JP5691599B2 - Route guidance system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention is an automobile route that is a guide route from a starting point to a destination searched for a vehicle as a target of a moving means, and a guide route from a starting point to a destination searched for a plurality of moving means. The present invention relates to a route guidance system that guides a route from a departure point to a destination using one of multimodal routes.

  Conventionally, there has been a route guidance device disclosed in Patent Document 1 as an example of a route guidance system that searches for an automobile route and a multimodal route and guides a route from a departure place to a destination using either one. .

  This route guidance device searches and guides a route to a destination for an automobile route and a public transportation route. The route guidance device calculates an expected cost when using a public transportation route and an expected cost when using only an automobile route. Then, route guidance using the public transport route is performed when the predicted cost when using the public transport route is smaller than the predicted cost when using only the automobile route by a predetermined value or more.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-124569

  However, the user does not always want to move according to the public transport route even when the predicted cost when using the public transport route is smaller than the predicted cost when using only the car route by a predetermined value or more. Absent. For example, it may be more convenient to move by car, for example, when a lot of luggage (or heavy luggage) is loaded in a car or when a baby is carried.

  However, the route guidance device described above guides the route using the public transportation route when the predicted cost when using the public transportation route is smaller than the expected cost when using only the automobile route by a predetermined value or more. Therefore, there is a problem that the user is guided along a route that is not desired.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and searches for an automobile route and a multimodal route to guide the route. Among the automobile route and the multimodal route, any one according to a user's request is provided. It is an object of the present invention to provide a route guidance system that can guide the route of a vehicle.

In order to achieve the above object, the route guidance system according to claim 1,
An automobile route that is a guide route from a departure point to a destination searched for only a vehicle as a target of a moving means, and a multimodal route that is a guide route from a start point to a destination searched for a plurality of moving means. A route guidance system that guides the route from the starting point to the destination using either one of
A vehicle route searching means for searching a vehicle route;
A multimodal route search means for searching for a multimodal route;
Comparing and determining means for comparing the automobile route and the multimodal route to determine the superior route of the vehicle route and the multimodal route;
When the comparison determination means determines that the multimodal route is superior to the vehicle route, the notification unit notifies the vehicle occupant that there is a multimodal route superior to the vehicle route;
Request means that is provided in an automobile and requests provision of a multimodal route in response to an instruction from an automobile occupant;
If the comparison / determination means determines that the automobile route is superior to the multimodal route, and if the request means does not request the provision of the multimodal route, the vehicle route is It is provided with a route providing means for providing a multimodal route to a passenger of an automobile when the requesting device requests provision of a multimodal route.

  In this way, comparing the automobile route with the multimodal route, if the automobile route is superior to the multimodal route, providing the vehicle route to the vehicle occupant, The route of the car can be guided. In addition, even if the multimodal route is superior to the automobile route, the request means does not request the provision of the multimodal route, that is, the vehicle occupant does not want to provide the multimodal route. Can provide an automobile route to a vehicle occupant to guide the automobile route from the starting point to the destination.

  On the other hand, when the multimodal route is superior to the vehicle route, first, the vehicle occupant is notified that there is a multimodal route superior to the vehicle route. When the request means requests the provision of a multimodal route, that is, when the vehicle occupant wishes to provide a multimodal route, the multimodal route is provided to the vehicle occupant, so that the destination It is possible to guide the multimodal route up to. By doing so, it is possible to guide one of the routes along the user's wishes among the automobile route and the multimodal route.

  Moreover, the route guidance system of this invention may be equipped with the vehicle equipment mounted in the motor vehicle and the center which carries out radio | wireless communication with the said vehicle equipment as shown in Claim 2. In this case, the in-vehicle device includes a notification unit, a request unit, a route providing unit, a setting unit that sets a starting point and a destination of the vehicle route, and an in-vehicle unit side communication unit that performs wireless communication with the center. The center includes a multi-modal route searching unit and a comparison / determination unit, and a center-side communication unit that performs wireless communication with the vehicle-mounted device.

And when the setting means sets the starting point and the destination, the in-vehicle device side communication means transmits information on the automobile route from the starting point to the destination to the center side communication means,
The multimodal route search means searches for a multimodal route based on the information on the vehicle route received by the center side communication means,
When the comparison determination unit determines that the multimodal route is superior to the vehicle route, the center side communication unit transmits information indicating that there is a multimodal route superior to the vehicle route to the in-vehicle device side communication unit. Send
When the informing means receives information indicating that there is a multimodal route superior to the automobile route in the in-vehicle device side communication means, it informs the occupant of the automobile,
The request means requests the center to provide a multimodal route in the vehicle-mounted device side communication means in response to an instruction from the vehicle occupant,
When the center side communication means receives the request for the multimodal route, the center side communication means transmits the multimodal route to the in-vehicle device side communication means,
The route providing means may provide the vehicle occupant with the multimodal route received by the in-vehicle device communication means when the request means requests provision of the multimodal route.

  As described above, when the comparison determination unit determines that the multimodal route is superior to the vehicle route, the center first sends information indicating that there is a multimodal route superior to the vehicle route to the in-vehicle device. Send. Next, when a request for a multimodal route is received from the in-vehicle device, the multi-modal route is transmitted to the in-vehicle device. Therefore, when the multimodal route is superior to the automobile route, it is possible to reduce the communication amount between the center and the in-vehicle device rather than immediately transmitting the multimodal route.

  In addition, in this way, when a vehicle occupant desires to provide a multimodal route (when the center requests provision of a multimodal route), the multimodal route is transmitted from the center to the in-vehicle device. Therefore, the route desired by the passenger can be guided.

  Furthermore, even if the in-vehicle device does not have a function of searching for a multimodal route, the in-vehicle device is provided with means for wirelessly communicating with the center (on-vehicle device side communication means), thereby providing the vehicle occupant with the multimodal route. Can do.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the center side communication means receives information indicating the outline of the multimodal route and the outline of the vehicle route as information indicating that there is a multimodal route superior to the vehicle route. You may make it transmit to a machine.

By doing in this way, the outline | summary of the multimodal route superior to a vehicle route can be alert | reported with respect to the passenger | crew of a motor vehicle. As an outline of this multimodal route, for example, a route that includes only the required time from the starting point to the destination and the starting point / end point of the moving unit and the moving unit (and the switching point of the moving unit as necessary) is adopted. be able to. On the other hand, as an outline of the automobile route, a route including only a required time from the departure place to the destination can be adopted. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, only when there is a multimodal route superior to the automobile route, the notification means notifies the vehicle occupant of information indicating the outline of the multimodal route and the outline of the automobile route. You may do it.

Further, as shown in claim 5, when the comparison determination unit determines that the multi-modal route is superior to the vehicle route, the center side communication device has a multi-modal route superior to the vehicle route. It is also possible to transmit information indicating only to the in-vehicle device.

  In this way, the amount of communication between the center and the in-vehicle device can be further reduced by transmitting information indicating only that there is a multimodal route superior to the automobile route to the in-vehicle device.

Moreover, as shown in Claim 6, you may make it provide in an onboard equipment, and you may make it provide in a center as shown in Claim 7 .

As shown in claim 6, when the vehicle route search means is provided in-vehicle device, the vehicle-mounted device side communication means, as the information about the car path, so as to transmit the searched car route itself at automobile route search means May be. By doing so, the center does not need to search for a vehicle route. Therefore, the load on the center can be reduced.

On the other hand, as shown in claim 7 , when the vehicle route searching means is provided in the center, the vehicle unit side communication means transmits the departure place and destination set by the setting means as information on the vehicle route. Also good. By doing in this way, the in-vehicle device does not need to search for an automobile route. Therefore, the load on the vehicle-mounted device can be reduced.

Further, as shown in claim 8, the vehicle-mounted device is provided with a position detecting means for detecting the current position of the vehicle, the vehicle-mounted device side communication means, the center side communication the current position of the vehicle in which the position detecting means has detected The multi-modal route searching means may transmit to the means and search for the multi-modal route using the current position received by the center side communication means as the departure point.

  By doing in this way, even if the vehicle equipped with the vehicle-mounted device is moving along the vehicle route, if there is a multimodal route superior to the vehicle route, there is a multimodal route superior to the vehicle route. It is possible to notify the vehicle occupant of the fact.

Further, as shown in claim 9 , the center determines whether or not the traffic information of each road fluctuates based on the traffic information acquisition means for acquiring the traffic information of each road and the traffic information acquired by the traffic information acquisition means. Fluctuation determining means for determining
When the center side communication means determines that the fluctuation determination means has fluctuation, the center side communication means requests transmission of the current position to the in-vehicle device that has transmitted the information on the automobile route including the road having the fluctuation,
The vehicle-mounted device-side communication means may transmit the current position of the host vehicle detected by the position detection means to the center-side communication means when the center-side communication means requests transmission of the current position.

  In this way, only when there is a change in traffic information, the center requests the in-vehicle device to transmit the current position, and the in-vehicle device responds to this by transmitting the current position to the center. The amount of communication with the machine can be further reduced.

In addition, as shown in claim 10, it includes a portable device that can be carried by a user,
The portable machine
Portable device side communication means capable of wireless communication with the center side communication means;
A portable device-side route providing means for providing a multimodal route to a vehicle occupant;
When the center side communication unit receives the request for the multimodal route, the center side communication unit may transmit the multimodal route to the portable device side communication unit.

By doing so, a multimodal route can be provided to the occupant even after the occupant gets off the vehicle. It is also conceivable to transmit a multimodal route from the in-vehicle device to the portable device. However, when the vehicle ignition switch (hereinafter referred to as IG) or accessory switch (hereinafter referred to as ACC) is turned on / off, power is supplied to or stopped from the in-vehicle device. A modal route cannot be transmitted. On the other hand, as shown in claim 10 , by transmitting the multimodal route from the center to the portable device, the multimodal route is transmitted to the portable device even after the IG or ACC of the automobile is turned off. be able to.

