JPWO2011010392A1 - Sunlight intensity estimation device, route search device, sunlight intensity estimation method, sunlight intensity estimation program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

The sunlight intensity estimating device (100) estimates the irradiation intensity of sunlight. The position information acquisition unit (101) acquires position information of the current location of the own device. The weather information acquisition unit (102) acquires weather information at the current location. The power generation amount information acquisition unit (103) acquires information on the power generation amount of the solar power generation device (120) located at the current location. Based on the weather information acquired by the weather information acquisition unit (102) and the information on the power generation amount acquired by the power generation amount information acquisition unit (103), the estimation unit (104) Estimate the irradiation intensity.

Description

  The present invention relates to a sunlight intensity estimation device, a route search device, a sunlight intensity estimation method, a sunlight intensity estimation program, and a recording medium that estimate the irradiation intensity of sunlight at a predetermined point. However, utilization of this invention is not restricted to a sunlight intensity estimation apparatus, a route search apparatus, a sunlight intensity estimation method, a sunlight intensity estimation program, and a recording medium.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a vehicle that uses a solar power generation device as a driving power source, a route search device that searches for a route to reach a destination while efficiently generating power is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below). ). In the following Patent Document 1, the degree of sunlight irradiation amount in each link is calculated based on the objects around the link and the time, and a route with a large amount of sunlight irradiation is searched using the link cost calculated therefrom. Yes.

JP 2000-353295 A

  However, in the above-described conventional technology, the degree of sunlight irradiation is calculated using information about objects around the link held in the apparatus. For example, if the object around the link is a building, it may be reconstructed or demolished, and if it is a tree, there may be a change in the way the branches grow according to the season. When such a change occurs, there is a difference between the information held in the device and the actual object, so it is difficult to accurately calculate the degree of sunlight irradiation as an example Can be mentioned.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, a solar intensity estimating apparatus according to the invention of claim 1 is a solar intensity estimating apparatus that estimates the irradiation intensity of sunlight, Position information acquisition means for acquiring position information, weather information acquisition means for acquiring weather information of the current location, and power generation amount information acquisition means for acquiring information relating to the power generation amount of the solar power generation device located at the current location; , Based on the weather information acquired by the weather information acquisition means and the information on the power generation amount acquired by the power generation amount information acquisition means, an estimation means for estimating the irradiation intensity of sunlight at the current location; It is characterized by providing.

  Moreover, the route search apparatus concerning the invention of Claim 6 is equipped with the sunlight intensity estimation apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-5, and searches for a path | route based on the estimation result by the said sunlight intensity estimation apparatus It is characterized by comprising search means for performing.

  A solar intensity estimation method according to an invention of claim 8 is a solar intensity estimation method in a solar intensity estimation apparatus that estimates the irradiation intensity of sunlight, and acquires position information of the current location of the own apparatus. A location information acquisition step, a weather information acquisition step of acquiring weather information of the current location, a power generation amount information acquisition step of acquiring information relating to the power generation amount of a solar power generation device located at the current location, and the weather information acquisition An estimation step of estimating the irradiation intensity of sunlight at the current location based on the weather information acquired in the step and the information on the power generation amount acquired in the power generation amount information acquisition step. Features.

  A sunlight intensity estimation program according to the invention of claim 9 causes a computer to execute the sunlight intensity estimation method according to claim 8.

  A recording medium according to a tenth aspect of the invention is characterized in that the sunlight intensity estimation program according to the ninth aspect is recorded in a computer-readable state.

It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of the sunlight intensity estimation apparatus and route search apparatus concerning embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the sunlight intensity estimation process by a sunlight intensity estimation apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the system configuration | structure of the sunlight information provision system concerning an Example. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of a navigation apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the sunlight intensity estimation process by a navigation apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the route search process by a navigation apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the other procedure of the route search process by a navigation apparatus.

  Exemplary embodiments of a sunlight intensity estimation device, a route search device, a sunlight intensity estimation method, a sunlight intensity estimation program, and a recording medium according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a sunlight intensity estimation device and a route search device according to an embodiment. The sunlight intensity estimation apparatus 100 according to the embodiment estimates the irradiation intensity of sunlight at a predetermined point. The predetermined point is, for example, the current point of the sunlight intensity estimating apparatus 100. The sunlight intensity estimation apparatus 100 includes a position information acquisition unit 101, a weather information acquisition unit 102, a power generation amount information acquisition unit 103, an estimation unit 104, and a transmission / reception unit 105.

  The position information acquisition unit 101 acquires position information of the current location of the sunlight intensity estimation device 100. The position information acquisition unit 101 acquires position information by, for example, calculating the current position of the device using GPS information received from a GPS satellite.

