JP5594151B2 - Route search system, route search method and computer program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a route search system, a route search method, and a computer program for searching for a route.

  In recent years, in a communication device such as a mobile phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a personal computer, etc., when a departure point and a destination are set, a route from the departure point to the destination is searched based on map information. The recommended route is guided to the user (for example, JP 2007-139640 A).

  On the other hand, in the communication device, for the purpose of searching for a more appropriate route and for the purpose of guiding the user of the current road traffic condition, the traffic information on the traffic condition of the road may be acquired from an external information center or the like. Is going. Then, the acquired traffic information is guided, and when the route search is executed, the acquired traffic information is taken into consideration. For example, in order to avoid a congested road and run preferentially on an unoccupied road, the search cost is increased for a congested road and the search cost is decreased for an unoccupied road. .

JP 2007-139640 A (page 4-6, FIGS. 4 to 8)

  Here, the traffic situation on the road changes variously with the passage of time. Therefore, when traffic information is guided by the communication device, new traffic information is periodically acquired from an external information center or the like, and the traffic information is updated every time new traffic information is acquired. .

  However, if the congestion information guidance is updated after the route search until the recommended route guidance ends, there is a discrepancy between the currently recommended recommended route and the congestion information. There was a case. For example, when the road A between the departure point and the destination is congested at the time when the route search processing is performed, and then the congestion is resolved before the recommended route guidance ends. In addition, a recommended route that avoids the road A is guided in a state where it is guided that the road A is not congested.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described conventional problems, and is a case where the congestion information is updated after the route search until the recommended route guidance is completed. Another object of the present invention is to provide a route search system, a route search method, and a computer program that do not cause a contradiction between a currently recommended route and traffic jam information.

In order to achieve the object, the route search system (1) according to claim 1 of the present application acquires traffic jam information at predetermined intervals, and each time the traffic jam information is acquired, the traffic jam guides the acquired traffic jam information. An information guide means (11, 32), a route search means (11, 32) for searching for a route from a departure place to a destination based on the traffic information acquired by the traffic information guide means, and the route search means Route guidance means (11, 32) for guiding a basic recommended route that is a recommended route from the starting point to the destination specified based on the search result of the route, and starting a route search by the route searching unit Until the end of the guidance of the basic recommended route by the route guidance means, the update stop means (11, 11) for stopping the update of the congestion information guidance by the congestion information guidance means It characterized in that it has a 2), a.
Note that “stop updating traffic information guidance by the traffic information guide means” may stop the traffic information acquisition itself by the traffic information guide means, or stop the traffic information acquisition by the traffic information guide means. It is good also as a structure which stops only guidance of traffic congestion information, without doing.

  A route search system (1) according to claim 2 is the route search system according to claim 1, wherein route information transmission means (11) for transmitting route information related to the basic recommended route to a mobile terminal (5). 32), and the route guidance means (11, 32) sends the basic recommended route by the route guidance means when the route information transmission means transmits the route information related to the basic recommended route to the mobile terminal. This feature is characterized in that the guidance of is terminated.

Further, the route search system (1) according to claim 3 is the route search system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the update stop means (11, 32) is an area along the basic recommended route. The update of the information on the traffic jam information is stopped for the target.
The “area along the basic recommended route” may be a road constituting the basic recommended route or an area within a predetermined distance from the basic recommended route.

A route search system (1) according to claim 4 is the route search system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the congestion information acquired by the congestion information guide means (11, 32) is considered. The comparison route search means (11, 32) for searching for the route from the departure place to the destination without the above, and the departure specified based on the search result of the comparison route search means among the basic recommended routes Non-overlapping route specifying means (11, 32) for specifying a route portion that does not overlap with a comparison recommended route that is a recommended route from the ground to the destination as a non-overlapping route, and the update stopping means (11, 32) ) Stops updating the congestion information guidance for the area along the non-overlapping route specified by the non-overlapping route specifying means.
The “area along the non-overlapping route” may be a road constituting the non-overlapping route or an area within a predetermined distance from the non-overlapping route.

  A route search system (1) according to claim 5 is the route search system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the update stop means (11, 32) is the traffic jam information guidance means. (11, 32) While stopping the update of the congestion information guidance, based on the new congestion information acquired by the congestion information guidance means, a reroute that searches for a route from the departure place to the destination When a new recommended route that is a recommended route from the starting point to the destination specified based on a search result of the search means (11, 32) and the re-route search means is different from the basic recommended route, a new Traffic information presence notifying means (11, 32) for notifying that there is traffic information.

  The route search system (1) according to claim 6 is the route search system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the update stop means (11, 32) is the traffic jam information guidance means. (11, 32) While the update of the congestion information guidance according to (11, 32) is stopped, the operation accepting means (11, 32) for accepting the user's operation and the user accepting the operation by the operation accepting means, Update resumption means (11, 32) for renewing the update of the congestion information guidance by the congestion information guidance means.

  A route search system (1) according to claim 7 is the route search system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the update stop means (11, 32) is the traffic jam information guidance means. Update stop guidance means (11, 32) for notifying that the update of the congestion information guidance is stopped while the update of the congestion information guidance according to (11, 32) is stopped. .

The route searching method according to claim 8, congestion information guidance unit obtains the congestion information at predetermined intervals, each time of acquiring the congestion information, and Luz step to guide the traffic jam information the acquired , route search means, based on the traffic jam information acquired by the congestion information guidance unit, and Luz step to search for a route from a departure point to a destination, the route guidance unit, a search result of the route search means and Luz step to guide the basic recommended route is a recommended route from the departure point identified to the destination on the basis of the update stop means, the route guidance from the start of the route searching by said route searching means in until the end the guiding of the basic recommended route by means, characterized in that it has a, and answering step to stop updating the guidance of the traffic jam information by the traffic jam information guidance unit.

