JP5045681B2 - Facility guidance device, facility guidance method, and computer program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a facility guidance apparatus, a facility guidance method, and a computer program for guiding a facility located on a map.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a navigation device is often mounted on a vehicle that provides vehicle travel guidance so that a driver can easily arrive at a desired destination. Here, the navigation device detects the current position of the vehicle by a GPS receiver or the like, acquires map data corresponding to the current position through a recording medium such as a DVD-ROM or HDD or a network, and displays it on a liquid crystal monitor. It is a device that can do. Furthermore, in such a navigation apparatus, point information (POI: Point of Interest) such as the type and position of a facility or the like around the current position of the vehicle is also guided. Then, the user sets a destination or a waypoint based on the guided POI, or confirms a point around the vehicle position.

  Here, when guiding facility information related to a facility, in particular, the POI is searched for a facility that meets the user's desired condition based on the current position information of the vehicle and the search condition input by the user, and the condition is met. It is common to provide information about facilities. For example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-185455 (Patent Document 1), a facility of a type designated by a user (that is, a genre of a facility, such as Japanese food, a gas station, a convenience store, etc.) It describes a technique for searching and guiding the found facility and setting it as a waypoint of the guide route to the destination.

JP 2003-185455 A (pages 4 to 6, FIGS. 7 to 9)

  Here, when performing facility guidance as in the technique described in Patent Document 1 described above, a database or the like in which POIs are generally stored is searched, and POIs related to facilities that meet the search conditions are selected. The facility name, location, route to the facility, etc. that meet the search condition are guided based on the acquired POI. Here, as the POI, for example, information on the genre of the facility and the position of the facility is stored. Therefore, when the genre and the search range are specified by the user, the specified genre is within the specified search range. All facilities that fall under were guided as facilities that meet the search criteria.

  However, there are cases where there is no facility that meets the search condition within the designated search range, and there are cases where the facility desired by the user does not exist even if it exists. In that case, the user has to execute a search operation repeatedly until the facility that meets the user's desired conditions is searched by expanding the search range or changing the search genre.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described conventional problems, and obtains a preset evaluation index for each facility located on the map for each facility, while using the reference range as a basic search range. By searching for facilities located outside the reference range using the evaluation index, it is possible to efficiently search and guide facilities that meet the conditions desired by the user without performing multiple search operations. It is an object of the present invention to provide a facility guidance apparatus, a facility guidance method, and a computer program that are made possible.

In order to achieve the object, the facility guidance apparatus (1) according to claim 1 of the present application includes an evaluation index acquisition means (13) for acquiring an evaluation index of a facility located on a map for each facility, and a position on the map. A first facility search means (13) for searching for a facility located within a reference range (61) that is within a predetermined distance from the search point , regardless of the evaluation index of the facility, on the map Among the located facilities, a second facility search means (13) for searching for a facility located outside the reference range and having an evaluation index higher than a reference value; the facility searched by the first facility search means ; and the second And facility guide means (13) for guiding the facility searched by the facility search means so that it can be distinguished and identified .
Here, the “evaluation index” is a value that serves as an evaluation standard for evaluating the service of the facility, ease of use, atmosphere, taste of the food and drink provided, and the higher the evaluation, the evaluation index of the facility Becomes higher.

  Moreover, the facility guidance device (1) according to claim 2 is the facility guidance device according to claim 1, wherein the reference value is set based on an evaluation index of a facility located within the reference range (61). It has a value setting means (13).

  Further, the facility guidance device (1) according to claim 3 is the facility guidance device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the facility type selection means (13) for selecting the type of facility and the first facility search The means (13) and the second facility search means (13) search for the facility of the type selected by the facility type selection means.

  Further, the facility guidance device (1) according to claim 4 is the facility guidance device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the facility guidance unit is configured to select a facility having a high evaluation index and a facility having a low evaluation index. It is characterized by giving priority to guidance.

Further, the facility guidance device (1) according to claim 5 is the facility guidance device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a concentric wide-range reference range (outside of the reference range (61)). 62-65) are arranged, and has a wide area reference range number setting means (13) for setting the number of the wide area reference ranges based on the density of the facilities in the reference area, and the second facility search means (13) Is characterized in that a facility having a higher evaluation index is searched in the wide area reference range outside the wide area reference range located inside.
Further, the facility guidance device (1) according to claim 6 is the facility guidance device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the facility guidance means is a facility searched by the first facility search means. And the facility retrieved by the second facility retrieval means together with an evaluation index of the facility.

