JP2023001291A - Route guidance device, control method, program, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a route guidance device capable of appropriately introducing favorable facilities to stop by.

SOLUTION: Once a destination is set, a system controller 20 of a navigation device 1 provided herein searches for stop-by candidate facilities having given relevance to the destination by referring to a determination table 32 or determination table 32A. The navigation device 1 then notifies a user of a search result for the stop-by candidate facilities using a display unit 40 or a voice output unit 50.

SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

COPYRIGHT: (C)2023,JPO&INPIT

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a technology for guiding facilities to visit.

Conventionally, there has been known a technique of providing guidance regarding facilities to be visited separately from the destination. For example, in Patent Document 1, a user designates a desired genre of alternative facilities such as a convenience store or a gas station, and the designated genre is used as a keyword, and the corresponding point is a predetermined distance from the guidance route. A navigation device is disclosed that searches within a range and sets one of the searched points as a waypoint (stopping point).

JP-A-2004-132923

In Patent Literature 1, it is necessary for the user to set in advance the genre and keywords of the facility that the user wants to go through. In addition, if the user does not set genres or keywords for the facilities that the user wants to go through and automatically searches for intermediate points, all the facilities are searched, which causes a problem of increased processing time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and its main object is to provide a route guidance device capable of providing suitable guidance to facilities that are desirable to visit.

The invention according to claim 1,
In a route guidance device provided or installed in a mobile body,
a storage unit that stores attribute information regarding the presence or absence of each facility equipment set as a destination;
a search unit that searches for a candidate stop-off point that is a candidate to stop by when heading to the set destination;
a notification unit that notifies the user of the candidate stop-off point;
with
The search unit searches for locations related to facilities that are lacking at the destination based on the attribute information corresponding to the set destination,
The notification unit is a route guidance device characterized in that, when the candidate stop-off point is within a predetermined distance from the destination, the notification unit does not notify the candidate stop-off point.

The invention according to claim 8,
A control method executed by a route guidance device provided or installed in a mobile object,
a search step of searching for a candidate stop-off point that is a candidate to stop by when heading to the set destination;
a notification step of notifying a user of the candidate stop-off point;
has
The searching step searches for locations related to lack of equipment at the destination based on attribute information regarding the presence or absence of each equipment at the set destination;
The control method is characterized in that, in the notification step, notification of the candidate stop-off point is not performed when the candidate stop-off point is within a predetermined distance from the destination.

The invention according to claim 9,
A program executed by a computer of a route guidance device provided or installed in a mobile object,
a search unit that searches for a candidate stop-off point that is a candidate to stop by when heading to the set destination;
a notification unit that notifies the user of the candidate stop-off point;
functioning the computer as
The search unit searches for a point related to lack of equipment at the destination based on attribute information about the presence or absence of each equipment at the set destination,
The notification unit is a program characterized in that, when the candidate stop-off point is within a predetermined distance from the destination, the notification of the candidate stop-off point is not performed.

1 is a schematic configuration of a navigation device; It is a specific example of the data structure of the determination table in the first embodiment. 10 is a flow chart relating to search and guidance for candidate facilities to visit. It is a display example according to the first embodiment. It is a specific example of the data structure of the determination table in the second embodiment. It is a display example according to the second embodiment. It is a schematic configuration of a route search system according to a modification.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, in a route guidance device provided or installed in a mobile body, a search unit for searching for candidate points to stop by when heading to a set destination; and a notification unit that notifies about a result searched by the search unit, wherein the search unit determines the location to be searched based on relevance to the destination.

The route guidance device includes a search section and a notification section. The search unit searches for candidate points to stop by on the way to the set destination. The notification unit notifies the user of the search results of the search unit. Then, the search unit determines the aforementioned points to be searched based on the relevance to the destination. According to this aspect, when the destination is set, the route guidance device searches for candidate points to stop by based on the relationship with the destination, and notifies the search results. As a result, the route guidance device can suitably select a candidate point to stop by and notify the user of the point.

In one aspect of the route guidance device, the route guidance device includes a storage unit that stores correspondence information that associates a facility set as a destination with a point recommended to be visited before arriving at the facility. , the search unit searches for a point associated with the set destination in the correspondence information. As a result, the route guidance device can suitably search for points related to the destination and notify the user of the search results.

In another aspect of the route guidance device, the route guidance device includes a storage unit that stores attribute information of facilities set as destinations, and the search unit stores attribute information corresponding to the set destinations. Based on this, the location to be searched is determined. Also in this aspect, the route guidance device can suitably search for points related to the destination and notify the user of the search results.

