JP4856116B2 - Route guidance device, route guidance method, computer program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a route guidance technology that guides the direction of a vehicle's route, and more specifically, when a travel route of a vehicle deviates from a recommended travel route obtained by a route search process, the travel route search process is performed again. The present invention relates to a route guidance device, a route guidance method, and a route guidance program that are used to guide an appropriate course direction.

  Conventionally, a navigation system is known as a means for supporting the arrival of a moving body at a destination. This navigation system measures the position of a moving body by GPS (Global Positioning System), obtains a recommended moving path by route search processing based on the current position information of the moving body and road map information, and determines the recommended moving path. Based on this, automatic route guidance (hereinafter referred to as “route guidance”) is performed. For example, in a vehicle equipped with a car navigation device (hereinafter referred to as “car navigation”), road map information and current position information of the vehicle are displayed on a display device (monitor), and a recommended travel route to the destination. By searching for and displaying it together on the display device, the route is visually notified. In addition, some car navigation systems have a function of notifying directions by hearing by outputting guidance voices.

  In such a car navigation system, if a route deviates from the route being guided when performing route guidance based on route search processing, the travel route is again set so that the deviated position returns to the original recommended travel route. The search process is performed. That is, in general car navigation systems, search processing is performed based on the same search conditions as the original search conditions.

  However, the user may intentionally deviate from the recommended travel route and select the exit route. Therefore, it can be said that it is very annoying that the route guidance to return to the original recommended travel route is performed even though the loop-out is selected. Here, the escape route refers to a so-called back road that is statistically easy to reach the destination in terms of time or distance more efficiently than using the recommended travel route as a course.

  In addition, some car navigation systems have a function of preliminarily storing in a database route information about roads where traffic congestion is likely to occur, and presenting the route information to the user according to the degree of congestion. In this case, as a common technique for specifying a loop-through, there is a technique in which the congestion degree obtained by VICS or the like is taken into consideration to avoid the congestion portion.

  However, when presenting a loophole to the user, all the loophole information contained in the database is guided, and sometimes a loopway that is not related to the user's intention is frequently guided, which can be annoying. .

In view of this, several means have been proposed for effectively guiding the user to the exit route.
For example, there is a technique in which an exit path is displayed only when the user desires, or only when the road situation is a congestion situation set by the user in advance. (See Patent Document 1).
In addition, there is a technique that selectively presents highly useful escape information to the user by limiting the range of the escape route, such as an escape route within a region of a certain angle from side to side with the traveling direction as an axis. (See Patent Document 2).
JP 2006-266701 A JP 2006-258669 A

However, both of the techniques described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 described above are designed to guide the route effectively by limiting the route to be guided before the user selects the route. After the selection, the route direction is not appropriately guided by the search process in consideration of the loop-through. In other words, when the user intentionally deviates from the recommended travel route obtained by the route search process and selects the escape route, the user's intention that he has selected the escape route is taken into account, and the escape route is effectively guided. It does not recalculate the travel route and provide route guidance information required by the user.
As described above, when the travel route of the vehicle deviates from the recommended travel route obtained by the route search processing, the route direction is appropriately re-guided by the search processing in consideration of the user's intention from the nature of the road where the departure is detected. No means have been proposed at present.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and when the vehicle travel route deviates from the recommended travel route obtained by the route search process, the user's intention is considered from the nature of the road where the departure is detected. It is an object of the present invention to provide a mechanism that can appropriately re-guide the course direction by a search process.

The route guidance device of the present invention is a route guidance device that has route search means and performs the search processing of the travel route again when the travel route of the vehicle deviates from the recommended travel route obtained by the route search processing. Guidance route link information for specifying a link indicating each road constituting the recommended travel route obtained by the route search means and its position information (hereinafter referred to as “guidance route link position information”) are stored in association with each other. The first storage means, the exit information for specifying the exit route, the exit route link information for specifying the link indicating the exit route, and the position information (hereinafter referred to as “outpass route link position information”) are associated with each other. storing Te, in association with loophole route link information, a loophole path first node information for specifying a node indicating a one end point of the loopholes path, A serial loophole path other loophole path second node information specifying a node indicating the endpoint of a second memory means for further storing a vehicle position information receiving means for receiving the current position information of the vehicle, said vehicle The guidance route associated with the guidance route link location information that matches or approximates the current location information with reference to the first storage means based on the current location information received by the own vehicle location information acceptance means according to the movement of the vehicle A guidance route travel determination unit that determines whether or not the departure from the recommended travel route depends on the presence or absence of link information, and when the guidance route travel determination unit determines that the departure from the recommended travel route is present, The exit path link information associated with the exit path link position information that matches or approximates the current position information with reference to the second storage means based on the position information. And determining loophole route travel determination means whether the vehicle is traveling on a loophole in accordance with the presence or absence, when it is determined that the vehicle is running on a loophole in the loophole route travel determination means, further, with reference to the second storage means Exit path specifying means for specifying exit path information associated with the exit path link information, direction information receiving means for receiving direction information for specifying the traveling direction of the vehicle, and exit path information specified by the exit path specifying means; , Referring to the second storage means based on the azimuth information received by the azimuth information receiving means, specifying a node indicating a traveling direction side end point in the loop path as second path information on the loop path, and subsequently, With reference to the storage means, it is determined whether or not there is exit information that stores the same information as the exit route second node information as exit route first node information. When it is determined that the loop-out information exists, the loop-out information is specified as connection loop-out information, and further, the second storage unit is referred to according to the specification of the connection loop-out information, and the loop-out in the connection loop-out information is determined. The same information as the route second node information is repeatedly determined whether or not there is loophole information stored as loopway route first node information, and when it is determined that the loophole information exists, the loopback information is specified as connection loopback information. And the route search means performs a route search process for searching for a movement route that uses all the connection route information specified by the connection route specification means .

