JP2005189056A - Navigation system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To select an optimum course by acquiring road traffic information when the present position of a vehicle approaches a branch point to calculate necessary time based on the traffic information. <P>SOLUTION: This navigation system comprises a present position detection means for detecting a present position, a storage means for storing therein map data, a course finding means for finding a course from the present position to a destination, a branch point extraction means for extracting a branch point where the found course branches out, a branch point approach determination means for determining whether or not the present position has approached the branch point, and a control means for transmitting information on a plurality of courses following the branch point to a server when the present position approaches the branch point and receiving necessary time for the plurality of courses, the necessary time being calculated by the server by using the traffic information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a navigation system.

  Conventionally, in a navigation apparatus mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile, when an operator such as a driver operates a predetermined input unit to set a destination, the destination and the current position detection processing unit detect the destination. Based on the current position of the vehicle, a route from the current position to the destination is searched, and the searched route is guided. In this case, the route is searched so that the distance from the current position to the destination is the shortest, or the route is searched so that the required time is the shortest.

In addition, a system for transmitting road traffic information to a navigation device is also provided so that an optimum route avoiding a traffic jam section can be searched by receiving road traffic jam information (see, for example, Patent Document 1). ). For example, in a road traffic information communication system called VICS (Vehicle Information & Communication System) (R), information on traffic control systems such as the police and the Japan Highway Public Corporation is collected, and information on traffic jams and traffic Road traffic information such as regulation information is created and transmitted to the navigation device by communication means. And the navigation apparatus which received the said road traffic information searches a path | route so that required time may become the shortest based on the said road traffic information.
JP-A-8-338736

  However, in the conventional system, since the road traffic information that can be received is information related to a predetermined range set in advance, an appropriate route is searched when the destination is outside the predetermined range. I couldn't. For example, the road traffic information transmitted by the VICS (R) is generally information related to a range about several tens of kilometers from the current position. Therefore, when searching for a route to a destination located at a location beyond the range, when there is a traffic jam in the range beyond the range, the navigation device transmits the route using the VICS (R). Even if the route is searched based on the road traffic information, the route having the shortest required time cannot be searched. Therefore, when the vehicle travels along the searched route, it sometimes gets caught in a traffic jam when it exceeds the range.

  The present invention solves the problems of the conventional system, obtains road traffic information when the current position of the vehicle approaches a branch point, and calculates the required time based on the road traffic information. An object of the present invention is to provide a navigation system capable of selecting a route.

  Therefore, in the navigation device of the present invention, a route from the current position to the destination is searched based on current position detecting means for detecting the current position, storage means for storing map data, and the map data. A route search means; a branch point extraction means for extracting a branch point where the searched route branches; a branch point approach determination means for determining whether or not the current position approaches the branch point; and the current position Control means for transmitting information of a plurality of routes after the branch point to the server when the vehicle approaches the branch point, and receiving time required for the plurality of routes calculated by the server using the traffic information. .

  In another navigation device of the present invention, a current position detecting means for detecting a current position, a storage means for storing map data, and a route for searching for a route from the current position to a destination based on the map data A search means; a branch point extraction means for extracting a branch point where the searched route branches; a branch point approach determination means for determining whether or not the current position has approached the branch point; and When approaching the branch point, the information of a plurality of routes after the branch point is transmitted to the server, the traffic information of the plurality of routes is received from the server, and the requirements of the plurality of routes are utilized using the traffic information. Control means for calculating time.

  In still another navigation device of the present invention, the traffic information is predicted traffic information created based on current traffic information and past traffic information.

  In still another navigation device according to the present invention, the control means may charge a route having the shortest required time among the plurality of routes when the route to the branch point does not include a toll road. When a road is included, the route having the shortest required time is selected when the difference in the required time between the route having the shortest required time and the route having the second shortest required time is a predetermined value or more.

  In still another navigation device of the present invention, the control means further displays or provides voice guidance on the traffic information of the route.

  In still another navigation device of the present invention, the route searching means searches for a plurality of routes every predetermined time or every time the current position of the vehicle moves a predetermined distance.

