JP2019012014A - Route guide device and route guide method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a "route guide device and route guide method" which provides appropriate guidance corresponding to even a case where a signal does not exist at a guide intersection, but the guide intersection and other intersections serve as one intersection, after an appropriate guidance is made in accordance with whether or not a signal exists at a guide intersection at the time of guidance.SOLUTION: A route guide device 100 is configured to: judge that a pattern of a guide intersection is a first pattern with a signal, a second pattern without a signal, for which go/stop is controlled by another intersection's signal and which functions as one intersection together with the other intersections, or a third pattern other than above two; guide using the number of signals including the signal of the guide intersection in the case of the first pattern; guide using the number of signals including the signal of the corresponding intersection in the case of the second pattern; and guide using the distance to the guide intersection in the case of the third pattern.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a route guidance device and a route guidance method, and is particularly suitable for use in a route guidance device and a route guidance method for performing guidance related to a guidance intersection.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a route guidance device that performs guidance to a guidance intersection when the vehicle is positioned in front of the guidance intersection is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the route guidance device described in Patent Document 1, when there is a traffic signal at the guidance intersection on the map data, the traffic signal at the guidance intersection is “approximately 600 meters ahead,“ the fourth signal ”is in the right direction.” If the number of traffic lights including the number of traffic lights is informed and the driver is guided to the guidance intersection, and there is no traffic signal at the guidance intersection on the map data, “approx. 600m ahead,“ after passing the third signal ” "It is in the right direction." The number of traffic lights that pass before reaching the guidance intersection is notified and the driver is guided to the guidance intersection.

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 10-274544

  Guidance to the guidance intersection is performed using the number of traffic lights passing through to the guidance intersection, as in Patent Document 1, from the current position of the vehicle to the guidance intersection without using the number of traffic lights. It is assumed that the guidance is easier for the driver to understand than using only the distance. This is because it is difficult to sensuously grasp the positional relationship between the current position of the vehicle and the intersection only by the distance. And the route guidance apparatus which concerns on patent document 1 performs guidance using the number of traffic lights, even when a traffic signal does not exist in a guidance intersection. Specifically, in the route guidance device according to Patent Document 1, when there is no traffic signal at the guidance intersection, the number of traffic signals that pass before reaching the guidance intersection is clearly indicated, and the next intersection of the traffic signal that passes last By notifying that is a guidance intersection, guidance to the guidance intersection is performed.

  However, in Patent Document 1, even when there is no traffic signal at the guidance intersection, the guidance using the number of traffic signals is uniformly performed in the above-described manner, and thus the traffic signal that passes through and the guidance intersection are far apart. In some cases, or when a road that does not exist in the map data actually exists between the last traffic signal and the guidance intersection, it is difficult for the driver to understand the guidance intersection. In order to solve this problem, when there is no traffic signal at the guidance intersection, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which guidance using the distance between the vehicle and the guidance intersection is performed without performing guidance using the number of traffic lights. . By doing this, when there is no traffic light at the guidance intersection, guidance using the number of traffic lights is not performed, so even if the last traffic signal and the guidance intersection are far apart, It is possible to suppress misunderstanding about the position of the traffic light by the driver, and to realize guidance that is easy for the driver to understand. However, when there is no traffic signal at the guidance intersection, there is a problem that proper guidance is not performed in the following cases, for example, when the configuration using the number of traffic signals is not performed uniformly. .

  FIG. 11 is a diagram used for explaining a case where appropriate guidance is not performed when guidance using the number of traffic lights is not performed uniformly when there is no traffic signal at a guidance intersection. In FIG. 11, the aspect of the road corresponding to the said case is shown. In FIG. 11, white arrows drawn on the road indicate directions in which the vehicle can travel on the road. In FIG. 11, the upward direction is north, the right direction is east, the downward direction is south, and the left direction is west.

  In FIG. 11, a road K1 extending from north to south is a general national road, and has an intersection X1 and an intersection X2 in order toward the north as intersections. At the intersection X1, a traffic light S1 that restricts the travel / stop of the vehicle traveling north on the road K1 is provided. At the intersection X2, the travel / stop of the vehicle traveling north on the road K1 is provided. There are no traffic lights that regulate This traffic light S1 will be described later. In FIG. 11, for convenience of explanation, only a traffic light (signal S1) for restricting the travel / stop of a vehicle traveling north on the road K1 is drawn in the drawing, and the vehicle traveling south on the road K1. The traffic light that regulates the progress / stop of is not drawn.

  The road K2 extending from east to west is a main line such as a bypass road or a highway, and the upstream line K2a and the downstream line K2b are separated by a central separation zone. The road K2 is provided on the overpass, and the road K1 and the road K2 are three-dimensionally crossed between the intersection X1 and the intersection X2.

  A connecting road R1a extends from the intersection X1 toward the west. The connecting road R1a is a ramp that connects the road K1 and the up line K2a. When a vehicle traveling north on the road K1 enters the up line K2a, turn left at the intersection X1 and enter the up line K2a via the connecting road R1a. Further, a connecting road R1b extends east from the intersection X1. The connecting road R1b is a ramp that connects the road K1 and the up line K2a. When a vehicle traveling toward the west on the up line K2a enters the road K1, the vehicle enters the connecting road R1b separated from the up line K2a, reaches the intersection X1 through the connecting road R1b, and passes through the road X1 through the intersection X1. Enter. The connecting road R1b is a dedicated road for entering the road K1 from the up line K2a, and a right turn at the intersection X1 is prohibited for a vehicle traveling north on the road K1.

  A connecting road R2a extends east from the intersection X2. The connecting road R2a is a ramp that connects the road K1 and the down line K2b. When a vehicle traveling north on the road K1 enters the down line K2b, turn right at the intersection X2 and enter the down line K2b via the connecting road R2a. Further, a connecting path R2b extends westward from the intersection X2. The connecting road R2b is a ramp that connects the road K1 and the down line K2b. When a vehicle traveling east on the down line K2b enters the road K1, the vehicle enters the connecting road R2b separated from the down line K2b, reaches the intersection X2 via the connecting road R2b, and passes through the road X1 via the intersection X2. Enter. The connecting road R2b is a dedicated road for entering the road K1 from the down line K2b, and a left turn at the intersection X2 is prohibited for a vehicle traveling north on the road K1.

  The traffic light S1 is a traffic light that regulates the traveling / stopping at the intersection X1 and the intersection X2 with respect to the vehicle traveling north on the road K1. More specifically, the intersection line X1 is provided with a stop line T1 for vehicles traveling north on the road K1 corresponding to the traffic light S1, while the intersection X2 is associated with vehicles traveling north on the road K1. There is no stop line. As described above, the vehicle can travel straight or turn right at the intersection X2, but the vehicle traveling toward the north on the road K1 is restricted from traveling / stopping by the traffic light S1 for traveling straight or turning right at the intersection X2.

  In FIG. 11, the node N1 is a node corresponding to the intersection X1, and the node N2 is a node corresponding to the intersection X2. A node is a point defined for each node in an intersection or other road network. Usually, map data stored in a route guidance device such as a navigation device has node information for each node, and the node information has traffic signal presence / absence information indicating the presence / absence of traffic signals at intersections corresponding to the nodes. Therefore, in the map data, the node information corresponding to the node N1 has traffic signal information indicating that there is a traffic signal, while the node information corresponding to the node N2 includes traffic signal information indicating that there is no traffic signal. Yes.

  Thus, the intersection X1 and the intersection X2 are managed as separate nodes on the map data. However, in the real world, the intersection X1 and the intersection X2 have a connecting road R1a as a road that can turn left and a connecting road R2a as a road that can turn right, and are one intersection whose progress / stop is controlled by the traffic light S1. Function. In general, the driver recognizes the intersection X1 and the intersection X2 as one intersection. There are not a few places where the road is in the form shown in FIG.

