffic jam location caused by braking induced by a horizontal angle difference in addition to traffic jam caused by braking caused by vertical height difference. That is, the curve radius 354 is information for specifying a predetermined value of the degree of bending used for specifying a road with a large degree of bending (that is, a curved radius that is an angle difference in the horizontal direction is equal to or less than a predetermined value).

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a traffic jam reduction guidance process in which guidance for reducing traffic jams is provided to the user during route guidance. This flow is started at a predetermined interval (for example, one minute interval) while traveling on the route searched by the navigation device 100. The flow of the traffic jam reduction guidance process shown in FIG. 7 is basically the same as that of the traffic jam reduction guidance process shown in FIG.

  After detecting the current location in step S001, the sag portion identifying unit 104 determines whether or not the sag portion or the sharp curve is in the vicinity of the current location (step S102). Specifically, the sag part specifying unit 104 first reads out links included in a set guidance route that are within a predetermined distance (for example, 1 km) from the current location as target links in order from the current location. At the same time, the link following the read target link is read as a subsequent link. Then, the sag part specifying unit 104 determines whether the target link and the subsequent link conform to the definition as the sag part defined in the sag part definition table 300, and whether or not they are included in the range of the curve radius. judge. Then, the sag portion specifying unit 104 determines that there is a sag portion in the vicinity when the target link and the subsequent link conform to the definition as the sag portion or are included in the range of the curve radius. The sag portion specifying unit 104 determines that there is no sag portion in the vicinity when the target link and the subsequent link do not conform to the definition as the sag portion and are not included in the range of the curve radius.

  Here, the sag portion specifying unit 104 determines whether or not the target link and the subsequent link correspond to the sag portion and whether or not the target link and the subsequent link are included in the range of the curve radius (whether or not it is a sharp curve). Is described below. First, the sag portion specifying unit 104 determines the road type of the target link, the elevation of the start node, the elevation of the end node, the link length, and the curve radius, the road type 223 of the link table 200, the elevation information 226, the link The length 224 and the curve radius are read and specified. Next, the sag identifying unit 104 calculates the ratio of the value obtained by subtracting the elevation of the end node from the elevation of the start node to the link length to obtain the degree of gradient. If the obtained degree of gradient is −1% or less, since the target link is an uphill, the sag part specifying unit 104 does not follow the definition of the sag part. Is determined. When the definition of the sag portion is not met, the sag portion specifying unit 104 determines whether or not the curve radius of the target link is included in the range specified by the value of the curve radius 354, and the curve radius is included in the range. In this case, it is determined that the curve is a sharp curve, and the process of step S102 is exited with “Yes”. If it is not included in the range specified by the value of the curve radius 354, the subsequent link is set as the target link, and the link following the subsequent link is newly set as the subsequent link. judge.

  When the degree of the obtained gradient exceeds −1%, the sag portion specifying unit 104 considers that the target link is a downhill or a flat road, and thus may be in accordance with the definition of the sag portion. Scrutinize whether the definition is met. Since the processing of the examination is the same as that in the first embodiment described above, description thereof is omitted.

  When there is no sag or sharp curve near the current location (“No” in step S102), main controller 101 returns the process to step S001.

  When the sag portion or the sharp curve is in the vicinity of the current location (“Yes” in step S102), the main control unit 101 acquires traffic information on the sag portion or the sharp curve (step S103). Specifically, the main control unit 101 reads out the traffic jam information acquired from the outside via the beacon receiving device 11 or the FM multiplex broadcast receiving device 10, and the traffic jam of the target link among the links constituting the sag unit or the sharp curve. Get the degree of.

  When it is not necessary to change the ACC setting ("No" in step S006), or when the vehicle does not have the ACC function ("No" in step S005), and after changing the ACC setting (step S007 is executed) After), the traffic jam reduction travel guide unit 105 performs voice guidance according to the road condition, that is, whether the road is a sag part or a sharp curve (step S108).

  Specifically, the traffic congestion reduction travel guide unit 105 provides voice guidance to alert the driver according to the road conditions based on predetermined case classification. For example, when the degree of the downhill slope of the sag part is larger than a predetermined slope, a traffic guidance for reducing traffic congestion is provided according to a predetermined road condition such as voice guidance to “ensure a longer inter-vehicle distance”. 105 performs voice guidance by specifying the items to be voice guidance and the content to be guided. In the case of a sharp curve, voice guidance is performed so that “the vehicle speed is set to be equal to or less than the speed limit”. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the traffic jam reduction travel guide unit 105 may perform voice guidance according to predetermined items and contents to be voice guided uniformly.