  The weather information acquisition unit 102 acquires weather information of the current location of the solar light intensity estimation device 100. The weather information acquisition unit 102 acquires, for example, weather information and temperature information of the current location at a predetermined time. The weather information is information indicating the weather at the current location, and is indicated by, for example, “sunny” “cloudy” “rain”. Moreover, you may acquire the ratio of the cloud amount which occupies for the whole sky, the thickness of a cloud, etc. as weather information. Further, not only a predetermined time but also a predetermined date may be designated. In this case, it is possible to acquire weather information in consideration of the sun angle and season.

  The power generation amount information acquisition unit 103 acquires information related to the power generation amount of the solar power generation device 120 located at the current location. Specifically, the solar power generation device 120 is, for example, a solar panel. The solar power generation device 120 is located in the vicinity of the solar light intensity estimation device 100, and the position information thereof is considered to be the same as that of the solar light intensity estimation device 100. That is, the position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit 101 and the weather information acquired by the weather information acquisition unit 102 can be regarded as information regarding the solar power generation device 120.

  The power generation amount information acquisition unit 103 acquires information on the rated power amount of the solar power generation device 120 and information on the actual power generation amount of the solar power generation device 120 at a predetermined time. The rated power amount is the maximum amount of power that can be generated by the solar power generation device 120. The actual power generation amount is the amount of power actually generated by the solar power generation device 120 at a predetermined time. In addition, acquisition of information on the actual power generation amount may specify not only a predetermined time but also a predetermined date.

  The estimation unit 104 estimates the irradiation intensity of sunlight at the current location based on the weather information acquired by the weather information acquisition unit 102 and the information on the power generation amount acquired by the power generation amount information acquisition unit 103. Specifically, the estimation unit 104 estimates the irradiation intensity of sunlight based on the ratio between the rated power amount and the actual power generation amount of the solar power generation device 120 and the coefficient related to the weather at the current location.

  Although the rated power amount is determined for the solar power generation device 120, the power generation amount actually varies depending on factors such as the intensity of sunlight and the irradiation angle of sunlight. Specifically, the amount of power generation increases as the irradiation intensity of sunlight increases. In general, the amount of power generation increases when the weather is fine, and the amount of power generation decreases when the weather is rainy. Furthermore, the amount of power generation increases as the irradiation angle of sunlight is closer to being perpendicular to the solar power generation device 120. Moreover, since the power generation efficiency of the solar power generation device 120 decreases as the panel temperature increases, it is necessary to consider the temperature. The estimation unit 104 estimates the irradiation intensity of sunlight at the current location using such information.

  Even in fine weather, the amount of power generation decreases because the intensity of sunlight irradiation is weak at points where there are obstacles that block sunlight (for example, viaducts, buildings, trees, etc.). For this reason, the estimation part 104 can estimate whether the feature which blocks | interrupts sunlight irradiation exists in the vicinity of the present location based on the estimated irradiation intensity | strength.

  The transmission / reception unit 105 transmits the estimation result obtained by the estimation unit 104 to the information management server 130 and receives the estimation result at an arbitrary point estimated by another sunlight intensity estimation device from the information management server 130.

  Next, the route search device 110 will be described. The route search device 110 includes a search unit 111 and searches for a route based on the estimation result by the sunlight intensity estimation device 100. Here, the estimation result is the irradiation intensity of sunlight at a predetermined point and the presence or absence of a feature that blocks the irradiation of sunlight. Further, the estimation result used for the route search may be one estimated by the sunlight intensity estimation device 100 or may be an estimation result obtained via the transmission / reception unit 105.

  The solar power generation device 120 described above is used as a power source for driving a mobile body (for example, an automobile) on which the route search device 110 is mounted, a power source for driving a mobile electronic device, or the like. The search unit 111 sets the cost of each link based on the irradiation intensity of sunlight on each link, and searches for a route that preferentially passes through a link having a high irradiation intensity by calculation using the cost. That is, the search unit 111 searches for a route through which the driving power for the moving body can be efficiently obtained.

  It continues and the sunlight intensity estimation process by the sunlight intensity estimation apparatus 100 is demonstrated. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a procedure of sunlight intensity estimation processing by the sunlight intensity estimation device. In the flowchart of FIG. 2, the sunlight intensity estimating apparatus 100 acquires the position information of the own apparatus by the position information acquiring unit 101 (step S <b> 201). Next, the sunlight intensity estimation apparatus 100 acquires the weather information of the current position by the weather information acquisition unit 102 (step S202).

