JP2018040712A - Designation route creation device, designation route creation method and designation route creation program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To create (specify) a suitable designation route in a case where a target designation route is designated by multiple pieces of spot data.SOLUTION: A road NWDB (Network Data Base) 106 stores node data and link data therein. A route instruction data file of a storage part 103 stores route instruction data instructing spots for specifying a route that is to be traced, in such a form that a tracing order can be recognized. A candidate link acquisition part 121 acquires an available candidate link on the basis of the node data and the link data in the road NWDB 106 for each spot instructed by the route instruction data in the route instruction data file. A candidate link narrowing-down part 122 narrows down a link more suitable for use from among the acquired links. In a case where one route can be narrowed down by the candidate link narrowing-down part 122, the route is specified as an instruction route.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus, a method, and a program that can create (specify) an optimal route that can actually move based on a plurality of points roughly specified through a touch panel, for example.

  An automobile navigation device is installed in many automobiles and widely used by general users (users). In addition, with the spread of tablet-type personal computers called smartphones and other high-function mobile phone terminals and tablet terminals, pedestrian navigation devices realized by these devices are also widely used by general users. .

  In such a navigation device, a route search is performed by setting a starting point, a waypoint, and a destination by inputting an address, facility name, and the like that can identify them. Then, the map is displayed on the display screen so that the user can follow the searched route, the route to be traced on the map and the current position of the user are displayed, and the route is also used by voice guidance. Information is provided.

  In addition, as disclosed in Patent Document 1 described later, points such as a starting point and a destination can be easily instructed (input) by a touch operation with a finger on a touch panel on which a map is displayed. There is also. In this case, since it is not necessary to input characters such as an address and a facility name, the operation is simplified and the usability is improved.

JP 2014-006054 A

  A general use mode of a conventional automobile navigation device is to input a starting point and a destination, and input search conditions such as high-speed priority, general road priority, time priority, distance priority, etc. as necessary. The optimal route is searched. Route guidance (route guidance) is performed by displaying a map or the like and voice guidance so that the searched route can be traced.

  However, as a new usage mode of the navigation device for automobiles, instead of performing a route search with the navigation device for automobiles, route guidance is performed so that the user can specify a route in detail and follow the specified route. There is a request to make it. For example, when going on a trip, instead of simply going from the home to the desired sightseeing spot, it is desirable to take a detour at multiple locations along the way.

  For example, when heading to a sightseeing spot from home, shopping at shops A, B and C, eating at a restaurant D, resting at a scenic spot F by an art museum E, and being a destination There is a case of heading to a hotel in a sightseeing spot. In such a case, since the route to be followed is almost decided at the stage of making a plan, the user designates the road to be driven, the corner, the relay point, etc. in detail. In the automobile navigation device, a designated route is created (specified) so as to connect the instructed points, and guidance is performed so that the designated route can be traced.

  In this case, for example, through the touch panel on which the map is displayed, the user can make not only the starting point and the final destination, but also an intersection that makes a right or left turn, an intersection that goes straight, and an intermediate point on the road that travels as necessary. This specifies (inputs) a stopover point for a detour. However, in the case of contact input with a finger or the like on the touch panel, since it is a rough instruction with a finger, it is considered that the point where the instruction is made may deviate from the point where it should originally be pointed.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 15A, in order to indicate a route to turn left at the intersection A and then go straight to the intersection B next to the route from the lower side of the drawing toward the intersection A, the user can touch the touch panel TP. It is assumed that the point P1 and the point P2 are designated. In this case, it is assumed that the designated point P1 is a point slightly past the intersection A as shown in FIG.

  In the automobile navigation device, as described above, the designated route is created so as to connect the designated points. In the case of the example shown in FIG. 15A, the route to be specified is originally the route R1 indicated by the dotted line, but the point P1 past the intersection A is specified, not before the intersection A to be turned left. Therefore, in the car navigation apparatus, a route passing through the point P1 is selected. For this reason, in FIG. 15A, the route R2 indicated by the solid line is created (specified) as the designated route. In this case, the considerably detour route R2 becomes the designated route.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 15B, next to the route from the lower side of the figure to the intersection A, the user turns left at the intersection A and instructs the route to go straight through the intersection B. Assume that point P4 is designated. In this case, it is assumed that the point P3 designated through the touch panel TP has become a point on the opposite route to the route that should originally travel.

  In the case of the example shown in FIG. 15B, the route originally designated is the route R3 indicated by the dotted line. However, in an automobile navigation device, a route that always passes through a designated point is created. For this reason, in the automobile navigation apparatus, in FIG. 15B, the vehicle passes through intersection A and intersection C, turns right at intersection D, intersection E, and intersection F, turns left at intersection C, and turns right at intersection A. A route R4 indicated by a solid line is created. As can be seen from the comparison between the route R3 and the route R4, the route R4 that is quite large is created (specified) as the designated route.

  Such a thing occurs even when the point on the route is instructed through the touch panel. For example, it also occurs when a point on a route is indicated on a map displayed on a display screen of a personal computer and latitude / longitude data indicating the indicated point is used in an automobile navigation device to create an indicated route. To do. In this case, it is considered that the point indicated is shifted due to the difference between the map used in the personal computer and the map used in the automobile navigation device, that is, the difference in the so-called base map.

  In addition, it has been realized that an instruction is given to a smartphone by voice input, but it is considered that an instruction can be given by voice to a car navigation apparatus. In this case, even when the right or left turn intersection or a point on the road to be instructed by voice, the indicated position becomes the representative point of the intersection or the representative point on the road, and a route that can be traveled is created appropriately. It may be impossible.

  Here, the case of the navigation device for automobiles has been described as an example, but the same thing is considered to occur also in the navigation device for pedestrians. In particular, when traveling using public transportation such as buses, trains, taxis, etc., not only on foot, even if you create a route by specifying an appropriate point on the route, in the navigation device, It is considered that the designated route may not be properly created based on the designated point.

