JP2020112479A - Route searching setting information generating device, route searching setting information generating method and route searching setting information generating program - Google Patents

Abstract

To enable guiding an arbitrary route which is targeted by a user who is already identified even when an existing on-vehicle navigation device is used.SOLUTION: A route searching section 307 receives arbitrary route information provision to search a route from a departure place to a destination place of an arbitrary route. A non-coincidence section identification section 308 identifies a non-coincidence section between this route searching result and the arbitrary route, and setting means sets a via place on a non-coincidence section of the arbitrary route side. Then, three processes of (1) researching considering the set via place, → (2) identifying the non-coincidence section, and → (3) setting via places are repeated until the non-coincidence section between the arbitrary route and the route setting result is eliminated, and route searching setting information which are composed of the departure place, the destination place and one or more via places is generated.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

The present invention relates to a device, a method, and a program for enabling a user, who has already been identified, to guide an arbitrary desired route by using, for example, a vehicle-mounted navigation device.

An in-vehicle navigation device (so-called car navigation system) can search a route (route) from the departure place to the destination if at least the departure place and the destination are set. Then, the car navigation system provides guidance by video and audio such as map display so that the driver can follow the searched route without hesitation. In this way, the basic use of car navigation is to provide directions to drivers who do not know the route to their destination. However, in some cases, for example, when a user wants to follow a desired sightseeing route, he or she wants to follow an arbitrary route that the driver has set in advance without hesitation. In order to meet such a request, Patent Document 1 described later discloses an invention relating to a navigation device that enables a user to search for a route desired by a simple operation.

In the navigation device disclosed in Patent Document 1, first, (1) a user inputs by tracing with a finger or a pen on a map determined based on a departure place and a destination input by a user. Accept a rough route to do. Next, (2) calculating the total length of the input rough route, setting a sampling interval according to the total length, and searching for a relay point on the road closest to the position specified by the sampling interval. To do. Then, (3) a route search from the departure place to the destination is performed also using the searched transit point. As a result, it is possible to search for a route that can be used for navigation from the departure point to the destination according to the rough route input by the user using the finger or the pen. The user can use the intended route searched in this way for route guidance.

JP 2001-74481 A

However, in the case of the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above, the longer the distance from the starting point to the destination is, the longer the sampling interval is, and therefore it is considered that there is a possibility that the route is far from the route desired by the user. Further, the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1 is a function installed in the navigation device, and therefore cannot be easily used in the existing navigation device. In order for the existing navigation device to be able to use the function, it is necessary to greatly improve the installed software.

In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to allow an already specified user to guide an intended arbitrary route even when using an existing navigation device.

In order to solve the above problems, the route search setting information generation device of the present invention,
Receiving means for receiving arbitrary route information indicating an arbitrary route from the starting point where the user plans to move to the destination,
A means for searching a route from the departure place to the destination, wherein when one or more waypoints are set, a search means for searching the route in consideration of the waypoints,
Specifying means for specifying a non-matching section between the arbitrary route specified by the arbitrary route information and the route search result by the searching means;
Setting means for setting a waypoint for the non-matching section on the arbitrary route,
Until a match between the arbitrary route and the route search result, a non-matching section is identified, a waypoint is set in the non-matching section on the arbitrary route, and a reroute search is performed in consideration of the set waypoint. Control means for controlling the specifying means, the setting means, and the searching means so as to repeat the processing,
For route search including information indicating each of the departure place, the destination, and one or more of the waypoints set by the setting means when the arbitrary route and the route search result match. And providing means for forming and providing setting information.

According to the present invention, it is possible to set a stopover point for a section in which the route search result does not match the arbitrary route from the starting point to the destination where the user plans to move. Then, in addition to the starting point and the destination, the route search setting information including the set transit point is provided to the existing navigation device, and the route search is performed using this route search setting information. it can. Accordingly, even when the existing navigation device is used, the user can specify the desired arbitrary route and guide the arbitrary route.

It is a block diagram for explaining the composition of the navigation system of an embodiment. It is a block diagram for explaining the composition of the portable terminal of the navigation system of an embodiment. It is a figure for explaining an example of map information and an arbitrary route. It is a figure for explaining an example of a format of a offer demand. It is a block diagram for explaining a configuration of a map information providing server device of the navigation system of the embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the information stored in the road network database of a service server, such as map information. It is a figure for explaining an example of an arbitrary route and a route search result. It is a figure for explaining a route re-search result. It is a figure for explaining a route re-search result. It is a figure for explaining a route re-search result. It is a block diagram for explaining the composition of the in-vehicle device of the navigation system of an embodiment. It is a figure for explaining an example of setting information for route search. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a process executed by the in-vehicle device according to the embodiment. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a process executed by the mobile terminal according to the embodiment. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a process executed by the map information providing server device according to the embodiment.

An embodiment of the device, method, and program of the present invention will be described below. The device, method, and program of the present invention can of course be installed as a new function in various navigation devices. However, by applying the present invention to a system composed of a mobile terminal, a server device, and an existing navigation device, even in the existing navigation device, a user (user) can provide guidance on an arbitrary route. Can be done. Therefore, in the following, an embodiment of the device, method, and program of the present invention will be described by taking as an example the case of being applied to a system including a mobile terminal, a server device, and an existing navigation device.

In this specification, the phrase "arbitrary route" means, for example, that a user traces a road on a map displayed on a mobile terminal by using a mouse cursor, a finger, an electronic pen, or the like. It means a specific route that the user wishes to pass through. In this specification, the phrase "route search result" is based on at least the instructed departure point and destination, and when one or more transit points are instructed, the one or more It also means the search result of the route automatically searched by the route search function of the device in consideration of the transit points.

[Navigation system configuration example]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of the navigation system according to the embodiment. In the navigation system of this embodiment, a mobile terminal 1 and a map information providing server device (hereinafter abbreviated as providing server) 3 are connected via a network 2 and are capable of communicating with each other. Further, the mobile terminal 1 and the vehicle-mounted device 4 are connected by short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard, and at least the mobile terminal 1 can provide information to the vehicle-mounted device 4.