In the route guidance device of the present invention, the route search means stores the same information as the second route information in the passage route information or the second route information in the connection route information as the route route first node information. In response to determining that there is no loophole information to be performed, a route search process is performed to search for a movement route that uses the loophole information and all connection loophole information that has been specified after the loophole information is specified. It is good as a thing.

In addition, the route guidance method of the present invention includes guide route link information for identifying links indicating roads constituting a recommended travel route obtained by route search processing, and position information (hereinafter referred to as “guide route link position information”). The first storage means for storing them in association with each other, the exit information specifying each exit route, the exit route link information specifying the link indicating the exit route, and the position information (hereinafter referred to as “the exit route link”). "Location information") is stored in association with each other, and is associated with the exit route link information to indicate the first route information of the exit route that identifies a node indicating one end point of the exit route, and the other end point of the exit route. comprising a second storage means further stores a loophole path second node information specifying a node, and the route guidance with the route searching means The route guidance method performs the travel route search process again when the travel route of the vehicle deviates from the recommended travel route obtained by the route search process. A first step of receiving the current position information; and in the route guidance device, referring to the first storage means based on the current position information received in the first step according to the movement of the vehicle, A second step of determining whether there is a departure from the recommended travel route according to presence / absence of guide route link information associated with guide route link position information that matches or approximates the information; and When it is determined in step 2 that the vehicle has deviated from the recommended travel route, the second storage means is referred to based on the current position information. A third step of determining whether or not the vehicle is traveling on a path according to the presence or absence of path path link information associated with path path position position information that matches or approximates current position information; and when it is determined that the vehicle is traveling on loopholes in step, further, a fourth step of identifying a loophole information associated with the loophole route link information by referring to said second storage means, in the navigation system A fifth step of receiving azimuth information for specifying the traveling direction of the vehicle; and the route guidance device based on the exit information specified in the fourth step and the azimuth information received in the fifth step. 2 Referring to the storage means, the node indicating the traveling direction side end point in the exit path is specified as the exit path second node information. Then, referring to the second storage means, the presence / absence of exit information storing the same information as the exit route second node information as the exit route first node information is determined, and it is determined that the exit information exists. The path information is specified as connection path information, and the second storage means is referred to according to the specification of the connection path information, and the same information as the path path second node information in the connection path information is set as the path path. whether repetition determining the loopholes information stored as the first node information, when it is determined that this loophole information exists, a sixth step of specifying the loopholes information as connection loopholes information in the navigation system, the sixth a seventh step of performing a route search process of searching for travel route to utilize all of the connection loophole information specified in step, the Characterized in that I do.

The route guiding method of the present invention, prior Symbol seventh step, in the sixth step, storing the same information as the second node information in the loophole path information or the connection loophole path information as the loophole path first node information When it is determined that there is no loophole information to be performed, a route search process is performed to search for a movement route that uses the loophole information and all the connection loophole information specified after the loophole information is specified. It ’s good.

Further, the computer program of the present invention provides guide route link information for specifying a link indicating each road constituting the recommended travel route obtained by the route search process, and its position information (hereinafter referred to as “guide route link position information”). .) Are stored in association with each other, loop-out information specifying each loop-out path, loop-out path link information specifying a link indicating the loop-out path, and position information thereof (hereinafter referred to as “path-path link position”). Information ”), stored in association with each other, and associated with the exit route link information, the first route information of the exit route specifying the node indicating one end point of the exit route, and the node indicating the other end point of the exit route and a second storage means further stores a loophole path second node information specifying a to the route search processing Means for receiving the current position information of the vehicle, the movement of the vehicle in order to execute the search process of the movement route again when the vehicle travel route deviates from the recommended travel route According to the received current position information, the first storage means is referred to, and the recommended movement according to the presence / absence of guide route link information associated with guide route link position information that matches or approximates the current position information Means for determining whether or not the vehicle has deviated from the route, and when it is determined that the vehicle has deviated from the recommended movement route, the second storage unit is referred to based on the current position information and matches or approximates the current position information Means for determining whether or not the vehicle is traveling on the exit route according to the presence or absence of the exit route link information associated with the exit route link position information; traveling on the exit route When it is determined that the further means for receiving the second storage means with reference to the means for identifying a loophole information associated with the loophole route link information, azimuth information for specifying a travel direction of the vehicle, The second storage means is referred to based on the specified loop-out information and the received azimuth information, the node indicating the traveling direction side end point in the loop-out path is specified as loop-path second node information, and the second With reference to the storage means, it is determined whether or not there is exit information that stores the same information as the exit route second node information as exit route first node information, and when it is determined that the exit information exists, the exit information is connected to the connection exit route. The information is specified, and the second storage means is referred to according to the specification of the connection loop-out information, and the connection loop-out information is extracted. Means for repeatedly determining whether or not there is exit information that stores the same information as the exit route second node information as exit route first node information, and specifying the exit information as connection exit information when it is determined that the exit information exists. And functioning as a means for performing a route search process for searching for a moving route using all the specified connection loop information .

Further, the computer program according to the present invention provides the computer with the same information as the second node information in the exit route information or the connection exit route information in the means for specifying the exit information as a connection exit route. In response to the determination that there is no loophole information to be stored as a path search process for searching for a travel path that uses the loophole information and all the connection loophole information specified after the loophole information is specified It is good also as what further functions as a means to perform .

