JP5118949B2 - Vehicle navigation device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicular navigation device that receives traffic information from outside equipment and performs guidance based on the traffic information.

  Conventionally, a free information communication system that transmits traffic information such as traffic jams, travel times (referred to as travel time for a certain section), traffic regulations, etc., edited and processed at an information center to a vehicle in real time is VICS (registered trademark; Vehicle Information and Communication System). In VICS, information transmission to a vehicle is performed via a beacon or FM multiplex broadcasting. Information received in the vehicle is displayed and output by the vehicle-mounted device.

  In addition, automakers have set up their own information centers and have a service business that sends traffic information to vehicles for a fee. Information transmission to the vehicle is mainly performed through a radio network of a mobile phone, FM multiplex broadcasting, or the like.

  It is preferable that the traffic information acquired by these is processed so that it can be easily seen by users in the vehicle and displayed on a liquid crystal display or the like, or reflected in route guidance from the current position of the vehicle to the destination performed by the navigation device. It is. That is, it is conceivable to generate a route that can be reached in the shortest time by reflecting traffic jam information and travel time information.

At this time, the handling of road sections (links) where there is no traffic information such as traffic jam information or travel time becomes a problem. In this regard, the traffic congestion center is predicted based on the received traffic information, and for the link toward the traffic congestion center, the supplementary processing is performed on the basis of the traffic information existing among the links toward the traffic congestion center. An invention is disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent No. 3953061

  However, since the above-mentioned conventional device estimates the traffic state of a link that does not have traffic information based on the degree of congestion of other links heading in the same direction and the travel time of the section, it is finally derived. There is a risk that the accuracy of the total travel time and the like will decrease.

  The present invention is for solving such problems, and a main object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle navigation device capable of acquiring necessary traffic information while suppressing communication costs.

In order to achieve the above object, one embodiment of the present invention provides:
First traffic information acquisition means for receiving traffic information;
Second traffic information acquisition means for receiving traffic information at a higher cost than the first first traffic information acquisition means;
The traffic information acquired by the first or second traffic information acquisition means is traffic information by link stored in a predetermined storage medium for each link representing a road section;
The second information acquisition means determines whether it is necessary to acquire traffic information based on the link-specific traffic information, and acquires traffic information when it is determined that acquisition of traffic information is necessary. Judgment control means for controlling
It is a vehicle navigation device comprising

  Here, “high cost” means that cost and energy consumption increase from the viewpoint of information charges, communication charges, power consumption, and the like.

  According to this aspect of the present invention, it is determined whether it is necessary to acquire traffic information based on the link-specific traffic information, and traffic information is acquired when it is determined that traffic information needs to be acquired. Thus, since the second information acquisition unit is controlled, necessary traffic information can be acquired while suppressing communication costs.

In one embodiment of the present invention,
The determination control means is a means for determining that it is necessary to acquire traffic information when traffic information about a link existing in a predetermined area around the host vehicle is not included in the link-specific traffic information. Also good.

In one embodiment of the present invention,
A recommended route generating means for generating a recommended route from the current position of the host vehicle to the destination set by the user,
The determination control means is means for determining that it is necessary to acquire traffic information when the traffic information about the link on the recommended route generated by the recommended route generation means is not included in the link-specific traffic information. There may be.

In one embodiment of the present invention,
A recommended route generating means for generating a recommended route from the current position of the host vehicle to a destination set by the user;
Statistical information storage means for storing statistical information about traffic jams,
The determination control means obtains traffic information by referring to the statistical information storage means when the traffic information about the link on the recommended route generated by the recommended route generation means is not included in the link-specific traffic information. It is good also as a means to control the said 2nd information acquisition means so that traffic information may be acquired when it is judged whether it is required and it is judged that acquisition of traffic information is required.

In one embodiment of the present invention,
The traffic information includes, for example, traffic jam information and link travel time information.