In another aspect of the route guidance device, the attribute information is information regarding the presence or absence of predetermined facilities, and the search unit searches for points having insufficient facilities in the destination based on the attribute information. do. Here, facilities correspond to various facilities such as toilets, daily necessities/food stores, parking lots, dining spaces, and restaurants. As a result, the route guidance device can search for a point having insufficient facilities at the destination and notify the user of it.

In another aspect of the route guidance device, the search unit searches for the point based on an expected arrival time at the destination. In general, depending on the time of arrival at the destination, whether or not the facility is necessary for the user may differ. Therefore, according to this aspect, the route guidance device can suitably inform the user of the points having insufficient facilities at the destination.

In another aspect of the route guidance device, the route guidance device further includes an acquisition unit that acquires traffic information around the destination, and the search unit searches for the point based on the traffic information. According to this aspect, the route guidance device can search for places suitable for restroom breaks, etc., and notify the user when there is a traffic jam.

In another aspect of the above-described route guidance device, the route guidance device further includes a history recording unit that records history information regarding a stopover place when the destination of the mobile body is set, and the notification unit stores the history When it is determined based on the information that the set destination was set as a destination in the past and the location searched by the search unit was not visited, the search result of the search unit is not notified. According to this aspect, the route guidance device can preferably prevent the user from unnecessarily informing the user of points that were not visited when heading to the same destination in the past.

In another aspect of the route guidance device, the notification unit notifies the result of the search performed by the search unit before the moving object arrives at the destination. According to this aspect, the route guidance device can inform the user of suitable points to stop by before arriving at the destination.

In another aspect of the route guidance device, the search unit starts searching for the spot when the destination is specified. According to this aspect, the route guidance device can automatically search for candidate points to stop by when the destination is specified, and notify the user of the search results.

In another aspect of the route guidance device, the route guidance device further includes an input reception unit that receives input specifying whether to start searching for the facility when the destination is specified. According to this aspect, the route guidance device can suitably switch on and off the function of automatically searching for and notifying of candidate points to stop by when the destination is specified, based on the user's input.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a server device that communicates with a route guidance device, comprising: a receiving unit that receives information about a destination from the route guidance device; A search unit that searches for a point that becomes Determine the location to be searched. According to this aspect, when the server device receives the information about the destination from the route guidance device, the server device searches for candidate points to stop by based on the relationship with the destination, and sends the information of the search result to the route guidance device. Send to As a result, the server device can suitably notify the user of candidate points to stop by using the route guidance device.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a control method executed by a route guidance device provided or installed in a mobile object, which searches for candidate points to stop by when heading to a set destination. and a notification step of notifying a user of search results in the search step, wherein the search step determines the location to be searched based on relevance to the destination. By executing this control method, the route guidance device can suitably select a candidate point to stop by and notify the user of the point.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a program executed by a computer of a route guidance device provided or installed in a mobile body for performing route guidance to a destination, and The computer functions as a search unit that searches for facilities existing within a predetermined range from the destination, and a notification unit that notifies the user of the search result of the search unit. , if the facility does not exist, the user is informed that the facility does not exist. By executing this program, the route guidance device can suitably select a candidate point to stop by and notify the user of the point. Preferably, the program is stored in a storage medium.

Preferred first and second embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

<First embodiment>
(1) Configuration of navigation device
FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a navigation device 1 to which a route guidance device according to the present invention is applied. When a destination is set, the navigation device 1 searches for facilities related to the destination and automatically notifies the search results. As shown in FIG. 1, the navigation device 1 comprises an autonomous positioning device 10, a GPS receiver 18, a system controller 20, a data storage unit 31, a communication device 38, a display unit 40, an audio output unit 50 and an input device 60.

The self-supporting positioning device 10 includes an acceleration sensor 11 for detecting acceleration of the vehicle, an angular velocity sensor 12 such as a vibration gyro for detecting the angular velocity of the vehicle when the vehicle turns, and a pulse generated as the wheels of the vehicle rotate. It includes a distance sensor 13 for measuring a vehicle speed pulse composed of a signal.

The GPS receiver 18 receives radio waves 19 carrying downlink data including positioning data from a plurality of GPS satellites. The positioning data is used to detect the absolute position of the vehicle from latitude and longitude information.