  In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to make it possible to create (specify) an appropriate designated route when an intended designated route is designated by a plurality of point data.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the designated route creation device of the invention according to claim 1 provides:
Search data storage means for storing information on nodes that are predetermined points and information on links that are passable routes represented by line segments connecting the nodes;
Route instruction data storage means for storing route instruction data consisting of latitude and longitude indicating a point for specifying a route to be traced in a manner in which the order of tracing is known;
Obtaining means for acquiring a link candidate to be traced by referring to the search data storage means for each point indicated by the route instruction data of the route instruction data storage means;
A narrowing means for narrowing down links that are likely to be used from the links that are candidates obtained by the obtaining means, and
When one route is narrowed down by the narrowing down means, the route is specified as the designated route.

  According to the designated route creation device of the first aspect of the present invention, the search data storage means can pass information represented by information about nodes as predetermined points and a line segment connecting the nodes. Information on links that are routes is stored. In addition, the instruction data storage means stores instruction data composed of latitude and longitude indicating a point on the route to be traced in a manner in which the order of tracing is known.

  The acquisition unit acquires, for each point indicated by the instruction data in the instruction data storage unit, a candidate link that can be used based on the information on the node and the information on the link in the search data storage unit with reference to the point. The narrowing-down means narrows down links more suitable for use from the acquired candidate links. When one route is narrowed down by the narrowing-down means, the route is specified as the designated route.

  In this way, instead of creating (specifying) a route that directly follows the point indicated by the route instruction data as a designated route, an appropriate link is selected as the route actually followed based on the point indicated by the route instruction data. can do. As a result, even when the point indicated by the route instruction data is deviated from the point to be originally indicated, it is possible to create (specify) an appropriate designated route as a route to be actually followed.

  According to the present invention, when a target designated route is designated by a plurality of pieces of point data, even if the point data that is not appropriate for creating the designated route is included, the point designated by each piece of point data Based on this, the best available link can be identified. As a result, an appropriate designated route can be created (specified) based on the instructed plural point data.

It is a block diagram for demonstrating the structural example of the navigation apparatus for motor vehicles of embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of the network data for motor vehicles stored in a road network database. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of the link data which is one of network data. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of the node data which is one of network data. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of the route instruction data stored in a route instruction data file. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the outline | summary of the process at the time of execution of a designated route creation function. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the candidate link acquisition process (1st process) performed in step S1 of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the detail of the candidate link acquisition process of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the detail of the candidate link acquisition process of FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the candidate link narrowing-down process (2nd process) performed in step S2 of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating [advance angle collation] performed in the candidate link narrowing-down process of FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the search route comparison process (3rd process) performed in step S4 of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of a display of the designated route in the navigation apparatus of this embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of a display of the designated route in the navigation apparatus of this embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of the creation process of the designated route in the conventional navigation apparatus.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of an apparatus, a method, and a program according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the embodiments described below, a case where the present invention is applied to an automobile navigation apparatus will be described as an example.

[Configuration example of navigation device for automobiles]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining a configuration example of the automobile navigation apparatus according to this embodiment. In the following, an automobile navigation device is simply referred to as a navigation device. In the navigation apparatus shown in FIG. 1, the transmission / reception antenna 101A and the wireless communication unit 101 have a communication function, the control unit 102 has a function of controlling each unit of the navigation apparatus, and the storage device 103 has a hard disk as a recording medium, for example. Realize memory retention function. The operation unit 104 is provided with a power on / off switch, several function buttons, and the like.

  Further, the navigation device of this embodiment includes a map information DB 105 and a road NWDB 106. The character “DB” in the map information DB 105 is an abbreviation for “Data Base”. The character “NWDB” in the road NWDB 106 is an abbreviation for “Network Data Base”.

  The map information DB 105 stores map data for displaying a city map, a road map, a wide area map, a regional map, and a national map used to show a moving route, a current position, and the like to the user. The map data for displaying a city map, road map, wide area map, regional map, and national map includes, for example, vector data, raster data, and annotation (annotation) data for drawing a map.

  The road NWDB 106 stores and holds road network data for automobiles (hereinafter simply referred to as network data). 2-4 is a figure for demonstrating the example of the network data for motor vehicles stored in the road NWDB106. FIG. 2 shows an example of a road network. Network data consists of nodes (data) and links (data). A node represents a point such as a landmark, a building, a facility, an intersection, a branch point, or a bending point. The link indicates a road on which a car such as a national road or a prefectural road can pass by a line segment connecting the nodes.

  In FIG. 2, it is assumed that the upper side is north, the lower side is south, the right side is east, and the left side is west. Roads Rd1 extending in the north-south direction and roads Rd2 and Rd3 extending in the east-west direction are shown. Both roads are two-lane roads with one lane on each side. Then, four nodes N1, N2, N3, N4 are provided at the intersection where the road Rd1 and the road Rd2 intersect, and four nodes N5, N6, N7 are provided at the intersection where the road Rd1 and the road Rd3 intersect. , N8 is provided.

  In FIG. 2, the road Rd1 travels north from the link L1 going to the node N1, the link L2 going from the node N1 to N2, the link L3 going from the node N2 to N5, the link L4 going from the node N5 to N6, and the node N6. There is a link L5. As for the road Rd1, there are a link L6 going to the node N7, a link L7 going from the node N7 to N8, a link L8 going from the node N8 to N3, a link L9 going from the node N3 to N4, and a link L10 going south from the node N4. .

  As for the road Rd2, there are a link L11 going to the node N4, a link L12 going from the node N4 to N1, and a link L13 going west from the node N1. Further, for the road Rd2, there are a link L14 going to the node N2, a link L15 going from the node N2 to N3, and a link L16 going east from the node N3. As for the road Rd3, there are a link L17 going to the node N8, a link L18 going from the node N8 to N5, and a link L19 going west from the node N5. As for the road Rd3, there are a link L20 heading to the node N6, a link L21 heading from the node N6 to N7, and a link L22 going east from the node N7.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of link data which is one of the network data in the case of the network shown in FIG. Each link data includes identification information (L1, L2,...) Of each link, identification information (N1, N2,...) Of nodes at both ends of the link, link cost (simply described as cost in FIG. 2), and The link type (simply described as type in FIG. 2), distance, name, and application are associated with each other.