  In the server of the present invention, a receiving unit that receives information on the current position and destination from the navigation device, a storage unit that stores map data, and a route from the current position to the destination based on the map data. A route searching means for searching; a branch point extracting means for extracting a branch point where the searched route branches; a branch point approach determining means for determining whether or not the current position has approached the branch point; When the current position approaches the branch point, a required time calculation unit that calculates the required time of a plurality of routes after the branch point using traffic information, and the calculated required time of the plurality of routes is the navigation device. And transmitting means for transmitting to.

  According to the present invention, since the required time can be calculated using the traffic information of a plurality of routes after the branch point before the branch point of the searched route, the optimum route can be selected. it can.

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

  FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration of the navigation system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In the figure, reference numeral 11 denotes an information providing server as a server provided in an information center, which is a computer provided with arithmetic means such as a CPU and MPU, storage means such as a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk and an optical disk, and a communication interface. Configured. The computer is not a single computer but may be a so-called distributed server in which a plurality of computers are organically coupled. Further, another system may be constructed in the computer. Further, the information providing server 11 may be one of systems constructed in another computer.

  Reference numeral 31 denotes an in-vehicle device operated by an operator as a user. Although there are actually a large number of in-vehicle devices, in the present embodiment, the on-vehicle device 31 is represented for convenience of explanation. The operator is, for example, a driver or a passenger of a vehicle such as a passenger car, a truck, a bus, or a motorcycle.

  The in-vehicle device 31 includes an arithmetic unit as a control unit such as a CPU and an MPU, a storage unit as a storage unit such as a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, and an optical disc, a liquid crystal display, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) display, and a CRT. An input device such as a display device, a keyboard, a joystick, a cross key, a push button, a remote controller, a touch panel, a display control device for controlling the display device, and a transmission / reception unit as a communication means such as a communication interface. The in-vehicle device 31 is, for example, a navigation device mounted on a vehicle such as a passenger car, a truck, a bus, and a motorcycle, but is a stationary phone, a mobile phone, a PHS (Personal Handy-Phone System) phone, a portable information terminal, a PDA (PDA). (Personal Digital Assistant), personal computer, game machine, digital television, etc.

  Further, the in-vehicle device 31 has a current position detecting device as a current position detecting means (not shown). In the case where the in-vehicle device 31 is a navigation device, for example, the current position detection device is generally based on GPS (Global Positioning System), geomagnetic sensor, distance sensor, steering sensor, beacon sensor, gyro sensor, etc. Detect position. Further, for example, in the case of a mobile phone, a portable information terminal, etc., generally, based on communication with the base station where the mobile phone, the portable information terminal, etc. are located, the position of the base station is set as the current position. To detect.

  Here, the information providing server 11 and the in-vehicle device 31 are connected to each other via a network 32 so that they can communicate with each other. The network 32 may be any wired or wireless public communication line network, dedicated communication line network, mobile phone line network, Internet, intranet, LAN (Local Area Network), WAN (Wide Area Network), satellite communication line network, etc. It may be a communication network, or a combination of these as appropriate. Moreover, it may communicate using CS broadcasting or BS broadcasting by a broadcasting satellite, may communicate using terrestrial digital television broadcasting, may communicate using FM multiplex broadcasting, Road and vehicle communication may be performed using an optical beacon, a radio beacon, an antenna, or the like installed on the side of the road or on the road.

  And the navigation system in this Embodiment is comprised by the said information provision server 11 and the vehicle-mounted apparatus 31. FIG. In this case, it is desirable that the operator is a person who is registered in advance in the information providing server 11 and has a registration ID. Moreover, it is desirable that the in-vehicle device 31 is also registered.

  Here, from the viewpoint of function, the information providing server 11 serves as an information creation unit 12 that creates various types of information in response to a request received from the in-vehicle device 31, and a communication unit that communicates with the in-vehicle device 31. A communication unit 13 is included. The communication unit 13 functions as a reception unit and a transmission unit, communicates with the in-vehicle device 31, receives a request regarding traffic information, route search, required time, etc. from the in-vehicle device 31, and is created by the information generation unit 12 A process for transmitting information such as traffic information, route information, and required time to the in-vehicle device 31 is performed. The information creation unit 12 includes a map database 16, a POI (Point of Interest) database 17, a database as a storage means such as a road database 18, a traffic information database 21, a map creation unit 24, a POI search unit 25, It has processing units such as a route search unit 26 as a route search unit and a required time calculation unit, a branch point extraction unit 27 as a branch point extraction unit, and a branch point determination unit 28 as a branch point approach determination unit.