In one embodiment of the present invention,
The first traffic information acquisition means is means for acquiring traffic information free of charge via, for example, a beacon or a public radio wave.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the navigation apparatus for vehicles which can acquire required traffic information can be provided, suppressing communication cost.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<First embodiment>
Hereinafter, a vehicle navigation apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of the vehicle navigation apparatus 1. The vehicle navigation apparatus 1 includes, as main components, a GPS receiver 10, an INS sensor 15, an HMI (Human Machine Interface) 20, a memory 30, an FM multiplex broadcast receiver 40, and a beacon receiver 45. The communication device 50 and a navigation device ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 60 are provided. Note that the arrows in the figure indicate the flow of information communication between devices performed using an appropriate communication protocol such as CAN (Controller Area Network), BEAN, AVC-LAN, or FlexRay via multiple communication lines.

  The GPS receiver 10 receives a radio signal including satellite orbit and time data from a GPS satellite and outputs the radio signal to the navigation device ECU 60. The INS sensor 15 includes, for example, a gyro sensor and a vehicle speed sensor, and outputs a sensor output value to the navigation device ECU 60.

  The HMI 20 includes, for example, a display device configured to allow various input operations by the user as a touch panel, a microphone, a speaker, a buzzer, and the like for voice input / output. The output content of the HMI 20 is determined by the navigation device ECU 60, and the input content made to the HMI 20 is transmitted to the navigation device ECU 60.

  The memory 30 is a storage medium such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), CD-ROM, or DVD. The memory 30 stores map data 30A, link-specific traffic information 30B, and other information. The map data 30A represents a road shape with a plurality of node coordinates indicating intersections and the like and links connecting them. Each link stores road width, the number of lanes, curvature, and the like. The map data includes representative facility information (point information). The link-specific traffic information 30B will be described later.

  The FM multiplex broadcast receiver 40 and the beacon receiver 45 receive traffic information from the first information center 110. The FM multiplex broadcast receiver 40 always operates in a power-on state, and receives traffic information (wide area information) via the FM multiplex broadcast. The beacon receiver 45 includes a radio beacon receiver and an optical beacon receiver. When the beacon receiver 45 passes by a radio transmitter installed on the side of the expressway or a projector / receiver installed on a main road, traffic information (Narrow area information) is received. Information received by the FM multiplex broadcast receiver 40 and the beacon receiver 45 is output to the navigation device ECU 60.

  The first information center 110 is a public facility that provides traffic information free of charge, such as a VICS center. The first information center 110 generates traffic information including presence / absence and degree of traffic congestion, section travel time, traffic regulation, and the like based on information input from databases such as police and road managers, and provides it to the vehicle.

  The communication device 50 is a device for performing wireless communication with the second information center 120, and performs transmission / reception with the second information center 120 via, for example, the wireless base station 121 and the network 122. Wireless communication using a mobile phone network, a PHS (Personal Handy-phone System) network, a wireless LAN, WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access), a satellite phone, or the like is performed between the communication device 50 and the wireless base station 121. The network 122 connecting the radio base station 121 and the second information center 120 is, for example, a wired network such as a public switched telephone network (PSTN), a digital communication network (ISDN), or an optical fiber. Further, the communication device 50 may use a short-range wireless communication method such as DSRC (Dedicated Short Range Communication).

  The second information center 120 is a facility operated by an automobile manufacturer, for example, and provides the same service as the first information center 110 for a fee. Therefore, the information acquisition from the second information center 120 by the communication device 50 is the information acquisition from the first information center 110 by the FM multiplex broadcast receiver 40 or the beacon receiver 45 in terms of the power required for communication, the information fee, etc. The cost is higher than that.

  A so-called probe information system may be used as a method when the first information center 110 and the second information center 120 generate traffic jam information.

  The navigation device ECU 60 is, for example, a computer unit in which a ROM, a RAM, and the like are connected to each other via a bus with a CPU as a center, and includes an I / O port, a timer, a counter, and the like. The ROM stores programs and data executed by the CPU.

  The navigation device ECU 60 includes a destination setting unit 61, a current position specifying unit 62, a route generation / guidance unit 63, as main functional blocks that function when the CPU executes a program stored in the ROM. The information acquisition determination unit 64 and the link-specific traffic information management unit 65 are provided.