  Subsequently, the solar power intensity estimation device 100 acquires information on the power generation amount of the solar power generation device 120 by the power generation amount information acquisition unit 103 (step S203). Then, the sunlight intensity estimation apparatus 100 estimates the irradiation intensity of sunlight at the current location based on the weather information and the information on the power generation amount by the estimation unit 104 (step S204), and ends the processing according to this flowchart. To do. Thereafter, the estimation result estimated in step S <b> 204 may be transmitted to the information management server 130 via the transmission / reception unit 105, or the estimation result at an arbitrary point may be received from the information management server 130. In addition, the route search device 110 searches for a route to the destination using the estimation result estimated in step S204.

  As described above, the sunlight intensity estimating apparatus 100 according to the embodiment estimates the irradiation intensity of sunlight at a predetermined point based on the information on the power generation amount of the photovoltaic power generation apparatus 120 and the weather information. More specifically, the sunlight intensity estimation device 100 estimates the irradiation intensity of sunlight based on the ratio of the actual power generation amount and the rated power amount of the solar power generation device 120 and the weather information. As described above, the sunlight intensity estimating apparatus 100 estimates the irradiation intensity by using values that fluctuate every moment, such as actual power generation amount information and weather information, and therefore uses fixed data such as information on the presence or absence of objects in the surroundings. Compared with the case, the irradiation intensity of sunlight can be estimated with higher accuracy. In addition, since the irradiation intensity is estimated for each date and weather condition, when using the estimation result, an estimation result more suitable for the condition can be obtained.

  Moreover, the sunlight intensity estimation apparatus 100 estimates the irradiation intensity in consideration of the influence of the power generation efficiency of the photovoltaic power generation apparatus 120 due to the temperature. For this reason, according to the sunlight intensity estimation apparatus 100, the irradiation intensity of sunlight can be estimated with higher accuracy. Moreover, since the sunlight intensity estimation apparatus 100 estimates irradiation intensity in consideration of weather information, it can estimate whether or not a feature that blocks sunlight irradiation is in the vicinity of the current point.

  Moreover, the sunlight intensity estimation apparatus 100 transmits the irradiation intensity estimation result to the information management server and receives the irradiation intensity estimation result at an arbitrary point from the information management server. Thereby, the estimation result estimated by the own apparatus can be shared with other information processing apparatuses. Moreover, the estimation result of the irradiation intensity at an arbitrary point can be acquired in real time.

  Moreover, according to the route search device 110 according to the embodiment, the route is searched based on the estimation result by the sunlight intensity estimation device 100. Thereby, when the mobile body in which the route search device 110 is mounted uses the solar power generation device 120 as a driving power source, a route with good power generation efficiency of the solar power generation device 120 can be easily searched.

  Examples of the present invention will be described below. In the present embodiment, when the present invention is applied to a solar light information providing system 300 in which the navigation device 310 mounted on the vehicle is the route search device 110 (sunlight intensity estimation device 100) and the information management server 130 is the server 320. An example will be described.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a system configuration of the sunlight information providing system according to the embodiment. The sunlight information providing system 300 includes a navigation device 310, a server 320, and a network 350 mounted on the vehicle 330. The navigation device 310 searches for a route to the destination point and outputs guidance information along the searched route.

  The vehicle 330 on which the navigation device 310 is mounted is a solar car on which the solar power generation device 340 is mounted and used as a driving power source. In the solar power generation device 340, the amount of power generation is determined by the intensity of the irradiated sunlight. For this reason, the navigation device 310 performs a route search using the irradiation intensity of sunlight at each link as a link cost so that the vehicle can travel while generating power more efficiently. At the time of the route search, the navigation device 310 uses the irradiation intensity information estimated by the other navigation device 310 at any point in addition to the information on the irradiation intensity of the sunlight estimated by the navigation device 310 itself (irradiation intensity information). 320 can be received and used.

  The irradiation intensity of sunlight at each link varies depending on the weather at that time and the presence or absence of features around the link. The navigation device 310 estimates the irradiation intensity of sunlight at its current location based on the weather information at that location and the power generation amount information of the photovoltaic power generation device 340. Then, the navigation apparatus 310 uses the estimated sunlight irradiation intensity information when searching for a route in the own apparatus and transmits the information to the server 320.

  The server 320 receives irradiation intensity information at each current point from each navigation device 310 on the road, and stores the received information. Then, when the server 320 receives the designation of the link necessary for the route search from the navigation device 310, the server 320 returns the irradiation intensity information on the corresponding link to the navigation device 310. Thereby, the navigation apparatus 310 can acquire the irradiation intensity information of sunlight at an arbitrary point. In the present embodiment, the route search is performed by the navigation device 310. However, the destination point is designated from the navigation device 310 to the server 320, and the irradiation intensity of sunlight at each link in the server 320 is set as the link cost. A route search may be performed.

