WO2012104906A1

WO2012104906A1 - Navigation device

Info

Publication number: WO2012104906A1
Application number: PCT/JP2011/000547
Authority: WO
Inventors: 孟司山本
Original assignee: 三菱電機株式会社
Priority date: 2011-02-01
Filing date: 2011-02-01
Publication date: 2012-08-09
Also published as: JPWO2012104906A1; JP5557931B2

Abstract

A navigation device is provided with: a data storage unit (9) which stores floor map information indicating a doorway of a shop and an arrangement of in-shop facilities in the shop, use pattern information in which in-shop facilities to be used in the shop are registered, and in-shop facility use status information indicating the use status of the in-shop facilities; an in-shop facility retrieval unit (11) which, when a destination in the shop is set, retrieves, from the floor map information, an in-shop facility which is registered in the use pattern information and has a predetermined degree of use status indicated by the in-shop facility use status information; and an in-shop path guide processing unit (12) which searches for and guides a path shortest to the destination among paths passing through the in-shop facility retrieved by the in-shop facility retrieval unit (11) and leading to the destination.

Description

Navigation device

This invention relates to a navigation device for guiding a route to a destination point in a facility.

In recent years, various functions have been added to increase the added value of navigation terminals. Among them, users can use the VICS (Vehicle Information and Communication System; registered trademark, the following is omitted) information to acquire the parking situation around the vehicle or around the destination, and to acquire an empty parking lot. The function to guide to is realized.
In addition, in order to improve user convenience, there is a technique for detecting and guiding a parking available position in the parking lot, instead of guiding only the vacant state of the parking lot.
For example, Patent Document 1 considers convenience after getting off by guiding a parking space suitable for entering a store in consideration of the reach distance from an empty parking space in a parking section to a destination point in the store. An apparatus for performing route guidance is disclosed.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-4431

In the conventional apparatus represented by Patent Document 1, only the reach distance from the parking position to the destination point in the store is used as a criterion for route selection, so even if the distance from the guided parking position to the destination point is short For example, equipment on a route to a destination point such as an elevator, an escalator, and a staircase may be crowded and cannot be used. In this case, as a result, it waits until the facilities are available or if there is not enough time, it deviates from the guided route to the destination point.
In particular, a large store is equipped with various facilities, and in consideration of user convenience, route guidance considering the use status of facilities in the store is necessary.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and presents an appropriate route to the destination point in consideration of the usage status of the equipment used until the destination point in the facility is reached. An object is to obtain a navigation device capable of guiding.

The navigation device according to the present invention stores floor map information indicating the facility entrance and exit and the arrangement of equipment in the facility, usage pattern information in which equipment used in the facility is registered, and usage status information indicating the usage status of the equipment When the storage unit and the destination point in the facility are set, the floor map information is searched for the equipment registered in the usage pattern information and having the usage status indicated by the usage status information. A search unit and a route guide unit that searches for and guides the route closest to the destination via the facility searched by the search unit are provided.

According to the present invention, there is an effect that it is possible to present and guide an appropriate route to the destination point in consideration of the use situation of the equipment used until the destination point in the facility is reached.

It is a figure which shows the navigation apparatus by Embodiment 1 of this invention, and its periphery structure. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a navigation device according to a first embodiment. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of operations performed by the navigation device according to the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows the list of the definition of the utilization condition level of in-store equipment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of operation | movement by a data reception process part. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of operation | movement by a reception data information update process part. It is a figure which shows an example of a floor map table. It is a figure which shows an example of an in-store equipment utilization condition table. It is a figure which shows an example of an in-store equipment pattern table. It is a figure which shows an example of the selection screen of an in-store equipment pattern. It is a figure which shows an example of the selection screen of the registered use shop equipment pattern. It is a figure which shows an example of the registration screen of an in-store equipment pattern. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the search of alternative facilities, the re-search of a route, and route guidance accompanying the change of a utilization condition level. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen of the guidance route in a shop. It is a figure which shows an example of the inquiry screen of the possibility of a search of alternative equipment. It is a figure explaining the search of alternative facilities. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen of the guidance path | route which passes along an alternative installation. It is a figure which shows an example of an in-store equipment genre candidate table. It is a figure which shows another example of the display screen of the guidance path | route which passes along an alternative installation.

Hereinafter, in order to describe the present invention in more detail, modes for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a navigation device and its peripheral configuration according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the navigation apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment is connected to a destination point in a facility (hereinafter referred to as an in-store destination facility) from an entrance of the facility such as a store through equipment in the facility (hereinafter referred to as in-store facility). ) As a peripheral configuration for providing the navigation apparatus 1 with information necessary for this route guidance, there is a roadside wireless communication device having an information distribution antenna 2 and an information distribution server 3.

