JP2006029850A - Navigation system, and route guide method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a "navigation system and a route guide method" capable of searching a route added with discount in the so-called "road pricing system", and capable of guiding the route. <P>SOLUTION: This navigation system 1 has a control part 2 for searching and guiding the route up to a destination, a storage part 3 for storing information about the road pricing system for a toll road, and information-exhibiting parts 5, 6. The control part 2 searches the route added with the information about the road pricing system. A user selects either of the route discounted by the road pricing system or the shortest route. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a navigation system and a route guidance method for performing route search and route guidance in consideration of a so-called road pricing system, in which a fee is discounted when a predetermined detour route is passed.

  The popularity of navigation devices has increased steadily in recent years due to the convenience of being able to reach a destination by traveling according to the route guidance presented even when going to an unguided location in a remote location. . Such a navigation device may search for a toll road included in the map information and present a route including the toll road when the toll road can be used to reach the destination. That is, route search and route guidance are performed according to conditions desired by the user such as the shortest time route, the shortest distance route, and the cheapest route (not using a toll road).

  On the other hand, on toll roads, a time zone discount system has been introduced that discounts tolls when used at specific times, for example, at night, to reduce user tolls.

Under such circumstances, there has been proposed a navigation device that makes effective use of time zone discounts and provides route guidance to a destination that is a minimum cost (Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-41760

  Recently, the ETC system (Electronic Toll Collection System) has become widespread, and it is difficult to realize the conventional cash toll collection by utilizing the electronics technology incorporated in this ETC system and the information held by the ETC system. The introduction of various discount systems is being considered.

  One such discount system is the so-called road pricing system. The outline of this road pricing system is as follows. In large metropolitan areas, a large number of cars come and go, and the main roads often cross the city and run vertically. For this reason, in urban areas, road traffic environment, automobile exhaust gas, etc. have a great influence on the roadside environment. The Road Pricing System was established to overcome this situation and contribute to alleviating traffic congestion, improving urban functions and improving the urban environment. In an urban area where a transportation network is stretched, a plurality of routes may be considered even when moving in the same section from the same starting point to the same destination. In this case, a certain amount of discount is offered for vehicles that have detoured around the urban area because they have contributed to environmental improvement.

  The above is the outline of the road pricing system. However, in the conventional navigation system, as described above, route search and route guidance are not performed in consideration of such a road pricing system. For this reason, in order for the user to benefit from the road pricing system, the application section of the road pricing system is examined in advance, and the navigation system is routed so as to pass through the application section, or the navigation is performed. There was nothing other than driving in the applicable section ignoring the guidance of the system.

  Even the navigation device proposed in Patent Document 1 does not perform route search and route guidance in consideration of such discount in the road pricing system.

  Therefore, the present invention provides a route search and route guidance that can effectively use a road pricing system that is applied when traveling on a certain detour route among various discount systems, and can reduce toll road usage fees. An object of the present invention is to provide a navigation system and a route guidance method.

  The navigation system of the present invention for achieving such an object includes a control unit that searches for and guides a route to a destination, a storage unit that stores information on a road pricing system for a toll road, and an information presentation unit. The control unit performs a route search taking into account information relating to the road pricing system, and presents a result of the route search by the information presenting unit. With such a navigation system, it is possible to effectively use the road pricing system and reduce tolls on toll roads.

  Here, the said control part can be set as the structure which searches and guides the route containing the application area of the said road pricing system. With such a configuration, the road pricing system can be actively utilized. However, if you can reach the destination without going through the section to which the road pricing system is applied, and the route that does not pass through the section to which the road pricing system is applied is the shortest time route or the shortest distance route In addition, when the distance to the section to which the road pricing system is applied is too far, it is not practical to go through the section to which the road pricing system is applied. Therefore, when the circuit is too far away, even if there is a section to which the road pricing system is applied, it can be set not to go through the section. For example, in the case where it becomes a detour of 10 km or more when passing through the section, it can be set not to pass through the section. However, even if such setting is not performed in advance, the user may determine the route based on the information presented in the information presentation unit.

  In such a navigation system, when the route searched by the control unit includes an applicable section of the road pricing system, a normal charge route and a discount charge route are used for the section. In each case, at least an estimated required time and a toll fee can be presented to the information presentation unit, and further, a configuration having an operation unit that allows a user to select either the normal fee route or the discounted fee route It can be.

