JP4633117B2 - Route search device, route search method, route search program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Description

【Technical field】
[0001]
The present invention relates to a route search device, a route search method, a route search program, and a recording medium that can search for an optimal route even in a traffic jam.
[Background]
[0002]
Conventionally, a route to a destination point can be searched by mounting a route search device on a vehicle. Some of such route search apparatuses can receive road traffic information including traffic jam information via VICS (Vehicle Information and Communication System). According to such a route search device, it is possible to determine a traffic jam section based on the received road traffic information (VICS information) and to search for a route to be avoided (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below).
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2002-206930 A
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
[0004]
However, according to the above-described conventional technology, the determination of the traffic jam is performed based only on the VICS information. Therefore, the VICS information cannot be received on the vehicle side in a place where the environment for transmitting the VICS information to the vehicle is not established. In this case, since the route search device performs route search without using the VICS information, a problem that the searched route may be congested is an example.
[0005]
In the above-described prior art, the route search device searches for a route that avoids a traffic jam section based on a destination point set by a user. Therefore, the route search device cannot search for a route that avoids a traffic jam section when the destination point is not set by the user. As a result, a problem that the route search device does not search for a route that avoids a traffic jam section even if the road on which the vehicle is traveling is congested is an example.
[Means for Solving the Problems]
[0006]
In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the route search device according to the first aspect of the present invention is acquired by vehicle information acquisition means for acquiring information relating to the moving state of the vehicle, and the vehicle information acquisition means. Based on the information on the moving state of the vehicle, the road type information recorded on the recording medium, and the past congestion information recorded on the recording medium, the length of the congestion section is determined, and the length of the congestion section is determined. Get information about traffic including Congestion judgment means, Regarding the length of the traffic jam section A communication means for acquiring traffic information including traffic jam information; When searching for a route, it is determined whether to use information related to the traffic jam obtained by the traffic jam judging unit or the traffic information acquired by the communication unit. A determination means; When a destination point is set when searching for a route using either the information related to the traffic jam determined by the determining means or the traffic information, the traffic jam section on the route to the destination point If the destination point is not set, based on the information on the traffic jam determined to be used by the determining means or the length of the traffic jam section included in the traffic information, Route search means for setting a pseudo destination point and searching for a route on the route to the pseudo destination point that avoids the traffic jam section. It is characterized by that.
[0007]
The route search method according to the invention of claim 4 is: A route search method in a route search device for searching for a route of a vehicle, the vehicle information acquisition step for acquiring information related to the movement state of the vehicle, and the information related to the movement state of the vehicle acquired by the vehicle information acquisition step; The traffic jam that determines the length of the traffic jam section based on the road type information recorded on the recording medium and the past traffic jam information recorded on the recording medium, and obtains information on the traffic jam including the length of the traffic jam section A determination step, a communication step for acquiring traffic information including traffic jam information relating to the length of the traffic jam section, and information related to the traffic jam obtained by the traffic jam determination step, or obtained by the communication step when searching for a route. A decision step for deciding which of the traffic information to use, information on the traffic jam determined by the decision step, or the traffic information If a destination point is set when searching for a route using any of the above, a route that avoids the traffic jam section on the route to the destination point is searched, and the destination point is not set In this case, a pseudo destination point is set based on the information on the traffic jam determined to be used in the determination step or the length of the traffic jam section included in the traffic information, and the pseudo destination point is set as the pseudo destination point. And a route search step for searching for a route on the route to avoid the congestion section. .
[0008]
Claims 5 The route search program according to the present invention 4 A route search method described in (1) is executed by a computer.
[0009]
Claims 6 The recording medium according to the invention is claimed in claim 5 It is readable by the computer which recorded the route search program as described in above.
[Brief description of the drawings]
[0010]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a functional configuration of a route search apparatus according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a route search process performed by the route search apparatus according to the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a hardware configuration of the navigation device according to the first embodiment.
[FIG. 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the navigation apparatus.
[FIG. 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing for determining a traffic jam.
[FIG. 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of values of information serving as a reference for determining a traffic jam.
[FIG. 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for setting a pseudo destination point.
[FIG. 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of priority values of information for determining traffic jam.
Explanation of symbols
[0011]
100 route search device
101 Vehicle information acquisition unit
102 Traffic Judgment Department
103 Route search unit
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0012]
Exemplary embodiments of a route search device, a route search method, a route search program, and a recording medium according to the present invention will be explained below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0013]
(Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a functional configuration of the route search apparatus according to the embodiment. The route search device 100 includes a vehicle information acquisition unit 101, a traffic jam determination unit 102, a route search unit 103, a pseudo destination setting unit 104, a determination unit 105, and a display unit 106.
[0014]
The vehicle information acquisition unit 101 acquires information on the moving state of the vehicle for determining whether or not the vehicle is in a traffic jam section. Examples of the information regarding the moving state of the vehicle include vehicle speed information, an operating state of a parking brake, a gear position, and the like.