The roadside wireless communication device includes, for example, an information distribution antenna 2 that performs narrow-area wireless communication such as DSRC (Dedicated Short Range Communication), and the information distribution antenna 2 is on a road around a parking lot entrance of a facility such as a store. Installed. The vehicle-mounted device that has entered the communication area of the information distribution antenna 2 is distributed with information on surrounding roads and facilities from the roadside wireless communication device.
In addition, the roadside wireless communication device counts the number of vehicles that enter from the parking lot entrance every time it communicates with the vehicle-mounted device, and holds it as parking lot congestion information indicating the congestion status of the parking lot entrance. The parking lot congestion information may be uploaded from a roadside wireless communication device to a server device connected to the network 4 such as the Internet or a wireless communication network.

The information distribution server 3 is a server device that is connected to the Internet or a network 4 that is an intranet in the facility, and is a floor map information that indicates a facility in a facility such as a store (hereinafter referred to as a facility in the store) and the facility in the store And manage the usage status of in-store equipment. The information distribution server 3 manages the floor map information by assigning a version corresponding to the content of the floor map information. For example, if the in-store facilities and the in-store facilities are arranged in the same manner, the same version is given.

Although not shown in FIG. 1, the navigation device 1 includes positioning means for acquiring the vehicle position, map information acquisition means for acquiring map information from the map database, and arithmetic processing means for executing navigation processing of the vehicle. As a unique operation of the first embodiment, when the in-store facility is set as the destination point, information for specifying the facility such as the store (for example, an address) is used as a key via the network 4. Search and acquire store parking lot congestion information, floor map information, and in-store facility usage.
In addition, the navigation device 1 can set the usage situation level that the user can accept for the in-store equipment and the in-store equipment that the user desires to use, and these setting information and floor map information acquired via the network 4 and Based on the in-store equipment usage status information, guide the route to the in-store destination facility that can be accessed smoothly and in the shortest possible time.
In the navigation device 1, since the user can set an arbitrary usage level, the usage status of the in-store equipment that the user desires to use can be displayed, and the in-store suitable for accessing the in-store target facility Equipment display is possible.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the navigation device according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 2, the navigation device 1 includes a data reception processing unit 5, a received data information update processing unit 6, a user setting input unit 7, a usage level setting processing unit 8, a data storage unit 9, an in-store facility setting processing unit 10, An in-store facility search unit 11, an in-store route guidance processing unit 12, and an alternative facility inquiry processing unit 13 are provided.

The data reception processing unit 5 receives the floor map information about the store around the road where the vehicle is traveling or the store where the in-store target facility is set and the use status information of the in-store equipment via the Internet or the intranet dedicated to the store. It is the component which performs.
The reception data information update processing unit 6 uses the floor map information acquired by the data reception processing unit 5 and the usage status information of the in-store equipment, and the floor map information storage database (DB) 9a in the data storage unit 9 and the in-store equipment usage It is a component that updates the contents of the status information storage database 9b, and includes a map database update unit 6a and an in-store equipment use status information update unit 6b.
The map database update unit 6 a updates the content of the floor map information storage DB 9 a using the floor map information acquired from the data reception processing unit 5, and the in-store facility usage status information update unit 6 b acquires from the data reception processing unit 5. The contents of the in-store facility usage status information storage DB 9b are updated using the in-store facility usage status information.

The user setting input unit 7 is a component for a user to input setting information, and an input device such as a hard key or a touch panel is displayed based on a setting screen displayed on a screen of a display device (not shown in FIG. 2). It is used to provide HMI (Human Machine Interface) for setting in-store facilities desired to be used and usage status levels permitting the use. The usage status level setting processing unit 8 is a component that updates the content of the usage status level information storage DB 9c in the data storage unit 9 based on the usage status level set by the user.

The data storage unit 9 is registered with data for determining the use status of the in-store equipment, the position of the in-store equipment desired to be used on the route to the in-store target facility, and the positional relationship between the store entrance and the in-store target facility. And a floor map information storage DB 9a, an in-store equipment usage status information storage DB 9b, a usage status level information storage DB 9c, and an in-store equipment usage pattern information storage DB 9d.
The floor map information storage DB 9a is a database in which floor map information in a store is registered. The in-store facility usage status information storage DB 9b is a database in which in-store facility usage status information that defines the usage status of in-store facilities at the usage status level is registered. The usage status level information storage DB 9c is a database in which usage status levels set by the user are registered.
The in-store equipment use pattern information storage DB 9d is a database in which the use patterns of the in-store equipment that the user desires to use (hereinafter referred to as use pattern information) is registered. For example, in-store facilities that the user desires to use are set such that the stroller is used in an elevator after being used in a stroller place in the store.

The in-store equipment setting processing unit 10 reads out the in-store equipment use pattern information registered by the user from the in-store equipment use pattern information storage DB 9d, and displays the in-store equipment use pattern information set by the user setting input unit 7 as information indicating the use pattern of the in-store equipment. Based on this, it is a component that updates the contents of the in-store equipment use pattern information storage DB 9d.