  The map database 16 stores map information such as nodes, links, coordinates, and facility names for drawing a map. Further, the POI database 17 stores facility data, town page data, event data, and the like for searching points such as a departure point, a destination, and a passing point. The POI database 17 may include detailed information regarding facilities and regions. Further, the road database 18 stores intersection data, node data, road data, and the like for searching for routes such as road search costs and road types.

  In addition, the traffic information database 21 is information on road traffic congestion and the like created by collecting information on traffic control systems such as the police and the Japan Highway Public Corporation in a road traffic information communication system called VICS (R), for example. And traffic information such as traffic regulation information. In this case, the traffic information includes statistical traffic information as information on road traffic jams created in the past, event schedule information such as festivals, parades, fireworks events, scheduled event dates, etc. Predicted traffic jam information created based on this is also included. Further, predicted traffic information created based on current traffic information such as traffic jam information at the present time and past traffic information such as statistical traffic jam information is stored.

  The storage means of the information providing server 11 in which databases such as the map database 16, POI database 17, road database 18, traffic information database 21 are stored may be an internal storage medium of the information providing server 11. It may be an external storage medium. In this case, the internal storage medium and the external storage medium are magnetic tape, magnetic disk, magnetic drum, CD-ROM, CD-R / RW, MD, DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, DVD-R / RW, optical disk, Any type of MO, IC card, optical card, memory card, stick memory, etc. may be used.

  The map creation unit 24 draws a map based on the map information stored in the map database 16. Further, the POI search unit 25 searches for coordinate information, a name, an address, and the like of a predetermined point such as a destination based on information stored in the POI database 17. The route search unit 26 searches for a route from the current position to the destination based on the traffic information stored in the traffic information database 21. The route search unit 26 also calculates the required time of the searched route based on the traffic information. Further, the branch point extraction unit 27 extracts a branch point at which the searched route branches into a plurality. And the said branch point discrimination | determination part 28 discriminate | determines that the present position of the vehicle approached the said branch point.

  By the way, the said vehicle-mounted apparatus 31 may perform a route search, and may not perform a route search. When the in-vehicle device 31 performs a route search, the in-vehicle device 31 is a navigation device having the same function as a normal vehicle navigation device, and includes the map database 16, the POI database 17, the road A map database (not shown), a POI database, a road database, and the like similar to the database 18 and the like are included, and the map creation unit 24, POI search unit 25, route search unit 26, branch point extraction unit 27, branch point determination unit 28 And a map creation unit (not shown), a POI search unit, a route search unit, a branch point extraction unit, a branch point determination unit, and the like. When the in-vehicle device 31 does not perform route search, the in-vehicle device 31 includes the map database, POI database, road database, map creation unit, POI search unit, route search unit, branch point extraction unit, It does not have to have a branch point determination unit or the like. In the present embodiment, the on-vehicle device 31 will be described as performing a route search. That is, the in-vehicle device 31 has a current position detection means, a communication means, a storage means, a route search means, a branch point extraction means, a branch point approach determination means and a control means, and the control means sets the current position as a branch point. When approaching, information on a plurality of routes after the branch point including the branch point is transmitted to the information providing server 11, and the information providing server 11 receives the time required for the plurality of routes calculated using the traffic information Will be described.

  Next, the operation of the navigation system having the above configuration will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the in-vehicle device at the time of departure in the first embodiment of the present invention.

  First, an operation for searching for a route from the departure point to the destination will be described. In this case, the current position detection device of the in-vehicle device 31 detects the current position of the vehicle, and the display device of the in-vehicle device 31 displays that the current position of the vehicle is the departure place. Then, the operator operates the input device of the in-vehicle device 31 to set the destination as the destination of the vehicle, and starts a route search from the departure point to the destination. Then, the route search unit of the in-vehicle device 31 performs a plurality of route search processing as the route search processing, and searches for a plurality of routes from the departure place to the destination.

  In the multiple route search process, the route search unit searches for a route from the departure place to the destination based on a plurality of search conditions, and is based on the optimum route for each search condition, that is, based on each search condition. A route having the lowest evaluation function value or search cost is displayed as a search result on the display device. For example, the search conditions are (a) the shortest distance, (b) the shortest required time, (c) include toll roads such as expressways as much as possible, and (d) not include toll roads such as expressways. In the case of (1) a route with the shortest distance, (b) a route with the shortest required time, (c) a route including a toll road as much as possible, and (d) a route not including a toll road. The searched route is preferably displayed on the display device together with the search conditions for each route. Thereby, the operator can select a favorite route.