  The above is a modification of the traffic jam reduction guidance process. By performing the traffic jam reduction guidance process described above, the navigation device 100 is configured to reduce traffic jams when a route road has a shape such as a sag or a sharp curve that causes traffic jams during route guidance. The driver can be conscious in advance. In addition, vehicle travel control can be performed so as to reduce traffic congestion.

  Further, for example, in the first embodiment and the modification thereof, in order to specify the link constituting the sag portion or the sharp curve, it is specified by determining whether or not the definition is met using a gradient or a curve radius. Not limited to this.

  For example, the storage device 3 stores in advance information for identifying the sag portion and the link that forms the sharp curve, and determines whether or not the link is included in the link sequence that constitutes the recommended route. A sharp curve may be specified.

  By doing so, it is possible to reduce the calculation amount of the navigation device, and it is possible to increase the response speed even in a light-weight and small navigation device including the arithmetic processing unit 1 whose arithmetic processing capability is not so high. .

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the sag part was made into the link row | line | column comprised from two links, it is good also as a sag part not only in this but the part comprised including two or more links. Specifically, a link connected to the link row constituting the sag portion specified in the above embodiment may be added before and after the link row and specified as the sag portion. For example, a link having a gradient similar to the gradient of any link (for example, a downhill link) among the links constituting the link row specified as the sag portion (the gradient difference is within a predetermined range). Thus, a link located within a predetermined distance before and after the link constituting the link row may be specified as the sag portion.

  In this way, on roads with high ups and downs, it is possible to detect multiple sag parts at close range and avoid frequent travel guidance that reduces traffic congestion in a short time. Is possible.

  Further, in step S002 of the congestion reduction guidance process in the above embodiment, it is determined whether or not each link is a sag part in the process of searching for a sag part. However, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the sag portion specifying unit 104 may specify a section to be a sag portion depending on whether or not the gradient in the predetermined section is included in a predetermined gradient condition set in the sag portion definition table 300. .

  For example, the sag part specifying unit 104 sets a plurality of sections having a predetermined distance (for example, 2 km) on the road to which the current location belongs, and specifies a point with the lowest altitude for each section as a reference point. And the sag part specific | specification part 104 is 1st which is a difference with the average of the altitude of the predetermined | prescribed point (for example, the node of the link which comprises the said road) by the side of the starting point (end nearer the own vehicle) of the said area. And a second height difference which is a difference between the average of the altitudes at predetermined points on the end point (the end far from the vehicle) side of the section. Then, the sag identifying unit 104 calculates the ratio of the first height difference with respect to the distance from the start point of the section to the reference point to obtain a first gradient, and the second to the distance from the reference point to the end point of the section. The ratio of the height difference is calculated and specified as the second gradient. Then, the sag portion specifying unit 104 includes the first gradient in the downhill gradient range 302 defined in the sag portion definition table 300 according to the road type of the road, and the second gradient is the uphill gradient. When included in the range 303, the section is specified as a sag portion.

  In this way, in a complicated place where one link is set finely (for example, the link distance is set to 50 m), it is a sag portion for a huge number of links included in the predetermined distance. It is possible to reduce the amount of calculation for determining whether or not.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although a sag part is searched for the predetermined area on a recommendation path | route, it is not restricted to this. That is, even if the recommended route is not set, the sag portion may be specified and congestion reduction guidance may be performed. For example, when the sag identifying unit 104 detects that the recommended route is not set in step S002, the sag identifying unit 104 targets a predetermined section included in a predetermined distance (for example, within 10 km) in the traveling direction on the road to which the current location belongs. The sag portion may be specified as Of course, in addition, the sag portion specifying unit 104 targets roads within a predetermined distance included in a predetermined direction including the traveling direction (the direction of the traveling direction as a reference direction and directions of 60 degrees on the left side and the right side). You may make it identify a sag part.

  In this way, the user can receive travel guidance for reducing traffic jams even when driving without deciding the destination.

  In the above, the modification of embodiment of this invention was demonstrated.

  By applying the modification of the present invention, the user can travel so as to reduce the traffic jam as much as possible when traveling toward the location where the traffic jam occurs.

