JPWO2020188737A1 - Route search system and recommended route presentation method - Google Patents

Abstract

In the route search device (10), the route search unit (11) searches for one or more routes from the current location of the own vehicle to the destination. The natural environment information acquisition unit (12) acquires information on the natural environment of the route detected by the route search unit (11). The recommended route presentation unit (13) presents to the user a route that the own vehicle can reach the destination without using the charging station from the routes detected by the route search unit (11) as a recommended route. The recommended route presentation unit (13) is a non-contact charging facility when confirming whether the route detected by the route search unit (11) is a route that the own vehicle can reach the destination without using the charging station. Consider the decrease in charging capacity of non-contact charging equipment due to the influence of location and natural environment.

Description

The present invention relates to a route search system and a recommended route presentation method in a route search system.

With the spread of electric vehicles, the introduction of infrastructure for charging the batteries of electric vehicles (hereinafter referred to as "infrastructure") is progressing. In addition, the development of technology for charging the battery of an electric vehicle using a non-contact charging device is also progressing, and the infrastructure that can charge the battery while driving the vehicle using the non-contact charging equipment built into the road. Services have also been devised. Further, for example, in the following Patent Documents 1 and 2, the purpose is to consider the position of the non-contact charging equipment incorporated in the road without using a charging station for performing contact type (cable connection type) charging. A navigation device has been proposed that presents a route that can reach the ground.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-228238 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-192412

Since the non-contact charging equipment built into the road has a space between it and the battery of the vehicle, the natural environment of the road affects its charging capacity. For example, if the road surface on which a non-contact charging facility is installed is covered with rainwater or snow, the charging capacity is reduced.

In the technologies of Patent Documents 1 and 2, information such as the operating status of the non-contact charging equipment (whether or not power can be supplied) and whether the road incorporating the non-contact charging equipment is closed is taken into consideration. The impact of the natural environment on the charging capacity of non-contact charging equipment is not considered. Therefore, even though the vehicle is traveling on a route that is expected to reach the destination without using the charging station, the battery is not charged by the non-contact charging equipment as planned due to the deterioration of the natural environment. , The battery may run out before arriving at the destination.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and is a route search system capable of presenting to a user a route that allows a vehicle to reach a destination without using a charging station even when the natural environment deteriorates. The purpose is to provide.

The route search device according to the present invention has a route search unit that searches for one or more routes from the current location of the vehicle to the destination, and a natural environment information acquisition unit that acquires information on the natural environment of the route detected by the route search unit. In consideration of the location of the non-contact charging equipment built into the road and the decrease in the charging capacity of the non-contact charging equipment due to the influence of the natural environment, the vehicle selects the charging station from the routes detected by the route search unit. It is provided with a recommended route presenting unit that presents to the user a route that can reach the destination without using it as a recommended route.

According to the present invention, a route that allows a vehicle to reach a destination without using a charging station is set as a recommended route in consideration of a decrease in the charging capacity of the non-contact charging equipment due to the influence of the natural environment. Therefore, even if the natural environment deteriorates, it is possible to present the user with a route that allows the vehicle to reach the destination without using the charging station. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the battery from running out while the vehicle is running.

Objectives, features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will be made more apparent with the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the path search system which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the operation of the path search system which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the recommended route selection process in Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the hardware configuration example of the path search apparatus. It is a figure which shows the hardware configuration example of the path search apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the recommended route selection process in Embodiment 2. It is a figure which shows the structure of the path search system which concerns on Embodiment 3. It is a flowchart which shows the operation of the path search system which concerns on Embodiment 3. It is a flowchart which shows the recommended route selection process in Embodiment 3. It is a figure which shows the structure of the path search system which concerns on Embodiment 4. It is a figure which shows the structure of the path search system which concerns on Embodiment 5.

<Embodiment 1>
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a route search system according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the route search system includes a natural environment information distribution infrastructure 1, a route search device 10, a communication device 21 connected to the path search device 10, a current position calculation device 22, a map information storage device 23, and the like. It includes an operation input device 24 and a display device 25.