[0015]
The traffic jam determination unit 102 acquires information related to the traffic jam based on the information related to the moving state of the vehicle acquired by the vehicle information acquisition unit 101. The information related to the traffic jam includes information used by the traffic jam judgment unit 102 to judge the traffic jam (for example, vehicle speed information, parking brake operating state, gear position, etc.) in addition to whether the vehicle is in the traffic jam section. including. The determination as to whether or not the vehicle is in a traffic jam section is made, for example, based on whether or not the average speed of the vehicle over a certain period of time satisfies a reference speed for determining a traffic jam set in advance in the route search device 100. To do. It is preferable that the reference speed for determining the traffic jam is set for each road type (general road, highway, etc.).
[0016]
The route search unit 103 searches for a route that avoids the traffic jam section of the road on which the vehicle is traveling based on the information related to the traffic jam acquired by the traffic jam judgment unit 102. The route search unit 103 includes a pseudo destination setting unit 104 and a determination unit 105.
[0017]
When a destination point is set in advance by the user, the route search unit 103 searches for a route that avoids a traffic jam section on the route to the destination point. Further, the route search unit 103 searches for a route avoiding a traffic jam section on the route to the pseudo destination point set by the pseudo destination setting unit 104 when the destination point is not set in advance by the user. Do.
[0018]
In the route search device according to the present embodiment, the route search unit 103 determines the traffic jam based on only the traffic jam information acquired by the traffic jam judgment unit 102 without using the VICS information, and avoids the traffic jam. The route can be searched. However, the route search unit 103 can also search for a route that avoids a traffic jam section by using one or both of the information related to the traffic jam acquired by the traffic jam judgment unit 102 and the VICS information. At this time, the determination unit 105 determines whether to use one or both of the information related to the traffic jam acquired by the traffic jam judgment unit 102 and the VICS information.
[0019]
The pseudo destination setting unit 104 sets a node ahead of the traffic jam section on the road on which the vehicle is traveling as a pseudo destination point when the route search unit 103 searches for a route avoiding the traffic jam section. The pseudo destination point is set based on the information related to the traffic jam acquired by the traffic jam judging unit 102 and the information related to the road on which the vehicle is set in the route search device 100 in advance. For example, if the road on which the vehicle is traveling is an expressway, the pseudo destination point set by the simulated destination setting unit 104 may be an interchange ahead of a traffic jam section on the expressway on which the vehicle is traveling. If the road on which the vehicle is traveling is a general road, a main intersection ahead of the traffic jam section of the general road on which the vehicle is traveling can be cited.
[0020]
Examples of information regarding the moving state of the vehicle used when the pseudo destination setting unit 104 sets a pseudo destination point include vehicle speed information, an operating state of a parking brake, and a gear position. Further, examples of the information regarding the road on which the vehicle is traveling, which is used when the pseudo destination setting unit 104 sets a pseudo destination, include a road type, a node, a peripheral facility, and past traffic information. It is done.
[0021]
As described above, when the route search unit 103 searches for a route that avoids a traffic jam section using either one or both of the information related to the traffic jam acquired by the traffic jam judgment unit 102 and the VICS information, as described above. It is determined whether or not to use one or both of information related to traffic jam acquired by the traffic jam judgment unit 102 and VICS information.
[0022]
The display unit 106 presents the route searched for by the route search unit 103 to avoid the traffic jam section to the user.
[0023]
FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a route search process performed by the route search apparatus according to the embodiment. First, the vehicle information acquisition unit 101 acquires information (movement information) regarding the current movement of the vehicle (step S201).
[0024]
Next, the traffic jam judgment unit 102 judges whether or not the vehicle is in the traffic jam section based on the acquired information regarding the movement of the vehicle (step S202). When it is determined that the vehicle is not in the traffic jam section (step S202: No), it is not necessary to search for a route that avoids the traffic jam section, and thus the processing according to this flowchart is terminated.
[0025]
When it is determined that the vehicle is in the traffic jam section (step S202: Yes), the route search unit 103 determines whether a destination point (destination) is set (step S203). When it is determined that the destination point is set (step S203: Yes), the process proceeds to step S205. When it is determined that the destination point has not been set (step S203: No), the pseudo destination setting unit 104 causes the node ahead of the traffic jam section on the road on which the vehicle is traveling (for example, an interchange, etc.) A pseudo destination point is set (step S204).
[0026]
Next, when the route search unit 103 searches for a route that avoids a traffic congestion section, the determination unit 105 determines information used for searching a route that avoids the traffic jam (step S205). At this time, when the information acquired by the vehicle information acquisition unit 101 is information on traffic jams and VICS information, the determination unit 105 determines whether to use one or both. In the present embodiment, basically, the traffic jam determination unit 102 determines the traffic jam based on the information related to the traffic jam acquired by the vehicle information acquisition unit 101. In addition to this, when VICS information can be acquired, it is determined whether to use this VICS information. For example, when VICS information can be acquired, a route that avoids a traffic jam section is searched based only on VICS information. Or both the information regarding the traffic jam acquired by the vehicle information acquisition part 101 and VICS information can be used as information.
[0027]
Next, a route for avoiding traffic jam (a traffic jam section) on the route from the current position of the vehicle that avoids the traffic jam determined by the decision unit 105 to the destination point or a pseudo destination point by the route search unit 103 (Step S206), the display unit 106 presents a route for avoiding traffic jams to the user (step S207), and the processing according to this flowchart ends.
