JP4604055B2 - Navigation system, route search server, route search method, and terminal device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a navigation system that searches for and guides candidate routes from an arbitrary starting point to a destination by using walking, automobiles, or public transportation, and in particular, any starting point using transportation. The present invention relates to a navigation system, a route search server, a route search method, and a terminal device that can search a candidate route from a place to a destination by specifying a range of arrival times at the destination.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, navigation devices and navigation systems that guide a user by searching for a route from a desired departure point to a destination using map data and road data are known. Such navigation devices and navigation systems are known. As a car navigation device that is installed in an automobile and guides the route to the driver, a communication type that uses a mobile phone as a navigation terminal to send a route search request to the route search server, receives the result, and receives route guidance Navigation systems have been put to practical use.

  In particular, the communication-type navigation system is a system that uses a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone as a navigation terminal, and is also used as a navigation system for pedestrians. As a navigation system for pedestrians, it is preferable to add a route guidance function including transportation, and in addition to searching and guidance for walking routes, the route search server accumulates routes and operation time data of transportation, There is also a navigation system having a function of guiding a route from a desired departure station to a desired destination station (boarding candidate train) in addition to searching for a walking route and guidance. There is also a traffic guidance system that receives and displays information such as routes, timetables of transportation facilities, and trains that can be boarded from an information distribution server without searching for walking routes.

  A general navigation device, a route search device and a route search method used in a communication navigation system are disclosed in, for example, the following Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-165681). This navigation system is configured to send information on a departure point and a destination from a portable navigation terminal to an information distribution server, and the information distribution server searches and guides a route that matches a search condition from road network and traffic network data. Has been. As the search condition, there are means for moving from the departure place to the destination, for example, walking, automobile, combined use of railroad and walking, and the route is searched as one of the search conditions.

  The information distribution server has roads (routes) of map data as nodes and nodes as the positions of inflection points, links connecting the nodes as links, and cost information (distance and required time) of all links as a database. ing. Then, the information distribution server sequentially searches for a link from the departure node to the destination node with reference to the database, and traces the node and link with the smallest cost information of the link as a guide route. The shortest route can be guided to the portable navigation terminal. As such a route search method, a method called label determination method or Dijkstra method is used. Patent Document 1 also discloses a route search method using this Dijkstra method.

  A route search system that searches for routes that use transportation is a database of operation time data of each transportation based on route search conditions such as departure date, departure location, destination, arrival time specified by the user. It has a time database and data that makes the traffic network a database based on this. Then, referring to these databases, each available means of transportation (individual trains and route buses) connecting the departure point and destination, including connections (transfers), is sequentially traced to meet the route search conditions. It is configured to present one or a plurality of candidates for a guide route (departure station, destination station, route, train, etc.). As route search conditions, it is generally possible to specify conditions such as required time, number of transfers, and fares.

  In addition, as a system for conducting searches and guidance related to transportation facilities, a terminal device such as a mobile phone is connected to an information distribution server for guiding route information and timetable information of transportation facilities, and a desired departure station, departure time, destination station, etc. There is also provided a guidance system that can specify information, receive information on routes, trains, trains and other transportation means that can be boarded, and display them on a terminal device. In general, when such use is performed from a terminal device, address information such as a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) or a domain name for specifying a location where information to be downloaded exists is input to the terminal device and specified by the address. The information distribution server (information site) is accessed to download desired information.

  The route search data in the navigation system for route search and route guidance using the transportation system is the same as the road network data in the in-vehicle navigation system and the pedestrian navigation system. In addition to data networked as a two-way link, the operation time and required time of each link are added as link cost data for each means of transportation operated on each traffic route. Further, there is a system in which fare data is added and the fare of the searched guide route is guided together.

  A navigation system that searches for routes using transportation in addition to walking routes is disclosed, for example, in Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-258184). The navigation system disclosed in Patent Document 2 expresses a traffic network from a starting point to a destination point by using a node as a point and a link between points as a link. A traffic network route searching method to be searched is used.

  As a route from the departure point and destination point to the transportation station to be used, a straight line distance from the departure point and destination point to the transportation station to be used, and a straight line distance from the destination point to the transportation station to be used. Is calculated using latitude and longitude information, the average cost is calculated using the straight line distance as a variable, the stations of all the transportation facilities included in the cost range specified by the average cost are determined, the walking route is determined, The total walking network is expressed by incorporating the obtained walking route into the transportation network route of the transportation system, and the search is performed under the cost condition obtained by the label determination method using a computer.

  Therefore, the guidance route data distributed to the terminal device includes a route search condition specified by the user, such as a route route from the departure point to the destination, and buses, trains, trains, and times that guide the ride, and the operation. A timetable or a so-called station pasted timetable posted on a station is processed as it is or processed into a display data format in which a necessary part can be displayed on a screen and distributed to a terminal device. The terminal device can check the route and the transportation means to be boarded by displaying the guidance route data, the operation timetable, or the station pasted timetable.

  When receiving a route search or route guidance using a navigation system, there is a case in which an optimum route to a destination or a plurality of candidate routes are searched by designating a departure time from the departure point. In some cases, an arrival time at the destination is set, and an optimum route or a candidate route that can reach the destination at a specified time is searched from among the routes from the departure point to the destination. In the latter, it is possible to know when to depart from the departure place in order to reach the destination at the designated time.

  For example, a navigation system that searches for a route on the condition of arrival time at an arrival place (destination) includes, for example, Patent Document 3 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-32443) and Patent Document 4 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-334387). ).

  The route guidance system disclosed in Patent Document 3 sets a departure point, a departure time of the departure point, at least one destination, and a final arrival point, and includes a timetable and an average required time for movement. Based on the information in the database that stores the information and the setting value set by the setting means, the optimal route search from the starting point to the final destination is searched using the optimal route search process, and the search result is output. It is what you do. This system also sets the final arrival time of the final arrival place, and based on the set value, can calculate and output the free time at the destination other than the travel time by transportation such as a train.