  Usually, the link cost is determined by the length (distance) of the link or the time required for traffic. The link cost is referred to when searching for a route (route) that minimizes the link cost, for example, by the Dijkstra method. The link type indicates whether the link part is a national road, a prefectural road, a city road, a private road, or the like.

  The distance indicates the distance (length) of the link, and the name is given to the road that includes the link, such as the name of the link, for example, XX Line, Daiichi Keihin, Ome Kaido, □□ Street, etc. The name includes road abbreviations, common names, and popular names. In this example, the summary indicates the traveling direction of the links such as the northward route, the southward route, the westward route, and the eastward route. In addition, as a summary, the traveling direction may be indicated by information such as an up route, a down route, or a direction of XX. In addition to this, it is also possible to register and manage various information such as the number of lanes and the type of car that can travel.

  In FIG. 3, nodes Na, Nc, and Nd are nodes omitted in FIG. 2, and indicate nodes at one end of the links L1, L11, and L13. In the link data shown in FIG. 3, for example, the registered content of the link L1 is as follows. The link L1 has nodes “Na, N1” at both ends, a link cost of “20”, a link type of “National highway”, a link distance (length) of “500 m”, and a name of “XX line” ”, It can be seen that the summary is“ Northward route ”. The same contents can be grasped about other links.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of node data that is one of the network data in the case of the example network shown in FIG. Each node data includes identification information (N1, N2,...) Of each node, latitude and longitude information indicating the position of the node, node type (simply described as type in FIG. 4), name, and the like. A summary is associated with other information. The node type indicates whether the node portion is an intersection or a branch point. In the case of the example shown in FIG. 4, it is indicated that each node is an intersection.

  The name or the like is the name of the node. If the node is an intersection, for example, names such as XX town 1-chome, □□ town south, and △ station entrance are recorded. In addition, in this example, the summary indicates what the point indicated by the node is. If the node corresponds to the intersection, for example, is it a representative point of the intersection? Information indicating whether it is a left turn point indicating a left turn position or a right turn point indicating a right turn position is recorded.

  In the node data of FIG. 4, for example, the registration contents of the node N1 are as follows. The node N1 is a point whose latitude and longitude are indicated by (X1, Y1), the node type is “intersection”, the name is “XXX”, and the provision is “north turn left point” or “ It turns out that it is a westward turn point. Similar contents can be grasped for other nodes.

  Further, the data stored in the map information DB 105 and the road network DB 106 are updated at a necessary timing every time a change occurs, so that accurate information can be managed. The data stored in the map information DB 105 and the road network DB 106 can be updated by receiving update data through the transmission / reception antenna 101A and the wireless communication unit 101, for example.

  The external I / F 107 and the input / output terminal 107T are, for example, USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard interface units, which can be connected to a USB memory, a smartphone, etc., and can receive route instruction data and the like. To be. Further, the travel history stored in the storage device 103 can be supplied to a USB memory or an external device through the external I / F 107 and the input / output terminal 107T for backup.

  The sensor I / F 108 receives information from various sensors provided on the vehicle side on which the navigation device is mounted, and supplies the information to the control unit 102. As a result, autonomous navigation is enabled when the current position cannot be accurately measured by the GPS function described later. Information from various sensors provided on the vehicle side includes various information such as speed information and steering operation information.

  The GPS antenna 109A and the GPS unit 109 realize a current position acquisition function. The touch panel 110 including the display unit 110D and the touch sensor 110S, the audio output unit 111, the speaker 112, the microphone 114, and the audio input unit 113 constitute a user interface. The display unit 110D can display a map and the current position of the own vehicle, or can display necessary guidance information. Various guidance messages can be emitted through the audio output unit 111 and the speaker 112. In addition, an instruction input by voice can be received through the microphone 114 and the voice input unit 113.

[Main parts for realizing the specified route creation function]
The candidate link acquisition unit 121, the candidate link narrowing unit 122, the route search unit 123, the search route comparison unit 124, and the toll route creation unit 125 are main parts that realize the designated route creation function provided in the navigation device of this embodiment. It becomes. The designated route creation function is an optimal designated route that can be actually traced based on the route designation data when the route is designated by route designation data that is latitude and longitude data indicating each of a plurality of points. This is a function to create (specify).

  Such a designated route creation function is necessary because, for example, when the route instruction data is created by instructing a point to pass through the touch panel, the indicated point is slightly deviated from the point to be originally designated. This is because there is a case where it ends up. In this case, when the point indicated by the route instruction data is slightly deviated from the target intersection, for example, as described with reference to FIG. 15, a detour route different from the target specified route is created as the specified route. This is because (specific) may occur.

  Therefore, when using the designated route creation function, for example, a route instruction data file needs to be created in the storage device 103. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of the route instruction data stored in the route instruction data file created in the storage device 103 in this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, in the route instruction data file, route instruction data indicating a point instructed to designate a route is stored in the order of tracing. The route instruction data is latitude and longitude data.

  In the case of the example shown in FIG. 5, as the route instruction data, the start point is the point (Lat1, Lon1), then passes through the point (Lat2, Lon2), and then the point (Lat3, Lon3). The latitude and longitude indicating the point to be traced are stored and held in the order of tracing. Such route instruction data is input by, for example, a touch operation with a finger on the touch panel 110. That is, the latitude and longitude corresponding to the instructed point is acquired from the map information in the map information DB 105, and route instruction data is formed using this.

  In addition to this, for example, route instruction data created in an external personal computer is taken in through the input / output terminal 107T and the external I / F 107 and recorded in the storage device 103, thereby forming a route instruction data file. it can. Also, through the microphone 114 and the voice input unit 113, for example, voice information indicating a point such as “XX intersection”, “Δ △ intersection”, etc. is received, and based on this, the map information DB 105 is referred to and handled. Get the latitude and longitude of the intersection. By recording the latitude and longitude acquired in this manner as route instruction data in the storage device 103, a route instruction data file can be formed.