In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the route search device 10, the communication device 21, the current position calculation device 22, the map information storage device 23, the operation input device 24, and the display device 25 connected thereto are mounted on the vehicle. do. Hereinafter, the vehicle equipped with the path search device 10 is referred to as "own vehicle". The own vehicle uses the electric power of the battery as a power source for traveling, and includes not only electric vehicles (EVs) but also hybrid vehicles. In addition, it is assumed that the own vehicle is equipped with a non-contact power receiving device and supports charging of the battery using the non-contact charging equipment. However, the route search device 10 does not have to be permanently installed in the own vehicle, and may be realized on a portable device that can be brought into the vehicle, such as a mobile phone, a smartphone, or a portable navigation device.

The natural environment information distribution infrastructure 1 is, for example, an infrastructure that distributes information on the natural environment of each region (hereinafter referred to as “natural environment information”). Specific examples of natural environment information include precipitation, snowfall, and weather. The natural environment information may include not only information on the current natural environment but also information predicting the future natural environment (weather forecast, etc.).

The route search device 10 presents a recommended route from the current location of the own vehicle to the destination to the user (mainly the driver of the own vehicle). Further, information on the recommended route obtained by the route search device 10 or the route selected by the user from a plurality of recommended routes is provided to, for example, a navigation device (not shown) of the own vehicle and used for route guidance of the own vehicle. Can be done. The route search device 10 may be built in the navigation device.

The communication device 21 is a communication means for the path search device 10 to communicate with the outside. For example, the route search device 10 can acquire the natural environment information from the natural environment information distribution infrastructure 1 through the communication device 21. The communication device 21 may be a communication device dedicated to the route search device 10, or may be a general communication device such as a mobile phone or a smartphone.

The current position calculation device 22 calculates the current position of the own vehicle by using a positioning signal received from a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) satellite such as a GPS (Global Positioning System) satellite.

The map information storage device 23 is a storage medium that stores map information. The map information stored in the map information storage device 23 includes information on the non-contact charging equipment incorporated in the road (hereinafter referred to as "charging equipment information") in addition to the position information of the roads constituting the road network. There is. The charging equipment information includes information on the location of the non-contact charging equipment and its charging capacity. The map information storage device 23 does not have to be mounted on the own vehicle. For example, the map information storage device 23 may be a server installed outside the own vehicle and distributing map information to the route search device 10 through the communication device 21. ..

The operation input device 24 is a user interface for the user to operate the route search device 10. For example, the user can set the destination of the own vehicle using the operation input device 24, or select one of a plurality of recommended routes presented by the route search device 10. The operation input device 24 may be hardware such as a keyboard, a push button, an operation lever, or a touch pad, or may be software keys displayed on a screen.

The display device 25 is a user interface for the path search device 10 to present information to the user, such as a liquid crystal display device. For example, the route search device 10 can present a recommended route to the user by displaying a map showing the recommended route on the operation input device 24.

In FIG. 1, the route search device 10, the communication device 21, the current position calculation device 22, the map information storage device 23, the operation input device 24, and the display device 25 are shown as individual devices, but two or more of them are shown. It may be integrally configured. For example, the display device 25 may display the software key as the operation input device 24, in which case the operation input device 24 and the display device 25 are configured as one touch panel. Further, for example, the communication device 21, the current position calculation device 22, the map information storage device 23, the operation input device 24, and the display device 25 may all be built in the route search device 10.

As shown in FIG. 1, the route search device 10 includes a route search unit 11, a natural environment information acquisition unit 12, and a recommended route presentation unit 13.

The route search unit 11 is based on the current position of the own vehicle calculated by the current position calculation device 22, the destination set by the user using the operation input device 24, and the map information stored in the map information storage device 23. Search for one or more routes from your vehicle's current location to your destination. Here, for the sake of simplicity, it is assumed that the route search unit 11 detects a plurality of routes from the current location of the own vehicle to the destination.

The natural environment information acquisition unit 12 communicates with the natural environment information distribution infrastructure 1 using the communication device 21, and acquires the natural environment information of each route detected by the route search unit 11 from the natural environment information distribution infrastructure 1. ..