  The destination setting unit 61 prompts the user to set the destination by the HMI 20 at a predetermined timing, and when the user sets the destination by voice or touch input, the destination is searched from the map data 30A and the coordinates of the destination are obtained. The current position specifying unit 62 outputs the result. Note that “output” is a convenient expression, and for example, a process of writing in a shared memory such as the memory 30 may be performed.

  The current position specifying unit 62 specifies the current position (latitude, longitude) of the host vehicle based on signals input from the GPS receiver 10 and the INS sensor 15. Specifically, for example, the current position of the host vehicle is specified by calculation based on a time difference between radio wave signals received by the GPS receiver 10 in principle, and correction based on the output of the INS sensor 15 outside the GPS receiver 10 reception area. To estimate the current position of the vehicle. Further, processing for periodically checking whether or not the current position of the identified own vehicle is accurate by matching with map data may be performed, or received via the FM multiplex broadcast receiver 40 or the beacon receiver 45. The current position of the host vehicle may be corrected based on various types of information. The current position of the host vehicle specified by the current position specifying unit 62 is output to the route generation / guidance unit 63.

  The route generation / guidance unit 63 generates and generates a recommended route from the current position of the host vehicle specified by the current position specifying unit 62 to the destination set by the destination setting unit 61 using the Dijkstra method or the like. Navigation display and voice guidance by the HMI 20 are performed so that the host vehicle can travel along the recommended route. More specifically, these are controlled so that guidance for turning left and right at intersections, usage guidance for expressways, guidance that the destination is approaching, and the like are performed. In the case of the present embodiment, particularly with reference to the link-specific traffic information 30B, the recommended route is generated so that the total travel distance becomes the shortest or a traffic jam is avoided.

  The information acquisition determination unit 64 determines whether it is necessary to acquire traffic information based on the link-specific traffic information 30B, and acquires traffic information when it is determined that acquisition of traffic information is necessary. The communication device 50 is controlled. More specifically, it is determined that the traffic information needs to be acquired when the traffic information about the link existing in the predetermined area around the host vehicle is not included in the link-specific traffic information 30B.

  Prior to the specific processing contents of the information acquisition determination unit 64, the link-specific traffic information 30B will be described. The link-specific traffic information 30B is managed by, for example, the link-specific traffic information management unit 65 and stored in the memory 30 as a data table as shown in FIG. When the traffic information is received by the FM multiplex broadcast receiver 40, the beacon receiver 45, or the communication device 50, the link-specific traffic information management unit 65 determines whether there is congestion level information included in the traffic information, and whether travel time information exists. Is stored in the memory 30 in the format shown in FIG. Here, the traffic congestion degree information represents, for example, the traffic state of a certain section in three stages: smooth, congestion, and traffic jam. The travel time information is a time required for traveling the link. The link-specific traffic information 30B may be deleted every time the vehicle power is turned off, or may be deleted every predetermined time (or days) regardless of the state of the vehicle power.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing executed by the link-specific traffic information management unit 65. This flow is executed every time traffic information is received by the FM multiplex broadcast receiver 40, the beacon receiver 45, or the communication device 50.

  First, a reception link number is acquired (S100). Subsequently, for each link, the presence / absence of traffic congestion level is obtained (S102), the presence / absence of link travel time is obtained (S104), and the link field in the link-specific traffic information 30B is updated (S106). .

  And the process of S100-S106 is repeatedly performed for a fixed time (for example, about several [min]) (S108), and this flow is complete | finished.

  Hereinafter, an operation when the information acquisition determination unit 64 controls the communication device 50 will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of characteristic processing executed by the information acquisition determination unit 64 according to the first embodiment. This flow is repeatedly executed with a predetermined cycle, for example. For example, it may be executed every time a recommended route is regenerated (rerouted) in accordance with a change in the current position of the host vehicle.

  First, it waits until the destination is set by the destination setting unit 61 (S200).