  An appropriate instruction route can be created (identified) by using the instruction route creation function using the route instruction data of the route instruction data file created in the storage device 103. First, an outline of processing at the time of execution of the designated route creation function realized by the candidate link acquisition unit 121, the candidate link narrowing unit 122, the route search unit 123, the search route comparison unit 124, and the toll route creation unit 125 will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an outline of processing at the time of executing the designated route creation function. The process of the flowchart shown in FIG. 6 is mainly executed by the control unit 102 when an item corresponding to the instruction route creation process is selected and executed from a predetermined menu in the navigation device of this embodiment. Is done.

  First, the candidate link acquisition unit 121 functions under the control of the control unit 102, and refers to the road NWDB 106 for each piece of route instruction data in the route instruction data file of the storage device 103, and a candidate link (candidate link) to be followed. ) Is acquired (step S1). Next, under the control of the control unit 102, the candidate link narrowing unit 122 functions and can be used for candidate links acquired by the candidate link acquisition unit 121 corresponding to each point indicated by each route instruction data. Candidate link narrowing processing for narrowing down highly likely links is performed (step S2).

  In this step S2, when the narrowed-down links are only toll road links such as expressways, the toll route creating unit 125 functions and performs toll road selection processing. In this toll road selection process, if the next route instruction data indicates a point near the toll gate on the toll road, it will be ignored and the route on the toll road will be maintained. This is processing for specifying a route (link string).

  For example, when moving on a highway for a relatively long distance, a point in the vicinity of a toll gate through which the highway passes may be indicated as route instruction data. In such a case, since a point near the toll booth is instructed, there is a case where the route to get off the expressway is selected when the route is selected by the navigation device, although it is not necessary to get off. In order to prevent such inconvenience, the toll route creating unit 125 can appropriately select a link that moves on a toll road such as an expressway in step S2.

  Through the processing of step S1 and step S2, when the number of link lines connected along the point indicated by each route instruction data can be narrowed down to only one, a designated route can be created (specified). It will be. For this reason, after the process of step S2, that is, after narrowing down the candidate links for all points designated by the route instruction data, the candidate link narrowing unit 122 determines whether or not the narrowing is made to one route. It discriminate | determines (step S3). When it is determined in step S3 that the route is not narrowed down to one route, the route search unit 123 and the search route comparison unit 124 function under the control of the control unit 102 to execute the search route comparison process. (Step S4).

  In step S4, first, the route search unit 123 functions to search for a plurality of routes at the destination using the links narrowed down by the candidate link narrowing unit 122. Next, the search route comparison unit 124 functions and compares each route searched by the route search unit 123 to identify a more advantageous route (link string) as the designated route.

  Then, when it is determined that the route is narrowed down to one route in the determination processing in step S3, and after the search route comparison processing in step S4, one route narrowed down in the processing in step S2 or step S4 One route specified by the above process is determined as a designated route (step S5), and the process shown in FIG. 6 ends. In this way, a series of data consisting of nodes and links that can follow the determined designated route becomes designated route data for tracing the designated route, and is recorded in a predetermined storage area of the storage device 103, and the route It will be used for guidance processing. A function for creating designated route data, which is a series of data composed of nodes and links, is a designated route creating function.

  As a result, even if the route instruction data in the route instruction data file of the storage device 103 includes route instruction data indicating a place different from the place to be originally specified, an appropriate instruction from the departure point to the destination is obtained. It is possible to create (specify) a route and perform route guidance so as to follow the designated route.

  In the navigation device of this embodiment, the function of performing route guidance so as to follow the designated route after the designated route is created (specified) is realized by the control unit 102. That is, in order to guide the designated route that has been created, the map is displayed on the display unit 110D, the designated route and the vehicle position are displayed on the map, the route guidance message is formed, and the voice output unit 111 and the speaker 112 are used. The output is performed under the control of the control unit 102.

  Next, details of each of the candidate link acquisition process (first process), the candidate link narrowing process (second process), and the search route comparison process (third process) shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 will be described.

[Candidate link acquisition process (first process)]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the candidate link acquisition process (first process) executed in step S1 of FIG. 8 and 9 are diagrams for explaining the details of the candidate link acquisition process of FIG. As described above, the candidate link acquisition process illustrated in FIG. 7 is mainly performed by the candidate link acquisition unit 121 under the control of the control unit 102.

  First, the control unit 102 controls the candidate link acquisition unit 121 to read out route instruction data to be processed from the route instruction data file in the storage device 103 (step S11). And the node which exists in a predetermined range centering | focusing on the point which the read route instruction data shows is acquired from the road NWDB106 as a node candidate to utilize (step S12).

  The process in step S12 will be specifically described. For example, as shown in FIG. 8A, it is assumed that a point P1 near the intersection is a point designated by the read route instruction data. In this case, the candidate link acquisition unit 121 selects a node existing in a circular area with a radius of 50 m, for example, as indicated by a dotted circle centered on the point P1 indicated by the read route instruction data. Get as. In the case of FIG. 8A, there are four nodes N1, N2, N3, and N4 in the circular area indicated by the dotted line. Therefore, the candidate link acquisition unit 121 acquires the four nodes N1, N2, N3, and N4 as peripheral node candidates as shown in FIG. 8B.

  And the candidate link acquisition part 121 discriminate | determines whether the periphery node candidate was able to be acquired (step S13). When it is determined in the determination process of step S13 that the peripheral node candidate has been acquired, the candidate link acquisition unit 121 acquires a link connected to each of the acquired peripheral node candidates (step S14). In this case, as shown in FIG. 8A, links L1, L2, L12, and L13 are connected to the node N1, and links L2, L3, L14, and L15 are connected to the node N2. Further, links L8, L9, L15, and L16 are connected to the node N3, and links L9, L10, L11, and L12 are connected to the node N4. Therefore, in step S14, the candidate link acquisition unit 121 uses the links connected to the nodes N1, N2, N3, and N4 as connection links as shown in the connection link column of FIG. 8B. get.

  Next, the candidate link acquisition part 121 performs the process which removes the link from which the overlapping link and the advancing direction differ from the connection link acquired by step S14 (step S15). As shown in FIG. 8B, in step S14, four connection links have been acquired for each of the nodes N1, N2, N3, and N4, so one of the overlapping links remains. Remove all links with different travel directions.