Further, a computer program according to claim 9, the computer obtains the congestion information at predetermined intervals, each time of acquiring the congestion information, the traffic jam information guide means for guiding the traffic jam information the acquired, the congestion Based on the traffic jam information acquired by the information guide means, a route search means for searching a route from the departure place to the destination, and from the departure place specified based on the search result of the route search means to the destination A route guidance unit that guides a basic recommended route that is a recommended route of the route, and between the start of the route search by the route search unit and the end of the guidance of the basic recommended route by the route guide unit. It is made to function as an update stop means for stopping the update of the guidance of the traffic jam information by the information guide means .

  According to the route search system according to claim 1 having the above-described configuration, even if the congestion information is updated between the search for the route and the end of the guidance of the recommended route searched for, There is no contradiction between the currently recommended route and the traffic information.

  In addition, according to the route search system according to claim 2, even if the congestion information is updated between the time when the route search is performed and the time when the recommended route searched for is transmitted to the mobile terminal, There is no discrepancy between the recommended route to be transmitted to the terminal and the currently-congested traffic information. In addition, when the user who has performed the route search subsequently receives the travel guidance using the mobile terminal, the travel guidance can be provided based on the guided recommended route.

  Further, according to the route search system according to claim 3, since the update of the congestion information guidance is stopped for the area along the basic recommended route, there is a discrepancy between the currently recommended route and the congestion information. For areas that do not affect the selection of the recommended route, it is possible to provide guidance using new traffic information.

  Further, according to the route search system according to claim 4, since the update of the congestion information guidance is stopped for the areas along the non-overlapping route that does not overlap with the recommended route that does not consider the congestion among the basic recommended routes, It is possible to provide guidance based on new traffic information for an area that does not cause a contradiction between the currently recommended route and traffic jam information and does not affect the selection of the recommended route.

  Further, according to the route search system according to claim 5, when the new recommended route considering the new traffic jam information and the basic recommended route are different, the user is informed that new traffic jam information exists. It is possible for the user to grasp that a change in the traffic jam condition that has an influence on the recommended route has occurred in a situation where the traffic jam information has not been updated.

  In addition, according to the route search system of claim 6, since the update of the congestion information guidance is resumed based on the user's operation, for the user who prefers the new congestion information guidance, It is possible to guide new traffic information according to the user's wishes.

  In addition, according to the route search system of the seventh aspect, since the update of the congestion information guidance is stopped while the update of the congestion information guidance is stopped, Thus, it is possible to grasp in advance that there may be a difference between the current traffic jam information and the actual traffic jam situation.

  According to the route search method according to claim 8, even if the congestion information is updated between the time when the route search is performed and the time when the recommended route guidance is completed, the current guidance is provided. There is no discrepancy between the recommended route and traffic information.

  Furthermore, according to the computer program of the ninth aspect, even when the traffic information is updated between the time when the route search is performed and the time when the guidance of the recommended route searched is ended, the current guidance is provided. There is no discrepancy between the recommended route and traffic information.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a route search system according to the present embodiment. It is the block diagram which showed the structure of the route search system which concerns on this embodiment. It is the figure which showed an example of the traffic jam information memorize | stored in traffic jam information DB. It is the block diagram which showed the structure of PC concerning this embodiment. It is the figure shown about the route search condition input screen displayed on the liquid crystal display of PC. It is the figure shown about the route search result screen displayed on the liquid crystal display of PC. It is a flowchart of the route search processing program concerning this embodiment. It is a flowchart of the traffic jam information update process program which concerns on this embodiment. It is the figure shown about the example of traffic information guidance of a comparative example. It is a figure explaining the example of traffic information guidance of this embodiment. It is a flowchart of the traffic jam information update restart process program which concerns on this embodiment.

  DETAILED DESCRIPTION Hereinafter, a route search system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings based on an embodiment that is embodied. First, a schematic configuration of the route search system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a route search system 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the route search system 1 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a route search system 1 according to this embodiment includes a route search center 2, a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC) 3 operated by a user, and navigation as a mobile terminal mounted on a vehicle 4. The apparatus 5 is basically composed of the apparatus 5.

  Here, the route search center 2 has map information, searches for a route from the departure point to the destination based on the information specifying the departure point and the destination transmitted from the PC 3, and based on the search result. The center distributes route information related to the specified recommended route to the PC 3 and the navigation device 5. In addition, the route search center 2 acquires traffic jam information (congestion level, traffic jam length, travel time, etc.) from a traffic information center such as a VICS (registered trademark: Vehicle Information and Communication System) center, and the acquired traffic jam information is stored in the PC 3. Also do the distribution. Details of the route search center 2 will be described later.

  The PC 3 also includes a control unit mainly composed of a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc., an input unit composed of a keyboard and a pointing device, an output unit such as a display and a speaker, and a non-volatile storage means such as a hard disk. A storage unit and the like are provided. In addition, the PC 3 is equipped with Windows (registered trademark), Linux (registered trademark), MacOS (registered trademark), etc. as an OS (Operating System), input / output functions such as keyboard input and screen output, memory serving as a main storage unit, Basic functions commonly used by applications, such as an access function to a hard disk as an auxiliary storage unit, are provided by the OS. Since various functions provided by these OSs are known per se, a detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  Further, the PC 3 is connected to a communication network 8 via a communication device 7 such as a modem, and is configured to be capable of bidirectional communication with a plurality of centers including the route search center 2. And based on the data acquired from the route search center 2 etc., various information is displayed on a display, or it outputs from a speaker. In particular, the PC 3 according to the present embodiment acquires and outputs route information searched in the route search center 2, traffic jam information transmitted from the route search center 2, and the like. In this embodiment, an example is described in which the PC 3 is used as a device that acquires and outputs route information, traffic jam information, and the like. However, instead of the PC 3, a communication terminal such as a mobile phone or a PDA is used. Also good. Details of the PC 3 will be described later.

  On the other hand, the navigation device 5 is installed in a vehicle 4 traveling on each road in the country, displays a map around the vehicle position based on the stored map information, and searches and guides a route to a set destination. It is an in-vehicle device. The navigation device 5 is connected to the communication network 8 via the communication module 9 and is configured to be capable of bidirectional communication with the route search center 2. When the route information related to the recommended route is received from the route search center 2, the received recommended route is set as the guide route of the navigation device 5 as will be described later, and the travel guidance of the vehicle 4 is based on the set guide route. I do.