  Note that the number of searched routes may be smaller than the number of search conditions. For example, as a result of route search based on the search conditions (A) to (D) above, (a) the route with the shortest distance and (b) the route with the shortest required time completely match from the starting point to the destination. There is also a case. In addition, there are cases where the route is the same from the departure point to the destination and the route is divided into a plurality of routes. On the other hand, the route is divided into a plurality of routes up to a halfway point, and the route may match from the halfway point to the destination. Furthermore, the route from the departure point to the middle point is matched, and the route from the middle point to the next halfway point is divided into a plurality of routes, and may be matched again before reaching the destination. Furthermore, the route may be divided into a plurality of routes at a plurality of halfway points.

  In addition, a plurality of routes searched based on one search condition can be displayed. For example, three routes from the lowest evaluation function value or the lowest search cost to the third lowest may be displayed on the display device. In this case as well, the route may be divided into a plurality of routes from the midpoint or may coincide with each other.

  Next, the in-vehicle device 31 executes a route setting process for setting a route to be route guidance. When the operator selects a favorite route from the routes displayed on the display device, the selected route is set as a route to be route guidance. When the operator does not select a favorite route, a route searched based on a search condition set in advance as a recommended search condition is set as a recommended route by the in-vehicle device 31. The recommended route is, for example, the route with the shortest required time regardless of whether a toll road is included.

  Subsequently, the in-vehicle device 31 executes route guidance processing, and route guidance along the set route is started. In addition, since route guidance is performed similarly to the normal vehicle navigation apparatus, description is abbreviate | omitted. Thereby, the process for searching for a route when departing from the departure place is completed.

Next, a flowchart will be described.
Step S1: The current position is detected.
Step S2: A destination is set.
Step S3: A multi-path search process is executed.
Step S4: A route setting process is executed.
Step S5: A route guidance process is executed and the process is terminated.

  Next, an operation for searching for a route while moving along the route will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a method for calculating a required time in the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a diagram of an in-vehicle apparatus when moving along a route in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a first flowchart showing the operation, FIG. 5 is a second flowchart showing the operation of the in-vehicle apparatus when moving along the route in the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is the first flowchart of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the information provision server in embodiment of this.

  In this case, the current position detection device of the in-vehicle device 31 continues to detect the current position of the vehicle while the vehicle starts traveling and moves along the route from the departure place. The in-vehicle device 31 determines whether or not the current position of the vehicle has approached the branch point.

  Here, it is assumed that a route as shown in FIG. 1 is searched and displayed on the display device. In FIG. 1, the current position of the vehicle is indicated by a current position mark 38 and is traveling on a set route 41. Further, in front of the vehicle on the route 41, there is a branch point 37 that is a point where a plurality of searched routes are branched. Then, it is assumed that the first route 42, the second route 43, and the third route 44 are searched from the branch point 37 to the destination 36 by the above-described multiple route search process. Here, the first route 42 is a route including a highway as a toll road, the second route 43 is a route having the shortest distance, and the third route 44 is a shortest required route not including a toll road. Suppose that it is a route of time.

  The in-vehicle device 31 is configured to branch when the current position of the vehicle falls within a predetermined distance range from the branch point 37, that is, when the distance from the current position to the branch point 37 is equal to or less than a predetermined distance. It is determined that the point 37 has been approached. In addition, the said predetermined distance can be set arbitrarily, for example, can be set to 1 [km].

  When the current position of the vehicle approaches the branch point 37, the in-vehicle device 31 includes a plurality of routes after the branch point 37, that is, the first route 42, the second route 43, and the third route 44. Information is transmitted to the information providing server 11 and required times for the plurality of routes are also requested. That is, a required time from the branch point 37 to the destination 36 when moving along each of the first route 42, the second route 43, and the third route 44 is requested.