Further, the facility guidance method according to claim 7 includes an evaluation index acquisition step of acquiring for each facility an evaluation index of the facility located on the map, and within a predetermined distance from the search point among the facilities located on the map . A first facility search step of searching for a facility located within the reference range (61), which is a range, regardless of the evaluation index of the facility, and out of the facilities located on the map and being evaluated outside the reference range Guidance so that the second facility searching step for searching for a facility whose index is higher than the reference value, the facility searched for by the first facility searching step , and the facility searched by the second facility searching step can be identified separately. And a facility guidance step.

Further, a computer program according to claim 8, the computer, the metrics of the facility located on a map and evaluation index obtaining function for obtaining for each facility, among facilities located on the map, the predetermined distance from the search point A first facility search function for searching for facilities located within the reference range (61) that is within the range, regardless of the evaluation index of the facility, and out of the reference range among the facilities located on the map In addition, the second facility search function for searching for a facility whose evaluation index is higher than the reference value, and the facility searched for by the first facility search function and the facility searched for by the second facility search function can be distinguished. And a facility guidance function for guiding to the facility.

  According to the facility guidance apparatus according to claim 1, having the above-described configuration, a predetermined evaluation index of a facility located on a map is acquired for each facility, and the reference range is set as a basic search range. By searching for facilities located outside the range using the evaluation index, it is possible to efficiently search and guide facilities that meet the conditions desired by the user without performing multiple search operations. Become.

  In addition, according to the facility guidance device according to claim 2, for example, a facility with a low evaluation index is searched for within the reference range, and a reference set based on the evaluation index of the facility within the reference range is outside the reference range. Since only facilities having an evaluation index higher than the value can be searched, it is possible to search for an efficient facility considering the balance between the facility layout and the evaluation index. As a result, the user can select a facility as a destination.

  In addition, according to the facility guidance apparatus described in claim 3, it is possible to perform a search for the facilities belonging to the selected type in consideration of the evaluation index inside and outside the reference range. Accordingly, it is possible to efficiently search and guide a facility that meets the conditions desired by the user from among a large number of facilities.

  In addition, according to the facility guidance apparatus according to claim 4, since the facility having a high evaluation index is guided with priority over the facility having a low evaluation index, the selection criterion is selected when the user selects the facility as the destination. It is possible to provide the user with information on the facility that is easy to understand.

In addition, according to the facility guidance device of the fifth aspect, the number of wide-area reference ranges changes stepwise according to the density of facilities in the reference range. It becomes possible to adjust to the number. For example, when a search is performed in an area where facilities are densely populated, the number of facilities to be guided thereafter can be limited by narrowing the search condition. Further, when a search is performed in an area where facilities are sparse, the number of facilities to be guided thereafter can be increased by loosening the search conditions.
Moreover, according to the facility guidance apparatus of Claim 6, it becomes possible to guide the facility suitable for the conditions which a user desires with an evaluation index.

In addition, according to the facility guidance method according to claim 7 , a preset evaluation index of a facility located on the map is acquired for each facility, and the basic search range is set within the reference range, but the reference range is not included. By searching for facilities located at the location using the evaluation index, it is possible to efficiently search and guide facilities suitable for the conditions desired by the user without performing a plurality of search operations.

In addition, according to the computer program of the eighth aspect , a preset evaluation index of a facility located on the map is acquired for each facility, and the reference range is set as a basic search range but out of the reference range. By making the computer search for the facility located using the evaluation index, it becomes possible to efficiently search and guide the facility that meets the user's desired conditions without performing a plurality of search operations. .

It is the block diagram which showed the navigation apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is the figure which showed an example of the point memorize | stored as POI. It is a flowchart of the facility guidance processing program according to the present embodiment. It is a flowchart of the facility guidance processing program according to the present embodiment. It is the figure which showed the genre selection screen displayed on a liquid crystal display. It is the figure which showed the correspondence of the facility density in a reference | standard range, a reference | standard range, and a wide area | region reference | standard range. It is the figure which showed the correspondence of the facility density in a reference | standard range, a reference | standard range, and a wide area | region reference | standard range. It is the figure which showed the POI guidance screen displayed on a liquid crystal display.

  DETAILED DESCRIPTION Hereinafter, a facility guidance apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings based on an embodiment in which the navigation apparatus is embodied. First, a schematic configuration of the navigation device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a navigation device 1 according to this embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the navigation apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is based on a current position detection unit 11 that detects a current position of a vehicle, a data recording unit 12 that records various data, and input information. A navigation ECU (evaluation index acquisition means, first facility search means, second facility search means, facility guidance means, reference value setting means, facility type selection means, wide area reference range setting means) 13 for performing various arithmetic processes; , An operation unit 14 that receives an operation from the user, a liquid crystal display 15 that displays various information related to a map, POI guidance, and the like to the user, a speaker 16 that outputs voice guidance related to route guidance, and a storage that stores a program A DVD drive 17 for reading a medium DVD, and an information center such as a traffic information center, facility information providing center, and probe center A communication module 18 for communicating with, and a. The POI refers to digital content data linked with location information such as facility information and spot information.