  First, as shown in FIG. 8B, the links L2, L15, L9, and L12 indicated by underlining are removed because they overlap. Further, as indicated by an arrow in FIG. 8A, the traveling direction is the direction toward the node N1 along the link L1, and thus the link L11 surrounded by a square that is a link in a direction intersecting with the link L11. , L12, L13, L14, L15, and L16 are removed. In addition, the links L8, L9, and L10 surrounded by the squares that are links in the direction opposite to the traveling direction indicated by the arrows are also removed. Thereby, as shown in the column of candidate links in FIG. 8B, the links L1, L2, and L3 can be specified as candidate links (columns). The information shown in FIG. 8B is recorded in a predetermined area of the storage device 103 as information indicating a candidate route, corresponding to each route instruction data.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9A, it is assumed that a point P1 away from the intersection and the road is a point indicated by the read route instruction data. In this case, the candidate link acquisition unit 121 does not have any nodes present in a circular area indicated by a dotted line having a radius of 50 m, for example, with the point P1 indicated by the read route instruction data as the center. Therefore, in the determination process of step S13, it is determined that the peripheral node candidate could not be acquired.

  In this case, the candidate link acquisition unit 121 acquires peripheral link candidates (step S16). That is, a link in a circular area indicated by a dotted line is acquired as a peripheral link candidate. In this example, as shown in FIG. 9A, the links existing in the circular area indicated by the dotted line are links L13 and L14. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9B, links L13 and L14 can be acquired as peripheral link candidates.

  Thereafter, the candidate link acquisition unit 121 draws a perpendicular line from the point P1 indicated by the route instruction data to the peripheral link candidates L13 and L14, and selects a node near the intersections K1 and K2 of the normal line and the links L13 and L14 as the peripheral node candidate. (Step S17). In this example, as shown in FIG. 9A, the nodes close to the intersections K1 and K2 are the nodes N1 and N2. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9B, the nodes N1 and N2 are candidates for the peripheral nodes. You can get it.

  After the process of step S17, the processes of steps S14 and S15 described above are performed. That is, links L1, L2, L12, and L13 are connected to the node N1 acquired as peripheral node candidates, and links L2, L3, L14, and L15 are connected to the node N2. Therefore, the candidate link acquisition unit 121 acquires the link connected to each of the nodes N1 and N2 as the connection link as shown in the connection link column of FIG. 9B in step S14.

  Next, the candidate link acquisition part 121 performs the process which removes the link from which the overlapping link and the advancing direction differ from the connection link acquired by step S14 (step S15). Therefore, the candidate link acquisition unit 121 excludes the circled link L2 because it overlaps as shown in the connection link column of FIG. 9B. Also in this example, as indicated by an arrow in FIG. 9A, the traveling direction is a direction toward the node N1 along the link L1. For this reason, the links L12, L13, L14, and L15 surrounded by the squares are excluded because the traveling directions are different, as shown in the connection link column of FIG. 9B. Thereby, as shown in the column of candidate links in FIG. 9B, the links L1, L2, and L3 can be specified as candidate links (columns). The information shown in FIG. 9B is also recorded as information indicating a candidate route in a predetermined area of the storage device 103 corresponding to each route instruction data.

  Then, after the process of step S15, it is determined whether or not all the route instruction data stored in the route instruction data file of the storage device 103 has been read and processed (step S16). If it is determined in step S16 that the processing has not been completed for all the route instruction data, the processing from step S11 is repeated. If it is determined in step S16 that the process has been completed for all route instruction data, the process shown in FIG. 7 is terminated, and the process returns to the process in FIG. 6 to perform the next process.

  In this way, the candidate link acquisition unit 121 functions under the control of the control unit 102, and a candidate link that is a candidate link to be used can be acquired with reference to the point indicated by the route instruction data. In addition, although the example shown in FIG. 8, FIG. 9 showed the case where the link L1, L2, L3 which comprises the link row | line of one direction was acquired, in fact, the link row | line of several directions can be acquired. In some cases.

[Candidate link narrowing process (second process)]
FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the candidate link narrowing process (second process) executed in step S2 of FIG. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining [advance angle collation] performed in the candidate link narrowing process of FIG. As described above, the candidate link narrowing process illustrated in FIG. 10 is a process mainly performed by the candidate link narrowing unit 122 under the control of the control unit 102.

  First, the control unit 102 controls the candidate link narrowing unit 122 to perform road type collation for the obtained candidate links for each point designated by the route instruction data (step S21). The process of this step S21 includes the road where the point indicated by the corresponding route instruction data is located among the candidate links acquired for each point indicated by the route instruction data by the candidate link acquisition process described above. Check if there are those with the same link type.

  This collation can be performed using the link type of the corresponding link in the link data of the road NWDB 106. And it narrows down so that the candidate link which has the same link classification may be used preferentially. In addition, when the point instruct | indicated by the corresponding route instruction data does not exist on a road, it collates with the link classification of the road nearest to the point instruct | indicated by the corresponding route instruction data, for example.

  For example, if the link type of the link corresponding to the road where the point indicated by the corresponding route instruction data is located is “National road”, and there is a candidate link with the link type “National road”, the link is Select with priority. Therefore, if the link type of the link corresponding to the road where the point indicated by the corresponding route instruction data is located is “National road”, and there is only one candidate link with the link type “National road”, Candidate links can be narrowed down to one link whose link type is “National highway”.

  In addition, in the road type collation in step S21, when the number of links narrowed down is only one toll road such as an expressway, the toll road selection process is performed as described above, and the toll road is selected. It is specified as a link string that uses a series of link strings until it gets off. This toll road selection processing is acquired for each point indicated by each route instruction data, and when the narrowed links are links of the same toll road, these links are used as link strings that are used continuously. This is the process to identify.

  And after the process of step S21, the candidate link narrowing part 122 discriminate | determines whether the candidate link was narrowed down to one (step S22). When it is determined in the determination process in step S22 that the candidate link has not been narrowed down to one, the candidate link narrowing unit 122 performs the advance angle collation (step S23).