  On the other hand, when the information providing server 11 receives information on a plurality of routes after the branch point 37, the information providing server 11 sets the target route from the branch point 37 to each of the first route 42, the second route 43, and the third route 44. The required time to the ground 36 is calculated. In this case, the route search unit 26 calculates the required time for each of the first route 42, the second route 43, and the third route 44 using the traffic information stored in the traffic information database 21. The information providing server 11 transmits the calculated required times of the first route 42, the second route 43, and the third route 44 to the in-vehicle device 31 to provide the required time. Exit.

  Note that the traffic information used to calculate the required time may be current traffic information such as traffic information at the present time, but a prediction created based on current traffic information and past traffic information. Traffic information is desirable. When the required time is calculated using the predicted traffic information, for example, first, the required time to the destination 36 is calculated using the current traffic information, and then the destination 36 calculated from the required time is calculated. The required time to the destination 36 is calculated again using the predicted traffic information corresponding to the time of arrival at. In addition, when the distance to the destination 36 is long, a passing point is set in the middle, first, the required time to the passing point is calculated using the current traffic information, and then from the required time Using the predicted traffic information corresponding to the calculated time of arrival at the passing point, the required time to the passing point can be calculated again. Thereafter, the required time from the passing point to the destination 36 is calculated in the same manner. The number of passing points may be singular or plural, and a number corresponding to the distance to the destination 36 can be set.

  Subsequently, when the in-vehicle device 31 receives the time required for a plurality of routes, that is, the time required for the first route 42, the second route 43, and the third route 44, from the information providing server 11, the in-vehicle device 31 performs route setting processing. Execute. In the route setting process, the in-vehicle device 31 selects and sets a route from the plurality of routes based on a predetermined condition. In this case, the in-vehicle device 31 selects and sets a route that requires the shortest time to the destination 36. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the time required for the first route 42 is 1 hour, the time required for the second route 43 is 1 hour 30 minutes, and the time required for the third route 44 is 2 hours. And In this case, the in-vehicle device 31 selects the first route 42 as the route having the shortest required time. Subsequently, the in-vehicle device 31 executes a route guidance process, and performs route guidance toward the route set at the branch point 37, for example, the first route 42.

  In addition, when a toll road is not included in the route 41 from the departure point to the branch point 37, when the route having the shortest required time among the plurality of routes includes a toll road, the on-vehicle device 31 The plurality of routes are displayed on the display device without setting. When the operator selects a favorite route from the routes displayed on the display device, the selected route is set as a route to be route guidance. This is because when the route 41 from the departure point to the branch point 37 does not include a toll road, a search condition is set such that the operator does not include the toll road in the route search when departing from the departure point. This is because there is a high possibility that a road that does not include a toll road is selected from the searched routes. That is, it can be considered that the operator has an intention to select a route that does not include a toll road as much as possible.

  In addition, when the route 41 from the departure point to the branch point 37 does not include a toll road, even if the route having the shortest required time among the plurality of routes includes the toll road, the required time The vehicle-mounted device 31 may select the route with the shortest required time on condition that the difference in the required time between the route with the shortest time and the route with the second shortest required time is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. Good. This is because even if the operator intends to select a route that does not include a toll road as much as possible, if the difference in required time is very large, it is desirable for the operator to select a route that includes a toll road. Because it can. The predetermined value can be set as appropriate. For example, it may be set uniformly as 30 minutes or 1 hour, may be set according to the distance from the departure point to the destination 36, or is a fixed percentage of the required time from the departure point to the destination 36 The time multiplied by may be set. Here, when the predetermined value is, for example, 30 minutes, in the example shown in FIG. 1, even if a toll road is not included in the route 41 from the departure point to the branch point 37, The route 42 is selected and set by the in-vehicle device 31.

  By the way, although the operation when the in-vehicle device 31 requests the required time from the information providing server 11 when the current position of the vehicle approaches the branch point 37 has been described, the in-vehicle device 31 requests traffic information instead of the required time. May be. That is, when the current position approaches the branch point, the control device of the in-vehicle device 31 transmits information on a plurality of routes after the branch point including the branch point to the information providing server 11, and the information providing server 11 The traffic information of a plurality of routes may be received, and the time required for the plurality of routes may be calculated using the traffic information. In this case, the in-vehicle device 31 until a plurality of routes after the branch point 37, that is, information on the first route 42, the second route 43, and the third route 44 is transmitted to the information providing server 11. Since the operation is the same as the operation for requesting the required time, the description is omitted. When the information providing server 11 receives information on a plurality of routes after the branch point 37, the information providing server 11 calculates the required time for each of the first route 42, the second route 43, and the third route 44. The traffic information used for the transmission is transmitted to the in-vehicle device 31. The traffic information may be current traffic information, but is preferably predicted traffic information created based on current traffic information and past traffic information.