The recommended route presentation unit 13 recommends a route (hereinafter referred to as “charging station unnecessary route”) in which the own vehicle can reach the destination without using the charging station from among the plurality of routes detected by the route search unit 11. Select as a route. Further, the recommended route presenting unit 13 presents the recommended route to the user by displaying a map showing the recommended route on the display device 25.

Here, the details of the method in which the recommended route presenting unit 13 selects the recommended route will be described. The recommended route presentation unit 13 has each route detected by the route search unit 11 based on information such as charging equipment information (position of non-contact charging equipment and charging capacity) included in the map information, remaining battery level of the own vehicle, and the like. Determines whether or not is a charging station unnecessary route, and selects a route determined to be a charging station unnecessary route as a recommended route. At this time, the recommended route presentation unit 13 estimates whether the charging capacity of the non-contact charging equipment existing in each route is reduced due to the influence of the natural environment based on the natural environment information acquired by the natural environment information acquisition unit 12. Then, in consideration of the estimation result, it is determined whether or not each route is a charging station unnecessary route. For example, if it is found from the natural environment information that the route detected by the route search unit 11 has a section covered with rainwater or snow, the charging capacity of the non-contact charging equipment built into the road in the section is reduced. After estimating the charging capacity of the non-contact charging equipment in the section below the rating, it is determined whether or not each route is a charging station unnecessary route.

When a plurality of unnecessary charging station routes are found, the recommended route presenting unit 13 selects one of them as the recommended route based on predetermined selection criteria (for example, distance priority, time priority, etc.). For example, among a plurality of unnecessary charging station routes, the route with the shortest distance, the route with the shortest required time, and the like are selected as recommended routes. This selection criterion can be arbitrarily set by the user.

Alternatively, when a plurality of unnecessary charging station routes are found, a plurality of recommended routes may be set, and the recommended route presenting unit 13 may present the user with a plurality of recommended routes and allow the user to select one of them.

In addition, it is considered that the user does not always prefer the charging station unnecessary route. For example, even if you cannot reach your destination without using a charging station, you may want to choose a route that takes as little time as possible. Therefore, in the present embodiment, whether or not the recommended route presenting unit 13 considers the necessity of using the charging station when selecting the recommended route (that is, whether or not each route considers whether or not the charging station is unnecessary). Is it possible for the user to switch. When the recommended route presentation unit 13 is set so as not to consider the necessity of using the charging station, the recommended route presentation unit 13 does not determine whether or not each route is a charging station unnecessary route, and a predetermined selection criterion is used. Based on (for example, distance priority, time priority, etc.), one of the routes detected by the route search unit 11 is selected as the recommended route.

Next, the operation of the path search device 10 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation.

When the route search device 10 is activated and the user sets the destination using the operation input device 24 (step S101), the route search unit 11 searches for the route from the current location of the own vehicle to the destination (step S102). .. After that, the recommended route presenting unit 13 selects a recommended route from the routes detected by the route search unit 11 (step S103), and further presents the selected recommended route to the user by displaying it on the display device 25 (step S103). Step S104).

Here, the details of the process of step S103 of FIG. 2, that is, the process of selecting the recommended route by the recommended route presenting unit 13 (hereinafter referred to as “recommended route selection process”) will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the process.

In the recommended route selection process, first, the recommended route presenting unit 13 confirms the setting by the user and determines whether or not to consider the necessity of using the charging station (step S201). When the recommended route presenting unit 13 is set by the user so as not to consider the necessity of using the charging station (NO in step S201), the recommended route presenting unit 13 considers whether or not each route is a charging station unnecessary route. Instead, one of the routes detected by the route search unit 11 is selected as the recommended route based on predetermined selection criteria (for example, distance priority, time priority, etc.) (step S202).