  Under the above circumstances, the vehicle traveling north on the road K1 is located at the position P1 on the south side of the intersection X1, and the guidance route is from the position P1 as shown by the thick line in FIG. It is assumed that the route KR1 goes straight on X1, turns right at the intersection X2, enters the connecting route R2a, and enters the down line K2b via the connecting route R2a. In this case, the intersection X2 is a guidance intersection because the vehicle turns right next time.

  And when there is no traffic light at the guidance intersection (in this example, the intersection X2), when guidance to the guidance intersection is not performed using the number of traffic lights, the intersection X2 which is the guidance intersection is a traffic signal. No guidance using the number of traffic lights is provided. However, as described above, since the driver recognizes the intersection X1 and the intersection X2 as one intersection, in this case, there is a traffic light S1 that regulates the progress / stop regarding the intersection X2. Guidance using the number of traffic lights is not performed, and appropriate guidance is not performed as guidance to the guidance intersection. If the intersection X2 is guided using the technique described in Patent Document 1 in the case described above, “It is about 600m ahead,“ after passing the third signal ”is in the right direction.” In addition, the driver has the impression that the next intersection that has passed through “intersection X1 and intersection X2” that the driver sees as one intersection is an intersection that should turn right, and this guidance is also appropriate. I can not say.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem. When guiding a guidance intersection, the guidance intersection is provided with appropriate guidance according to whether or not a traffic signal exists at the guidance intersection. Even when there is no traffic light in the case, in the case where the guidance intersection and another intersection function as one intersection, an object is to enable appropriate guidance corresponding to the case.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the route guidance device of the present invention searches for a guidance route, and then the guidance intersection on the guidance route is a first pattern intersection having a traffic light or no traffic light. Advancing / stop is regulated by the traffic signal at the intersection, and it is determined whether it is the intersection of the second pattern that functions as one intersection with the other intersection, or the intersection of the third pattern other than the first pattern and the second pattern, and the guidance intersection Is the first pattern intersection, the guidance intersection is used to guide to the guidance intersection using the traffic lights at the guidance intersection and the number of traffic signals that the vehicle passes until reaching the guidance intersection, and when the guidance intersection is the second pattern intersection, Using the traffic lights at other intersections and the number of traffic signals that the vehicle passes to reach the other intersections, guidance to the guidance intersection is performed, and the guidance intersection is the third pattern. For intersections, without using the number of traffic lights, it provides guidance to the guidance intersection using the distance from the vehicle to the guidance intersection.

  According to the present invention configured as described above, when the guidance intersection has a traffic signal, guidance is performed using the number of traffic lights including the traffic signal at the guidance intersection, so that the guidance intersection has a traffic signal. Easy-to-understand guidance using the number of traffic lights. Furthermore, according to the present invention configured as described above, even when the guidance intersection does not have a traffic light, in the case where the guidance intersection and the other intersection function as one intersection, the other intersection Because the guidance is performed using the number of traffic lights including the traffic lights, the guidance intersection and the other intersection function as one intersection, and the traveling / stopping at the guidance intersection is regulated by the traffic signal at the other intersection. Based on the above, it is possible to provide easy-to-understand guidance using the number of traffic lights including traffic lights at other intersections. Furthermore, according to the present invention configured as described above, in the case other than the above, since the guidance to the guidance intersection is performed using the distance to the guidance intersection without using the number of traffic lights, the guidance intersection does not If it does not exist and it is not the case described above, the driver is prevented from misrecognizing the position of the guidance intersection due to the guidance to the guidance intersection using the number of traffic lights Provide appropriate guidance. That is, according to the present invention configured as described above, when guiding at a guidance intersection, after providing appropriate guidance according to whether or not a traffic signal exists at the guidance intersection, there is no signal at the guidance intersection. And in the case where a guidance intersection and another intersection function as one intersection, the appropriate guidance corresponding to the case can be performed.

It is a block diagram which shows the function structural example of the route guidance apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the content of map data. It is a figure which shows an example of the content of guidance route information. It is a figure which shows an example of the guidance intersection of a 1st pattern. It is a figure which shows an example of the guidance intersection of a 2nd pattern. It is a figure which shows an example of the guidance intersection of a 3rd pattern. It is a figure which shows an example of the intersection enlarged view which concerns on a 2nd pattern. It is a flowchart which shows the operation example of the intersection pattern determination part which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation example of the route guidance part which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the aspect of the road of a case where a guidance intersection functions as one intersection with another intersection. It is a figure which shows an example of the aspect of the road of a case where a guidance intersection functions as one intersection with another intersection.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of a route guidance device 100 according to the present embodiment. The route guidance device 100 is a so-called navigation device provided in a vehicle, and has a function of detecting the position of the vehicle, a function of searching for and guiding a route to a destination set by the user, and the like. In the present embodiment, the route guidance device 100 is described as a navigation device provided in a vehicle. However, the route guidance device 100 does not have to be a device attached to the vehicle. , Tablet PC, notebook PC). That is, the present invention described below can be widely applied to a device capable of guiding a guidance route, particularly a guidance intersection on a guidance route.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a touch panel 200 and a speaker 300 are connected to the route guidance apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. The touch panel 200 includes a display panel having a function of displaying an image such as a liquid crystal display panel or an organic EL panel, and a touch sensor that is arranged on the display panel and detects a user operation on the touch panel 200. The speaker 300 is a speaker device provided in a vehicle. Moreover, the route guidance apparatus 100 is provided with the own vehicle position detection part 10, the route search part 11, the intersection pattern determination part 12, the audio | voice processing part 13, and the route guidance part 14 as the function structure. In addition, the route guidance device 100 includes a map data storage unit 20 and a guidance route storage unit 21.

  Each of the functional blocks 10 to 14 can be configured by any of hardware, DSP (Digital Signal Processor), and software. For example, when configured by software, each of the functional blocks 10 to 14 actually includes a CPU, RAM, ROM, etc. of a computer, and is stored in a recording medium such as RAM, ROM, hard disk, or semiconductor memory. Is realized by operating.

  The map data storage unit 20 stores map data 20a. The map data 20a includes image data used when a map is drawn on the touch panel 200. The image data includes image data used for drawing a background such as terrain, image data used for drawing a road, image data used for drawing a road name, a character string indicating an intersection name, and the like. The The map data 20a includes facility information related to facilities existing on the map. The map data 20a includes road network information. The road network information includes a link database regarding links and a node database regarding nodes. A node is a point defined for each intersection or other node in the road network, and a link is a line defined for each road section between nodes.

  FIG. 2A is a diagram illustrating an example of information included in one record in the link database. The link database includes a record for each link. Each record in the link database includes a link ID, link type information, route number information, and link length information.

  The link ID is identification information for identifying the link. The link type information is information indicating the type of road corresponding to the link. In the present embodiment, there are a main line, a connecting road, and a side road as road types. Note that ramps that connect roads with different heights (for example, highways and general national roads with different heights from highways) are included in the connection roads. The route number information is information indicating the route number of the road corresponding to the link. The route number is a number assigned to a national road, a prefectural road, or another road. The link length information is information indicating the distance of the road corresponding to the link. The information exemplified as the information included in the record of the link database is a part of information, and the record includes information indicating the link cost, the number of road lanes corresponding to the link, the information indicating the direction of the link, Other information about the link, such as information about the nodes at both ends of the link, is included.

  FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating an example of information included in one record of the node database. The node database includes a record for each node. Each record in the node database includes a node ID, traffic signal presence / absence information, node position information, connection link information, regulation information, and lane information. The node ID is identification information for identifying the node. The traffic signal presence / absence information is information indicating the presence / absence of a traffic signal at an intersection corresponding to a node. The node position information is information indicating the position of the node on the map.