The in-store facility search unit 11 identifies the in-store facility registered in the in-store facility usage pattern information from the floor map information of the store subject to route guidance, and uses the in-store facility usage status information from the identified in-store facility It is a structure part which searches the in-store facilities below the use condition level set by the user based on the level. Further, the in-store facility search unit 11 searches for in-store facilities from the floor map information in response to a search request for alternative facilities from the in-store route guidance processing unit 12. At this time, the in-store equipment search unit 11 searches for alternative equipment using the in-store equipment genre candidate table created in advance from the floor map information.
The in-store equipment genre candidate table is a data table in which related genres and indoor candidate priorities are set for each in-store equipment. The related genre is a genre in which usage methods of in-store facilities are classified. For example, when the in-store equipment is an elevator, an escalator or the like, the user uses it for movement, so the related genre becomes a moving means. If the in-store equipment is a baby cart storage place, it is a place for delivering items for use by the user, so the related genre is the place for delivering items for use, and if the in-store equipment is a smoking room, the related items The genre is a smoking place.
The indoor candidate priority indicates the priority of searching for in-store facilities, and the in-store facilities are searched in order of priority.
The in-store equipment genre candidate table may be created from the floor map information by the in-store equipment search unit 11. In addition, information on in-store facilities and related genres is set in advance in the floor map information, and the indoor candidate priority order set by the user is given to each in-store facility by the user setting input unit 7 or the in-store facility search unit 11. An in-store equipment genre candidate table may be created.

The in-store route guidance processing unit 12 is a component that searches and guides a route from the store entrance to the in-store destination facility via the in-store facility searched by the in-store facility search unit 11.
Further, the in-store route guidance processing unit 12 can be used more than the original in-store equipment when the use status of the in-store equipment set on the route changes and a search for alternative equipment is requested from the alternative equipment inquiry processing unit 13. A request is made to the in-store equipment search unit 11 to search for in-store equipment having high characteristics, and a route in which the in-store equipment in the search result is substituted for the original in-store equipment is set.
The alternative facility inquiry processing unit 13 replaces the in-store facility that has the possibility that the current usage status level read from the in-store facility usage status information storage DB 9b has changed from the usage status level at the time of route setting and the availability has decreased. This is a component that inquires whether or not the search is necessary.

Next, the operation will be described.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of operations performed by the navigation apparatus according to the first embodiment, and details of a route setting process using the in-store facility as a destination point will be described with reference to FIG.
First, the user setting input unit 7 of the navigation device 1 selects an in-store destination facility selection process for selecting an in-store facility as a destination point, and a usage status level setting process for registering the usage status level of the in-store equipment set by the user. A selection screen to be displayed is displayed on the display device, and selection by a user operation is accepted (step ST1). Here, when the in-store destination facility selection process is selected by the user's operation and the store to be route guidance target and the in-store facility to be the destination point of the route are selected (step ST2), the user setting input unit 7 The data reception processing unit 5 is notified of the store and facility. The data reception processing unit 5 performs processing for receiving floor map information related to the store notified from the user setting input unit 7 (step ST3). When the data reception processing by the data reception processing unit 5 is completed, the reception data information update processing unit 6 executes the reception data information update processing (step ST4).

When the usage status level setting is selected in step ST1, the user setting input unit 7 displays a selection screen for the usage status level of the in-store facility on the display device and prompts the user to select a usage status level permitted by the user.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a list of definitions of usage status levels of in-store facilities. The user refers to the usage level definition and selection screen shown in FIG. 4 and selects the usage level using the user setting input unit 7 (step ST5). For example, if the in-store equipment is a baby cart storage area, three levels are set based on the original number of carts and the current number of remaining carts: empty, empty, and empty. In addition, elevators, escalators, stairs, and the like are set in three stages of vacancy, vacancy, and vacancy based on the amount of users within a certain period of time. In the case where the in-store equipment is an elevator, for example, it is calculated from the number of users every 10 minutes × (total weight / average body weight) / number of times of movement (number of times of movement of the car).

Information indicating the selected usage status level is input from the user setting input unit 7 to the usage status level setting processing unit 8.
The usage status level setting processing unit 8 stores the usage status level input from the user setting input unit 7 in the usage status level information storage DB 9c, and the corresponding in-store facility usage status table in the in-store facility usage status information storage DB 9b. The equipment record is read out and set in the “usage level” column of the record (step ST6). Thereafter, the usage status level setting processing unit 8 registers an in-store equipment usage status information record including the usage status level set by the user in the in-store equipment usage status table (step ST7).

The above-described processing from step ST1 to step ST7 corresponds to the storage processing of data used in route setting with the in-store facility as the destination point. This data storage process is not necessarily executed after setting a route having the in-store facility as the destination point. For example, as a pre-processing for route setting, only a facility such as a store may be set periodically or when a user desires, and floor map information and in-store facility usage status information of the facility may be acquired and stored as data. .

At the stage where the data storage process is completed, the user setting input unit 7 checks whether or not the in-store destination facility is set (step ST8). Here, based on whether or not the floor map information and the in-store facility usage status information are stored in the data storage unit 9, it is determined whether or not a route for which the in-store facility is the destination is set. When the in-store destination facility is not set (step ST8; NO), the navigation device 1 determines that there is no route setting for the in-store facility as the destination point, and ends the process.