The system controller 20 includes an interface 21, a CPU 22, a ROM 23 and a RAM 24, and controls the navigation device 1 as a whole. For example, the system controller 20 searches for a route to a destination specified by the user and provides route guidance for the searched route. In this embodiment, when the destination is set, the system controller 20 automatically searches for facilities that are candidates for visiting (also referred to as "candidate facilities for visiting"), and displays the search results regarding the candidate facilities for visiting. The user is notified by the display unit 40 and the audio output unit 50 . A candidate facility to be visited is a facility that has a predetermined relationship with the destination, and corresponds to, for example, a facility in the vicinity of the destination that has facilities that are not located at the destination. The system controller 20 is an example of a computer that executes a "searching unit", a "history recording unit", an "acquiring unit", an "input receiving unit", and a "notifying unit" according to the present invention and a program according to the present invention. Also, the candidate facility to stop by is an example of the "point to be a candidate to stop by" in the present invention.

The interface 21 performs interface operations with the autonomous positioning device 10 and the GPS receiver 18 . The interface 21 then inputs these output data to the system controller 20 . The CPU 22 controls the system controller 20 as a whole. The ROM 23 has a non-illustrated non-volatile memory or the like storing a control program or the like for controlling the system controller 20 . The RAM 24 readablely stores various data such as route data set in advance by the user through the input device 60 and provides a working area for the CPU 22 .

The system controller 20 , data storage unit 31 , display unit 40 , audio output unit 50 and input device 60 are interconnected via bus line 30 .

The data storage unit 31 is configured by, for example, a storage medium such as an HDD or a flash memory, and stores various data such as map data used for navigation processing. The map data includes road data represented by links corresponding to roads and nodes corresponding to connecting portions (intersections) of roads, and facility information regarding each facility that can be set as a destination. In this embodiment, the data storage unit 31 also stores a determination table 32 that the system controller 20 refers to when determining a candidate stop-by facility to be notified to the user from the set destination. A specific example of the data structure of the determination table 32 will be described later with reference to FIG. The determination table 32 is an example of "correspondence information" in the present invention.

The communication device 38 receives traffic congestion information distributed from a VICS (registered trademark, Vehicle Information Communication System) center, traffic congestion information distributed from a server device (not shown) that distributes traffic congestion information, and the like. Under the control of the system controller 20, the communication device 38 may receive information to be stored in the data storage unit 31 as map data from a server device (not shown).

The display unit 40 displays various display data on a display device such as a display under the control of the system controller 20 . Specifically, the system controller 20 reads map data from the data storage unit 31 . The display unit 40 displays an image based on the map data read from the data storage unit 31 by the system controller 20 on a display screen such as a display. The display unit 40 consists of a graphic controller 41 for controlling the entire display unit 40 based on control data sent from the CPU 22 via the bus line 30, and a memory such as a VRAM (Video RAM) to display immediately displayable image information. A buffer memory 42 for temporary storage, a display control unit 43 for controlling the display 44 based on image data output from the graphic controller 41, and a display 44 are provided.

The audio output unit 50, under the control of the system controller 20, is a D/A converter 51 that performs D/A conversion of audio digital data sent from the RAM 24 or the like via the bus line 30, and an output from the D/A converter 51. and a speaker 53 for converting the amplified audio analog signal into audio and outputting it to the inside of the vehicle.

The input device 60 is composed of keys, switches, buttons, a remote control, a voice input device, etc. for inputting various commands and data. The input device 60 is arranged around the front panel and the display 44 of the main body of the in-vehicle electronic system installed in the vehicle. Moreover, when the display 44 is of a touch panel type, the touch panel provided on the display screen of the display 44 also functions as the input device 60 .

Note that the configuration of the navigation device 1 to which the present invention is applicable is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. For example, instead of the display 44, or in addition thereto, the navigation device 1 may include a head-up display that allows the driver to visually recognize a virtual image through the window shield or combiner of the vehicle.

(2) Data structure example of judgment table
Next, a specific example regarding the data structure of the determination table 32 will be described.

FIG. 2A is a first specific example showing the data structure of the determination table 32. As shown in FIG. In the example of FIG. 2A, the determination table 32 includes items of "destination category" and "stopping candidate category". Here, the "destination category" indicates each category when facilities that can be set as destinations are classified, and the "visiting candidate category" indicates the facility that is visited when a destination belonging to the corresponding destination category is set. Indicates the category of facilities that should be set as candidate facilities.

Here, a specific example referring to the determination table 32 shown in FIG. 2A will be described. For example, when a facility belonging to the category "campsite" is set as the destination, the system controller 20 refers to the first record in the determination table 32 shown in FIG. It is determined that the facility that becomes Therefore, in this case, the system controller 20 refers to the facility information of the map data stored in the data storage unit 31, for example, a supermarket within a predetermined distance from the destination or within a predetermined distance from the set route to the destination. Search for Then, the system controller 20 regards the searched facility as a candidate facility to visit, and makes a notification recommending a visit to the facility. As a result, the system controller 20 can prompt the user to drop in at a supermarket suitable for purchasing items necessary for a barbecue at the campsite before arriving at the campsite.