  The connection link information is information indicating a link ID of a link connected to the node (each of a plurality of links when a plurality of links are connected). The restriction information is information indicating that a vehicle that has entered a node from one link is prohibited from leaving another specific link. When a plurality of roads are connected to an intersection, a vehicle that has entered the intersection from one road may be prohibited from exiting to another specific road. For example, in FIG. 11, as described above, it is prohibited to turn right at the intersection X1 and exit to the connecting road R1b. In this case, the restriction information of the node N1 corresponding to the intersection X1 prohibits the vehicle that has entered the node N1 from the link connected to the south side of the node N1 from exiting to the link corresponding to the connection path R1b. Information is included. The lane information is information related to a lane provided on a road entering the intersection when the node is an intersection.

  Note that the information exemplified as the information included in the record of the node database is a part of the information, and the record includes other information regarding the node.

  The own vehicle position detection unit 10 is based on information included in the map data 20a and inputs from a GPS (not shown), a gyro sensor, an acceleration sensor, and a vehicle speed sensor (hereinafter referred to as “own vehicle position”). Is detected. Any method may be used to detect the vehicle position.

  The route search unit 11 is operated by the user from the vehicle position based on the vehicle position detected by the vehicle position detection unit 10 and information included in the map data 20a in response to a user instruction using the touch panel 200 or the like. A route to the set destination (hereinafter referred to as “guidance route”) is searched. Any method may be used to search for a route. The route search unit 11 stores guide route information indicating the searched guide route in the guide route storage unit 21.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of guide route information. As shown in FIG. 3, the guide route information includes guide route correspondence information that represents a link and a node corresponding to the guide route from the current position of the vehicle to the destination by a combination of the link ID and the node ID. . In the guidance route information, a guidance intersection flag is associated with each node ID. The guidance intersection flag is a flag indicating whether or not the node with the corresponding node ID is an intersection where a right / left turn is performed when the vehicle travels along the guidance route. Hereinafter, an intersection that exists on the guidance route and that makes a right / left turn is referred to as a “guide intersection”.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the guidance route information has pattern specifying information for each guidance intersection (= each intersection for which the guidance intersection flag is on). The pattern specifying information is information for specifying a pattern (described later) at the guidance intersection. As will be described later, the intersection pattern determination unit 12 determines the pattern of the guidance intersection, and stores the pattern specifying information indicating the pattern in association with the node ID of the guidance intersection.

  The intersection pattern determination unit 12 is the intersection of the first pattern, the second pattern, and the third pattern for each of the guidance intersections included in the guidance route searched by the route search unit 11. Determine. Hereinafter, the mode of the guidance intersection and the process of the intersection pattern determination unit 12 will be described for each pattern.

  First, the first pattern will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of an intersection X3 that is a guide intersection of the first pattern. As shown in FIG. 4, the guidance intersection of the first pattern is an intersection where a traffic light exists. The intersection pattern determination unit 12 refers to the map data 20a, acquires traffic signal presence / absence information of a guidance intersection for which a pattern is to be determined, and the value of the acquired traffic signal presence / absence information is a value indicating that a traffic signal exists. In this case, it is determined that the pattern of the guidance intersection is the first pattern. In the real intersection in the first pattern, there is a traffic light at the guidance intersection, and travel / stop at the guidance intersection is restricted by the traffic signal. When the intersection pattern determination unit 12 determines that one guidance intersection is the first pattern, the intersection pattern determination unit 12 accesses the guidance route storage unit 21 and associates it with the node ID of the one guidance intersection. The pattern specifying information indicating this is stored.

  Next, the second pattern will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an intersection X2 that is a guide intersection of the second pattern. Each road and each intersection in FIG. 5 corresponds to each road and each intersection in FIG. 11. In FIG. 5, each road and each intersection are given the same symbols as the corresponding road and each intersection in FIG. It is attached.

  The guide intersection of the second pattern is an intersection corresponding to the intersection X2 shown in FIG. 5 (provided that the guidance route is the route KR1). As described above, the intersection X2 has no traffic light on the map data 20a. Furthermore, the intersection X1 and the intersection X2 function as one intersection whose travel / stop is regulated by the traffic light S1 of the intersection X1, and these intersections are usually recognized as one intersection by the driver.

  The intersection pattern determination unit 12 refers to the map data 20a, acquires the traffic signal presence / absence information of the guidance intersection whose pattern is to be determined, and the value of the acquired traffic signal presence / absence information is a value indicating that no traffic signal exists. In this case, it is further determined whether or not a corresponding condition (described later) is satisfied for the guidance intersection. When the correspondence condition is satisfied, the intersection pattern determination unit 12 determines that the pattern of the guidance intersection is the second pattern. The correspondence condition is a condition for determining whether or not the guidance intersection is an intersection corresponding to the intersection X2 in FIG. 5. When the correspondence condition is satisfied, the corresponding condition is an intersection corresponding to the intersection X2 in FIG. If the corresponding condition is not satisfied, the condition is such that it can be regarded as not an intersection corresponding to the intersection X2 in FIG. Hereinafter, the corresponding conditions will be described in detail.

  When all the following conditions are satisfied, it can be considered that the guidance intersection corresponds to the intersection X2 in FIG. Condition J1: The guidance at the guidance intersection is a right turn. Condition J2: The type of road to enter when turning right at the guidance intersection is “connected road” or “side road on the same route as the main line”. Condition J3: Another intersection located immediately before the guidance intersection on the guidance route has a traffic light and is a corresponding intersection where a right turn is prohibited. Condition J4: The type of road to enter when turning left at the corresponding intersection is “connecting road” or “side road on the same route as the main line”. Condition J5: The route number of the road that enters when the guidance intersection is turned right and the route number of the road that enters when the corresponding intersection is turned left have the same identity.

  If the conditions J1 to J5 correspond to the corresponding conditions and all of the conditions J1 to J5 are satisfied, the corresponding conditions are satisfied, and if any of the conditions J1 to J5 is not satisfied, the corresponding condition is not satisfied. . As described above, the link database and the node database include information necessary for determining whether or not the correspondence condition is satisfied, and the intersection pattern determination unit 12 uses the information in the database to correspond. It is determined whether the condition is satisfied. In particular, regarding the determination of whether the target road type of the conditions J2 and J4 is “a side road on the same route as the main line”, the intersection pattern determination unit 12 determines whether the target road link type (road Is the “side road” and the route number of the target road (side road) matches the value of the route number of the main line corresponding to the target road. It is determined that the road is a side road on the same route as the main line.

  Hereinafter, in FIG. 5, when the intersection X2 is a guidance intersection and the guidance route is the route KR1, it is verified that the corresponding condition is satisfied for the intersection X2. For condition 1, the guidance at intersection X2 is a right turn. Therefore, the condition J1 is satisfied. Regarding the condition J2, the road that enters after turning right at the intersection X2 is a connecting road R2a. The connecting road R2a is a ramp that connects roads having different heights, and the type of the road is “connecting road”. Therefore, the condition J2 is satisfied. Regarding condition J3, the intersection X1 corresponds to another intersection located immediately before the intersection X2 on the guidance route, and the intersection X1 has a traffic light and is prohibited from turning right. That is, the intersection X1 is a corresponding intersection. Therefore, the condition J3 is satisfied. Regarding the condition J4, the road that enters after turning left at the intersection X1, which is the corresponding intersection, is the connecting road R1a. The connecting road R1a is a ramp that connects roads having different heights, and the type of the road is “connecting road”. Therefore, the condition J4 is satisfied. With respect to the condition J5, the route number of the connecting road R2a that enters after turning right at the intersection X2 that is a guidance intersection matches the route number of the connecting road R1a that enters after turning left at the intersection X1 that is a corresponding intersection. In addition, the corresponding connecting roads respectively provided on the upper and lower lines of the main line are usually assigned in common with the main line number, and in this embodiment, the connecting path R1a and the connecting path R2a As the route number, a route number having the same value as the route number value of the main road K2 is given. Therefore, the condition J5 is satisfied.