On the other hand, when the recommended route presentation unit 13 is set by the user to consider the necessity of using the charging station (YES in step S201), the natural environment information acquisition unit 12 uses the communication device 21 to perform the natural environment. The natural environment information of the route detected by the route search unit 11 is acquired from the information distribution infrastructure 1 (step S203). Then, the recommended route presentation unit 13 estimates the charging capacity of the non-contact charging equipment due to the influence of the natural environment based on the natural environment information acquired by the natural environment information acquisition unit 12 (step S204). For example, a non-contact charging facility built into a road covered with rainwater or snow is estimated to have reduced charging capacity, and the non-contact charging facility is estimated to have a lower than rated charging capacity.

Subsequently, the recommended route presentation unit 13 is detected by the route search unit 11 based on information such as charging equipment information (position of non-contact charging equipment and charging capacity) included in the map information, remaining battery level of the own vehicle, and the like. It is determined whether or not each of the routes is a charging station unnecessary route (step S205). As a result, if a charging station unnecessary route is found (YES in step S206), the route determined to be the charging station unnecessary route is selected as the recommended route (step S207).

When a plurality of charging station unnecessary routes are found, the recommended route presenting unit 13 selects one of the plurality of charging station unnecessary routes as a recommended route based on a predetermined selection criterion. Alternatively, in step S104 of FIG. 2, a plurality of charging station unnecessary routes may be presented to the user as a plurality of recommended routes, and the user may be made to select one of them.

If no unnecessary route for the charging station is found (NO in step S206), the recommended route presenting unit 13 can reach the destination using the charging station based on a predetermined selection criterion. (Hereinafter referred to as “charging station required route”) is selected as the recommended route (step S208).

When the required route for the charging station is selected as the recommended route, when the recommended route presenting unit 13 displays the recommended route on the display device 25 in step S104 of FIG. 2, it is necessary to use the charging station, for example, by pop-up display. It is preferable to alert the user to the effect.

As described above, in the route search device 10 according to the present embodiment, the vehicle arrives at the destination without using the charging station after considering the decrease in the charging capacity of the non-contact charging equipment due to the influence of the natural environment. Since the possible route is set as the recommended route, it is possible to present the user with a route that the own vehicle can reach the destination without using the charging station even if the natural environment deteriorates. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the battery from running out while the vehicle is running.

[Modification example]
Since the natural environment of the road changes with time, it is preferable that the natural environment information distributed by the natural environment information distribution infrastructure 1 has a valid period. In that case, it is preferable that the recommended route presenting unit 13 selects the recommended route in consideration of the valid period of the natural environment information. For example, for the section where the own vehicle is expected to travel after the valid period, it is considered that the non-contact charging equipment has the rated charging capacity without considering the natural environment information. In the above, it may be determined whether or not each route is a charging station unnecessary route.

In addition, the natural environment information may include not only information on the current natural environment but also information (weather forecast, etc.) that predicts the future natural environment. In that case, the recommended route presenting unit 13 may select the recommended route based on the predicted natural environment information. For example, for the section where the own vehicle travels after 2 hours, the charging capacity of the non-contact charging equipment is predicted based on the predicted natural environment information after 2 hours, so that the nature matches the time zone when the own vehicle travels. It is advisable to predict the charging capacity of the non-contact charging equipment in consideration of environmental information.

The route search unit 11 may search not only the route from the current location of the own vehicle to the destination (outward route) but also the route for returning from the destination to the current location (return route). In this case, the recommended route presenting unit 13 may present the recommended route (recommended return route) to the user for the return route as well as the outward route. That is, the recommended route presentation unit 13 takes into consideration the remaining battery level of the own vehicle, charging equipment information (position and charging capacity of the non-contact charging equipment), deterioration of the charging capacity of the non-contact charging equipment due to the influence of the natural environment, and the like. From the return routes detected by the route search unit 11, a route that allows the vehicle to return to the current location without using the charging station is selected as the recommended return route, and the selected recommended return route is displayed on the display device 25. It may be presented to the user.

Further, when searching for a return route, it is preferable that the user can set the departure time of the return route (time to depart from the destination), and the recommended route presentation unit 13 selects the recommended return route in consideration of the departure time of the return route. .. By doing so, it becomes possible to appropriately reflect the validity period of the above-mentioned natural environment information and the predicted natural environment information on the return trip.