[0028]
As described above, according to the route search device 100 according to the embodiment, even when the VICS information cannot be received, the congestion section is determined based on the information related to the movement of the vehicle, and the congestion section It is possible to search for a route that avoids the problem.
【Example】
[0029]
Example 1
(Hardware configuration of navigation device 300)
First, a first embodiment of the navigation device 300 will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a hardware configuration of the navigation device according to the first embodiment. First, the hardware configuration of the navigation device 300 according to the first embodiment will be described. The navigation device 300 searches for a route from the departure point to the destination point using the route search device 100 according to the embodiment, and guides the user's vehicle along the searched route.
[0030]
In FIG. 3, the navigation device 300 is mounted on a vehicle, and includes a navigation control unit 301, a user operation unit 302, a display unit 303, a vehicle information acquisition unit 304, a recording medium 305, and a recording medium decoding unit 306. A guidance sound output unit 307, a communication unit 308, a route search unit 309, a route guidance unit 310, a guidance sound generation unit 311 and a speaker 312.
[0031]
The navigation control unit 301 controls the entire navigation device 300. The navigation control unit 301 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 work area of the CPU. It is realizable with the microcomputer etc. comprised by these.
[0032]
The navigation control unit 301 performs map guidance based on the information on the current position acquired by the vehicle information acquisition unit 304 and the map information obtained from the recording medium 305 via the recording medium decoding unit 306 at the time of route guidance. Which position of the vehicle is traveling is calculated, and the calculation result is output to the display unit 303. In addition, the navigation control unit 301 inputs and outputs information related to route guidance with the route search unit 309, the route guidance unit 310, and the guidance sound generation unit 311, and displays information obtained as a result of the route guidance. And output to the guide sound output unit 307.
[0033]
The user operation unit 302 outputs information input by the user, such as characters, numerical values, and various instructions, to the navigation control unit 301. As the configuration of the user operation unit 302, 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 302 may be configured to perform an input operation by sound using a microphone that inputs sound from the outside.
[0034]
The user operation unit 302 may be provided integrally with the navigation device 300, or may be configured to be operated separately from the navigation device 300 like a remote controller. The user operation unit 302 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 302. Examples of information input by the operation of the user operation unit 302 include a destination point or a departure point of a route to be searched.
[0035]
The destination or departure point can be entered by entering the latitude / longitude and address of each point, as well as specifying the phone number, genre, keyword, etc. of the facility that will be the destination or departure point. The position can be specified. More specifically, these pieces of information are specified as a point on the map based on background type data included in map information recorded on the recording medium 305 described later. Further, map information may be displayed on the display unit 303 described later, and one point on the displayed map may be designated.
[0036]
Further, a touch panel can be adopted as the form of the user operation unit 302. When a touch panel is employed, the touch panel is used by being stacked on the display surface side of the display unit 303. The input information is recognized by managing the display timing on the display unit 303, the operation timing on the touch panel (user operation unit 302), and the position coordinates thereof. By adopting a touch panel stacked on the display unit 303 as a form of the user operation unit 302, a large amount of information can be input without increasing the size of the user operation unit 302. As the touch panel, various known touch panels such as a resistance film type and a pressure sensitive type can be used.
[0037]
The display unit 303 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 303 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, the display device is configured by a control IC or the like. The display unit 303 displays icons, cursors, menus, windows, or various information such as characters and images. The display unit 303 displays map information recorded on the recording medium 305 and information on route guidance.
[0038]
The vehicle information acquisition unit 304 acquires vehicle speed information as information regarding the moving state of the vehicle. This vehicle speed information is detected, for example, by a vehicle speed sensor (not shown) attached to the output shaft of the transmission of the vehicle on which the navigation device 300 is mounted, and is output as vehicle speed information. The vehicle information acquisition unit 304 acquires, for example, other information such as an operating state of a parking brake, a gear position, and the like as information related to the moving state of the vehicle.
[0039]
Further, the vehicle information acquisition unit 304 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 satellites. The vehicle information acquisition unit 304 can be configured by, for example, an antenna for receiving radio waves from GPS satellites, a tuner that demodulates the received radio waves, and an arithmetic circuit that calculates the current position based on the demodulated information.
[0040]
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.
[0041]
In addition, when acquiring the current position of the device itself, information collected by 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 vehicle is rotating, and outputs angular velocity information and relative orientation information. The travel 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 that is output with the rotation of the wheel, and travel 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.
[0042]
The recording medium 305 records various control programs and various information in a state readable by a computer. The recording medium 305 accepts writing of information by the recording medium decoding unit 306 and records the written information in a nonvolatile manner. The recording medium 305 can be realized by, for example, HD (Hard Disk). The recording medium 305 is not limited to the HD, and can be attached to and detached from the recording medium decoding unit 306 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 305. The recording medium 305 is not limited to a DVD and a CD, but can be attached to and detached from a recording medium decoding unit 306 such as a CD-ROM (CD-R, CD-RW), MO (Magneto-Optical disk), or memory card. Media with portability can also be used.