  When the destination is set by the destination setting unit 61, it is determined whether or not link travel time information exists for the link within the route search range (S202). Here, the route search range refers to, for example, a circular region having a radius of several tens [km]. In addition, “link travel time information exists for links within the route search range” is ideally “link travel time information exists for all links within the route search range”. If there is link travel time information for a simple link, it may be determined that “link travel time information exists for a link within the route search range”, and link travel time information for links of a predetermined ratio or more among all links. May exist, it may be determined that “link travel time information exists for links within the route search range”.

  If there is link travel time information for links within the route search range (Yes in S202), the route generation / guidance unit 63 is instructed to perform route search (generation) (S204).

  On the other hand, when the travel time information does not exist for the link within the route search range (No in S202), the communication device 50 is controlled to connect to the information center 120 and acquire the link travel time information (S206), and thereafter The route generation / guidance unit 63 is instructed to perform route search (generation) (S204).

  As a result, a more appropriate recommended route is generated by the route generation / guidance unit 63 based on the link travel time information. For example, a recommended route that can be reached in the shortest time can be generated. In addition, when travel time information exists for links within the route search range, route search (generation) is performed without connecting to the information center 120, so that unnecessary communication connection can be prevented. Communication costs can be reduced.

  According to the vehicle navigation apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, necessary traffic information can be acquired while suppressing communication costs.

<Second embodiment>
The vehicle navigation apparatus 2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of the vehicle navigation device 2. Since the vehicle navigation device 2 is common to the vehicle navigation device of the first embodiment in the hardware configuration, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  Statistical traffic information 30C is stored in the memory 30 of the present embodiment. The navigation device ECU 60 of this embodiment further includes a statistical traffic information management unit 66 as a functional block.

  The statistical traffic information 30C is information managed by the statistical traffic information management unit 66, and based on traffic information received from the first information center 110 or the second information center 120 in the past, predetermined factors (day of the week, time zone) , Weather, season, etc.) and the occurrence probability of traffic jams (or the average value if the traffic jam degree is digitized) is calculated and stored. The statistical traffic information management unit 66 performs such statistical processing every time information is received or every predetermined time.

  Hereinafter, an operation when the information acquisition determination unit 64 of the present embodiment controls the communication device 50 will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of characteristic processing executed by the information acquisition determination unit 64 according to the second embodiment. This flow is repeatedly executed with a predetermined cycle, for example. For example, it may be executed every time a recommended route is regenerated (rerouted) in accordance with a change in the current position of the host vehicle.

  First, it waits until a route search (generation) is performed by the route generation / guide unit 63 (S300).

  When the route search (generation) is performed by the route generation / guidance unit 63, it is determined whether or not the link travel time information exists for the link on the generated recommended route (S302). Here, “the link travel time information exists in the link on the generated recommended route” ideally means “link to all the links on the generated recommended route” as described in the first embodiment. “Travel time information exists”, but it is determined that “the link travel time information exists in the link on the generated recommended route” when the link travel time information exists for the main link on the recommended route. Alternatively, it may be determined that “the link travel time information exists in the link on the generated recommended route” when the link travel time information exists for a predetermined ratio or more of all the links. If link travel time information exists on the link on the generated recommended route, it is considered that an appropriate recommended route reflecting the link travel time information has been generated. Instructs the guide unit 63 (S316).

  On the other hand, if the link travel time information does not exist in the link on the generated recommended route, it is determined whether or not the congestion degree information exists in the link on the generated recommended route (S304).

  If there is traffic jam information on the generated link on the recommended route (Yes in S304), it is determined whether or not there is a traffic jam in the traffic jam information (S306). . If there is no traffic jam information in the traffic congestion level information, the traffic condition to the destination is good and it is not necessary to reflect the traffic information. The route generation / guidance unit 63 is instructed (S316). On the other hand, if there is a traffic jam in the traffic congestion level information, the traffic condition to reach the destination is not smooth, and it is necessary to reflect the traffic information. The communication device 50 is controlled to connect to the information center 120 and acquire traffic information (S308), and after instructing the route generation / guidance unit 63 to re-search (generate) the route (S310), the route The route generation / guidance unit 63 is instructed to start guidance (S316).