The mobile terminal 1 is, for example, a tablet PC (Personal Computer) or a smart phone (high-performance mobile phone terminal). The mobile terminal 1 has a function of requesting provision of target information from the provision server 3 in response to an instruction input from a user, receiving the provision of the information, and outputting the information. Specifically, the mobile terminal 1 can send a map information providing request to the providing server 3, receive target map information from the providing server 3, and display and output the map information on its own display screen. ..

Then, the mobile terminal 1 accepts an instruction input of an arbitrary route that the user desires to pass through through a map displayed on the display screen of the own device, and includes information indicating the arbitrary route (arbitrary route information), and the arbitrary route. A request for providing route search setting information for enabling the search is formed. Then, the mobile terminal 1 transmits the formed route search setting information provision request (setting information provision request) to the providing server 3, receives the route search setting information from the providing server 3, and sends the request to the short distance. It is output by wireless communication and provided to the in-vehicle device 4.

The network 2 is mainly the Internet, but also includes a mobile phone network connecting the mobile terminal 1 and the providing server 3 to the Internet, a telephone network, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network), and the like. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 2B(1) is, for example, a base station of a mobile phone network or an access point of a wireless LAN.

The providing server 3 includes a map information database and a road network database, extracts map information and provides it to the mobile terminal 1 in response to a request from the mobile terminal 1, or generates setting information for route search to carry the mobile information. A function of providing the terminal 1 is realized. The vehicle-mounted device 4 is an existing vehicle-mounted navigation device. The vehicle-mounted device 4 receives the route search setting information from the mobile terminal 1 through the short-range wireless communication, and performs the route search based on the provided route search setting information to identify the arbitrary route intended by the user. Then, the vehicle-mounted device 4 provides route guidance (navigation) so as to follow the specified arbitrary route.

As described above, in the navigation system according to the present embodiment, the mobile terminal 1 and the providing server 3 cooperate with each other to set a route search for searching the vehicle-mounted device 4 for an arbitrary route that the user inputs. Form information. The setting information for route search is provided from the mobile terminal 1 to the in-vehicle device 4, and the in-vehicle device 4 performs route search using the setting information for route search. As a result, an arbitrary route that the user desires to move is specified in the vehicle-mounted device 4, and route guidance (navigation) can be performed so as to follow the specified arbitrary route.

In this embodiment, it is assumed that the mobile terminal 1 and the vehicle-mounted device 4 are used by the same user. In FIG. 1, only one pair of mobile terminal 1 and in-vehicle device 4 used by the same user are shown, but in reality, for each of a number of other users, There are a large number of mobile terminals 1 and vehicle-mounted devices 4. Below, the respective configurations and the like of the mobile terminal 1, the providing server 3, and the in-vehicle device 4 which constitute the navigation system of this embodiment will be explained.

[Configuration of mobile terminal 1]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of the mobile terminal 1. The wireless communication antenna 101A and the wireless communication unit 101 realize a communication function via the network 2. Although not shown, the control unit 102 is a so-called microprocessor configured by connecting a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a non-volatile memory, and the like. The control unit 102 executes various programs to control each unit of the mobile terminal 1. The storage device 103 includes a semiconductor memory having a relatively large capacity and its driver, and writes, reads, rewrites, and deletes data. The storage device 103 is also used as a work area for holding intermediate results of various processes.

The operation unit 104 includes a plurality of so-called hardware keys such as a power on/off button and some function buttons, and receives an instruction input from a user. The short-range wireless antenna 105A and the short-range wireless communication unit 105 realize a short-range wireless communication function of, for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard, and are used when providing information to the vehicle-mounted device 4. The GPS antenna 106A and the GPS unit 106 realize the function of positioning the current position of the own device. The mobile terminal 1 also includes a touch panel 107 as a user interface. The touch panel 107 is configured by providing a touch sensor 107S so as to correspond to the entire display screen of a thin display unit (display device) 107D such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and has a display function and an input function. To realize.

Under the control of the control unit 102, the map information provision requesting unit 108 includes information indicating a departure place, and forms a map information provision request for requesting the provision of a map of a predetermined area to which the departure place belongs. Then, the map information provision requesting unit 108 sends the formed map information provision request to the network 2 through the wireless communication unit 101 and the wireless communication antenna 101A, and transmits it to the providing server 3. As a result, the providing server 3 extracts the map information of the predetermined area to which the departure place belongs in response to the map information providing request and provides it to the mobile terminal 1.

The provided map is displayed on the display unit 107D and used for receiving an instruction input of an arbitrary route. As the departure place, the current location acquired through the GPS unit 106 of the mobile terminal 1 can be used, or an address or a telephone number can be used for the instruction. Further, it is also possible to specify a rough area using a postal code, receive map information, and indicate a departure place on the received map.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the map information provided by the providing server 3 and displayed on the display unit 107D and an arbitrary route instructed by the user. The map information of the predetermined area including the departure place S is provided from the providing server 3, and is displayed on the display unit 107D as shown in FIG. 3 under the control of the control unit 102. The map information displayed on the display unit 107D can be reduced or enlarged, and can be scrolled up, down, left, and right, and the insufficient map information is sequentially requested to be provided to the providing server 3 and Can be provided.

Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the user of the mobile terminal 1 can input an arbitrary route by tracing on the road to be traveled by using the finger fg or the like on the map displayed on the display unit 107D. It can be carried out. In the case of the example shown in FIG. 3, the route from the starting point S to the destination G is not the shortest route following the inland “National Route XX”, but is shown by a thick line that wants “XX Bay”. □□ This shows the case where the route using the “Gulf Coast Road” is entered as an arbitrary route.

In addition, in the case of the example shown in FIG. 3, the case where the departure place S and the destination G exist in one screen is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. When the departure place S and the destination G are separated from each other because the departure place S and the destination G are separated from each other, it may not be possible to give a detailed route instruction. In such a case, it is also possible to display map information of a predetermined scale over a plurality of screens while scrolling the map and to give an instruction for an arbitrary route. By doing this, it becomes possible to select more detailed roads (links).