  Subsequently, when the in-vehicle device 31 receives traffic information from the information providing server 11, the required time for each of the first route 42, the second route 43, and the third route 44 using the traffic information. Is calculated. The in-vehicle device 31 can display the received traffic information on a display device, or can output a voice for voice guidance. And the said vehicle equipment 31 performs a route setting process. The subsequent operation is the same as the operation when the in-vehicle device 31 requests the information providing server 11 for the required time, and the description thereof is omitted.

Next, a flowchart will be described. First, the flowchart which shows operation | movement of the vehicle equipment 31 at the time of moving along a path | route is demonstrated.
Step S11: The current position is detected.
Step S12: It is determined whether or not the current position has approached the branch point 37. When the current position approaches the branch point 37, the process proceeds to step S13, and when the current position does not approach the branch point 37, the process returns to step S11.
Step S13: A plurality of routes including the branch point 37 are transmitted to the information providing server 11.
Step S14: The time required for a plurality of routes is received.
Step S15: Route setting processing is executed.
Step S16: The route guidance process is executed and the process is terminated.

Next, a flowchart illustrating the operation of the in-vehicle device 31 when requesting traffic information instead of the required time will be described.
Step S11-1 The current position is detected.
Step S12-1: It is determined whether or not the current position has approached the branch point 37. When the current position approaches the branch point 37, the process proceeds to step S13-1, and when the current position does not approach the branch point 37, the process returns to step S11-1.
Step S13-1 A plurality of routes including the branch point 37 are transmitted to the information providing server 11.
Step S14-1 Receive traffic information of a plurality of routes.
Step S14-2: Time required for a plurality of routes is calculated.
Step S15-1: Route setting processing is executed.
Step S16-1: The route guidance process is executed and the process is terminated.

Next, a flowchart showing the operation of the information providing server 11 will be described.
Step S21: A plurality of routes including the branch point 37 are received.
Step S22: Time required for a plurality of routes is calculated.
Step S23: Time required for a plurality of routes is transmitted, and the process is terminated.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when the current position of the vehicle approaches the branch point 37, the in-vehicle device 31 transmits information on a plurality of routes including the branch point 37 to the information providing server 11. Further, the information providing server 11 calculates the required time of each of the plurality of routes that have received the information using the traffic information, and transmits it to the in-vehicle device 31. In the in-vehicle device 31, an appropriate route is selected from the plurality of routes based on each required time. The in-vehicle device 31 may receive traffic information from the information providing server 11 and calculate the required time for each of the plurality of routes based on the traffic information.

  Therefore, since the required time is calculated based on the traffic information corresponding to the appropriate range from the current position of the vehicle, it is possible to calculate the required time that appropriately reflects traffic conditions such as traffic jams. A simple route can be selected.

  Further, when the required time is calculated using the predicted traffic information as the traffic information, the required time can be calculated more appropriately.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the route search unit of the in-vehicle device 31 performs a plurality of route search processes when the vehicle departs from the departure place has been described. Even during movement along the road, the multiple route search process may be repeatedly executed every predetermined time or every time the current position of the vehicle moves a predetermined distance. In this case, the plurality of searched routes are not displayed on the display device, but are transmitted to the information providing server 11 when the current position of the vehicle approaches the branch point 37.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, about the thing which has the same structure as 1st Embodiment, the description is abbreviate | omitted by providing the same code | symbol. The description of the same operation and the same effect as those of the first embodiment is also omitted.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the in-vehicle device at the time of departure in the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the information providing server at the time of departure in the second embodiment of the present invention. It is.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the in-vehicle device 31 does not perform a route search will be described. In this case, the information providing server 11 performs a route search. Since the configuration of the navigation system is the same as that of the first embodiment, description thereof will be omitted, and here, the operation of the navigation system will be described.