  Next, the configuration of the route search center 2 constituting the route search system 1 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the route search center 2 basically includes a server 11, a map information DB 12 and a traffic jam information DB 13 as information recording means connected to the server 11, and a center communication device 14.

  The server 11 is an electronic control unit that performs various controls in the route search center 2 as shown in FIG. Then, the CPU 21 as the arithmetic device and the control device, the RAM 22 used as a working memory when the CPU 21 performs various arithmetic processing, various control programs, a route search processing program (FIG. 7) described later, and congestion information update processing An internal storage device such as a ROM 23 in which a program (FIG. 8), a traffic jam information update restart processing program (FIG. 11), and the like are stored is provided.

  The map information DB 12 is a storage means for storing map information that is used for a route search process described later and supplied to the PC 3. Here, the map information stored in the map information DB 12 stores various information necessary for route search and map display including a road network. For example, link data relating to roads (links), nodes relating to node points, and the like. Data, facility data regarding facilities, intersection data regarding each intersection, search data for searching for a route, search data for searching for a point, map display data for displaying a map, and the like. The map information DB 12 is periodically updated to new map information.

The search data is data used when searching and displaying a route from the starting point to the destination specified by the PC 3, and the cost of passing through the node (hereinafter referred to as node cost) or road It is composed of cost data used to calculate a search cost consisting of the cost of the link to be constructed (hereinafter referred to as link cost), route display data for displaying the route selected by the route search on the display of the PC 3 and the like. Yes.
Here, the node cost is basically set for the node corresponding to the intersection. For example, the node cost depends on the presence or absence of a traffic light or the travel route of the vehicle when passing through the intersection (that is, the type of straight, right or left turn). The value is determined.
The link cost is determined based on the link length. Further, the link cost is increased or decreased depending on the road type, road width, number of lanes, and degree of congestion.

  The traffic jam information DB 13 is storage means for storing traffic jam information acquired from a traffic information center such as a VICS center for a certain period of time. Here, the traffic jam information stored in the traffic jam information DB 13 includes a traffic jam level indicating the level of the traffic jam, a traffic jam length indicating the traffic jam section, a travel time, and the like. Here, the degree of traffic jam is information indicating the level of traffic jam, and there is data of “traffic jam”, “crowded”, and “empty” from the higher traffic jam level. The degree of congestion is determined based on road attributes (intercity highway, intracity highway, general road) and the average vehicle speed of vehicles passing through the road. As an example, on an ordinary road, if the average vehicle speed is 10 km or less, it is determined as “congested”, if the average vehicle speed is greater than 10 km and less than 20 km, it is determined as “congested”, and if the average vehicle speed is 20 km or more, “empty” " Then, the route search center 2 acquires new traffic jam information from a traffic information center such as a VICS center every predetermined time (for example, every 5 minutes) and stores it in the traffic jam information DB 13. The traffic jam information stored in the traffic jam information DB 13 is held for a certain period (for example, 1 hour), used for route search, and supplied to the PC 3.

Hereinafter, the traffic information stored in the traffic information DB 13 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of traffic jam information stored in the traffic jam information DB 13.
As shown in FIG. 3, the traffic jam information includes a VICS link number for identifying a link, a traffic jam level for the link, a traffic jam length indicating a traffic jam section, a travel time, and the like. For example, the traffic jam information shown in FIG. 3 is information generated for 5 minutes from 13:56 to 14: 1 on January 6, 2011, and distributed at 14: 1, and the VICS link number “533945- The link “4-4” indicates that the degree of traffic jam is “traffic jam” in all sections and the travel time is 7 minutes. Further, regarding the link with the VICS link number “533946-10-2”, the congestion degree is “congested” in all sections, and the travel time is 5 minutes. Furthermore, regarding the link with the VICS link number “533947-6-1”, the congestion degree is “congested” in the 200 m section from the point A, and the travel time is 3 minutes.

  The center communication device 14 is a communication device for communicating with the PC 3 and the navigation device 5 via the communication network 8. In the present embodiment, route information and traffic jam information related to the recommended route are transmitted / received to / from the PC 3 and the navigation device 5 via the center communication device 14.

  Next, a schematic configuration of the PC 3 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the PC 3 according to this embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the PC 3 according to this embodiment includes a data recording unit 31 in which various types of data are recorded, a control ECU 32 that performs various types of arithmetic processing based on the input information, and user operations. An operation unit 33 that receives information, a liquid crystal display 34 that displays information such as map images and traffic jam information to the user, a speaker 35 that outputs sound and sound effects, a DVD drive 36 that reads a DVD as a storage medium, and a route The communication device 7 is configured to communicate with various centers including the search center 2.

  The data recording unit 31 is a driver for reading an external storage device and a hard disk (not shown) as a recording medium, and an OS and various application programs recorded on the hard disk and writing predetermined data on the hard disk. And a recording head (not shown).