Under the control of the control unit 102, the setting information provision requesting unit 109 includes the arbitrary route information input through the touch panel 107, and requests the provision of the route search setting information for the route search of the arbitrary route by the vehicle-mounted device 4. A setting information provision request is formed. Then, the setting information provision requesting unit 109 sends the formed setting information provision request to the network 2 through the wireless communication unit 101 and the wireless communication antenna 101A, and transmits it to the providing server 3. As a result, the provision server 3 executes the route search setting information generation processing for searching for an arbitrary route in response to the setting information provision request, and generates the route search setting information. Then, the generated route search setting information is provided to the mobile terminal 1, and is stored and held in a predetermined area of the storage device 103, for example.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of the format of the provision request generated by the mobile terminal 1. As shown in FIG. 4, the provision request formed by the mobile terminal 1 includes a terminal ID (terminal identification information), a type, and necessary data. The terminal ID is information for identifying the mobile terminal 1 that is the transmission source of the provision request, and an IP (Internet Protocol) address is used in this embodiment. The type is information indicating what the provision request requires, and in this embodiment, "0" indicates a map information provision request, and "1" indicates a setting. It is considered to be an information provision request. The setting information providing request is a request for providing route search setting information as described above.

Further, the necessary data is latitude and longitude of the departure place in the case of the map information providing request, and is arbitrary route information capable of specifying the arbitrary route in the case of the setting information providing request. The arbitrary route information is information including a link number of a road connecting the departure place to the destination as shown by links La, Lb, Lc, Ld, Le, Lf, Lg, and Lh in FIG. is there. Of course, it is possible to use not only the link number but also various information such as a road name and a road number that can identify the input arbitrary route. The provision request described with reference to FIG. 3 is generated by the map information provision requesting unit 108 and the setting information provision requesting unit 109, and is transmitted to the provision server 3.

As described above, the setting information providing unit 110 sends the route search setting information for searching for an arbitrary route stored and held in the storage device 103 through the short-range wireless communication unit 105 and the short-range wireless antenna 105A, The process of providing the in-vehicle device 4 is performed. In this way, the mobile terminal 1 receives the map information and receives the instruction input of the arbitrary route through the map. Then, the mobile terminal 1 requests the route search setting information for enabling the search of the arbitrary route and provides the route search setting information provided to the in-vehicle device 4 in response to the request. To do.

[Configuration of map information providing server device 3]
FIG. 5 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of the providing server 3. The connection end 301T and the communication I/F 301 realize a communication function through the network 2. Although not shown, the control unit 302 is a so-called microprocessor configured by connecting a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and a non-volatile memory, and executes various programs to control each unit of the providing server 3. The storage device 303 includes, for example, a large-capacity hard disk and its driver, and performs data writing, reading, rewriting, deletion, etc., and is also used as a work area for holding intermediate results of various processes.

A map information database (hereinafter abbreviated as map information DB) 304 stores map information for displaying city maps, road maps, wide area maps, regional maps, and national maps that can be used for route guidance. The map information for displaying a city map, a road map, a wide area map, a local map, and a national map includes, for example, vector data and raster data for drawing a map, and annotation (annotation) data.

A road network database (hereinafter abbreviated as road NWDB) 305 stores and holds network data regarding roads used for route search. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of network data for automobiles stored in the road NWDB 305. FIG. 6A shows an example of a network. The network data consists of node data and link data. The node data represents points such as landmarks, buildings, facilities, intersections, and branch points. Further, the link data indicates a road, such as a national road or a prefectural road, through which a vehicle can pass, by a line segment connecting the node data. The example of the network shown in FIG. 6A is composed of four node data (N1 to N4) and four link data (L1 to L4).

FIG. 6B shows the configuration of node data in the case of the network of the example shown in FIG. Each node data is associated with identification information (N1, N2,...) Of each node, latitude and longitude information indicating the position of the node, and a node type. The node type indicates whether the node portion is an intersection or a branch point. Then, in the case of the example shown in FIG. 6B, all the nodes N1 to N4 are shown to be intersections.

FIG. 6C shows the structure of link data in the case of the network of the example shown in FIG. In each link data, identification information (L1, L2,...) Of each link, identification information (N1, N2,...) Of nodes composing the link, link cost, type, road name, road The number and the others are associated with each other. Usually, the link cost is determined by the length (distance) of the link or the time required for passage.

Then, the link cost is referred to when a route (route) having the minimum link cost is searched by, for example, the Dijkstra method. The type indicates whether the link portion is a national road, a prefectural road, a city road, a private road, or the like. The road name indicates, for example, a name given to a road formed by a corresponding link, such as “○○ highway”, “□□ street”, or “ΔΔ road”. Further, the road number indicates the number given to the road formed by the corresponding link. As other information, it is possible to hold necessary information such as the number of lanes and information on normal regulations.

Link data and node data as described with reference to FIG. 6 are stored in the road network DB 305. It should be noted that the data stored in the road NWDB 305 is updated at necessary timing whenever a change occurs, so that accurate information can be managed. Although the road network data including the link data and the node data has been described as an example of the network data, the data is not limited to this as long as the data can be used for route search and can store and hold information about roads.

When the map information providing unit 306 receives the map information providing request from the mobile terminal 1, under the control of the control unit 302, the area including the departure place specified by the information indicating the departure place included in the map information providing request. The map information of is extracted from the map information DB 304. Then, the map information providing unit 306 sends the extracted map information to the network 2 through the communication I/F 301 and the connection end 301T, and provides it to the requesting mobile terminal 1.

Each of the route search unit 307, the non-matching section identification unit 308, the waypoint setting unit 309, and the setting information providing unit 310 is under the control of the control unit 302 when receiving the setting information providing request from the mobile terminal 1. Works. The function of each unit will be described below. The route search unit 307 searches for a so-called recommended route from the departure place to the destination by using the departure place and the destination specified by the information indicating the arbitrary route included in the setting information provision request. This recommended route is, for example, a route searched using the Dijkstra method so as to minimize the link cost.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an example of an arbitrary route and a route search result. In FIG. 7, the route from the starting point S to the destination G indicated by the dotted line is an arbitrary route input by the user of the mobile terminal 1 as described with reference to FIG. It is specified by arbitrary route information. In this example, the arbitrary route is a route from the departure place S→link La→Lb→Lc→Ld→Le→Lf→Lg→Lh→destination G.