  The optimal transit series search system disclosed in Patent Document 4 optimizes the average travel time for the cost, taking into account unforeseen circumstances such as suspension or cancellation of the route used from the airline, Shinkansen, and JR express line In the optimal transit sequence search system that can search for transit sequences, it is possible to eliminate useless sequence searches by limiting the search area in advance from the starting point and the destination so that the sequence search can be processed in a short time. It is a thing. The system also specifies a departure time and allows a route search with the latest time to arrive at the destination.

JP 2001-165681 A (FIGS. 1 and 2) JP 2000-258184 A (FIGS. 3 and 3) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-32443 (FIG. 1) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-334387 (FIG. 5, paragraph [0015])

Finding the route and departure time by specifying the arrival time is a convenient search method when participating in an event or the like whose holding time is fixed.
However, it may not be necessary to determine the arrival time so strictly. For example, there is a case where it is sufficient to arrive at the accommodation the day before the event, and specifically, there is a case where it is desired to determine the optimum route and transportation on the condition that it arrives from the check-in time of the inn to the dinner time.

  However, in the navigation systems disclosed in Patent Document 3 and Patent Document 4 described above, a route search is performed on the condition of arrival time at the destination, and when the arrival time at the destination is desired to be wide. In consideration of the check-in time of the hotel, dinner time, or the detour time in the middle of the route can be set to the arrival time individually and repeatedly try to find the preferred route .

  The above Patent Document 4 has a description that a route search is performed by designating a starting point, a destination, a desired departure time, and a search time range. The search time range referred to here is Patent Document 4 (Publication). Paragraph of

In this navigation system, instead of specifying the arrival time range, the candidate route having the arrival time as 17:30 is eventually determined by simply extending the time range to be searched from the departure time. It is a configuration that only guides by sorting in ascending order of departure time.

  Such a trial-and-error route searching method has a problem that it takes time for the user to search for a route. Further, in such a route search method, there is a possibility that a route with a more optimal condition existing in a desired time zone cannot be found depending on how the arrival time is designated. For example, when searching for a route by changing the arrival time in units of 30 minutes and when searching for a route by changing the arrival time in units of 5 minutes, the optimum route or candidate route to be searched is different, and a more optimal route leaks from the search. The possibility arises.

  The inventor of the present application has made various studies to solve the above problems, and as a result, set the arrival time to the destination in a range, and starts the arrival time range at a predetermined time interval from the end time of the arrival time range. The above problems can be solved by changing the arrival time settings until the time until the optimal time or a plurality of candidate routes obtained by searching for a plurality of candidate routes and sorting them according to the specified conditions. Thus, the present invention has been completed.

  That is, the present invention has an object to solve the above-mentioned problems, and when searching for an optimal route or a candidate route from an arbitrary departure point to a destination by using transportation, the arrival time at the destination is determined. It is an object of the present invention to provide a navigation system, a route search server, a route search method, and a terminal device that can search a route by specifying a range.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 1 of the present application is
Based on a route search request including a starting point and a destination, route search means for searching for an optimal route including a route using a transportation means by referring to network data for route search, and candidates searched by the route search means In a navigation system comprising display means for displaying a route,
The navigation system includes an operation input means for inputting a route search condition including a range of arrival times to a destination, a time range determination means for determining a range of arrival times, a time condition shift means for shifting time conditions, A guide route sorting means,
The time condition shifting means sequentially changes the time conditions to different time conditions within the arrival time range according to a predetermined condition, and the route search means is based on the time conditions changed by the time condition shifting means. An optimum route is searched and stored as a candidate route in the guide route sorting means, and the guide route sorting means sorts and outputs the candidate routes in the order specified by the route search condition.

  The invention according to claim 2 of the present application is the navigation system according to claim 1, wherein the operation input means inputs a first input means for inputting a starting point, a destination, and other route search conditions, and an arrival time range. The other route search conditions input by the first input means include at least one of a fare of the route using the transportation, the number of times of transfer, and a required time. Features.

The invention according to claim 3 of the present application is the navigation system according to claim 1, wherein the time condition shift means is a predetermined time from the time at one end of the arrival time range input by the operation input means to the time at the other end. The time condition is changed by shifting the arrival time at intervals.

The invention according to claim 4 of the present application is the navigation system according to claim 1, wherein the time condition shift means moves to reach the nearest station of the destination at a time in the arrival time range input by the operation input means. The time conditions are changed by sequentially shifting the flights of the means.

The invention according to claim 5 of the present application is the navigation system according to claim 1, wherein the time condition shift means shifts the time from the end of the arrival time range to the time condition specified by the time condition shift means. based on a result of said route search means has searched candidate routes, departure time of the candidate route, is earlier than the current time, characterized that you exit the route search.

The invention according to claim 6 of the present application is
A route search request including a starting point and a destination is transmitted to the route search server, and connected to a terminal device having display means for displaying the candidate route received from the route search server, and received from the terminal device. Based on the route search conditions, in the route search server that searches for the optimum route including the route using the transportation means by referring to the network data for route search,
The route search request transmitted from the terminal device includes a range of arrival times at the destination,
The route search server includes a time range determining unit that determines a range of arrival times, a time condition shifting unit that shifts a time condition, and a guidance route sorting unit.
The time condition shifting means sequentially changes the time conditions to different time conditions within the arrival time range according to a predetermined condition, and the route search means is based on the time conditions changed by the time condition shifting means. An optimum route is searched and stored as a candidate route in the guide route sorting means, and the guide route sorting means sorts and outputs the candidate routes in the order specified by the route search condition.

The invention according to claim 7 of the present application is the route search server according to claim 6, wherein the time condition shift means is a predetermined time from the time at one end of the arrival time range input by the operation input means to the time at the other end. The time condition is changed by shifting the arrival time at time intervals.

The invention according to claim 8 of the present application is the route search server according to claim 6, wherein the time condition shifting means arrives at the nearest station of the destination at a time in the arrival time range input by the operation input means. The time condition is changed by sequentially shifting the flights of the moving means.

The invention according to claim 9 of the present application is the route search server according to claim 6, wherein the time condition shift means shifts the time from the end of the arrival time range, and the time condition specified by the time condition shift means. based on the result of route search means has searched candidate routes, departure time of the candidate route, is earlier than the current time, it characterized that you exit the route search.