It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the route guidance system in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the navigation apparatus in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the portable device in 1st Embodiment of this invention. (A) is an image figure which shows an example of the summary for path | route selection in 1st Embodiment of this invention, (b) is an image figure which shows an example of the multimodal path | route in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the processing operation of the route guidance system in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the processing operation of the route guidance system in 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the processing operation of the route guidance system in 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the processing operation of the route guidance system in 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the processing operation of the route guidance system in 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is an image figure which shows an example of the information which shows that there exists a multimodal route superior to the motor vehicle route in the modification of this invention. It is an image figure which shows the example of a display of the display screen in the other modification of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
First, the route guidance system in the first embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the route guidance system includes a car navigation device 100 (hereinafter also simply referred to as “car navigation”), a portable device 200, and a center 300.

  This route guidance system includes a vehicle route that is a guide route from a starting point to a destination searched for only a vehicle traveling on a road as a target of a moving means, and a plurality of moving means (automobile, walking, bicycle, public transportation) The route from the departure point to the destination is guided using any one of the multi-modal routes that are the guidance route from the departure point to the destination searched for the engine.

  In addition, the automobile route can be rephrased as a guide route that can reach the destination from the departure place using only the automobile traveling on the road. In other words, this is a guide route from the starting point to the destination searched for the road on which the automobile is traveling. For example, a well-known recommended route and five routes (recommended as an example, pay priority, general priority, distance priority, another route) are included.

  On the other hand, the multimodal route is searched for a vehicle, a walk, a bicycle, and public transportation as a target of transportation, and in other words, it is a guide route that can be reached from the departure place to the destination by at least one of these transportation means. be able to. That is, it is a guide route from a departure point to a destination searched for a road (a road on which a car runs or a sidewalk where people walk), a railroad track, an air route, and a sea route. For example, a route that can be reached from the departure point to the destination by car, foot and train, and a route that can be reached from the departure point to the destination by foot and train are included. Examples of public transportation include railways, buses, taxis, airplanes, and ships. Note that the plurality of moving means include trains of different railway companies and trains traveling on a plurality of routes of the same railway company. In other words, the multimodal route can be rephrased as a guide route that can reach the destination from the starting point searched by including at least public transportation as a moving means. Therefore, the multimodal route includes a route that can reach the destination from the departure point only by train.

  First, the car navigation system 100 will be described with reference to FIG. This car navigation system 100 corresponds to the in-vehicle device of the present invention, and is mounted on an automobile traveling on a road. The car on which the car navigation system 100 is mounted is not a car (such as a taxi or a bus) in public transportation, but is a private car or a company-owned car, for example.

  This car navigation system 100 searches for a vehicle route from a departure point (for example, the vehicle position that is the current position of the vehicle) to a destination, and performs route guidance from the departure point to the destination based on the searched vehicle route. To do. As is well known, the route guidance based on the automobile route displays the automobile route to be traveled by superimposing the vehicle position (vehicle mark indicating the current position of the vehicle) on the road map on the display screen of the display device 150. When the vehicle position reaches a predetermined point, the voice output device 170 outputs a guidance voice. As will be described in detail later, the car navigation system 100, when receiving a multimodal route (multimodal route data) from the center 300, guides the route from the departure point to the destination based on the multimodal route. The route guidance based on this multi-modal route is, for example, a route to a parking lot around the railway station (that is, a destination for moving by car), a departure station of a railway, a railroad, an arrival station, and an arrival station to the destination. Is displayed on the screen of the display device 150 in a different manner from other roads, railway stations, tracks, and the like. In the present embodiment, description will be made by adopting the current position of the vehicle as the departure point.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the car navigation system 100 includes a communication device 110, a map database 120, a vehicle position detection unit 130 (a GPS receiver 131, a gyro sensor 132, a vehicle speed sensor 133), a storage unit 140, a display device 150, an operation A switch 160, an audio output device 170, a control device 180, and the like are provided.

  The control device 180 is configured as a known computer, and includes a central processing unit (CPU), a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a hard disk drive (HDD), and an input / output (I / O). / Output) and a bus line for connecting these components. The control device 180 is electrically connected to the communication device 110, the map database 120, the vehicle position detection unit 130, the storage unit 140, the display device 150, the operation switch 160, and the sound output device 170 described above. The control device 180 executes various processes as a navigation function. That is, the control device 180 performs arithmetic processing based on various information (various signals) input from the communication device 110, the map database 120, the vehicle position detection unit 130, the storage unit 140, and the operation switch 160, and the display device 150. By instructing the display of an image or instructing the audio output device 170 to output an audio, various processes as a navigation function are executed. The various processes as the navigation function include, for example, a search for a vehicle route from the departure point to the destination (vehicle route search means), a map scale change process, a menu display selection process, a map matching process, and a destination setting process. Route guidance related processing, current position correction processing, display screen change processing, volume adjustment processing, and the like.

  In particular, the control device 180 in the present embodiment executes the following processing (that is, has the following functions). A process (setting means) for setting the starting point and destination of the automobile route. Processing (in-vehicle device side communication means) for transmitting information related to the vehicle route from the departure point to the destination (here, vehicle route data, destination data, and vehicle-mounted device ID) using the communication device 110 to the center 300. When the communication device 110 receives a summary of the multimodal route transmitted from the center 300 (that is, when the center 300 determines that the multimodal route is superior to the vehicle route (comparison determination means)) By displaying the summary on the display device 150, a process (notification means) for notifying an occupant (hereinafter also referred to as a user) of an automobile that there is a multimodal route superior to the vehicle route. In addition, in response to an instruction from a vehicle occupant (that is, when the operation switch 160 outputs a signal indicating a request for a multimodal route according to the operation of the occupant), the communication device 110 is used to provide a multimodal route. Processing requested to 300 (request means). Further, a process of providing the automobile route to the vehicle occupant by displaying the automobile route on the display device 150 (route providing means). The automobile route is provided when the center 300 determines that the automobile route is superior to the multimodal route and when the center 300 does not request the provision of the multimodal route. Also, a process of providing the multimodal route to the vehicle occupant by displaying the multimodal route on the display device 150 (route providing means). The multimodal route is provided when the vehicle occupant desires to provide the multimodal route.

  Based on an instruction from the control device 180, the communication device 110 communicates with the center 300 via a communication network such as a wireless base station and the Internet, for example. Specifically, the communication device 110 may employ an in-vehicle communication module used for telematics communication such as DCM (data communication module) mounted on a vehicle, a mobile phone connected via Bluetooth (registered trademark), or the like. it can. For example, when the communication device 110 receives an instruction from the control device 180 based on the operation of the operation switch 160 by the user, the departure point data (that is, current position data), destination data, vehicle route data, and the host vehicle (body) ) Data (for example, identification information unique to the car navigation system 100 such as the vehicle-mounted device ID or identification information unique to the vehicle body such as the vehicle body number) is transmitted to the center 300. Further, when the communication device 110 receives route data of a multimodal route (hereinafter also referred to as multimodal route data) or summary data (hereinafter also referred to as a route selection summary) transmitted from the center 300, these data are received. Is output to the control device 180.

  In the present embodiment, the vehicle-mounted device ID is adopted as the own vehicle data. Moreover, in this embodiment, vehicle route data, destination data, and vehicle equipment ID are employ | adopted as data which the communication apparatus 110 transmits to the center 300. FIG. Further, the vehicle route data and the destination data correspond to information on the vehicle route from the departure point to the destination in the present invention. Further, the departure point data and destination data transmitted to the center 300 by the communication device 110 described later also correspond to information on the automobile route from the departure point to the destination in the present invention. Moreover, when transmitting the information regarding the motor vehicle path | route from a departure place to the destination to the center 300, it transmits with vehicle equipment ID.

  The map database 120 is used to reproduce (draw), for example, road map data all over Japan, facility POI (Points Of Interest) data such as various facilities and stores, and road maps on the screen of the display device 150. It stores various data such as drawing data. The road map data includes an intersection on the map as a node and the road is divided into a plurality of parts. The road map data includes node data related to this node, link data that defines a portion between each node as a link, and the like.

  The node data includes data such as a node ID, a node coordinate, a node name, and the like, each having a unique number assigned to each node where roads on the map intersect, merge, and branch. The link data includes link ID, link length, link start point and end point position data, angle (direction) data, road width, road type, and other data. In addition, as a storage medium of the map database 120, DVD-ROM, a hard disk drive, etc. can be used and it is not specifically limited.

  The own vehicle position detection unit 130 includes a GPS receiver 131 for detecting (positioning) the position of the own vehicle, a gyro sensor 132 for detecting the rotational angular velocity of the own vehicle, and a vehicle speed sensor 133. Based on the input from each sensor constituting the vehicle position detection unit 130, the control device 180 determines the current position of the vehicle (position information indicating the absolute position), the traveling direction, the link travel time for each link, and for each link. Link travel speed, travel distance, current time, etc. are detected with high accuracy. The own vehicle position detection unit 130 itself detects the current position of the own vehicle (position information indicating the absolute position), the traveling direction, the link travel time for each link, the link travel speed for each link, the travel distance, the current time, and the like. Then, the detection result may be output to the control device 180.

  The storage unit 140 stores data handled in the control device 180 (for example, a program executed by the control device 180, received multimodal route data, a route selection summary, an in-vehicle device ID, etc.) as necessary. It's a thing. The storage unit 140 can be configured by, for example, a nonvolatile storage medium that can write and read data.

  As the display device 150, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or the like can be adopted. This display device 150 should travel by superimposing the vehicle position (vehicle mark indicating the current position of the vehicle) on the road map by inputting data stored in the map database 120 from the control device 180. Car routes and multimodal routes are displayed on the display screen.