Similarly, when a facility belonging to the inn category is set as the destination, the system controller 20 refers to the second record in the determination table 32 and sets the facility whose category is the convenience store as a stop-over candidate facility. judge it should. Therefore, the system controller 20 searches for convenience stores in the vicinity of the destination or in the vicinity of the route, and makes a notification recommending a visit to the searched convenience store. As a result, the system controller 20 can prompt a visit to a convenience store suitable for purchasing necessary items within the hotel before arriving at the hotel.

In this way, in the example of FIG. 2A, each destination category is associated with a stop-by candidate category, which is a facility category that is desirable to visit when heading to a facility belonging to the corresponding destination category. Note that the determination table 32 shown in FIG. 2A is created in advance by, for example, an individualized technique and stored in the data storage unit 31 . Preferably, FIG. 2A may be associated with information designating the content to be notified for each combination of the "destination category" and the "stopping candidate category". A specific example of the content of notification will be described later with reference to FIG.

FIG. 2B is a second specific example showing the data structure of the determination table 32. As shown in FIG. In the example of FIG. 2B, the determination table 32 includes items of "destination" and "candidate facility to visit". Here, a facility that can be set as a destination is registered in "destination", and a candidate facility to be visited when the facility indicated by "destination" is set as a destination is registered in "candidate facility". The facility that should be set as is registered.

Here, a specific example referring to the determination table 32 shown in FIG. 2B will be described. When it is set as a place, the first record of the determination table 32 is referred to, and "Michi-no-Eki B", which is a facility where restrooms are available, is regarded as a candidate facility to stop by. We will inform you that it should be the ground. As a result, the system controller 20 can take into consideration the occurrence of traffic congestion in the parking lot at "A Land" and favorably encourage restroom breaks at "Michi-no-Eki B". Similarly, the system controller 20 refers to the third record of the determination table 32 when "Farm E", which is a facility with no parking lot, is set as the destination, and determines the number of shuttle buses to Farm E. "Factory F", which is the departure point and has a parking lot, is regarded as a candidate facility to stop by, and a notice is given to the effect that "Factory F" should be a place to stop. As a result, the system controller 20 considers that "E farm" is a facility that does not have a parking lot, and favorably encourages people to stop by "F factory", which is the starting point of the shuttle bus and has a parking lot. be able to.

In this way, in the example of FIG. 2B, each specific facility that can be set as a destination is associated with a candidate stop-by facility that is recommended to be visited when heading to that facility. Note that the determination table 32 shown in FIG. 2B is created in advance by, for example, an individualized technique and stored in the data storage unit 31. FIG. Also, preferably, in FIG. 2B, information designating the content to be reported may be associated with each combination of the "destination" and the "candidate facility to visit".

The data storage unit 31 may store both the determination table 32 having the data structure shown in FIG. 2(A) and the determination table 32 having the data structure shown in FIG. 2(B). In this case, the system controller 20, for example, preferentially refers to the determination table 32 of FIG. Then, if the set destination is not registered in the determination table 32 shown in FIG. 2(B), the system controller 20, based on the category of the set destination, Refer to the determination table 32 . In this case, the system controller 20 refers to the determination table 32 shown in FIG. The applicable facility is considered as a candidate facility to visit.

(3) Processing flow
FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing an overview of guidance processing for a candidate stop-off facility. The system controller 20 executes the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 3 each time it detects that the destination has been set.

First, the system controller 20 searches for a route to the destination specified by the user when there is an input specifying the destination (step S101). Then, the system controller 20 refers to the determination table 32 and searches for a candidate facility to visit based on the destination (step S102). Here, when referring to the determination table 32 of FIG. 2A, the system controller 20 recognizes the category of the destination based on the facility information included in the map data of the data storage unit 31, The category of the candidate facility is identified by referring to the determination table 32 of FIG. 2(A). Then, the system controller 20 searches for facilities belonging to the identified category within the search range around the destination or route. 2B, the system controller 20 stores the facility associated with the set destination in the determination table 32 in the map data of the data storage unit 31. Search from included facility information.