  First, an operation for searching for a route from the departure point to the destination will be described. In this case, the current position detection device of the in-vehicle device 31 detects the current position of the vehicle, and the display device of the in-vehicle device 31 displays that the current position of the vehicle is the departure place. Then, the operator operates the input device of the in-vehicle device 31 to set the destination as the destination of the vehicle, and starts a route search from the departure point to the destination. Then, the in-vehicle device 31 transmits information on the departure place and the destination to the information providing server 11 and requests a route search from the departure place to the destination.

  On the other hand, when the information providing server 11 receives the information of the departure place and the destination, the route search unit 26 of the information providing server 11 executes a multiple route search process as a route search process, Search for multiple routes to the ground. In the multi-route search process, the same operation as the multi-route search process in the first embodiment is performed, and thus the description thereof is omitted. Then, the information providing server 11 transmits the information on the searched plural routes and the required time of each of the plural routes to the in-vehicle device 31.

  Subsequently, the in-vehicle device 31 receives the information of the searched plurality of routes and the time required for each of the plurality of routes from the information providing server 11, and sets the route to be route guidance target. Execute. In the route setting process, the same operation as the route setting process in the first embodiment is performed, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  Subsequently, the in-vehicle device 31 executes route guidance processing, and route guidance along the set route is started. In the route guidance process, the same operation as the route guidance process in the first embodiment is performed, and thus the description thereof is omitted. Thereby, the process for searching for a route when departing from the departure place is completed.

Next, a flowchart will be described. First, the flowchart which shows operation | movement of the vehicle-mounted apparatus 31 at the time of departure is demonstrated.
Step S31: The starting point and destination are transmitted.
Step S32: The route and required time are received.
Step S33: Route setting processing is executed.
Step S34: A route guidance process is executed and the process is terminated.

Next, the flowchart which shows operation | movement of the information provision server 11 at the time of departure is demonstrated.
Step S41 The starting point and the destination are received.
Step S42: A multi-path search process is executed.
Step S43: The route and the required time are transmitted, and the process ends.

  Next, an operation for searching for a route while moving along the route will be described.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the in-vehicle device when moving along the route in the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 moves along the route in the second embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the information provision server at the time of reading.

  In this case, the current position detection device of the in-vehicle device 31 continues to detect the current position of the vehicle while the vehicle starts traveling and moves along the route from the departure place. The in-vehicle device 31 continuously transmits information on the current position of the vehicle to the information providing server 11 at predetermined time intervals, for example, every minute.

  On the other hand, when receiving the information on the current position of the vehicle, the information providing server 11 determines whether or not the current position of the vehicle has approached the branch point 37. When the current position of the vehicle falls within a predetermined distance range from the branch point 37, that is, the distance from the current position to the branch point 37 is a predetermined distance, for example, 1 [km] or less. If it is, it is determined that the branch point 37 has been approached.

  Subsequently, when the current position of the vehicle approaches the branch point 37, the route search unit 26 of the information providing server 11 calculates the required time from the branch point 37 to the destination 36 for each of the plurality of routes. In addition, since the operation | movement which calculates each required time of a some path | route is the same as that of the said 1st Embodiment, the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  Then, the information providing server 11 transmits route information and route time information to the in-vehicle device 31. In this case, the information providing server 11 performs the same operation as the route setting process of the in-vehicle device 31 in the first embodiment, and selects a route from the plurality of routes based on a predetermined condition. The information on the selected route and the information on the time required for the selected route may be transmitted to the in-vehicle device 31, or the route information may be transmitted for all of the plurality of routes without selecting the route. Information and information on the required time of the route may be transmitted to the in-vehicle device 31.

  Subsequently, when receiving the information on the selected route and the information on the time required for the selected route from the information providing server 11, the in-vehicle device 31 sets the route, executes route guidance processing, and branches. At point 37, route guidance is performed so as to go to the set route. Further, when the route information and the time required for the route are received for all of the plurality of routes from the information providing server 11, the in-vehicle device 31 sets the plurality of routes to the display device without setting the route. Display. When the operator selects a preferred route from the routes displayed on the display device, the selected route is set as a route guidance target route. The in-vehicle device 31 performs the same operation as the route setting process of the in-vehicle device 31 in the first embodiment, and selects a route from the plurality of routes based on a predetermined condition. May be set.

Next, a flowchart will be described. First, the flowchart which shows operation | movement of the vehicle equipment 31 at the time of moving along a path | route is demonstrated.
Step S51: The current position is transmitted.
Step S52: The route and required time are received.
Step S53 The route guidance process is executed and the process is terminated.