The route guidance device according to the present invention is configured to determine whether or not the recommended travel route deviated from the recommended travel route obtained by the route search process, and based on the current position information when determined to deviate from the recommended travel route. A means for determining whether or not the vehicle is traveling on the escape route, a means for specifying the escape route information when it is determined that the vehicle is traveling on the escape route, and a re-routing process for re-routing the moving route in consideration of the specified escape route information. Means for generating route search condition information. Therefore, by ascertaining the nature of the road at a position deviating from the recommended travel route, it is possible to infer the user's intention and perform a reroute search process according to the user's intention.
Therefore, when the vehicle travel route deviates from the recommended travel route obtained by the route search processing, it is possible to appropriately re-guide the route direction by the search processing considering the user's intention from the nature of the road where the departure is detected. Can be provided.

Hereinafter, an example of a route guidance device, a route guidance method, and a route guidance computer program according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
The route guidance device (hereinafter referred to as “this device”) 10 according to the present invention has a route search function, and when the travel route of the vehicle deviates from the recommended travel route obtained by the route search processing, An apparatus for performing a search process.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a route guidance system (hereinafter referred to as “the present system”) using the apparatus 10.
As shown in FIG. 1, the present system can be configured by the present apparatus 10, the own vehicle position positioning apparatus 20, the output apparatus 30, and the like.

The own vehicle position measuring device 20 is a device that measures the current position of the vehicle, receives a GPS signal transmitted from a GPS satellite, measures a position based on the GPS signal, It consists of a speed sensor that measures the amount of movement (distance), a gyro sensor that measures the traveling (movement) direction, and the like.
A GPS sensor is a so-called GPS receiver, receives a GPS signal radiated from a GPS satellite, measures a distance (pseudo distance) between the GPS satellite and the GPS receiver itself, and receives a plurality of satellites. Are simultaneously received to calculate the current position (GPS positioning solution) of the GPS receiver itself.
In addition, the vehicle positioning device 20 is mounted on a vehicle, and performs processing such as decoding of the received GPS signal in addition to a GPS receiver (antenna) that receives the GPS signal, and signal processing that is output to the device 10 A part.

The output device 30 is a device that outputs the route guidance information output from the device 10. For example, a display (or monitor) that is an image display device 31 that displays image information, or a sound emitting device that emits sound information. 32 speakers.
The image display device 31 displays the road map information and the current position information of the vehicle on the display (or monitor), searches for a recommended movement route to the destination, and displays it on the display together. To get directions. Further, the sound emitting device 32 emits guidance sound information from a speaker, thereby notifying the route of the moving route by hearing.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a route guidance information output device 1 realized by using this system.
In FIG. 2, road map information and vehicle current position information are shown on a display which is an image display device 31. Therefore, when route search processing is performed, route guidance for visually informing the route is performed by searching for a recommended travel route to the destination and displaying it on the display.

Next, the configuration of the apparatus 10 will be described.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the apparatus 10.
As shown in FIG. 3, the device 10 includes a guidance route information storage unit (first storage unit) F1, a path information storage unit (second storage unit) F2, a route search processing unit 11, and own vehicle position information. The reception unit 12, the guidance route travel determination unit 13, the exit route travel determination unit 14, the exit route identification unit 15, the reroute search information generation unit 18, the route guidance unit 19, and the control unit C are provided. is doing. Note that reference symbol B in the figure is a bus for transmitting control signals, data, and the like in the apparatus 10.

The apparatus 10 may be an information processing apparatus, and is realized by, for example, a mobile personal computer, a PND (Portable Navigation Device), a dedicated device, or the like. Although not shown, the apparatus 10 includes a CPU (central processing unit), a program storage unit, input devices such as key buttons, an auxiliary storage device, an OS (operating system), and the like.
The CPU is means for controlling and controlling each component of the apparatus 10 and executing program processing according to the computer program stored in the program storage unit. The program storage unit is constituted by a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), or the like, and is a means for storing various computer programs used by the apparatus 10.

  The guide route information storage unit F1 is guide route link information for specifying a link indicating each road constituting the recommended travel route obtained by the route search unit 11, and its position information (hereinafter referred to as “guide route link position information”). .) Is stored in association with each other.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of information stored in the guidance route information storage unit F1.
For example, the guide route information management file shown in FIG. 4 indicates that the link ID and the position information of the guide route link are associated with each other as the guide route link information, and the file is configured.
Therefore, the road information (link ID) on the road is known from the position information on the guidance route by this guidance route information management file.

  The loop-out information storage unit F2 includes loop-out information for specifying each loop-out route, loop-out route link information for specifying a link indicating the loop-out route, and position information (hereinafter referred to as “loop-out route link position information”). It is a means for storing in association. Here, the exit information is information that collectively indicates a plurality of continuous road groups connected to each other.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of information stored in the loophole information storage unit F2.
For example, in the loopout route information management file shown in FIG.
And a link ID as a plurality of exit route link information and position information of the exit route link are associated with each other to form a file.
Therefore, the exit path link information (link ID) that is being traveled can be found from the position information on the road by this exit path information management file. I understand.

The route search unit 11 performs route search processing for calculating a recommended travel route to the destination, receives input of destination information, specifies location information of the destination based on the received destination information, Based on the position information and the current position information measured by the own vehicle position measuring device 20, the map information is referred to specify road map information necessary to reach the destination from the current position. In addition, the route search unit 11 calculates a recommended travel route to the destination and generates a travel route surrounding map including a road map including the recommended travel route.
In addition, the route search unit 11 has a function of performing a travel route search process again on the basis of the reroute search condition information generated by the reroute search information generation unit 18 and calculating an exit-considered travel route.
The route search unit 11 transmits the calculated recommended travel route information and the escape route consideration travel route information to the route guidance unit 19.
In addition, since a well-known technique is used about a route search process, detailed description here is abbreviate | omitted.