  When the intersection pattern determination unit 12 determines that one guidance intersection is the second pattern, the intersection pattern determination unit 12 accesses the guidance route storage unit 21 and associates it with the node ID of the one guidance intersection. The pattern specifying information indicating this is stored.

  Next, the third pattern will be described. FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of an intersection X4 that is a guidance intersection of the third pattern. As shown in FIG. 6, the guidance intersection of the third pattern is an intersection where there is no traffic light and the corresponding condition described above is not satisfied. The intersection pattern determination unit 12 refers to the map data 20a, acquires the traffic signal presence / absence information of the guidance intersection whose pattern is to be determined, and the value of the acquired traffic signal presence / absence information is a value indicating that no traffic signal exists. In this case, it is further determined whether or not a corresponding condition is satisfied. If the corresponding condition is not satisfied, the intersection pattern determination unit 12 determines that the pattern of the guidance intersection is the third pattern.

  When the intersection pattern determination unit 12 determines that one guidance intersection is the third pattern, the intersection pattern determination unit 12 accesses the guidance route storage unit 21 and associates it with the node ID of the one guidance intersection. The pattern specifying information indicating this is stored.

  The sound processing unit 13 includes a D / A converter and an amplifier circuit, performs signal processing such as D / A conversion and amplification on the input sound signal, outputs the signal to the speaker 300, and based on the sound signal from the speaker 300. Output audio.

  The route guidance unit 14 guides the guidance route according to a user instruction using the touch panel 200 or the like. The route guidance unit 14 displays a map on the touch panel 200 based on the map data 20a and the guidance route information stored in the guidance route storage unit 21, and also detects the vehicle detected by the vehicle position detection unit 10 on the map. The guide route is guided by displaying a mark indicating the vehicle position and an image showing the guide route. In addition, the route guide unit 14 appropriately controls the voice processing unit 13 to guide the guidance route using voice.

  In particular, the route guidance unit 14 according to the present embodiment executes a characteristic process for guidance related to a guidance intersection. The route guidance unit 14 executes “preliminary guidance” and “detailed guidance” as guidance regarding the guidance intersection. Hereinafter, the process of the route guide unit 14 when performing prior guidance and the process of the route guide unit 14 when performing detailed guidance will be described in detail.

<Processing of the route guidance unit 14 when performing advance guidance>
First, the process of the route guidance unit 14 when performing prior guidance will be described. The route guidance unit 14 performs advance guidance by changing the mode according to the pattern of the guidance intersection. Hereinafter, the contents of the advance guidance and the processing of the route guidance unit 14 will be described for each pattern. The route guidance unit 14 determines the guidance intersection information pattern stored in the guidance route storage unit 21 as to which of the first pattern, the second pattern, and the third pattern the guidance intersection pattern is. The determination is made based on the specific information (see FIG. 3).

<First pattern>
First, the contents of the advance guidance in the case of the first pattern and the processing of the route guidance unit 14 will be described with reference to FIG. The route guidance unit 14 determines that the distance between the “guide intersection” and the vehicle position is the first threshold value, the second threshold value, and the third threshold value when the next guided intersection pattern on the guidance route is the first pattern. It is monitored whether any one of the threshold values is reached. In the present embodiment, the distance between the vehicle position and a predetermined position on the guidance route means a travel distance when the vehicle travels along the guidance route from the vehicle position to the predetermined position. The route guide unit 14 calculates the distance between the vehicle position and the predetermined position based on the information related to the link included in the map data 20a and other information using an existing technique. Hereinafter, the first threshold, the second threshold, and the third threshold may be collectively referred to as “preliminary guidance threshold”.

  The first threshold value, the second threshold value, and the third threshold value are threshold values that are used as triggers for executing output of voice related to advance guidance (the contents of the voice will be described later). In the first pattern, when the distance between the vehicle position and the guidance intersection reaches any one of these threshold values, the route guidance unit 14 outputs a sound related to prior guidance having contents corresponding to the threshold values. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the first threshold is “300 meters”, the second threshold is “100 meters”, and the third threshold is “30 meters”.

  If the distance between the vehicle position and the guidance intersection in the first pattern is the first threshold (300 meters), then the vehicle may pass one or more traffic lights before reaching the guidance intersection. . When it is detected that the distance between the guidance intersection and the vehicle position has reached the first threshold, the route guidance unit 14 controls the voice processing unit 13 to determine the distance to the guidance intersection, the traffic signal at the guidance intersection, and A sound including the number of traffic lights passing through to the guidance intersection and the direction of turning at the guidance intersection as information is output. In the present embodiment, for example, when the number of traffic lights including a traffic signal at a guidance intersection and passing through to the guidance intersection is “5” and the direction of turning at the guidance intersection is “right”, the route guidance unit 14 Outputs a voice saying "The fifth signal is 300 meters ahead and to the right."

  If the distance between the vehicle position and the guidance intersection in the first pattern is the second threshold (100 meters), then the vehicle may pass one or more traffic lights before reaching the guidance intersection. . When it is detected that the distance between the guidance intersection and the vehicle position has reached the second threshold, the route guidance unit 14 controls the voice processing unit 13 to pass through the traffic signal at the guidance intersection and the guidance intersection. A sound including the number of traffic lights to be turned and the direction of turning at the guidance intersection as information is output. In the present embodiment, for example, when the number of traffic lights including a traffic signal at a guidance intersection, the number of traffic signals passing through to the guidance intersection is “2”, and the direction of turning at the guidance intersection is “right”, the route guidance unit 14 Outputs the sound “The second signal is to the right”. In this example, information indicating the distance between the vehicle position and the guidance intersection is not included in the audio content, but it is needless to say that the distance may be included.

  When the distance between the vehicle position and the guidance intersection in the first pattern is the third threshold (30 meters), there is usually no intersection (traffic light) that passes after the vehicle reaches the guidance intersection. When the distance between the vehicle position and the guidance intersection is the third threshold value, the third threshold value is a value such that there is no traffic light (excluding the traffic light at the guidance intersection) between the vehicle position and the guidance intersection. The When the distance between the vehicle position and the guidance intersection is the third threshold value, the vehicle position and the guidance intersection are very close to each other, and the driver usually passes the guidance intersection through the windshield of the vehicle. Can be visually recognized.

  When it is detected that the distance between the guidance intersection and the vehicle position has reached the third threshold value, the route guidance unit 14 controls the voice processing unit 13 to determine the next (= first) traffic signal (= The voice signal of the contents clearly indicating that the traffic light at the guidance intersection) is a traffic signal used for turning left and right at the intersection and the direction of turning at the guidance intersection. In the present embodiment, for example, when the direction of turning at the guidance intersection is “right”, the route guidance unit 14 outputs a voice “This signal is in the right direction”. In this example, the expression “this signal is ˜” is used, but the expression “first signal is ˜” representing the same meaning may be used. In this example, information indicating the distance between the vehicle position and the guidance intersection is not included in the audio content, but it is needless to say that the distance may be included.

  As described above, in the first pattern, the route guidance unit 14 performs guidance to the guidance intersection using the traffic lights at the guidance intersection and the number of traffic signals that the vehicle passes until reaching the guidance intersection. More specifically, when the guidance intersection and the vehicle are sufficiently separated from each other, the route guidance unit 14 guides using the traffic lights at the guidance intersection and the number of traffic lights that pass through to the guidance intersection. Do. For this reason, the driver can accurately recognize the position of the guidance intersection using simple and clear information such as the number of traffic lights. In addition, when the guidance intersection and the vehicle are close to each other, the route guidance unit 14 performs guidance that clearly indicates that the next signal is a signal used for turning left and right at the intersection. For this reason, the driver accurately recognizes that a right / left turn of the intersection (guide intersection) should be performed using the traffic signal in a situation where the guidance intersection and the vehicle are close to each other and the traffic signal at the guidance intersection can be actually confirmed. be able to. That is, in the present embodiment, when the guidance intersection has a traffic signal, guidance is performed using the number of traffic signals including the traffic signal of the guidance intersection, and the vehicle passes, so that the guidance intersection has a traffic signal. Therefore, it is possible to provide easy-to-understand guidance using traffic lights.