  In the above embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to an in-vehicle navigation device has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to an in-vehicle navigation device and can be applied to all navigation devices.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Arithmetic processing part, 2 ... Display, 3 ... Memory | storage device, 4 ... Voice output device, 5 ... Input device, 6 ... ROM device, 7 ... Vehicle speed sensor 8 ... Gyro sensor, 9 ... GPS receiver, 10 ... FM multiplex broadcast receiver, 11 ... Beacon receiver, 21 ... CPU, 22 ... RAM, 23 ... ROM, 24 ... I / F, 25 ... Bus, 41 ... Microphone, 42 ... Speaker, 51 ... Touch panel, 52 ... Dial switch, 100 ... Navigation device, 101. ..Main control unit 102... Input reception unit 103... Output processing unit 104... Sag unit identification unit 105. 350 ... Sag part definition table

Claims (14)

A navigation device mounted on a vehicle,
A traveling situation identifying means for identifying the current location of the vehicle and the traveling direction of the vehicle;
Road identifying means for identifying a road in the traveling direction from the current location identified by the traveling status identifying means;
Among the roads identified by the road identifying means, a traffic jam cause part identifying means for identifying a part having a predetermined characteristic causing a traffic jam,
A traffic jam determining unit for acquiring a traffic jam degree of the portion of the road identified by the traffic jam cause part identifying unit and determining whether or not a predetermined traffic jam level is exceeded;
When it is determined by the traffic congestion determination means that the degree of the predetermined traffic congestion is exceeded, the traffic congestion reduction guidance means for performing travel guidance that can reduce traffic congestion according to the characteristics of the portion of the road;
A navigation device comprising: The navigation device according to claim 1, further comprising:
Provide route guidance means to guide the recommended route,
The traffic jam cause part identifying unit identifies a part having a predetermined characteristic that causes traffic jams among the parts included in the recommended route guided by the route guidance unit.
A navigation device characterized by that. The navigation device according to claim 1 or 2,
The portion having the predetermined characteristic that causes the traffic jam is configured by one or a plurality of links that configure the road.
A navigation device characterized by that. The navigation device according to claim 3,
The congestion cause part identifying means is:
The link that constitutes the sag portion is identified as a link having a predetermined characteristic that causes the traffic jam.
A navigation device characterized by that. The navigation device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein
The congestion cause part identifying means is:
1 or including a downhill included in a first predetermined gradient range and an uphill included in a second predetermined gradient range following the downhill in the link train constituting the road Identifying a plurality of links as links having predetermined characteristics that cause the traffic jam;
A navigation device characterized by that. The navigation device according to claim 5,
The congestion cause part identifying means is:
Among the links constituting the road, the link constituting the downhill included in the first predetermined gradient range is followed by the link constituting the uphill included in the second predetermined gradient range. Detecting a plurality of linked links as links having predetermined characteristics that cause the traffic jam,
A navigation device characterized by that. The navigation device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein
The first predetermined gradient range and the second predetermined gradient range are:
Predetermined according to the road type that identifies the type of road of the link constituting the downhill,
A navigation device characterized by that. The navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The congestion cause part identifying means is:
Identify the portion that forms the sharp curve of the road as a portion having a predetermined characteristic that causes the traffic jam,
Identifying a portion of the road having a curve radius that falls within a predetermined range of curve radii as a portion that constitutes the sharp curve;
A navigation device characterized by that. The navigation device according to claim 8,
The portion constituting the sharp curve is constituted by one or a plurality of continuous links.
A navigation device characterized by that. The navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
The traffic jam reduction guidance means
A slope of the portion of the road having a predetermined characteristic that causes the traffic jam or a predetermined characteristic that causes the traffic jam when the traffic judgment unit determines that the predetermined traffic congestion level is exceeded. Depending on the curve radius of the part of the road, a driving guidance for reducing a predetermined traffic jam is performed.
A navigation device characterized by that. The navigation device according to claim 10,
In the travel guidance for reducing the traffic jam, the setting value of the automatic travel function of the vehicle on which the navigation device is mounted is changed.
A navigation device characterized by that. The navigation device according to claim 11,
The traffic jam reduction guidance means
In the travel guidance, setting a distance between vehicles longer than the standard of the automatic travel function,
A navigation device characterized by the above. The navigation device according to any one of claims 10 to 12,
In the driving guidance for reducing the traffic jam, the driving guidance to the user by voice is carried out.
A navigation device characterized by that. A navigation method for a navigation device mounted on a vehicle,
The navigation device
A travel condition specifying means for specifying the current location of the vehicle and the travel direction of the vehicle;
A road specifying procedure for specifying a road in the driving direction from the current location specified by the driving status specifying means;
Among the roads identified in the road identification procedure, a traffic jam cause part identification procedure for identifying a part having a predetermined characteristic that causes traffic jams,
A traffic jam determination procedure for acquiring a traffic jam degree of the portion of the road identified in the traffic jam cause part identification procedure and determining whether or not a predetermined traffic jam level is exceeded.
When it is determined in the traffic jam determination procedure that the degree of the predetermined traffic jam is exceeded, a traffic jam reduction guidance procedure for performing travel guidance that can reduce traffic jam according to the characteristics of the portion of the road;
A navigation method comprising:

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