Further, in FIG. 7, a route from the starting point S to the destination G indicated by a thick line is searched by the route searching unit 307 by using two points of the arbitrary starting point S and the destination G as setting information. It is the route search result obtained by the above. In this example, the route search result is a route from the departure point S→link Lw→Lx→Ly→Lz→Lh→destination G. As described above, in the providing server 3, the arbitrary route set by the user can be grasped by the arbitrary route information included in the setting information provision request from the mobile terminal 1, and the function of the route searching unit 307 enables The route search result can also be obtained.

The unmatched section identifying unit 308 compares the arbitrary route specified by the arbitrary route information included in the setting information provision request with the route search result by the route searching section 307, and specifies the unmatched section. This non-matching section is identified by the difference in shape between the arbitrary route represented on the map and the route search result, the road type identified by the network data of the road NWDB 305, the road name, the road number, or the link number on the data. It can be done by comparison. In the case of the example shown in FIG. 7, the section including the links Lb, Lc, Ld, Le, Lf, and Lg of the arbitrary route and the section including the links Lw, Lx, Ly, and Lz of the route search result are non-coincidence sections. Can be specified.

The waypoint setting unit 309 measures the Hausdorff distance of the inconsistent section between the arbitrary route identified by the inconsistent section identifying unit 308 and the route search result, and finds the most divergent point between the arbitrary route and the route search result. .. Then, the waypoint setting unit 309 sets, as the waypoint, a point on the arbitrary route side among the found diverged points. The Hausdorff distance simply means the maximum value of the shortest distances obtained from the point on the arbitrary route to the point on the route search result.

Although the Hausdorff distance is used here, the present invention is not limited to this. In a simple manner, in the disagreement section, a distance intermediate point on the arbitrary route side may be set as the waypoint. For example, when the point a to the point b on the arbitrary route does not match the route search result, the intermediate point c of the section from the point a to the point b on the arbitrary route is set as the transit point. You may

In this way, (1) route search from the starting point to the destination, (2) identification of a mismatched section between the arbitrary route and the search result, and (3) setting of a waypoint on the arbitrary route side of the mismatched section To do. In this case, the control unit 302 repeats the processes of (1), (2), and (3) in consideration of the transit point set in (3) as well, so that the route searching unit 307 and the non-matching section identifying unit 308. , And controls the waypoint setting unit 309. Then, the above processes (1), (2), and (3) are repeated until there is no mismatched section between the arbitrary route and the route search result.

In addition, while repeating the above (1), (2), and (3), if there is a previously set waypoint, the route in the direction from the departure point to the destination on the arbitrary route. Arrange the order of stopovers in order of distance. That is, if the route points are not set in the actual route in the arbitrary route, it becomes impossible to generate the route search setting information for allowing the user to search for the desired arbitrary route. This is because.

8 to 10 are diagrams for explaining the route re-search result. As described with reference to FIG. 7, the route search unit 307 and the non-coincidence section identification unit 308 function to identify the non-coincidence section between the arbitrary route and the route search section. As described above, in the case of the example shown in FIG. 7, a section including links Lb, Lc, Ld, Le, Lf, and Lg of arbitrary routes and a section including links Lw, Lx, Ly, and Lz of route search results. And are disagreement intervals.

Therefore, the waypoint setting unit 309 functions to calculate the Hausdorff distance and set the position k1 on the arbitrary route having the largest Hausdorff distance as the waypoint in this embodiment. Then, under the control of the control unit 302, the route search unit 307 performs another route search using the three points of the departure point S, the transit point k1, and the destination G. It is assumed that the re-search result obtained by this re-route search is the route shown by the bold line in FIG.

In this case, the unmatched section identifying unit 308 functions to identify the unmatched section between the arbitrary route and the re-search result. In the case of the example shown in FIG. 8, the section consisting of the links Le, Lf, and Lg of the arbitrary route and the section consisting of the links Lu, Ly, and Lz of the re-search result are non-coincidence sections. Therefore, the waypoint setting unit 309 functions again, calculates the Hausdorff distance for the non-matching section, and sets the position k2 on the arbitrary route where the Hausdorff distance is the maximum as the waypoint. Then, under the control of the control unit 302, the route search unit 307 performs another route search using the four points of the departure point S, the transit point k1, the transit point k2, and the destination G. It is assumed that the re-search result obtained by this re-route search is the route indicated by the bold line in FIG.

In this case, the unmatched section identifying unit 308 functions to identify the unmatched section between the arbitrary route and the re-search result. In the case of the example shown in FIG. 9, the section formed by the links Lf and Lg of the arbitrary route and the section formed by the links Lv and Lz of the re-search result are non-coincidence sections. Therefore, the waypoint setting unit 309 functions again, calculates the Hausdorff distance for the non-matching section, and sets the position k3 on the arbitrary route where the Hausdorff distance is the maximum as the waypoint. Then, under the control of the control unit 302, the route search unit 307 performs another route search using the five points of the departure point S, the transit point k1, the transit point k2, the transit point k3, and the destination G. It is assumed that the re-search result obtained by this re-route search is the route indicated by the bold line in FIG.

In this case, it can be confirmed that the arbitrary route shown by the dotted line in FIG. 7 matches the re-search result shown by the bold line in FIG. 10, and there is no mismatched section. Therefore, it is understood that if the route search is performed so as to pass through the three points of the transit points k1, k2, and k3 in addition to the departure point S and the destination G, the route search result that matches the arbitrary route can be obtained.

In this way, when one or more waypoints where the arbitrary route and the route search result match can be set, the setting information providing unit 310 functions under the control of the control unit 302 to prepare the setting information for route search. And provides it to the mobile terminal 1 through the network 2. The route search setting information includes information indicating the positions of the departure point, the destination, and one or more transit points set between them. In this way, the providing server 3 realizes a function of extracting and providing map information and generating and providing route search setting information in response to a request from the mobile terminal 1.