  As shown in FIG. 11, the advance angle collation performed in step S23 is first performed at a point P1 instructed by the route instruction data to be processed this time and a point P2 instructed by the next route instruction data. The angle θ formed by the straight line L connecting the two and the true north direction is obtained. In the example shown in FIG. 11, the angle θ formed by the straight line L and the true north direction is 90 degrees. Preferentially select a link that is within the range of the angle θ formed by the straight line L and the true north direction, and the angle of the angle formed by each candidate link and the true north direction is closer to the angle θ. .

  In FIG. 11, for simplicity of explanation, the point P <b> 1 instructed by the route instruction data to be processed this time is the same as the nodes NA and NB that are the starting points of the links LA and LB that are candidate links. Shows the case. The angle θA formed by the candidate link LA and the true north direction is 60 degrees, and the angle θB formed by the candidate link LB and the true north direction is 30 degrees. In this example, the angle θA (60 degrees) formed by the candidate link LA and the true north direction is closer to the angle θ (90 degrees) formed by the straight line L and the true north direction. The link LA is preferentially selected.

  The process of step S23 is performed when the distance between the point P1 specified by the route instruction data that is the current processing target and the point P2 specified by the next route instruction data is too long. May increase, and it may not be possible to narrow down properly. For this reason, only when the distance between the point P1 specified by the route instruction data to be processed this time and the point P2 specified by the next route instruction data is within a predetermined distance, Make the advance angle collation. The predetermined distance is determined in advance, for example, 1 km (kilometers). Of course, the predetermined distance can be set to an appropriate distance at which a narrowing effect can be obtained.

  After the process of step S23, the candidate link narrowing unit 122 determines whether the candidate links have been narrowed down to one (step S24). When it is determined in step S24 that the candidate links are not narrowed down to one, the candidate link narrowing unit 122 collates the road names (step S25). The process of this step S25 is the road where the point indicated by the corresponding route instruction data is located among the candidate links acquired for each point indicated by the route instruction data by the candidate link acquisition process described above. Check if there are any that have the same road name.

  This collation can be performed using the name of the corresponding link (road name) in the link data of the road NWDB 106. And it selects so that the candidate link which has the same road name may be used preferentially. If the point indicated by the corresponding route instruction data is not on the road, for example, the road name of the road closest to the point indicated by the corresponding route instruction data is collated.

  For example, if the road name of the link corresponding to the road where the point indicated by the corresponding route instruction data is located is “123”, and there is a candidate road with the road name “123”, Select links preferentially. Therefore, the road name of the link corresponding to the road where the point instructed by the corresponding route instruction data is located is “123”, and there is only one candidate road whose name is “123”. For example, the candidate links can be narrowed down to one link whose road name is “123 line”.

  For example, if a road name is added for each route instruction data, that is, if the route instruction data includes a road name for each route instruction data, the road name for each route instruction data, You may collate the road name in the link data of the narrowed-down link. That is, when the route instruction data is created, for example, when the point indicated through the touch panel 110 is on the road, the link data (FIG. 3) matching the point is confirmed, and the road type and the road name are set. What is necessary is just to acquire and memorize | store it with the latitude longitude data.

  If the candidate link narrowing unit 122 determines in step S22 or step S24 that the candidate link has been narrowed down to one, and after the process of step S25, has the candidate link narrowing process been completed? It is determined whether or not (step S26). That is, the determination process of step S26 is a process of determining whether or not the narrowing process has been completed for the candidate links acquired for each point indicated by all the route instruction data.

  If it is determined in the determination process in step S26 that the narrowing process has not been completed, the process from step S21 is performed, and the narrowing process is performed on the candidate link acquired for the point indicated by the next route instruction data. Like that. When it is determined in the determination process in step S26 that the narrowing process has been completed for the candidate links acquired for each point indicated by all the route instruction data, the process shown in FIG. 7 is ended, and the process shown in FIG. Return to the next process.

  In this way, the narrowing process is performed on the candidate links acquired for each point designated by all the route instruction data, and the designated route determined based on the point designated by the route instruction data can be narrowed down. The When the candidate link narrowing process can narrow down to only one link string, the link string can be specified as the designated route.

  That is, for each point designated by each route designation data, when narrowing down to only one link or a continuous link row in one direction, the link row connecting the links becomes the designated route. Can be specified as For example, when there is only one link row that turns right or left, the link row that turns right or the link row that turns left becomes a continuous link row in one direction. Needless to say, when there are a plurality of links having different directions, it is not narrowed down to one link.

[Search route comparison process (third process)]
FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining the search route comparison process (third process) executed in step S4 of FIG. In the search route comparison process shown in FIG. 12, the designated route cannot be narrowed down to one through the candidate link acquisition process (first process) and the candidate link narrowing process (second process) shown in FIG. It is a process to be executed. The search route comparison process (third process) is performed mainly by the route search unit 123 and the search route comparison unit 124 under the control of the control unit 102.

  First, the control unit 102 controls the route search unit 123 to use the narrowed down link corresponding to each point indicated by the route instruction data through the candidate link acquisition process and the candidate link narrowing process described above. A plurality of routes are searched (step S31). In this case, the route search unit 123 searches for a plurality of routes using the narrowed links, which are routes from the departure point to the destination, with reference to the narrowed links and the network data of the road NWDB 106. .

  In this embodiment, the route search unit 123 excludes, from the candidates, routes that return on the road that has been passed from the previous point, that is, a route that includes a so-called U-turn, among the searched routes under the control of the control unit 102. Is performed (step S32). Next, the travel distance is determined for the remaining route (step S33). In this travel distance determination, for example, the distance between points indicated by the route instruction data grasped on the map and the link data shown in FIG. 3 for the link string connecting the points for each remaining route are included in the link data. Compare the distance that can be determined from the distance of each link. Then, a route having a link string closer to the distance between points indicated by the route instruction data is specified as the designated route. Thereby, one designated route can finally be specified.

  When creating the route instruction data shown in FIG. 5, the distance between points indicated by the route instruction data may be obtained and included in the route instruction data. In this case, the travel distance determination performed in step S33 of FIG. 12 can be performed using the distance between points included in the route instruction data.