The invention according to claim 10 of the present application is
Based on a route search request including a starting point and a destination, route search means for searching for an optimal route including a route using a transportation means by referring to network data for route search, and candidates searched by the route search means In a route search method in a navigation system comprising a display means for displaying a route,
The navigation system includes an operation input means for inputting a route search condition including a range of arrival times to a destination, a time range determination means for determining a range of arrival times, a time condition shift means for shifting time conditions, A guide route sorting means,
The time condition shifting means sequentially changes the time condition to a different time condition within the arrival time range according to a predetermined condition, and the route search means changes the time condition changed by the time condition shifting means. Searching for an optimum route based on the information and storing the route as a candidate route in the guide route sorting means, and the guide route sorting means sorting and outputting the candidate routes in the order specified by the route search conditions; It is characterized by having.

  The invention according to claim 11 of the present application is the route search method according to claim 10, wherein the operation input means includes a first input means for inputting a starting point, a destination, and other route search conditions, and an arrival time range. The other route search conditions input by the first input means include at least one or more of the fare of the route using the transportation, the number of transfers, and the required time. It is characterized by.

The invention according to claim 12 of the present application is the route search method according to claim 10, wherein the step of changing the time condition by the time condition shifting means starts from the time at one end of the arrival time range input by the operation input means. It includes a process of changing the time condition by shifting the arrival time at a predetermined time interval until the time at the other end.

The invention according to claim 13 of the present application is the route search method according to claim 10, wherein the step of changing the time condition by the time condition shifting means is performed at the time of the arrival time range input by the operation input means. It includes a process of changing the time condition by sequentially shifting the flights of the transportation means arriving at the nearest station on the ground.

The invention according to claim 14 of the present application is the route search method according to claim 10, wherein the step of changing the time condition by the time condition shifting means includes a process of shifting the time from the end of the arrival time range, based on the time condition specified by the time condition shifting means, a result of the route search means it has searched candidate routes, departure time of the candidate route, is earlier than the current time, that you end the path search Features.

The invention according to claim 15 of the present application is
A time range determining means for determining a range of arrival times, a time condition shifting means for shifting a time condition, and a guide route sorting means,
The time condition shifting means sequentially changes the time conditions to different time conditions within the arrival time range according to a predetermined condition, and the route search means is based on the time conditions changed by the time condition shifting means. An optimum route is searched and stored as a candidate route in the guide route sorting means, and the guide route sorting means sorts the candidate routes in the order specified by the route search conditions and outputs them to the route search server via the network. A terminal device to be connected,
The terminal device includes operation input means for inputting a route search condition including a departure place and a destination, and display means for displaying candidate routes searched by the route search means. A range of arrival times at is input.

  The invention according to claim 16 of the present application is the terminal device according to claim 15, wherein the operation input means inputs a first input means for inputting a starting point, a destination, and other route search conditions, and an arrival time range. The other route search conditions input by the first input means include at least one of a fare of the route using the transportation, the number of times of transfer, and a required time. Features.

  In the invention according to claim 1, the time condition shifting means sequentially changes the time conditions to different time conditions within the arrival time range according to a predetermined condition, and the route search means is the time condition shifting means. The optimum route is searched based on the changed time condition and stored as a candidate route in the guide route sorting means, and the guide route sorting means sorts and outputs the candidate routes in the order specified by the route search condition. To do.

  According to such a configuration, it is possible to search for a plurality of candidate routes included in the designated arrival time range only by designating the arrival time range to the destination, and to select these candidate routes as desired conditions. Information on guide routes sorted in order can be obtained. Therefore, the user can easily select a route that meets his request from the candidate routes.

  In the invention according to claim 2, in the navigation system according to claim 1, the operation input means includes a first input means for inputting a starting point, a destination, and other route search conditions, and a first input means for inputting an arrival time range. The other route search conditions input by the first input means include at least one of a fare of a route using transportation, the number of times of transfer, and a required time.

  According to such a configuration, a route in which the range of arrival time at the destination is set by designating one or more of the fare of the route using the transportation, the number of times of transfer, and the required time as the route search condition You can search.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the navigation system according to the first aspect, the time condition shifting means is a predetermined time interval from the time at one end of the arrival time range input by the operation input means to the time at the other end. Shift arrival time and change time condition.

  According to such a configuration, the route search means can search for a candidate route based on the arrival time changed at a predetermined time interval within the arrival time range designated by the time condition shift means. .

In the invention according to claim 4, in the navigation system according to claim 1, the time condition shift means is a moving means for arriving at the nearest station of the destination at the time in the arrival time range input by the operation input means. Shift flights sequentially to change time conditions.

  According to such a configuration, the route search means is based on the time condition that is changed by sequentially shifting the flights of the moving means arriving at the nearest station of the destination within the arrival time range specified by the time condition shift means. The candidate route can be searched. In addition, when the number of flights arriving at the nearest station of the destination is small, the number of times the route search means searches for candidate routes can be reduced.

In the invention according to claim 5, in the navigation system according to claim 1, the time condition shift means shifts the time from the end of the arrival time range, and based on the time condition designated by the time condition shift means. Te, as a result of the route search means has searched candidate routes, departure time of the candidate route, is earlier than the current time, you exit the route search.

According to such a configuration, when the departure time of the candidate route obtained as a result of the route search is earlier than the current time, it becomes an unusable route, so the route search is ended and the subsequent search is stopped. because it will is possible to force to reduce the unnecessary search process.

  In the inventions according to claims 6 to 9, a route search server constituting the navigation system according to claims 1 and 3 to 5, respectively, can be provided, and claims 10 to 10, respectively. In the invention according to 14, the route search method for realizing the navigation system according to claims 1 to 5 can be provided. Moreover, in the invention concerning Claim 15 and Claim 16, the terminal device which comprises the navigation system concerning Claim 1 and Claim 2, respectively can be provided now.

  Hereinafter, specific examples of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to examples and drawings. However, the embodiments shown below illustrate a navigation system for embodying the technical idea of the present invention, and are not intended to specify the present invention for this navigation system. The present invention can be equally applied to navigation systems of other embodiments included in the scope.

  FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing a configuration of a navigation system 10 according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the navigation system 10 includes a terminal device 20 and a route search server 30 that are connected via a network 12. The navigation system 10 includes a POI information distribution server 50 that provides detailed information such as the location and service contents of POIs belonging to various categories, and various information distribution servers 51 that provide content and other information such as music and various images. It is prepared for.

  The route search server 30 can acquire necessary data from the POI information distribution server 50 or other information distribution server 51 via the network 12 and add it to its own database. Similarly, a search request can be transmitted to the POI information distribution server 50 or another information distribution server 51 to obtain a desired search result.

  The navigation system 10 according to the present invention is not limited to the above configuration, and the route search server 30 may have the function of a map distribution server that distributes the map of the POI location together with the navigation service function. The terminal device 20 can also use a mobile phone, and may be a portable device such as a PDA, a music player, a portable game machine, or a personal computer (PC).

  The route search server 30 shown in FIG. 1 includes a map database 34 and a route search network database 35. When a route search request is received from the terminal device 20, the route search server 30 searches for a route with reference to the search network database 35. And it has the general navigation function which transmits the guidance route (recommended route) obtained from the result of route search to the terminal device 20. Further, when there is a request for obtaining map data by designating a desired point or POI from the terminal device 20, the corresponding map data is read with reference to the map database 34 and distributed to the terminal device 20.

  On the other hand, the terminal device 20 can set the arrival time range designated route search mode for requesting the route search to the route search server 30 using the arrival time range to the destination as a route search condition. When this arrival time range designation route search mode is not set, a normal route search request is made. As mentioned above, the arrival time range can be reached at the accommodation the day before the event. Specifically, we want to search for the optimal route and transportation on the condition that it arrives from the check-in time of the inn to the dinner time. This mode is used in some cases. That is, this mode is used when it is desired to provide a wide range of arrival times at the destination. When the arrival time range designation route search mode is set, the arrival time range to the destination is designated as “XX time YY minutes to WW time ZZ minutes”.

  When the route search server 30 receives a route search request from the terminal device 20 in which the arrival time range specified route search mode is set, the route search server 30 shifts at a predetermined time interval from one end (end time or start time) of the specified time range. While searching for candidate routes. When the route search exceeds the other end of the time range, the route search is terminated, and the candidate routes obtained by each route search are sorted and output under the designated conditions. The route search at this time can be performed by a route search method with an arrival time specification performed in a general navigation system.

  By performing such a route search, it is possible to obtain a candidate route for arriving at the destination during a desired time range, and the user of the terminal device 20 can select a favorite route from among the plurality of guided candidate routes. The route can be selected.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on specific examples, but before that, a detailed configuration of the navigation system 10 according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of the navigation system 10 of FIG. The terminal device 20 is a terminal capable of receiving a navigation service, and includes a control unit 201, a communication unit 21, a GPS reception unit 22, a search request unit 23, a guide route data storage unit 24, a display unit 25, and an operation input unit 26. It is prepared for.

  The operation input unit 26 includes a first input unit 261 for inputting a departure point, a destination, and other route search conditions, a start time (start time) of the arrival time range, and an end time (end time) of the arrival time range. ) Is input. The first input unit 261 and the second input unit 262 can use numerical keys, but can also use numerical values displayed by a pull-down menu provided on a condition input screen described later. The other route search conditions include, for example, a fare for a route using transportation, the number of transfers, a required time, and the like.

  On the other hand, the route search server 30 includes a control unit 301, a communication unit 31, a guide route data editing unit 32, a guide route sorting unit 33, a map database 34, a route search network database 35, a time range determining unit 36, and a time condition shifting unit. 37. The time range discriminating means temporarily stores the start time (start time) and end time (end time) of the specified arrival time range when a route search request in the arrival time range specified route search mode is transmitted from the terminal device 20. Store and determine the time range for route search.

  The time condition shift means 37 shifts the arrival time at a predetermined time interval from one end (end time or start time) of the designated time range and sends it to the route search means 39. The guide route sorting means 33 temporarily stores candidate routes obtained as a result of route search by shifting the arrival time, and sorts them according to designated conditions. The sorted candidate routes are transmitted to the terminal device 20 and displayed on the display means 25 of the terminal device 20.

  In the terminal device 20, the control means 201 is a microprocessor having a RAM, a ROM, and a processor (not shown), and controls the operation of each unit by a control program stored in the ROM. The communication means 21 is a communication interface for transmitting and receiving communication data with the route search server 30 and the like via the network 12.

  The GPS receiving means 22 receives a signal from a GPS satellite and calculates the current position by latitude and longitude. The operation input means 26 is composed of keys, dials and the like, performs input for operating the terminal device 20, and is also used as an input function for a departure place, a destination, and the like. The display means 25 comprises a liquid crystal display panel or the like, and is used for displaying a guidance route, a recommended route, or a map distributed (transmitted) from the route search server 30. The display unit 25 also functions as an input unit for displaying the menu screen and operating the terminal device 20.

  Guide route data such as an optimum route and a candidate route transmitted from the route search server 30 to the terminal device 20 is stored in the guide route data storage unit 24 together with the map data, and the candidate route stored in the guide route data storage unit 24 Guidance data and map data are read out as necessary and displayed on the display means 25.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an external appearance of the terminal device 20, and the terminal device 20 shown in FIG. 3 is a mobile phone as a terminal device. The terminal device 20 includes a display unit 25 including a liquid crystal display unit, and an operation input unit 26 having a numeric keypad, a dial, a button, and the like. Map data and guide route data transmitted from the route search server 30 are stored in the guide route data storage unit 24, read out from the guide route data storage unit 24 as necessary, and displayed on the display screen 251 of the display unit 25. The

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the route search condition input screen 310 displayed on the display screen 251. The terminal device 20 transmits a route search request to the route search server 30 based on the conditions and operations input by the operation input unit 26. When making a route search request to the route search server 30, a route search server is set by setting a desired departure point and destination from the menu displayed on the display means 25 as shown in FIG. 30.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of a route search condition input screen 301 displayed when the terminal device 20 is set to the arrival time range designated route search mode. The route search condition input screen 310 is provided with a departure point input field 302, a destination input field 303, an arrival time range input field 304, an output order (sort condition) input field 308, and a search start button 309.