[Configuration of in-vehicle device 4]
As described above, the vehicle-mounted device 4 of this embodiment is an existing navigation device, and can realize the navigation function (route guidance function) for a vehicle by itself. Then, the in-vehicle device 4 has a function of accepting inputs of a plurality of (for example, five) transit points in addition to the starting point and the destination and performing a route search from the starting point to the destination. However, the user cannot directly input an arbitrary route instruction through the displayed map by using a mouse cursor or a finger. Therefore, in order for the user of the vehicle-mounted device 4 to set an arbitrary route and perform navigation, in addition to the departure point and the destination, the waypoint is set at an appropriate point (position), It is necessary to set up an arbitrary route by conducting a route search that also considers transit points.

However, if the waypoint cannot be set at an appropriate position, a route search result matching the user's desired arbitrary route cannot be obtained. Therefore, it is not easy to manually set an appropriate waypoint, and it may be necessary to set the waypoint and search the route many times, which is troublesome. Therefore, as described above, the in-vehicle device 4 receives the route search setting information obtained by the cooperation of the mobile terminal 1 and the providing server 3 and searches for an arbitrary route intended by the user. However, it can be used for navigation.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of the vehicle-mounted device 4. The reception antenna 401A and the traffic information receiver 401 have a function of receiving, for example, traffic information multiplexed in FM broadcasting and converting the traffic information into information that can be used by itself. The traffic information receiver 401 receives traffic information transmitted as a radio wave beacon on the highway and makes it available, or receives traffic information transmitted as an optical beacon on a main highway. In some cases, a function for making it available may be provided.

Although not shown, the control unit 402 is a so-called microprocessor configured by connecting a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a non-volatile memory, etc., and executes various programs to control each unit of the vehicle-mounted apparatus 4. The operation unit 403 includes a plurality of so-called hardware keys such as a power on/off button and some function buttons, and receives an instruction input from a user. The storage device 404 includes a hard disk and its driver, and writes, reads, rewrites, and deletes data. The storage device 404 is also used as a work area for holding intermediate results of various processes.

Similar to the map information DB 304 of the providing server 3, the map information DB 405 stores map information for displaying city maps, road maps, wide area maps, regional maps, and national maps that can be used for route guidance. The map information for displaying a city map, a road map, a wide area map, a local map, and a national map includes, for example, vector data and raster data for drawing a map, and annotation (annotation) data. The road NWDB 406 stores and holds network data regarding roads used for route search, similar to the road NWDB 305 of the providing server 3 described with reference to FIG.

The short-range wireless antenna 407A and the short-range wireless communication unit 407 are used, for example, to realize a short-range wireless communication function of the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard and to receive route search setting information provided from the mobile terminal 1. .. The GPS antenna 408A and the GPS unit 408 realize the function of positioning the current position of the own device. The vehicle-mounted device 4 also includes a touch panel 409 as a user interface.

The touch panel 409 is configured by providing a touch sensor 409S so as to correspond to the entire display screen of a thin display unit (display device) 409D such as an LCD, and realizes a display function and an input function. Therefore, it is possible to display map information, selection items, and the like on the display unit of the touch panel 409, receive a touch input from the user, and cause the control unit 402 to perform processing according to the input information.

The voice output processing unit 410 and the speaker 411 realize an output function of a voice message or the like. Therefore, when the navigation processing is executed, the voice guidance message or the like is emitted through the voice output processing unit 410 and the speaker 411. The waypoint setting unit 412 performs a process of setting, for the route search unit 413, information indicating each of a departure place, a destination, and one or more waypoints used for route search. The information indicating each of the starting point, the destination, and one or more transit points used here is normally received through the touch panel 409.

However, in the case of the in-vehicle device 4 of this embodiment, the in-vehicle device 4 includes one based on the route search setting information from the mobile terminal 1 received through the short-range wireless antenna 407A and the short-range wireless communication unit 407. FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining an example of the route search setting information provided from the mobile terminal 1. As shown in FIG. 12, the route search setting information includes latitude and longitude information indicating the positions of a departure place, a destination, and one or more transit points. It should be noted that the route search setting information may include, for example, link numbers of links where each point exists, road names, starting points such as road numbers, destinations, and information about one or more transit points.

The route search unit 413 uses the network data of the road NWDB 406, based on the departure place and the destination set by the waypoint setting unit 412, and also when one or more waypoints are instructed. Consider the route search. The route guidance processing unit 414 displays map information on the display unit 409D, the route search result by the route search unit 413, and the current position of the own device positioned through the GPS unit 408 to perform navigation (route guidance). The route guidance processing unit 414 performs navigation using not only the display information displayed on the display unit 409D but also a voice output processing unit 410 and a voice message emitted through the speaker 411.

As described above, the in-vehicle device 4 is an existing in-vehicle navigation device, but as described above, it is possible to perform route search using the route search setting information provided from the mobile terminal 1. It is possible. Thus, it is possible to search for a route that matches an arbitrary route input through the mobile terminal 1 and manually follow the searched route without manually inputting information used for route search to the vehicle-mounted device 4. Navigation can be performed. In short, the vehicle-mounted device 4 can easily realize navigation using an arbitrary route.

[Summary of processing performed by each device making up the navigation system]
Next, the processes executed in each of the mobile terminal 1, the providing server 3, and the vehicle-mounted device 4 having the above-described configuration that configures the navigation system of the embodiment will be summarized.

<Processing executed by the in-vehicle device 4>
FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining the process executed by the in-vehicle device 4. When the vehicle-mounted device 4 is powered on, under the control of the control unit 402, for example, predetermined map information to which the current position belongs is displayed on the display unit 409D, and input of route search setting information is accepted (step S101). .. In step S101, the touch panel 409 accepts a direct input from the user at the departure point, the destination, or one or more transit points, or the route from the mobile terminal 1 through the short-range wireless antenna and the short-range wireless communication unit 407. Accepts search setting information.