  The operation switch 160 is operated by a user, and includes a touch switch that is integrated with the display device 150 and installed on the display screen, a push-type hard switch that is provided around the display screen of the display device 9, and the like. It can be adopted and used for various inputs. For example, the car navigation system 100 executes various kinds of information such as departure point information including the position information of the departure point and destination information including the position information of the destination, and a search instruction for a vehicle route from the departure point to the destination. An operation signal associated with the function is output to the control device 180. When the departure place information is input, the control device 180 searches for the corresponding facility and sets the extracted facility as the departure place. Further, when departure point information indicating that the current position is set as the departure point is input, the current position detected by the vehicle position detection unit 130 is set as the departure point. The data including the location information of the departure place is referred to as departure place data. Further, when the destination information is input, the control device 180 searches for the corresponding facility and sets the extracted facility as the destination. Data including the location information of the destination is referred to as destination data.

  The voice output device 170 includes a speaker or the like provided in the passenger compartment, and outputs a guidance voice at the time of route guidance based on an instruction from the control device 180.

  Of the processing operations executed by the car navigation system 100, features of the present invention will be described in detail later.

  Next, the portable device 200 will be described with reference to FIG. The portable device 200 can be carried by a user (a vehicle occupant), and for example, a mobile phone, a smartphone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), or the like can be employed. Here, a description will be given by adopting a portable information terminal.

  As illustrated in FIG. 3, the portable device 200 includes a communication device 210, an operation switch 220, a display device 230, a sound output device 240, a storage unit 250, a control device 260, and the like.

  The control device 260 is configured as a well-known computer, and includes a central processing unit (CPU), a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), an input / output (I / O), and configurations thereof. The bus line etc. which are connected are provided. The control device 260 is electrically connected to the communication device 210, the operation switch 220, the display device 230, the audio output device 240, and the storage unit 250 described above. The control device 260 performs arithmetic processing based on various types of information (various signals) input from the communication device 210, the operation switch 220, and the storage unit 250, and instructs the display device 230 to display an image. Instructing 240 to output sound.

  The communication device 210 is configured to perform wireless communication with the center 300 via a wireless base station and a communication network such as the Internet (portable device side communication means). For example, when receiving a multimodal route (multimodal route data) from the center 300, the communication device 110 outputs the multimodal route to the control device 260. In this embodiment, an example in which communication is performed with the center 300 is adopted, but the present invention is not limited to this. The communication device 210 may communicate with the car navigation system 100 (communication device 110). When communication is performed between the portable device 200 (communication device 210) and the car navigation system 100 (communication device 110), the portable device 200 may receive a multimodal route (multimodal route data) from the car navigation device 100. Further, when communication is performed between the portable device 200 and the car navigation system 100, communication connection may be performed using Bluetooth (registered trademark). Further, the portable device 200 may communicate with the center 300 and the car navigation system 100.

  The operation switch 220 is operated by a user, and includes an input device such as a plurality of mechanical switches provided in the portable device 200 and a touch panel provided so as to overlap the display surface of the display device 9. And outputs a signal based on the touch of the touch panel to the control device 260.

  As the display device 230, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or the like can be adopted. The display device 230 displays a multimodal route or the like on the display screen by inputting the multimodal route (multimodal route data) received by the communication device 210 from the control device 260 (providing the portable device side route) means). As described above, when the multimodal route is set as the guide route by displaying the multimodal route on the display device 230 of the portable device 200, even if the user gets off the car, the user can get to the destination. A route (multimodal route) can be guided (provided). In addition, although illustration is abbreviate | omitted, it is preferable that the portable device 200 is provided with a GPS receiver etc. in order to detect an own position. When the portable device 200 includes a GPS receiver as described above, the current position (the current position of the portable device 200 is indicated on the multimodal route on the display screen of the display device 230 as in the route guidance based on the vehicle route. The route to be traveled (multi-modal route) is displayed by superimposing marks), and the route is guided by outputting a guidance voice by the voice output device 240 when the current position reaches a predetermined point. it can.

  The voice output device 240 includes a speaker or the like, and outputs a guidance voice at the time of route guidance based on an instruction from the control device 260.

  The storage unit 250 stores data (for example, a program, received multimodal route data, etc.) handled in the control device 260 as necessary. The storage unit 140 can be configured by, for example, a nonvolatile storage medium that can write and read data.

  Next, the center 300 will be described with reference to FIG. The center 300 performs processing such as search for a multimodal route, search for a vehicle route, and transmission (distribution) of the searched multimodal route or vehicle route. In the present embodiment, the center 300 employs an example of searching for and transmitting a multimodal route, and therefore, the object can be achieved without having a function of searching for a vehicle route or transmitting a vehicle route. However, the multimodal route is a guide route from a starting point to a destination searched for public transportation. Therefore, in the center 300, a route search for automobiles (buses, taxis, etc.) in public transportation is performed.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the center 300 includes a communication device 310, an operation information database 320, a traffic jam information database 330, a map information database 340, a parking lot information database 350, and the like.

  The control device 360 is configured as a well-known computer (for example, a relatively large computer and preferably a server), and includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM ( A random access memory (HDD), a hard disk drive (HDD), an input / output (I / O), and a bus line connecting these components are provided. The control device 360 is connected to the communication device 310 and various databases 320 to 350 described above. The control device 360 executes various processes based on signals received by the communication device 310 and data stored in the various databases 320 to 350. For example, a process of associating the vehicle route data, the destination data, and the vehicle-mounted device ID received by the communication device 310 and storing them in the HDD or the like. Further, based on the vehicle route data and the destination data, a process for searching for a multimodal route using the operation information database 320, the traffic jam information database 330, the map information database 340, and the parking lot information database 350 (multimodal route search means) . Also, a process of comparing the received automobile route with the searched multimodal route to determine the superior route of the automobile route and the multimodal route (comparison determination means). In addition, when it is determined that the multimodal route is superior to the automobile route, processing for creating information indicating that there is a multimodal route superior to the automobile route. And the process (center side communication means) which transmits the information which shows that there exists a multimodal route superior to the produced motor vehicle route using the communication apparatus 310 to the car navigation system 100. Further, when the communication device 310 receives a request for a multimodal route transmitted from the car navigation system 100, a process for transmitting (distributing) the multimodal route to the car navigation system 100 (center side communication means). That is, the control device 360 has these functions.

  In the present embodiment, information indicating an overview (summary) of the multimodal route and an overview of the vehicle route is employed as information indicating that there is a multimodal route superior to the vehicle route. As an outline of this multimodal route, for example, a route that includes only the required time from the starting point to the destination and the starting point / end point of the moving unit and the moving unit (and the switching point of the moving unit as necessary) is adopted. be able to. On the other hand, as the outline (summary) of the automobile route, one including only the required time from the departure place to the destination can be adopted. The information including the outline of the multimodal route and the outline of the automobile route can be referred to as a route selection summary.

  The communication device 310 communicates with the communication device 110 of the car navigation system 100 described above and with the communication device 210 of the portable device 200. The communication device 310 receives the vehicle route data, the destination data, the vehicle-mounted device ID, and the like through communication with the communication device 110 of the car navigation system 100, and multimodal route data searched for by the control device 11 and for route search. Send summary etc. In addition, the communication device 310 transmits multimodal route data and the like by communication with the communication device 210 of the portable device 200.

  The operation information database 320 stores each transportation in public transportation and the operation information of each transportation in association with each other. This operation information includes time information (departure time information, arrival time information) in each transportation facility, information on operation delay, suspension of service, and the like. In addition, the time information of each transportation facility can be acquired at a timing when each transportation facility is updated (for example, schedule revision). Moreover, the information regarding the operation delay or suspension of each transportation facility can be acquired from each transportation facility every predetermined time or at the timing when the operation delay or suspension occurs.

  In the traffic jam information database 330, each road and traffic jam information such as a traffic jam degree and a link travel time of each road are stored in association with each other. The traffic jam information such as the traffic jam degree and the link travel time is updated every predetermined time. Further, the traffic jam information such as the traffic jam degree and the link travel time can be acquired from, for example, a VICS (registered trademark) center or based on information acquired from a probe car (floating car).

  The map information database 340 is equivalent to the map database mounted on the car navigation system 100 described above, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The parking lot information database 350 stores each parking lot in association with the parking lot information (for example, the situation (whether it is vacant or full), the parking fee, the size of the car that can be parked, etc.). Has been. In addition, the parking lot information of each parking lot can be acquired from each parking lot every predetermined time.

  When the control device 360 searches for a multimodal route, the transportation system to be used, a parking lot near the boarding station (or bus stop, airport or port), a route from the departure place (current position) to the parking lot, a parking lot The route from the departure point to the destination is comprehensively searched, such as the route from the station to the boarding station (or bus stop or airport or port), the route from the getting off station (or bus stop or airport or port) to the destination. For example, when the received car route data and destination data indicate the departure place A and the destination B, the departure place (current position) → the parking lot P (moving means: automobile), the parking lot P → A station ( Routes such as moving means: walking), A station → B station (moving means: train), B station → destination G (moving means: walking) are automatically searched. In addition, the section using a walk is a section which does not use public transportation means, and includes a case where a means such as a bicycle that can be arbitrarily moved is used.

  Further, when the control device 360 of the center 300 searches for a multimodal route, a predetermined number (for example, three) of multimodal routes are searched from the shorter required time from the starting point to the destination. Then, the control device 360 compares the received automobile route with the searched multimodal route, and determines the superior route of the automobile route and the multimodal route (comparison determination means). In other words, it is determined whether there is a multimodal route superior to the automobile route. The determination as to whether or not the vehicle is superior is made based on the required time (estimated time) from the departure point to the destination on the automobile route and the required time (expected time) from the departure point to the destination on the multimodal route. That is, when the automobile route and the multimodal route are compared as described above, the required time of the automobile route is compared with the required time of the multimodal route. Then, it is determined that the shorter required time is superior.

  Here, based on the flowchart of FIG. 5, the processing operation of the route guidance system in the present embodiment will be described. Note that steps S10 to S18 in the flowchart of FIG. 5 are processes in the car navigation system 100, and the departure point information, the destination information, and an operation signal indicating a search instruction for a vehicle route from the departure point to the destination are input. This is executed when a route selection summary transmitted from the center 300 is received. On the other hand, steps S20 to S25 in the flowchart of FIG. 5 are processes in the center 300, and are executed when a request for automobile route data or a multimodal route transmitted from the car navigation system 100 is received.