  Further, when there is no congestion degree information on the generated link on the recommended route (No in S304), the statistical traffic information 30C is acquired (loaded) from the memory 30 (S312). Then, it is determined whether or not the possibility of traffic jam is high with reference to the statistical traffic information 30C (S314). Here, for example, the possibility of traffic jam is determined by using the current day of the week, time zone, or the like when the probability of occurrence of traffic jam in the case of the same factor in the statistical traffic information 30C is a predetermined value or more. Judge as high. If it is not determined that the possibility of traffic congestion is high, it is considered that the traffic state to the destination is smooth and it is not necessary to reflect the traffic information. Therefore, the route generation / guidance unit 63 starts the route guidance. (S316). On the other hand, if it is determined that the possibility of traffic congestion is high, the traffic condition to reach the destination is not smooth, and it is considered necessary to reflect the traffic information. The communication apparatus 50 is controlled so as to acquire information (S308), the route generation / guidance unit 63 is instructed to re-search (generate) the route (S310), and then route generation is started so as to start route guidance. Instructs the guide unit 63 (S316).

  When it is considered that the link travel time information is necessary by such processing, this is acquired from the second information center 120 and an appropriate recommended route is generated by the route generation / guidance unit 63. In addition, when it is considered that link travel time information is necessary, since route guidance is started without connecting to the second information center 120, it is possible to prevent unnecessary communication connections from being made. Cost can be suppressed.

  According to the vehicle navigation device 2 of the present embodiment, necessary traffic information can be acquired while suppressing communication costs.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. And substitutions can be added.

  For example, the process according to the first embodiment and the process according to the second embodiment are not exclusive or alternative and may be combined. For example, the process according to the first embodiment may be executed when the destination is set when starting the vehicle, and the process according to the second embodiment may be executed when the destination is reset later.

  Further, the first information center 110 and the second information center 120 may be the same facility. In other words, the “first traffic information acquisition means” and the “second traffic information acquisition means” in the claims may be means for acquiring traffic information from the same facility by different methods.

  The present invention can be used in the automobile manufacturing industry, the automobile parts manufacturing industry, and the like.

It is a figure which shows an example of the whole structure of the navigation apparatus 1 for vehicles. It is a figure which shows an example of the traffic information 30B classified by link. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process which the traffic information management part 65 classified by link performs. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the characteristic process which the information acquisition judgment part 64 concerning 1st Example performs. It is a figure which shows an example of the whole structure of the navigation apparatus 2 for vehicles. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the characteristic process which the information acquisition judgment part 64 concerning 2nd Example performs.

Explanation of symbols

1, 2 Vehicle navigation device 10 GPS receiver 15 INS sensor 20 HMI
30 memory 30A map data 30B traffic information by link 30C statistical traffic information 40 FM multiplex broadcast receiver 45 beacon receiver 50 communication device 60 ECU for navigation device
61 Destination Setting Unit 62 Current Location Specifying Unit 63 Route Generation / Guidance Unit 64 Information Acquisition Judgment Unit 65 Traffic Information Management Unit by Link 66 Statistical Traffic Information Management Unit 110 First Information Center 120 Second Information Center 121 Radio Base Station 122 Network

Claims (3)

First traffic information acquisition means for receiving traffic information;
Second traffic information acquisition means for receiving traffic information at a higher cost than the first traffic information acquisition means;
The traffic information acquired by the first or second traffic information acquisition means is traffic information by link stored in a predetermined storage medium for each link representing a road section;
A recommended route generating means for generating a recommended route from the current position of the host vehicle to a destination set by the user;
Statistical information storage means for storing statistical information on traffic jams;
When traffic information about a link on a recommended route generated by the recommended route generation means is not included in the link-specific traffic information, the occurrence probability of traffic congestion in the case of the same factor based on the statistical information is a predetermined value or more A determination control means for controlling the second information acquisition means so as to acquire traffic information when it is determined to be present;
A vehicle navigation apparatus comprising: The traffic information includes traffic jam information and link travel time information.
The vehicle navigation apparatus according to claim 1. The first traffic information acquisition means is means for acquiring traffic information free of charge via a beacon or public radio waves.
The vehicle navigation apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

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