If there is a setting of the in-store destination facility (step ST8; YES), the user setting input unit 7 notifies the in-store facility setting processing unit 10 to that effect.
Upon receiving the above notification, the in-store equipment setting processing unit 10 interactively performs a setting process for in-store equipment desired to be used in the store with the user (step ST9).
When the in-store equipment setting process is completed, the user setting input unit 7 notifies the data reception processing unit 5 to that effect. The data reception processing unit 5 performs a reception process of the usage status information of the in-store equipment (step ST10). When the data reception processing by the data reception processing unit 5 is completed, the reception data information update processing unit 6 executes the reception data information update processing (step ST11).

Next, the in-store equipment search unit 11 specifies the in-store equipment registered in the use pattern information of the in-store equipment use pattern information storage DB 9d from the store floor map information, and the in-store equipment use status information from the specified in-store equipment. The in-store equipment below the usage status level set by the user based on the usage status level is searched (step ST12). At this time, the search may be performed according to the indoor candidate priority in the in-store equipment genre candidate table.

Next, the in-store route guidance processing unit 12 calculates all routes from each entrance of the route guidance target store to the in-store destination facility via the in-store facility searched by the in-store facility search unit 11.
Thereafter, the in-store route guidance processing unit 12 selects the route having the closest distance from the store entrance to the in-store destination facility via the in-store facilities below the usage level set by the user, among the search result routes. The route is specified and displayed on the display device for guidance (step ST13).
The closest store entrance from the parking lot determined according to the congestion level of the parking lot is identified, and from this store entrance to the in-store destination facility via the in-store facilities below the usage level set by the user A route with the shortest distance may be searched.

When the in-store route guidance processing unit 12 is notified of the route for guidance, the alternative facility inquiry processing unit 13 monitors the in-store facility usage status information in the in-store facility usage status information storage DB 9b, and stores in the store via the route. It is determined whether or not the current usage status level of the facility has changed in a direction that increases from the usage status level at the time of route setting (a direction in which the availability becomes low).
When it is determined that the usage status level of the in-store equipment via the guidance target route has changed in a direction higher than the usage status level at the time of route setting, the alternative equipment inquiry processing unit 13 replaces the in-store equipment that can be substituted for the user. Is inquired whether or not the search is necessary (step ST14).
If it is answered by the user that it is not necessary to search for an in-store facility that can be replaced (step ST14; NO), the alternate facility inquiry processing unit 13 notifies the in-store route guidance processing unit 12 to that effect. Upon receiving this notification, the in-store route guidance processing unit 12 continues the guidance process on the current route. The process is terminated upon reaching the in-store target facility.

If it is answered by the user that it is necessary to search for in-store facilities that can be replaced (step ST14; YES), the replacement facility inquiry processing unit 13 notifies the in-store route guidance processing unit 12 to that effect. Upon receiving this notification, the in-store route guidance processing unit 12 requests the in-store facility search unit 11 to search for an alternative facility.
Next, returning to the processing of step ST12, the in-store equipment search unit 11 excludes the in-store equipment registered in the use pattern information of the in-store equipment use pattern information storage DB 9d from the original in-store equipment whose usage status level has changed. Search for in-store facilities that can be replaced from among the in-store facilities.

Here, when there is no equipment identical to the in-store equipment whose usage status level has changed, the in-store equipment search unit 11 uses the same related genre as the original in-store equipment from the in-store equipment genre candidate table, and the indoor candidate priority order. Identifies the previous in-store facility, and searches the floor map information for the in-store facility that is lower than the usage level set by the user in the in-store facility usage status information. For example, the original in-store equipment with low availability is an elevator, another elevator is not searched for on the same floor, and the in-store equipment with the next related room candidate priority given by the same related genre is an escalator. If there is, the in-store equipment search unit 11 searches for an escalator as an alternative equipment.
Thereafter, in step ST13, the distance from the store entrance to the in-store destination facility is the longest in the route in which the in-store route guidance processing unit 12 replaces the original in-store facility with the replacement facility searched by the in-store facility search unit 11. Guidance processing is performed using a near route as a guide route.

Next, details of the data reception process will be described.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of operations performed by the data reception processing unit, and corresponds to the processing of step ST3 and step ST10 of FIG.
First, the data reception processing unit 5 determines whether or not the Internet or a store-only intranet is connected (step ST1a). Here, if there is no connection to the Internet or an intranet dedicated to the store (step ST1a; NO), the data reception processing unit 5 ends the process.
On the other hand, if there is a connection to the Internet or an in-store dedicated intranet (step ST1a; YES), the data reception processing unit 5 inquires of the information distribution server 3 about the presence or absence of received data (step ST2a). The received data is floor map information indicating the arrangement of in-store facilities and in-store facilities, and in-store facility usage status information indicating the real-time usage status level of the in-store facilities.