(Hardware configuration of navigation device 310)
Next, the hardware configuration of the navigation device 310 will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the navigation apparatus. In FIG. 4, the navigation device 310 includes a CPU 401, ROM 402, RAM 403, magnetic disk drive 404, magnetic disk 405, optical disk drive 406, optical disk 407, audio I / F (interface) 408, microphone 409, speaker 410, input device 411, A video I / F 412, a display 413, a camera 414, a communication I / F 415, a GPS unit 416, various sensors 417, and a power information input unit 418 are provided. Each component 401-418 is connected by the bus | bath 420, respectively.

  First, the CPU 401 governs overall control of the navigation device 310. The ROM 402 records programs such as a boot program and a data update program. The RAM 403 is used as a work area for the CPU 401. That is, the CPU 401 controls the entire navigation apparatus 310 by executing various programs recorded in the ROM 402 while using the RAM 403 as a work area.

  The magnetic disk drive 404 controls the reading / writing of the data with respect to the magnetic disk 405 according to control of CPU401. The magnetic disk 405 records data written under the control of the magnetic disk drive 404. As the magnetic disk 405, for example, an HD (hard disk) or an FD (flexible disk) can be used.

  The optical disc drive 406 controls reading / writing of data with respect to the optical disc 407 according to the control of the CPU 401. The optical disc 407 is a detachable recording medium from which data is read according to the control of the optical disc drive 406. As the optical disc 407, a writable recording medium can be used. In addition to the optical disk 407, an MO, a memory card, or the like can be used as a removable recording medium.

  Examples of information recorded on the magnetic disk 405 and the optical disk 407 include map data and sunlight irradiation intensity information at each link. Map data is used for route search processing and route guidance processing in car navigation systems. Background data that represents features (features) such as buildings, rivers, and the ground surface, and road shape data that represents road shapes with links and nodes. Etc. The irradiation intensity information is data indicating the irradiation intensity of sunlight at a predetermined link. The irradiation intensity information may be information estimated by the navigation device 310 itself or information received via the server 320.

  The audio I / F 408 is connected to a microphone 409 for audio input and a speaker 410 for audio output. The sound received by the microphone 409 is A / D converted in the sound I / F 408. The microphones 409 are installed, for example, in a dashboard portion of the vehicle, and the number thereof may be singular or plural. From the speaker 410, a sound obtained by D / A converting a predetermined sound signal in the sound I / F 408 is output.

  Examples of the input device 411 include a remote controller including a plurality of keys for inputting characters, numerical values, and various instructions, a keyboard, and a touch panel. The input device 411 may be realized by any one form of a remote controller, a keyboard, and a touch panel, but may be realized by a plurality of forms.

  The video I / F 412 is connected to the display 413. Specifically, the video I / F 412 is output from, for example, a graphic controller that controls the entire display 413, a buffer memory such as a VRAM (Video RAM) that temporarily records image information that can be displayed immediately, and a graphic controller. And a control IC for controlling the display 413 based on the image data to be processed.

  The display 413 displays icons, cursors, menus, windows, or various data such as characters and images. As the display 413, for example, a TFT liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or the like can be used.

  The camera 414 captures images inside or outside the vehicle. The image may be either a still image or a moving image. For example, the outside of the vehicle is photographed by the camera 414, and the photographed image is analyzed by the CPU 401, or a recording medium such as the magnetic disk 405 or the optical disk 407 via the image I / F 412. Or output to

  The communication I / F 415 is connected to the network 350 via wireless and functions as an interface between the navigation device 310 and the CPU 401. The communication network functioning as the network 350 includes a public line network, a mobile phone network, DSRC (Dedicated Short Range Communication), LAN, WAN, and the like. The communication I / F 415 is, for example, a public line connection module, an ETC (non-stop automatic fee payment system) unit, an FM tuner, a VICS (Vehicle Information and Communication System) / beacon receiver, or the like.

  The GPS unit 416 receives radio waves from GPS satellites and outputs information indicating the current position of the vehicle 330. The output information of the GPS unit 416 is used when the CPU 401 calculates the current position of the vehicle 330 together with output values of various sensors 417 described later. The information indicating the current position is information for specifying one point on the map data, such as latitude / longitude and altitude.

  The various sensors 417 output information for determining the position and behavior of the vehicle 330 such as a vehicle speed sensor, an acceleration sensor, and an angular velocity sensor. The output values of the various sensors 417 are used by the CPU 401 to calculate the current position of the vehicle 330 and to calculate the amount of change in speed and direction.