  The starting point and destination are set by inputting an address, a telephone number, a station name, a station name such as a building name, a latitude / longitude, or the like in the starting point input field 302 and the destination input field 303. That is, in this input field, free word input is possible in principle, but it can be set by an address, a telephone number, a POI (Point of Interest) name, or the like. Further, the current location of the terminal device 20 measured by the GPS receiving means 22 can be used for the input of the departure place.

  Further, by operating the pull-down button, it is possible to call and set the route search history and registered points registered in the terminal device 20 so far. In the arrival time range input field 304, enter the start time (start time) “XX hours YY minutes” of the arrival time range, and then enter the end time (end time) “WW hours ZZ minutes” of the arrival time range. Then, the time range “XX hour YY minute to WW hour ZZ minute” is input. When the necessary condition setting is completed and the search start button 309 is operated, a route search request is transmitted from the terminal device 20 to the route search server 30.

  In the route search condition input screen in the normal route search mode, the conventional condition selection of “departure”, “arrival”, “last train”, and “first departure” can be performed from the pull-down menu. It is also possible to provide a selection function for the arrival time range specified route search mode on the route search condition input screen so that the route search condition input screen is common to that in the normal mode.

  The output order can be determined so as to meet the specified conditions when any of the fare of the route using the transportation, the number of times of transfer, and the required time are specified as other route search conditions. For example, when the number of transfers is specified as the route search condition, the plurality of candidate routes are sorted in ascending order of the number of transfers. When a plurality of conditions are set, the output order may be specified in the output order (sort condition) input field 308.

  When there is a route search request from the terminal device 20, the route search server 30 temporarily stores it in the search request storage unit 38. The route search means 39 searches for a plurality of candidate routes from the departure point to the destination with reference to the route search network database 35 according to the route search request stored in the search request storage means 38. When the route search request is a normal route search request, the guide route data obtained as a result of the route search is transmitted to the terminal device 20 together with the map data read from the map database 34. This route search method is the same method as the route search server in a normal navigation system.

  On the other hand, when the route search request is a route search request in the arrival time range specified route search mode, first, the time range determination means 36 starts and ends (start time) and end time (end time) of the specified arrival time range. Time) is temporarily stored, and the time range for route search is determined. The time condition shift means 37 is based on the start time (start time) and end time (end time) of the arrival time range determined by the time range determination means 36, for example, at the end of the arrival time range. The time is sent to the route search means 39, and thereafter the arrival time is sequentially shifted at a predetermined time interval (for example, every 5 minutes) until the end time of the arrival time range (the time at the other end of the arrival time range) is exceeded. To route search means 39.

  The route search means 39 searches for a candidate route with the arrival time sent from the time condition shift means 37 as the arrival time at the destination. The route searched here may be the optimum route with the shortest required time. Here, it is assumed that it is a candidate route including the optimum route. Candidate routes searched by the route search means 39 are temporarily stored in the guide route sorting means 33.

  When the route search by the route search unit 39 is completed, the time condition shift unit 37 further shifts the arrival time at a predetermined time interval, sends it to the route search unit 39, and repeats the candidate route search by the route search unit 39. The arrival time shift process is performed until the end time (end time) of the designated time range is reached, and when the arrival time shifted by the time condition shift means 37 exceeds the end time, the time range determination means 36 The route search ends after detection.

  The guide route sorting means 33 stores a plurality of candidate routes obtained by the above route search. Output of candidate routes (search results) to the terminal device 20 is performed according to the sort order set by the terminal device 20. For example, when “the order in which the required time is short” is designated as the output order as shown in the condition input screen of FIG. 4, the guide route sorting unit 33 selects a plurality of temporarily stored candidate routes from the departure place. Sort in ascending order of travel time to the destination.

  The candidate route data sorted by the guide route sorting unit 33 is edited by the guide route data editing unit 32 into data to be transmitted to the terminal device 20 and transmitted to the terminal device 20 via the communication unit 31. The terminal device 20 stores the guide route data (sorted candidate route data) received from the route search server 30 in the guide route data storage unit 24 and displays it on the display unit 25 as necessary.

  FIG. 5 is a screen configuration diagram showing an example of an output screen showing a route search result in the arrival time range displayed on the display means 25 in the terminal device 20. In FIG. 5, “ON” is displayed in the arrival time range designated route search mode display field 402. In the guidance route display field 403, a departure point, a destination, and candidate routes from the first route to the Nth route are displayed. Each candidate route displays the time to depart from the departure point, the boarding station (the nearest station of the departure point), and the required time to the destination.

  In FIG. 5, the first route is “11:05” when the departure point should be left, the nearest station “A station”, and the required time from the departure point to the destination is “5 hours 05 minutes”. FIG. 5 shows an example in which the candidate routes are sorted in the order of “required time”. For example, in the sixth route, the time “10:05” at which the departure point should depart, the nearest station “C station”, the departure The required time from the ground to the destination is “5 hours 45 minutes”.

  The user can select a desired route from the display result. For example, the fourth route or the fifth route can be selected when it is desired to set the departure station to “B station” even if it takes an extra time. If there is a relay point that you want to drop in on the way, you may specify a waypoint in the route search condition and specify the arrival time range to the destination in consideration of the required time at the waypoint. The comment display field 404 displays a map and route display operation as a comment. The display in the guide route display field 403 can be scrolled as necessary, and routes that are not displayed on one screen can also be referred to.

  When link information for linking to detailed route information is associated with each route displayed on the display screen 401 in FIG. 5 and a specific candidate route is selected by a selection means such as a cursor, the candidate route is displayed. It is convenient to display the detailed information. After displaying the detailed information of the candidate route, if a map display key (not shown) is operated as shown in the comment display field 404, a map display including the corresponding candidate route is performed.

  Next, the concept of route search in the route search server 30 will be described. The route search network database 35 stores road network data for searching for a travel route by foot or car and traffic network data for searching for a travel route using public transportation. The route search means 39 refers to the route search network database 35 and searches for a route by walking or a car or a route using both walking and transportation.