  Further, the map information is stored in advance in the storage unit of the apparatus 10, and can be stored in an auxiliary storage device as a removable medium called a so-called SD memory card, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, or the like. it can. Further, it may be downloaded via a communication network such as the Internet.

The own vehicle position information receiving unit 12 performs a process of receiving the current position information of the vehicle. Here, the current position is constituted by latitude and longitude, for example. This current position information is transmitted from the own vehicle position measurement device 20.
The own vehicle position information receiving unit 12 transmits the received current position information of the vehicle to the guidance route travel determination unit 13 and the exit route travel determination unit 14.

The guidance route travel determination unit 13 refers to the guidance route information storage unit F1 based on the current position information received by the host vehicle position information reception unit 12 according to the movement of the vehicle, and a guidance route that matches or approximates the current position information. A process is performed to determine whether or not a departure from the recommended travel route is made according to the presence or absence of the guide route link information associated with the link position information.
The guidance route travel determination unit 13 transmits the determined result to the exit route travel determination unit 14.

When it is determined that the guidance route travel determination unit 13 has deviated from the guidance route, the escape route travel determination unit 14 refers to the escape route information storage unit F2 based on the current position information received by the vehicle position information reception unit 12. Then, a process for determining whether or not the vehicle is traveling on the exit path is performed according to the presence or absence of the exit path link information associated with the approach path link position information that matches or approximates the current position information.
The exit path travel determination unit 14 transmits the determined result to the exit path identification unit 15.

When the escape route identifying unit 15 determines that the exit route travel determination unit 14 is traveling on the exit route, the escape route identification unit 15 further identifies the exit route information associated with the exit route link information with reference to the exit route information storage unit F2. Perform the process.
The loop-out identifying unit 15 transmits the identified loop-out information to the reroute search information output unit 18.

The reroute search information generation unit 18 performs a process of generating reroute search condition information that prompts a reroute search process of the moving route in consideration of the loopway information specified by the loopway specifying unit 15.
The reroute search information generation unit 18 transmits the generated reroute search condition information to the route search unit 11. This reroute search condition information includes consideration of loophole information.

The route guidance unit 19 performs a process of guiding the route of the travel route based on the recommended travel route or the escape route consideration travel route calculated by the route search unit 11.
In addition, since a well-known technique is used about a route guidance process, detailed description here is abbreviate | omitted.

  The control unit C includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and controls and controls each component of the apparatus 10 and executes its processing.

<First Embodiment>
Next, an example of the operation of the route guidance information output device including the operation of the present device 10 that implements the route guidance method described above will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of route guidance processing in the apparatus 10.
First, in the route guidance information output device 1, a destination is set (S10).
Next, the route search unit 11 calculates a recommended travel route for performing guidance to the destination by route search processing (S20). At this time, the information stored in the guidance route information storage unit F1 is updated according to the calculation of the recommended travel route.
Then, the route guidance unit 19 starts route guidance based on the recommended travel route information calculated by the route search unit 11 (S30).

Here, the recommended travel route information and the exit route information existing in association with the recommended travel route can be shown in FIG. 7, for example.
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a case where the route guidance device according to the present invention performs a search process for a moving route again in consideration of a loop-through.
In FIG. 7, a starting point for performing a route search is indicated by a symbol S, and a destination is indicated by a symbol G.
In addition, in FIG. 7, each road (link) constituting the recommended travel route obtained by the route search process is guided route link information such as link L1, link L2, link L3, link L4, link L5, link L6, and link L7. The end point (node) of each link is indicated by guide route link information such as node N1, node N2, node N3, node N4, node N5, and node N6.

  In FIG. 7, each road (link) constituting the loopway is a loopway route link such as link L11, link L12, link L13, link L14, link L15, link L16, link L17, link L18, link L19, link L20. The end point (node) of this loop-out path is indicated by loop-path first node information such as node N1 and loop-path second node information such as node N6. That is, it is shown that the exit road B1 is constituted by 10 roads (links) continuously indicated by the links L11 to L20.

Under such circumstances, when the vehicle starts from the departure place S, in the present device 10, the own vehicle position information receiving unit 12 receives the own vehicle position information, which is the current position information of the vehicle, from the own vehicle position measuring device 20. Obtain (S40).
Then, the guidance route travel determination unit 13 refers to the guidance route information storage unit F1 based on the current position information received by the host vehicle position information reception unit 12 according to the movement of the vehicle, and matches or approximates this current position information. It is determined whether or not the travel route deviates from the recommended travel route according to the presence / absence of the guide route link information associated with the guide route link position information (S50).

As a result, when the guidance route travel determination unit 13 determines that the vehicle has deviated from the recommended travel route (Y), the current location information received by the vehicle location information reception unit 12 by the exit route travel determination unit 14 continues. Based on the information, the path information storage unit F2 is referred to and it is determined whether or not the vehicle is traveling on the path according to the presence / absence of path path link information associated with the path path link position information that matches or approximates the current position information. (S60).
On the other hand, when the guidance route travel determination unit 13 determines that the vehicle has not deviated from the recommended travel route (N), the normal route guidance is continued as it is, and the re-route guidance operation in the device 10 ends. .

Further, when the exit path travel determination unit 14 determines that the vehicle is traveling on the exit path (Y), the exit path specifying unit 15 continues to associate with the exit path link information with reference to the exit path information storage unit F2. The loop-through information being specified is specified (S70).
That is, as shown in FIG. 7, the vehicle that has started from the departure point S travels on the link L1 that is the recommended travel route obtained by the route search process, and then, as indicated by the symbol M, the travel route is set at the node N1. When intentionally changed to the link L11, the exit path travel determination unit 14 determines that the link L11 is traveling from the exit path link position information that matches or approximates the current position information, and further, the exit path link information of the link L11. The exit path B1 is identified.