  The power information input unit 418 is connected to the solar power generation device 340 and the battery mounted on the vehicle 330. The power information input unit 418 includes information on the rated power amount of the solar power generation device 340 (the maximum power amount that can be generated by the solar power generation device 340) and the actual power generation amount of the solar power generation device 340 (which is actually generated). Information) is input. In addition, information on the remaining power amount of the battery is input to the power supply information input unit 418.

  The position information acquisition unit 101, the weather information acquisition unit 102, the power generation amount information acquisition unit 103, the estimation unit 104, the transmission / reception unit 105, and the search unit 111 of the route search device 110 shown in FIG. Using the programs and data recorded on the ROM 402, RAM 403, magnetic disk 405, optical disk 407, etc. in the navigation device 310 described above, the CPU 401 executes a predetermined program and controls each part in the navigation device 310 to achieve its function. Realize.

(Sunlight intensity estimation processing and route search processing in the navigation device 310)
As described above, the navigation device 310 estimates the irradiation intensity of sunlight at each link so that the solar power generation device 340 mounted on the vehicle 330 can travel while generating power more efficiently. The route search is performed using the irradiation intensity of the link as the link cost. Hereinafter, the details of the solar light intensity estimation process in each link and the route search process using the solar light irradiation intensity as the link cost will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure of sunlight intensity estimation processing by the navigation device. In the flowchart of FIG. 5, the navigation device 310 first acquires weather information of the current location via the communication I / F 415 (step S501). The weather information includes information on the weather and temperature at that point.

  Next, the navigation apparatus 310 acquires the actual power generation amount information of the solar power generation apparatus 340 via the power supply information input unit 418 (step S502). Moreover, the navigation apparatus 310 acquires the rated electric energy information of the solar power generation device 340 (step S503). The rated power amount information may be input by the user, or the navigation device 310 may search based on the model number of the solar power generation device 340 or the like. Moreover, the rated power amount information acquired once may be stored in a storage device and read out when necessary.

  Next, the navigation apparatus 310 acquires GPS information via the GPS unit 416 (step S504). The GPS information includes information for specifying the current time information, date information, latitude / longitude information of the current location (or information for specifying the link where the navigation device 310 is located), the traveling direction of the vehicle 330, and the like. Yes.

Subsequently, the navigation device 310 estimates the irradiation intensity of sunlight at the current location based on the information acquired in steps S501 to S504 (step S505). The irradiation intensity of sunlight is calculated using, for example, the following formula (1).
Irradiation intensity = (actual power generation amount / rated power amount) × weather correction value Xn × temperature correction value TEn × time correction value TIn (1)

  Here, the first term on the right side of the above formula (1) is the ratio between the actual power generation amount and the rated power amount, and is the ratio of the current actual power generation amount to the maximum power generation amount. The second term on the right side of the above formula (1) is a correction value Xn based on the weather. For example, X1 is clear, X2 is cloudy, X3 is rainy, and X4 is snowy. Indicated. The correction value may be set in more detail according to the amount of clouds with respect to the whole sky.

  The third term on the right side of the above equation (1) is a correction value TEn based on the temperature. In the solar power generation device 340 (solar panel), as the temperature increases, the temperature of the component (panel) that receives sunlight increases and the power generation efficiency decreases. In order to consider this, a correction value based on the temperature is used. The fourth term on the right side of the above equation (1) is a correction value TIn based on latitude / longitude, time, and vehicle direction. Since the relative position to the sun differs depending on the latitude / longitude, time, and direction, the intensity of the obtained sunlight differs. The fourth term on the right side is a correction value for considering this. Note that the various correction values described above are stored as a correction value table in the storage device of the navigation device 310, for example.

  Next, the navigation apparatus 310 determines whether or not the irradiation intensity of sunlight estimated in step S505 is equal to or greater than a predetermined intensity (step S506). If the intensity is equal to or higher than the predetermined intensity (step S506: Yes), it is determined that there is no obstacle (for example, a viaduct, a building, or a tree) that blocks sunlight at that point (step S507). On the other hand, when the irradiation intensity of sunlight is less than the predetermined intensity (step S506: No), the navigation device 310 determines whether or not the current time is within the sunshine hours (step S508). The sunshine time zone here is, for example, a time zone from the elapse of a predetermined time of sunrise until a predetermined time of sunset, and is a time zone in which sunshine of a predetermined intensity or higher is obtained at the current location of the navigation device 310. .