Below, each component which comprises the navigation apparatus 1 is demonstrated in order.
The current position detection unit 11 includes a GPS 21, a geomagnetic sensor 22, a vehicle speed sensor 23, a steering sensor 24, a gyro sensor 25, an altimeter (not shown), and the like, and detects a current vehicle position, direction, vehicle traveling speed, and the like. It is possible to do. Here, in particular, the vehicle speed sensor 23 is a sensor for detecting a moving distance and a vehicle speed of the vehicle, generates a pulse according to the rotation of the wheel of the vehicle, and outputs a pulse signal to the navigation ECU 13. And navigation ECU13 calculates the rotational speed and moving distance of a wheel by counting the pulse which generate | occur | produces. Note that the navigation device 1 does not have to include all of the above five types of sensors, and the navigation device 1 may include only one or more of these types of sensors.

  The data recording unit 12 is also a hard disk (not shown) as an external storage device and a recording medium, and a driver for reading the map information DB 31 and a predetermined program recorded on the hard disk and writing predetermined data on the hard disk And a recording head (not shown).

Here, the map information DB 31 stores various map data necessary for route guidance, traffic information guidance, and map display.
Specifically, the map data searches for link data 32 relating to road (link) shape, node data 33 relating to node points, POI data 34 which is information relating to points such as facilities, intersection data relating to each intersection, and routes. Search data, search data for searching points, maps, roads, image information such as traffic information, and image drawing data for drawing on the liquid crystal display 15.

Here, as the POI data 34, information related to points such as a departure point, a destination, and a passing point in the navigation device 1 is stored. For example, accommodation facilities such as hotels and inns, refueling facilities such as gas stations, commercial facilities such as shopping malls, supermarkets, shopping centers, entertainment facilities such as theme parks and game centers, dining facilities such as restaurants, bars and taverns, and public facilities Parking facilities such as parking lots, transportation facilities, religious facilities such as temples and churches, public facilities such as museums and museums, historic sites, tourist spots, viewpoints (scenic spots), open spaces, intersections, public buildings Information on points such as monuments.
The POI data 34 includes, for each point, a POI number that is an identifier of the point, a POI name that indicates the name of the point, a type of the point (a genre in terms of facilities, such as “parking lot”, “post office”, “restaurant” , Etc.), a POI coordinate indicating the coordinates of a point, and the like. Note that, among the types of locations, there are a high-level genre and a low-level genre, particularly in the type of facility. The high-level genre is a high-level genre such as “meal”, “store”, “car”, “accommodation”, “play”, “public”, “transport”, “culture”, “others”, etc. . On the other hand, the lower genre is a genre in the lower concept of the upper genre. For example, the lower genre of “meal” includes “restaurant”, “ramen”, “Japanese food”, “Western food”, “Chinese food” and the like. .

  Furthermore, the POI data 34 relating to the facility of the present embodiment also includes information related to the evaluation index for evaluating the facility. Here, the evaluation index is acquired from a facility information providing center, a probe center, or the like as will be described later, and becomes an evaluation standard for evaluating the service, ease of use, atmosphere, taste of provided food, etc. Value. Specifically, the facility information providing center and probe center totaled and averaged the evaluation points (“1 (low)” to “5 (high)”) from each user who used the facility. Average value. Therefore, the evaluation index “1” has the lowest evaluation and “5” has the highest evaluation.

Here, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of information relating to the facility among the information relating to the points stored as the POI data 34.
For example, in the example of the POI data 34 shown in FIG. 2, it is shown that the OO ramen (evaluation index “4.2”) corresponding to the POI number “10001” is installed at the point of the coordinates (x1, y1). Show. Further, it is indicated that a parking lot (evaluation index “3.3”) corresponding to the POI number “10002” is installed at the point of coordinates (x2, y2). Similarly, information on other facilities is also stored.

  When the navigation device 1 searches for a spot, the POI data 34 is used to search for a spot located around a predetermined search spot (for example, the current position of the vehicle) (when a type is specified). Only the point corresponding to the designated type) is searched, and the POI relating to the point matching the search condition is acquired from the map information DB 31. Then, a landmark is displayed for the corresponding position of the map image displayed on the liquid crystal display 15 or a list of spot names and evaluation indices that match the search condition is displayed to the user. I will guide you. Furthermore, in this embodiment, as will be described later, a range within a predetermined distance (for example, within a radius of 10 km) from the search point (for example, the current position of the vehicle) is defined as a reference range. In particular, when searching for a facility as a point, a facility located within the reference range is searched regardless of the evaluation index of the facility, and a facility whose evaluation index is higher than the reference value for facilities located outside the reference range Search only. The reference value is the evaluation index of the facility having the highest evaluation index among the facilities that meet the search condition within the reference range.