On the other hand, when the exit path travel determination unit 14 determines that the vehicle is not traveling on the exit path (N), a normal search process is performed so that the current position that has deviated as it is returns to the original recommended travel path. The reroute guidance operation in the present apparatus 10 is completed.
Next, when the escape route identifying unit 15 identifies the exit route information on which the vehicle is traveling, the reroute search information generating unit 18 continues the reroute search process of the moving route in consideration of the exit route information identified by the escape route identifying unit 15. The re-route search condition information for prompting is generated (S80).

Further, the reroute search condition information is transmitted to the route search unit 11, and the route search unit 11 calculates the travel route again based on the reroute search condition information generated by the reroute search information generation unit 18 (S90). ).
Then, the route guidance unit 19 resumes the route guidance based on the escape route consideration travel route information recalculated in the route search unit 11 (S100).
Thereafter, until the route guidance is completed, the own vehicle position information receiving unit 12 acquires again the own vehicle position information which is the current position information of the vehicle (S40), and the subsequent operations are repeated.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when the departure from the recommended travel route is detected during route guidance, and the position is on the escape route, it is assumed that the user is going through the escape route, and the escape route is given priority. Provide route guidance. That is, when a departure from a route is made, the route is recalculated in the escape route priority mode based on the user's intention, and route guidance using the escape information desired by the user is provided. Thereby, instead of route guidance based on the recommended travel route such as the link L1 to the link L7, route guidance based on the exit route considering travel route such as the link L1, the exit route B1, and the link L7 is performed.

  Therefore, when the user intentionally deviates from the escape route, the route using the escape route can be provided to the user without touching the route guidance information output device such as a car navigation system. Moreover, no means for acquiring traffic jam information such as VICS is required to guide the escape route.

<Second Embodiment>
In the present invention, it is also possible to perform a travel route search process using as many passages as possible. That is, it differs from the above-described first embodiment in that a plurality of loophole information is specified.
In other embodiments described below, the description will focus on parts that are different from the first embodiment described above. Therefore, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted. Unless otherwise specified, the same components are assumed to be the same.

In the present embodiment, the apparatus 10 further includes an orientation information receiving unit 16 and a connection loophole specifying unit 17.
Further, the exit route information storage unit F2 associates with the exit route link information, and specifies the first route information of the exit route that specifies the node indicating one end point of the exit route, and the node that indicates the other end point of the exit route. The second route information of the escape route to be stored is further stored.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of information stored in the loophole information storage unit F2.
For example, in the escape route information management file shown in FIG. 5, the exit route information (the exit ID), the exit route first node information (node ID), and the exit route second node information (node ID) are associated with each other. Indicates that the file is configured.
Therefore, node information (node ID) indicating the end point of this way is known from the way information (passage ID) during traveling by this way information management file, and a continuous way is known from this node information (node ID).

The azimuth information receiving unit 16 performs a process of receiving azimuth information that specifies the traveling direction of the vehicle.
The direction information receiving unit 16 transmits the received direction information to the connection loop identifying unit 17.

The connection loop path specifying unit 17 refers to the loop path information storage unit F2 based on the loop path information specified by the loop path specifying unit 15 and the azimuth information received by the azimuth information receiving unit 16 , and indicates the traveling direction side end point in the loop path. A process of identifying the node as the second route information of the exit route is performed. Subsequently, the connection loop-out identifying unit 17 refers to the loop-out path information storage unit F2, determines the presence / absence of loop-out information in which the same information as the loop-out path second node information is stored as the loop-out path first node information. When it is determined that exists, the loophole information is specified as the connection loophole information. Further, the connection loop path specifying unit 17 refers to the loop path information storage unit F2 according to the specification of the connection loop path information, and uses the same information as the loop path second node information in the connection loop path information as the loop path first node information. The presence / absence of the loop-out information stored as is repeatedly determined, and when it is determined that the loop-out information exists, processing for specifying the loop-out information as connection loop-out information is performed.
The connection loop-out specifying unit 17 transmits the specified connection loop-out information to the reroute search information generating unit 18.

Further, in the present embodiment, the reroute search information generation unit 18 performs a reroute search process of the moving route in consideration of all the connection route information identified by the connection route identification unit 17 together with the route information specified by the route identification unit 15. Has a function of generating reroute search condition information.
The reroute search information generation unit 18 transmits the generated reroute search condition information to the route search unit 11. This reroute search condition information includes consideration of loophole information and connection loophole information.

Thus, the route search unit 11 performs the processing for travel route search again based on the generated re-route search condition information by re-route search information generating unit 18.

Hereinafter, an example of another operation of the route guidance process in the present apparatus 10 that implements the route guidance method executed by the present apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating another example of the route guidance process in the apparatus 10.
First, a destination is set in the route guidance information output device 1, the route search unit 11 calculates a recommended travel route for guiding to the destination, and the route guidance is based on the recommended travel route information calculated by the route guide unit 19. To start.

Here, the recommended travel route information and the exit route information existing in association with the recommended travel route can be shown in FIG. 9, for example.
FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing another example of the case where the route guidance device according to the present invention performs the movement route search process again in consideration of the escape route.
In FIG. 9, the starting point where the route search is performed is indicated by symbol S, and the destination is indicated by symbol G.
In addition, in FIG. 9, each of the roads (links) constituting the recommended travel route obtained by the route search processing is guide route link information such as link L1, link L2, link L3, link L4, link L5, link L6, and link L7. The end point (node) of each link is indicated by guide route link information such as node N1, node N2, node N3, node N4, node N5, and node N6.