  In the above description, when the distance between the guidance intersection and the vehicle position becomes a threshold, the guidance is performed by voice. However, regarding this point, the guidance may be performed by using an image together with the voice. In this case, for example, information on the content having the same identity as the audio content may be displayed by pop-up. This is the same also about the 2nd pattern and 3rd pattern which are mentioned later.

<Second pattern>
Next, the contents of the advance guidance in the case of the second pattern and the processing of the route guidance unit 14 will be described with reference to FIG. The route guidance unit 14 determines that the distance between the “corresponding intersection” and the vehicle position is the first threshold value (300 meters) and the second threshold value when the next guidance intersection pattern on the guidance route is the second pattern. It is monitored whether or not a preliminary guidance threshold value of either (100 meters) or the third threshold value (30 meters) has been reached. In this way, the second pattern is not the point where the distance between the “guide intersection” and the vehicle position is compared with the threshold value, but the distance between the “corresponding intersection” and the vehicle position is compared with the threshold value. The process related to is different from the process related to the first pattern described above.

  As shown in FIG. 5, when it is detected that the distance between the vehicle position and the corresponding intersection has reached the prior guidance threshold, the route guidance unit 14 outputs the voice according to the threshold and performs the prior guidance. Do. More specifically, when the route guidance unit 14 detects that the distance between the vehicle position and the corresponding intersection has reached the first threshold, the distance to the corresponding intersection, the traffic signal at the corresponding intersection, and the corresponding intersection are reached. The voice including the number of passing traffic lights and the direction of turning at the guidance intersection as information is output. For example, if the number of traffic lights including the traffic lights at the corresponding intersection is “5” and the turn direction at the guidance intersection is “right”, the route guidance unit 14 is “300 meters”. First, the fifth signal is in the right direction.

  When it is detected in the second pattern that the distance between the vehicle position and the corresponding intersection has reached the second threshold (100 meters), the route guidance unit 14 controls the voice processing unit 13 to A sound including the number of traffic lights passing through to the corresponding intersection and the direction of turning at the guidance intersection as information is output. In the present embodiment, for example, when the number of traffic lights including a traffic signal at a corresponding intersection is “2” and the turn direction at the guidance intersection is “right”, the route guidance unit 14 Outputs the sound “The second signal is to the right”. In addition, you may make it include the information which shows the distance of the own vehicle position and a corresponding | compatible intersection in the content of an audio | voice.

  When it is detected in the second pattern that the distance between the vehicle position and the corresponding intersection has reached the third threshold (30 meters), the route guidance unit 14 controls the voice processing unit 13 to perform the following (= 1) The first traffic light (= traffic light at the corresponding intersection) is a traffic light used for turning right at the intersection, and the direction of turning at the guidance intersection (in the case of the second pattern, it must be right) Output audio. In the present embodiment, for example, the route guidance unit 14 outputs a voice “This signal is in the right direction”. In this example, the expression “this signal is ˜” is used, but the expression “first signal is ˜” representing the same meaning may be used. In addition, information indicating the distance between the vehicle position and the corresponding intersection may be included in the audio content.

  As described above, in the second pattern, the route guidance unit 14 performs guidance to the guidance intersection using the traffic signal at the corresponding intersection and the number of traffic signals that the vehicle passes through until reaching the corresponding intersection. More specifically, when the corresponding intersection and the vehicle are sufficiently separated from each other, the route guide unit 14 guides using the number of traffic lights passing through the corresponding intersection and the corresponding intersection. Do. In addition, when the corresponding intersection and the vehicle are close to each other, the route guidance unit 14 indicates that the next (= first) traffic signal (the traffic signal at the corresponding intersection) is a signal used for the right turn at the intersection. Provide explicit guidance. Here, as described above, when the pattern of the guidance intersection is the second pattern, the guidance intersection and the corresponding intersection function as one intersection whose travel / stop is regulated by the traffic signal at the corresponding intersection, The driver recognizes the guidance intersection and the corresponding intersection as one intersection. Based on this, according to the above configuration, even when there is no traffic light at the guidance intersection, one intersection where the guidance intersection and the corresponding intersection that is not the guidance intersection are regulated by the traffic signal at the corresponding intersection. In the case of functioning as, it is possible to provide easy-to-understand guidance for the driver using the number of traffic lights including traffic lights at the corresponding intersection. In addition, the driver can clearly recognize that the traffic signal at the corresponding intersection is a traffic signal used for a right turn at the guidance intersection.

<Third pattern>
Next, the contents of the advance guidance in the case of the third pattern and the processing of the route guidance unit 14 will be described with reference to FIG. The route guidance unit 14 determines that the distance between the guidance intersection and the vehicle position is any of the first threshold value, the second threshold value, and the third threshold value when the next guidance intersection pattern on the guidance route is the third pattern. It is monitored whether or not the threshold is reached.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in the third pattern, when it is detected that the distance between the guidance intersection and the vehicle position has reached the first threshold, the route guidance unit 14 controls the voice processing unit 13, A voice including the distance to the guidance intersection and the direction of turning at the guidance intersection as information is output. In the present embodiment, for example, when the direction of turning at the guidance intersection is “right”, the route guidance unit 14 outputs a voice “300 meters ahead, right”.

  In the third pattern, when it is detected that the distance between the guidance intersection and the vehicle position has reached the second threshold, the route guidance unit 14 controls the voice processing unit 13 to determine the distance between the guidance intersections, And the audio | voice containing the direction which turns at a guidance intersection as information is output. In the present embodiment, for example, when the direction of turning at the guidance intersection is “right”, the route guidance unit 14 outputs a voice “100 meters ahead, right”.

  In the third pattern, when it is detected that the distance between the guidance intersection and the vehicle position has reached the third threshold, the route guidance unit 14 should control the voice processing unit 13 to turn right and left at the intersection. , And a voice with contents clearly indicating the direction of the turn at the guidance intersection. In the present embodiment, for example, when the direction of turning at the guidance intersection is “right”, the route guidance unit 14 outputs a voice “the intersection 30 meters ahead is in the right direction”.

  As described above, in the third pattern, the route guidance unit 14 performs guidance using the distance from the vehicle position to the guidance intersection without performing guidance using the number of traffic lights when guiding to the guidance intersection. This configuration has the following effects. That is, when the pattern of the guidance intersection is the third pattern, using the traffic light that passes before reaching the guidance intersection, it passes through the last direction as “After passing the third traffic light, it is in the right direction”. It is possible to guide to the guidance intersection by notifying that the next intersection of the traffic light is a guidance intersection. However, in this case, when the last traffic signal and the guidance intersection are greatly separated, or when there is actually a road that does not exist in the map data 20a between the last traffic signal and the guidance intersection. For example, the driver may misunderstand the position of the guidance intersection, and it may be difficult for the driver to understand the guidance intersection. Based on the above, according to the above configuration, when there is no traffic signal at the guidance intersection and it is not the case described in the second pattern described above, guidance using the number of traffic signals is not performed, and the vehicle and the intersection Therefore, the driver can be prevented from misunderstanding about the position of the traffic light, and can be easily understood by the driver.

<Processing of the route guidance unit 14 when performing detailed guidance>
Next, processing of the route guidance unit 14 when performing detailed guidance will be described. Hereinafter, the processing of the route guidance unit 14 when the guidance intersection pattern is the second pattern will be described first, and then the route guidance unit 14 when the guidance intersection pattern is the first pattern or the third pattern. Processing will be described.