  On the other hand, the control ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 32 is an electronic control unit that controls the entire PC 3, and is used as a working memory when the CPU 41 performs various arithmetic processes. In addition to control programs such as RAM 42 and BIOS, a route search processing program (FIG. 7), a traffic jam information update processing program (FIG. 8), a traffic jam information update restart processing program (FIG. 11), etc., which will be described later, are recorded An internal storage device such as a ROM 43 and a flash memory 44 for storing a program read from the ROM 43 is provided. The control ECU 32 constitutes various means as processing algorithms together with the server 11 of the route search center 2. For example, the traffic jam information guide means acquires the traffic jam information from the VICS center or the like at predetermined intervals, and guides the acquired traffic jam information via the PC 3 every time the traffic jam information is acquired. The route search means searches for a route from the departure point to the destination based on the acquired traffic jam information, and the route information transmission means is a recommended route from the departure point to the destination specified based on the search result. Route information related to the basic recommended route is transmitted to the navigation device 5. The route guidance means guides the basic recommended route via the PC 3. The update stopping means stops the update of the congestion information guidance by the congestion information guiding means from the start of the route search by the route searching means to the end of the basic recommended route guidance by the route guiding means. The comparison route search unit searches for a route from the departure point to the destination without considering the traffic information acquired by the traffic information guide unit. The non-overlapping route specifying means uses, as a non-overlapping route, a portion of the basic recommended route that does not overlap with the comparative recommended route that is the recommended route from the starting point to the destination specified based on the search result of the comparative route searching means. Identify. The re-route search means determines the route from the departure point to the destination based on the new traffic information acquired by the traffic information guide means while the update stop means stops updating the traffic information guidance by the traffic information guide means. Explore. The traffic jam information presence notification means has new traffic jam information when the new recommended route, which is the recommended route from the departure point to the destination specified based on the search result of the re-route search means, is different from the basic recommended route. This is notified via PC3. The operation accepting unit accepts a user operation while the update stopping unit stops updating the congestion information guidance by the congestion information guiding unit. The update resuming unit resumes the update of the congestion information guidance by the congestion information guiding unit when the user operation is received by the operation receiving unit. The update stop guide means notifies the PC 3 that the update of the congestion information guidance is stopped while the update stop means stops updating the congestion information guidance by the congestion information guidance means.

  The operation unit 33 is configured by a keyboard, a mouse, or the like, and is an operation unit that receives a user operation. Further, in the PC 3 of the present embodiment, when a route search is performed in the web browser, the update of the congestion information guidance is stopped when the departure point as the travel start point and the destination as the travel end point are input. It is operated when updating is resumed in a state where The control ECU 32 performs control to execute various corresponding operations based on switch signals output by pressing the switches. The operation unit 33 can also be configured by a touch panel provided on the front surface of the liquid crystal display 34. Moreover, it can also be comprised with a microphone and a speech recognition apparatus.

  The liquid crystal display 34 displays an OS screen, an execution screen for various application programs, a web screen, and the like. Further, when performing a route search in the web browser, route information and traffic jam information regarding the searched recommended route are also displayed.

Here, FIGS. 5 and 6 are views showing a route search condition input screen 51 and a route search result screen 52 displayed on the liquid crystal display 34 when performing a route search in the web browser.
The route search condition input screen 51 is an input screen for the user to input various conditions related to route search. As shown in FIG. 5, the route search condition input screen 51 includes a departure point input unit 53 for inputting a departure point, a destination input unit 54 for inputting a destination, and “general priority” for giving priority to traveling on a general road. And a priority operation unit 55 that selects either “high speed priority” that gives priority to driving on the expressway, and a search start operation unit 56 that is operated when a route search is started under the currently input conditions are displayed. The In addition, a facility name may be input as a departure point or a destination, and an address or a telephone number may be input.
Then, when the search start operation unit 56 is operated, the control ECU 32 transmits the search condition information such as the starting point and the destination input on the route search condition input screen 51 to the route search center 2. The route search center 2 that has received the search condition performs a route search from the departure point to the destination based on the received search condition, and distributes route information related to the recommended route specified based on the search result to the PC 3. Then, when the PC 3 receives the route information regarding the recommended route, the route search result screen 52 shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on the liquid crystal display 34.

The route search result screen 52 is a screen showing a recommended route searched based on the search condition input on the route search condition input screen 51. As shown in FIG. 6, the route search result screen 52 includes a departure point display unit 61 indicating the currently set departure point, a destination display unit 62 indicating the currently set destination, and the route search center 2. The map image 63 showing the recommended route from the searched starting point to the destination, the required time display unit 64 showing the expected required time when traveling on the recommended route shown in the map image 63, and the map image 63 are shown. A transmission determination operation unit 65 that is operated when transmitting route information related to the recommended route to the navigation device 5 is displayed. Further, the map image 63 displays a departure point mark 66 indicating a point set as a departure point, a destination mark 67 indicating a point set as a destination, a recommended route 68, and a traffic congestion mark 69 indicating traffic congestion information. The The traffic jam mark 69 is a mark for identifying the traffic jam degree of each road section identified by the traffic jam information acquired from the VICS center as one of “traffic jam”, “crowded”, and “vacant”. Specifically, the color of the arrow of the traffic jam mark 69 indicates the degree of traffic jam, and the length of the arrow indicates the traffic jam length. For example, the traffic congestion mark 69 indicating that the traffic congestion level is “congestion” is displayed in red, the traffic congestion mark 69 indicating that the traffic congestion level is “congested” is displayed in orange, and the traffic congestion level is “empty”. The traffic congestion mark 69 indicating that the color is displayed in green.
When the transmission determination operation unit 65 is operated, the control ECU 32 instructs to transmit the route information of the recommended route 68 displayed on the route search result screen 52 from the route search center 2 to the navigation device 5. An instruction signal is transmitted. The route search center 2 that has received the instruction signal transmits route information regarding the recommended route to the navigation device 5. When the navigation device 5 receives the route information related to the recommended route, the navigation device 5 sets the received recommended route as the guide route, and then performs travel guidance based on the guide route.

  The speaker 35 outputs sound and sound effects that accompany execution of the OS and various application programs.

  The DVD drive 36 is a drive that can read data recorded on a recording medium such as a DVD or a CD. Based on the read data, the program is executed, music or video is reproduced, and the like.

  The communication device 7 is configured by a modem or the like, and is a device for communicating with various centers including the route search center 2. The control ECU 32 displays a web screen, updates the displayed data, and the like based on the data acquired via the communication device 7.

  Next, a route search processing program executed in the PC 3 and the route search center 2 constituting the route search system 1 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the route search processing program according to this embodiment. Here, the route search processing program is executed when the PC 3 accesses the route search center 2, and the route search center 2 performs a route search from the departure point to the destination and specifies based on the search result. This is a program for transmitting route information related to the recommended route from the route search center 2 to the PC 3 or the navigation device 5. The programs shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 7, 8, and 11 below are stored in the RAM 42 and ROM 43 provided in the control ECU 32, the RAM 22 and ROM 23 provided in the server 11, and the like by the CPU 41 and CPU 21. Executed.