  Further, in FIG. 9, each road (link) constituting the loop-out path is link path information such as link L11, link L12, link L13, link L14, link L15, link L16, link L17, link L18, link L19, link L20. The end points (nodes) of this loop-off are indicated by loop-path route node information such as the node N1, the node N11, the node N12, and the node N6. That is, the two roads (links) of the link L11 and the link L12 are connected to form the exit path B1, and the exit path first node information in the exit path B1 is N1, and the exit path second node information is N11. It is shown. Further, four roads (links) from link L13 to link L16 are connected to form a loop-off path B2, and the loop-path first node information in this loop-off path B2 is N11, and the loop-path second node information is N12. It is shown. Further, four roads (links) from the link L17 to the link L20 are connected to form a loop-off path B3. The loop-path first node information in the loop-off path B3 is N12, and the loop-path second node information is N6. It is shown.

Under such circumstances, when the vehicle starts from the departure place S, in the present device 10, the own vehicle position information receiving unit 12 receives the own vehicle position information, which is the current position information of the vehicle, from the own vehicle position measuring device 20. And the guidance route travel determination unit 13 determines whether or not the recommended travel route deviates.
As a result, when the guidance route travel determination unit 13 determines that the vehicle has deviated from the recommended travel route (Y), it continues to determine whether the exit route travel determination unit 14 is traveling on the exit route, and the vehicle If it is determined that the vehicle is traveling on the escape route, the process until the escape route specifying unit 15 specifies the escape route information (S70) is the same as that in the first embodiment described above.

That is, as shown in FIG. 9, the vehicle that has started from the departure point S travels on the link L1, which is the recommended travel route obtained by the route search process, and then, as indicated by the symbol M, the travel route is set at the node N1. When intentionally changed to the link L11, the exit path travel determination unit 14 determines that the link L11 is traveling from the exit path link position information that matches or approximates the current position information, and further, the exit path link information of the link L11. The exit path B1 can be identified.
On the other hand, when the exit path travel determination unit 14 determines that the vehicle is not traveling on the exit path (N), a normal search process is performed so that the current position that has deviated as it is returns to the original recommended travel path. The reroute guidance operation in the present apparatus 10 is completed.

Next, the azimuth information receiving unit 16 acquires azimuth information for specifying the traveling direction of the vehicle from the own vehicle position measuring device 20 (S71).
Subsequently, based on the path information identified by the path path identifying unit 15 and the heading information acquired by the rank information receiving unit 16, the connection path path identifying unit 17 refers to the path path information storage unit F2 to determine the traveling direction side end point in the path path. The indicated node is specified as the second route information of the bypass route (S72).
That is, the node N11 indicating the traveling direction end point of the exit path B1 shown in FIG. 9 is specified as exit path route second node information.

Further, the connection loop-out identifying unit 17 refers to the loop-out information storage unit F2 and determines whether there is loop-out information for storing the same information as the identified loop-out path second node information as the loop-out path first node information ( S73).
As a result, when it is determined that there is exit path information that stores the same information as the specified exit path second node information as the exit path path first node information (Y), the connection exit path specifying unit 17 continues. However, this loop-out information is specified as connection loop-out information (S74).
That is, the route B2 having the node N11 as the route node second node information of the route B1 shown in FIG. 9 as the route route first node information is specified as the connection route information.

  On the other hand, when the connection loop-out specifying unit 17 determines that there is no loop-out information storing the same information as the specified loop-out path second node information as the loop-out path first node information (N), the re-route search information generating unit continues. 18 generates reroute search condition information that prompts a reroute search process of the moving route in consideration of the exit information B1 specified by the exit specifying unit 15 (S80A).

When the connection loop-out information is specified, the connection loop-out specifying unit 17 refers to the loop-out information storage unit F2, specifies the loop-out path second node information in the connection loop-out information, and further specifies the specified loop-out path second. The determination is repeated again whether or not there is exit information storing the same information as the node information as exit route first node information (S73).
In other words, the second route path information N12 in the path B2 shown in FIG. 9 is specified, and it is further determined whether there is path information for storing this node N12 as the first path path node information.

As a result, when it is determined that there is exit path information that stores the same information as the specified exit path second node information as the exit path path first node information (Y), the connection exit path specifying unit 17 continues. However, this loop-out information is specified as connection loop-out information (S74).
In other words, the path B3 having the node N12 that is the second path node information of the path B2 shown in FIG. 9 as the path path first node information is identified as the connection path information.

  On the other hand, when the connection loop-out specifying unit 17 determines that there is no loop-out information storing the same information as the specified loop-out path second node information as the loop-out path first node information (N), the re-route search information generating unit continues. 18 generates reroute search condition information that prompts the reroute search processing of the moving route in consideration of the loopout information B1 specified by the loopback specifying unit 15 and the connection loopback information B2 (S80B).

When the connection loop-out information is specified, the connection loop-out specifying unit 17 refers to the loop-out information storage unit F2, specifies the loop-out path second node information in the connection loop-out information, and further specifies the specified loop-out path second. The determination is repeated again whether or not there is exit information storing the same information as the node information as exit route first node information (S73).
In other words, the second route path information N6 in the path B3 shown in FIG. 9 is specified, and it is further determined whether there is path information for storing this node N6 as the first path path node information.

As a result, when it is determined that there is exit path information that stores the same information as the specified exit path second node information as the exit path path first node information (Y), the connection exit path specifying unit 17 continues. However, this loop-out information is specified as connection loop-out information (S74).
In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, since there is no connection loop information connected to the loop path B3, the operation for specifying the connection loop information ends.
Then, when the connection loop-out identifying unit 17 determines that there is no loop-out information storing the same information as the identified loop-out path second node information as the loop-out path first node information (N), the re-route search information generating unit continues. 18 generates reroute search condition information that prompts the reroute search processing of the moving route in consideration of the loopout information B1 specified by the loopout specifying unit 15 and the connection loophole information B2 and B3 (S80B).