If there is no received data (step ST2a; NO), the data reception processing unit 5 ends the process. If received data exists (step ST2a; YES), the data reception processing unit 5 downloads the data (including version information) from the information distribution server 3 and determines the data type (step ST3a).
Subsequently, when the data reception processing unit 5 determines the floor map information of the route guidance target store from the downloaded data, the data reception processing unit 5 outputs the floor map information to the map database update unit 6a of the reception data information update processing unit 6 (step S1). ST4a).
On the other hand, when the data reception processing unit 5 determines the in-store facility usage status information of the route guidance target store from the downloaded data, the in-store facility usage status information of the received data information update processing unit 6 is updated. It outputs to the part 6b (step ST5a).

It should be noted that the data reception process may be performed when the vehicle is parked. By doing in this way, in-store facility usage status information is updated until the user reaches the store entrance from the parking lot, and the in-store facilities permitted at the new usage status level (the usage status level set by the user or less It is possible to guide the route via the in-store facilities. For example, the vehicle is located in the parking lot from the position information of the positioning means and the map data, the vehicle is stopped from the vehicle speed information of the vehicle speed sensor, and the side brake is applied by the sensor provided in the brake When this is detected, it can be detected that the vehicle is parked. The data reception processing unit 5 constantly monitors such information, and when parking of the own vehicle is detected, the data reception processing is performed in response to this detection.

Next, details of the received data information update process will be described.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of operations performed by the received data information update processing unit, and corresponds to the processes in steps ST4 and ST11 in FIG. The map database update unit 6a compares the version information of the data input from the data reception processing unit 5 with the version information of the existing data stored in the floor map information storage DB 9a to determine whether or not the database needs to be updated (step ST1b). ). If it is the same as the version of the existing data (step ST1b; NO), there is no need to update, and the process is terminated. If the versions are different (step ST1b; YES), if the type of update target data is floor map information (step ST2b; floor map), the map database update unit 6a receives the data input from the data reception processing unit 5. The content of the floor map information storage DB 9a in the data storage unit 9 is updated (step ST3b). In the floor map information storage DB 9a, floor map information for each facility such as a store is registered as table data (hereinafter referred to as a floor map table).

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a floor map table. As shown in FIG. 7, the floor map information of each facility includes “facility No.”, “facility name”, “floor map version” for specifying the floor map information for each facility, and the number of entrances to the parking lot of the facility. It is composed of a floor map information record in which “number of parking lot entrances” indicating “number of facility types” indicating the number of various facilities in the facility, facility names and identification numbers Eq1, Eq2, Eq3,. Is done.

Using the “facility No.”, the map database update unit 6a searches and reads out the floor map information record to be updated from the floor map table, and the floor map version of the floor map information record matches the input data. If they are different, the floor map information record is updated. If there is no floor map information record to be updated, a “facility number” is newly provided and the floor map information record is added. When the map database update unit 6a updates the contents of the floor map information record as described above, the updated record is registered in the floor map table (step ST4b).

On the other hand, when the type of update target data is in-store facility usage status information (step ST2b; in-store facility usage status), the in-store facility usage status information update unit 6b stores the in-store facility usage status information storage DB 9b. Then, the update is started using the data input from the data reception processing unit 5 by specifying each corresponding in-store facility (step ST5b). In-store facility usage status information storage DB 9b registers in-store facility usage status information for each in-store facility as table data (hereinafter referred to as an in-store facility usage status table).

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the in-store equipment usage status table. As shown in FIG. 8, the in-store equipment use status information for each in-store equipment of each facility includes a floor map of “facility No.” for each in-store equipment specified by identification numbers Eq1, Eq2, Eq3,. A value of the usage level at each location A, B, C,... In the facility where the information is specified is set. Further, the value of the usage status level is set based on the definition of the usage status level shown in FIG. For example, a detection means for detecting information necessary for calculating the usage status level is provided in the in-store facility, and the information distribution server 3 or the management server for the in-store equipment is based on the information detected by the detection means. The usage status level of in-store equipment is calculated, and in-store equipment usage status information is generated. The generated in-store facility usage status information is distributed to the navigation device 1 by the information distribution server 3.

The in-store equipment usage status information update unit 6b searches and reads out the in-store equipment usage status information record from the in-store equipment usage status table using “facility No.”, and updates the in-store equipment usage status information record. For each in-store facility (step ST6b). If there is no in-store equipment usage status information record to be updated, a “facility No.” is newly provided, and the in-store equipment usage status information record is added. When the update process for each in-store facility is completed (step ST7b), the in-store facility use status information update unit 6b proceeds to step ST4b and registers the updated record in the in-store facility use status table.

In the in-store equipment use pattern information storage DB 9d, the registered equipment use pattern for each store is registered as table data (hereinafter referred to as the in-store equipment pattern table).
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of an in-store facility pattern table. As shown in FIG. 9, the usage pattern of the in-store equipment includes “registered pattern name” for specifying the usage pattern registered in the in-store equipment pattern table, “facility No.” for specifying the store (facility), It consists of usage pattern information records in which the identification numbers Eq1, Eq2, Eq3,... The “registered pattern name” can be arbitrarily set by the user.