<Second pattern>
When the vehicle travels on the guidance route and the next intersection where the vehicle passes is the intersection of the second pattern, the route guidance unit 14 executes the following processing regarding the detailed guidance. That is, the route guidance unit 14 monitors whether or not the position of the own vehicle position and the corresponding intersection has reached the fourth threshold value. The fourth threshold value is a threshold value used as a trigger for displaying an enlarged intersection map G1 described later, and is a value such that the vehicle position is sufficiently close to the corresponding intersection. The fourth threshold is a distance of 30 meters or less, for example. The fourth threshold value may be configured to be set by the user. When it is detected that the distance between the vehicle position and the corresponding intersection has reached the fourth threshold, the route guide unit 14 displays the enlarged intersection view G1 on the touch panel 200.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of an enlarged intersection view G1 according to the second pattern, and illustrates a screen of the touch panel 200 in a state where the enlarged intersection view G1 is displayed. As shown in FIG. 7, when displaying the intersection enlarged view G1, the route guidance unit 14 divides the display area of the touch panel 200 into a left area and a right area, and displays the intersection enlarged view G1 in the left area. The map that was displayed before is displayed, and the intersection enlarged view G1 is displayed in the area on the right side. The intersection enlarged view G1 is a screen in which the map near the corresponding intersection centered on the corresponding intersection is enlarged and displayed in the second pattern, and the vehicle position is clearly shown on the map.

  The roads and intersections shown in the map of FIG. 7 correspond to the roads and intersections shown in FIGS. 5 and 10. In FIG. 7, for convenience of explanation, the roads and intersections of FIG. The same reference numerals are assigned to the corresponding roads and intersections. As shown in FIG. 7, the route guide unit 14 displays an image showing the guidance route on the map of the enlarged intersection G1.

  Further, in the case of the second pattern, the route guide unit 14 displays an intersection check mark M1 at a position corresponding to the corresponding intersection (intersection X1 in FIG. 7) instead of the guidance intersection. The intersection check mark M1 is a ring-shaped image surrounding the intersection, and is displayed on the enlarged intersection view G1 for the purpose of clearly indicating that a right / left turn should be performed at the intersection surrounded by the intersection check mark M1. Further, in the case of the second pattern, the route guidance unit 14 displays a traffic light mark M2 representing a traffic light in association with the corresponding intersection. Further, in the case of the second pattern, the route guide unit 14 refers to the node database and displays the lane explicit image M3 based on the lane information of the corresponding intersection. The lane explicit image M3 is an image that clearly shows the lane that the vehicle should travel in order to travel on the guide route among the lanes that can travel.

  Here, as described above, when the pattern of the guidance intersection is the second pattern, the guidance intersection and the corresponding intersection function as one intersection whose progress / stop is controlled by the traffic signal at the corresponding intersection. Therefore, for the driver, it is necessary to confirm that the traffic signal is to be used as a traffic light that should be used when making a right turn at the guidance intersection after the traffic signal at the corresponding intersection is clearly indicated on the map. There is no mistake in the traffic lights that should be used, and the guidance is easy to understand. Based on the above, in the case of the second pattern, in the intersection enlarged view G1, the corresponding intersection is surrounded by the intersection check mark M1, the traffic light mark M2 is displayed in association with the corresponding intersection, and based on the lane information of the corresponding intersection Since the lane explicit image M3 is displayed, guidance easy to understand for the driver can be provided.

<First pattern or third pattern>
When the vehicle travels on the guidance route, if the next guidance intersection through which the vehicle passes is the intersection of the first pattern or the third pattern, the route guidance unit 14 performs the following processing regarding the detailed guidance. That is, the route guidance unit 14 monitors whether or not the position of the vehicle position and the guidance intersection has reached the fourth threshold value. When it is detected that the distance between the vehicle position and the guidance intersection has reached the fourth threshold, the route guidance unit 14 displays an enlarged view of the intersection on the touch panel 200.

  In the case of the first pattern or the third pattern, the route guide unit 14 displays an enlarged map of the vicinity of the guidance intersection centered on the guidance intersection on the enlarged intersection map, and a mark indicating the vehicle position on the map. And an image showing the guidance route is displayed. In addition, the route guide unit 14 displays an intersection check mark M1 at a position corresponding to the guidance intersection. Further, in the enlarged view of the intersection, the route guidance unit 14 displays the traffic light mark M2 in association with the guidance intersection in the case of the first pattern (the guidance intersection has a traffic signal), and the third pattern (the guidance intersection is a traffic signal). In the case of a pattern having no), the traffic light mark M2 is not displayed. Further, in the case of the first pattern or the third pattern, the route guide unit 14 refers to the node database and displays the lane explicit image M3 based on the lane information of the guidance intersection.

  As described above, in the case of the first pattern or the third pattern, the enlarged view of the intersection clearly shows that the guidance intersection is an intersection where a right / left turn should be made, and various displays that support right / left turns at the guidance intersection Is done. The driver can smoothly make a right / left turn at the guidance intersection by referring to the enlarged intersection view.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing of the intersection pattern determination unit 12 according to the present embodiment. In the process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8, after the destination is set by the user, the start of guidance for the route (guide route) to the destination is instructed, and the route search unit 11 responds to the guidance route information accordingly. After being generated and stored in the guide route storage unit 21, it is executed based on the guide route information stored in the guide route storage unit 21.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the intersection pattern determination unit 12 determines one guidance intersection among the guidance intersections that have not yet been determined as a pattern among the guidance intersections included in the guidance route as a pattern determination target. (Step SA1). Hereinafter, the guidance intersection determined as the target for determining the pattern in step SA1 is referred to as a “processing target intersection”.

  After determining the processing target intersection in step SA1, the intersection pattern determination unit 12 refers to the node database, acquires traffic signal presence / absence information of the processing target intersection, and based on the acquired traffic signal presence / absence information, the processing target intersection indicates a traffic signal. It is judged whether it has (step SA2). When there is a traffic light (step SA2: YES), the route guide unit 14 determines that the processing target intersection is an intersection of the first pattern (step SA3). Next, the intersection pattern determination unit 12 accesses the guidance route storage unit 21 and stores pattern specifying information indicating the first pattern in association with the node ID of the processing target intersection (step SA4). After the process of step SA4, the intersection pattern determination unit 12 moves the processing procedure to step SA5.

  When it is determined in step SA2 that the processing target intersection does not have a traffic signal (step SA2: NO), the intersection pattern determination unit 12 determines whether or not a corresponding condition is satisfied for the processing target intersection (step SA6). When the correspondence condition is satisfied (step SA6: YES), the intersection pattern determination unit 12 determines that the processing target intersection is an intersection of the second pattern (step SA7). Next, the intersection pattern determination unit 12 accesses the guidance route storage unit 21 and stores pattern specifying information indicating the second pattern in association with the node ID of the processing target intersection (step SA8). After the process of step SA8, the intersection pattern determination unit 12 moves the processing procedure to step SA5.

  If it is determined in step SA6 that the corresponding condition is not satisfied (step SA6: NO), the intersection pattern determination unit 12 determines that the processing target intersection is an intersection of the third pattern (step SA9). Next, the intersection pattern determination unit 12 accesses the guidance route storage unit 21 and stores pattern specifying information indicating the third pattern in association with the node ID of the processing target intersection (step SA10). After the process of step SA10, the intersection pattern determination unit 12 moves the processing procedure to step SA5.

  In step SA5, the intersection pattern determination unit 12 determines whether or not pattern determination has been completed for all guidance intersections included in the guidance route. When the pattern determination is not completed (step SA5: NO), the intersection pattern determination unit 12 returns the processing procedure to step SA1. On the other hand, the intersection pattern determination part 12 complete | finishes a process, when the determination of a pattern is completed (step SA5: YES).