  The road network data is structured as follows. For example, when the road is composed of roads A, B, and C as shown in FIG. 6, the end points, intersections, and bending points of the roads A, B, and C are used as nodes, and the roads connecting the nodes are directed links. Link cost data with node data (node latitude / longitude), link data (link number) and link cost of each link (link distance or time required to travel the link) as data Composed.

  That is, in FIG. 6, Nn (◯ mark) and Nm (◎ mark) indicate nodes, and Nm (◎ mark) indicates a road intersection. Directional links connecting the nodes are indicated by arrow lines (solid line, dotted line, two-dot chain line). As for the links, there are links facing in the upward and downward directions of the road, but in FIG. 6, only the links in the direction of the arrows are shown for the sake of simplicity.

  When route search is performed using such road network data as a route search database, links linked from the starting node to the destination node are traced to accumulate the link cost, thereby minimizing the accumulated link cost. Search and guide the route. That is, in FIG. 6, when the route search is performed with the departure point as the node AX and the destination as the node CY, the road travels from the node AX along the road A, turns right at the second intersection, enters the road C, and reaches the node CY. The link cost is accumulated sequentially, and a route that minimizes the accumulated link cost is searched for and guided.

  Although other routes from the node AX to the node CY are not shown in FIG. 6, there are actually other such routes, so that a plurality of routes that can be reached from the node AX to the node CY are displayed. A search is performed in the same manner, and a route with the lowest link cost is determined as the optimum route. This method is performed by, for example, a known method called the Dijkstra method.

  On the other hand, the traffic network data for route search of the transportation system is configured as follows. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, in the case of traffic routes A, B, and C, each station (each airport on an aircraft route) provided on each traffic route A, B, and C is used as a node, and the nodes are connected. A section is represented by a directional link, and node data (latitude / longitude) and link data (link number) are network data. In FIG. 7, Nn (◯ mark) and Nm (◎ mark) indicate nodes, Nm (◎ mark) indicates a transit point (such as a transfer station) on a traffic route, and a directional link connecting each node. It is indicated by an arrow line (solid line, dotted line, two-dot chain line). As links, there are links facing in the upward and downward directions of the traffic route. In FIG. 7, only the links in the direction of the arrows are shown for the sake of simplicity.

  However, the traffic network basically has a different link cost compared to the road network. In other words, in the road network, the link cost is fixed and static, but in the traffic network, as shown in FIG. 7, trains and airplanes (hereinafter referred to as individual trains and airplanes) that operate the traffic route. A plurality of means of transportation). The time of departure from one node and the time of arrival at the next node are determined for each means of transportation (specified by timetable data and operation data), and individual routes do not necessarily link to adjacent nodes. There is a case. This is the case, for example, with express trains and trains that stop at each station. In such a case, a plurality of different links exist on the same traffic route, and the required time between nodes may differ depending on the transportation means.

  In the transportation network illustrated in FIG. 7, a plurality of transportation means (routes) Aa to Ac... Exist on the same link of the transportation route A, and a plurality of transportation means (routes) Ca to Cc. Will do. Therefore, unlike a simple road network, the transportation network of a transportation facility has a data amount proportional to the total number of transportation means (routes such as individual aircraft and trains). For this reason, the data of the traffic network becomes a huge amount of data compared to the data amount of the road network. Accordingly, much time is required for route search accordingly.

  In order to search for a route from a certain departure point to a certain destination using such traffic network data, all the means of transportation that can be used (ride) when arriving from the departure point to the destination are searched. It is necessary to specify the means of transportation that matches the search conditions.

  For example, in FIG. 7, when performing a route search with the departure point as a node AX of the traffic route A and specifying a certain departure time and using the node CY of the traffic route C as the destination, the route operates on the traffic route A. Of the transportation means Aa to Ac..., All transportation means after the departure time are sequentially selected as the departure route. Based on the arrival time at the transit node on the transit route C, among all the transit means Ca to Cc... Operating on the transit route C, all combinations of transit means after the time that can be boarded at the transit node. The total time required for each route, the number of transfers, and the like are guided.

  Using such network data, the route search server 30 searches for a plurality of candidate routes from the departure point to the destination according to the route search conditions, and transmits the results to the terminal device 20 as guide route data. If the departure time of the departure place is specified in the route search conditions, the arrival time at the destination is reached. If the arrival time at the destination is specified, the arrival time is reached at the specified time. Therefore, the terminal device 20 can display these together with the details of the route on the display means 25. When the transfer route is included in the guide route, the train to be transferred at the transfer station and its departure time can be displayed in the same manner.

  Next, the route search operation procedure in the route search server 30 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. It is assumed that the arrival time range designated route search mode is set by mode setting means (not shown) in the terminal device 20. First, in the process of step S101, the departure point, the destination, and the output order are input in the terminal device 20 in accordance with the route search condition input screen shown in FIG. 4, and the arrival time range to the destination is input in step S102. The input route search condition is transmitted to the route search server 30.

  When the route search server 30 receives the route search request designating the arrival time range from the terminal device 20, it initializes (clears) the arrival time of the time condition shift means 37 and the time range determination means 36 determines in the processing of step S103. Based on the start time (start time) and end time (end time) of the arrival time range, the end time, for example, the end time of the arrival time range is sent to the route search means 39. In the route search conditions illustrated in FIG. 3, this time is “17:00”.

  The route search means 39 performs a route search in the process of step S104 using the arrival time sent from the time condition shift means 37 as the arrival time at the destination, and sends the obtained candidate route to the guide route sorting means 33. In step S105, the guide route sorting unit 33 temporarily stores the candidate route data sent from the route searching unit 39.

  The route search by the route search means 39 is a route search with an arrival time used in general route search, and the road network and the traffic route network are traced back to the departure point based on the arrival time at the destination. Route search. In this route search, even if a plurality of candidate routes are searched, all are stored in the guide route sorting means 33. In addition, when the departure time of the candidate route obtained as a result of all route searches is earlier than the current time, the route cannot be physically used. In this case, since the subsequent route search is useless, the route search may be terminated and the process may proceed to the candidate route condition sorting process in step S108.