The in-store equipment setting processing unit 10 selects either the in-store equipment use pattern information storage DB 9d that calls the in-store equipment use pattern registered in advance or the process of registering the use pattern in which the user arbitrarily sets the use equipment Let
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen for selecting an in-store facility pattern. The in-store equipment setting processing unit 10 displays a selection screen as shown in FIG. 10 on the display device, and the user operates the “pattern call” button or the “pattern registration” button using the user setting input unit 7. To make a selection. When the “pattern call” button is operated, the user setting input unit 7 notifies the in-store facility setting processing unit 10 to that effect. Upon receipt of the notification, the in-store equipment setting processing unit 10 reads a use pattern information record related to the corresponding store from the in-store equipment pattern table of the in-store equipment use pattern information storage DB 9d, and selects a registered in-store equipment pattern. The screen is displayed on the display device.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a selection screen for registered in-store equipment patterns. When the “pattern call” button shown in FIG. 10 is operated, the in-store equipment setting processing unit 10 displays “Registered pattern name” shown in FIG. 9 as a selection screen for registered in-store equipment patterns. A list composed of buttons is displayed on the display device, and a usage pattern desired by the user is selected.
On the other hand, when the “pattern registration” button shown in FIG. 10 is operated or the “edit” button shown in FIG. 11 is operated, the in-store equipment setting processing unit 10 displays the in-store equipment pattern registration screen. Is displayed on the display device, and the in-store facility usage pattern registration process is executed interactively with the user.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a registration screen for the in-store facility pattern. In the example shown in FIG. 12, a “pattern name input” column that can be a registered pattern name, a check box for selecting each facility, a “register” button that indicates whether registration is possible, and a “not register” button are displayed. When the user checks the check box of the in-store equipment desired to be used using the user setting input unit 7 and inputs the use pattern name in the “pattern name input”, and operates the “register” button, The input information is output to the in-store facility setting processing unit 10. The in-store equipment setting processing unit 10 creates a use pattern information record from the information and registers it in the in-store equipment pattern table.

Next, the details of the processing for searching for an alternative facility that accompanies a change in usage status level will be described.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of search for alternative equipment, re-search for routes, and route guidance in accordance with the change in the usage status level, and corresponds to the processing of step ST12, step ST13, and step ST14 in FIG.
When the in-store route guidance processing unit 12 is notified of the route for guidance, the alternative facility inquiry processing unit 13 monitors the in-store facility usage status information in the in-store facility usage status information storage DB 9b, and stores in the store via the route. It is determined whether or not the current usage status level of the facility has changed from the usage status level at the time of route setting to a direction in which the availability becomes low (step ST1c).
Here, when it is determined that there is no change in the usage status level of the in-store equipment via the guidance route (step ST1c; NO), the in-store route guidance processing unit 12 continues the guidance processing for the current route (step ST9c). .

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen for a guide route in a store. In the present invention, the usage status level of the in-store equipment is displayed in different colors on the guide route display screen. In FIG. 14, the display is expressed by the difference in hatching. For example, the route from the store entrance E to the target facility in the store via the baby cart storage area, the smoking room, and the elevator is shown. However, in these store facilities, there are many usage levels (level 1), That is, a color indicating the highest availability is given. Thereby, the user can easily visually check the usage status of the in-store facilities.
Of the store entrances close to the parking lot, there is also a baby cart storage area at store entrance G, but since the usage status level is empty (level 2), store entrance E that is full (level 1) is selected. Is done. Therefore, when there is no change in the usage status level of the in-store equipment, the baby cart storage near the store entrance E, the smoking room beside the specialty store area, and the elevator near the store entrance D are used in order.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the usage status level of the in-store facility via the guidance route has changed and the availability has changed (step ST1c; YES), the alternative facility inquiry processing unit 13 asks the user. An inquiry is made as to whether a search for in-store equipment that can be replaced is necessary (step ST2c).
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of an inquiry screen as to whether or not an alternative facility can be searched. The substitute equipment inquiry processing unit 13 displays an inquiry screen as shown in FIG. 15 on the display device when the use situation level of the elevator on the guide route shown in FIG. 14 changes and the availability becomes low. At this time, the alternative facility inquiry processing unit 13 shifts to a standby state for selecting whether or not to search for an alternative facility (step ST3c).

When the user presses the “No” button in the inquiry screen shown in FIG. 15 using the user setting input unit 7 (step ST3c; NO), the alternative facility inquiry processing unit 13 does not search for the alternative facility. To the in-store route guidance processing unit 12. Upon receiving this notification, the in-store route guidance processing unit 12 proceeds to step ST9c and continues the guidance processing along the route shown in FIG.
When the user presses the “place check” button on the inquiry screen shown in FIG. 15 using the user setting input unit 7, the alternative facility inquiry processing unit 13 displays the guidance route display screen as shown in FIG. And highlight the icon of the in-store equipment that has become less usable. For example, an in-store facility icon is displayed in a blinking manner, so that the in-store facility with reduced availability is displayed so that it can be easily seen.