  On the other hand, a navigation ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 13 is arranged around a search point (for example, the current position of the vehicle), a guide route setting process for setting a guide route from the current position to the destination when a destination is selected. The electronic control unit performs overall control of the navigation apparatus 1 such as POI guidance processing for searching for a certain point and guiding a point that meets the search condition based on the search result. The CPU 41 as an arithmetic device and a control device, the RAM 41 used as a working memory when the CPU 41 performs various arithmetic processes, a RAM 42 for storing route data when a route is searched, and a control program In addition, an internal storage device such as a ROM 43 in which a facility guidance processing program (see FIGS. 3 and 4) and the like are recorded, and a flash memory 44 in which a program read from the ROM 43 is stored is provided.

  The operation unit 14 is operated when inputting a departure point as a travel start point and a destination as a travel end point, and includes a plurality of operation switches (not shown) such as various keys and buttons. Then, the navigation ECU 13 performs control to execute various corresponding operations based on switch signals output by pressing the switches. In addition, it can also be comprised by the touchscreen provided in the front surface of the liquid crystal display 15.

  The liquid crystal display 15 includes a map image including a road, traffic information, operation guidance, operation menu, key guidance, guidance route from the departure point to the destination, guidance information along the guidance route, news, weather forecast, Time, mail, TV program, etc. are displayed. In addition, when a location search is performed, a landmark is displayed for the corresponding position of the map image displayed on the liquid crystal display 15, or a list of location names and evaluation indices that match the search conditions is displayed. indicate.

  The speaker 16 outputs voice guidance for guiding traveling along the guidance route based on an instruction from the navigation ECU 13 and traffic information guidance.

  The DVD drive 17 is a drive that can read data recorded on a recording medium such as a DVD or a CD. Then, the map information DB 31 is updated based on the read data.

In addition, the communication module 18 is traffic information composed of information such as traffic jam information, regulation information, and traffic accident information transmitted from a traffic information center such as a VICS (registered trademark: Vehicle Information and Communication System) center or a probe center. For example, a mobile phone or DCM.
Further, in the present embodiment, the communication module 18 periodically receives POI data 34 relating to the facility evaluation index from the facility information providing center or the probe center. Then, the map information DB 31 is updated based on the POI data 34 received from the facility information providing center or the probe center.

  Next, the facility guidance processing program executed by the CPU 41 in the navigation device 1 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 are flowcharts of the facility guidance processing program according to the present embodiment. Here, the facility guidance processing program is executed when a predetermined operation of the user is received in the operation unit 14, and searches for a facility as a point around the search point (for example, the current position of the vehicle), and based on the search result. It is a program that guides facilities that meet the search conditions. 3 and 4 are stored in the RAM 42 and the ROM 43 provided in the navigation device 1 and executed by the CPU 41.

  First, in step (hereinafter abbreviated as S) 1 in the facility guidance processing program, the CPU 41 displays a genre selection screen on the liquid crystal display 15. Then, on the genre selection screen displayed on the liquid crystal display 15, the user selects the genre (type) of the facility to be searched. In this embodiment, the genre of the facility can be selected only from the lower genre among the upper genre and the lower genre.

Here, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a genre selection screen 51 displayed on the liquid crystal display 15. As shown in FIG. 5, the genre selection screen 51 displays a list 52 of lower genres that can be selected by the user. When the genre name displayed on the lower genre list 52 is selected by the user, the CPU 41 selects the genre of the selected genre name as the genre of the facility to be searched.
Also, on the left side of the genre list 52, a genre name 53 of a higher genre corresponding to the currently displayed lower genre is displayed.
Further, various scroll buttons 54 are arranged on the left side of the genre name 53 of the upper genre. When the user operates the scroll button 54, the CPU 41 changes the genre name displayed in the genre list 52 to another genre name according to the operation content.
Further, an upper genre selection button 55 is arranged on the right side of the genre list. When one of the upper genre selection buttons 55 is selected by the user, the CPU 41 corresponds to the selected upper genre selection button 55 (for example, “car” when a car button is operated). The lower genres classified into the above are displayed in the display target area 52.
In the genre selection screen, the user can select not only one type of genre but also a plurality of types of genres at the same time.

  Next, in S <b> 2, the CPU 41 selects one or more types of genres of the facility to be searched based on the user operation received on the genre selection screen 51.

  Subsequently, in S3, the CPU 41 acquires the position coordinates of the search point. The search point is a reference point when setting a reference range or a wide range reference range, which will be described later, which is a search range for searching for facilities, and the reference range or the wide range reference range has a concentric shape centered on the search point ( (See FIGS. 6 and 7). The search point includes, for example, the current position of the vehicle and a position arbitrarily designated by the user on the map.