[0043]
In the recording medium 305 in the first embodiment, map information used in the navigation device 300 is recorded. The map information includes background data representing features (features) such as buildings, rivers, and the ground surface, and road shape data representing road shapes, and is displayed on the display screen of the display unit 303 in two dimensions or three dimensions. Drawn on.
[0044]
The background data includes background shape data representing the shape of the background and background type data representing the type of the background. The background shape data includes, for example, feature representative points, polylines, polygons, feature coordinates, and the like. The background type data includes, for example, text data representing the name, address, and telephone number of a feature, and type data of a feature such as a building, river, or ground surface.
[0045]
In addition, regarding major facilities in the map, information such as business hours and the presence / absence of a parking lot is included as facility information. Furthermore, among the features, facilities provided for a predetermined purpose, such as “gas station” and “convenience store”, are classified according to their types. And the feature point / coordinate data and the facility information / genre information are associated with each other. The genre into which the facility is classified at this time includes, for example, a parking lot and a station in addition to the above-mentioned gas station and convenience store.
[0046]
Next, the road shape data is a road network having a plurality of nodes and links connecting the nodes. The node indicates an intersection where a plurality of roads such as a three-way road such as a T-shaped road, a cross road, and a five-way road intersect. The link indicates a road. Some links have shape interpolation points, and curved roads can be expressed by these shape interpolation points.
[0047]
Each link is associated with facility information of a facility facing or around the link, and the number and genre of facilities facing the link can be known. In addition, you may make it search the nearby facility from the position (coordinate) of a link instead of performing association with a link and facility information beforehand.
[0048]
The road shape data further includes traffic condition data. The traffic condition data includes, for example, the presence / absence of signals and pedestrian crossings, the presence / absence of highway entrances and junctions, the length (distance) of each link, vehicle width, traveling direction, road type (highway) , Toll roads, general roads, etc.).
[0049]
The traffic condition data stores past traffic information obtained by statistically processing past traffic information based on seasons, days of the week, large holidays, and times. The navigation device 300 obtains information on the current traffic jam from information related to the moving state of the vehicle acquired by the vehicle information acquisition unit 304 and road traffic information such as VICS information received by the communication unit 308. Based on the traffic jam information, it is possible to predict a traffic jam situation at a specified time.
[0050]
In the first embodiment, the map information is recorded on the recording medium 305. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The map information is not recorded only on the one integrated with the hardware of the navigation device 300, and may be provided outside the navigation device 300. In that case, the navigation apparatus 300 acquires map information via a network through the communication unit 308, for example. The acquired map information is stored in a RAM or the like.
[0051]
The recording medium decoding unit 306 controls reading / writing of information with respect to the recording medium 305. For example, when the HD is used as the recording medium 305, the recording medium decoding unit 306 is an HDD (Hard Disk Drive). Similarly, when a DVD or CD (including CD-R and CD-RW) is used as the recording medium 305, the recording medium decoding unit 306 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 removable recording medium 305, information is written to various recording media and recorded on various recording media. A dedicated drive device that can read the recorded information is appropriately used as the recording medium decoding unit 306.
[0052]
The guide sound output unit 307 reproduces the guide sound by controlling the output to the connected speaker 312. There may be one speaker 312 or a plurality of speakers. Specifically, the guidance sound output unit 307 can be realized by an audio I / F connected to an audio output speaker 312. 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.
[0053]
The communication unit 308 is connected to a network and acquires congestion point information from a server connected to the network. Here, the congestion point information is position information of a point where congestion is expected in the vicinity, such as a facility where an event is performed. A route search unit 309, which will be described later, searches for a route that avoids a facility from which congestion point information has been acquired.
[0054]
In addition, the communication unit 308 acquires road traffic information such as traffic jams and traffic regulations regularly (or even irregularly). The acquisition timing of the road traffic information may be performed at a timing when the road traffic information is distributed from the VICS center, or may be performed by periodically requesting the road traffic information from the VICS center. Moreover, you may make it acquire the road traffic information of a desired area via a network from the VICS information of the whole country collected by the server. The communication unit 308 can be realized by, for example, an FM tuner, a VICS / beacon receiver, a wireless communication device, and other communication devices.
[0055]
Detailed description is omitted because it is a well-known technique, but “VICS” is a real-time transmission of road traffic information such as traffic jams and traffic regulations edited and processed at the VICS Center. It is an information communication system that displays characters and figures. As a method of transmitting road traffic information (VICS information) edited and processed in the VICS center to the navigation device 300, there is a method of using “beacon” and “FM multiplex broadcasting” installed on each road. “Beacons” include “radio wave beacons” mainly used on expressways and “optical beacons” used on major general roads. When “FM multiplex broadcasting” is used, road traffic information in a wide area can be received. When using a “beacon”, it is possible to receive necessary road traffic information at a location where the vehicle is located, such as detailed information on the most recent road based on the vehicle position.
[0056]
The route search unit 309 searches for an optimal route from the departure point to the destination point using map information recorded in the recording medium 305, VICS information acquired via the communication unit 308, and the like. Here, the optimum route is a route that best matches the condition specified by the user. In general, there are an infinite number of routes from a departure point to a destination point. For this reason, items considered in route search are set to search for a route that matches the condition. Items to be considered at this time (hereinafter referred to as search conditions) include, for example, required time to the destination point, road type (highway priority, general road priority, etc.), distance, fee, and the like.