Further, the reroute search condition information is transmitted to the route search unit 11, and the route search unit 11 calculates the travel route again based on the reroute search condition information generated by the reroute search information generation unit 18 (S90). To do.
Thereafter, as in the first embodiment described above, the route guidance unit 19 resumes route guidance based on the escape route consideration movement route information recalculated in the route search unit 11, and until the route guidance is completed. The own vehicle position information receiving unit 12 acquires the own vehicle position information, which is the current position information of the vehicle, and repeats the subsequent operations.

  As described above, in this embodiment, since it is possible to perform a search process for a moving route using as many loopholes as possible, it is possible to efficiently provide route guidance using loopway information desired by the user. it can. Thereby, instead of the route guidance based on the recommended travel routes such as the links L1 to L7, the route guidance based on the exit route considering travel routes such as the link L1, the exit route B1, the exit route B2, the exit route B3, and the link L7 is performed.

In addition, when the user has a continuous way out, when the use of the way out is stopped on the way, by deviating from the way out route, according to the result of the determination in the guidance route traveling determination unit 13 and the way out route traveling determination unit 14, The route search unit 11 may perform a normal search process that returns to the original recommended travel route using the deviated current position as a departure point. For example, in FIG. 7, after traveling on the exit path B1 and deviating to the link L11 without using the exit path B2, route guidance such as the link L1, the exit path B1, the link L11, the link L5, the link L6, and the link L7 is performed. Will be. Further, in FIG. 9 , after traveling through the exit path B1 and the exit path B2, when the vehicle departs to the link L22 without using the exit path B3, the route such as the link L1, the exit path B1, the exit path B2, the link L22, the link L6, and the link L7. Guidance will be performed.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is industrially useful in an industry that handles devices that provide vehicle route guidance, and is also useful in the electrical appliance market such as a car navigation device that can display an electronic map.

It is the schematic which shows an example of the route guidance system using the route guidance device concerning the present invention. It is the schematic which shows the route guidance information output device implement | achieved by using the route guidance system using the route guidance apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a block block diagram which shows an example of embodiment of the route guidance apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is an example which shows the structure of the guidance route information management file memorize | stored in the memory | storage part with which the route guidance apparatus which concerns on this invention is provided. It is an example which shows the structure of the loophole information management file memorize | stored in the memory | storage part with which the route guidance apparatus which concerns on this invention is provided. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the route guidance process in the route guidance apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example when the route guidance apparatus which concerns on this invention performs the search process of a moving route again in consideration of a loophole. It is a flowchart which shows another example of the route guidance process in the route guidance apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows another example in case the route guidance apparatus which concerns on this invention performs the search process of a moving route again in consideration of a loophole.

Explanation of symbols

  C control unit, F1 guidance route information storage unit (first storage unit), F2 exit route information storage unit (second storage unit), 10 route guidance device, 11 route search unit, 12 own vehicle position information reception unit, 13 guidance route Travel determination unit, 14 Pathway travel determination unit, 15 Pathway identification unit, 16 Direction information reception unit, 17 Connection pathway information specification unit, 18 Reroute search information generation unit, 19 Route guidance unit, 20 Own vehicle position measurement device, 30 Output device.

Claims (6)