  When it is not within the sunshine time zone (step S508: No), the navigation apparatus 310 uses the irradiation intensity estimated in step S505 as night zone data (step S509). For example, information such as the current time and date is associated with the nighttime data. On the other hand, when it is within the sunshine hours (step S508: Yes), the navigation device 310 determines whether the current weather is fine or not based on the weather information acquired in step S501 (step S510). Whether or not the weather is clear indicates that the amount of clouds with respect to the whole sky is equal to or less than a predetermined amount regardless of the presence or absence of precipitation.

  When it is fine weather (step S510: Yes), the navigation apparatus 310 determines that there is an obstacle that blocks sunlight at the current location (step S511). That is, it is determined that there is an obstacle that blocks sunlight at a point where the irradiation intensity of sunlight cannot be obtained in a predetermined amount or more during daylight weather. On the other hand, when it is not fine weather (step S510: No), the navigation apparatus 310 uses the irradiation intensity estimated at step S505 as bad weather data (step S512). For example, detailed weather information (cloud cover, presence / absence of precipitation, etc.) is associated with bad weather data.

  The navigation device 310 stores the acquired and estimated sunlight-related information (latitude and longitude of the current location, current time / date, weather information, sunlight irradiation intensity information, and information on the presence or absence of obstacles) in the storage device (magnetic disk 405). Or the optical disk 407) (step S513). And sunlight related information is transmitted to the server 320 via communication I / F415 (step S514), and the process by this flowchart is complete | finished. The server 320 aggregates the information transmitted from the navigation device 310 for each latitude / longitude and date / time, and holds it as a sunlight intensity database.

  Next, route search processing by the navigation device 310 will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure of route search processing by the navigation device. In the flowchart of FIG. 6, the navigation apparatus 310 waits until a destination point is designated and a route search is instructed (step S601: No loop). When a route search is instructed (step S601: Yes), the navigation device 310 reads sunlight irradiation intensity information stored in the storage device (magnetic disk 405 or optical disk 407) (step S602).

  The navigation apparatus 310 determines whether irradiation intensity information of all links that are route candidates has been acquired (step S603). At this time, as irradiation intensity information at a certain link, irradiation intensity information at a representative point (any one point) of the link may be acquired, or irradiation intensity information at all (or a plurality of) points on the link is acquired. May be. When the irradiation intensity information of all the links has been acquired (step S603: Yes), the process proceeds to step S605. On the other hand, when the irradiation intensity information of all the links cannot be acquired (step S603: No), the navigation device 310 receives the irradiation intensity information of the necessary links from the server 320 (step S604).

  In addition, when the irradiation intensity information of a required link is memorize | stored in both the navigation apparatus 310 and the server 320, which information is used is determined based on a predetermined condition. The predetermined condition is, for example, the date and time when information is stored (priority is given to new information), the degree of coincidence with the scheduled traveling time of the link, the degree of coincidence with the current weather, and the like.

  And the navigation apparatus 310 converts the irradiation intensity of the sunlight in the link used as the path | route candidate into link cost (step S605). At this time, the cost is set so as to preferentially travel a link where a larger amount of sunlight irradiation can be obtained. Then, an optimum route to the destination point is searched (step S606), and the processing according to this flowchart is terminated.

  In the normal route search, various cost elements (for example, distance, fee, traffic jam, etc.) are used. However, in the flowchart of FIG. Good. At this time, the ratio of giving priority to the cost based on the irradiation intensity of sunlight may be changed based on the remaining power amount of the battery. For example, when the remaining power of the battery is large, the specific gravity of the cost based on the irradiation intensity of sunlight is lowered, and when the remaining electric energy is small, the specific gravity of the cost based on the irradiation intensity of sunlight is increased. Also good. Further, prior to the processing after step S602, it is determined whether or not the driving power source of the vehicle 330 on which the device is mounted is the solar power generation device 340, and the driving power source is not the solar power generation device 340. The normal route search (route search not considering the irradiation intensity of sunlight) may be performed.

  Moreover, you may make it update the irradiation intensity information memorize | stored in the navigation apparatus 310 using the irradiation intensity information received from the server 320 by step S604. Further, during traveling, the irradiation intensity information stored in the server 320 and the information stored in the navigation device 310 are compared, and if there is a difference or updated information, it is stored in the navigation device 310. The updated information may be updated.

(Other examples of irradiation intensity information)
In the above description, the irradiation intensity information is used to search for a route with strong sunlight irradiation intensity. Hereinafter, as another example of using irradiation intensity information, an example in which a route to a parking lot with a roof is searched on a rainy day so that the user can reach a destination without getting wet will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing another procedure of route search processing by the navigation device. In the flowchart of FIG. 7, the navigation apparatus 310 waits until a destination point is specified and a route search is instructed (step S701: No loop). When a route search is instructed (step S701: Yes), the navigation apparatus 310 acquires weather information around the destination point via the communication I / F 415 (step S702).