After that, under the control of the control unit 402, the waypoint setting unit 412 functions, sets the route search setting information received in step S101 in the route search unit 413, and executes route search (step S102). .. Then, the control unit 402 outputs the route search result obtained by the process of step S102 to the display unit 409D together with the map information (step S103) so that the user can confirm it.

When performing navigation based on the route search result, the route guidance processing unit 414 functions under the control of the control unit 402 to start navigation processing (step S104). Then, it is determined whether or not a predetermined end event such as arrival near the destination or acceptance of an end operation has occurred (step S105). When it is determined that the end event has not occurred in the determination process of step S105, the process of step S105 is repeated, the navigation process is continued, and the end event of the navigation process is waited for.

When it is determined in the determination processing of step S105 that an end event has occurred, the processing shown in FIG. 13 is terminated. Although not shown in FIG. 13, when it is determined that an end event has occurred in the determination processing of step S105, the display of the display unit 409D is changed to a simple map display of a predetermined area including the current location. In some cases, the ending process of is performed.

As described above, no special process is performed in the vehicle-mounted device 4, but when the route search setting information is provided from the mobile terminal 1, the route search is performed by using the route search setting information. An arbitrary route set by the user of the mobile terminal 1 can be searched. Then, the navigation processing can be performed so that the searched arbitrary route can be followed.

<Processing executed by the mobile terminal 1>
FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining the process executed by the mobile terminal 1. In the mobile terminal 1, when the item corresponding to the “route search setting information acquisition process” is selected from a predetermined menu, the process shown in FIG. 14, that is, the “route search setting information acquisition application program” is executed by the control unit 102. To be executed. Then, under the control of the control unit 102, the map information provision requesting unit 108 functions to acquire the information indicating the departure place and form the map information provision request (FIG. 4) including the information indicating the departure place. , To the providing server 3 (step S201).

As the information indicating the departure place, the current position of the own device which is positioned through the GPS unit 106, the position specified by the input address, or the like is used. Further, the URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of the providing server 3 is set and registered in the storage device 103 or the like in advance so that it can be used.

Then, the mobile terminal 1 receives the map information transmitted from the providing server 3 in response to the map information provision request from the mobile terminal 1, and uses the storage device 103 as a work area to display the map information on the display unit 107D. (Step S202). Next, the control unit 102, through the touch panel 107, on the map displayed on the display unit 107D, the route from the starting point S to the destination G is traced using, for example, a finger or the like, and an arbitrary route is input. An instruction input is accepted (step S203).

Thereafter, under the control of the control unit 102, the setting information provision requesting unit 109 functions to form a route search setting information provision request (FIG. 4) including the arbitrary route information received in step S203, and the request is provided. It transmits to the provision server 3 (step S204). Then, the mobile terminal 1 receives the route search setting information transmitted from the providing server 3 in response to the request for providing the route search setting information from the mobile terminal 1, and stores and retains the route search setting information in the storage device 103 (step S205). ).

Then, under the control of the control unit 102, the setting information providing unit 110 functions to perform the process of providing the vehicle-mounted device 4 with the route search setting information received and stored in step S205 (step S206). In step S206, when the user performs an operation of instructing wireless transmission, the route search setting information stored and held in step S206 is transmitted to the vehicle-mounted device 4 through the short-range wireless communication unit 105 and the short-range wireless antenna 105A. Process to send to.

In step S206, when the user performs an operation for instructing display output, the route search setting information stored and held in step S206 is displayed on the display unit 107D. This allows the user to manually input the route search setting information into the vehicle-mounted device 4 while referring to the display.

After the processing of step S206, the control unit 102 ends the processing shown in FIG. In this way, by the processing shown in FIG. 14, the mobile terminal 1 cooperates with the providing server 3 so that the user of the mobile terminal 1 can search for a desired arbitrary route in the vehicle-mounted device 4. It is possible to acquire the route search setting information of. Then, the mobile terminal 1 can input the acquired route search setting information into the vehicle-mounted device 4.

<Processing executed by the providing server 3>
FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining the processing executed by the providing server 3. In the providing server 3, the control unit 302 always executes the processing shown in FIG. That is, under the control of the control unit 302, the providing server 3 receives a request addressed to itself and determines whether or not it has been received (step S301). When it is determined in the determination processing of step S301 that the request addressed to the own device has not been received, the processing from step S301 is repeated and the arrival of the request addressed to the own device.

When it is determined in the determination process of step S301 that a request addressed to the device itself has been received, the control unit 302 determines whether the received request is a route search setting information provision request (step S302). .. It is assumed that it is determined that the received request or the like is not a route search setting information provision request in the determination process of step S302. In this case, the control unit 302 determines whether the received request or the like is a map information providing request (step S303).

It is assumed that it is determined that the received request or the like is a map information providing request in the determination process of step S303. In this case, the map information providing unit 306 functions under the control of the control unit 302, and based on the information indicating the departure place included in the provision request, the map information of the predetermined area including the departure place is acquired from the map information DB 304. It is extracted (step S304). Then, the map information providing unit 306 performs a process of submitting the extracted map information to the request source (step S305). After that, the processing from step S301 is repeated. When it is determined in the determination processing of step S303 that the received request or the like is not a map information provision request, the control unit 302 executes other processing according to the received request or the like (step S306), The processing from S301 is repeated.

Further, it is assumed that it is determined that the received request or the like is a route search setting information provision request in the determination processing of step S302. In this case, the control unit 302 first identifies the departure place and the destination from the arbitrary route information included in the request for providing the setting information for route search, controls the route search unit 307, and determines the destination from the departure place. The route search up to is executed (step S307). As a result, the providing server 3 grasps the arbitrary route from the provided arbitrary route information and grasps the route search result from the origin to the destination of the arbitrary route, as described with reference to FIG. 7.

Then, the control unit 302 controls the non-coincidence section identification unit 308 to identify the non-coincidence section between the arbitrary route and the route search result as described with reference to FIG. 8 (step S308). In step S308, both the mismatched section on the arbitrary route side and the mismatched section on the route search result side are specified. Then, the control unit 302 controls the waypoint setting unit 309 to execute processing of setting a relay point in the non-matching section on the arbitrary route side identified in step S308 (step S309).