  Subsequently, in S4, the CPU 41 acquires the facility density around the search point where the position coordinates are acquired in S3. In this embodiment, the facility density is defined by the number of facilities in the reference range (range within a radius of 10 km from the search point).

Thereafter, in S5, the CPU 41 determines the number k of wide-area reference ranges based on the facility density of the reference ranges acquired in S4.
Here, in this embodiment, as a search range for searching for facilities, a reference range having a predetermined shape (for example, a circular shape) centered on the search point, and a predetermined shape that surrounds the reference range and is also centered on the search point ( For example, a wide area reference range having an annular shape is set. And while the reference range is always a range having a fixed size, the number and shape of the wide-area reference range set by the facility density of the reference range are different.

Here, FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 are diagrams showing the correspondence between the facility density of the reference range and the set reference range and wide-area reference range.
As shown in FIG. 6, when there are 0 to 30 facilities in the reference range, only the first wide reference range 62 is set as the wide reference range. The reference range 61 has a circular shape within a radius of 10 km with the search point as the center, and the first wide area reference range 62 has an annular shape with an inner diameter of 10 km and an outer diameter of 20 km.
Then, the CPU 41 executes a search process for searching for facilities of the same genre as the selected genre regardless of the evaluation index in the reference range 61 as described later. On the other hand, in the first wide area reference range 62, the facility having the same genre as the selected genre and the facility having the highest evaluation index among the facilities corresponding to the genre selected in the reference range 61. A search process for searching for a facility associated with an evaluation index higher than the evaluation index is executed.

As shown in FIG. 6, when there are 31 to 60 facilities in the reference range, the first wide reference range 62 and the second wide reference range 63 are set as the wide reference range. The reference range 61 has a circular shape within a radius of 10 km with the search point as the center, the first wide area reference range 62 has a circular shape with an inner diameter of 10 km and an outer diameter of 15 km, and the second wide area reference range 63 is It has an annular shape with an inner diameter of 15 km and an outer diameter of 20 km.
Then, as will be described later, the CPU 41 executes a search process for searching for a facility (first search condition) of the same genre as the selected genre regardless of the evaluation index in the reference range 61. On the other hand, in the first wide area reference range 62, the facilities that have the same genre as the selected genre and that have the highest evaluation index among the facilities that meet the first search condition in the reference range 61. A search process for searching only facilities (second search condition) associated with an evaluation index higher than the evaluation index is executed. In the second wide area reference range 63, the facilities are of the same genre as the selected genre, and the facilities that have the highest evaluation index among the facilities that meet the second search condition in the first wide area reference range 62. A search process for searching for only facilities associated with an evaluation index higher than the evaluation index is executed.

As shown in FIG. 7, when there are 61 to 90 facilities in the reference range, the first wide reference range 62, the second wide reference range 63, and the third wide reference range 64 are set as the wide reference range. Is done. The reference range 61 has a circular shape within a radius of 10 km with the search point as the center, the first wide area reference range 62 has an annular shape with an inner diameter of 10 km and an outer diameter of 13.3 km, and the second wide area reference range 63 has an annular shape with an inner diameter of 13.3 km and an outer diameter of 16.6 km, and the third wide area reference range 64 has an annular shape with an inner diameter of 16.6 km and an outer diameter of 20 km.
Then, as will be described later, the CPU 41 executes a search process for searching for a facility (first search condition) of the same genre as the selected genre regardless of the evaluation index in the reference range 61. On the other hand, the facility of the same genre as the selected genre in the first wide area reference range 62 and the facility having the highest evaluation index among the facilities that meet the above first search condition in the reference range 61. A search process for searching only facilities (second search condition) associated with an evaluation index higher than the evaluation index is executed. In the second wide area reference range 63, the facilities are of the same genre as the selected genre, and the facilities that have the highest evaluation index among the facilities that meet the second search condition in the first wide area reference range 62. A search process for searching only facilities (third search condition) associated with an evaluation index higher than the evaluation index is executed. Further, the facility having the same genre as the selected genre in the third wide area reference range 64 and the facility having the highest evaluation index among the facilities meeting the third search condition in the second wide area reference range 63. A search process for searching for only facilities associated with an evaluation index higher than the evaluation index is executed.