Next, a flowchart showing the operation of the information providing server 11 will be described.
Step S61: Receive the current position.
Step S62: It is determined whether or not the current position has approached the branch point 37. When the current position approaches the branch point 37, the process proceeds to step S63, and when the current position does not approach the branch point 37, the process returns to step S61.
Step S63: Time required for a plurality of routes is calculated.
Step S64: The route and the required time are transmitted, and the process is terminated.

  Thus, in the present embodiment, the in-vehicle device 31 transmits the current position of the vehicle to the information providing server 11. Then, when the current position of the vehicle approaches the branch point 37, the information providing server 11 uses the traffic information to calculate the required time for a plurality of routes, and obtains the route information and the required time information for the route. It transmits to the vehicle equipment 31. Therefore, since the required time is calculated based on the traffic information corresponding to the appropriate range from the current position of the vehicle, it is possible to calculate the required time that appropriately reflects traffic conditions such as traffic jams. A simple route can be selected.

  In this case, the in-vehicle device 31 may not include a map database, a POI database, a road database, a map creation unit, a POI search unit, a route search unit, a branch point extraction unit, a branch point determination unit, etc. The configuration of the in-vehicle device 31 can be simplified. Therefore, the in-vehicle device 31 can be reduced in size and weight, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, It can change variously based on the meaning of this invention, and does not exclude them from the scope of the present invention.

It is a figure explaining the method of calculating the required time in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the structure of the navigation system in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the vehicle-mounted apparatus at the time of the departure in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a 1st flowchart which shows operation | movement of the vehicle-mounted apparatus at the time of moving along the path | route in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a 2nd flowchart which shows operation | movement of the vehicle-mounted apparatus at the time of moving along the path | route in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the information provision server in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the vehicle-mounted apparatus at the time of the departure in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the information provision server at the time of the departure in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the vehicle-mounted apparatus at the time of moving along the path | route in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the information provision server at the time of moving along the path | route in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Information provision server 13 Communication part 18 Road database 21 Traffic information database 26 Route search part 27 Branch point extraction part 28 Branch point discrimination | determination part 31 Car-mounted apparatus 36 Destination point 37 Branch point 41 Path 42 1st path | route 43 2nd path | route 44 3rd path

Claims (7)

(A) current position detecting means for detecting the current position;
(B) storage means for storing map data;
(C) route search means for searching for a route from the current position to the destination based on the map data;
(D) a branch point extracting means for extracting a branch point at which the searched route branches;
(E) a branch point approach determining means for determining whether or not the current position has approached the branch point;
(F) When the current position approaches the branch point, information on a plurality of routes after the branch point is transmitted to the server, and the time required for the plurality of routes calculated using the traffic information is received by the server. And a navigation device. (A) current position detecting means for detecting the current position;
(B) storage means for storing map data;
(C) route search means for searching for a route from the current position to the destination based on the map data;
(D) a branch point extracting means for extracting a branch point at which the searched route branches;
(E) a branch point approach determining means for determining whether or not the current position has approached the branch point;
(F) When the current position approaches the branch point, information on a plurality of routes after the branch point is transmitted to the server, traffic information on the plurality of routes is received from the server, and the traffic information is used. And a control means for calculating the time required for the plurality of routes. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the traffic information is predicted traffic information created based on current traffic information and past traffic information. The control means is configured such that when the route to the branch point does not include a toll road, the route having the shortest required time among the plurality of routes includes the toll road, and the route having the shortest required time The navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a route having the shortest required time is selected when a difference between the required time and a route having the second shortest required time is a predetermined value or more. The navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control means displays or voice-guides traffic information of the route. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the route search unit searches for a plurality of routes every predetermined time or every time the current position of the vehicle moves by a predetermined distance. (A) receiving means for receiving information on the current position and destination from the navigation device;
(B) storage means for storing map data;
(C) route search means for searching for a route from the current position to the destination based on the map data;
(D) a branch point extracting means for extracting a branch point at which the searched route branches;
(E) a branch point approach determining means for determining whether or not the current position has approached the branch point;
(F) required time calculating means for calculating required times of a plurality of routes after the branch point using traffic information when the current position approaches the branch point;
(G) A server having transmission means for transmitting the calculated time required for the plurality of routes to the navigation device.

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