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing of the route guide unit 14 according to the present embodiment. In particular, FIG. 9 shows an example of processing of the route guide unit 14 when performing advance guidance. The process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 9 is executed at any time while the guidance route is being guided.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the route guidance unit 14 determines whether or not the vehicle position is in a predetermined state (step SB1). The predetermined state is a state where the distance between the guidance intersection and the vehicle position has reached the prior guidance threshold when the pattern of the guidance intersection is the first pattern or the third pattern. In addition, the predetermined state is a state where the distance between the corresponding intersection and the vehicle position has reached the prior guidance threshold when the pattern of the guidance intersection is the second pattern. The route guide unit 14 continues and repeats the process of step SB1 until the vehicle position is in a predetermined state.

  When the vehicle position is in a predetermined state (step SB1: YES), the route guidance unit 14 determines whether the guidance intersection is a first pattern intersection (step SB2). If the guidance intersection is the intersection of the first pattern (step SB2: YES), the route guidance unit 14 provides guidance to the guidance intersection using the traffic lights at the guidance intersection and the number of traffic signals that the vehicle passes to reach the guidance intersection. Perform (step SB3). As described above, for example, the route guide unit 14 outputs a voice “300 meters ahead, the fifth signal is in the right direction”. After the process of step SB3, the route guide unit 14 proceeds to step SB4.

  When the guidance intersection is not the intersection of the first pattern (step SB2: NO), the route guidance unit 14 determines whether the guidance intersection is the intersection of the second pattern (step SB5). If the guidance intersection is the intersection of the second pattern (step SB5: YES), the route guidance unit 14 provides guidance to the guidance intersection using the traffic lights at the corresponding intersection and the number of traffic signals that the vehicle passes until reaching the corresponding intersection. Perform (step SB6). As described above, for example, the route guide unit 14 outputs a voice “300 meters ahead, the fifth signal is in the right direction”. After the process of step SB6, the route guide unit 14 proceeds to step SB4.

  When the guidance intersection is not the intersection of the second pattern (= when the guidance intersection is the intersection of the third pattern) (step SB5: NO), the route guidance unit 14 does not use the number of traffic lights and travels from the vehicle to the guidance intersection. Is used to guide to the guidance intersection (step SB7). As described above, for example, the route guidance unit 14 outputs a voice “300 meters ahead, rightward”. After the process of step SB6, the route guide unit 14 proceeds to step SB4.

  In step SB4, the route guidance unit 14 determines whether or not guidance route guidance has been completed. When the user arrives at the destination or the user gives an instruction to end the guidance route guidance, the route guidance unit 14 determines in step SB4 that the guidance route guidance has been completed. If the guidance route guidance has not been completed (step SB4: NO), the route guide unit 14 proceeds to step SB1. When the guidance route guidance is completed (step SB4: YES), the route guidance unit 14 ends the process.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 9, for convenience of explanation, the route guide unit 14 is configured to determine whether or not the guidance route guidance is completed in step SB4. While the process is being executed, it is monitored whether or not the guidance route guidance has been completed. If the guidance route has been completed, a necessary end process is executed and then the process ends.

  As described above in detail, the route guidance apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment searches for the guidance route, and then determines whether the guidance intersection of the guidance route is the intersection of the first pattern, the intersection of the second pattern, or the third pattern. Determine if it is an intersection. As described above, the intersection of the second pattern is an intersection that functions as one intersection with the corresponding intersection and whose travel / stop is regulated by the traffic light at the corresponding intersection. Then, when the guidance intersection is the intersection of the first pattern, the route guidance apparatus 100 performs guidance to the guidance intersection using the traffic lights at the guidance intersection and the number of traffic signals that the vehicle passes before reaching the guidance intersection. When the guidance intersection is the intersection of the second pattern, the route guidance apparatus 100 performs guidance to the guidance intersection using the traffic signal at the corresponding intersection and the number of traffic signals that the vehicle passes before reaching the corresponding intersection. When the guidance intersection is a third pattern intersection, the route guidance device 100 performs guidance to the guidance intersection using the distance from the vehicle to the guidance intersection without using the number of traffic lights.

  According to this configuration, when the guidance intersection has a traffic signal, guidance is performed using the number of traffic lights including the traffic signal at the guidance intersection. Therefore, the number of traffic lights is used by utilizing the fact that the guidance intersection has a traffic signal. Easy to understand guidance. Furthermore, according to the above configuration, in the case where the guidance intersection and the corresponding intersection that is not the guidance intersection function as one intersection even when the guidance intersection does not have a traffic signal, the traffic signal including the traffic signal of the corresponding intersection Since the guidance is performed using the number, the number of traffic lights is used based on the fact that the guidance intersection and the corresponding intersection function as one intersection, and the traffic lights at the corresponding intersection are restricted from advancing / stopping at the guidance intersection. Easy-to-understand guidance. Furthermore, according to the above configuration, when the guidance intersection does not have a traffic light and is not the case described above, guidance to the guidance intersection is performed using the distance to the guidance intersection without using the number of traffic lights. Therefore, appropriate guidance using the distance to the guidance intersection is suppressed by suppressing the driver from misrecognizing the position of the guidance intersection due to the guidance to the guidance intersection using the number of traffic lights. Can be done. That is, according to the above configuration, when guiding a guidance intersection, after providing appropriate guidance according to whether there is a traffic signal at the guidance intersection, there is no traffic signal at the guidance intersection, and the guidance intersection and In the case where other intersections function as one intersection, appropriate guidance corresponding to the case can be provided.

<First Modification>
Next, a first modification of the above-described embodiment will be described. In the above-described embodiment, the corresponding condition is configured by five conditions J1 to J5. In this regard, in addition to the conditions J1 to J5, the following condition J6 may be added to the corresponding conditions. Condition J6: The corresponding intersection is located within a predetermined range from the guidance intersection. Here, when the corresponding intersection and the guidance intersection function as one intersection, the corresponding intersection is located within a predetermined range from the guidance intersection. Based on this, the condition J6 is a condition for more reliably determining that the guidance intersection is the intersection of the second pattern. Note that the value in the predetermined range is appropriately determined after prior verification.

<Second Modification>
Next, a second modification of the above-described embodiment will be described. In the embodiment described above, the intersection of the second pattern is an intersection corresponding to the intersection X2 in FIG. 5, and the corresponding condition is a condition that is satisfied when the guidance intersection corresponds to the intersection X2 in FIG. In this regard, the intersection of the second pattern is not limited to the intersection corresponding to the intersection X2 in FIG. That is, the intersection of the second pattern only needs to be an intersection that functions as one intersection with other intersections and whose travel / stop is regulated by a traffic signal at the other intersection. In addition, the correspondence condition may be a condition that is satisfied when the guidance intersection is an intersection that functions as one intersection together with another intersection and whose travel / stop is restricted by a traffic signal at the other intersection.

  In particular, the guidance intersection does not have a traffic signal, and another intersection located immediately before the guidance intersection on the guidance route has a traffic signal, and the guidance intersection and the other intersection are both via a side road or a connecting road. When connecting to a common main line, the guiding intersection functions as one intersection with other intersections. Based on this, the corresponding condition is that there are no traffic lights, other intersections located just before the guidance intersection on the guidance route have traffic lights, and both the guidance intersection and the other intersections are side roads or connecting roads. The intersection pattern determination unit 12 may be configured to determine the pattern of the guidance intersection as the second pattern when the guidance intersection satisfies the corresponding condition.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another example of a case where a guidance intersection functions as one intersection together with other intersections. In FIG. 10, a white arrow drawn on the road indicates a direction in which the vehicle can travel on the road. In FIG. 10, the upward direction is north, the right direction is east, the downward direction is south, and the left direction is west.

  In FIG. 10, a road K10 extending from north to south is a general national road, and has an intersection X10a and an intersection X10b in order toward the north as intersections. At the intersection X10a, a traffic light S10 that restricts the travel / stop of the vehicle traveling north on the road K10 is provided. At the intersection X10b, the travel / stop of the vehicle traveling north on the road K10 is provided. There are no traffic lights that regulate In addition, a stop line T11 is provided at the intersection X10a, but no stop line is provided at the intersection X10b. In FIG. 10, for convenience of explanation, only the traffic light (signal S10) that restricts the travel / stop of the vehicle traveling north on the road K10 is drawn in the drawing, and the vehicle traveling south on the road K10. The traffic light that regulates the progress / stop of is not drawn.