When the user presses the “Yes” button in the inquiry screen using the user setting input unit 7 (step ST3c; YES), the alternative facility inquiry processing unit 13 notifies the in-store route guidance processing unit 12 to that effect. Upon receiving this notification, the in-store route guidance processing unit 12 searches the in-store facility search unit 11 for the same facility that is the same as or more likely to be used than the original in-store facility usage level. To request.

Upon receipt of this request, the in-store equipment search unit 11 selects the original in-store equipment from the in-store equipment registered in the use pattern information of the in-store equipment use pattern information storage DB 9d except for the in-store equipment whose usage status level has changed. The same facility that is the same as or higher in availability than the usage status level is searched (step ST4c).
For example, the in-store equipment search unit 11 reads out the use status level set by the user for the in-store equipment via the guide route from the use status level information storage DB 9c.
Next, the in-store equipment search unit 11 stores, from the in-store equipment usage status information storage DB 9b, a usage status information record for the in-store equipment except the in-store equipment whose usage status level has changed among the in-store equipment registered in the usage pattern information. The usage status level is extracted from the readout and usage status information record, the usage status level of the extraction result is compared with the usage status level set by the user, and the in-store equipment below the usage status level set by the user is searched.

When the same equipment that is the same as or higher in availability than the original in-store equipment usage level is extracted as a search result (step ST5c; YES), the in-store route guidance processing section 12 uses the in-store equipment search section 11 The route in which the original in-store equipment is replaced with the searched alternative equipment is re-searched, and the route closest to the in-store destination facility from the store entrance is identified as the guide route from the re-searched routes (step ST8c). . Thereafter, the in-store route guidance processing unit 12 performs guidance processing on the identified route (step ST9c).

FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining the search for an alternative facility, and shows a case where the usage level of the elevator on the guidance route shown in FIG. 14 has changed. As shown in FIG. 16, when the usage status level of the elevator near the store entrance D changes to low (level 3), the in-store equipment search unit 11 is the same as or the same as the original in-store equipment usage status level. Search for the same equipment with higher availability. In FIG. 16, the elevator located near the medicine area is extracted as a search result because the usage level is as high as the usage level of the original in-store equipment (level 1) and is the same equipment. The As a result, as shown in FIG. 17, a route that passes through the elevator beside the medicine area is searched again.

On the other hand, if the same equipment that is the same as or higher in availability than the original in-store equipment usage level is not extracted as a search result (step ST5c; NO), the in-store equipment search unit 11 selects the in-store equipment genre candidate. From the table, identify the in-store equipment with the same related genre as the original in-store equipment and the indoor candidate priority order, and from the specified in-store equipment, the usage level set by the user in the in-store equipment usage status information or less The in-store facility to be searched is searched from the floor map information (step ST6c).
Here, when an alternative facility is extracted as a search result (step ST7c; YES), the in-store route guidance processing unit 12 re-routes the route in which the original in-store facility is replaced with the alternative facility searched by the in-store facility search unit 11. From the searched and re-searched routes, the route having the shortest distance from the store entrance to the in-store destination facility is specified as the guide route (step ST8c). Thereafter, the in-store route guidance processing unit 12 performs guidance processing on the identified route (step ST9c).

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of the in-store equipment genre candidate table. As shown in FIG. 18, the in-store equipment genre candidate table includes identification numbers Eq1, Eq2, Eq3,..., “Facility No.” for specifying a store (facility), and indoor candidate priorities. And in-store equipment genre candidate records in which related genres of in-store equipment are set. In the example of FIG. 18, the in-store equipment Eq1 is an elevator, the in-store equipment Eq2 is an escalator, the in-store equipment Eq3 is a staircase, and the related genres are moving means.
In step ST6c, the in-store equipment search unit 11 specifies the in-store equipment of the same genre as the original in-store equipment in the room candidate priority order. For example, if there is no elevator that is more likely to be used than the original in-store facility among the elevators that are the same as the original in-store facility, an escalator with the indoor candidate priority “2” is searched as the next candidate. . Here, if an escalator having a higher availability than the original in-store facility is not searched, the staircase with the indoor candidate priority “3” is searched as the next candidate. When there is a staircase that is more likely to be used than the original in-store equipment, the route as shown in FIG. 19 is re-searched and the guidance process is performed.

Further, when the alternative facility is not extracted as a search result (step ST7c; NO), the in-store route guidance processing unit 12 displays on the display device in a telop that the route re-search has failed (step ST10c).

As described above, according to the first embodiment, floor map information indicating the arrangement of store entrances and store facilities, use pattern information in which store facilities used in the store are registered, and the use status of store facilities When the data storage unit 9 that stores the in-store equipment usage status information and the destination point in the store are set, the usage status indicated by the in-store equipment usage status information is the equipment registered in the usage pattern information. The in-store facility search unit 11 that searches for the in-store facility from the floor map information and the in-store facility that searches for the route closest to the destination point via the in-store facility searched by the in-store facility search unit 11 And a route guidance processing unit 12. By configuring in this way, it is possible to present and guide an appropriate route to the destination point in consideration of the use situation of the in-store equipment used until the destination point in the store is reached.