[0057]
The route search unit 309 determines a traffic jam section based on the VICS information acquired from the communication unit 308 and searches for a route to be avoided. In addition, based on information on the vehicle movement state acquired by the vehicle information acquisition unit 304 (for example, vehicle speed information, parking brake operation state, gear position, etc.), a traffic congestion section is determined and a route to be avoided is searched. To do. By determining the traffic jam section based on the information on the moving state of the vehicle, even if the VICS information cannot be received or the route on which the vehicle is traveling is not included in the received VICS information, the current traffic jam The situation can be judged.
[0058]
The route search unit 309 acquires the vehicle speed at a constant interval (hereinafter referred to as a vehicle speed acquisition interval), and travels at a speed that does not reach a constant speed (hereinafter referred to as a traffic jam determination reference speed) for a fixed period (hereinafter referred to as a traffic speed determination reference speed). If it continues, it is determined that the traffic is jammed. Here, information (vehicle speed acquisition interval, traffic jam determination reference speed, traffic jam determination reference period) serving as a reference for determining traffic jam uses different settings for each road type. In the first embodiment, it is assumed that information serving as a reference for determining a traffic jam is set in advance in the route search unit 309, but may be set by the user from the user operation unit 302. Good.
[0059]
As the departure point of the route searched by the route search unit 309, the current position acquired by the vehicle information acquisition unit 304 or the departure point designated by the user from the user operation unit 302 is set. In addition to the destination point input by the user, the facility searched from the map data by genre search or the like may be set as the destination point.
[0060]
The route guidance unit 310 includes information related to the guidance route searched by the route search unit 309, route information received by the communication unit 308, information related to the current position acquired by the vehicle information acquisition unit 304, and the recording medium 305. Based on the map information obtained through the recording medium decoding unit 306, real-time route guidance information is generated. The route guidance information generated by the route guidance unit 310 is output to the display unit 303 via the navigation control unit 301.
[0061]
The guide sound generator 311 generates tone and voice information corresponding to the pattern. That is, based on the route guidance information generated by the route guidance unit 310, the virtual sound source corresponding to the guidance point is set and the voice guidance information is generated, and is output to the guidance sound output unit 307 via the navigation control unit 301. .
[0062]
The functional configuration of the route search apparatus 100 according to the embodiment is determined by, for example, the vehicle information acquisition unit 101, the vehicle information acquisition unit 304, the traffic jam determination unit 102, the route search unit 103, and the pseudo destination setting unit 104. The function of the unit 105 is realized by the route search unit 309, and the function of the display unit 106 is realized by the display unit 303.
[0063]
(Navigation processing procedure of the navigation device 300)
Next, a processing procedure of the navigation device 300 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the navigation device. First, a departure point and a destination point are set by the user via the user operation unit 302 (step S401). At this time, the departure point may be the current position of the vehicle acquired by the vehicle information acquisition unit 304.
[0064]
Next, a condition for searching for an optimum route (hereinafter referred to as a route search condition) is set by the user via the user operation unit 302 (step S402). The route search conditions are various conditions specified by the user in order to search for a route expected by the user. For example, the required time to the destination point, road type (highway priority, general road priority, etc.), distance (shortest distance priority, etc.), fee, etc. can be mentioned.
[0065]
Next, based on the departure point and destination point set in step S401 and the route search condition set in step S402, the route search unit 309 searches for the optimum route from the departure point to the destination point (step S403). The optimum route from the searched departure point to the destination point is presented to the user by the display unit 303, and the route guidance unit 310 performs route guidance along the route searched in step S403 (step S404).
[0066]
Further, the route search unit 309 determines whether or not the vehicle has entered the traffic jam section during the route guidance started in step S404 (step S405). When it is not in the traffic jam section (step S405: No), the processing according to this flowchart is terminated. If it is in the traffic jam section (step S405: Yes), the process returns to step S403, and a route search that avoids the traffic jam section from the current position of the vehicle to the destination point is performed again. The route search unit 309 can repeat the steps S403 to S405 to determine the presence or absence of traffic jams during route guidance and search for routes that avoid traffic jams each time.
[0067]
It should be noted that, in order to search for a route that avoids traffic jam based on the judgment of traffic jam in step S405, it is necessary to identify the factor of traffic jam and determine to which point to avoid the traffic jam. The cause of the traffic jam can be determined from, for example, information on the road recorded on the recording medium 305.
[0068]
Congestion factors that can be determined from the recording medium 305 include, for example, interchanges, junctions, service areas, parking areas, tunnels in the case of highways, and main intersections, crossings, tunnels in the case of ordinary roads. And surrounding facilities.
[0069]
Further, by estimating the length of the traffic jam section based on the information on the traffic jam acquired from the recording medium 305, the factor of the traffic jam can be specified more accurately. Information on traffic congestion includes, for example, the length of traffic congestion by road type (several kilometers to several tens of kilometers for highways, several hundred meters to several kilometers for general roads, etc.) (Such as commuting hours) and times when traffic is likely to occur (weekends, consecutive holidays, large holidays, etc.).