For example, when traveling from point A to point B, there is a section in which one route and a detour route of the one route exist. Usually, the detour route is longer than the one route. The road pricing system is applied to such segments. Here, no matter which route you use, there is no change to using the section from point B to point B, and the original charge is the same regardless of which route you use. Under the pricing system, the fee for passing the detour route is discounted. In the section where the road pricing system is applied in this way, it is considered that the route where the normal fee is charged is short in distance and the transit time is often short, while the detour route is cheap, but the distance is short Is long and often takes a long time to pass. That is, both routes have advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, it is convenient if at least the estimated required time and the toll for both routes are presented to the information presentation unit so that the user can select one of the routes. According to the present invention, such selection by the user is possible.
In the present specification, in the section to which the road pricing system is applied, the route to which the normal fee is charged is referred to as a “normal fee route”, and the detour route to be discounted is referred to as a “discounted fee route”. I will do it.

  In such a navigation system, it is possible to have a communication means for acquiring information related to the road pricing system for the toll road. Information on such road pricing system can be obtained by connecting to a management server that provides information on toll road charges. If the navigation system itself has communication means to such a management server, it is convenient because it does not require the trouble of acquiring information by connecting to the Internet from a computer and moving this information to the navigation system. Inquiries to the management server by such communication means can be made, for example, when the ignition is turned on and the engine is started, or at regular intervals such as one week or two weeks. With such a configuration, the user can receive route search and route guidance reflecting the latest information without any awareness.

  In the navigation system, the shortest time route and the shortest distance route are generally presented as recommended routes except when traffic congestion information is acquired by VICS. Here, the section to which the road pricing system is applied includes the normal charge route and the discounted charge route as described above, but since the distance of the normal charge route is shorter, all the sections to which the road pricing system is applied When traveling using a route, a route including a normal toll route is presented as a recommended route. However, if there is a junction (JCT) in the discounted rate route and you transfer to another line at this junction, or if you get off the toll road at the interchange in the discounted rate route and go to the destination, naturally the discounted rate route The included route is presented as a recommended route. In such a case, it is convenient if the recommended route is notified that a discount fee route under the road pricing system is included and the user can know that the user can travel at a discount fee. Therefore, in the navigation system as described above, if the route searched by the control unit includes an applicable section of the road pricing system, the route using the discounted charge route is the shortest route or the recommended route for the relevant section. At that time, notification to that effect can be made through the information presenting unit.

  The route guidance method of the present invention includes a step of searching for a route to a destination, a step of acquiring information related to a road pricing system, and an applicable section of the road pricing system included in the searched route. Steps for presenting at least the estimated travel time and toll for each section when using the normal fee route and passing through the discounted fee route, the route passing through the presented normal fee route, and the discounted fee Selecting a route that passes through the route; and setting an applicable section of the road pricing system to the selected normal fee route or discounted fee route and starting route guidance, and To do.

  According to such a route guidance method, it is possible to perform route guidance taking into account discounts by the road pricing system. Such a route guidance method can also be implemented by using the navigation system of the present invention.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the navigation system which performs the route search and route guidance which utilized the road pricing system effectively can be provided.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an embodiment of a navigation system 1 of the present invention. The navigation system 1 includes a control unit 2, and a storage unit 3, a communication unit 4, a display 5, a speaker 6, an operation unit 7, and a GPS antenna 8 are connected to the control unit 2. An ETC in-vehicle device 10 that can insert and remove the IC card 9 is also connected, and an ignition switch 12 is also connected. The display 5 and the speaker 6 correspond to the information presenting means in the present invention.

  The storage unit 3 stores information related to the road pricing system acquired by the communication means 4 and stores various information necessary for map information and route search and route guidance. The control unit 2 performs route search and route guidance on the basis of the position information obtained from these programs and the GPS antenna 8, and the search conditions input by the user through the operation unit 7.

  The communication unit 4 connects to the management server 11 that provides information related to the road pricing system via the Internet, and downloads the latest information. Here, the navigation system 1 can use an HTML browser by applying Telematics technology. The information downloaded in this way is stored in the storage unit 3 and is referred to when searching for a route or used for comparison with the searched route.

  The route search and route guidance taking into account the road pricing system by the navigation system 1 configured as described above will be described.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of the relationship between the departure place and the destination. The application section of the road pricing system is between I junction (I JCT) and II junction (II JCT). In other words, the normal toll route is directly from I JCT to II JCT, while the discounted toll route is from I JCT via A Interchange (A IC) to III JCT to B IC. . The toll between I JCT and II JCT is usually 1,200 yen, and it is 950 yen when the discounted charge route is selected.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the navigation system 1. Hereinafter, route search and route guidance by the navigation system 1 will be described with reference to this flowchart. The discount under the road pricing system is applied to a vehicle that uses the ETC system 10 with the IC card 9 inserted and uses the ETC system, and the IC card is not inserted into the ETC system. When the ETC system cannot be used, the user is notified through the display 5 and the speaker 6.

[Departure point 1-Destination 1]
First, the route search and route guidance procedures in the case of the departure point 1 to the destination 1 will be described.
First, in step S1, the management server 11 is inquired to obtain discount information related to the road pricing system. In this embodiment, when the ignition switch 12 is turned on, the control unit 2 issues a command to the communication unit 4, and the communication unit 4 that receives the command transmits and inquires the management server 11 via the Internet. Here, the navigation system 1 can use an HTML browser by applying Telematics technology. The downloaded information is stored in the storage unit 3.