[Hardware configuration example]
4 and 5 are diagrams showing an example of the hardware configuration of the path search device 10, respectively. Each function of the component of the path search device 10 shown in FIG. 1 is realized by, for example, the processing circuit 50 shown in FIG. That is, the route search device 10 searches for one or more routes from the current location of the vehicle to the destination, acquires the natural environment information of the detected route, and positions the non-contact charging equipment incorporated in the road and the natural environment. In order to present to the user the recommended route from among the detected routes, which allows the vehicle to reach the destination without using the charging station, in consideration of the decrease in the charging capacity of the non-contact charging equipment due to the influence of The processing circuit 50 of the above is provided. The processing circuit 50 may be dedicated hardware, or may be a processor (Central Processing Unit (CPU), processing unit, arithmetic unit, microprocessor, microprocessor, etc.) that executes a program stored in the memory. It may be configured by using a DSP (also called a Digital Signal Processor).

When the processing circuit 50 is dedicated hardware, the processing circuit 50 may be, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or an FPGA (Field-Programmable). Gate Array), or a combination of these. The functions of the components of the pathfinding device 10 may be realized by individual processing circuits, or these functions may be collectively realized by one processing circuit.

FIG. 5 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the path search device 10 when the processing circuit 50 is configured by using the processor 51 that executes the program. In this case, the functions of the components of the pathfinding device 10 are realized by software (software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware). The software or the like is described as a program and stored in the memory 52. The processor 51 realizes the functions of each part by reading and executing the program stored in the memory 52. That is, when executed by the processor 51, the route search device 10 searches for one or more routes from the current location of the vehicle to the destination, acquires natural environment information of the detected route, and roads. Considering the location of the non-contact charging equipment built into the vehicle and the decrease in charging capacity of the non-contact charging equipment due to the influence of the natural environment, the vehicle can reach the destination without using the charging station from the detected routes. It includes a process of presenting an reachable route to the user as a recommended route, and a memory 52 for storing a program to be executed as a result. In other words, it can be said that this program causes the computer to execute the procedure and method of operation of the components of the path search device 10.

Here, the memory 52 is a non-volatile or non-volatile memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a flash memory, an EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), and an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory). Volatile semiconductor memory, HDD (Hard Disk Drive), magnetic disk, flexible disk, optical disk, compact disk, mini disk, DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) and its drive device, etc., or any storage medium used in the future. You may.

The configuration in which the functions of the components of the path search device 10 are realized by either hardware, software, or the like has been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration in which a part of the component of the path search device 10 is realized by dedicated hardware and another part of the component is realized by software or the like may be used. For example, for some components, the function is realized by the processing circuit 50 as dedicated hardware, and for some other components, the processing circuit 50 as the processor 51 is stored in the memory 52. It is possible to realize the function by reading and executing it.

As described above, the path search device 10 can realize each of the above-mentioned functions by hardware, software, or a combination thereof.

<Embodiment 2>
In the first embodiment, when a charging station unnecessary route is found in the route detected by the route search unit 11, the charging station unnecessary route is always selected as the recommended route. For example, the charging station unnecessary route is selected. However, when the route is very detoured or the toll is very high compared to the route required for the charging station, the merit of using the route not required for the charging station as the recommended route is small. Therefore, in the second embodiment, in such a case, the required route of the charging station is used as the recommended route.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the recommended route selection process according to the second embodiment. Since the flow of FIG. 6 is the same as that of FIG. 3 in that step S210 is added to the flow of FIG. 3, only step S210 will be described here. Further, the configuration and basic operation of the pathfinding device 10 of the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment (FIGS. 1 and 2).

In step S210, in the recommended route selection process, the recommended route presenting unit 13 determines whether or not each route detected by the route search unit 11 is a charging station unnecessary route (step S205), and the charging station unnecessary route is found. (YES in step S206). In step S210, the charging station required route and the charging station required route among the routes detected by the route search unit 11 are compared.

resulting in,
(A) When the charging station unnecessary route is longer than the charging station required route and the difference exceeds a predetermined threshold value (b) The time required for the charging station unnecessary route is longer than the required time for the charging station required route. When the difference exceeds a predetermined threshold (c) The toll for the route that does not require a charging station is higher than the toll for the route that requires a charging station, and the difference must exceed a predetermined threshold. If (YES in step S210), the charging station unnecessary route is selected as the recommended route (step S207).