As shown in FIG. 7, when there are 91 or more facilities in the reference range, the first wide reference range 62, the second wide reference range 63, the third wide reference range 64, and the fourth wide reference range are used. A wide reference range 65 is set. The reference range 61 has a circular shape within a radius of 10 km with the search point as the center, the first wide area reference range 62 has an annular shape with an inner diameter of 10 km and an outer diameter of 12.5 km, and the second wide area reference range 63 has an annular shape with an inner diameter of 12.5 km and an outer diameter of 15 km, and the third wide area reference range 64 has an annular shape with an inner diameter of 15 km and an outer diameter of 17.5 km. 65 has an annular shape with an inner diameter of 17.5 km and an outer diameter of 20 km.
Then, as will be described later, the CPU 41 executes a search process for searching for a facility (first search condition) of the same genre as the selected genre regardless of the evaluation index in the reference range 61. On the other hand, the facility of the same genre as the selected genre in the first wide area reference range 62 and the facility having the highest evaluation index among the facilities that meet the above first search condition in the reference range 61. A search process for searching only facilities (second search condition) associated with an evaluation index higher than the evaluation index is executed. In the second wide area reference range 63, the facilities are of the same genre as the selected genre, and the facilities that have the highest evaluation index among the facilities that meet the second search condition in the first wide area reference range 62. A search process for searching only facilities (third search condition) associated with an evaluation index higher than the evaluation index is executed. In the third wide area reference range 64, the facilities are of the same genre as the selected genre, and the facilities having the highest evaluation index among the facilities that meet the above third search condition in the second wide area reference range 63. A search process for searching only facilities (fourth search condition) associated with an evaluation index higher than the evaluation index is executed. Further, the facility having the same genre as the selected genre in the fourth wide area reference range 65 and the facility having the highest evaluation index among the facilities meeting the fourth search condition in the third wide area reference range 64. A search process for searching for only facilities associated with an evaluation index higher than the evaluation index is executed.
As described above, in the present embodiment, the CPU 41 searches for a facility having a higher evaluation index within the wide area reference range outside the inside wide area reference range.

Subsequently, in S6, the CPU 41 uses the reference range as a search range, and executes a facility search process using a search condition that the facility is in the same genre as the selected genre regardless of the evaluation index. Specifically, the POI data of a facility that is located within the reference range from the POI data 34 (see FIG. 2) of the map information DB 31 and that is associated with the selected genre is used as POI data that meets the search condition. Extract.
Then, as a result of the search process, POI data (including the POI number, evaluation index, etc.) of the facility determined to meet the search conditions is stored in the RAM 42 or the like.

  Further, in S7, the CPU 41 reads the POI evaluation index (that is, the evaluation index of the facility located in the reference range and corresponding to the selected genre) stored in the RAM 42 in S6, and based on the read evaluation index. To set the basic reference value. Here, the basic reference value is used as the lower limit value of the evaluation index that is a search condition when searching for facilities in the wide-area reference range as will be described later. The basic reference value is the highest evaluation index among the evaluation indices of the facilities stored in the RAM 42 in S6 (that is, the facilities located in the reference range and corresponding to the selected genre).

  Subsequently, the following processing of S8 to S10 is executed for each wide-area reference range set around the reference range. Specifically, the first wide-area reference range 62 (see FIGS. 6 and 7) set adjacent to the reference range to the k-th k-th wide-area reference range set in S5 in order is a processing target. , S8 to S10 are repeatedly executed. Then, after the processing for all the set wide area reference ranges is completed, the process proceeds to S11.

  Accordingly, the CPU 41 first reads the variable n from the RAM 42 and inputs n = 1 as an initial value.

After that, in S8, the CPU 41 uses the nth wide area reference range to be processed as a search range, indicates that the facility is of the same genre as the selected genre and is associated with an evaluation index higher than the nth reference value. A facility search process is executed as a search condition. Specifically, first, POI data of a facility located in the nth wide area reference range and associated with the selected genre is extracted from the POI data 34 (see FIG. 2) of the map information DB 31. Further, an evaluation index of the extracted POI data is acquired. Then, it is determined whether there is POI data associated with an evaluation index higher than the nth reference value in the extracted POI data, and POI data associated with an evaluation index higher than the nth reference value. If there is, only that POI data is further extracted as POI data matching the search condition. The nth reference value when n = 1 is the basic reference value set in S7.
Then, as a result of the search process, POI data (including the POI number, evaluation index, etc.) of the facility determined to meet the search conditions is stored in the RAM 42 or the like.

  Next, in S9, the CPU 41 reads out the evaluation index of the facility stored in the RAM 42 in S8 (that is, the facility determined to meet the search condition within the nth wide area reference range), and based on the read evaluation index. The (n + 1) th reference value is set. Here, the (n + 1) th reference value is a value that is the lower limit of the evaluation index that is the search condition when the facility within the (n + 1) th wide area reference range to be processed next time is searched. The n + 1th reference value is the highest evaluation index among the evaluation indexes of the facilities stored in the RAM 42 in S8.