First, a route search processing program executed in the PC 3 will be described.
In step (hereinafter abbreviated as S) 1, the CPU 41 sets a route search condition based on a user operation. The route search conditions include a departure place, a destination, a priority road type (general priority, high speed priority), and the like. Specifically, the user is caused to input each search condition using the operation unit 33 on the route search condition input screen 51 (FIG. 5) displayed on the liquid crystal display 34. Then, the CPU 41 sets each search condition based on the input content.

  Next, in S2, the CPU 41 determines whether or not an operation for starting a route search has been received from the user. Specifically, when the search start operation unit 56 is operated on the route search condition input screen 51 (FIG. 5) displayed on the liquid crystal display 34, it is determined that an operation for starting a route search has been received from the user.

  And when it determines with having received operation which starts route search from the user (S2: YES), it transfers to S3. On the other hand, when it is determined that the operation for starting the route search is not received from the user (S2: NO), the operation waits until the operation for starting the route search is received from the user.

  In S3, the CPU 41 transmits the route search condition set in S1 to the route search center 2. Then, the route search center 2 that has received the route search conditions executes route search processing (S104) as described later based on the received search conditions.

  Subsequently, in S <b> 4, the CPU 41 receives route information and traffic jam information regarding the recommended route transmitted from the route search center 2. Note that the recommended route received in S4 is a recommended route from the departure point to the destination searched by the route search center 2 based on the search condition transmitted in S3. The traffic jam information received in S4 is traffic jam information of links around the recommended route, and in particular, the traffic jam information used by the route search center 2 for the route search of the received recommended route. The traffic jam information includes a traffic jam level indicating the level of the traffic jam, a traffic jam length indicating the traffic jam section, a travel time, and the like (FIG. 3).

  Thereafter, in S5, the CPU 41 guides the route information and traffic jam information of the recommended route received in S4. Specifically, the CPU 41 displays a route search result screen 52 (FIG. 6) on the liquid crystal display 34. The route search result screen 52 displays a recommended route 68 and a traffic jam mark 69 on the map image 63 as shown in FIG. Then, by referring to the route search result screen 52, the user can grasp the recommended route from the departure point to the destination input by the user and the traffic congestion state of the roads around the recommended route.

  Next, in S6, the CPU 41 determines whether or not an operation for transmitting the recommended route guided in S5 to the navigation device 5 has been received from the user. Specifically, when the transmission determination operation unit 65 is operated on the route search result screen 52 (FIG. 6) displayed on the liquid crystal display 34, it is determined that an operation for starting the route search has been received from the user.

  When it is determined that an operation for transmitting the recommended route to the navigation device 5 is received from the user (S6: YES), the process proceeds to S7. On the other hand, when it is determined that an operation for transmitting the recommended route to the navigation device 5 is not received from the user (S6: NO), the route search processing program is terminated.

  In S <b> 7, the CPU 41 transmits “an instruction signal for transmitting a recommended route to the navigation device 5” to the route search center 2. The route search center 2 that has received the signal transmits route information related to the recommended route to the navigation device 5 as described later (S109).

  Thereafter, in S8, the CPU 41 ends the guidance of the recommended route information and the traffic jam information started in S5.

Next, a route search processing program executed in the route search center 2 will be described.
In S101, the CPU 21 receives the route search condition transmitted from the PC 3 in S3.

  Next, in S102, the CPU 21 reads the guidance update stop flag stored in the RAM 22 and sets it to ON. The guidance update stop flag is a flag for specifying whether or not the update of traffic information guidance in a specific area (hereinafter referred to as an update stop target area) is stopped. It is set to ON when updating of information guidance is stopped. In the state where the guidance update stop flag is ON, even if the route search center 2 receives new traffic jam information from the VICS center or the like as described later, the traffic jam information guidance in the update stop target area is not updated. (See FIG. 8). In the state in which the guidance update stop flag is ON, text and voice guidance for notifying that the update of traffic information guidance is stopped in the PC 3 is output from the liquid crystal display 34 or the speaker 35. The guidance update stop flag is set to OFF in the initial state.

  Next, in S103, the CPU 21 acquires the newest traffic jam information among the traffic jam information stored in the traffic jam information DB 13. The traffic jam information DB 13 cumulatively stores traffic jam information acquired at predetermined time intervals from the VICS center or the like (S112).

  Subsequently, in S104, the CPU 21 executes a route search process for searching for a route from the departure point to the destination based on the search condition received in S102 and the traffic jam information acquired in S103. In the route search process in S104, a known Dijkstra method is used. Specifically, the route is searched from the departure side and the destination side, and the search cost (node) accumulated from the departure side in the overlapping portion of the search from the departure side and the search from the destination side. Cost and link cost) and a search cost accumulated from the destination side, that is, a cost addition value is calculated. Then, the route with the minimum cost addition value is identified as the recommended route (S105). The link cost is 1.5 times for links determined as “congested” based on the traffic information acquired in S103, and 1.2 times for links determined as “congested”. For links that are determined to be “empty”, the value is 0.8 times. As a result, it is possible to avoid a congested road and search for a route that preferentially travels on an empty road.

  Thereafter, in S106, the CPU 21 transmits to the PC 3 the route information related to the recommended route specified in S105 and the traffic information acquired in S103 (that is, the traffic information used for route search). Then, the PC 3 that has received the route information and the traffic jam information regarding the recommended route guides the recommended route and the traffic jam information to the user as described above (S5).

  Next, in S107, the CPU 21 determines whether or not “instruction signal for transmitting a recommended route to the navigation device 5” is transmitted from the PC 3 in S7. The “instruction signal for transmitting the recommended route to the navigation device 5” is transmitted when the PC 3 determines that an operation for transmitting the recommended route to the navigation device 5 is received from the user.