  When the guide route data is stored in the guide route sorting means 33 in the process of step S105, the time condition shifting means 37 shifts the arrival time by a predetermined time in the process of step S106. For example, the arrival time is shifted every 10 minutes. Then, the time condition shifting means 37 determines whether or not the arrival time shifted in the determination processing in step S107 exceeds the time at the other end of the arrival time range, here the first time in the arrival time range.

  If it is determined in step S107 that the shifted arrival time has exceeded the arrival time range, the route search process ends, and the process proceeds to step S108. If the shifted arrival time does not exceed the arrival time range, the arrival time shifted by the time condition shift means 37 is sent to the route search means 39, and the process returns to the route search processing in step S104.

Steps S104 to S107 are repeated, and when the route search with the arrival time within the arrival time range is completed while shifting the arrival time at a predetermined time interval, the arrival time range is exceeded in the discrimination process of step S107. Is determined. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S108, where the guide route sorting unit 33 sorts the candidate routes in accordance with the specified sort order, outputs the guide route data sorted in step S109, and ends the process.

In the sorting process in step S109, candidate routes can be obtained as follows according to the designation of the output order.
“Short order of required time”: Routes are obtained in the order of shortest required time that satisfies the specified arrival time range.
“Lowest fare”: Routes are found in order of cheapest fare that satisfies the specified arrival time range.
“In order of decreasing number of transfers”: Routes are obtained in the order of the minimum number of transfers satisfying the designated arrival time range.
“In order of increasing distance of walking section”: Routes are found in the order from the shortest walking route that satisfies the designated arrival time range. In this case, since the route is determined in the walking section, the route is fixed. Routes with different departure times using the route are obtained.

  In the above embodiment, the example in which the time condition shifting unit 37 shifts the arrival time to the destination at a predetermined time interval based on the designation of the arrival time range and provides it to the route search unit 39 has been described. The route search specifying the arrival time range of the present invention is not limited to this method, and the time condition shift means 37 can be a moving means that can arrive at the destination within the arrival time range, for example, a transportation facility (railway or It is also possible to perform a route search by sequentially shifting flights of aircraft). Of course, if there are multiple nearby stations, all flights arriving at each station are covered. Use of this method has the effect that the number of searches can be reduced for destinations with few arrival flights.

  Such a processing procedure will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. An operation procedure of route search in the route search server 30 will be described. It is assumed that the arrival time range designated route search mode is set by mode setting means (not shown) in the terminal device 20. First, in the process of step S201, the departure point, the destination, and the output order are input in the terminal device 20 according to the route search condition input screen shown in FIG. 4, and the arrival time range to the destination is input in step S202. The input route search condition is transmitted to the route search server 30.

  When the route search server 30 receives the route search request designating the arrival time range from the terminal device 20, the route search server 30 initializes (clears) the arrival flight of the time condition shift means 37 and the time range determination means 36 determines in the process of step S203. Based on the start time (start time) and end time (end time) of the arrival time range, the arrival time of transportation flights (railway and aircraft flights) that arrive at the destination during the arrival time range The data are sequentially shifted and sent to the route search means 39.

  The route search means 39 searches for the route in the reverse direction from the destination to the departure place in the process of step S204, starting from the transportation facilities sent from the time condition shift means 37. The candidate route obtained by the route search process in step S204 is sent to the guide route sorting means 33. In step S205, the guide route sorting unit 33 temporarily stores the candidate route data sent from the route search unit 39.

  When the guide route data is stored in the guide route sorting means 33 in the process of step S205, the time condition shifting means 37 sequentially shifts the transportation facilities (railway or aircraft flights) in the processing of step S206. Then, the time condition shift means 37 determines whether there is another arrival flight that satisfies the arrival time range in addition to the flight shifted in the determination processing in step S207.

  If it is determined in step S207 that there is no other arrival flight satisfying the arrival time range, the route search processing is ended, and the process proceeds to step S208. If there is another arrival flight that satisfies the arrival time range, the flight shifted by the time condition shift unit 37 is sent to the route search unit 39, and the process returns to the route search process in step S204.

When the route search is completed for all arrival flights included in the arrival time range while shifting the arrival flights satisfying the arrival time range by repeating the processing from step S204 to step S207, other arrival flights are determined in the determination process of step S207. Is determined to be none. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S208, where the guide route sorting unit 33 sorts the candidate routes in accordance with the specified sort order, outputs the guide route data sorted in step S109, and ends the process.

  In the present invention, since there is a possibility that many routes are displayed, the first result display is a list limited to the departure time, the degree of conformity of other conditions, etc., and each search result is displayed as shown in FIG. It is preferable to add a link to the detailed route display.

  In the present invention, the number of route searches increases according to the arrival time range. However, real-time use is unlikely and is often used in advance planning with the goal of arriving at the destination at some time in the future. Therefore, even if it takes a certain amount of search time, the user can wait for the search result, so there is no practical problem. The server that provides the route search service according to the present invention may be a server different from the route search server that requires immediacy for obtaining the current location by the GPS receiving means and performing the route search.

Further, the route search conditions may be configured not only to be input from the condition input screen but also to send the search parameters to the server by mail, and the server may return the route search result by mail.
Furthermore, if the arrival time range is wide, for example, it is possible to search for a combination of flights with the lowest fare in a day. (Effective for air routes, etc .: Fares differ for each flight)
In the present invention, not all the combinations of connections are searched, so connections with poor connection may be excluded, but many combinations are extracted if the shift amount of arrival time is reduced. be able to.