  A connecting path R10a extends east from the intersection X10a. The connecting road R10a is a road connected to the highway via the gate GT10 serving as an entrance / exit of the highway (main line). The connecting road R10a is a dedicated road for a vehicle leaving the highway with the gate GT10 as an exit and entering the road K10, and a vehicle traveling on the road K10 is prohibited from entering the connecting road R10a. Yes.

  A connecting road R10b extends from the intersection X10b toward the east. The connecting road R10b is a road connected to the highway through the gate GT10. The connecting road R10b is a dedicated road for a vehicle traveling on the road K10 to enter the highway using the gate GT10 as an entrance, and a vehicle leaving the highway using the gate GT10 as an exit enters the connecting road R10b. That is forbidden.

  The traffic light S10 is a traffic light that regulates the traveling / stopping at the intersection X10a and the intersection X10b with respect to a vehicle traveling north on the road K10. More specifically, as described above, the intersection X10a is provided with a stop line T11 for vehicles traveling north on the road K10, while the intersection X10b is stopped for vehicles traveling on the road K10 north. There is no line. The traffic light S10 is a traffic light provided corresponding to the stop line T11, and the vehicle traveling toward the north on the road K10 is regulated by the traffic light S10 for straight traveling and right turn at the intersection X10b.

  In the case where the mode of the road is the mode shown in FIG. 10, the guidance route goes straight at the intersection X10a, turns right at the intersection X10b, enters the connecting road R10b, and enters the gate GT10 as shown by the thick line in FIG. It is assumed that the route KR10 enters the highway through the route. In this case, the intersection X10b is a guidance intersection. When the intersection X10b is a guidance intersection, the intersection X10b functions together with the intersection X10a as one intersection whose travel / stop is regulated by the traffic light S10 at the intersection X10a. Based on this, the intersection corresponding to the intersection X10b is included in the intersection of the second pattern, and when the guidance intersection is an intersection corresponding to the intersection X10b, the traffic signal of the intersection corresponding to the intersection X10a is used to reach the guidance intersection. It is good also as a structure which guides.

  The intersection X10b as a guidance intersection does not have a traffic light, the intersection X10a located immediately before the guidance intersection on the guidance route has a traffic signal, and both the intersection X10a and the intersection X10b are common via a connecting path. Connected to the main line. Based on this, the conditions used for determining whether the guidance intersection is an intersection corresponding to the intersection X10b are, for example, the following conditions. Condition J7: Another intersection located immediately before the guidance intersection on the guidance route has a traffic light. Condition J8: The guidance intersection and the other intersection are connected to a common main line via a connecting path.

  In the above-described embodiment, the route guidance unit 14 performs various guidance by displaying information related to guidance on the touch panel 200 and outputting voice related to guidance. In this regard, the illustrated guidance is an example, and a configuration in which guidance is performed by another method may be used. For example, the configuration may be such that guidance is performed by displaying information on the windshield with a head-up display, or the configuration may be such that guidance is performed by displaying information on a display device other than the touch panel 200.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the content of the audio output at the time of guidance regarding the guidance intersection and the content of the displayed image have been described as appropriate by way of example. The content is merely an example, and is not limited to the exemplified content.

  In addition, each of the above-described embodiments is merely an example of a specific example for carrying out the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be construed in a limited manner. That is, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the gist or the main features thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Route search part 12 Intersection pattern determination part 14 Route guidance part 20 Map data memory | storage part 100 Route guidance apparatus

Claims (7)

A map data storage unit for storing map data having road network information relating to nodes and links;
A route search unit for searching for a guide route based on the road network information stored in the map data storage unit;
Based on the road network information stored in the map data storage unit,
The guidance intersection on the guidance route is
The intersection of the first pattern with traffic lights,
The second pattern of intersections that do not have a traffic light and whose travel / stop is restricted by traffic lights at other intersections and function as one intersection with the other intersections,
An intersection pattern determination unit that determines whether an intersection of a third pattern other than the first pattern and the second pattern;
When the intersection pattern determination unit determines that the guidance intersection is the intersection of the first pattern, the number of traffic lights that the vehicle passes through to the guidance intersection and the number of traffic signals that the vehicle passes to reach the guidance intersection. Give guidance,
When the intersection pattern determination unit determines that the guidance intersection is the intersection of the second pattern, the guidance intersection using the traffic signal of the other intersection and the number of traffic signals that the vehicle passes to reach the other intersection. Up to
When the intersection pattern determination unit determines that the guidance intersection is the intersection of the third pattern, the route guidance performs guidance to the guidance intersection using the distance from the vehicle to the guidance intersection without using the number of traffic lights. And a route guidance device. The intersection pattern determination unit
The guidance intersection does not have a traffic signal, and another intersection located immediately before the guidance intersection on the guidance route has a traffic signal. The guidance intersection and the other intersection both have a side road or a connecting road. 2. The route guidance device according to claim 1, wherein, when connecting to a common main line, the guidance intersection is determined to be an intersection of the second pattern. The intersection pattern determination unit
The guidance intersection does not have a traffic light, the guidance at the guidance intersection is a right turn, and the type of road to enter when turning right at the guidance intersection is a side road on the same route as a connecting road or a main line, and the guidance The other intersection located immediately before the guidance intersection on the route is a corresponding intersection that has a traffic light and is prohibited to turn right, and the type of road that enters when the corresponding intersection is turned to the left is the same route as the connecting route or the main line When the road number of the road that enters when turning right at the guidance intersection and the route number of the road that enters when turning left at the corresponding intersection have the same,
The route guidance device according to claim 2, wherein the guidance intersection is determined to be an intersection of the second pattern. The intersection pattern determination unit
4. The route guidance device according to claim 3, wherein, when the corresponding intersection is located within a predetermined range from the guidance intersection, the guidance intersection is determined to be an intersection of the second pattern. The route guidance unit
When the intersection pattern determination unit determines that the guidance intersection is the intersection of the second pattern, when the distance between the other intersection that functions as one intersection with the guidance intersection and the vehicle becomes a predetermined distance, 5. The guidance to the guidance intersection is performed using the traffic signal of the other intersection and the number of traffic signals that the vehicle passes before reaching the other intersection. The route guidance apparatus described. The route guidance unit
When the guidance intersection is an intersection of the second pattern,
6. The guidance that clearly indicates that a traffic signal provided at another intersection that functions as one intersection with the guidance intersection is a traffic signal that restricts the travel / stop at the guidance intersection. The route guidance device according to any one of the above. A route guidance method by a route guidance device that stores road network information about nodes and links,
A first step in which a route search unit of the route guidance device searches for a guidance route based on the road network information;
Based on the road network information, the intersection pattern determination unit of the route guidance device determines whether the guidance intersection on the guidance route is the intersection of the first pattern having a traffic signal or the traffic signal of another intersection without a traffic signal. A second step of determining whether the intersection is a second pattern intersection that is restricted to advance / stop and functions as one intersection with the other intersection, or an intersection of a third pattern other than the first pattern and the second pattern; ,
The route guidance unit of the route guidance device, when the intersection pattern determination unit determines that the guidance intersection is the intersection of the first pattern, the traffic signal of the guidance intersection and the traffic signal through which the vehicle passes before reaching the guidance intersection When the guidance pattern is determined to be the intersection of the second pattern by the intersection pattern determination unit, the traffic signal of the other intersection and the other intersection are reached. When the guidance intersection is determined to be the intersection of the third pattern by the intersection pattern determination unit, the number of traffic lights passes through the vehicle without using the number of traffic lights. A third step of performing guidance to the guidance intersection using a distance from the guidance intersection;
A route guidance method comprising: