JP4619113B2 - Route search device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a route search device, a route search method, a route search program, and a computer-readable recording medium. However, use of the present invention is not limited to the route search device, the route search method, the route search program, and the computer-readable recording medium.

  2. Description of the Related Art Route search devices that search for an optimal route to a destination and navigation devices that perform route guidance using the searched route (guide route) are widely used. In such a navigation device, in general, a guidance route is searched in consideration of avoiding traffic jams according to road conditions. When searching for a guidance route, for example, a guidance route is searched such as to arrive at the destination earliest or to travel the shortest distance. Road conditions such as traffic jams can be ascertained using, for example, a technology that creates road traffic jam information by comparing the schedules of scheduled vehicles and actual driving conditions (for example, See Patent Document 1 below).

JP 2002-269679 A

  By the way, for example, when a vehicle running behind a large vehicle such as a truck or a dump truck is a small vehicle such as a passenger car, it is different from the route through which the large vehicle passes because it is difficult to confirm the front depending on the driver of the passenger car. It may be desired to pass the route. In addition, during a rush hour, it is conceivable that a route different from the route taken by the route bus may be desired during times when the route bus is likely to be trafficked, for example, because a traffic jam easily occurs behind the route bus.

  However, conventionally, since the guidance route is searched with priority on the distance to the destination or the arrival time, the probability of traveling on the same road as a plurality of vehicles having the same destination or waypoint increases. As a result, there is a problem that the same route as that of a specific vehicle type that is desired to avoid the passage of the same route must be taken.

  The route search device according to the invention of claim 1 is a vehicle type designation means for designating a specific vehicle type, and a road route information acquisition for obtaining information relating to past and current traffic routes of the vehicle designated as the specific vehicle type by the vehicle type designation means. Means for acquiring information including a cause of the traffic jam, and a cause of the traffic jam, and the cause of the traffic jam is not due to an accident or a natural traffic jam, and the specific vehicle type at the head of the traffic jam Based on the information about the past and current passages of the vehicle designated as the specific vehicle type, acquired by the passage route information acquisition means, when at least one of the passage routes is determined. Route search means for searching for an avoidance route that reaches a destination while avoiding a part.

  Exemplary embodiments of a route search device, a route search method, a route search program, and a computer-readable recording medium according to the present invention will be explained below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
(Functional configuration of route search device)
First, the contents of the route search apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the route search apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The route search apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is mounted on a mobile object. Examples of the moving body include vehicles (including four-wheeled vehicles and two-wheeled vehicles). As shown in FIG. 1, a route search device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a vehicle type designation unit 101, a traffic route information acquisition unit 102, a route search unit 103, a display unit 104, and traffic jam route information acquisition. Part 105.

  The vehicle type designation unit 101 designates a specific vehicle type. Examples of the vehicle designated as the specific vehicle type include vehicles that regularly operate on a predetermined route such as a bus and a route delivery truck. Moreover, vehicles such as taxis and sightseeing buses are listed as vehicles designated as specific vehicle types. In addition, the vehicle designated as the specific vehicle may be a vehicle personally specified by the user.

  The traffic route information acquisition unit 102 acquires information related to the traffic route of the vehicle of the specific vehicle type specified by the vehicle type specification unit 101. When acquiring information on a traffic route, the traffic route information acquisition unit 102 may acquire information on a past traffic route of a vehicle of a specific vehicle type, for example. The information relating to the past passage route of the specific vehicle type is information relating to the history of the route through which the vehicle of the specific vehicle type has passed in the past, for example. Further, for example, the traffic route information acquisition unit 102 may acquire information related to the current traffic route of a vehicle of a specific vehicle type. The information related to the current travel route of the specific vehicle type is, for example, information related to the route on which the vehicle of the specific vehicle type is currently traveling.

  The route search unit 103 searches for an avoidance route that reaches the destination by avoiding the route of the vehicle of the specific vehicle type, based on the information about the route acquired by the route information acquisition unit 102. For example, the route search unit 103 may search for an avoidance route that reaches a destination by avoiding a past passage route of a vehicle of a specific vehicle type. In addition, the route search unit 103 may search for an avoidance route that reaches the destination by avoiding the current travel route of the vehicle of the specific vehicle type, for example. The route search unit 103 may search for an avoidance route that reaches a destination by avoiding some of the travel routes based on information about the travel route acquired by the travel route information acquisition unit 102. Good.

  In this case, the route search unit 103 avoids some of the traffic routes based on the information about the traffic route acquired by the traffic route information acquisition unit 102 so that the distance overlapping the traffic route is shortened. Thus, an avoidance route to the destination may be searched. The route search unit 103 avoids the traffic route and the traffic jam route based on the information on the traffic route acquired by the traffic route information acquisition unit 102 and the information on the traffic jam route acquired by the traffic jam route information acquisition unit 105. Thus, an avoidance route to the destination may be searched.

  The display unit 104 displays the avoidance route searched for by the route search unit 103 on the display screen and guides the searched guidance route to the user. The traffic jam route information acquisition unit 105 acquires information related to the traffic jam route. The traffic jam route information acquisition unit 105 may periodically acquire information related to the traffic jam route, or may acquire the information when a certain trigger occurs.

  The traffic jam route information acquisition unit 105 acquires information related to the traffic jam route. The traffic jam route information acquisition unit 105 may periodically acquire information related to the traffic jam route, or may acquire the information when a certain trigger occurs.

(Processing procedure of route search device)
Next, a processing procedure of the route search apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure of the route search apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the process of FIG. 2, first, a specific vehicle type is designated (step S201). In the present embodiment, the vehicle type designation step is realized by the process of step S201. Information on the traffic route of the vehicle of the specific vehicle type specified in step S201 is acquired (step S202). In the present embodiment, a traffic route information acquisition step is realized by the process of step S202.

  Based on the information on the traffic route acquired in step S202, an avoidance route that reaches the destination by avoiding the traffic route of the vehicle of the specific vehicle type is searched (step S203). In the present embodiment, the route search process is realized by the process of step S203. Then, the avoidance route searched in step S203 is displayed on the display screen of the display unit 104 (step S204).

  As described above, according to the route search device 100 of the present embodiment, a bypass route is searched for an avoidance route that reaches the destination. It is possible to avoid traveling along the same route. For example, when searching for an avoidance route to a destination while avoiding a past passage route of a vehicle of a specific vehicle type, a route on which the vehicle of the specific vehicle type may pass can be avoided. Also, for example, when searching for an avoidance route to a destination by avoiding the current route of a vehicle of a specific vehicle type, avoiding the same route as that of the vehicle of the specific vehicle type in real time Can do.

  When searching for an avoidance route that reaches a destination by avoiding some of the traffic routes in the route search, the route search device 100 that is more practically used can be provided. In this case, it is possible to more reliably avoid the same route as the vehicle of the specific vehicle type by searching for the avoidance route so that the distance overlapping the passage route is shortened. Based on the information on the traffic route and the information on the traffic jam route, when searching for an avoidance route that reaches the destination by avoiding the traffic route and the traffic jam route, it is specified by passing along this avoidance route. It is possible to avoid a route and a traffic jam that are determined to possibly cause a vehicle of a vehicle type to pass.

(Embodiment 2)
(Functional configuration of navigation device)
Next, contents of the navigation device according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the navigation device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The same portions as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is also omitted. The navigation device according to the second embodiment of the present invention is obtained by adding a route guidance function to the route search device 100 according to the first embodiment described above. A navigation device according to an embodiment of the present invention is mounted on a moving body. Examples of the moving body include vehicles (including four-wheeled vehicles and two-wheeled vehicles). As shown in FIG. 3, the navigation apparatus 300 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a vehicle type designation unit 101, a traffic route information acquisition unit 102, a traffic jam route information acquisition unit 105, a route search unit 103, and a guidance unit. 301 and the display unit 104 are included.

  The route search unit 103 according to the present embodiment is based on the information on the traffic route acquired by the traffic route information acquisition unit 102 and the information on the traffic jam route acquired by the traffic jam route information acquisition unit 105. Search for an avoidance route to the destination by avoiding a traffic jam route. The route search unit 103, based on the information about the traffic jam route acquired by the traffic jam route information acquisition unit 105, when a new traffic jam route occurs on the avoidance route during the route guidance by the guidance unit 301, You may make it search for the new avoidance route which avoids a congestion route.

  The guiding unit 301 performs route guidance using the avoidance route searched by the route searching unit 103. When the route searching unit 103 searches for a new avoidance route, the guide unit 301 may perform route guidance using the searched new avoidance route.

(Processing procedure of navigation device)
Next, a processing procedure of the navigation device 300 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure of the navigation device 300 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the process of FIG. 4, first, a specific vehicle type is designated (step S401). In the present embodiment, the vehicle type designation step is realized by the process of step S401. The specific vehicle type may be specified when starting the processing of FIG. 4 or may be specified in advance before that. Information on the traffic route of the vehicle of the specific vehicle type designated in step S401 is acquired (step S402). In the present embodiment, an information acquisition process related to a traffic route is realized by the process of step S402. In addition, information about a traffic jam route is acquired (step S403). In the present embodiment, the traffic jam route information acquisition step is realized by the process of step S403.

  Based on the information on the traffic route acquired in step S402 and the information on the traffic jam route acquired in step S403, an avoidance route that avoids the traffic route and the traffic jam route and reaches the destination is searched (step S404). . In the present embodiment, a route search process is realized by the process of step S404. Then, route guidance is performed using the avoidance route searched in step S404 (step S405). In the present embodiment, the guiding process is realized by the process of step S405. In step S405, for example, the avoidance route searched in step S404 may be displayed on the display screen of the display unit 104 to perform route guidance with an image. The route guidance may be performed using not only video but also audio.

  As described above, according to the navigation device 300 of the present embodiment, based on the information on the traffic route and the information on the traffic jam route, the avoidance route reaching the destination by avoiding the traffic route and the traffic jam route of the vehicle of the specific vehicle type. And route guidance is performed using the searched avoidance route. As a result, the user can avoid traffic jams and travel along the same route as a vehicle of a specific vehicle type by passing the avoidance route according to the guidance.

  For example, when a new traffic jam route is generated on the avoidance route that is being guided by the guide unit 301 based on information related to the traffic jam route, a new avoidance route that avoids the new traffic jam route is searched and searched. The route guidance is performed using the new avoidance route. Thus, the user can always avoid traffic jams and avoid traveling along the same route as a vehicle of a specific vehicle type. In addition, the user can travel on a more comfortable avoidance route in response to the changing road conditions in real time.

(Hardware configuration of navigation device)
Next, a hardware configuration of the navigation device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the navigation apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. The navigation device of the present embodiment is an example for realizing the route search device and the navigation device of the present invention.

  In FIG. 5, the navigation apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is mounted on a vehicle, and includes a central control unit 501, a user operation unit 502, a display unit 503, a position acquisition unit 504, a recording medium 505, A recording medium decoding unit 506, a guidance sound output unit 507, a communication unit 508, a route search unit 509, a route guidance unit 510, a guidance sound generation unit 511, a speaker 512, and a specific vehicle type storage unit 513. It is a configuration that includes.

  The central control unit 501 controls the entire navigation device. The central control unit 501 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that executes predetermined arithmetic processing, a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores various control programs, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) that functions as a CPU work area. It is realizable with the microcomputer etc. comprised by these.

  At the time of route guidance, the central control unit 501 displays information on the map based on the information on the current position acquired by the position acquisition unit 504 and the map information obtained from the recording medium 505 via the recording medium decoding unit 506. It calculates which position the vehicle is passing through and outputs the calculation result to the display unit 503. Further, the central control unit 501 inputs / outputs information regarding route guidance to / from the route search unit 509, the route guidance unit 510, and the guidance sound generation unit 511, and displays information obtained as a result of the display unit 503. And output to the guide sound output unit 507.

  The user operation unit 502 outputs information input by the user such as characters, numerical values, and various instructions to the central control unit 501. As the configuration of the user operation unit 502, various known forms such as a push button switch that detects physical pressing / non-pressing, a touch panel, a keyboard, and a joystick can be employed. The user operation unit 502 may be configured to perform an input operation by sound using a microphone that inputs sound from the outside.

  The user operation unit 502 may be provided integrally with the navigation device, or may be configured to be operated separately from the navigation device, such as a remote controller. The user operation unit 502 may be configured in any one of the various forms described above, or may be configured in a plurality of forms. The user inputs information by appropriately performing an input operation according to the form of the user operation unit 502. For example, a destination is given as information input by operating the user operation unit 502.

  In addition, a specific vehicle type can be designated by operating the user operation unit 502. In the present embodiment, the vehicle type designation unit 101 in the various embodiments described above is realized by the user operation unit 502. Further, in the present embodiment, the vehicle type designation step is realized by the user performing a specific vehicle type designation operation. Specifically, for example, when a navigation device is provided in a vehicle or the like, a point to be reached by a person on the vehicle is set.

  For example, when a touch panel is adopted as the form of the user operation unit 502, the touch panel is used by being stacked on the display surface side of the display unit 503. In this case, the input information is recognized by managing the display timing on the display unit 503, the operation timing on the touch panel (user operation unit 502), and the position coordinates thereof. By adopting a touch panel stacked on the display unit 503 as a form of the user operation unit 502, a large amount of information can be input without increasing the size of the user operation unit 502. As the touch panel, various known touch panels such as a resistance film type and a pressure sensitive type can be used.

  The display unit 503 includes, for example, a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), a TFT liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, a plasma display, and the like. Specifically, the display unit 503 can be configured by, for example, a video display device connected to the video I / F or the video I / F. Specifically, the video I / F includes, for example, a graphic controller that controls the entire display device, a buffer memory such as a VRAM (Video RAM) that temporarily stores image information that can be displayed immediately, and a graphic controller. Based on the output image information, it is configured by a control IC for controlling display of the display device. Display unit 503 displays icons, cursors, menus, windows, or various information such as characters and images. The display unit 503 displays map information stored in the HD and information related to route guidance.

  The position acquisition unit 504 acquires the current position of the own device. Here, the current position of the device itself is obtained by receiving a radio wave from a GPS satellite and obtaining a geometric position with respect to the GPS satellite, and can be measured anywhere on the earth. GPS is an abbreviation for Global Positioning System, and is a system for accurately obtaining a position on the ground by receiving radio waves from four or more GPS satellites. In addition, since it is a well-known technique, description about GPS is abbreviate | omitted. The position acquisition unit 504 can be configured by, for example, an antenna for receiving radio waves from a satellite, a tuner that demodulates the received radio waves, an arithmetic circuit that calculates the current position based on the demodulated information, and the like.

  As a radio wave from the GPS satellite, an L1 radio wave carrying a C / A (Coarse and Access) code and a navigation message with a carrier wave of 1.57542 GHz is used. Thereby, the current position (latitude and longitude) of the own apparatus is detected. In detecting the current position of the device itself, information collected by various sensors such as a vehicle speed sensor and a gyro sensor may be taken into consideration. A vehicle speed sensor detects from the output side shaft of the transmission of the vehicle carrying a navigation apparatus.

  In addition, when acquiring the current position of the device itself, information collected from various sensors such as an angular velocity sensor, a travel distance sensor, and an inclination sensor may be taken into consideration. The angular velocity sensor detects an angular velocity when the host vehicle rotates and outputs angular velocity information and relative orientation information. The traffic distance sensor calculates the number of pulses per one rotation of the wheel by counting the number of pulses of a pulse signal with a predetermined period output with the rotation of the wheel, and the traffic distance information based on the number of pulses per one rotation Is output. The inclination sensor detects the inclination angle of the road surface and outputs inclination angle information.

  The recording medium 505 records various control programs and various information in a computer readable manner. The recording medium 505 accepts writing of information by the recording medium decoding unit 506 and stores the written information in a nonvolatile manner. The recording medium 505 can be realized by, for example, HD (Hard Disk). The recording medium 505 is not limited to the HD, and can be attached to and detached from the recording medium decoding unit 506 such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) or a CD (Compact Disk) instead of or in addition to the HD. A medium having portability may be used as the recording medium 505. The recording medium 505 is not limited to a DVD and a CD, and is detachable from a recording medium decoding unit 506 such as a CD-ROM (CD-R, CD-RW), MO (Magneto-Optical disk), or memory card. A portable media can also be used.

  The recording medium 505 in this embodiment records a route search program, map information, and the like that realize the route guidance method of the present invention. The map information includes background information representing features (features) such as buildings, rivers, and the ground surface, and road shape information representing the shape of the road, and is drawn two-dimensionally or three-dimensionally on the display.

  The background information includes background shape information representing the shape of the background and background type information representing the type of the background. The background shape information includes, for example, information indicating representative points of features, polylines, polygons, coordinates of features, and the like. The background type information includes, for example, text information indicating the name, address, telephone number, etc. of the feature, type information indicating the type of the feature, such as a building / river. The road shape information is information relating to a road network having a plurality of nodes and links. The node is information indicating an intersection where a plurality of roads such as a three-way intersection, a crossroad, and a five-way intersection intersect. A link is information indicating a road connecting nodes. Some links have shape complement points that allow the expression of curved roads. The road shape information includes traffic condition information. The traffic condition information is information indicating the characteristics of the intersection, the length (distance) of each link, the vehicle width, the traveling direction, the traffic prohibition, the road type, and the like.

  The characteristics of intersections include, for example, complex intersections such as three- and five-way intersections, intersections where roads diverge at shallow angles, intersections around destinations, highway entrances and junctions, intersections with a high route deviation rate, etc. It is done. The route departure rate can be calculated from, for example, past traffic history. Examples of the road type include an expressway, a toll road, and a general road. In this embodiment, the traffic prohibition included in the traffic condition information indicates that the road is always prohibited from passing, and the traffic prohibition included in the information on the traffic jam route received by the communication I / F occurs irregularly. It shall indicate that the road is prohibited for passage only for a predetermined period.

  In this embodiment, the map information is stored in the recording medium 505. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The map information is not recorded only on information provided integrally with the hardware of the navigation device, and may be provided outside the navigation device. In this case, the navigation device acquires map information via the network through the communication unit 508, for example. The acquired map information is stored in a RAM or the like.

  The recording medium decoding unit 506 controls reading / writing of information with respect to the recording medium 505. For example, when HD is used as a recording medium, the recording medium decoding unit 506 is an HDD (Hard Disk Drive). Similarly, when a DVD or CD (including CD-R and CD-RW) is used as the recording medium 505, the recording medium decoding unit 506 is a DVD drive or a CD drive. When a CD-ROM (CD-R, CD-RW), MO, memory card, or the like is used as the writable and detachable recording medium 505, information is written into the various storage media 505 and the various storage media 505. As the recording medium decoding unit 506, a dedicated drive device capable of reading the information stored in the recording medium is used as appropriate.

  The guide sound output unit 507 reproduces the guide sound by controlling the output to the connected speaker 512. There may be one speaker 512 or a plurality of speakers. Specifically, the guidance sound output unit 507 can be realized by an audio I / F connected to an audio output speaker 512. More specifically, the audio I / F includes, for example, a D / A converter that performs D / A conversion of audio digital information, an amplifier that amplifies an audio analog signal output from the D / A converter, and audio analog information. And an A / D converter that performs A / D conversion.

  The communication unit 508 acquires information related to a traffic jam route regularly (or even irregularly). Information acquired by the communication unit 508 may include information related to traffic regulation in addition to information related to a traffic jam route. The information on the traffic jam route may be acquired by the communication unit 508 at the timing when the information on the traffic jam route is delivered from the VICS (Vehicle Information and Communication System) center, or the information on the traffic jam route is periodically sent to the VICS center. You may do so by requesting. The communication unit 508 can be realized as, for example, an FM tuner, a VICS / beacon receiver, and other communication devices. In this example, the communication unit 508 implements the traffic jam route information acquisition unit 105 in the various embodiments described above.

  Moreover, the communication part 508 acquires suitably the information regarding the traffic route of the vehicle of a specific vehicle type. For example, in the case where an external server that stores information related to the passage route of a vehicle of a specific vehicle type is provided, the communication unit 508 acquires information related to the passage route of the vehicle of the specific vehicle type by communicating with the external server. . Further, for example, when each vehicle stores information related to the passage of a specific vehicle type, the communication unit 508 communicates between the vehicles to obtain information related to the traffic route of the specific vehicle type. get. In this example, the communication unit 508 implements the traffic route information acquisition unit 102 in the various embodiments described above.

  Detailed description is omitted because it is a well-known technology, but “VICS” is a real-time transmission of information on traffic congestion and traffic restrictions edited and processed by the VICS Center. It is the information communication system to display. A method of using “beacon” and “FM multiplex broadcasting” installed on each road as a method for transmitting information (VICS information) on traffic routes and traffic regulations edited and processed at the VICS Center to the navigation device There is. “Beacons” include “radio wave beacons” mainly used on highways and “optical beacons” used on major general roads. When “FM multiplex broadcasting” is used, it is possible to receive information related to a congestion route in a wide area. When using a “beacon”, it is possible to receive information related to a traffic jam route necessary at a location where the vehicle is located, such as detailed information on the most recent road based on the vehicle location.

  The route search unit 509 calculates an optimal route from the current position to the destination based on the current position acquired by the position acquisition unit 504 and the destination input by the user. Hereinafter, the calculation of the optimum route from the current position to the destination performed by the route search unit 509 will be described as a search for a guidance route (including an avoidance route). The route search unit 509 searches for an avoidance route that reaches the destination by avoiding the passage route of the vehicle of the specific vehicle type based on the information regarding the passage route acquired by the communication unit 508. For example, the route search unit 509 searches for an avoidance route that reaches a destination by avoiding a past passage route of a vehicle of a specific vehicle type. In addition, the route search unit 509 searches for an avoidance route that reaches the destination by avoiding the current travel route of the vehicle of the specific vehicle type, for example.

  The route search unit 509 searches for an avoidance route that reaches a destination by avoiding some of the travel routes based on the information about the travel route acquired by the communication unit 508. In this case, the route search unit 509 avoids some of the traffic routes and avoids the destination based on the information on the traffic route acquired by the communication unit 508 so that the distance overlapping the traffic route is shortened. You may make it search for the avoidance route which leads to. The route search unit 509 searches for an avoidance route that reaches the destination by avoiding the traffic route and the traffic jam route based on the information on the traffic route and the information on the traffic jam route. Further, the route search unit 509 may search for an avoidance route that preferentially avoids a route that the vehicle of the specific vehicle type has passed a plurality of times in the past.

  The route guidance unit 510 records from the recording medium 505 information related to the guidance route searched by the route search unit 509, or route information received by the communication unit 508, information related to the current position acquired by the position acquisition unit 504, and the like. Based on the map information obtained via the medium decoding unit 506, real-time route guidance information is generated. The route guidance information generated by the route guidance unit 510 is output to the display unit 503 via the central control unit 501. The guide sound generation unit 511 generates tone and voice information corresponding to the pattern. That is, based on the route guidance information generated by the route guidance unit 510, the virtual sound source corresponding to the guidance point is set and the voice guidance information is generated, and this is sent to the guidance sound output unit 507 via the central control unit 501. Output. In the present example, the route guide unit 510 implements the guide unit 301 in the above-described embodiment.

  The specific vehicle type storage unit 513 stores information related to the traffic route related to the specified specific vehicle type. The specific vehicle type storage unit 513 stores information on the traffic route acquired from the outside of the navigation device via the communication unit 508. For example, an external server that centrally stores and manages information on the travel routes of various vehicles may be used as the acquisition destination of the information on the travel routes. In addition, for example, information on the traffic route may be acquired by communicating information on the traffic route of the own device of each vehicle between the vehicles.

  Specific vehicles include vehicles that regularly travel on fixed routes such as route buses and route delivery trucks, vehicles that occasionally gather at one place such as taxis and sightseeing buses, dump trucks and construction vehicles. The classification is based on the tendency to travel on a road, such as a large vehicle that tends to travel on a wide road such as a vehicle carrier. The vehicle of the specific vehicle type is not limited to a commercial vehicle such as a bus, a truck, and a taxi, and may be a privately owned passenger car. When a specific type of vehicle is a privately owned passenger car, it can be further classified as a sports type vehicle, an RV type vehicle, or a one-box type vehicle.

  Examples of the information related to the traffic route stored in the specific vehicle type storage unit 513 include information related to the past traffic route of the vehicle of the specific vehicle type. The information related to the past passage route of the vehicle of the specific vehicle type is specifically information related to the history of the route that the vehicle of the specific vehicle type has traveled in the past. For example, when a vehicle that regularly passes a predetermined route, such as a bus or a route delivery truck, is specified as the specific vehicle type, information such as an operation schedule may be stored as information related to the passing route. In addition, the information on the traffic route includes information on the current traffic route of the vehicle of the specific vehicle type. The information related to the current travel route of the vehicle of the specific vehicle type is specifically information related to the route that the vehicle of the specific vehicle type currently travels. The specific vehicle type storage unit 513 may store information regarding the current travel route.

(Processing procedure of navigation device)
Next, a processing procedure of the navigation device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the processing procedure of the navigation device according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the process shown in FIG. 6, first, it is determined whether or not a specific vehicle type is designated (step S601). If it is determined that the specific vehicle type is designated (step S601: Yes), it is determined whether or not information on the current travel route of the vehicle of the specific vehicle type can be acquired (step S602). If it is determined that the information regarding the current travel route of the vehicle of the specific vehicle type is not acquirable (step S602: No), it is determined whether the information regarding the past traffic route of the vehicle of the specific vehicle type is acquirable ( Step S603). In FIG. 6, information for which it is determined whether or not the information can be acquired in step S602 or step S603 will be described as information related to a traffic route.

  In step S602 or step S603, when it is determined that the information regarding the traffic route is acquirable (step S602: Yes or step S603: Yes), the information regarding any of the traffic routes determined to be acquirable is displayed. Obtain (step S604). In the present embodiment, the passage route information acquisition step is realized by the process of step S604. And based on the information regarding the acquired traffic route, the predicted traffic route of a specific vehicle type is calculated (step S605).

  The predicted traffic route of the specific vehicle type calculated in step S605 is a route that is predicted that the vehicle of the specific vehicle type will pass in the future when information on the current traffic route of the vehicle of the specific vehicle type is acquired, for example. . The predicted passage route in this case is predicted based on, for example, the traveling direction of the vehicle of the specific vehicle type, the history of passage so far, and the like. On the other hand, for example, when information related to a past traffic route of a vehicle of a specific vehicle type is acquired, the predicted traffic route of the vehicle of the specific vehicle type calculated in step S605 has a high frequency that the vehicle of the specific vehicle type has traveled in the past. It is a route. In this case, the predicted traffic route is calculated by taking into account the day of the week and the date and time, for example.

  An avoidance route is searched based on the calculated predicted traffic route of the vehicle of the specific vehicle type (step S606). In the present embodiment, the route search process is realized by the process of step S606. In step S606, first, one or more routes from the current location to the destination are calculated as recommended route candidates. The recommended route is searched based on settings made in advance by the user or the like. Examples of the preset settings include “search for a guide route that arrives at the destination earlier than a short distance”, “search for a guide route with priority on a general road (or toll road)”, “road width” Search for a guidance route so as to travel on a road of 6 m or more. " The calculated recommended route and the predicted traffic route calculated in step S605 are compared, and the ratio of the recommended route and the predicted traffic route overlapping is calculated. Then, the avoidance route is searched by determining the recommended route having the lowest overlap ratio as the avoidance route.

  When it is determined that a vehicle of a specific vehicle type is not designated (step S601: No), or when it is determined that information relating to a history of the vehicle of a specific vehicle type cannot be acquired (step S603: No) The general recommended route is searched for (step S607). The general recommended route searched in step S607 is searched for one or more from the current location to the destination based on settings made in advance by the user or the like. The general recommended route is searched in the same manner as the recommended route calculated in the process of step S606. Then, route guidance is performed using the avoidance route searched in step S606 or the general recommended route searched in step S607 (step S608). In the present embodiment, the guiding process is realized by the process of step S608. Since the route guidance in step S608 is a known technique, illustration and description thereof are omitted here.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an avoidance example. In FIG. 7, reference numeral 701 indicates a general recommended route, reference numeral 702 indicates an avoidance route, and reference symbol 703 indicates a passage route. FIG. 7 shows a case where two vehicles having different starting points pass toward the same destination 704. As can be seen from FIG. 7, the general recommended route 701 is searched from the middle to the destination 704 through the same route as the passage route 703. On the other hand, the avoidance route 702 is searched to reach the destination 704 without passing the same route as the passage route 703. Thereby, the user can arrive at the destination 704 without traveling along the same route as the vehicle of the specified specific vehicle type.

  The general recommended route 701, the avoidance route 702, and the traffic route 703 shown in FIG. 7 may be displayed on the display screen of the display unit 503. When displaying each route on the display screen, for example, the general recommended route 701, the avoidance route 702, and the passage route 703 may be displayed on the same display screen. Accordingly, the user can visually grasp how the avoidance route 702 avoids the passage route 703 as compared with the general recommended route 701. For example, the general recommended route 701 and the avoidance route 702 may be displayed on the same display screen.

  Thus, the user can visually grasp how much the avoidance route 702 differs from the general recommended route 701. Further, for example, the avoidance route 702 and the passage route 703 may be displayed on the same display screen. Thereby, the user can visually grasp how the avoidance route 702 avoids the passage route 703.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing another avoidance example. In FIG. 8, reference numeral 801 indicates a general recommended route, reference numeral 802 indicates an avoidance route, and reference numeral 803 indicates a passage route. FIG. 8 shows a case where two vehicles having different starting points pass toward different destinations 804 and 805. As can be seen from FIG. 8, when the own vehicle is aimed at the destination 805 of the own vehicle and the vehicle of the specific vehicle type is aimed at the destination 804 of the vehicle of the specific vehicle type, the paths of the two vehicles always intersect. The general recommended route 801 follows the same route as the midway route 803, and approaches the destination 805 of the own vehicle through a route different from the vehicle of the specific vehicle type after approaching the destination 805 of the own vehicle. Has been.

  On the other hand, the avoidance route 802 intersects so as to cross the traffic route, but is searched to reach the destination 805 of the own vehicle without passing the same route in the same direction. In this way, depending on the current position and the destination of the vehicle of the own vehicle and the specific vehicle type, it may be assumed that a portion where the both routes necessarily overlap occurs, but according to the navigation device of the present embodiment, the traffic route It is possible to search for an avoidance route that avoids overlapping as much as possible, and to perform route guidance using this avoidance route. The general recommended route 801, the avoidance route 802, and the traffic route 803 shown in FIG. 8 may be displayed on the display screen of the display unit 503. The display of each route on the display screen is the same as in FIG.

  For example, in the avoidance example shown in FIG. 8, the avoidance route 802 and the passage route 803 overlap only at an intersection position 806 where the avoidance route 802 and the passage route 803 intersect. When actual road traffic is assumed, the probability that the own vehicle and the vehicle of the specific vehicle type are simultaneously present at the intersection position 806 is low. In other words, by reducing the number of locations where the avoidance route 802 and the passage route 803 overlap, not only the overlap ratio between the avoidance route 802 and the passage route 803 is reduced, but the own vehicle passing the avoidance route 802 is a specific vehicle type. The probability of encountering other vehicles can also be lowered.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure for avoiding a traffic jam that has occurred during route guidance. The processing shown in FIG. 9 is performed when a traffic jam occurs on a guidance route (including an avoidance route) used for route guidance during route guidance. In the process of FIG. 9, first, information regarding a traffic jam route is acquired (step S901). Information regarding the traffic jam route may be periodically acquired, may be acquired at a timing operated by the user, or may be acquired at both timings. Moreover, you may acquire at another timing. Based on the acquired information on the traffic jam route, it is determined whether or not there is a traffic jam on the guidance route during the route guidance (step S902). In FIG. 9, “Is there a traffic jam on the guidance route?” Is described as the processing in step S902. When it is determined that there is no traffic jam on the guidance route during route guidance (step S902: No), the process proceeds to step S910.

  If it is determined that there is a traffic jam on the guidance route during the route guidance (step S902: Yes), it is determined whether the cause of the traffic jam is an accident (step S903). Regarding the cause determination of the traffic jam, for example, when the cause of the traffic jam is an accident, it can be determined that the cause of the traffic jam is an accident based on the VICS information acquired as information on the traffic jam route. For example, when the acquired VICS information does not include information regarding an accident at the traffic jam position, it can be determined that the cause of the traffic jam is not an accident.

  When it is determined that the cause of the traffic jam is an accident (step S903: Yes), a new guidance route for avoiding or passing through the traffic jam is searched based on the accident processing end time or the time to exit the traffic jam. (Step S904). The accident processing end time can be inferred from a reference time until the accident processing ends based on, for example, VICS information. In step S904, taking into account the accident processing end time, the route that avoids the traffic jam and the route that passes through the traffic jam are compared, and a route that can reach the destination earlier is searched for as a new guidance route.

  If it is determined that the cause of the traffic jam is not an accident (step S903: No), it is determined whether or not the cause of the traffic jam is a natural traffic jam (step S905). For example, when the cause of the traffic jam is a natural traffic jam, it can be determined that the cause of the traffic jam is a natural traffic jam based on the location information of the traffic jam. Specifically, for example, from the location information, the characteristics of the road such as whether it is a tunnel or an intersection can be known. Then, it is possible to determine that the cause of the traffic jam is a natural traffic jam based on the past traffic jam history at the tunnel or intersection.

  If it is determined that the cause of the traffic jam is a natural traffic jam (step S905: Yes), a new guidance route for avoiding or passing through the natural traffic jam is searched based on the time until the traffic jam passes (step S906). . In step S906, when traveling according to the current guidance route, the route avoiding the natural traffic jam is compared with the route passing through the natural traffic jam based on the time until the vehicle exits the natural traffic jam, and the destination is reached earlier. A possible route is searched for as a new guidance route.

  If it is determined that the cause of the traffic jam is not a natural traffic jam (step S905: No), it is determined that the traffic is caused by a vehicle of a specific vehicle type (specific vehicle traffic jam), and the vehicle of the specific vehicle type is at the head of the traffic jam. It is determined whether or not there is (step S907). When the cause of the traffic jam is a specific vehicle type traffic jam, the traffic jam type can be classified into the following two types. One is a specific vehicle type traffic jam in which a vehicle of a specific vehicle type exists at the head of the traffic jam or a ratio of vehicles having a specific vehicle type near the head of the traffic jam is high. This type of specific vehicle type traffic jam is, for example, a traffic jam that occurs behind a route bus during a rush hour or a traffic jam that occurs behind a queue of passenger waiting taxis. The other is a specific vehicle type traffic jam that is different from the former. The latter type of specific vehicle type traffic jam often occurs on roads where the ratio of large vehicles such as trucks and dump trucks is high.

  If it is determined that there is a vehicle of a specific vehicle type at the head of the traffic jam (step S907: Yes), a new guidance route that avoids the traffic congestion of the specific vehicle type is searched (step S908). In the present embodiment, the avoidance route is realized by the guidance route searched in step S908. For this reason, in the present embodiment, the route search process is also realized by the process of step S908. When it is determined that there is no vehicle of a specific vehicle type at the head of the traffic jam (step S907: No), a new guidance route that avoids or passes through the traffic of the specific vehicle type is searched based on the time until the vehicle exits the traffic of the specific vehicle type. (Step S909). In step S909, when traveling according to the current guidance route, the route avoiding the specific vehicle type traffic jam is compared with the route passing through the specific vehicle type traffic jam based on the time until the specific vehicle type traffic jam is exited. A route that can be reached earlier is searched for as a new guidance route.

  In the present embodiment, when a route for avoiding a specific vehicle type traffic jam is searched for as a new guidance route in step S909, the avoidance route is realized by the route for avoiding the specific vehicle type traffic jam. For this reason, in the present embodiment, the route search process is also realized by the process of step S909 when a route for avoiding the congestion of the specific vehicle type is searched as a new guidance route. Then, route guidance is performed using the new guidance route searched in any one of step S904, step S906, step S907, or step S909 (step S910), and the process ends.

  As described above, according to the navigation device of the present embodiment, the avoidance route to the destination is avoided while avoiding the passage route of the vehicle of the specific vehicle type. It is possible to avoid traveling on the same route as that of the vehicle. When searching for an avoidance route, it is possible to avoid a route on which a vehicle of a specific vehicle type may pass by searching for an avoidance route that reaches a destination by avoiding a past traffic route of the vehicle of the specific vehicle type. . Further, by searching for an avoidance route that preferentially avoids a route that a vehicle of a specific vehicle type has traveled a plurality of times in the past, it is possible to reliably avoid passing the same route as a vehicle of a specific vehicle type. .

  When searching for an avoidance route, it is predicted that a vehicle of a specific vehicle type will pass through and a future route by searching for an avoidance route that reaches the destination by avoiding the current traffic route of the vehicle of the specific vehicle type. Route can be avoided. This makes it possible to avoid traveling in the same route as a vehicle of a specific vehicle type in real time.

  When searching for an avoidance route, an avoidance route in accordance with actual use can be provided by searching for an avoidance route that reaches a destination by avoiding some of the passage routes. Specifically, for example, depending on the destination and road conditions, there may be a situation in which the same route as the passage route must be taken. In this case, an avoidance route in accordance with actual use is provided by searching for an avoidance route that reaches a destination by avoiding some of the passage routes so that a distance overlapping with the passage route is shortened. be able to.

  In addition, when searching for the avoidance route, based on the information on the traffic route and the information on the congestion route, by searching for the avoidance route to the destination by avoiding the traffic route and the congestion route of the vehicle of the specific vehicle type, Routes and traffic jams that are determined to have a high probability that vehicles of a specific vehicle type pass can be avoided. As a result, it is possible to avoid passing the same route as a vehicle of a specific vehicle type while avoiding traffic jams.

  By performing route guidance using the searched avoidance route as described above, it is possible to make the user pass a more comfortable route. In addition, when a new traffic jam occurs on an avoidance route that is being route-guided, a new avoidance route is searched, and route guidance is performed using the searched new avoidance route, so that the road changes every moment. Route guidance can always be performed using an optimal avoidance route according to the situation.

  By the way, the navigation device of the present embodiment realizes the execution of the processing shown in FIG. 6 in a system including, for example, one or a plurality of navigation devices and an external server that can communicate with the navigation device. You may make it do. Specific vehicle type information relating to various vehicles is stored in an external server in this system. Specific vehicle type information stored in the external server includes information on past traffic histories, future planned traffic routes, vehicle types, and the like.

  The external server stores and manages these specific vehicle type information in units of individual vehicles. When the processing shown in FIG. 6 is realized in this system, the navigation device communicates with an external server in step S602, step S603, and step S604 in FIG. 6 to acquire specific vehicle type information or to acquire specific vehicle type information. Communication of information required for acquisition is performed. Since the navigation device and the external server that can communicate with the navigation device are known techniques, the description thereof is omitted. Such a system can be applied to, for example, a so-called communication navigation device that acquires map information from an external server, but is not limited to application to a communication navigation device.

  Further, the navigation device of the present embodiment does not realize the execution of the process shown in FIG. 6 only in a system having an external server that stores specific vehicle type information. For example, the processing shown in FIG. 6 may be implemented in a system in which each vehicle individually stores and manages specific vehicle type information. In this case, each vehicle communicates with each other to acquire specific vehicle type information or communicate information necessary for acquiring the specific vehicle type information. In such a system, for example, when a personally owned vehicle is designated as a special vehicle type, direct communication can be performed between the own vehicle and the specific vehicle type.

  The route search method realized by the navigation device described in this embodiment can also be realized by executing a route search program prepared in advance on a computer such as a personal computer or a workstation. In this embodiment, the route search program is recorded on the HD as a recording medium, but the present invention is not limited to this. The route search program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a flexible disk, a CD-ROM, an MO, and a DVD so as to be readable by the computer. Thereby, the route search program recorded on the recording medium can be executed by reading it from the recording medium by a computer. The route search program is not limited to the one recorded in the recording medium, and may be a transmission medium that can be distributed via a network such as the Internet.

It is a block diagram which shows an example of a functional structure of the route search apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process sequence of the route search apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a functional structure of the navigation apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process sequence of the navigation apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of the navigation apparatus concerning the Example of this invention. It is a flowchart explaining the process sequence of the navigation apparatus concerning the Example of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the avoidance example. It is explanatory drawing which shows another avoidance example. It is a flowchart explaining the process sequence which avoids the traffic jam which generate | occur | produced during route guidance.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Route search apparatus 101 Vehicle type designation | designated part 102 Traffic route information acquisition part 103 Route search part 105 Congestion route information acquisition part

Claims (2)

Vehicle type specifying means for specifying a specific vehicle type;
A traffic route information acquisition means for acquiring information relating to past and current traffic routes of the vehicle designated as the specific vehicle type by the vehicle type designation means;
A traffic route information acquisition means for acquiring information including a cause of the traffic jam, and information relating to the traffic route;
The cause of the congestion, not by accident or natural traffic jam, if the vehicle in which the specified to a particular model at the beginning of the congestion is determined to be located, acquired by the traffic path information acquiring unit, the specific Route search means for searching for an avoidance route to a destination by avoiding at least a part of the route based on information on the past and current route of the vehicle designated as the vehicle type;
A route search apparatus comprising: The traffic jam route information acquisition means acquires information on a new traffic jam route after the avoidance route is searched by the route search means,
The route search means searches for an avoidance route that reaches the destination by avoiding the traffic route and the new congestion route based on information on the new congestion route acquired by the congestion route information acquisition means. The route search device according to claim 1.

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