[0070]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for determining a traffic jam, and is performed by the route search unit 309 in FIG. 4 (step S405) described above. First, it is determined whether or not the vehicle is stopped or moving backward (step S501). Here, the determination as to whether or not the vehicle is stopped can be made based on information acquired from a parking brake sensor (not shown) of the vehicle information acquisition unit 304, for example. The determination of whether or not the vehicle is moving backward can be made based on information acquired from a gear position sensor (not shown) of the vehicle information acquisition unit 304, for example. If the vehicle has stopped or moved backward (step S501: Yes), it is difficult to determine whether or not the vehicle has entered the traffic jam section, and thus the processing according to this flowchart is terminated. If the vehicle is not stopped or not moving backward (step S501: No), the process proceeds to step S502.
[0071]
Next, the road type of the road on which the vehicle is traveling is determined (step S502). The road type of the road on which the vehicle is traveling can be determined from the data recorded in the recording medium 305 based on the current position of the vehicle acquired by the GPS of the vehicle information acquisition unit 304, for example. Examples of the road type include an expressway, a toll road, and a general road.
[0072]
Next, based on the road type of the road on which the vehicle determined in step S502 is running, the traffic congestion determination reference speed is acquired (step S503), the vehicle speed acquisition interval is acquired (step S504), and the traffic congestion determination reference period is acquired. (Step S505). The congestion determination reference speed, the vehicle speed acquisition interval, and the congestion determination reference period for each road type will be described with reference to FIG.
[0073]
Next, the current vehicle speed of the vehicle is acquired based on the vehicle speed information acquired by the vehicle information acquisition unit 304 (step S506). And it is judged whether the present vehicle speed of the vehicle acquired by step S506 is more than the traffic congestion determination reference | standard speed acquired by step S503 (step S507). If the current vehicle speed of the vehicle acquired in step S506 is equal to or higher than the congestion determination reference speed determined in step S503 (step S507: Yes), the timer for measuring the congestion determination reference period is turned off (step S508). ), The process returns to step S506. If the current vehicle speed of the vehicle acquired in step S506 is less than the congestion determination reference speed acquired in step S503 (step S507: No), it is determined that there is a possibility of congestion, and the process proceeds to the next step S509. .
[0074]
Next, it is determined whether or not the timer for measuring the traffic jam determination reference period is OFF (step S509). When the timer for measuring the traffic jam determination reference period is OFF (step S509: Yes), the timer for measuring the traffic jam determination reference period is turned ON (step S510), and the process proceeds to the next step S511. If the timer for measuring the traffic jam determination reference period is already ON (step S509: No), the timer is kept ON and the process proceeds to the next step S511.
[0075]
Next, it is determined whether or not the value of the timer for measuring the traffic jam determination reference period has reached the traffic jam determination reference period (step S511). When the value of the timer for measuring the traffic jam determination reference period has not reached the traffic jam determination reference period (step S511: No), the process returns to step S506. Subsequently, steps S506 to S511 are repeated at the vehicle speed acquisition interval determined in step S504. If the value of the timer for measuring the traffic jam determination reference period reaches the traffic jam determination reference period (step S511: Yes), it is determined that the vehicle is in the traffic jam (the traffic jam section) (step S512). The process according to this flowchart ends.
[0076]
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of information values serving as a reference for determining a traffic jam. The table 600 holds a congestion determination reference speed 602 for each road type 601, a vehicle speed acquisition interval 603, and a congestion determination reference period 604. For example, if the road type 601 is an expressway, the route search unit 309 sets “40 (Km / h)” as the congestion determination reference speed 602, “2 (minutes)” as the vehicle speed acquisition interval 603, and the congestion determination criterion. It is shown that “10 (minutes)” is selected as the period 604. The table 600 assumes that the route search unit 309 is set in advance, but may be set by the user from the user operation unit 302.
[0077]
As described above, according to the navigation apparatus 300 according to the first embodiment, it is possible to determine the traffic jam based on the information related to the moving state of the vehicle. In addition, even if the navigation apparatus 300 according to the first embodiment cannot receive VICS information and the vehicle is involved in a traffic jam, the navigation device 300 searches for a route avoiding the traffic jam and guides the vehicle along the searched route. be able to.
[0078]
Further, as described above, the navigation device 300 according to the first embodiment not only searches for a route for judging a traffic jam and avoiding a traffic jam section based on the information on the vehicle movement state, but also includes information on the vehicle movement state. Based on this, it may be determined that the traffic jam has been resolved, and the optimum route may be searched again.
[0079]
(Example 2)
(Processing procedure of navigation device 300)
Next, a second embodiment of the navigation device 300 will be described. Since the hardware configuration of the navigation device 300 according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the navigation device 300 according to the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted. In the second embodiment of the navigation device 300, when the destination point is not set by the user and the route search and the route guidance to the destination point are not performed, the process is started.
[0080]
First, the route search unit 309 determines whether or not the vehicle is in a traffic jam section according to the processing procedure shown in the first embodiment (FIG. 5). If the vehicle is not in a traffic jam section, no processing is performed.