  Next, the navigation device 310 determines whether the weather at the destination point at the estimated arrival time is rain or snow based on the acquired weather information (step S703). In the case of rain or snow (step S703: Yes), the navigation device 310 searches for parking lots around the destination point and determines whether there are a plurality of parking lots around the destination point (step S704).

  When there are a plurality of parking lots (step S704: Yes), it is determined whether or not there is a parking lot with a roof in the plurality of parking lots (step S705). At this time, the navigation apparatus 310 determines the presence or absence of the roof of a parking lot using the information on the presence or absence of an obstacle among the sunlight related information memorize | stored in the memory | storage device. More specifically, the presence or absence of a roof (an obstacle that blocks sunlight) is determined based on the sunlight irradiation intensity information at the latitude and longitude of each parking lot.

  If there is a parking lot with a roof (step S705: Yes), the navigation device 310 searches for a route to the parking lot with a roof as a route to the destination point (step S706), and ends the processing according to this flowchart. .

  On the other hand, if the weather at the estimated arrival time is not rain or snow in step S703 (step S703: No), or if there are no multiple parking lots around the destination point in step S704 (step S704: No), the roof in step S705 If there is no parking lot (step S705: No), the navigation device 310 performs a normal route search (step S707), and ends the processing according to this flowchart. Note that the normal route search means searching for a route to the destination point specified in step S701, and may be the route search process shown in FIG. 6 or considering the irradiation intensity of sunlight. The route search process may not be performed.

  Thus, according to the navigation apparatus 310, it is possible to search for a parking lot having a roof around the destination point using the sunlight irradiation intensity information and to search for a route to the parking lot. As a result, the user can reach the destination without getting the clothes wet even in bad weather, and the convenience for the user can be improved.

  As described above, according to the navigation device 310, a route is searched based on the estimation result of the irradiation intensity of sunlight. Thereby, when the vehicle 330 on which the navigation device 310 is mounted uses the solar power generation device 340 as a driving power source, a route with good power generation efficiency of the solar power generation device 340 can be easily searched.

  In addition, the navigation device 310 estimates the irradiation intensity of sunlight at a predetermined point based on the information regarding the power generation amount of the solar power generation device 340 and the weather information. More specifically, the navigation device 310 estimates the irradiation intensity of sunlight based on the ratio of the actual power generation amount and the rated power amount of the solar power generation device 340 and the weather information. As described above, the navigation device 310 estimates the irradiation intensity by using values that fluctuate every moment, such as actual power generation amount information and weather information, so compared with the case where fixed data such as information on the presence or absence of objects in the surroundings is used. Thus, the irradiation intensity of sunlight can be estimated with higher accuracy. In addition, since the irradiation intensity is estimated for each date and weather condition, when using the estimation result, an estimation result more suitable for the condition can be obtained.

  Further, the navigation device 310 estimates the irradiation intensity in consideration of the influence of the power generation efficiency of the solar power generation device 340 due to the temperature. For this reason, according to the navigation apparatus 310, the irradiation intensity of sunlight can be estimated with higher accuracy. In addition, since the navigation apparatus 310 estimates the irradiation intensity in consideration of weather information, it can be estimated whether or not a feature that blocks the irradiation of sunlight is in the vicinity of the current point.

  The navigation device 310 transmits the irradiation intensity estimation result to the server 320 and receives the irradiation intensity estimation result at an arbitrary point from the server 320. Thereby, the estimation result estimated by the own device can be shared with other navigation devices 310. Moreover, the estimation result of the irradiation intensity at an arbitrary point can be acquired in real time.

  The sunlight intensity estimation method described in the present embodiment can be realized by executing a program prepared in advance on a computer such as a personal computer or a workstation. This program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a hard disk, a flexible disk, a CD-ROM, an MO, and a DVD, and is executed by being read from the recording medium by the computer. The program may be a transmission medium that can be distributed via a network such as the Internet.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Sunlight intensity estimation apparatus 101 Position information acquisition part 102 Weather information acquisition part 103 Power generation amount information acquisition part 104 Estimation part 105 Transmission / reception part 110 Path search device 111 Search part 120 Solar power generation apparatus 130 Information management server

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, a solar intensity estimating apparatus according to the invention of claim 1 is a solar intensity estimating apparatus that estimates the irradiation intensity of sunlight, Position information acquisition means for acquiring position information, weather information acquisition means for acquiring weather information at the current location at a predetermined time, and power generation amount information for acquiring information related to the power generation amount of the solar power generation device located at the current location Based on the acquisition means, the weather information acquired by the weather information acquisition means, and the information on the power generation amount acquired by the power generation amount information acquisition means, the estimation for estimating the irradiation intensity of sunlight at the current location Means for estimating the presence or absence of a feature that blocks the irradiation of the sunlight in the vicinity of the current location based on the estimated irradiation intensity. To.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, a route search device includes the solar light intensity estimation device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, and searches for a route based on an estimation result by the solar light intensity estimation device. It is characterized by comprising search means for performing.