  When it is determined that the “instruction signal for transmitting the recommended route to the navigation device 5” is transmitted from the PC 3 (S107: YES), the process proceeds to S108. On the other hand, when it is determined that the “instruction signal for transmitting the recommended route to the navigation device 5” is not transmitted from the PC 3 (S107: NO), the route search processing program is terminated.

  In S108, the CPU 21 receives the “instruction signal for transmitting the recommended route to the navigation device 5” transmitted from the PC 3 in S7.

  Thereafter, in S109, the CPU 21 transmits route information regarding the recommended route specified in S105 to the navigation device 5 in response to receiving the “instruction signal for transmitting the recommended route to the navigation device 5”. The navigation device 5 that has received the route information related to the recommended route sets the recommended route as the guidance route of the navigation device 5. In addition, the navigation device 5 provides guidance for traveling of the vehicle 4 based on the set guidance route. As a result, when a user who has performed a route search using the PC 3 subsequently gets on the vehicle 4, the travel guidance of the vehicle 4 can be provided based on the recommended route guided by the PC 3. Note that the travel guidance based on the guidance route set in the navigation device 5 is a known technique, and therefore details thereof are omitted.

  Next, in S110, the CPU 21 reads the guidance update stop flag stored in the RAM 22 and sets it to OFF. As a result, when the route search center 2 subsequently receives new traffic jam information from the VICS center or the like, the traffic jam information guidance in the update stop target area is also updated (see FIG. 8).

  Next, a traffic jam information update processing program executed in the PC 3 and the route search center 2 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the traffic jam information update processing program according to this embodiment. Here, the traffic jam information update processing program is executed at predetermined intervals while the PC 3 is accessing the route search center 2, and guides the traffic jam information based on the new traffic jam information acquired by the route search center 2. It is a program to update.

First, the traffic jam information update processing program executed in the PC 3 will be described.
In S <b> 11, the CPU 41 receives the traffic jam information transmitted from the route search center 2. The traffic jam information transmitted from the route search center 2 is traffic jam information newly acquired by the route search center 2 from the VICS center or the like as will be described later. However, the area indicated by the traffic jam information transmitted from the route search center 2 to the PC 3 differs depending on the state of the guidance update stop flag as will be described later. When a predetermined condition is satisfied as will be described later, a signal notifying that there is new traffic information from the route search center 2 (hereinafter referred to as traffic information information signal) is also received.

  Next, in S12, the CPU 41 updates traffic information guidance based on the traffic information received in S11. As a result, the traffic jam information guided on the route search result screen 52 (FIG. 6) in S5 is updated to new traffic jam information reflecting changes in the traffic jam situation.

  Subsequently, in S13, the CPU 41 determines whether or not a traffic jam information presence signal is received in S11. Here, the congestion information presence signal is obtained when the route search center 2 performs a route search using the newly acquired congestion information in a state where the update of the congestion information guidance is stopped as will be described later. This signal is transmitted when a route different from the recommended route guided in S5 is specified as the recommended route (S116 to S120).

  And when it determines with having received the traffic information presence signal (S13: YES), it transfers to S14. On the other hand, if it is determined that the traffic jam information presence signal has not been received (S13: NO), the traffic jam information update processing program is terminated.

  In S <b> 14, the CPU 41 outputs a sentence or a sound for notifying that there is new traffic information from the liquid crystal display 34 or the speaker 35. As a result, the user can grasp that a change in the traffic jam condition that has an influence on the recommended route has occurred in a situation where the guidance of the traffic jam information has not been updated.

Next, a traffic jam information update processing program executed in the route search center 2 will be described.
In S111, the CPU 21 determines whether new traffic jam information has been acquired from the VICS center or the like. In addition, new information is distributed from the VICS center or the like at predetermined intervals (for example, every 5 minutes).

  Next, in S112, the CPU 21 stores the newly acquired traffic jam information in the traffic jam information DB 13 (FIG. 3). In the traffic jam information DB 13, the acquired traffic jam information is cumulatively stored and held for a predetermined period (for example, 1 hour).

  Subsequently, in S113, the CPU 21 reads a guidance update stop flag from the RAM 22, and determines whether or not it is set to ON. Note that the guidance update stop flag is a flag for specifying whether or not the update of the congestion information guidance in the update stop target area is stopped as described above, and is set to ON when starting the route search process. It is set (S102), route information related to the searched recommended route is transmitted to the navigation device 5, and is set to OFF when the guidance related to the recommended route via the PC 3 is terminated (S110). However, ON or OFF can be switched based on the user's operation as described later (FIG. 11).

  And when it determines with the guidance update stop flag being set to ON (S113: YES), it transfers to S115. On the other hand, when it is determined that the guidance update stop flag is set to OFF (S113: NO), the process proceeds to S114.

  In S114, the CPU 21 transmits all the traffic information newly acquired from the VICS center or the like to the PC 3. And PC3 which received traffic jam information updates guidance to new traffic jam information (S12).

On the other hand, in S115, the CPU 21 specifies an update stop target area, which is an area for which the update of the congestion information guidance is to be stopped. Specifically, the update stop target area is specified by any one of the following methods (1) to (3).
(1) All areas included in the map information are specified as update stop target areas.
(2) The area along the recommended route specified in S105 is specified as the update stop target area. Note that only the links constituting the recommended route may be targeted, or the links included in an area within a predetermined distance from the recommended route may be targeted.
(3) The CPU 21 searches for a route from the departure point to the destination without considering the traffic jam information, and specifies the searched route as a comparison recommended route. Next, among the recommended routes specified in S105, a route portion that does not overlap with the comparison recommended route is specified as a non-overlapping route. Then, the area along the specified non-overlapping route is specified as the update stop target area. Note that only the links constituting the non-overlapping route may be targeted, or the links included in an area within a predetermined distance from the non-overlapping route may be targeted.