Then, the system controller 20 determines whether or not the relevant stop-off candidate facility has been identified by the search in step S102 (step S103). Then, when the relevant stop-off candidate facility is identified by the search in step S102 (step S103; Yes), the system controller 20 guides the stop-off candidate facility (step S104). In this case, the system controller 20 performs, for example, display and/or audio output to announce the presence of the searched candidate stop-off facility, and accepts input for setting the searched candidate stop-off facility as a stop-off site. Note that the system controller 20 may perform only display and/or audio output to notify of the presence of the searched candidate stop-off facility, and may not accept input for setting the searched candidate stop-off facility as a stop-off point.

On the other hand, if the system controller 20 fails to identify the appropriate stop-off candidate facility through the search in step S102 (step S103; No), the process of the flowchart ends.

(4) Display example
FIG. 4 shows an example of the display displayed on the display 44 when guiding the candidate facility to stop in at step S104 of FIG.

In the example of FIG. 4, after the route to the destination is set, the system controller 20 refers to the determination table 32 of FIG. B” is determined. Then, the system controller 20 displays the current position, the position of the destination "A Land", the route to the destination, and the position of the candidate stop-off facility "Michi-no-Eki B" on the map. A pop-up window 70 prompting the user to set "Station B" as a stop-off point is displayed.

Here, in the pop-up window 70, the system controller 20 indicates that the destination "A Land" is expected to be congested in the parking lot, and that it is recommended to take a restroom break at the candidate facility "Michi-no-Eki B". is displayed. In this case, the system controller 20 determines the display content on the pop-up window 70 by referring to the information indicating the content to be notified registered in each record of the determination table 32, for example. The system controller 20 also displays a button for inputting whether or not to set the stop-off candidate facility “Michi-no-Eki B” as a stop-off point in the pop-up window 70 . Then, when the "YES" button of the pop-up window 70 is selected, the system controller 20 searches for a route using "Michi-no-Eki B" as a stopping point, and starts guidance on the route. On the other hand, when the "NO" button in the popup window 70 is selected, the system controller 20 clears the display of the popup window 70 and provides route guidance to the destination.

In this manner, in the display example of FIG. 4, the system controller 20 determines whether the stop-over facilities, which are facilities with toilets, are associated in the determination table 32 based on the destination information (that is, information indicating that parking lot congestion is likely to occur). Guide candidate facilities. As a result, the system controller 20 can appropriately guide the user to a facility that the user would like to visit as a candidate facility to visit.

<Second embodiment>
In the second embodiment, instead of the determination table 32 illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the navigation device 1 records attributes regarding the presence or absence of specific equipment for each facility that can be set as a destination. It has a determination table 32A. Then, the navigation device 1 refers to the determination table 32A and takes into account the attribute of the recognized destination, and determines facilities to be searched as candidate visiting facilities.

FIG. 5 is an example of the data structure of the determination table 32A stored in the data storage unit 31 in the second embodiment. The determination table 32A includes "destination", "category", "handling of daily necessities/foods", "surrounding facilities handling daily necessities/foods", "restrooms", "surrounding facilities with restrooms", "restaurants", It has items of "parking lot", "eating and drinking space that can be brought in", and "parking lot congestion".

A facility that can be set as a destination is recorded in the "destination", and a category of the facility recorded in the "destination" is recorded in the "category". "Handling of daily necessities and food" records whether or not the facility recorded in "destination" handles daily necessities and food. Whether or not there is a facility that handles daily necessities and food around the recorded facility is recorded. In addition, "Toilet" records whether or not the facility recorded in "Destination" has a toilet, and "Nearby facilities with toilets" records facilities with toilets in the vicinity of the facility recorded in "Destination". The presence or absence of is recorded. In addition, "restaurants", "parking lots", and "restaurants where you can bring in food" will indicate whether there is a restaurant attached to the facility recorded in "destination", whether there is a parking lot, The presence or absence of a possible eating and drinking space is recorded respectively. Also, in the "parking lot congestion", it is recorded whether or not the parking lot attached to the facility recorded in the "destination" is statistically prone to congestion.

In this way, in the determination table 32A, in addition to attribute information regarding the presence or absence of each facility (that is, facilities for handling daily necessities, toilet facilities, restaurants, parking lots, etc.) in the facility recorded in the "destination", Attribute information such as the presence or absence of alternative facilities having each facility around the target facility and the presence or absence of parking congestion is recorded.

Here, in the determination table 32A shown in FIG. 5, items other than "destination" and "category" are divided into three categories according to the characteristics of each item described above. Specifically, "handling daily necessities and food", "restrooms", "restaurants", "parking lots", and "restaurants where you can bring your own food" are categorized into "characteristic facility 1", and "parking congestion". is categorized as "feature facilities 2", and "peripheral facilities handling daily necessities and food" and "peripheral facilities with toilets" are categorized as "presence or absence of alternative facilities".