  In step S10, the control device 180 of the car navigation system 100 sets the starting point and destination of the automobile route based on the starting point information and destination information output from the operation switch 160 (setting unit).

  In step S11, the control device 180 of the car navigation system 100 uses the data stored in the map database 120 to search for a vehicle route from the departure place to the destination (vehicle route search means). In this automobile route search, for example, a known recommended route or five routes (recommended, pay priority, general priority, distance priority, another route as an example) are searched.

  In step S12, the control device 180 of the car navigation system 100 includes the vehicle route data for the vehicle route searched in step S11 and the destination data indicating the destination of the vehicle route (that is, the data indicating the destination set in step S10). ) Including information on the vehicle route from the departure point to the destination is transmitted to the center 300 using the communication device 110 together with the vehicle unit ID (vehicle unit side communication means).

  Here, the process proceeds to the center 300 side. In step S20, when control device 360 of center 300 receives vehicle route data, destination data, and in-vehicle device ID transmitted from car navigation system 100 (communication device 110) at communication device 310, it searches for a multimodal route. To do. That is, the control device 360 of the center 300 is set in step S10 using the operation information database 320, the traffic jam information database 330, the map information database 340, and the parking lot information database 350 based on the vehicle route data and the destination data. A multimodal route from the departure point to the destination is searched (multimodal route search means). When the communication device 310 receives the vehicle route data, the destination data, and the vehicle-mounted device ID, the control device 360 of the center 300 associates the vehicle route data, the destination data, and the vehicle-mounted device ID to the HDD or the like. Remember.

  In step S21, the control device 360 of the center 300 determines whether or not the multimodal route arrives at the destination earlier than the automobile route. That is, the control device 360 of the center 300 compares the required time from the departure point to the destination in the received automobile route with the required time from the departure point to the destination in the searched multi-modal route, It is determined whether or not there is a multimodal route that is superior (required time is short) (comparison determination means). In other words, the control device 360 of the center 300 compares the required time from the departure point to the destination in the received automobile route with the required time from the departure point to the destination in the searched multimodal route, The superior route of the multimodal routes is determined (comparison determination means). If it is determined that there is a multimodal route superior to the automobile route, it is assumed that the multimodal route arrives at the destination earlier than the automobile route, and the process proceeds to step S22, where the multimodal route is superior to the automobile route. If it is determined that there is no route, the vehicle route is considered to arrive at the destination earlier than the multimodal route, and the process proceeds to step S24.

  In step S22, the control device 360 of the center 300 creates information indicating that there is a multimodal route superior to the automobile route. That is, when it is determined that the multimodal route is superior to the vehicle route, the control device 360 of the center 300 creates information indicating that there is a multimodal route superior to the vehicle route.

  In this embodiment, as information indicating that there is a multimodal route superior to the vehicle route, information indicating a summary (summary) of the multimodal route and a summary (summary) of the vehicle route (that is, a summary for route selection). ). That is, the control device 360 of the center 300 creates a route selection summary.

  The information indicating that there is a multimodal route superior to the automobile route is different from the multimodal route data for displaying the multimodal route on the display screen of the display device 150. As described above, this information includes an outline (summary) of the multimodal route and an outline (summary) of the automobile route, and has a data amount sufficiently smaller than the multimodal route data.

  In step S23, the control device 360 of the center 300 uses the communication device 310 to transmit the route selection summary created in step S22 to the car navigation system 100 (center side communication means). That is, if the control device 360 of the center 300 determines that the multimodal route is superior to the vehicle route, the communication device 310 is used to first determine that there is a multimodal route superior to the vehicle route. The information shown (summary for route selection) is transmitted to the car navigation system 100 (center side communication means). As described above, the route guidance system according to the present embodiment immediately converts the data of the multimodal route (multimodal route data) even when it is determined that the multimodal route is superior to the vehicle route. Do not send to.

  In the search for a multimodal route, a route that uses only a public transportation vehicle (such as a taxi or a bus) as a moving means may be searched. That is, a route that uses only the automobile as the moving means may be searched as a multimodal route that is superior to the automobile route searched by the car navigation system 100. For example, the car navigation 100 and the center 300 may be caused by different data used for searching (different in newness). That is, it may occur due to the difference between the data recorded in the map database 120 and the data recorded in the map information database 340. In addition, a bus that is an automobile of public transportation can run on a bus-only road, whereas a private car or a company-owned car may be caused by the fact that it cannot run on a bus-only road.

  However, buses and taxis are more disadvantageous than private cars and company cars in terms of transportation costs. Moreover, it is troublesome to get off a car (private car or company-owned car) that is already on board and change to a bus or taxi. In other words, even if a multimodal route (using a bus or taxi as a means of transportation) arrives at the destination earlier than a car route searched by the car navigation system 100, the vehicle travels by car (private car or company-owned car). In many cases, it is more convenient for an occupant who is trying to travel by car (private car or company-owned car) as it is. In other words, unless you have to arrive at your destination by a certain time, rather than getting out of a car (private car or company-owned car) that you have already boarded and changing to a bus or taxi, It is preferable to move by private car or company-owned car.

  Therefore, when a route using only a car (bus or taxi) as a moving means is searched for as a multimodal route, it is determined that the vehicle route searched by the car navigation system 100 is superior to this multimodal route. May be.

  By doing in this way, since it can suppress reporting to the passenger | crew of a motor vehicle that there exists a path | route which uses only a motor vehicle (bus or taxi) as a multimodal route, it is preferable. In other words, it is preferable because it is possible to suppress a passenger from being transferred to a bus or a taxi from a car (a private car or a company-owned car) that is already in the vehicle.

  Even when a route using only a car (bus or taxi) as a moving means is searched for as a multimodal route, a summary of this multimodal route is transmitted to the communication device 110 of the car navigation system 100. Also good.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S21 that the automobile route is superior to the multimodal route, in step S24, the control device 360 of the center 300 notifies the car navigation system 100 that there is no corresponding multimodal route. That is, it notifies the car navigation system 100 that there is no multimodal route superior to the vehicle route. At this time, the control device 360 of the center 300 transmits a signal (information) indicating that there is no corresponding multimodal route to the communication device 110 of the car navigation system 100 using the communication device 310.

  In the car navigation system 100, a signal (information) indicating that there is no corresponding multimodal route is used as one trigger (signal) for setting the vehicle route as a guide route. That is, it is not intended to notify the vehicle occupant that there is no corresponding multimodal route.

  Usually, an occupant in a car often gets into the car on the assumption that he / she moves by car. For this reason, the absence of the corresponding multimodal route is often not necessary information for the vehicle occupant. Therefore, it is preferable not to notify the occupant of the vehicle that there is no corresponding multimodal route in this manner, because it is possible to suppress notification of information unnecessary for the occupant of the vehicle to the occupant. .

  Here, the processing returns to the car navigation 100 side. In step S <b> 13, the control device 180 of the car navigation system 100 receives the route selection summary transmitted from the center 300 by the communication device 110 (that is, the center 300 has a multimodal route superior to the automobile route. When the determination is made (comparison determination means), the route selection summary is displayed on the display screen of the display device 150 to notify the vehicle occupant that there is a multimodal route superior to the vehicle route (notification means). ). An example of this route selection summary is shown in FIG. FIG. 4A is an image diagram of a route selection summary displayed on the display screen of the display device 150 of the car navigation system 100. In this example, as the route 1, the present location which is the outline of the first multimodal route → A station (movement means: car), A station → B station (movement means: train of the railway company J), B station → purpose The ground (moving means: walking) and the required time (45 minutes here) are displayed. Also, as the route 2, the present location which is the outline of the second multimodal route → A station (moving means: car), A station → B station (moving means: train of the railway company M), B station → destination ( The moving means: walking) and the required time (here 55 minutes) are displayed. And the required time (here 90 minutes) which is the outline | summary of a motor vehicle path | route is displayed as the path | route 3. FIG. Thus, the route selection summary may display the multimodal route and the vehicle route in the order of the shortest required time.

  In step S14, the control device 180 of the car navigation system 100 determines whether or not a multimodal route has been selected from the route selection summary notified in step S13, based on the signal output from the operation switch 160.

  For example, when a touch panel is used as the operation switch 160, a signal indicating that a location displaying a multimodal route is touched in a state where the route selection summary is displayed as shown in FIG. When output, it is determined that the multimodal route has been selected. The signal indicating that the portion displaying the multimodal route is touched can be rephrased as a signal indicating a request for the multimodal route. Similarly, in the state where the route selection summary is displayed as shown in FIG. 4A, when a signal indicating that the location displaying the vehicle route is touched is output, the vehicle route is displayed. It is determined that it has been selected. In addition, as shown to Fig.4 (a), you may make it the display mode of the selected path | route change. This example shows that route 1 has been selected.

  The control device 180 of the car navigation system 100 selects the vehicle route when the signal from the operation switch 160 is not output for a predetermined time in the state where the route selection summary is displayed as shown in FIG. You may make it consider that it was done. That is, it may be determined that the multimodal route has not been selected. By doing so, an occupant who does not intend to select a multimodal route does not need to perform a special operation (operation of the operation switch 160), which is preferable.

  If it is determined that the multimodal route is selected, the process proceeds to step S15. If it is determined that the multimodal route is not selected (for example, if it is determined that the automobile route is selected), the process proceeds to step S17.