However, if any of the conditions (a) to (c) is met (NO in step S210), the charging station required route is selected as the recommended route (step S208).

According to the second embodiment, it is possible to prevent the charging station unnecessary route which is very detour and the charging station unnecessary route where the toll is very high from becoming the recommended route, so that the convenience is improved.

<Embodiment 3>
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of a path search system according to the third embodiment. The configuration of the path search system of FIG. 7 is a configuration in which the charging equipment information updating unit 14 is added to the path search device 10 in addition to the configuration of FIG.

In the first embodiment, the route search unit 11 searches for the route from the current location of the own vehicle to the destination, and then the natural environment information acquisition unit 12 acquires the natural environment information. However, in the third embodiment, the natural environment information acquisition unit 12 acquires the natural environment information. The natural environment information acquisition unit 12 constantly or periodically acquires the natural environment information, and the charging equipment information updating unit 14 updates the charging equipment information stored in the map information storage device 23 based on the natural environment information. ..

The path search device 10 of the third embodiment executes the charging equipment information update process shown in FIG. 8 in addition to the basic operation shown in FIG. That is, when the route search device 10 is activated, the natural environment information acquisition unit 12 acquires the natural environment information from the natural environment information distribution infrastructure 1 (step S301). Then, the natural environment information acquisition unit 12 compares the natural environment information acquired this time with the natural environment information acquired last time, and confirms whether or not the natural environment information has changed (step S302). If there is no change in the natural environment information (NO in step S302), the process returns to step S301.

On the other hand, if the natural environment information has changed (YES in step S302), the charging equipment information updating unit 14 estimates the charging capacity of the non-contact charging equipment in each region based on the new natural environment information (step). S303). For example, if it is found from the natural environment information that there is an area covered with rainwater or snow, it is estimated that the non-contact charging equipment built into the road in that area has a reduced charging capacity, and that section Estimate the charging capacity of non-contact charging equipment below the rating. Then, the charging equipment information updating unit 14 updates the charging equipment information by reflecting the estimation result on the charging equipment information stored in the map information storage device 23 (step S304). Then, the process returns to step S301.

By repeatedly executing the charging equipment information update process of FIG. 8, the charging equipment information stored in the map information storage device 23, particularly the charging capacity information of the non-contact charging equipment, is always updated with the latest natural environment information. Maintained in consideration.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the recommended route selection process according to the third embodiment. The flow of FIG. 9 is obtained by omitting steps S203 and S204 from the flow of FIG. In the present embodiment, the process of acquiring the natural environment information and the process of estimating the charging capacity of the non-contact charging facility due to the influence of the natural environment are completed in advance by the charging facility information update process of FIG. , It is not necessary to perform the process corresponding to steps S203 and S204 in FIG. 3 in the recommended route selection process. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the speed of the recommended route selection process can be increased.

However, as in the first embodiment, when the natural environment information acquisition unit 12 acquires the natural environment information after the route search unit 11 searches for the route from the current location of the own vehicle to the destination, it is detected. Since it is only necessary to estimate the charging capacity of the non-contact charging equipment on the route, there is an advantage that the overall processing load is reduced.

<Embodiment 4>
In the first to third embodiments, the natural environment information is distributed from the infrastructure, but in the fourth embodiment, the route search system in which the charging equipment information is distributed from the infrastructure is shown.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration of a path search system according to the fourth embodiment. In the configuration of the path search system of FIG. 10, the charging equipment information distribution infrastructure 30 for distributing the charging equipment information is provided, and the natural environment information acquisition unit 12 of the route search device 10 is used as the charging equipment information acquisition unit. It is replaced with 15. In the present embodiment, since the route search device 10 can acquire the charging equipment information from the charging equipment information distribution infrastructure 30, the map information of the map information storage device 23 does not have to include the charging equipment information.