1 is a system configuration diagram showing a configuration of a navigation system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the detailed structure of the navigation system concerning the Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the external appearance of the mobile telephone used as a terminal device. It is a screen block diagram which shows an example of the input screen of the route search conditions in arrival time range designation | designated route search mode. It is a screen block diagram which shows an example of the output screen which shows the route search result of the arrival time range displayed on a terminal device. It is a schematic diagram which shows the concept of the data of a road network. It is a schematic diagram which shows the concept of the data of a traffic network. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the route search in the arrival time range designation | designated route search mode of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the other process sequence of the route search in the arrival time range specification route search mode of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Navigation system 12 ... Network 20 ... Terminal device 201 ... Control means 21 ... Communication means 22 ... GPS reception means 23 ... Search request means 24 Guide route data storage means 25 ... Display means 26 ... Operation input means 261 ... First input means 262 ... Second input means 30 ... Route search server 301 ··· Control means 31 ··· Communication means 32 ··· Guide route data editing means 33 ··· Guide route sort means 34 ··· Map database 35 ··· Route search network database 36 ··· ..Time range discriminating means 37 ... Time condition shifting means

Claims (16)

Based on a route search request including a starting point and a destination, route search means for searching for an optimal route including a route using a transportation means by referring to network data for route search, and candidates searched by the route search means In a navigation system comprising display means for displaying a route,
The navigation system includes an operation input means for inputting a route search condition including a range of arrival times to a destination, a time range determination means for determining a range of arrival times, a time condition shift means for shifting time conditions, A guide route sorting means,
The time condition shifting means sequentially changes the time conditions to different time conditions within the arrival time range according to a predetermined condition, and the route search means is based on the time conditions changed by the time condition shifting means. A navigation system characterized in that an optimum route is searched and stored as a candidate route in the guide route sorting means, and the guide route sorting means sorts and outputs the candidate routes in the order specified by the route search conditions. .   The operation input means includes a first input means for inputting a departure point, a destination, and other route search conditions, and a second input means for inputting an arrival time range, and the other input that is input by the first input means. The navigation system according to claim 1, wherein the route search condition includes at least one of a fare of a route using a transportation facility, the number of transfers, and a required time. The time condition shift means changes the time condition by shifting the arrival time at a predetermined time interval from the time at one end of the arrival time range input by the operation input means to the time at the other end. Item 4. The navigation system according to item 1. The time condition shifting means changes the time condition by sequentially shifting flights of the moving means that arrive at the nearest station of the destination at a time in the arrival time range input by the operation input means. Item 4. The navigation system according to item 1. The time condition shift means shifts the time from the end of the arrival time range, and the route search means searches for a candidate route based on the time condition specified by the time condition shift means. the navigation system of claim 1 departure time, if earlier than the current time, characterized that you exit the route search. A route search request including a starting point and a destination is transmitted to the route search server, and connected to a terminal device having display means for displaying the candidate route received from the route search server, and received from the terminal device. Based on the route search conditions, in the route search server that searches for the optimum route including the route using the transportation means by referring to the network data for route search,
The route search request transmitted from the terminal device includes a range of arrival times at the destination,
The route search server includes a time range determining unit that determines a range of arrival times, a time condition shifting unit that shifts a time condition, and a guidance route sorting unit.
The time condition shifting means sequentially changes the time conditions to different time conditions within the arrival time range according to a predetermined condition, and the route search means is based on the time conditions changed by the time condition shifting means. A route search characterized in that an optimum route is searched and stored as a candidate route in the guide route sorting means, and the guide route sorting means sorts and outputs the candidate routes in the order specified by the route search conditions. server. The time condition shift means changes the time condition by shifting the arrival time at a predetermined time interval from the time at one end of the arrival time range input by the operation input means to the time at the other end. Item 7. A route search server according to Item 6. The time condition shifting means changes the time condition by sequentially shifting flights of the moving means that arrive at the nearest station of the destination at a time in the arrival time range input by the operation input means. Item 7. A route search server according to Item 6. The time condition shift means shifts the time from the end of the arrival time range, and the route search means searches for a candidate route based on the time condition specified by the time condition shift means. departure time, if earlier than the current time, the route search server according to claim 6, characterized that you exit the route search. Based on a route search request including a starting point and a destination, route search means for searching for an optimal route including a route using a transportation means by referring to network data for route search, and candidates searched by the route search means In a route search method in a navigation system comprising a display means for displaying a route,
The navigation system includes an operation input means for inputting a route search condition including a range of arrival times to a destination, a time range determination means for determining a range of arrival times, a time condition shift means for shifting time conditions, A guide route sorting means,
The time condition shifting means sequentially changes the time condition to a different time condition within the arrival time range according to a predetermined condition, and the route search means changes the time condition changed by the time condition shifting means. Searching for an optimum route based on the information and storing the route as a candidate route in the guide route sorting means, and the guide route sorting means sorting and outputting the candidate routes in the order specified by the route search conditions; The route search method characterized by having.   The operation input means includes a first input means for inputting a departure point, a destination, and other route search conditions, and a second input means for inputting an arrival time range, and the other input that is input by the first input means. The route search method according to claim 10, wherein the route search condition includes at least one of a fare of a route using a transportation facility, the number of times of transfer, and a required time. The step of changing the time condition by the time condition shifting means changes the time condition by shifting the arrival time at a predetermined time interval from the time at one end of the arrival time range input by the operation input means to the time at the other end. The route search method according to claim 10, further comprising: The step of changing the time condition by the time condition shifting means changes the time condition by sequentially shifting flights of the moving means arriving at the nearest station of the destination at a time in the arrival time range input by the operation input means. The route search method according to claim 10, further comprising: The step of changing the time condition by the time condition shifting means includes a process of shifting the time from the end of the arrival time range, and the route search means is a candidate based on the time condition designated by the time condition shifting means. result of searching a route, the starting time of the candidate route, is earlier than the current time, a route search method according to claim 10, characterized that you exit the route search. A time range determining means for determining a range of arrival times, a time condition shifting means for shifting a time condition, and a guide route sorting means,
The time condition shifting means sequentially changes the time conditions to different time conditions within the arrival time range according to a predetermined condition, and the route search means is based on the time conditions changed by the time condition shifting means. An optimum route is searched and stored as a candidate route in the guide route sorting means, and the guide route sorting means sorts the candidate routes in the order specified by the route search conditions and outputs them to the route search server via the network. A terminal device to be connected,
The terminal device includes operation input means for inputting a route search condition including a departure place and a destination, and display means for displaying candidate routes searched by the route search means. A terminal device characterized by inputting a range of arrival times at the terminal.   The operation input means includes a first input means for inputting a departure point, a destination, and other route search conditions, and a second input means for inputting an arrival time range, and the other input that is input by the first input means. The terminal device according to claim 15, wherein the route search condition includes at least one or more of a fare for a route using a transportation facility, the number of transfers, and a required time.

Images