A route guidance device that includes route search means, and performs a route search process again when the travel route of the vehicle deviates from the recommended route determined by the route search process,
Guidance route link information for specifying a link indicating each road constituting the recommended travel route obtained by the route search means and its position information (hereinafter referred to as “guidance route link position information”) are stored in association with each other. First storage means;
The exit path information for specifying the exit path, the exit path link information for specifying the link indicating the exit path, and the position information thereof (hereinafter referred to as “exit path link position information”) are stored in association with each other. In association with the link information, first path information of a path indicating a node indicating one end point of the loop path and second path information of a path path specifying a node indicating the other end point of the loop path are further stored. a second storage means for,
Own vehicle position information receiving means for receiving the current position information of the vehicle;
According to the movement of the vehicle, the first storage means is referred to based on the current position information received by the own vehicle position information receiving means, and is associated with guide route link position information that matches or approximates the current position information. Guidance route travel determination means for determining whether or not the departure from the recommended travel route according to the presence or absence of guidance route link information;
When the guidance route travel determination means determines that the vehicle deviates from the recommended travel route, the second storage means is referred to based on the current position information, and the exit path link position information that matches or approximates the current position information Exit path travel determination means for determining whether the vehicle is traveling on the exit path according to the presence or absence of the exit path link information associated with
When it is determined that the exit path travel determination means is traveling on the exit path, the exit path specifying means for identifying the exit path information associated with the exit path link information with reference to the second storage means;
Azimuth information receiving means for receiving azimuth information for specifying the traveling direction of the vehicle;
Based on the path information specified by the loop path specifying means and the direction information received by the direction information receiving means, the second storage means is referred to, and a node indicating the traveling direction side end point in the loop path is defined as the path path second node. If it is specified as information, and subsequently refers to the second storage means, the presence / absence of exit information storing the same information as the exit route second node information as exit route first node information is determined. When the determination is made, the loop information is specified as connection loop information, and the second storage means is referred to according to the specification of the connection loop information, and the same information as the loop path second node information in the connection loop information Is repeatedly determined whether or not there is exit information stored as first route information of the exit route, and it is determined that the exit information exists. Can, a connection loopholes specifying means for specifying the loopholes information as connection loophole information,
With
The route search means performs a route search process for searching for a movement route that uses all connection route information specified by the connection route identification means.
A route guidance device characterized by that. The route search means has determined that the connection loop-out identifying means has no loop-out information for storing the same information as the second-path information in the loop-out route information or the connection loop-out route information as the loop-out route first node information. In response, a route search process for searching for a travel route using the loophole information and all the connection loophole information specified after the loophole information is specified is performed.
The route guidance device according to claim 1. A guide route link information for specifying a link indicating each road constituting the recommended travel route obtained by the route search process and its position information (hereinafter referred to as “guide route link position information”) are stored in association with each other. 1 storage means, exit path information for specifying each exit path, exit path link information for specifying a link indicating the exit path, and position information thereof (hereinafter referred to as “exit path link position information”) are associated with each other. Stored and associated with the exit path route link information, the exit path first node information for specifying the node indicating one end point of the exit path, and the exit path second node information for specifying the node indicating the other end point of the exit path. When, further comprising a second storage means for storing the the, the navigation system having a route searching means, said route search processing A route guidance method travel route of the vehicle from the recommended travel route found is to perform the search processing again moving path when a departure I,
A first step of receiving current position information of the vehicle in the route guidance device;
In the route guidance device, according to the movement of the vehicle, the first storage means is referred to based on the current location information received in the first step, and the guidance route link location information that matches or approximates the current location information. A second step of determining whether there is a departure from the recommended travel route according to the presence or absence of the associated guide route link information;
In the route guidance device, when it is determined in the second step that the vehicle deviates from the recommended travel route, the second storage means is referred to based on the current position information, and a path that matches or approximates the current position information A third step of determining whether or not the vehicle is traveling on a path according to the presence or absence of the path path link information associated with the path link position information;
In the route guidance device, when it is determined in the third step that the vehicle is traveling on an escape route, the route guidance device further specifies exit route information associated with the escape route link information with reference to the second storage means. 4 steps,
In the route guidance device, a fifth step of receiving azimuth information specifying the traveling direction of the vehicle;
In the route guidance device, referring to the second storage means based on the loop-out information specified in the fourth step and the azimuth information received in the fifth step, a node indicating a traveling direction side end point in the loop-out route Specifying the second route information as the second route information, and then referring to the second storage means to determine whether or not there is the second route information storing the same information as the second route information as the second route information, When it is determined that there is loop-out information, the loop-out information is specified as connection loop-out information, and further, the second storage means is referred to according to the specification of the connection loop-out information, and the loop-out path second in the connection loop-out information The same information as the node information is repeatedly stored as loop path first node information, and the presence or absence of loop path information is repeatedly determined. When it is determined to be present, and a sixth step of specifying the loopholes information as connection loophole information,
In the route guidance device, a seventh step of performing a route search process for searching for a travel route that uses all connection loop-out information specified in the sixth step ;
A route guidance method comprising: Before Symbol seventh step, in the sixth step, loopholes information storing same information as the second node information in the loophole path information or the connection loophole path information as the loophole path first node information is determined not to exist Accordingly, a route search process is performed for searching for a moving route that uses the loophole information and all the connection loophole information that has been specified after the loophole information is specified.
The route guidance method according to claim 3 , wherein: A guide route link information for specifying a link indicating each road constituting the recommended travel route obtained by the route search process and its position information (hereinafter referred to as “guide route link position information”) are stored in association with each other. 1 storage means, exit path information for specifying each exit path, exit path link information for specifying a link indicating the exit path, and position information thereof (hereinafter referred to as “exit path link position information”) are associated with each other. Stored and associated with the exit path route link information, the exit path first node information for specifying the node indicating one end point of the exit path, and the exit path second node information for specifying the node indicating the other end point of the exit path. If further second memory means for storing comprises a run from the recommended travel route found by the route search processing of the vehicle The computer for executing the re-performing the processing for travel route search when the route deviates,
Means for receiving current position information of the vehicle;
According to the movement of the vehicle, referring to the first storage means based on the received current position information, and depending on the presence / absence of guide route link information associated with guide route link position information that matches or approximates the current position information Means for determining whether or not deviating from the recommended travel route;
When it is determined that the vehicle has deviated from the recommended travel route, the second storage means is referred to based on the current position information, and the exit route link associated with the exit route link position information that matches or approximates the current position information Means for determining whether or not the vehicle is traveling on a path according to the presence or absence of information;
Means for identifying exit information associated with the exit route link information with reference to the second storage means when it is determined that the vehicle is traveling on the exit route;
Means for receiving azimuth information for specifying the traveling direction of the vehicle;
The second storage means is referred to based on the specified loop-out information and the received azimuth information, the node indicating the traveling direction side end point in the loop-out path is specified as loop-path second node information, and the second With reference to the storage means, it is determined whether or not there is exit information that stores the same information as the exit route second node information as exit route first node information, and when it is determined that the exit information exists, the exit information is connected to the connection exit route. It is specified as information, and further, the second storage means is referred to according to the specification of the connection path information, and the same information as the path path second node information in the connection path information is stored as the path path first node information. The presence / absence of loophole information is repeatedly determined, and when it is determined that the loophole information exists, the loophole information is referred to as connection loophole information. It means for identifying Te,
Means for performing a route search process for searching for a moving route using all identified connection loop information ;
A computer program that functions as a computer program. In the computer,
In the means for specifying the loop-out information as a connection loop- through, it is determined that there is no loop-out information for storing the same information as the second-path information in the loop-out path information or the connection loop-out path information as the loop-out path first node information. A means for performing a route search process for searching for a travel route that uses the loophole information and all connection loophole information that has been identified after the loophole information is identified;
The computer program according to claim 5, further causing the computer program to function.

Images