  Moreover, the sunlight intensity estimation method according to the invention of claim 9 is a sunlight intensity estimation method in a sunlight intensity estimation apparatus that estimates the irradiation intensity of sunlight, and acquires position information of the current location of the own apparatus. A position information acquisition step, a weather information acquisition step for acquiring weather information at the current location at a predetermined time, a power generation amount information acquisition step for acquiring information related to the power generation amount of a solar power generation device located at the current location, An estimation step of estimating the irradiation intensity of sunlight at the current location based on the weather information acquired by the weather information acquisition step and the information on the power generation amount acquired in the power generation amount information acquisition step. The estimation step estimates the presence / absence of a feature that blocks the irradiation of the sunlight in the vicinity of the current location based on the estimated irradiation intensity.

  A sunlight intensity estimation program according to a tenth aspect of the invention causes a computer to execute the sunlight intensity estimation method according to the ninth aspect.

  A recording medium according to an eleventh aspect of the invention is characterized in that the sunlight intensity estimation program according to the tenth aspect is recorded in a computer-readable state.

Claims (10)

A solar intensity estimating device for estimating the irradiation intensity of sunlight,
Position information acquisition means for acquiring position information of the current location of the own device;
Weather information acquisition means for acquiring weather information of the current location;
Power generation amount information acquisition means for acquiring information on the power generation amount of the photovoltaic power generation apparatus located at the current location;
Based on the weather information acquired by the weather information acquisition unit and the information on the power generation amount acquired by the power generation amount information acquisition unit, an estimation unit that estimates the irradiation intensity of sunlight at the current location;
A solar intensity estimation device comprising: The weather information acquisition means acquires the weather information of the current location at a predetermined time,
The power generation amount information acquisition means acquires information on the actual power generation amount at the predetermined time of the solar power generation device and information on the rated power amount of the solar power generation device,
The said estimation means estimates the said irradiation intensity | strength based on the ratio regarding the actual electric power generation amount of the said solar power generation device and a rated electric energy, and the coefficient regarding the weather of the said present location. The solar intensity estimation device described. The weather information acquisition means further acquires temperature information of the current location at the predetermined time,
The said estimation means is further characterized by estimating the said irradiation intensity based on the coefficient regarding the temperature of the said present location, and the coefficient regarding the relative position of the said present location and the said sun at the said predetermined time. The sunlight intensity estimation apparatus according to 2.   2. The sunlight according to claim 1, wherein the estimation means estimates whether or not a feature that blocks the irradiation of sunlight is in the vicinity of the current location based on the estimated irradiation intensity. Intensity estimation device. Transmitting means for transmitting the estimation result by the estimating means to the information management server;
Receiving means for receiving the estimation result at an arbitrary point estimated by another sunlight intensity estimating device from the information management server;
The solar light intensity estimation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: The solar light intensity estimation device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A route search device comprising search means for searching for a route based on an estimation result by the sunlight intensity estimation device. The solar power generation device is a power source for driving a mobile body on which the device is mounted,
The searching means sets the cost of each link based on the irradiation intensity of the sunlight on each link, and preferentially passes through the link having the strong irradiation intensity by calculation using the cost. The route search device according to claim 6, wherein a route is searched. A solar light intensity estimation method in a solar light intensity estimation device that estimates the irradiation intensity of sunlight,
A location information acquisition step for acquiring location information of the current location of the device;
A weather information acquisition step of acquiring weather information of the current location;
A power generation amount information acquisition step for acquiring information on the power generation amount of the solar power generation device located at the current location;
Based on the weather information acquired in the weather information acquisition step and information on the power generation amount acquired in the power generation amount information acquisition step, an estimation step for estimating the irradiation intensity of sunlight at the current location;
A method for estimating sunlight intensity, comprising:   A sunlight intensity estimation program that causes a computer to execute the sunlight intensity estimation method according to claim 8.   A computer-readable recording medium in which the sunlight intensity estimation program according to claim 9 is recorded.

Images