In addition, according to the first embodiment, the data reception processing unit 5 that communicates with the information distribution server 3 that is an external device that manages the usage status of the in-store facilities, and the data reception processing unit 5 receives the information from the information distribution server 3. The received data information update processing unit 6 is used to update the contents of the data storage unit 9 using the usage status information. By having such a configuration, the usage status of the in-store facilities can be updated in real time.

Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, the in-store route guidance processing unit 12 displays the use status of the in-store facilities in different colors based on the in-store facility use status information, so that the use status of the facilities can be easily visually recognized. can get.

Furthermore, according to this Embodiment 1, since the data reception process part 5 communicates with the information delivery server 3 triggered by parking of the vehicle carrying the navigation apparatus 1, the user reaches the store entrance from the parking lot. Even if the in-store facility usage status information is updated until the time is, the route through the in-store facilities permitted at the new usage status level can be guided.

Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, the received data information update processing unit 6 updates the in-store facility usage status information of the in-store facility on the guidance route, and the usage status of the in-store facility deviates from a predetermined level (degree). And an alternative facility inquiry processing unit 13 that inquires whether or not the facility that can replace the in-store facility can be searched. If there is an in-store facility registered in the use pattern information and the in-store facility usage status information indicates a predetermined degree of usage status, the in-store route guidance processing unit 12 searches the floor map information. The route closest to the destination point is re-searched via the replacement facility searched by the in-store facility search unit 11. By comprising in this way, the route guidance reflecting the change of the utilization condition of in-store facilities is attained.

Further, according to the first embodiment, the in-store equipment search unit 11 has the in-store equipment genre candidate table that defines the in-store equipment specified by the floor map information for each genre classified by its use method, and substitutes it. When there is no equipment that is the same as the original in-store equipment, the in-store equipment genre candidate table is referenced to search for in-store equipment whose usage status is a predetermined level from among the in-store equipment of the same genre. By doing in this way, even if there is no equipment identical to the original in-store equipment, it is possible to search for equipment of the same genre as the usage method as alternative equipment.

In Embodiment 1 described above, the route to the target facility in the store is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it is possible to provide a navigation device that can efficiently tour the playground equipment desired to be used by applying it to a theme park such as an amusement park that manages the use status of the playground equipment.

In the present invention, any component of the embodiment can be modified or any component of the embodiment can be omitted within the scope of the invention.

The navigation device according to the present invention is installed in a vehicle because it can present and guide an appropriate route to the destination point in consideration of the usage status of the equipment used until the destination point in the facility is reached. It is suitable for a car navigation device.

1 navigation device, 2 information distribution antenna, 3 information distribution server, 4 network, 5 data reception processing unit, 6 received data information update processing unit, 6a map database update unit, 6b in-store equipment usage status information update unit, 7 user setting input , 8 Usage status level setting processing unit, 9 Data storage unit, 9a Floor map information storage DB, 9b In-store equipment usage status information storage DB, 9c In-store usage level information storage DB, 9d In-store equipment usage pattern information storage DB, 10 usage In-store equipment setting processing section, 11 In-store equipment search section, 12 In-store route guidance processing section, 13 Alternative equipment inquiry processing section.

Claims

A storage unit that stores floor map information indicating the facility entrances and exits of facilities in the facility, usage pattern information in which facilities used in the facility are registered, and usage status information indicating the usage status of the facilities;
When a destination point in a facility is set, a search unit that searches for equipment that is registered in the usage pattern information and that has a predetermined degree of usage status indicated by the usage status information from the floor map information When,
A navigation apparatus comprising: a route guidance unit that searches for and guides a route closest to the destination via the facility searched by the search unit.
A reception processing unit that communicates with an external device that manages the usage status of the facility;
The navigation apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an update processing unit that updates the contents of the storage unit using the usage status information received from the external device by the reception processing unit.
The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the route guidance unit displays the usage status of the facility in different colors based on the usage status information.
The navigation device according to claim 2, wherein the reception processing unit communicates with the external device when a vehicle on which the navigation device is mounted is parked.
When the usage status information of the equipment on the guide route is updated by the update processing section, and the usage status of the equipment is out of a predetermined degree, the inquiry processing section that inquires whether or not to search for equipment that replaces the equipment,
In response to an inquiry from the inquiry processing unit, the search unit is a facility registered in the usage pattern information when there is an answer indicating that the alternative facility can be searched, and the usage status indicated by the usage status information is Search the floor map information for equipment of a predetermined degree,
The navigation device according to claim 2, wherein the route guidance unit re-searches the route closest to the destination point through the substitute facility searched by the search unit.
The search unit has genre candidate data that defines the facilities in the facility specified by the floor map information for each genre in which the method of use is classified, and the same facility as the original facility is used as the replacement facility. 6. The navigation apparatus according to claim 5, wherein if there is not, a facility having a predetermined usage status is searched from facilities of the same genre with reference to the genre candidate data.