  Next, in S116, the CPU 21 executes a route search process for searching for a route from the departure point to the destination based on the search condition received in S102 and the newly acquired traffic jam information. Note that the specific processing content is the same as that in S104, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  Subsequently, in S117, the CPU 21 specifies a recommended route (hereinafter referred to as a new recommended route) based on the search result in S116.

  Thereafter, in S118, the CPU 21 compares the recommended route specified in S105 (that is, the recommended route currently guided by the PC 3) with the new recommended route specified in S117, and determines whether or not the route becomes a different route. judge.

  If it is determined that the recommended route specified in S105 is different from the new recommended route specified in S117 (S118: YES), the process proceeds to S120. On the other hand, when it is determined that the recommended route specified in S105 and the new recommended route specified in S117 are the same route (S118: NO), the process proceeds to S119.

  In S119, the CPU 21 transmits to the PC 3 the traffic jam information of the area except for the update stop target area specified in S115 among the traffic jam information newly acquired from the VICS center or the like. And PC3 which received traffic jam information updates guidance to new traffic jam information except an update stop object area (S12).

  On the other hand, in S120, the CPU 21 transmits, to the PC 3, traffic jam information for areas other than the update stop target area specified in S115, among the traffic jam information newly acquired from the VICS center or the like. Further, a signal (congestion information presence signal) for notifying that there is new traffic information from the route search center 2 is also transmitted. And PC3 which received traffic jam information updates guidance to new traffic jam information except an update stop object area (S12). In addition, a sentence or voice for notifying that there is new traffic information is output from the liquid crystal display 34 or the speaker 35.

In the route search system 1 according to the present embodiment, by executing the traffic jam information update processing program, the recommended route searched after the route search is transmitted to the navigation device 5, and the guidance related to the recommended route is terminated. Even if the traffic jam information is updated in the meantime, there is a discrepancy between the currently recommended route (that is, the recommended route transmitted to the navigation device) and the current traffic jam information. There is nothing. For example, in FIGS. 9 and 10, after the recommended route 68 is searched in the state where the recommended route 68 from the departure point to the destination is guided on the route search result screen 52 displayed on the liquid crystal display 34. A case where the congestion degree of the link 71 and the link 72 is updated from “congestion” to “empty” until the searched recommended route 68 is transmitted to the navigation device 5 and the guidance on the recommended route 68 is ended. explain.
In this case, if the information on the traffic jam information is updated as needed as in the conventional case, the route avoiding the link 71 and the link 72 is recommended after the traffic jam information is updated as shown in the lower diagram of FIG. In spite of being guided as 68, it will guide that the link 71 and the link 72 are “vacant”, resulting in a contradiction between the currently recommended route and the traffic jam information. .
On the other hand, if the configuration is such that the update of the traffic information is stopped as in the present embodiment, as shown in the lower diagram of FIG. 10, the link 71 and the link 72 continue to be “ This means that the traffic is “traffic jam”, and there is no contradiction between the currently recommended route and the traffic jam information.

  Next, the congestion information update restart processing program executed in the PC 3 and the route search center 2 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the traffic jam information update restart processing program according to this embodiment. Here, the congestion information update restart processing program is executed at predetermined intervals in a state where the PC 3 is accessing the route search center 2 and the guidance update stop flag is ON, and the user's operation This is a program that resumes updating the information on traffic jam information.

First, a traffic jam information update restart processing program executed in the PC 3 will be described.
In S <b> 21, the CPU 41 determines whether or not an operation for resuming update of traffic jam information has been received from the user. Specifically, an update restart button (not shown) is newly displayed on the liquid crystal display 34 in a state where route information regarding the recommended route is being guided. In S21, when the update restart button is pressed, the CPU 41 determines that an operation for restarting the update of the traffic jam information has been received from the user.

  And when it determines with having received operation which restarts update of traffic congestion information from the user (S21: YES), it transfers to S22. On the other hand, when it is determined that an operation for resuming update of the traffic jam information has not been received from the user (S21: NO), the traffic jam information update restart processing program is terminated.

  In S <b> 22, the CPU 41 transmits an update restart instruction to the route search center 2.

Next, a congestion information update restart processing program executed in the route search center 2 will be described.
In S121, the CPU 21 receives the update restart instruction transmitted from the PC 3 in S22.

  Next, in S122, the CPU 21 reads the guidance update stop flag from the RAM 22 and sets it to OFF. As a result, when the route search center 2 subsequently receives new traffic jam information from the VICS center or the like, the traffic jam information guidance in the update stop target area is also updated (see FIG. 8).

As described above in detail, in the route search system 1, the route guidance method by the route search system 1, and the computer program executed by the route search center 2 or PC3, the search condition input operation is accepted from the user. In this case, a route from the departure point to the destination is searched based on the traffic jam information acquired from the VICS center or the like and the input search condition (S1, S104), and the recommended route specified based on the search result is jammed. The information is guided to the user together with the information (S5), and thereafter, when a transmission instruction from the user to the recommended route navigation device 5 is received, the route information related to the recommended route specified based on the search result is sent to the navigation device 5. At the same time as the transmission (S109), the recommended route guidance is terminated (S8). On the other hand, the route information related to the recommended route is transmitted to the navigation device 5 from the start of the route search until the guidance of the recommended route is terminated, and the update of the congestion information guidance is stopped (S111 to S120). Therefore, even if the congestion information is updated between the search of the route and the end of the recommended route guidance, a conflict occurs between the currently recommended recommended route and the congestion information. There is nothing. In addition, when a user who has performed a route search using the PC 3 subsequently gets on the vehicle 4, the travel guidance of the vehicle 4 can be provided based on the recommended route guided by the PC 3.
In addition, when updating the congestion information guidance is stopped, if the update of the congestion information guidance is stopped for the area along the recommended route, between the currently recommended recommended route and the congestion information For areas that do not cause any contradiction and do not affect the selection of the recommended route, it is possible to provide guidance using new traffic information.
Also, when updating the congestion information guidance, if you want to stop updating the congestion information guidance for areas along the non-overlapping route that do not overlap with the recommended route that does not consider traffic jams, among the recommended routes Thus, it is possible to provide guidance using new traffic information for an area that does not cause a contradiction between the currently recommended route and traffic jam information and does not affect the selection of the recommended route.
Further, when the recommended route taking into account the new traffic information and the recommended route being guided are different, the user is notified that there is new traffic information (S14), so the user updates the traffic information guide. It is possible to grasp that a change in the traffic jam condition having an influence on the recommended route has occurred in a situation where no traffic is performed.
Also, when a predetermined operation is received from the user, the update of the congestion information guidance is resumed (S121, S122). It becomes possible to guide the new traffic information along.
In addition, while the update of the congestion information guidance is stopped, it is informed that the update of the congestion information guidance is stopped. It is possible to grasp in advance that there may be a difference between.