[0081]
When the vehicle is in the traffic jam section, the route search unit 309 sets a pseudo destination point until the traffic jam is avoided. A procedure of processing for setting a pseudo destination point will be described with reference to FIG. In the second embodiment, the route search unit 309 performs setting of a pseudo destination point. However, for example, the user may set the destination point via the user operation unit 302. Good.
[0082]
Next, the route search unit 309 searches for a route that avoids a traffic jam section from the current position of the vehicle to the pseudo destination point. The searched route is presented to the user by the display unit 303, and the route guidance unit 310 performs route guidance along the searched route. Here, the route searched for may be displayed on the display unit 303 before starting the route guidance, and whether or not to start the route guidance may be selected by the user from the user operation unit 302. The route search unit 309 determines whether or not there is a traffic jam by repeatedly performing the above-described processing for determining whether or not the vehicle is in a traffic congestion section to the processing for performing route guidance along the searched route. In each case, a route that avoids traffic congestion can be searched.
[0083]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of processing for setting a pseudo destination point performed by the route search unit 309. First, the type of road on which the vehicle is traveling is determined (step S701). The road type of the road on which the vehicle is traveling can be determined from the data recorded in the recording medium 305 based on the current position of the vehicle acquired by the GPS of the vehicle information acquisition unit 304, for example. Examples of the road type include an expressway, a toll road, and a general road.
[0084]
Next, the current traveling direction of the vehicle is determined (step S702). The determination of the current traveling direction of the vehicle can be made based on information acquired from a gyro sensor (not shown) of the vehicle information acquisition unit 304, for example.
[0085]
Next, based on the road type determined in step S701 and the current traveling direction of the vehicle determined in step S702, the length of the traffic jam on the road where the current vehicle is located is predicted (step S703). In order to predict the traffic jam section of the road where the vehicle is currently located, the factor of the traffic jam must be specified. The cause of the traffic jam can be determined from, for example, information on the road recorded on the recording medium 305.
[0086]
Congestion factors that can be determined from the recording medium 305 include, for example, interchanges, junctions, service areas, parking areas, and tunnels in the case of highways. And surrounding facilities.
[0087]
Further, by estimating the length of the traffic jam section based on the information on the traffic jam acquired from the recording medium 305, the factor of the traffic jam can be specified more accurately. Information on traffic congestion includes, for example, the length of traffic congestion by road type (several kilometers to several tens of kilometers for highways, several hundred meters to several kilometers for general roads, etc.) (Such as commuting hours) and times when traffic is likely to occur (weekends, consecutive holidays, large holidays, etc.).
[0088]
Based on the road type determined in step S701, the current traveling direction of the vehicle determined in step S702, and the traffic congestion section of the road on which the vehicle is determined in step S703, a pseudo destination point (Destination) is set (step S704), and the processing according to this flowchart ends. Here, it is assumed that the vehicle travels along the road on which the vehicle is traveling, and the node ahead of the traffic jam section on the road on which the vehicle is traveling (for example, an intersection or a highway if it is a general road) If there is an interchange), it is set as a pseudo destination.
[0089]
Examples of the pseudo destination point include an interchange ahead of a traffic jam section on an expressway and an intersection ahead of a crossing that is a factor of traffic jam on a general road.
[0090]
As described above, according to the navigation apparatus 300 according to the second embodiment, it is possible to determine a traffic jam based on information on the moving state of the vehicle even if the destination point is not set by the user. In addition, even when the vehicle is involved in a traffic jam, the navigation device 300 according to the second embodiment searches for a route that avoids the traffic jam to the pseudo destination and guides the vehicle along the searched route. Can do.
[0091]
(Another embodiment of the present invention-application of VICS information)
The navigation device 300 according to the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above determines the traffic jam based on the information on the moving state of the vehicle acquired by the vehicle information acquisition unit 304, and determines the traffic jam factor determined from the recording medium 305. Based on this, a configuration for searching for a route that avoids traffic jams was adopted. In addition to the configuration described in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, when VICS information is acquired, it is possible to determine a traffic jam based on the VICS information and to search for a route that avoids the traffic jam. When determining the traffic jam or searching for a route to avoid the traffic jam, it is possible to set in advance in the route search unit 309 whether to use the information related to the moving state of the vehicle or the VICS information with priority. .
[0092]
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of priority values of information for determining traffic jams. The table 800 holds traffic information 801 already acquired, traffic information 802 acquired later, and traffic information 803 to be used. The traffic information 801 that has already been acquired can be selected from “none”, “vehicle speed information (meaning information relating to the moving state of the vehicle; the same applies hereinafter)”, and “VICS information”. The traffic information 802 acquired later can be selected from “vehicle speed information” and “VICS information”. The traffic jam information 803 to be used can be selected from “vehicle speed information”, “VICS information”, and “vehicle speed information and VICS information”. The table 800 assumes that the route search unit 309 is set in advance, but may be set by the user from the user operation unit 302.