  Next, when the user performs a predetermined operation on the operation unit 7, the navigation system 1 confirms the position of the vehicle with the GPS antenna 8, and searches for the shortest route against the map information stored in the storage unit 3. (Step S2). Here, since the starting point is the starting point 1 and the destination is the destination 1, the route from the starting point 1 to I JCT to II JCT to V JCT to the destination 1 is searched as the shortest route.

  Next, the control unit 2 compares the discount information acquired in Step 1 with the shortest route searched in Step 2, and determines whether or not the applicable section of the road pricing system is included in the shortest route. Perform (Step 3). Here, as described above, the I JCT to II JCT are included in the shortest route, and since this section is an application section of the road pricing system, the control unit 2 determines Yes and proceeds to step S4. .

  In step S4, the control unit 2 determines whether a discount fee route is selected in the shortest route. Here, since the discount fee route is a route that passes through A IC to III JCT to B IC when heading from I JCT to II JCT, the discount fee route is the shortest route from the departure point 1 to the destination 1 Not included. Therefore, the control part 2 judges No and progresses to step S11.

  When proceeding to step S11, the display 5 is presented as shown in FIG. That is, the estimated required time and toll for each of the shortest route and discount route are presented. Further, a button 13a for selecting the shortest route and a button 13b for selecting a discount route are also displayed (step S11).

  Next, referring to the presentation on the display 5 as shown in FIG. 4, the user determines whether to select the shortest route or a discount route. For example, “I am in a hurry and the tolls can remain as usual, so I want to arrive as soon as possible. Then I will choose the shortest route.” Or “I do not hurry so much and the discount is applied and the toll is If it is cheaper, it may take some time, so let's select a discounted route. "Based on the determination such as" Set a route by pressing either button 13a or button 13b. "

  If the user selects the shortest route in step S11 and presses the button 13a, the navigation system 1 is set to the shortest route searched (step S12), and then route guidance along the set shortest route is started. (Step S13). On the other hand, if the user selects a discount route in step S11 and presses the button 13b, the discount route via A IC to III JCT to B IC is set in I JCT to II JCT (step S14). Route guidance along the set discount route is started (step S15). Through the above steps, route search and route guidance from the departure point 1 to the destination 1 are performed.

[Departure point 1-Destination 2]
Next, route search and route guidance in the case of the departure point 1 to the destination 2 will be described. Note that step S1 is the same as that described above, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  When the user performs a predetermined operation on the operation unit 7, the navigation system 1 checks the position of the vehicle with the GPS antenna 8 and searches for the shortest route against the map information stored in the storage unit 3 (step S2). This point is also the same as described above, but since the starting point is the starting point 1 and the destination is the destination 2, the route from the starting point 1 to I JCT to A IC to III JCT to the destination 2 is Searched as the shortest route.

  Next, in step S3, as described above, the control unit 2 determines whether or not the applicable section of the road pricing system is included in the shortest route. Here, when the destination is the destination 2, not all the sections of the I JCT to II JCT that are the road pricing system application section are used, but a part of the road pricing system application section is used. Therefore, the control unit 2 determines that the road pricing system application section is included in the shortest route, and proceeds to step S4.

  In step S4, the control unit 2 determines whether or not a discount fee route is included in the shortest route as described above. In this case, I JCT to A IC to III are included in the shortest route. Since JCT is included, the control unit 2 determines Yes and proceeds to step S5.

  When the process proceeds to step S5, the display 5 is presented as shown in FIG. That is, the estimated required time and the toll for the shortest route are presented, and the fact that the discount is applied by applying the road pricing system is presented. Speaking of FIG. 5, “The road pricing system applies! ! It is a presentation. Furthermore, a button 13c for selecting the shortest route and a button 13d for searching for another route are also displayed (step S5).

  In the case of the starting point 1 to the destination 2, if the shortest route searched by the navigation system 1 is selected, the application section of the road pricing system is inevitably used. For this reason, the user only has to select the shortest route presented on the display 5 and press the button 13c unless there are special circumstances. On the other hand, if another route is desired, the user can return to the search condition setting screen by pressing the button 13d, and the user can redo the route search.

  If the user presses the button 13c based on the presentation on the display 5 in step 5, the navigation system 1 is set to the shortest route searched (step S6), and then route guidance along the set shortest route is started. (Step S7).