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 the present embodiment, the PC 3 executes the processes of S1 to S8, S11 to S14, S21, and S22, and the route search center 2 executes the processes of S101 to S120, S121, and S122. The main body is not limited to the above embodiment, and any one of the PC 3 and the route search center 2 may be configured. For example, the PC 3 may be configured to execute the route search process of S104 or S116. Moreover, it is good also as a structure which PC3 performs the setting process of the guidance update stop flag of S102, S110, and S122. The traffic information may be acquired by the PC 3 from the VICS center or the like without using the route search center 2.

  Further, when a predetermined time (for example, 30 minutes) elapses after the guidance update stop flag is turned on, a configuration for guiding that the traffic information currently displayed to the user is old information may be added.

  Further, the traffic jam information to be guided is not limited to the traffic jam information acquired from the VICS center, but may be other traffic jam information as long as the traffic jam information is updated at a predetermined interval. For example, it may be traffic jam information acquired from the probe center.

  In the present embodiment, an example is described in which the PC 3 is used as a device that acquires and outputs route information, traffic jam information, and the like. However, instead of the PC 3, a communication terminal such as a mobile phone or a PDA is used. Also good.

  In this embodiment, an example in which the navigation device 5 is used as a mobile terminal that transmits information related to a recommended route has been described. However, instead of the navigation device 5, a mobile phone, a PC, a PDA, or the like may be used. good. In the present embodiment, the information about the recommended route is transmitted from the route search center 2 to the mobile terminal. However, the information about the recommended route may be transmitted from the PC 3 to the mobile terminal.

1 route search system 2 route search center 3 PC
4 Vehicle 5 Navigation device 11 Server 32 Control ECU

Claims (9)

Congestion information guide means for obtaining the traffic information at a predetermined interval and guiding the acquired traffic information every time the traffic information is acquired;
Based on the traffic jam information acquired by the traffic jam information guidance unit, a route search unit for searching for a route from a departure place to a destination;
Route guidance means for guiding a basic recommended route that is a recommended route from the departure place to the destination specified based on a search result of the route search means;
An update stop for stopping updating of the congestion information guidance by the congestion information guidance unit between the start of the route search by the route search unit and the end of the guidance of the basic recommended route by the route guidance unit And a route search system comprising: means. Route information transmitting means for transmitting route information related to the basic recommended route to a mobile terminal;
2. The route according to claim 1, wherein the route guidance unit ends the guidance of the basic recommended route when the route information transmission unit transmits route information regarding the basic recommended route to the mobile terminal. Search system.   3. The route search system according to claim 1, wherein the update stopping unit stops updating the information on the traffic jam information for an area along the basic recommended route. 4. Comparison route search means for searching a route from the departure place to the destination without considering the traffic information acquired by the traffic information guide means;
Among the basic recommended routes, a non-overlapping route is specified as a non-overlapping route that does not overlap with the comparison recommended route that is the recommended route from the starting point to the destination specified based on the search result of the comparison route searching means. An overlapping route specifying means,
The update stop unit stops updating the congestion information guidance for an area along the non-overlapping route specified by the non-overlapping route specifying unit. The described route search system. A route from the departure point to the destination based on the new traffic information acquired by the traffic information guide unit while the update stop unit stops updating the traffic information guide by the traffic information guide unit Re-route search means for searching for,
Notification that new traffic jam information exists when a new recommended route, which is a recommended route from the starting point to the destination, specified based on the search result of the reroute searching means is different from the basic recommended route The route search system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: a traffic jam information presence notification unit. An operation accepting unit that accepts the user's operation while the update stopping unit stops updating the traffic information guidance by the traffic jam information guiding unit;
6. An update restarting unit that restarts updating of the traffic information guidance by the traffic information guide unit when the user operation is received by the operation receiving unit. A route search system according to any one of the above.   The update stop means has update stop guidance means for notifying that the update of the congestion information guidance is stopped while the congestion information guidance means stops updating the congestion information guidance. The route search system according to any one of claims 1 to 6. Congestion information guidance unit obtains the congestion information at predetermined intervals, each time of acquiring the congestion information, and Luz step to guide the traffic jam information the acquired,
Route search means, based on the traffic jam information acquired by the congestion information guidance unit, and Luz step to search for a route from the starting point to the destination,
Route guidance means, and away step to guide the basic recommended route is a recommended route from the departure point that has been specified based on the search result said route search means to said destination,
The update of the traffic jam information by the traffic jam information guide means between the time when the update stop means starts the route search by the route search means and the time when the guidance of the basic recommended route by the route guide means ends. route searching method characterized by having a Luz step to stop. The computer,
Congestion information guide means for obtaining the traffic information at a predetermined interval and guiding the acquired traffic information every time the traffic information is acquired;
Based on the traffic jam information acquired by the traffic jam information guidance unit, a route search unit for searching for a route from a departure place to a destination;
Route guidance means for guiding a basic recommended route that is a recommended route from the departure place to the destination specified based on a search result of the route search means ;
An update stop for stopping updating of the congestion information guidance by the congestion information guidance unit between the start of the route search by the route search unit and the end of the guidance of the basic recommended route by the route guidance unit and means,
Computer program to make it function .

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