In step S309, as described above, the Hausdorff distance is calculated and the position of the non-matching section on the arbitrary route side when the Hausdorff distance is the largest is set as the relay point. In addition, simply, an intermediate point of the disagreement section on the arbitrary route side may be set as a relay point.

Then, the control unit 302 controls the route search unit 307 to perform the reroute search using the departure point and the destination as well as the relay point set in step S309 (step S310). In step S310, if there is a previously set waypoint, the order of the waypoints is arranged in order of route distance in the direction from the origin to the destination on the arbitrary route, and the waypoints are used. To

After that, the control unit 302 still has a non-matching section between the arbitrary route and the route search result (reroute search result) obtained by the reroute search in step S310 that also considers the set transit point. It is determined whether or not (step S311). When it is determined in the determination processing of step S311 that a non-matching section still exists, the processing from step S308 is repeated. As a result, different waypoints are sequentially set, as described using FIG. 8, FIG. 9, and FIG. 10 in order, and the inconsistent section between the arbitrary route and the route search result considering the waypoints is gradually resolved ( Disappear.

Then, when it is determined in the determination processing of step S311 that there is no non-matching section, a route that matches the arbitrary route can be searched based on the starting point, the destination, and the set one or more transit points. Means that. Therefore, under the control of the control unit 302, the setting information providing unit 310 functions and prepares, for example, the route search setting information in the mode described with reference to FIG. The process of providing the terminal is executed (step S312). After that, the control unit 302 repeats the processing from step S301.

As described above, the providing server 3 provides the map information or generates and provides the route search setting information that enables the same route as the arbitrary route to be searched in response to a request from the mobile terminal 1 or the like. You can do it. As a result, as described above, in the mobile terminal 1, it is possible to input an instruction of an arbitrary route by an operation of tracing on the map using a mouse cursor, a finger, or the like. Further, by providing the route search setting information to the vehicle-mounted device 4 via the mobile terminal 1, it is possible to specify an arbitrary route and perform a navigation process to follow the arbitrary route.

[Effect of Embodiment]
In the case of the navigation system of the above-described embodiment, the portable terminal 1 is capable of inputting an instruction for an arbitrary route, and the providing server 3 is capable of performing route search for a route that matches the arbitrary route. It is possible to generate. Then, by providing the route search setting information generated by the providing server 3 to the in-vehicle device, even if the in-vehicle device 4 is an existing device that does not have the instruction input function of the arbitrary route, the in-vehicle device 4 performs the arbitrary route. Can be specified to guide the user to follow the arbitrary route.

That is, the portable terminal 1 and the providing server 3 cooperate to realize an instruction input function of an arbitrary route, and a route search setting including one or more waypoints for guiding the arbitrary route with an existing navigation device. Convert to information. By providing this route search setting information to an existing navigation device, it is possible to specify and guide an arbitrary route. Therefore, the user can download the "route search setting information acquisition application program" to his/her own mobile terminal, install it, and install it. The guidance function of can be realized.

[Modification]
As described above, N (N is an integer of 2 or more) added (set) transit points after the “route search result” without any inconsistent section with the arbitrary route is calculated. Let's say. In this case, one or more waypoints are removed, a route search is performed, and if there is no inconsistency between the “route search result” and the “arbitrary route”, the waypoints can be reduced. In this so-called waypoint exclusion function, the control unit 302 selects and removes one of the set N waypoints and controls the route search unit 307 and the non-matching section identification unit 308 to perform reprocessing. Can be realized by doing so.

In addition, the waypoint exclusion function may be performed when the number of set waypoints exceeds a predetermined value (for example, five points). If the standard to be implemented in this way is provided, it is possible to uselessly execute the waypoint excluding function and correspond to the settable number of waypoints in the vehicle-mounted device.

In addition, the number of trials of the waypoint exclusion processing by the waypoint exclusion function is theoretically 2 N times, but an efficient calculation is performed by setting the order of waypoints to be excluded as follows. It can be performed. For example,
(1) Try from the waypoint in the center of any route.
(2) Try from a waypoint where the distance between two adjacent waypoints is short.
(3) It tries from the one where the deviation distance between the "arbitrary route" and the "route search result" is large.
In this way, the waypoint to try to exclude is set.

Then, when the number of set waypoints is equal to or less than a predetermined number (for example, 5 points or less), the waypoint exclusion processing by the waypoint exclusion function is ended. By doing so, it is necessary to always carry out the exclusion processing 2 N times, and it is possible to efficiently organize the set waypoints. Of course, no matter where the waypoints are excluded without setting the order of the set waypoints to be excluded, the number of set waypoints is less than a predetermined number (for example, 5 points or less). The waypoint exclusion processing by the waypoint exclusion function may be terminated.

Also, if the number of set waypoints exceeds the predetermined number by any means, use the points from the destination side to the closest N point (for example, 5 points) waypoints as the waypoints, and set the sixth point as the destination point. , May be input to the vehicle-mounted device 4. In this case, the user may be notified that the guidance for the arbitrary route is not complete.

On the contrary, N points (for example, 5 points) of transit points in the direction from the departure point side to the destination side are used as the transit points. Before reaching the fifth point of transit, the portable terminal 1 again sends a route search setting information provision request from the mobile terminal 1 to the provision server 3 to newly set the route. The route search setting information including the information of the relay point may be provided.

That is, when the arbitrary route is long, the arbitrary route may be divided into a plurality of sections and the route search setting information may be provided for each of the plurality of sections. In this case, if the vehicle-mounted device 4 outputs a message for confirming whether the last relay point at that time is the target, it becomes an opportunity to perform the process for receiving the provision of the route search setting information for the section next to the arbitrary route. can do.

Further, the function of the providing server 3 can be realized as a function of a cloud system by providing a map information DB 304, a storage function such as the road NEDB 305, and other processing functions in different servers. Further, the function of the providing server 3 is realized, for example, in a personal computer at home, and the personal computer and the mobile terminal can be connected by wire or wirelessly. As a result, the personal computer and the mobile terminal can realize the same function as that of the above-described part including the providing server 3 and the mobile terminal 1.