The charging equipment information distribution infrastructure 30 includes a natural environment information acquisition unit 31, a charging equipment information updating unit 32, a charging equipment information storage unit 33, and a charging equipment information transmission unit 34.

The natural environment information acquisition unit 31 constantly or regularly acquires natural environment information in each region from the natural environment information distribution infrastructure 1. The function of the natural environment information acquisition unit 31 corresponds to the function of the natural environment information acquisition unit 12 of the third embodiment.

The charging equipment information storage unit 33 is a storage medium in which charging equipment information is stored. The charging equipment information updating unit 32 estimates the charging capacity of the non-contact charging equipment in each region based on the natural environment information acquired by the natural environment information acquisition unit 31, and based on the estimation result, the charging equipment information storage unit 33. Update the charging equipment information stored in. Therefore, the charging equipment information stored in the charging equipment information storage unit 33, particularly the charging capacity information of the non-contact charging equipment, is always maintained in a state in which the latest natural environment information is taken into consideration. The function of the charging equipment information updating unit 32 corresponds to the function of the charging equipment information updating unit 14 of the third embodiment.

The charging equipment information transmission unit 34 transmits the charging equipment information to the route search device 10 in response to a request from the path search device 10.

The charging equipment information acquisition unit 15 of the route search device 10 communicates with the charging equipment information distribution infrastructure 30 using the communication device 21, and exists in the route detected by the route search unit 11 from the charging equipment information distribution infrastructure 30. Acquire charging equipment information for non-contact charging equipment.

The operation of the route search device 10 of the fourth embodiment is the same as that of the third embodiment except that the charging equipment information is acquired not from the map information storage device 23 but from the charging equipment information distribution infrastructure 30. .. According to the present embodiment, since the charging capacity of the non-contact charging equipment is estimated and the charging equipment information is updated in the charging equipment information distribution infrastructure 30, the processing load of the route search device 10 can be reduced.

<Embodiment 5>
The fifth embodiment shows a route search system having a configuration in which map information including charging equipment information is distributed from the infrastructure.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a configuration of a path search system according to the fifth embodiment. In the configuration of the route search system of FIG. 11, a map information distribution infrastructure 40 for distributing map information including charging equipment information is provided for the configuration of FIG. 1, and the natural environment information acquisition unit 12 of the route search device 10 is provided with map information. It is replaced with the acquisition unit 16. In the present embodiment, since the route search device 10 can acquire the map information including the charging equipment information from the map information distribution infrastructure 40, it is not necessary to connect the map information storage device 23 to the route search device 10.

The map information distribution infrastructure 40 includes a natural environment information acquisition unit 41, a charging equipment information update unit 42, a map information storage unit 43, and a map information transmission unit 44.

The natural environment information acquisition unit 41 constantly or regularly acquires natural environment information in each region from the natural environment information distribution infrastructure 1. The function of the natural environment information acquisition unit 41 corresponds to the function of the natural environment information acquisition unit 12 of the third embodiment.

The map information storage unit 43 is a storage medium in which map information including charging equipment information is stored. The charging equipment information updating unit 42 estimates the charging capacity of the non-contact charging equipment in each region based on the natural environment information acquired by the natural environment information acquisition unit 41, and based on the estimation result, the map information storage unit 43 stores the charging capacity. Update the stored charging equipment information. Therefore, the charging equipment information stored in the map information storage unit 43, particularly the charging capacity information of the non-contact charging equipment, is always maintained in a state in which the latest natural environment information is taken into consideration. The function of the charging equipment information updating unit 42 corresponds to the function of the charging equipment information updating unit 14 of the third embodiment.

The map information transmission unit 44 transmits map information including charging equipment information to the route search device 10 in response to a request from the route search device 10.

The map information acquisition unit 16 of the route search device 10 communicates with the map information distribution infrastructure 40 using the communication device 21, and acquires the map information used by the route search unit 11 for route search from the map information distribution infrastructure 40. do. As a matter of course, the map information used by the route search unit 11 for searching the route includes the charging equipment information of the non-contact charging equipment existing in the detected route.