  Thereafter, in S10, the CPU 41 updates the wide area reference range that is the current processing target. Specifically, a wide area reference range that is adjacent to the outside of the wide area reference range that is currently being processed is set as a new process target. Thereafter, the processing after S8 is executed on the updated wide area reference range.

  In addition, after the processing is completed for all the set wide area reference ranges, the process proceeds to S11.

  Subsequently, in S11, the CPU 41 determines the POI data 34 of the facility stored in the RAM 42 in S6 and S8 (that is, the facility determined to meet the search condition in the search process performed on the reference range or the wide-range reference range). POI data) is read out.

  In S12, the CPU 41 displays the POI data 34 of the facility read out in S11 on the liquid crystal display 15, thereby guiding the location, name, evaluation index, etc. of the facility that meets the search condition.

Here, FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the POI guidance screen 71 displayed on the liquid crystal display 15 in S12.
As shown in FIG. 8, the POI guidance screen 71 is composed of two display areas: a left screen 72 that displays a map image around the vehicle and a right screen 73 that displays POI data 34 of a facility that meets the search conditions. The
The left screen 72 displays the own vehicle position mark 74 indicating the current position of the vehicle, the guide route line 75 drawn along the guide route on the map image, and the position of the facility determined to meet the search condition. The facility marks 76 to 79 are shown.
The right screen 73 is provided with information display spaces 81 to 84 for displaying the POI data 34 of the facility. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 8, the information display spaces 81 to 84 display the facility name, the distance from the current position of the vehicle, the business hours, and the evaluation index in the POI data 34 of the facility that matches the search condition. To do. In the information display spaces 81 to 84, the POI data 34 of the facility searched within the reference range and the POI data 34 of the facility searched within the wide-range reference range are displayed side by side in descending order of evaluation index.

For example, in the example shown in FIG. 8, when a facility search around the own vehicle position is performed with the genre “Udon / Soba”, two facilities that match the search condition are searched for at points A and B within the reference range. This shows a case where two facilities that match the search condition are searched for at point C and point D within the wide area reference range.
In this case, information related to “『 × 庵 ”having the highest evaluation index among the two facilities searched within the reference range is displayed in the information display space 81. In addition, information about “ΔΔya” having the next highest evaluation index among the two facilities searched within the reference range is displayed in the information display space 82.
On the other hand, information related to “XX bow” having the highest evaluation index among the two facilities searched within the wide area reference range is displayed in the information display space 83. In addition, information related to “XX eaves” having the next highest evaluation index among the two facilities searched within the wide area reference range is displayed in the information display space 84.
As a result, when there are a plurality of facilities that are determined to meet the search conditions in the reference range and in the wide-area reference range, they are displayed with priority from the POI data 34 of the facility having a high evaluation index.
If there are many facilities determined to meet the search conditions, only the POI data 34 of facilities whose evaluation index is a certain value (for example, 3.0) or more may be guided. Moreover, you may comprise so that the character size and character color which display the information of a high evaluation index | facility may be changed.

As described in detail above, in the navigation device 1 according to the present embodiment, the facility guidance method using the navigation device 1 and the computer program executed by the navigation device 1, the genre of the facility to be searched is selected based on the user's operation ( S2), setting the number and shape of the wide-range reference range to be set around the reference range based on the density of the facility in the reference range (S5), and the same genre as selected within the reference range regardless of the evaluation index The facility search process is executed with the facility being a genre as a search condition (S6), and the highest evaluation index among the evaluation indexes of the facilities determined to meet the search condition within the reference range is set as the first reference value. Set (S7). Further, the facility search process is executed with a search condition that the facility is in the same genre as the genre selected for the wide reference range and is associated with an evaluation index higher than the first reference value (S8). ~ S10). Then, since the information on the facilities determined to meet the search conditions is guided (S12), the user who has a high evaluation index even if the facility is located outside the reference range while the basic search range is set within the reference range. By searching for facilities that are useful to the user, it is possible to efficiently search and guide facilities that meet the conditions desired by the user without performing a plurality of search operations.
Also, facilities with a low evaluation index are searched within the reference range, and only facilities with a higher evaluation index than the reference value set based on the evaluation index of facilities within the reference range are searched outside the reference range. It is possible to search for an efficient facility in consideration of the balance between the location of the object and the evaluation index. As a result, facilities close to the user's desired location are guided even if the evaluation index is low, and distant facilities are only guided when the evaluation index is high, so the user compares the travel time to the facility with the evaluation index. You can select the destination facility.
In addition, since a facility belonging to the genre of the selected facility is searched, it is possible to efficiently search and guide a facility that meets the conditions desired by the user from among a large number of facilities.
In addition, since a facility with a high evaluation index is preferentially guided over a facility with a low evaluation index, when a user selects a facility as a destination, the user is provided with information related to the facility that serves as a selection criterion. It becomes possible.
In addition, when there are multiple wide reference ranges, the number of wide reference ranges changes stepwise according to the density of facilities in the reference range, so the number of facilities to be guided is adjusted to an appropriate number based on the search results. It becomes possible. For example, when a search is performed in an area where facilities are densely populated, the number of facilities to be guided thereafter can be limited by narrowing the search condition. Further, when a search is performed in an area where facilities are sparse, the number of facilities to be guided thereafter can be increased by loosening the search conditions.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
For example, in this embodiment, the facility evaluation index is acquired from the facility information providing center or the probe center via the communication module 18, but the navigation ECU 13 sets the facility evaluation index from the vehicle travel history or the user destination setting history. Also good. For example, a higher evaluation index is set for a facility that has frequently visited and a facility that has been frequently set for a destination.