Information corresponding to the determination table 32A may be incorporated in advance as part of the facility information for each facility included in the map data stored in the data storage unit 31. FIG. The determination table 32A according to the second embodiment is an example of "attribute information" in the present invention.

Next, processing executed by the navigation device 1 in the second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, the system controller 20 executes the flowchart of FIG. 3 as in the first embodiment. At this time, the system controller 20 refers to the determination table 32A to search for a candidate stop-off facility when searching for a candidate stop-off facility in step S102.

In the first example, the system controller 20 refers to the determination table 32A, and when there is no predetermined characteristic facility 1 in the facility set as the destination, the system controller 20 determines whether or not there is an alternative facility corresponding to the characteristic facility 1. item is "○", the peripheral facility having the characteristic facility 1 is retrieved as a candidate facility to visit. Further, when there is no predetermined characteristic facility 1 in the facility at the destination, and the item "existence of alternative facility" corresponding to the characteristic facility 1 is not in the determination table 32A, the system controller 20 A peripheral facility having the characteristic facility 1 is searched as a candidate facility to visit.

Here, a case where the facility set as the destination does not have the predetermined characteristic facility 1 and the item of "existence of alternative facility" corresponding to the characteristic facility 1 is "O" will be exemplified. For example, in the determination table 32A, a facility (for example, "J campsite") with "x" for "handling daily necessities/food" and "o" for "surrounding facilities handling daily necessities/food" is set as the destination. In this case, the object to be searched as a candidate facility to visit is set to a peripheral facility (for example, a supermarket, etc.) that handles daily necessities and food. Similarly, the system controller 20 sets a facility (for example, "K Falls") for which "toilet" is "x" and "peripheral facilities with toilets" is "o" in the determination table 32A as the destination. In this case, the surrounding facilities belonging to the category of facilities with toilets are set as targets to be searched as candidate facilities to be visited.

Next, a case where the facility at the destination does not have the characteristic facility 1 and the item "existence of alternative facility" corresponding to the characteristic facility 1 does not exist in the determination table 32A will be exemplified. For example, when a facility (e.g., "J campsite") whose "parking lot" is "x" in the determination table 32A is set as the destination, the system controller 20 searches for the candidate stop-by facility as follows: The surrounding parking lot or surrounding facilities with a parking lot are specified as candidate facilities to stop by.

In the second example, the system controller 20 sets, as the destination, a facility (e.g., "K Falls") for which both the "restaurant" and the "food and drink space that can be brought in" are "x" in the determination table 32A. If so, the surrounding facilities belonging to the restaurant category are set as targets to be searched as candidate facilities to visit.

At this time, preferably, the system controller 20 searches for candidate facilities to be visited only when the estimated time of arrival at the destination falls within a predetermined time period (for example, a general lunch or dinner time period). should be set to surrounding facilities belonging to the restaurant category. Then, if the expected time of arrival at the destination is outside the predetermined time period, the system controller 20 determines targets to be searched as candidate facilities to be visited according to, for example, the first example or the third example described later. In this way, the system controller 20 may determine the targets to be searched as candidate facilities to visit, taking into account the expected time of arrival at the destination.

Similarly, the system controller 20 is intended for facilities (e.g., "J campground") where "restaurant" and "handling of daily necessities and food" are "x" and "eating space that can be brought in" is "○". If the destination is set as a place and the expected arrival time at the destination is within a predetermined time period, the target to be searched as a candidate facility for stopping by is set to a nearby facility that handles food (such as a supermarket). .

In the third example, the system controller 20 selects a facility with a restroom when a facility (e.g., "shopping center N") whose "parking congestion" is "○" in the determination table 32A is set as the destination. Peripheral facilities belonging to the category of are set as targets for searching as candidate facilities to visit.

The system controller 20 may determine the candidate stop-off facilities based on any one of the first to third examples, or may determine the candidate stop-off facilities based on all of the first to third examples. At this time, if the system controller 20 has searched for a plurality of candidate stop-off facilities in step S102, the system controller 20 may guide all of the searched candidate stop-off facilities, or select one candidate stop-off facility based on a predetermined rule. You can guide me. Also, in the determination table 32A shown in FIG. 5, a record is generated for each individual facility that can be set as a destination. A record may be generated for each facility category that can be set as a destination, similarly to the table 32 for destinations.

FIG. 6 shows an example of the display displayed on the display 44 when guiding the candidate facility to visit in the second embodiment.