In step S15, the control device 180 of the car navigation system 100 is a case where the operation switch 160 outputs a signal indicating a request for a multimodal route in response to an instruction from the vehicle occupant (that is, according to the operation of the occupant, When the multimodal route is selected), the communication device 110 is used to request the center 300 to provide the multimodal route (request means). That is, the control device 180 of the car navigation system 100 transmits a request signal indicating a request for a multimodal route to the center 300 (communication device 310) using the communication device 110 in response to an instruction from the vehicle occupant. Proceed to the processing on the center 300 side. In step S25, when the communication device 310 receives the request (request signal) for the multimodal route transmitted from the car navigation system 100, the control device 360 of the center 300 transmits the multimodal route (multimodal route data) to the car navigation system 100. (Distribute) (Center side communication means). As described above, when it is determined that there is a multimodal route superior to the automobile route, the route guidance system in the present embodiment transmits the multimodal route data to the car navigation system 100 only after the occupant selects the multimodal route. . That is, when the vehicle occupant desires a multimodal route, the multimodal route data is transmitted to the car navigation system 100.

  The multimodal route data includes route data (car route, walking route that is a route in which walking is selected as a moving means, public route that is a route in which public transportation is selected as a moving means. In addition to transportation routes, etc., the timetable of the boarding stations (or bus stops, airports and ports) included in the selected multimodal route, public transportation fees, parking fees, sections traveled by public transportation It is possible to include data such as the required time of the vehicle, the required time of the section moving on foot.

  And it returns to the process by the side of the car navigation 100 again. When the multimodal route data transmitted from the center 300 (communication device 310) is received by the communication device 110, the process proceeds to step S16. In step S16, the control device 180 of the car navigation system 100 sets the multimodal route as the guide route. In step S18, the control device 180 of the car navigation system 100 provides the multimodal route to the vehicle occupant by displaying the multimodal route on the display screen of the display device 150 based on the received multimodal route data ( Route provision means). When providing multimodal routes to passengers, the timetable for the above boarding stations (or bus stops, airports and ports), public transportation charges, parking fees, and the section required for travel by public transportation It is preferable to provide the time and the time required for the section where the user moves on foot.

  An example of this multimodal route is shown in FIG. FIG. 4B is an image diagram of a multimodal route displayed on the display screen of the display device 150 of the car navigation system 100. In this example, the road from the current location to the A station (moving means: car) is displayed in a different form (for example, different thickness and color) from the other roads, and the A station to the B station (moving means: railway company J). The route from the station B to the destination (moving means: on foot) is different from the other lines (for example, different in thickness and color). , With different thickness and color). As described above, it is troublesome to operate the operation switch 160 to display the route every time the moving means is switched by guiding (providing) all routes (multimodal route) from the departure point to the destination at once. This is preferable because there is no need to perform an operation.

The multimodal route data may be transmitted from the center 300 to the portable device 200. Then, the control device 260 of the portable device 200 displays the multimodal route on the display screen of the display device 230 based on the received multimodal route data.
A multimodal route is provided (portable device side route providing means). By doing so, a multimodal route can be provided to the occupant even after the occupant gets off the vehicle. In addition, by transmitting the multimodal route from the center 300 to the portable device 200 in this way, the multimodal route is transmitted to the portable device 200 even after the IG (ignition switch) or ACC (accessory switch) of the automobile is turned off. Can be transmitted, which is preferable. However, the multimodal route data may be transmitted from the car navigation system 100 to the portable device 200.

  On the other hand, when the occupant does not select the multimodal route in step S14 and when it is determined in the comparison determination on the center 300 side that there is no multimodal route superior to the automobile route (that is, more than the multimodal route). If it is determined that the automobile route is superior), the process proceeds to step S17. In step S17, the control device 180 of the car navigation system 100 sets the automobile route as the guidance route. In step S18, the control device 180 of the car navigation system 100 provides the vehicle route to the vehicle occupant by displaying the vehicle route searched for on the display screen of the display device 150 (route providing means). For example, on the display screen of the display device 150, the vehicle route to be traveled is displayed by superimposing the vehicle position (vehicle mark indicating the current vehicle position) on the road map, and the vehicle position has reached a predetermined point. Sometimes, the voice output device 170 outputs a guidance voice.

  In this way, comparing the automobile route with the multimodal route, if the automobile route is superior to the multimodal route, providing the vehicle route to the vehicle occupant, The route of the car can be guided. In addition, even if the multimodal route is superior to the vehicle route, if the multimodal route is not requested, that is, if the vehicle occupant does not wish to provide the multimodal route, By providing the route to the vehicle occupant, the vehicle route from the departure point to the destination can be guided.

  On the other hand, when the multimodal route is superior to the vehicle route, first, the vehicle occupant is notified that there is a multimodal route superior to the vehicle route. When a multimodal route is requested, i.e., when an automobile occupant desires to provide a multimodal route, the multimodal route is provided to the vehicle occupant to provide a multimodal route from the departure point to the destination. A modal route can be guided. By doing so, it is possible to guide one of the routes along the user's wishes among the automobile route and the multimodal route.

  In other words, the route guidance system of the present invention is premised on guiding the vehicle route to the occupant, but there is a multimodal route superior to the vehicle route, and the vehicle occupant provides the multimodal route. If desired, it guides the multimodal route.

  As described above, when it is determined that the multimodal route is superior to the vehicle route, the center 300 first transmits information indicating that there is a multimodal route superior to the vehicle route to the car navigation system 100. Thereafter, when there is a request for a multimodal route from the car navigation system 100, the multimodal route data is transmitted to the car navigation system 100. Therefore, when the multimodal route is superior to the car route, the communication amount between the center 300 and the car navigation system 100 can be reduced rather than immediately transmitting the multimodal route.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the information (summary for route guidance) indicating the outline of the multimodal route and the outline of the vehicle route is transmitted from the center 300 to the car navigation 100 and displayed on the display device 150 of the car navigation 100. It can be notified that there is a multimodal route superior to the automobile route.

  Furthermore, as a summary for route guidance, a summary of the multimodal route including only the required time from the starting point to the destination, and the starting point / ending point of the moving unit and the moving unit (and the switching point of the moving unit as necessary), By adopting the summary of the automobile route including only the required time from the departure point to the destination, as a summary for route guidance, in addition to this information, the boarding station (or bus stop, airport or port) of the multimodal route The amount of communication between the center 300 and the car navigation system 100 can be reduced as compared with the case where a timetable or the like is included.

  Moreover, since the route guidance system of this embodiment searches for a multimodal route at the center 300 as described above, the multimodal route is made available to the occupant as needed while suppressing an increase in the load on the car navigation system 100. Can be provided. That is, since it is not necessary for the car navigation system 100 to search for a multimodal route, an increase in the load on the car navigation system 100 can be suppressed. Therefore, the car navigation system 100 does not have to have a function of searching for a multimodal route, and does not need to store the operation status of each transportation facility included in public transportation or obtain it from the outside. . Furthermore, a user who already has a car navigation system that can search only a car route, if the car navigation system and the center can communicate wirelessly, without newly purchasing a car navigation system that can search a car route and a multimodal route, You can receive guidance on multimodal routes as needed.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a route guidance system in the second embodiment will be described.

  Since the second embodiment and the above-described embodiment have many common parts, description of the common parts will be omitted, and different points will be mainly described. The difference between the second embodiment and the above-described embodiment is that the departure point data and the destination data are adopted as information on the vehicle route from the departure point to the destination, and the center 300 searches for the vehicle route. The vehicle route searched at the center 300 is transmitted to the car navigation system 100. The configuration of the route guidance system is the same as that according to the above-described embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted. Also, in the flowchart shown in FIG. 6, the same step numbers are assigned to portions common to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  Here, based on the flowchart of FIG. 6, the processing operation of the route guidance system in the present embodiment will be described. Note that steps S10, S13 to S18, S30, and S31 in the flowchart of FIG. 6 are processes in the car navigation system 100, and indicate departure point information, destination information, and a search instruction for a vehicle route from the departure point to the destination. It is executed when an operation signal is input or a route selection summary transmitted from the center 300 is received. On the other hand, steps S40, S20 to S23, S25, and S41 in the flowchart of FIG.

  First, in step S30, the control device 180 of the car navigation system 100 includes information on the vehicle route from the departure point to the destination including the departure point data indicating the departure point of the vehicle route set in step S10 and the destination data indicating the destination. Is transmitted to the center 300 using the communication device 110 together with the in-vehicle device ID (in-vehicle device side communication means).

  On the other hand, in step S40, when the control device 360 of the center 300 receives the departure point data, the destination data, and the in-vehicle device ID transmitted from the car navigation system 100 (communication device 110) by the communication device 310, the control device 360 determines the vehicle route. Explore. That is, the control device 360 of the center 300 searches for a vehicle route from the departure point to the destination set in step S10 using the traffic jam information database 330 and the map information database 340 based on the departure point data and the destination data. (Auto route search means) In this automobile route search, for example, a known recommended route or five routes (recommended, pay priority, general priority, distance priority, another route as an example) are searched. When searching for the vehicle route, the control device 360 of the center 300 associates the vehicle route with the vehicle-mounted device ID and stores them in the HDD or the like. Further, in addition to the vehicle route and the vehicle-mounted device ID, the received departure point data and destination data may be associated with each other and stored in the HDD or the like.

In step S31, when the control device 180 of the car navigation system 100 determines that the multimodal route is not selected in step S14 (for example, when it is determined that the vehicle route is selected), the communication device 110 is used. The center 300 is requested to provide an automobile route (request means). That is, the control device 180 of the car navigation system 100 transmits a request signal indicating a request for an automobile route to the center 300 (communication device 310) using the communication device 110. In step S41, the control device 360 of the center 300 When the communication device 310 receives the request (request signal) for the vehicle route transmitted from 100, the vehicle route (vehicle route data) searched in step S40 is transmitted (distributed) to the car navigation system 100 (center side communication means).

  By doing in this way, the same effect as the above-mentioned embodiment can be produced. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the car navigation system 100 does not need to search for an automobile route. Therefore, the load on the car navigation system 100 can be further reduced.

  In addition, since the vehicle route is searched at the center 300, even when the car navigation system 100 does not have traffic information (VICS information, probe information, floating information, etc.), it is possible to provide a vehicle route that takes traffic information into consideration.

(Third embodiment)
Next, the route guidance system in 3rd Embodiment is demonstrated.