  If one designated route can be identified by the processing up to step S32 shown in FIG. 12, the designated route is identified without performing the travel distance determination in step S33.

  As described above, even when one designated route cannot be identified through the candidate link acquisition process (first process) and the candidate link narrowing process (second process) shown in FIG. 6, the search route comparison process (third process) is used. One designated route can be specified.

[Use of score evaluation]
In the navigation device of the above-described embodiment, first, (1) candidate nodes and candidate links are extracted by candidate link acquisition processing (first processing), and (2) candidates are extracted by candidate link narrowing processing (second processing). Narrow down links. In this candidate link narrowing process, (3) filtering by road type and (4) logic switching when a toll road such as an expressway is continuously used are performed. That is, when a toll road is used as a route, a logic that ignores designation of an intermediate point such as a toll gate is used. In the candidate link narrowing-down process, (5) narrowing down using road names and (6) narrowing down links based on travel angles are also performed. In the search route comparison process, (7) removal of irregular routes (such as U-turn routes) and (8) narrowing down by the travel distance are performed.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where one of the most suitable routes can be specified has been described. However, in practice, it is necessary to evaluate a plurality of links and a plurality of routes. Therefore, in each refinement process, a candidate link (link string) is evaluated with a score (score), and the link with the highest score (link string) is used preferentially, and the link with the best score is obtained. What is necessary is just to specify the route which collected (link string) as a designated route.

  Specifically, for example, when narrowing down by road type and road name, evaluation is made such that “10 points” if they match and “0” if they do not match. In the case of narrowing down according to the traveling direction, “10 points” is evaluated if the direction is the direction directed to the point indicated by the route instruction data, and “0 points” is evaluated if they are not the same.

  Further, when narrowing down by the advance angle, first, a straight line L connecting the point P1 instructed by the route instruction data to be processed this time and the point P2 instructed by the next route instruction data, The angle formed by the true north direction is determined as the reference angle. Then, for each candidate link, the angle (link angle) formed by the direction of the candidate link and the true north direction is obtained, and the obtained link angle is evaluated so as to increase the score of the link closer to the reference angle. For example, the evaluation is performed with a difference in score such that “10 points” is the link closest to the reference angle and “9 points” is the next closest link angle.

  Further, even when narrowing down by the travel distance, the link data shown in FIG. 3 for the link row connecting the corresponding points with the distance between the points indicated by the route instruction data grasped on the map as the reference distance. The distances that can be grasped from the distances of the respective links are evaluated in the order of “10 points”, “9 points”, “8 points” in order from the closest distance to the reference distance.

  As described above, the candidate link (candidate link string) is evaluated based on the score, and by picking up the link or link string having the highest score, an optimal designated route can be created (specified).

[Effect of the embodiment]
As can be understood from the description of the embodiment described above, in the navigation device of this embodiment, when a plurality of points are designated, when a route is designated, the route is designated in the plurality of points. Even if a point deviated from the point to be included is included, an appropriate designated route can be created (specified). More specifically, consider a case where points PA, PB, PC, and PD are designated through the touch panel 110 as shown in FIG. In this case, it is assumed that the point PA is a point past the intersection to be turned left, and the point PC is a point deviated from the road to be passed.

  However, by using the designated route creation function of the navigation device of this embodiment, even if a point PA that has passed an intersection to be left is instructed, a route that turns left at the corresponding intersection can be appropriately identified. Further, even if there is a point PC deviated from the road to be passed, a route that passes through the road to be traveled and further to the designated point PD can be appropriately specified. As a result, as indicated by the solid line in FIG. 13, the designated route RT intended by the user can be appropriately created (specified).

  Then, as shown in FIG. 13, by displaying on the display unit 110D a mark indicating the point PA, PB, PC, PD indicated by the user and a solid line indicating the created (specified) designated route RT. The user can confirm that the designated route corresponding to the designated point is appropriately created. Then, route guidance processing (navigation processing) can be performed so as to follow the created (specified) designated route.

  In addition, in order to specify a route on a toll road such as an expressway, the user intends to get off the toll road at the specified point even if a point on the toll road, for example, near a toll gate is specified. No route is created (specified). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 14, in order to designate a route that travels a relatively long distance on a highway, even if a point near each toll booth is instructed, the express toll at the instructed toll No unnatural route is created to get on or off the road. In the case of the example shown in FIG. 14, a designated route RT continuous on the expressway can be created (specified) as indicated by a solid line on the expressway.

  In addition, the navigation device of the above-described embodiment is suitable for use when, for example, a user who is an individual goes on a trip, for example, installed in a personal passenger car. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it is also suitable for so-called business use such as designating a route traveled by a sightseeing bus or designating a route traveled by a large truck.

[Modification]
In the navigation device of the above-described embodiment, candidate links are extracted and narrowed down for each point indicated by the route instruction data shown in FIG. 5, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the distance between points indicated by continuous route instruction data is very long, one or more attention points are set between the points indicated by the continuous route instruction data. Similarly to the point indicated by the route instruction data, candidate links may be acquired and narrowed down so that a continuous link string can be easily identified. Note that the point of interest is in the vicinity of the intersection where the branching occurs between the points indicated by the continuous route instruction data, or the two route instruction data on the same road where the point indicated by the two continuous route instruction data is located. It can be used as an intermediate point between points indicated by

  Moreover, although the navigation apparatus of embodiment mentioned above demonstrated as what is a navigation apparatus for motor vehicles, it does not restrict to this. The present invention can also be applied to a navigation device for pedestrians and a navigation device for own trains. For example, when a pedestrian navigation device is used, an appropriate designated route toward the destination can be created by roughly specifying a point (place) to be routed.

  In this case, even if the specified point specifies a point on the bus stop side in the opposite direction to the bus stop where you should get on, you can narrow down the nodes and links appropriately, so the destination of the bus to get on There is no mistake in the direction of travel. Of course, even when using other public transportation such as trains and taxis, an appropriate designated route can be created (specified) without making a mistake in the destination (traveling direction).

