JPH09115086A - Optimum route search device and portable information equipment using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To search for an optimum route from a start point to a destination including various transportation means by inputting the getting-on place and getting-off place of a public transportation means expected to be used and searching the optimum course only in the sections from the start point to the getting-on place and from the getting-off place to the destination. SOLUTION: A radio wave from a satellite, which is received by a GPS antenna 5, is supplied to a GPS 10 to calculate its position. The calculated position data is supplied to a control part 12. The control part 12 searches the optimum course from the start point to the destination by using map data stored in a map data base 14 and displays it at a display part and operation part 16. The display part and operation part 16 functions even as an input part to input the start point and destination point through pen input or a touch switch and input the kind of the public transportation means scheduled to be used and its getting-on and getting-off places. The inputted data are inputted to the control part 12. Respective constituent elements are built in the portable information equipment 1.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optimum route search device and a portable information device using the same, and more particularly to handling public transportation means.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, information devices have become highly functional. For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-301446 discloses a portable computer with a built-in GPS reception function. According to this, if the detected position data is combined with other database software or the like and used for driving a car, for example, the course and mileage including the detailed undulations of a day run,
It is said that it can be used for course time.

[0003]

On the other hand, by combining a map database with such an information device, an optimum route from a starting point to a destination is searched, and a so-called portable terminal navigation for guiding an operator along this route is provided. It is also possible to do it. However, in the case of mobile terminal navigation, unlike train navigation, trains and buses,
There is a feature that you can use various transportation such as airplanes and walking. Therefore, if the processing is simply performed according to the algorithm for searching the route from the departure place to the destination, all available transportation means must be taken into consideration, which causes a problem that it takes time to search. In addition, in some sections between the starting point and the destination, the operator may want to use a particular transportation method, but if the optimum route is uniformly searched, such operator's preference is reflected. There are also problems that cannot be solved.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems of the prior art, and an object thereof is to use an optimum route searching apparatus and an optimum route searching apparatus capable of searching for an optimum route from a starting point to a destination in a short time. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a portable information device for performing navigation.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, the first invention is an apparatus for searching an optimum route from a route from a starting point to a destination including various transportation means,
It has an input means for inputting a landing point and a landing point of public transportation means to be used, and a computing means for searching an optimum route only from a departure place to the landing point and between the landing point and the destination. It is characterized by

[0006] As a result, it is not necessary to carry out a route search in a section where public transportation is used, so that the search processing is speeded up. The public transportation means a transportation with a fixed route such as a train, a bus, an aircraft, a ferry, or a tram. Therefore, the route search process is executed in the section where the vehicle is used.

In order to achieve the above object, a second invention comprises an optimum route searching device according to the first invention and a GPS device for detecting a self position, It is characterized in that the self-position detected by the GPS device is set to the landing point immediately after getting off.

[0008] With this, it is possible to immediately know the position of the self when the user arrives at the exit using public transportation, and it is also possible to eliminate the position detection error included in the GPS device.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, the third invention is the second invention, further, when there are a plurality of the exit point candidates of the public transportation means to be used, these exit point candidates are provided. It is characterized in that it has a display means for displaying, and the exit point can be input by selecting one of the displayed exit points.

With this, it is possible to save the trouble of inputting the name of the exit point and easily input the exit point. In addition, when there are a plurality of exit candidates, for example, when the public transportation is a train, it means that there are a plurality of stop stations from the landing station toward the destination.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of the configuration of this embodiment. The radio wave from the satellite received by the GPS antenna 5 is supplied to the GPS 10 to calculate its own position. The calculated self-position data is supplied to the control unit 12.
The self-position may be detected not only by using GPS, but also by receiving a transmission signal from a beacon or the like having position coordinate data. The control unit 12 uses the map data stored in the map database 14 to search for the optimum route from the departure point to the destination, and displays it on the display / operation unit 16. The display unit / operation unit 16 also functions as an input unit, and inputs a departure place and a destination by a pen input or a touch switch, and also inputs a type of public transportation to be used, a landing and an exit of the public transportation. ing. These input data are supplied to the control unit 12. It should be noted that each component is configured to be built in the portable information device 1.

FIG. 2 shows an external view of the portable information device 1 of this embodiment. The main body 1a of the portable information device 1 has a GPS 10, a controller 12, and a map database 14 built-in, and a display / operation unit 16 is composed of a liquid crystal panel. On the other hand, a GPS is provided on the lid 1b of the portable information device 1.
The antenna 5 is built in, and by opening the lid 1b, it becomes possible to receive radio waves from the satellite. It should be noted that GPS antennas may be provided on both sides of the lid portion 1b so that radio waves from the satellite can be received even when the lid is closed.

In the present embodiment, unlike the conventional vehicle navigation system, in a section using public transportation such as a train, bus, ferry or aircraft, only the data input by the operator is used, and the route of the section is used. It is characterized in that the search is not performed, that is, the route is searched only in a section that does not use public transportation, for example, a section that uses walking or a vehicle, in the route from the departure point to the destination. As a result, high-speed processing is possible without performing unnecessary search. Hereinafter, this process will be schematically described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 3A, a car is used from the present location (number 0) to the station (number 1), a train is used from station (number 1) to the station (number 2), and a destination (number) is used from the station (number 2). Up to 3) is an example of using a rental car.
The route search processing is performed in the section from the current location to the station (1) and the section from the station (2) to the destination, and the route search processing is not performed in the section using the train (indicated by a broken line). On the other hand, FIG. 3B shows walking from the current location to the bus stop (number 1), bus from the bus stop (number 1) to bus stop (number 2), car from the bus stop (number 2) to department store (number 3), department store From (number 3) to the home (number 4) which is the destination is an example of using an automobile. The route search processing is executed in the section (0, 1), the section (2, 3) and the section (3, 4), and the section (1, 2) using the bus is not executed. As described above, since the route search is not executed in the section using the public transportation in which the route is predetermined, the time required for the route search from the departure place to the destination can be significantly shortened.

FIG. 4 shows a detailed processing flowchart of this embodiment. First, the transit point numbers n and m are reset, the destination is input (S101), and then the transportation means is input (S102). This input is performed using the display / operation unit 16 of the portable information device 1. That is, the moving means is input to the display unit of the liquid crystal panel by pen input or touch switch. Next, the control unit 12 determines whether or not the input means of transportation is public transportation (S1).
03). Examples of public transportation include trains, buses, ferries, and airplanes. When the means of transportation is public transportation, the transit point number n is increased by 1 (S
104), and input the transit point n. This waypoint n is a landing point of public transportation, and is input by a pen input or a touch switch. FIG. 5 shows a state where a via point (Mishima in the figure) is being input by pen input. After inputting the landing point of the transportation facility, the control unit 12 again increments the transit point number n by 1 (S106) and inputs the transit point n (S107). This waypoint n is the exit point for public transportation. Similar to the landing point, this landing point can also be entered by pen input, but if the map database 14 stores stop station data of public transportation in advance, the landing site candidates are displayed in a list format. You can also FIG.
Is a display example in the case where there are a plurality of exit point candidates in this way, and the displayed exit point candidates function as a touch switch, and one of these can be selected and input. In addition, when displaying the candidate of the exit point,
It goes without saying that the control unit 12 needs to display the stop station or the like in the direction from the landing point to the destination. On the other hand, if the input means of transportation is not public transportation, for example, if it is a walk or a car, then the waypoint of the means of transportation is simply input (S106, S107). When the input of the waypoint is completed, the control unit 12 determines whether or not to start the search (S
108). This determination is made based on whether or not the destination input in S101 and the stopover input in S107 match. If they do not match, the processing in S102 to S106 is repeated and the transportation means and stopovers in all sections are repeated. Enter. When the input of all the sections is completed, the control unit 12 uses the map data stored in the map database 14 to start the search.

The search process is performed as follows. That is, first, the transit point number n is set as the variable k (S10).
9). For example, when there are three transit points (including the destination) as shown in FIG. 3A, k = 3. Next, it is determined whether the transportation means in the section (m, m + 1) is public transportation (S110). In the case of FIG. 3A, the section (0, 1)
Is a car and is not a public transportation system, so NO is determined, and the optimum route for the section is searched (S113). A known Dijkstra method or the like can be used for the route search.
On the other hand, in the case of section (1, 2), it is a train, so YES
It is determined that the optimum route search processing is not performed, and the waypoint number m
Is smaller than the variable k (S111). m is k
If it is smaller, that is, if the destination has not been reached yet, the transit point number m is incremented by 1 to move to the next section (S112), and the same processing is repeated. As described above, search / non-search is determined for all the sections, and all routes from the starting point to the destination can be obtained.

After the optimum route from the origin to the destination is obtained, the operator moves to each waypoint based on the route data displayed on the display / operation unit 16 and the current position data detected by GPS. To do. In the case of FIG. 3A, the section (0, 1) travels to the station (1) according to the route data displayed on the display / operation unit 16, and the train from the station (1) to the station (2). To move. Whether or not the station (1) is reached can be confirmed by GPS. Further, while moving by train, the mobile information device 1 may sequentially display the stop stations, or may display a special display at the station where the user should get off. Furthermore, the station to get off (2)
It may be possible to provide guidance on the position to take the train at the station (1) and the position to get off at the station (2) in consideration of the premises structure and the subsequent actions. Of course, the operation may be stopped while moving by train. When the operator reaches the station (2), the portable information device 1 sets the position detected by GPS to the position of the station (2). Normally, GPS has an error of several tens to several hundreds of meters, but by forcibly setting it at the position of the station (2), the error of GPS can be eliminated, and the subsequent guidance processing can be smoothly executed. it can. The operator may input whether or not the station (2) is reached. Since the car from the station (2) to the destination is a car (rental car) again, the route data is displayed on the display / operation unit 16 to guide the operator to the destination.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the route search is not performed in the section using the public transportation, the optimum route to the destination can be quickly obtained even in the portable information device whose processing capacity is limited to some extent. It can be searched and presented to the operator.

[0019]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The optimum route from the starting point to the destination can be quickly calculated, and the route using the moving means desired by the operator can be presented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external view of the portable information device of the same embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of moving means for each section of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a processing flowchart of the same embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a waypoint input according to the same embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a waypoint input of the same embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Portable information equipment, 5 GPS antenna, 10 GP
S, 12 control unit, 14 map database, 16 display unit / operation unit.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An apparatus for searching an optimum route from a route from a starting point to a destination including various transportation means, and an input means for inputting a landing point and an exiting point of public transportation to be used, An optimum route search device, comprising: an arithmetic unit that searches for an optimum route only from a departure point to the landing point and only from a landing point to a destination. 2. The optimum route search device according to claim 1, and a GPS device for detecting a self position, wherein the GPS is provided immediately after getting off from the public transportation means.
A portable information device, wherein the self-position detected by the device is set at the exit point. 3. The portable information device according to claim 2,
Further, when there are a plurality of exit point candidates of the public transportation means to be used, there is a display means for displaying these exit point candidates, and selecting any one of the displayed exit points. A portable information device characterized by being able to input the exit point by.