  Moreover, you may comprise so that the size of a reference | standard range and a wide area | region reference | standard range can be changed based on a user's operation. Furthermore, the shape of the reference range or the wide-area reference range is not limited to a circular shape or an annular shape. For example, the administrative division may be set as a reference range or a wide-area reference range.

  Further, the basic reference value set in S7 may be an average value or a median value of evaluation indexes of facilities that are located within the reference range and fall under the selected genre. Moreover, it is good also as an average value of the top five evaluation indexes among the evaluation indexes of the facilities located in the reference range and corresponding to the selected genre. In this case, the (n + 1) th reference value set in S9 corresponds to the selected genre that is located within the nth wide area reference range and is associated with an evaluation index higher than the nth reference value. The average or median of the evaluation indices of the facilities that are located. In addition, the average of the top five evaluation indices among the evaluation indices of the facilities that are located in the nth wide area reference range and correspond to the selected genre and that are associated with an evaluation index higher than the nth reference value. It is good as a value.

  In addition, the range used as the criterion for determining the facility density may be a range other than the reference range. For example, the facility density may be defined by the number of facilities within a radius of 20 km from the search point corresponding to the wide area reference range.

1 Navigation device 13 Navigation ECU
15 Liquid crystal display 16 Speaker 34 POI data 41 CPU
42 RAM
43 ROM
61 reference range 62 first wide area reference range 63 second wide area reference range 64 third wide area reference range 65 fourth wide area reference range

Claims (8)

Evaluation index acquisition means for acquiring for each facility the evaluation index of the facility located on the map;
First facility search means for searching for a facility located within a reference range that is within a predetermined distance from a search point among facilities located on the map, regardless of the evaluation index of the facility;
A second facility search means for searching for a facility located outside the reference range and having an evaluation index higher than a reference value among the facilities located on the map;
A facility guidance device for guiding the facility searched by the first facility search device and the facility searched by the second facility search device so as to be distinguished and identified .   The facility guidance device according to claim 1, further comprising reference value setting means for setting the reference value based on an evaluation index of a facility located within the reference range. Facility type selection means for selecting the type of facility;
The facility guidance apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first facility search unit and the second facility search unit search for a facility of a type selected by the facility type selection unit.   The facility guidance device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the facility guidance means guides a facility having a high evaluation index in preference to a facility having a low evaluation index. A plurality of concentric wide-range reference ranges are arranged outside the reference range,
Wide area reference range number setting means for setting the number of wide area reference ranges based on the density of facilities in the reference range,
5. The facility according to claim 1, wherein the second facility search unit searches for a facility having a higher evaluation index within the wide area reference range outside the wide area reference range located inside. Facility information device according to crab. The facility guide means guides the facility searched by the first facility search means and the facility searched by the second facility search means together with an evaluation index of the facility. The facility guidance device according to any one of 5. An evaluation index acquisition step of acquiring for each facility an evaluation index of the facility located on the map;
A first facility search step of searching for a facility located within a reference range that is within a predetermined distance from a search point among facilities located on the map, regardless of the evaluation index of the facility;
A second facility search step for searching for a facility located on the map that is located outside the reference range and whose evaluation index is higher than a reference value;
A facility guidance method comprising: a facility guidance step for guiding the facility retrieved by the first facility retrieval step and the facility retrieved by the second facility retrieval step so that the facility can be identified separately. On the computer ,
An evaluation index acquisition function for acquiring the evaluation index of the facility located on the map for each facility;
A first facility search function for searching for facilities located within a reference range that is within a predetermined distance from a search point among facilities located on the map, regardless of the evaluation index of the facility;
A second facility search function for searching for a facility located outside the reference range and having an evaluation index higher than a reference value among the facilities located on the map;
A facility guidance function for guiding the facility searched by the first facility search function and the facility searched by the second facility search function so that they can be identified separately ;
A computer program for executing

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