  Further, the present invention can be applied not only to the navigation device but also to creating a target route by designating a point in an information processing device such as a personal computer.

[Others]
When each means of the designated route creation device is associated with each part of the navigation device, the function of the search data storage means is realized by the road NWDB 106, and the function of the route instruction data storage means is realized by the storage device 103. Yes. Further, the function of the acquisition unit is realized by the candidate link acquisition unit 121, the function of the narrowing down unit is realized by the candidate link narrowing unit 122, and the functions of the comparison unit are the route search unit 123 and the search route comparison unit 124. Is realized through collaboration. Further, the function of the display unit is realized by the display unit 110D, and the function of the display control unit is realized by the control unit 102.

  Further, the processing described in the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 6, 7, 10, and 12 corresponds to one embodiment of the designated route creation method of the present invention. A program for executing the processing described in the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 6, 7, 10, and 12 corresponds to an embodiment of the designated route creation program of the present invention.

  The functions of the candidate link acquisition unit 121, candidate link narrowing unit 122, route search unit 123, search route comparison unit 124, and toll route creation unit 125 shown in FIG. It can also be realized as a function of the control unit 102 by a program. Therefore, by creating a program for executing the processing described in the flowcharts shown in FIG. 6, FIG. 7, FIG. 10, and FIG. 12, and installing it in a personal computer, smartphone, tablet terminal or the like capable of executing this, The designated route creation apparatus of the present invention can be realized.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101A ... Transmission / reception antenna, 101 ... Wireless communication part, 102 ... Control part, 103 ... Memory | storage device, 104 ... Operation part, 105 ... Map information DB, 106 ... Road NWDB, 107 ... External I / F, 107T ... Input / output terminal, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 108 ... Sensor I / F, 109 ... GPS part, 109A ... GPS antenna, 110 ... Touch panel, 110D ... Display part, 110S ... Touch sensor, 111 ... Sound output part, 112 ... Speaker, 113 ... Voice input part, 114 ... Microphone 121 ... Candidate link acquisition unit, 122 ... Candidate link narrowing unit, 123 ... Route search unit, 124 ... Search route comparison unit, 125 ... Toll route creation unit

Claims (12)

Search data storage means for storing information on nodes that are predetermined points and information on links that are passable routes represented by line segments connecting the nodes;
Route instruction data storage means for storing route instruction data consisting of latitude and longitude indicating a point for specifying a route to be traced in a manner in which the order of tracing is known;
Obtaining means for acquiring a link candidate to be traced by referring to the search data storage means for each point indicated by the route instruction data of the route instruction data storage means;
A narrowing means for narrowing down links that are likely to be used from the links that are candidates obtained by the obtaining means, and
When a route is narrowed down by the narrowing-down means, the designated route creation device identifies the route as an indicated route. The designated route creation device according to claim 1,
When one route cannot be narrowed down by the narrowing-down means, the route to the destination is searched using the link narrowed down by the narrowing-down means, and the searched route is compared with the designated route A designated route creating apparatus comprising a comparing means for identifying The designated route creation device according to claim 2,
The comparison means excludes a route that returns on the route that has been passed, and if there is only one link column of the same type, identifies the link column of the same type as the designated route, and whether there is a link column of the same type A designated route creation device that identifies a designated route based on the distance of each link row when there are a plurality of link rows of the same type. The designated route creation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The acquisition means extracts a node located within a first range specified with reference to the point indicated by the instruction data in the instruction data storage means, and uses a link connected to the extracted node as a candidate. A designated route creation device characterized by obtaining. The designated route creation device according to claim 4,
If the node located within the first range cannot be extracted, the acquisition means is located within a second range specified with reference to the point indicated by the instruction data in the instruction data storage means A node that is close to the intersection when a perpendicular is drawn from the reference point with respect to the link, and a link connected to the extracted node is acquired as a candidate. Designated route creation device to be used. The designated route creation device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The acquisition means is characterized in that, among the links acquired as candidates, duplicate links are removed except for one. The designated route creation device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The information on the link in the search data storage means includes information indicating a type for each link,
The narrowing-down means narrows down so as to preferentially select a link candidate having the same type as the link type corresponding to the point indicated by the corresponding route instruction data. Creation device. The designated route creation device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
When the information on the link of the search data storage means includes the name of the route to which the link belongs for each link,
The narrowing-down means narrows down so as to preferentially select a link candidate having the same route name as the name of the link route corresponding to the point indicated by the corresponding route instruction data. Designated route creation device. The designated route creation device according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The narrowing-down means has an angle formed by a straight line connecting a point designated by the route instruction data to be processed in the instruction data storage means and a point designated by the next route instruction data, and a true north direction. A designated route creation device characterized by narrowing down on the basis. The designated route creation device according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
A designated route creating apparatus comprising: a display control means for displaying a map displaying a point designated by the route designation data and the specified designated route specified on a display means. Search data storage means for storing information on nodes that are predetermined points and information on links that are passable routes represented by line segments connecting the nodes, and points for specifying a route to be followed Route instruction data storage means for storing route instruction data consisting of latitude and longitude indicating the order in which the order of tracing is known is available,
An acquisition step for acquiring a link candidate to be traced by referring to the search data storage unit for each point indicated by the route instruction data in the route instruction data storage unit;
The narrowing-down means has a narrowing-down process of narrowing down links that are likely to be used from the links that are candidates acquired in the acquisition process,
In the narrowing-down process, when one route is narrowed down, the route is specified as the designated route. Search data storage means for storing information on nodes that are predetermined points and information on links that are passable routes represented by line segments connecting the nodes, and points for specifying a route to be followed A computer that can use route instruction data storage means for storing route instruction data consisting of latitude and longitude indicating the order in which the order of tracing is known,
Obtaining means for obtaining a link candidate to be traced by referring to the search data storage means for each point indicated by the route instruction data of the route instruction data storage means;
A narrowing-down means for narrowing down links that are likely to be used from the links that are candidates obtained by the obtaining means,
The designated route creation program is characterized in that, when one route is narrowed down by the narrowing means, the route is specified as the designated route.

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