[0093]
For example, when the traffic information 801 already acquired is “vehicle speed information” and the traffic information 802 acquired later is “VICS information”, the route search unit 309 uses “VICS information” as the traffic information 803 to be used. Shown to choose. In this case, a route for avoiding traffic congestion is searched based on information on the moving state of the vehicle. However, when VICS information is received later, this means searching for a route for avoiding traffic jam based only on the VICS information.
[0094]
In addition, when the traffic information 801 already acquired is “vehicle speed information” and the traffic information 802 acquired later is “VICS information”, the route search unit 309 uses “vehicle speed information” as the traffic information 803 to be used. Suppose you change the value to select. In this case, the route for avoiding traffic jam is searched based on the information on the moving state of the vehicle, and even if the VICS information is received later, the VICS information is ignored.
[0095]
Furthermore, when the traffic information 801 already acquired is “VICS information” and the traffic information 802 acquired later is “vehicle speed information”, the route search unit 309 uses “vehicle speed information and VICS as traffic information 803 to be used”. It is shown to select "Information". In this case, a route for avoiding traffic jams was searched based on the information on the vehicle movement state. However, when VICS information is received later, the traffic jam is detected based on both the information on the vehicle movement state and the VICS information. This represents searching for a route to be avoided.
[0096]
Note that the VICS information received by the communication unit 308 is updated at intervals of one minute if provided by radio beacons on the highway, and radio beacons and FM multiplexes on roads other than the highway (for example, general roads). If it is provided by broadcast or optical beacon, it is updated every 5 minutes. Using this, for example, the route search unit 309 may search for a route that avoids traffic jam using the VICS information only when the acquired VICS information is the latest.
[0097]
As described above, in addition to the configuration described in the first and second embodiments, when VICS information is acquired, it is possible to perform determination of traffic congestion based on this VICS information and search for a route that avoids traffic congestion. it can. As a result, it becomes possible to more accurately determine the traffic jam based on the information on the vehicle movement state and the VICS information, and to search for a route that avoids the optimum traffic jam. In addition, by setting which of the information related to the moving state of the vehicle and the VICS information is to be used preferentially, it is possible to efficiently search for a route that avoids traffic congestion. Even if the vehicle is involved in a traffic jam, a route that avoids the optimum traffic jam can be searched according to the traffic jam situation, and the vehicle can be guided according to the searched route.
[0098]
The route search method described in the present embodiment can be realized by executing a program prepared in advance on a computer included in the route search device. This program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a hard disk, a flexible disk, a CD-ROM, an MO, and a DVD, and is executed by being read from the recording medium by the computer. The program may be a transmission medium that can be distributed via a network such as the Internet.

Claims (6)

Vehicle information acquisition means for acquiring information relating to the movement state of the vehicle;
Based on the information on the moving state of the vehicle acquired by the vehicle information acquisition means, the road type information recorded on the recording medium, and the past traffic congestion information recorded on the recording medium, the length of the traffic congestion section is calculated. A traffic jam judging means for judging and obtaining information on the traffic jam including the length of the traffic jam section ;
Communication means for acquiring traffic information including traffic jam information relating to the length of the traffic jam section ;
Determining means for determining which information about the traffic jam obtained by the traffic jam judging means or the traffic information acquired by the communication means to be used when searching for a route ;
When searching for a route using either the traffic information determined by the determining means or the traffic information,
When a destination point is set, a route that avoids the traffic jam section on the route to the destination point is searched,
If the destination point is not set, a pseudo destination point is set based on the information related to the traffic jam determined to be used by the determining means or the length of the traffic jam section included in the traffic information. Route search means for searching for a route avoiding the traffic jam section on the route to the pseudo destination point;
Route search apparatus characterized by comprising a. The route search device according to claim 1, wherein when the traffic information can be acquired by the communication unit, the determination unit preferentially uses the acquired traffic information. Which of the information about the traffic jam that has already been acquired, the information about the traffic jam that has been newly acquired, and the traffic information that has been acquired by the communication means should be preferentially used for the determination means 3. The route search device according to claim 1, wherein priority is set in advance. A route search method in a route search device for searching a route of a vehicle,
  A vehicle information acquisition step of acquiring information relating to the movement state of the vehicle;
  The length of the traffic jam section is calculated based on the information on the moving state of the vehicle acquired by the vehicle information acquisition process, the road type information recorded on the recording medium, and the past traffic jam information recorded on the recording medium. A traffic jam judging step for judging and obtaining information on the traffic jam including the length of the traffic jam section;
  A communication step of acquiring traffic information including traffic jam information relating to the length of the traffic jam section;
  A determination step for determining whether to use information related to the traffic jam obtained by the traffic jam judgment step or the traffic information acquired by the communication step when searching for a route;
  When searching for a route using either the traffic information determined by the determining step or the traffic information,
  If a destination point is set, search for a route on the route to the destination point that avoids the traffic jam section,
  If the destination point is not set, a pseudo destination point is set based on the information on the traffic jam determined to be used in the determination step or the length of the traffic jam section included in the traffic information. A route search step for searching for a route avoiding the traffic jam section on the route to the pseudo destination point;
A route search method comprising: A route search program causing a computer to execute the route search method according to claim 4. A computer-readable recording medium on which the route search program according to claim 5 is recorded.

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