  Since the third embodiment and the above-described embodiment have many common parts, description of the common parts will be omitted, and different points will be mainly described. In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the same multimodal route is transmitted to the car navigation 100 and the portable device 200, that is, an example in which the same multimodal route is provided from the car navigation 100 and the portable device 200 has been adopted. In contrast, in the third embodiment, different multimodal routes are transmitted to the car navigation 100 and the portable device 200, that is, a part of the multimodal route is provided from the car navigation 100, and other parts of the multimodal route are provided. This is provided from the portable device 200. The configuration of the route guidance system is the same as that according to the above-described embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

Here, based on the flowchart of FIG. 7, the processing operation of the route guidance system in the present embodiment will be described. Steps S50 to S57 in the flowchart of FIG. 7 are processes in the car navigation system 100, and are executed when a search result or route data transmitted from the center 300 is received. On the other hand, steps S60 to S68 in the flowchart of FIG. 7 are processing in the center 300, and are executed to receive a request for a multimodal route, a signal indicating a parking lot, and an arrival notification transmitted from the car navigation system 100. That is, the center 300 performs steps S20 to S23 in the first embodiment or steps S40 and S20 to 23 in the second embodiment before performing the process in step S60. Step S70 in the flowchart of FIG. 7 is a process in the portable device 200, and is executed to receive the departure time transmitted from the center 300.

First, in step S60, when receiving a request for a multimodal route from the car navigation system 100, the control device 360 of the center 300 uses the parking lot information database 350 to search for parking lots around the boarding station (or bus stop, airport, or port). Search for. That is, the control device 360 of the center 300 uses the parking lot information database 350 to search for a parking lot that can be parked (there is an empty vehicle) around the boarding station (or bus stop, airport, or port). At this time, the control device 360 of the center 300 searches for a parking lot within a predetermined range from the boarding station (or bus stop, airport, or port).

  In step S61, the control device 360 of the center 300 determines whether or not there is a parking lot by the search in step S60. And when it determines with there being a parking lot which can be parked, it progresses to step S62, and when it determines with there being no parking lot which can park, it progresses to step S65.

  When it is determined in step S61 that there is a parking lot that can be parked, the control device 360 of the center 300 proceeds to step S62 and uses the communication device 310 to extract the search result in step S60, that is, the search. The parking lot information (parking lot information) is transmitted to the car navigation system 100. In addition, when there are a plurality of parking lots within a predetermined range from the boarding station (or bus stop, airport, or port), information on the plurality of parking lots (parking lot information) extracted by the search is transmitted to the car navigation system 100. When there is only one parking lot, the information (parking lot information) of one parking lot extracted by the search is transmitted to the car navigation system 100.

  Here, the process proceeds to the car navigation system 100. In step S <b> 50, the control device 180 of the car navigation system 100 receives the parking lot information (one or a plurality of parking lot information) of the display device 150 when the communication device 110 receives the parking lot information transmitted from the center 300. Display on the display screen (ie, display search results). As a result, a parking lot that can be parked around the boarding station (or bus stop, airport, or port) is notified to the vehicle occupant.

  In step S51, based on the signal output from the operation switch 160, the control device 180 of the car navigation system 100 determines whether or not a parking lot has been selected from the parking lot that has been notified in step S50. For example, when a touch panel is adopted as the operation switch 160, when a parking lot information that can be parked is displayed, a signal indicating that a location displaying the parking lot information is touched is output. It is determined that a parking lot has been selected. And when it determines with the parking lot having been selected, it progresses to step S52, and when it determines with the parking lot not being selected, it progresses to step S53.

  In step S52, the control device 180 of the car navigation system 100 is in response to an instruction from the vehicle occupant (that is, the operation switch 160 outputs a signal indicating the selection of the parking lot in response to the operation of the occupant, When a parking lot is selected), the center 300 is requested to provide a route from the current position to the parking lot (the parking lot selected by the occupant) using the communication device 110.

  On the other hand, in step S53, the control device 180 of the car navigation system 100 notifies the center 300 that the parking lot has not been selected using the communication device 110. In other words, the control device 180 of the car navigation system 100 uses the communication device 110 to request the center 300 to provide a route from the current position to the boarding station (or bus stop, airport, or port).

  Here, the process returns to the process at the center 300. When a request for a route to the parking lot is received by a passenger of the car navigation system 100, the control device 360 of the center 300 uses the traffic jam information database 330 and the map information database 340 to obtain the requested parking lot from the current position in step S63. Search for a route.

  In step S64, the control device 360 of the center 300 transmits the route (route data) from the current position searched in step S63 to the parking lot using the communication device 310 to the car navigation system 100. That is, the control device 360 of the center 300 transmits a route (route data) from the current position to the parking lot as a part of the multimodal route to the car navigation system 100.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S61 that there is no parking lot that can be parked, or when a notification that the parking lot has not been selected by the passenger of the car navigation system 100 is received, the control device 360 of the center 300 proceeds to step S65. Using the communication device 310, the route (route data) from the current position in the already searched multimodal route to the boarding station (or bus stop, airport, or port) is transmitted to the car navigation system 100. That is, the control device 360 of the center 300 transmits a route (route data) from the current position to the boarding station (or bus stop, airport, or port) to the car navigation system 100 as a part of the multimodal route.

  An occupant who has selected a multimodal route does not always park the car on which he is riding in the parking lot. For example, after the boarding station (or bus stop, airport, or port) included in the multimodal route, a friend or family member may drive a car that has been on the boarding station (or bus stop, airport, or port). That is, after the boarding station (or a bus stop, an airport, or a port), a multimodal route is provided using the portable device 200 to a passenger (user) who gets off the car.

  Therefore, when there is no parking lot that can be parked around the boarding station (or bus stop, airport, or port) or when a notification that the parking lot has not been selected by the vehicle occupant is received, as shown in step S65. It is preferable that a route (route data) from the current position to the boarding station (or bus stop, airport, or port) is transmitted to the car navigation system 100.

  Here, the process returns to the car navigation system 100 again. In step S54, the control device 180 of the car navigation system 100 receives the route data transmitted from the center 300 (communication device 310) at the communication device 110. In step S55, the control device 180 of the car navigation system 100 displays the route from the current position to the parking lot on the display screen of the display device 150 based on the received route data as a part of the multimodal route. The multimodal route is provided to the vehicle occupant (route providing means). For example, the display screen of the display device 150 displays a multimodal route (route from the current position to the parking lot) to be traveled by superimposing the vehicle position (vehicle mark indicating the current position of the vehicle) on the road map. When the vehicle position reaches a predetermined point, the voice output device 170 outputs a guidance voice. In this way, a part of the multimodal route is provided from the car navigation system 100.

  In step S56, the control device 180 of the car navigation system 100 determines whether or not the host vehicle has arrived at the parking lot that is the destination based on the host vehicle position detection unit 130 and the route data. And when it determines with having arrived at the destination, it progresses to step S57, and when it determines with not having arrived, the determination in step S56 is repeated.

  In step S57, the control device 180 of the car navigation system 100 uses the communication device 110 to notify the center 300 that it has arrived at the parking lot that is the destination. In other words, the control device 180 of the car navigation system 100 uses the communication device 110 to request the center 300 to provide a route after the boarding station (or bus stop, airport, or port) as another part of the multimodal route.

  Here, it returns to the process of the center 300 again. In step S66, the control device 360 of the center 300 receives the arrival notification transmitted from the car navigation system 100 (communication device 110) at the communication device 310.

  In step S67, the control device 360 of the center 300 uses the operation information database 320 and the map information database 340 to start from the departure station (or departure time) at the boarding station (or bus stop, airport or port) and from the parking lot to the boarding station. Search for a route to (or a bus stop, airport, or port).

  In step S68, the control device 360 of the center 300 uses the operation information database 320 and the map information database 340 to determine the arrival time at the arrival station (or bus stop, airport or port) and the arrival station (or bus stop) on the multimodal route. And the route from the airport to the destination.

  In step S69, the control device 360 of the center 300 uses the other part of the multimodal route as a route from the parking lot to the destination after the boarding station (or bus stop or airport or port). The route (route data) to the airport or the port and the route (route data) from the arrival station (or the bus stop or the airport or the port) to the destination are transmitted (distributed) to the portable device 200 (center side communication means). Furthermore, it is preferable that the departure time (or departure time) at the boarding station (or bus stop, airport, or port) and the arrival time at the arrival station (or bus stop, airport, or port) are also transmitted to the portable device 200.

  Here, the process proceeds to the portable device 200. In step S70, the control device 260 of the portable device 200 uses the communication device 210 to transmit route data (multimodal route) from the parking lot to the boarding station (or bus stop or airport or port), arrival station (or bus stop or airport, Receives route data (multimodal route) from the port to the destination. Then, the control device 260 of the portable device 200, based on the received route data (multimodal route), the route from the parking lot as the multimodal route to the boarding station (or bus stop, airport or port) and the arrival station (or The route from the bus stop, airport, or port) to the destination is displayed on the display screen of the display device 230 (portable device side route providing means). By doing so, a multimodal route can be provided to the occupant even after the occupant gets off the vehicle. That is, the other part of the multimodal route is provided from the portable device 200.

  As described above, when the route guidance system in this embodiment determines that there is a multimodal route superior to the automobile route, the multimodal route data is not displayed in the car navigation system 100 and the portable device until the occupant selects the multimodal route. 200. That is, when the vehicle occupant desires a multimodal route, the multimodal route data is transmitted to the car navigation system 100 and the portable device 200.

  Further, the route from the current position to the boarding station (or bus stop, airport, or port) and the route from the current position to the parking lot are routes that travel by automobile. On the other hand, the route from the parking lot to the boarding station (or bus stop, airport, or port) and the route from the arrival station (or bus stop, airport, or port) to the destination are routes where passengers who have already got off the car move on foot. It is. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the route from the current position to the boarding station (or bus stop or airport or port) and the route from the current position to the parking lot are provided to the occupant using the car navigation system 100. On the other hand, the route from the parking lot to the boarding station (or bus stop, airport, or port) and the route from the arrival station (or bus stop, airport, or port) to the destination are provided to the passengers using the portable device 200.

  That is, in the present embodiment, the multimodal route is not simply provided to the occupant using the car navigation system 100 and the portable device 200, but a suitable part is provided to the occupant riding the car in the multimodal route. 100 is provided, and in a multi-modal route, it is provided to a passenger (user) who gets off the vehicle, and a suitable part is provided using the portable device 200.

  Thus, in this embodiment, in addition to the effects in the above-described embodiment, a multimodal route can be provided to the occupant using an appropriate medium (the car navigation system 100 or the portable device 200), which is preferable.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a route guidance system according to the fourth embodiment will be described.

  Since the fourth embodiment and the above-described embodiment have many common parts, the description of the common parts will be omitted, and different points will be mainly described. The difference between the fourth embodiment and the above-described embodiment is that the car navigation system 100 transmits current position data and destination data to the center 300 every predetermined time. The configuration of the route guidance system is the same as that according to the above-described embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 8, the same step numbers are assigned to portions common to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

  Here, based on the flowchart of FIG. 8, the processing operation of the route guidance system in the present embodiment will be described. Note that steps S80, S13 to S16, and S18 in the flowchart of FIG. 8 are processes in the car navigation system 100, and are executed every predetermined time or when a multimodal route is received. On the other hand, steps S40 and S20 to S25 in the flowchart of FIG. 8 are processes in the center 300, and are executed when the current position data transmitted from the car navigation system 100 is received.

  As shown in step S80 of the flowchart of FIG. 8, the control device 180 of the car navigation system 100 transmits the current position data and the destination data to the center 300 using the communication device 110 (on-vehicle device side communication means).

  Since the route guidance system in the present embodiment is based on the premise that the vehicle route has already been guided, the flowchart shown in FIG. 8 is executed after the guidance of the vehicle route is started in the flowcharts shown in FIGS. You may be made to do.

  For example, when the route search is started, if there is no multimodal route superior to the automobile route, or if the user does not desire to provide the multimodal route, the automobile route is provided. However, for example, if a traffic accident occurs on a road included in the automobile route after starting the guidance of the automobile route, the arrival time at the destination may be significantly delayed or unable to reach the destination in the automobile. There is also a possibility.

  However, by doing as described above, even if the car equipped with the car navigation system 100 is moving along the car route, if there is a multimodal route superior to the car route, It is possible to notify the vehicle occupant that there is a modal route. And when the passenger | crew of a motor vehicle desires the guidance by a multimodal route (when it determines with the multimodal route having been selected), a multimodal route can be provided.

  In the present embodiment, when the center 300 (the control device 360) transmits information (here, a summary for route selection) indicating that there is a multimodal route superior to the vehicle route to the car navigation system 100, The cause (for example, traffic information (traffic congestion information)) that indicates that there is a multimodal route superior to the automobile route may be transmitted together. In this way, the vehicle occupant is informed of the reason why the information indicating that there is a multimodal route superior to the vehicle route, even though the vehicle route has already been provided. This is preferable.

  Note that the route guidance system in the present embodiment is based on the premise that the automobile route has already been guided. Therefore, in the flowchart of FIG. 8, new car route data is received from the center 300 (that is, the car navigation 100 requests the center 300 to transmit a car route), or a new car route is set by the car navigation 100. There is no need to

  However, when the user desires to provide a multimodal route at the time of starting the route search, the multimodal route is provided. However, even when a multimodal route is selected, for example, while traveling by car to a public transport boarding station (or bus stop, airport, or port) included in the multimodal route, When an accident occurs at an institution, the arrival time at the destination may be greatly delayed or the destination may not be reached at public transport.

  Therefore, when the center 300 determines that the automobile route is superior to the multimodal route, the center 300 may transmit the automobile route data to the car navigation system 100. By doing in this way, even if the car carrying car navigation system 100 is moving according to the multimodal route, a car route superior to the multimodal route can be provided.

  In the present embodiment, the center 300 (the control device 360), when transmitting the vehicle route data to the car navigation system 100, causes the vehicle route data to be transmitted (for example, information such as operation delay or suspension of service). ) May also be sent together. By doing in this way, although the multimodal route is already provided, the reason why the vehicle route is provided can be notified to the vehicle occupant, which is preferable.

(Fifth embodiment)
Next, a route guidance system according to the fifth embodiment will be described.

  Since the fifth embodiment and the above-described embodiment have many common parts, the description of the common parts will be omitted, and different points will be mainly described. The difference between the fifth embodiment and the above-described embodiment is that the car navigation system 100 transmits the current position data to the center 300 in response to a request from the center 300. The configuration of the route guidance system is the same as that according to the above-described embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted. Also, in the flowchart shown in FIG. 9, the same step numbers are assigned to portions common to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

  Here, based on the flowchart of FIG. 9, the processing operation of the route guidance system in the present embodiment will be described. Note that steps S100, S13 to S16, and S18 in the flowchart of FIG. 9 are processes in the car navigation system 100, and are executed when a transmission request for the current position transmitted from the center 300 is received. On the other hand, steps S110 to S113, S40, and S20 to S25 in the flowchart of FIG. 9 are processing in the center 300, and are executed when power is supplied to the control device 360. In the process at the center 300, when the processes at steps S24 and S25 are completed, step S110 is executed after a predetermined time has elapsed.

  Since the route guidance system in this embodiment is based on the premise that the vehicle route has already been guided, the flowchart shown in FIG. 9 starts the guidance of the vehicle route in the flowcharts shown in FIGS. It may be executed later.

  In step S110, the control device 360 of the center 300 determines whether or not the traffic information has changed (change determination means). Here, the traffic information will be described as traffic information.

  That is, the control device 360 of the center 300 can obtain each road acquired from the VICS (registered trademark) center (traffic information acquisition means) or generated based on information acquired from the probe car (floating car) (traffic information acquisition means). It is determined whether the current traffic jam information (traffic information) is replaced with the previous traffic jam information (the traffic jam information already stored in the traffic jam information database 330). If it is determined that there is a change, the process proceeds to step S111. If it is determined that there is no change, the determination in step S110 is repeated. Note that the determination in step S110 is executed every predetermined time.

  In step S111, the control device 360 of the center 300 searches for an automobile route including a road whose traffic jam information has changed from the automobile route stored in the HDD or the like. The vehicle route stored in the HDD or the like is, for example, that stored in the HDD in step S20 in the flowchart of FIG. 5 or step S40 in the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S112, the control device 360 of the center 300 determines whether or not there is a corresponding automobile route by the search in step S111. That is, it is determined whether or not the corresponding automobile route has been extracted by the search in step S111. If it is determined that there is an applicable automobile route, the process proceeds to step S113. If it is determined that there is no applicable automobile route, the process returns to the determination of step S110.

  In step S113, the control device 360 of the center 300 requests the current position from the car (car navigation system 100) traveling on the extracted car route. That is, the control device 360 of the center 300 requests the car navigation system 100 corresponding to the vehicle-mounted device ID associated with the vehicle route extracted by the search in step S111 to transmit the current position using the communication device 310. Send a request signal. In other words, a request for transmission of the current position is made to the car navigation system 100 that has transmitted information related to the automobile route including the road that has changed.

  In step S100, the control device 180 of the car navigation system 100 transmits the current position data to the center 300 using the communication device 110 (on-vehicle device side communication means). That is, when receiving a request signal for requesting transmission of the current position transmitted from the center 300, the control device 180 of the car navigation system 100 transmits the current position data to the center 300.

  Note that step S40 in FIG. 9 is substantially the same as in the above-described embodiment. However, in step S <b> 40, the control device 360 of the center 300 uses the current position data transmitted from the car navigation system 100 to search again for the automobile route and the multimodal route. Therefore, in the automobile route and the multimodal route here, fluctuations are not considered in the traffic congestion information of the road on which the car equipped with the car navigation system 100 has already passed.

  In this way, only when there is a change in traffic information, the center 300 requests the car navigation 100 to transmit the current position, and the car navigation 100 transmits the current position to the center 300 in response to the request. The amount of communication between 300 and the car navigation system 100 can be further reduced. That is, the communication amount between the center 300 and the car navigation system 100 can be reduced as compared with the fourth embodiment.

  In the present embodiment as well, as in the fourth embodiment, the center 300 (the control device 360) transmits information (here, a route selection summary) indicating that there is a multimodal route superior to the vehicle route to the car navigation system. When transmitting to 100, the cause (for example, traffic information (congestion information)) that indicates that there is a multimodal route superior to the vehicle route is transmitted again. Also good. In this way, the vehicle occupant is informed of the reason why the information indicating that there is a multimodal route superior to the vehicle route, even though the vehicle route has already been provided. This is preferable.

  Also in the present embodiment, as in the fourth embodiment, the center 300 may transmit the vehicle route data to the car navigation 100 when the vehicle route is determined to be superior to the multimodal route. . By doing in this way, even if the car carrying car navigation system 100 is moving according to the multimodal route, a car route superior to the multimodal route can be provided.

  Also in the present embodiment, as in the fourth embodiment, when the center 300 (the control device 360) transmits the vehicle route data to the car navigation system 100, the cause of transmitting the vehicle route data again ( For example, information such as operation delays and suspensions may be transmitted together. By doing in this way, although the multimodal route is already provided, the reason why the vehicle route is provided can be notified to the vehicle occupant, which is preferable.

(Modification)
In the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4A, the route selection summary is adopted as information indicating that there is a multimodal route superior to the automobile route. It is not limited. As a modified example, as shown in FIG. 10, information indicating only that there is a multimodal route superior to the vehicle route may be employed. In other words, the center 300 may transmit information indicating only that there is a multimodal route superior to the vehicle route to the car navigation system 100 as information indicating that there is a multimodal route superior to the vehicle route. Good. That is, as information indicating only that there is a multimodal route superior to the vehicle route, information for displaying only that there is a multimodal route superior to the vehicle route on the display screen of the display device 150 in the car navigation system 100. May be adopted.

  Thus, by transmitting information indicating only that there is a multimodal route superior to the vehicle route to the car navigation system 100, the amount of communication between the center 300 and the car navigation device 100 can be further reduced.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 10, it is preferable because it can be easily displayed on the display screen of the display device 150 in the car navigation system 100 that there is a multimodal route superior to the vehicle route along with the map. In particular, it is preferable to apply to the route guidance system in the fourth embodiment or the fifth embodiment. Since the route guidance systems in the fourth and fifth embodiments are based on the premise that a vehicle route is being guided, a map is displayed on the display screen of the display device 150 in the car navigation system 100. In such a situation, there is a multimodal route that is superior to the car route with the map as shown in FIG. 10 rather than the display screen switching from the map to the route selection summary as shown in FIG. It can suppress giving a sense of incongruity to a user who is displayed.

  Further, as information indicating only that there is a multimodal route superior to the automobile route, only the fact that there is a multimodal route superior to the automobile route is notified (voice output) from the audio output device 170 in the car navigation system 100. May be adopted. This is preferable because the display screen of the display device 150 does not even display that there is a multimodal route superior to the vehicle route as shown in FIG.

  In addition, in this way, it is displayed on the display screen of the display device 150 that there is a multimodal route superior to the automobile route, or there is a multimodal route superior to the automobile route from the audio output device 170. After being notified (voice output), the car navigation system 100 may request the center 300 for a route selection summary in accordance with an instruction from the occupant. That is, when a signal indicating a route selection summary request is output from the operation switch 160, the car navigation system 100 (the control device 180) indicates a route selection summary request to the center 300 using the communication device 110. A request signal is transmitted. On the other hand, the center 300 (the control device 360) transmits a route selection summary using the communication device 310 in response to the request signal.

  In the above-described embodiment, the multimodal route or the automobile route is determined based on the time required from the departure point to the destination. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Absent. You may judge with the transportation expense from a departure place to the destination. Further, the determination may be made based on the required time and transportation cost.

  Also, when comparing by transportation cost, for example, it is determined whether the multimodal route or the automobile route is superior depending on whether or not the transportation cost of the multimodal route is within the allowable range of the user. And if the transportation cost for the multimodal route is within the allowable range of the user, the multimodal route is considered to be superior to the vehicle route, and if the transportation cost for the multimodal route is not within the allowable range of the user Consider the car route to be superior to the multimodal route.

  Further, when comparing by transportation cost, for example, the transportation cost for the multimodal route and the transportation cost for the vehicle route are compared to determine which of the multimodal route and the vehicle route is superior. And if the transportation cost is cheaper than the transportation cost from the starting point to the destination on the multi-modal route from the starting point to the destination, the multi-modal route is considered to be superior to the car route, If the transportation cost for the multimodal route is higher than the transportation cost for the automobile route, the automobile route is considered to be superior to the multimodal route. It should be noted that the transportation cost from the departure point to the destination on the automobile route can be calculated from the toll on the toll road, the fuel consumption of the automobile, and the like.

  In addition, the example of a display at the time of proposing a multimodal route with respect to the user who is drive | working a motor vehicle route is not limited to the above-mentioned example. For example, it may be as shown in FIG. FIG. 11 is an image diagram displayed on the display screen of the display device 150 of the car navigation system 100. That is, as shown in FIG. 11, when there is a multimodal route that is superior to the vehicle route, the car navigation system 100 displays a selection screen on whether to switch the vehicle route to the multimodal route on the display screen of the display device 150. (Notification means) may be used. In other words, when it is determined that the multimodal route is superior to the car route, the car navigation system 100 displays a selection screen as to whether to switch the car route to the multimodal route on the display screen of the display device 150. Thus, the user of the vehicle may be notified that there is a multimodal route superior to the vehicle route. Similarly, the voice output device 170 outputs a selection guidance as to whether or not to switch the vehicle route to the multimodal route, thereby notifying the user of the vehicle that there is a multimodal route superior to the vehicle route. You may do it.

  In this way, after the selected image is displayed on the display screen of the display device 150 or the selection guidance is output by voice from the voice output device 170, the car navigation system 100 starts from the car navigation system 100 according to the instruction of the occupant (when YES is operated). 300 may be requested for a route selection summary. That is, when a signal indicating a request for a route selection summary is output from the operation switch 160 (when YES is operated), the car navigation system 100 (the control device 180) uses the communication device 110 to the center 300. A request signal indicating a request for a summary for route selection is transmitted. On the other hand, the center 300 (the control device 360) transmits a route selection summary using the communication device 310 in response to the request signal.

  As mentioned above, although preferable embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not restrict | limited to the embodiment mentioned above at all, and various deformation | transformation are possible in the range which does not deviate from the meaning of this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Navigation apparatus, 110 Communication apparatus, 120 Map database, 130 Own vehicle position detection part, 131 GPS receiver, 132 Gyro sensor, 133 Car speed sensor, 140 Memory | storage part, 150 Display apparatus, 160 Operation switch, 170 Audio | voice output apparatus, 180 control device 200 portable device 210 communication device 220 operation switch 230 display device 240 audio output device 250 storage unit 300 center 310 communication device 320 operation information database 330 congestion information database 340 map information database , 350 Parking information database,
360 controller

Claims (10)

Automobile route that is a guide route from the starting point to the destination searched as the object of the vehicle only moving means, and multimodal route that is the guide route from the starting point to the destination searched for the plurality of moving means A route guidance system that uses either one to guide the route from the departure point to the destination,
Vehicle route search means for searching for the vehicle route;
Multimodal route searching means for searching for the multimodal route;
Comparison determination means for comparing the vehicle route and the multimodal route, and determining a route that is superior to the vehicle route and the multimodal route;
A notification means for notifying a passenger of the vehicle that there is a multimodal route superior to the vehicle route when the comparison and determination unit determines that the multimodal route is superior to the vehicle route; ,
Request means that is provided in the automobile and requests the provision of the multimodal route in response to an instruction from a passenger of the automobile;
When the comparison determination unit determines that the vehicle route is superior to the multimodal route, and when the request unit does not request the provision of the multimodal route. Providing the vehicle route to an occupant of the vehicle, and when the request means requests the provision of the multimodal route, the route providing means for providing the multimodal route to the vehicle occupant. Route guidance system. An in-vehicle device mounted in the automobile, and a center for performing wireless communication with the in-vehicle device,
The in-vehicle device is
In addition to the notification means, the request means, and the route providing means, a setting means for setting a starting point and a destination of the automobile route, and an in-vehicle device side communication means for performing wireless communication with the center. ,
The center
In addition to the multimodal route search means and the comparison determination means, a center side communication means for performing wireless communication with the vehicle-mounted device,
When the setting unit sets a departure place and a destination, the onboard device side communication means transmits information on the automobile route from the departure place to the destination to the center side communication means,
The multimodal route search means searches for the multimodal route based on information on the vehicle route received by the center side communication means,
When the comparison determination unit determines that the multimodal route is superior to the vehicle route, the center side communication unit includes information indicating that there is a multimodal route superior to the vehicle route. To the vehicle side communication means,
The notification means, when receiving information indicating that there is a multimodal route superior to the vehicle route in the vehicle-mounted device side communication means, notifies the vehicle occupant,
The request means requests the center to provide the multimodal route in the vehicle-mounted device side communication means in response to an instruction from a vehicle occupant.
When the center side communication means receives the request for the multimodal route, the center side communication means transmits the multimodal route to the vehicle equipment side communication means,
2. The route providing means, when the request means requests the provision of the multimodal route, provides the vehicle occupant with the multimodal route received by the in-vehicle device side communication means. The route guidance system described in 1.   The center side communication means transmits information indicating an outline of the multimodal route and an outline of the vehicle route to the in-vehicle device as information indicating that there is a multimodal route superior to the vehicle route. 3. The route guidance system according to claim 2, wherein The informing means informs an occupant of the automobile of information indicating the outline of the multimodal route and the outline of the automobile route only when there is a multimodal route superior to the automobile route. The route guidance system according to claim 3 . When the comparison determination unit determines that the multi-modal route is superior to the vehicle route, the center-side communication unit includes information indicating only that there is a multi-modal route superior to the vehicle route. The route guidance system according to claim 2, wherein the route guidance system transmits to an in- vehicle device . The vehicle route search means is provided in the in- vehicle device ,
The vehicle-side communication means, the information on the car path, the path according to any one of claims 2 to 5 and transmits the searched car route itself in the automobile route search means Guidance system. The vehicle route search means is provided in the center,
The route guidance system according to any one of claims 2 to 5 , wherein the in-vehicle device side communication means transmits a starting point and a destination set by the setting means as information on the vehicle route. . The in- vehicle device includes a position detection means for detecting a current position of the host vehicle,
The vehicle-mounted device side communication means transmits the current position of the host vehicle detected by the position detection means to the center side communication means,
The route according to any one of claims 2 to 7 , wherein the multimodal route search means searches for the multimodal route with the current position received by the center side communication means as a starting point. Guidance system. The center includes traffic information acquisition means for acquiring traffic information of each road, and fluctuation determination means for determining whether or not the traffic information of each road has changed based on the traffic information acquired by the traffic information acquisition means. Prepared,
The center-side communication means, when the fluctuation determination means determines that there is a change, requests transmission of the current position to the in-vehicle device that has transmitted information on the vehicle route including the road that has changed,
The vehicle-mounted device side communication means, when requested to transmit the current position from the center side communication means , transmits the current position of the host vehicle detected by the position detection means to the center side communication means. The route guidance system according to claim 8 . Including mobile devices that users can carry,
The portable device is
Portable device side communication means capable of wireless communication with the center side communication means;
Portable device side route providing means for providing the multimodal route to a vehicle occupant,
10. The route according to claim 2, wherein the center-side communication unit transmits the multi-modal route to the portable device-side communication unit when receiving the request for the multi-modal route. Guidance system.

Images