The operation of the route search device 10 of the fifth embodiment is the same as that of the third embodiment except that the map information is acquired not from the map information storage device 23 but from the map information distribution infrastructure 40. According to the present embodiment, since the map information can be acquired from the map information distribution infrastructure 40, the map information storage device 23 can be omitted, which can contribute to the cost reduction of the route search system.

In the present invention, each embodiment can be freely combined, and each embodiment can be appropriately modified or omitted within the scope of the invention.

Although the present invention has been described in detail, the above description is exemplary in all embodiments and the invention is not limited thereto. It is understood that innumerable variations not illustrated can be assumed without departing from the scope of the present invention.

1 Natural environment information distribution infrastructure, 10 Route search device, 11 Route search unit, 12 Natural environment information acquisition unit, 13 Recommended route presentation unit, 14 Charging equipment information update unit, 15 Charging equipment information acquisition unit, 16 Map information acquisition unit, 21 Communication device, 22 Current position calculation device, 23 Map information storage device, 24 Operation input device, 25 Display device, 30 Charging equipment information distribution infrastructure, 31 Natural environment information acquisition unit, 32 Charging equipment information update unit, 33 Charging equipment information Storage unit, 34 Charging equipment information transmission unit, 40 Map information distribution infrastructure, 41 Natural environment information acquisition unit, 42 Charging equipment information update unit, 43 Map information storage unit, 44 Map information transmission unit, 50 Processing circuit, 51 Processor, 52 memory.

Claims (9)

A route search unit that searches for one or more routes from the vehicle's current location to the destination,
A natural environment information acquisition unit that acquires information on the natural environment of the route detected by the route search unit, and a natural environment information acquisition unit.
Considering the position of the non-contact charging equipment built into the road and the decrease in the charging capacity of the non-contact charging equipment due to the influence of the natural environment, the vehicle sets the charging station from the routes detected by the path search unit. A recommended route presentation unit that presents the user with a route that can reach the destination without using it as a recommended route.
A pathfinding system equipped with. If the vehicle cannot find a route that can reach the destination without using the charging station, or if the vehicle can reach the destination without using the charging station and using the charging station When the difference in distance, the difference in required time, or the difference in tolls from the route that can reach the destination exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the recommended route presenting unit uses the charging station for the vehicle. The route that can reach the destination is presented to the user as a recommended route.
The route search system according to claim 1. The route search system according to claim 1, wherein the information on the natural environment includes information that predicts the future natural environment. The route search system according to claim 1, wherein the recommended route presenting unit selects a recommended route in consideration of the remaining battery level of the vehicle. The valid period is set for the information on the natural environment.
The route search system according to claim 1, wherein the recommended route presenting unit selects a recommended route in consideration of the validity period of the information on the natural environment. The user can switch whether or not the recommended route presenting unit considers whether or not the vehicle can reach the destination without using the charging station when selecting the recommended route. Pathfinding system. The route search unit further searches for one or more routes as a return route from the destination to the current location.
The recommended route presenting unit further considers the remaining battery level of the vehicle, the position of the non-contact charging equipment incorporated in the road, and the decrease in the charging capacity of the non-contact charging equipment due to the influence of the natural environment. The route search system according to claim 1, wherein a return route that allows the vehicle to return to the current location without using a charging station is presented to the user as a recommended return route. The user can set the departure time from the destination on the return trip.
The route search system according to claim 7, wherein the recommended route presenting unit selects a recommended return route in consideration of the departure time from the destination. This is the recommended route presentation method in the route search system.
The route search unit of the route search system searches for one or more routes from the vehicle's current location to the destination.
The natural environment information acquisition unit of the route search system acquires information on the natural environment of the route detected by the route search unit.
The recommended route presenting unit of the pathfinding system was detected by the pathfinding unit in consideration of the position of the non-contact charging equipment incorporated in the road and the decrease in the charging capacity of the non-contact charging equipment due to the influence of the natural environment. Among the routes, a route that allows the vehicle to reach the destination without using the charging station is presented to the user as a recommended route.
Recommended route presentation method.

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