When a high-performance tablet PC is used, the tablet PC can have both functions of the providing server 3 and the mobile terminal 1. In this case, as the map information DB and the road NWDB, what is provided on a so-called cloud can be used.

[Other]
Further, as can be understood from the description of the above-described embodiment, the function of the reception unit of the route search setting information generation device of the claims is realized by the connection end 301T and the communication I/F 301 of the providing server 3 of the embodiment. ing. The function of the searching means of the route search setting information generating device is realized by the route searching unit 307 of the providing server 3, and the function of the specifying means of the route searching setting information generating device is the disagreement section of the providing server 3. The identifying unit 308 is realized. Further, the function of the setting means of the route search setting information generating device is realized by the waypoint setting unit 309 of the providing server 3, and the function of the control means of the route searching setting information generating device is the providing server 3 The control unit 302 is realized. Further, the function of the output means of the route search setting information generating device in the claims is realized mainly by the setting information providing unit 310 of the providing server 3.

In addition, the processing executed by the providing server 3 described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 13 is the one to which the embodiment of the route search setting information generation method and the route search setting information generation program according to the present invention is applied. is there.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Portable terminal, 101A... Wireless communication antenna, 101... Wireless communication part, 102... Control part, 103... Storage device, 104... Operation part, 105A... Short range wireless antenna, 105... Short range wireless communication part, 106A... GPS Antenna, 106... GPS unit, 107... Touch panel, 107D... Display unit, 107S... Touch sensor, 108... Map information provision requesting unit, 109... Setting information providing requesting unit, 110... Setting information providing unit, 2... Network, 2B( 1)... Base station, 3... Map information providing server device, 301T... Connection end, 301... Communication I/F, 302... Control part, 303... Storage device, 304... Map information DB, 305... Road NWDB, 306... Map information providing unit, 307... Route searching unit, 308... Inconsistent section specifying unit, 309... Waypoint setting unit, 310... Setting information providing unit, 4... In-vehicle device, 401A... Traffic information receiving antenna, 401... Traffic information receiving unit , 402... Control unit, 403... Operation unit, 404... Storage device, 405... Map information DB, 406... Road NWDB, 407A... Short-range wireless antenna, 407... Short-range wireless communication unit, 408A... GPS antenna, 408... GPS Part, 409... touch panel, 409D... display part, 409S... touch sensor, 410... voice output processing part, 411... speaker, 412... waypoint setting part, 413... route search part, 414... route guidance processing part

Claims (6)

Receiving means for receiving arbitrary route information indicating an arbitrary route from the starting point where the user plans to move to the destination,
A means for searching a route from the departure place to the destination, wherein when one or more waypoints are set, a search means for searching the route in consideration of the waypoints,
Specifying means for specifying a non-matching section between the arbitrary route specified by the arbitrary route information and the route search result by the searching means;
Setting means for setting a waypoint for the non-matching section on the arbitrary route,
Until a match between the arbitrary route and the route search result, a non-matching section is identified, a waypoint is set in the non-matching section on the arbitrary route, and a reroute search is performed in consideration of the set waypoint. Control means for controlling the specifying means, the setting means, and the searching means so as to repeat the processing,
For route search including information indicating each of the departure place, the destination, and one or more of the waypoints set by the setting means when the arbitrary route and the route search result match. A route search setting information generating device, comprising: providing means for forming and providing setting information. The route search setting information generation device according to claim 1,
The specifying means specifies a non-matching section between the arbitrary route and the route search result by using one or more of a route shape, a road type, a road name, a road number, and a link number. Setting information generator. 2. The route search setting information generation device according to claim 1, wherein the setting unit sets the point on the arbitrary route side that is the most divergent between the arbitrary route and the route search result of the non-matching section to each other. A route search setting information generation device characterized by being set as a waypoint. The route search setting information generation device according to claim 1,
The route search setting information generating device, wherein the setting unit sets a distance intermediate point on the arbitrary route of the non-matching section as the waypoint. A receiving step of receiving, through the receiving means, arbitrary route information indicating an arbitrary route from a departure place where the user plans to move to a destination,
A searching step in which the searching means searches for a route from the starting point to the destination, and in the case where one or more transit points are set, a searching step for searching the route in consideration of the transit points;
A specifying step for specifying a non-matching section between the arbitrary route specified by the arbitrary route information and the route search result by the searching means;
A setting step in which the setting means sets a waypoint for the unmatched section on the arbitrary route;
Until the arbitrary route and the route search result match, the non-matching section is specified in the specifying step, the waypoint is set in the non-matching section on the arbitrary route in the setting step, and the waypoint set in the searching step is set. And a control step controlled by the control means so as to repeat a series of processes for performing a reroute search,
When the arbitrary route and the route search result match, the providing unit provides information indicating each of the departure place, the destination, and one or more of the waypoints set by the setting unit. And a providing means for forming and providing route search setting information including the route search setting information. A program executed by a computer installed in an information processing device,
A receiving step of receiving, through the receiving means, arbitrary route information indicating an arbitrary route from a departure place to which the user plans to move to a destination;
A step of searching for a route from the departure place to the destination by the searching means, and a search step of searching for a route in consideration of the waypoints when one or more waypoints are set;
A specifying step for specifying a non-matching section between the arbitrary route specified by the arbitrary route information and the route search result by the searching means;
A setting step in which the setting means sets a waypoint for the unmatched section on the arbitrary route;
Until the arbitrary route and the route search result match, the non-matching section is specified in the specifying step, the waypoint is set in the non-matching section on the arbitrary route in the setting step, and the waypoint set in the searching step is set. , A control step controlled by the control means so as to repeat a series of processes for performing a reroute search,
When the arbitrary route and the route search result match, the providing unit provides information indicating each of the departure place, the destination, and one or more of the waypoints set by the setting unit. A route search setting information generation program, comprising: providing a route search setting information that is formed and provided.

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