In the example of FIG. 6, since "K Falls" is set as the destination, the system controller 20 selects the facility with toilet "P Mart" as the candidate facility to stop by based on the fourth record in the determination table 32A. We are doing a display that is recommended as a place to stop by. Specifically, the system controller 20 determines that "K Falls" corresponds to facilities with "x" for "toilet" and "o" for "peripheral facilities with toilets". Based on the example, surrounding facilities belonging to the category of facilities with toilets are searched, and the facility with toilets "P Mart" is determined as a candidate facility to stop by. Then, the system controller 20 displays the current position, the position of the destination "K Falls", the position of the candidate facility "P Mart", and the set route on the map, and displays the popup window 71 is superimposed on the map. In addition, the system controller 20 displays in the pop-up window 71 that there are no restrooms at the destination "K Falls", and presses a button for designating whether or not to set "P Mart" as a stopover point. I am displaying. Then, when the "YES" button of the pop-up window 71 is selected, the system controller 20 searches for a route using "P Mart" as a stopping point, and starts guidance on the route. On the other hand, when the "NO" button in the popup window 71 is selected, the system controller 20 clears the display of the popup window 71 and provides route guidance to the destination.

As described above, when the destination is set, the system controller 20 of the navigation device 1 according to the first and second embodiments refers to the determination table 32 or the determination table 32A to determine the destination. search for candidate facilities that have a predetermined relationship with Then, the navigation device 1 uses the display unit 40 or the audio output unit 50 to notify the search results of the candidate facilities to visit. As a result, the navigation device 1 can suitably notify a candidate stop-off facility that is related to the destination.

<Modification>
Preferred modifications of the first and second embodiments will be described below. In addition, each of these modifications may be combined and applied to the above embodiment.

(Modification 1)
A part of the processing executed by the navigation device 1 in the first and second embodiments may be executed by a server device that communicates with the navigation device 1 via a network.

FIG. 7 shows the configuration of a route guidance system according to a modification. In the example of FIG. 7, the route guidance system has a navigation device 1 and a server device 3 that stores a determination table 32. FIG. The server device 3 has map data, and when a route search request including information such as the current position and destination is received from the navigation device 1, the server device 3 searches for a route to the destination, and provides information on the search result. It is supplied to the navigation device 1.

In the configuration example of FIG. 7, for example, the navigation device 1 transmits to the server device 3 a route search request including information about the current position and the destination. Then, the server device 3 executes the flowchart of FIG. 3 based on the received route search request. At this time, if the server device 3 determines in step S103 that there is a candidate stop-off facility, it transmits information for guiding the candidate stop-off facility (for example, facility information regarding the candidate stop-off facility) to the navigation device 1 .

Note that the server device 3 may store a determination table 32A instead of the determination table 32. FIG. In this case, the server device 3 executes a search process for a candidate stop-by facility based on the determination table 32A described in the second embodiment. In this modified example, the CPU of the server device 3 and the like are examples of the "receiving section", the "searching section", and the "transmitting section" in the present invention.

In addition, in the configuration example of FIG. 7, the server device 3 receives information (also referred to as “probe information”) regarding the state of the vehicle from a plurality of vehicle-mounted devices such as the navigation device 1 traveling on the road, and receives the received information. The determination table 32 may be automatically generated by analyzing the probe information. For example, based on the probe information, the server device 3 sets another facility as the destination after arriving at the destination initially set by a certain vehicle (also referred to as the “initial destination”), heads for the facility, When it is determined that the user has arrived at the original destination again, it is determined that it is preferable to stop by the above-mentioned other facilities in order to stay at the original destination. Therefore, in this case, the server device 3 adds a new record to the determination table 32 of FIG. . In this case, the probe information received from the navigation device 1 may include destination setting history information and the like. By doing so, the server device 3 can preferably automatically generate the determination table 32 .

(Modification 2)
In the flowchart of FIG. 3, the navigation device 1 searches for and provides guidance for candidate facilities to stop at at the same time as searching for a route to the destination. Alternatively, after the route search to the destination is completed and the route guidance to the destination is started, the navigation device 1 performs processing related to search and guidance for candidate facilities to stop by before arriving at the destination at the latest. may be executed.

(Modification 3)
In the flowchart of FIG. 3, the navigation device 1 may determine whether or not to guide the candidate facility to stop in at step S104 based on the movement history of the vehicle.