[Departure point 2-Destination 1]
Next, route search and route guidance in the case of the departure place 2 to the destination 1 will be described. Note that step S1 is the same as that described above, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  When the user performs a predetermined operation on the operation unit 7, the navigation system 1 checks the position of the vehicle with the GPS antenna 8 and searches for the shortest route against the map information stored in the storage unit 3 (step S2). This point is also the same as described above, but since the starting point is the starting point 2 and the destination is the destination 1, the route from the starting point 2 to IV JCT to VI JCT to V JCT to the destination 1 is Searched as the shortest route.

  In step S3, as described above, the control unit 2 determines whether or not the applicable section of the road pricing system is included in the shortest route. The applicable section of the system is not included. Therefore, the control unit 2 determines No and proceeds to step S8. In step S8, the shortest route searched by the navigation system 1 is presented on the display 5 as shown in FIG. If the user presses the button 13c and sets the route (step S9), the navigation system 1 starts route guidance (step S10).

[Departure point 2-Destination 2]
When the starting point is the starting point 2 and the destination is the destination 2, the shortest route is the starting point 2 to IV JCT to I JCT to A IC to III JCT to the destination 2. That is, the road pricing system application section is the case of the departure place 1 to the destination 2. Accordingly, the display 5 is presented in substantially the same manner as shown in FIG. In other words, the estimated required time and toll for the shortest route, and “Road pricing system applied ants! ! It is such a presentation. Since other points are not substantially different from the case of the above-mentioned starting point 1 to destination 2, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment, the discount information is acquired in step 1 as described above, the shortest route is searched separately from the discount information acquired in step S1 in step S2, and then both are compared in step S3. It has become. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, a route that uses the discounted charge route is searched for and presented through the road pricing system application section without fail. In addition to this, the shortest route is also presented to allow the user to select either route. Hereinafter, a specific description will be given based on FIG.

[Departure point 2-Destination 1]
In the case of the departure point 2 to the destination 1, in Example 1, route search and route guidance including a road pricing system application section are not performed. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, a search for a route that always passes through the road pricing system application section is performed in step S21. That is, discount information is acquired in step S20 as in step S1 of the first embodiment, and a route search is performed by recognizing an applicable section of the road pricing system as a transit point based on this information. Separately from this, the shortest route is searched and presented (step S21).

  The user selects either route based on these presentations. Here, if the user selects a route that uses the discounted fee route in the road pricing system, the navigation system 1 starts such route guidance (step S22, step S23). On the other hand, if the user selects the shortest route, the navigation system 1 starts such route guidance (steps S24 and S25).

  With such a configuration, it is always possible to enjoy the benefits of discounts from the road pricing system. However, it may be set not to perform such a route search if the road pricing system is too far from the destination after passing through the applicable section of the road pricing system. It is an extreme example, but it is realistic to take a route around Kansai just because the road pricing system is being implemented in Kansai even though both the departure and destination are in Kanto. is not. In such a case, it can be set not to present such a route.

  The above-described embodiments are merely examples for carrying out the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to them. Various modifications of these embodiments are within the scope of the present invention. It is apparent from the above description that various other embodiments are possible within the scope.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the Example of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline of the relationship between the departure place and destination which perform route search with a navigation system. It is a flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement of a navigation system. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the presentation of a display. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the other presentation of a display. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of other presentation of a display. It is a flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement of the navigation system in Example 2 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Navigation system 2 Control part 3 Memory | storage part 4 Communication means 5 Display 6 Speaker 7 Operation part 8 GPS antenna 9 IC card 10 ETC vehicle equipment 11 Management server 12 Ignition switch

Claims (7)

A control unit for searching and guiding a route to the destination;
A storage unit for storing information on a road pricing system for toll roads;
An information presentation unit,
The said control part performs the route search which considered the information regarding the said road pricing system, and shows the result of route search by the said information presentation part, The navigation system characterized by the above-mentioned. The navigation system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit searches and guides a route including an applicable section of the road pricing system. If the route searched by the control unit includes an applicable section of the road pricing system, at least an estimated required time for each of the normal charge route and the discount charge route for the section The navigation system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a toll is presented to the information presentation unit. The navigation system according to claim 3, further comprising an operation unit that allows a user to select one of the normal fee route and the discounted fee route. The navigation system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A navigation system comprising communication means for acquiring information related to a road pricing system for the toll road. The navigation system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein when a route searched by the control unit includes an applicable section of the road pricing system, a route using a discount fee route is included for the section. A navigation system characterized in that, when the route becomes the shortest route or recommended route, notification to that effect is made through the information presentation unit. Searching for a route to the destination;
Obtaining information on the road pricing system;
If the searched route includes an applicable section of the road pricing system, at least the estimated required time and the toll for each section when using the normal fee route and when using the discounted fee route Presenting steps,
Selecting between a route that passes the proposed normal rate route and a route that passes the discounted rate route;
Setting the applicable section of the road pricing system to the selected normal fee route or discounted fee route and starting route guidance;
The route guidance method characterized by having.

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