In this case, the system controller 20 determines whether or not the user has actually visited the candidate stop-off facility when the guidance of the candidate stop-off facility is performed according to the flowchart of FIG. It is stored in the data storage unit 31 as history information in association with the candidate facility. At this time, if the system controller 20 determines that the vehicle has stopped at the position indicated by the position information of the candidate facility stored in the map data for a predetermined time or longer based on the position information based on the output of the GPS receiver 18, for example, , it is determined that the facility has been visited. When executing the flowchart of FIG. 3 again, the system controller 20 refers to the history information before executing step S104. Then, if the system controller 20 determines that the candidate stop-off facility to be guided is a facility that the user did not visit even though it was notified as a candidate stop-off facility for the same destination in the past, the system controller 20 guides the candidate stop-off facility in step S104. The processing of the flowchart ends without By doing so, the navigation device 1 can suitably suppress unnecessary notification of candidate facilities that the user does not need.

(Modification 4)
The navigation device 1 may accept input of ON/OFF setting of the guidance function of the candidate stop-off facilities corresponding to steps S102 to S104 in FIG. good.

In this case, the navigation device 1 refers to the setting information stored in the data storage unit 31 when executing the flowchart of FIG. The processing of S104 is executed. On the other hand, the navigation device 1 does not execute the processing of steps S102 to S104 when the guidance function of the candidate stop-off facility is set to OFF.

(Modification 5)
In the second embodiment, the navigation device 1 does not have to provide guidance regarding the candidate stop-off facility when the facility searched as the candidate stop-off facility is within walking distance (for example, within 500 m) from the destination. As a result, the navigation device 1 can suitably suppress guidance regarding unnecessary stop-off candidate facilities.

(Modification 6)
The navigation device 1 may determine a candidate stop-by facility to be searched based on traffic information regarding the route to the destination.

For example, if the navigation device 1 determines that there is a traffic jam on the route to the destination based on the traffic information received by the communication device 38 from the VICS center or the like, the navigation device 1 determines whether or not there is a toilet at the destination. Search facilities with toilets in the vicinity as candidate facilities to stop by. Then, the navigation device 1 notifies the user to recommend the retrieved candidate facility as a place to visit. This also allows the navigation device 1 to suitably notify the user of the candidate facility to visit which is useful to the user.

Reference Signs List 1 navigation device 3 server device 10 self-supporting positioning device 12 GPS receiver 20 system controller 22 CPU
31 data storage unit 38 communication device 40 display unit 44 display 50 audio output unit 60 input device

Claims (10)

In a route guidance device provided or installed in a mobile body,
a storage unit that stores attribute information regarding the presence or absence of each facility equipment set as a destination;
a search unit that searches for a candidate stop-off point that is a candidate to stop by when heading to the set destination;
a notification unit that notifies the user of the candidate stop-off point;
with
The search unit searches for locations related to facilities that are lacking at the destination based on the attribute information corresponding to the set destination,
The route guidance device, wherein the notification unit does not notify the candidate stop-off point when the candidate stop-off point is within a predetermined distance from the destination. 2. The route guidance device according to claim 1, wherein the search unit searches for the point based on an expected arrival time of the destination. further comprising an acquisition unit that acquires traffic information around the destination;
3. The route guidance device according to claim 1, wherein the search unit searches for the point based on the traffic information. further comprising a history recording unit that records history information about a stopover place when the destination of the mobile object is set;
When the notification unit determines, based on the history information, that the set destination was set as the destination in the past and did not visit the point searched by the search unit, 4. The route guidance device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein no notification is made. The route guidance device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the notification unit notifies the user of the search results of the search unit before the mobile body arrives at the destination. . The route guidance device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the searching unit starts searching for the point when the destination is specified. 7. The route guidance device according to claim 6, further comprising an input reception unit that receives an input specifying whether to start searching for the facility when the destination is specified. A control method executed by a route guidance device provided or installed in a mobile object,
a search step of searching for a candidate stop-off point that is a candidate to stop by when heading to the set destination;
a notification step of notifying a user of the candidate stop-off point;
has
The searching step searches for locations related to lack of equipment at the destination based on attribute information regarding the presence or absence of each equipment at the set destination;
The control method, wherein the notification step does not notify the candidate stop-off point when the candidate stop-off point is within a predetermined distance from the destination. A program executed by a computer of a route guidance device provided or installed in a mobile object,
a search unit that searches for a candidate stop-off point that is a candidate to stop by when heading to the set destination;
a notification unit that notifies the user of the candidate stop-off point;
functioning the computer as
The search unit searches for a point related to lack of equipment at the destination based on attribute information about the presence or absence of each equipment at the set destination,
The program, wherein the notification unit does not notify the candidate stop-off point when the candidate stop-off point is within a predetermined distance from the destination. A storage medium storing the program according to claim 9 .

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