JP2008032558A - Guiding device for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a guiding device for a vehicle capable of performing proper rest guide to a user of the vehicle. <P>SOLUTION: Just after start of driving of the vehicle, an ECU 9 predicts a traveling spot on a traveling route or a moving route of the vehicle after passage of the first set time. When a resting area is not provided in a prescribed range from the predicted traveling spot, the ECU 9 performs guidance of recommendation of taking a rest at every time when approaching each resting area stoppable-by during a period from traveling start of the vehicle until passage of the first set time. Hereby, the proper rest guide can be performed to the user of the vehicle considering a case of a user's going to the toilet. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle guidance device capable of guiding a vehicle user to appropriately take a break.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an apparatus for guiding a gas station to be refueled to a vehicle user is known. For example, in the device of Patent Document 1, when the remaining amount of fuel is less than or equal to a predetermined amount while the vehicle is traveling on the movement route to the destination, a gas station on the movement route that can be reached by the predetermined amount is extracted and extracted. Guide the user about the gas station along with instructions for refueling. Further, for example, in Patent Document 2, the fuel consumption of the vehicle is predicted according to the road type and road condition of the road ahead of the vehicle, and a point where the remaining amount of fuel is completely consumed is set as a fueling point, and is near the fueling point Guide the gas station.
JP-A-5-71974 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-297034

  However, in the conventional apparatus, only the gas station to be refueled is guided, and it is not considered to guide the vehicle user to perform an appropriate break. Unlike the case of guiding a gas station to be refueled, it is necessary to take into account, for example, that the user goes to the toilet.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle guidance device capable of performing appropriate break guidance for a vehicle user.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the vehicle guidance device according to claim 1, time measuring means for measuring an elapsed time since the vehicle started driving, position storage means for storing position information of a resting place, Either the estimation means for estimating the travel route of the vehicle, or the setting means for setting the travel route of the vehicle, along the travel route estimated by the estimation means, or along the travel route set by the setting means Predicting means for predicting a travel point on the travel route or the travel route of the vehicle after the first preset time has elapsed from the time when the time measuring device starts measuring the elapsed time when the vehicle travels From the location information of the resting place stored in the position storage means, if the resting place is not provided within the predetermined range from the travel point predicted by the prediction means, the vehicle will reach the predetermined range. Characterized in that it comprises a guide means for guiding the user to perform a break in break areas which Tachiyoreru to.

  Thus, in the vehicle guidance device of the present invention, the elapsed time from the start of driving of the vehicle is measured by the time measuring means, and the location information of the resting place is stored in the position storage means. The predicting means is preset from the time when the time measuring means starts measuring the elapsed time when the vehicle travels along the travel route estimated by the estimating means or along the travel route set by the setting means. A travel point on the travel route or the travel route of the vehicle after the first set time has elapsed is predicted. When the resting place is not provided within the predetermined range from the travel point predicted by the predicting means based on the location information of the resting place stored in the position storing means, the guiding means is provided until the vehicle reaches the predetermined range. Instruct the user to take a break at a break where they can stop by.

  In order to provide appropriate break guidance to the vehicle user, it is necessary to consider that the user goes to the toilet. That is, when the vehicle travels along the travel route estimated by the estimation means or along the travel route set by the setting means, after the first set time elapses from the time when the time measurement means starts measuring the elapsed time. It is important whether there is a resting place within a predetermined range from the travel position of the vehicle. Therefore, when the resting place is not provided within the predetermined range from the travel point of the vehicle predicted by the predicting means, the position information of the resting place stored in the position storing means is used until the vehicle reaches the predetermined range. Guide the user to take a break at a rest area where they can stop by. Accordingly, it is possible to provide appropriate break guidance to the user of the vehicle in consideration of the user going to the toilet. Here, “the vehicle has started driving” means not only when the user first boarded the vehicle and started driving, but also after the user took a break at the resting place, the driving of the vehicle is resumed. Including cases. Note that the start and resumption of driving of the vehicle are determined by, for example, boarding the user's vehicle or starting / stopping the engine.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the guide means includes the rest location information stored in the position storage means on the travel route estimated by the estimation means or on the travel route set by the setting means. It is desirable to make a decision based on the information and guide the determined resting place. By guiding the resting place provided on the driving route or moving route to the user, the user can easily grasp the resting point, and the vehicle needs to be removed from the driving route or moving route for the break. Also disappear.

  As described in claim 3, it is desirable to provide position detecting means for detecting the current position of the vehicle, and the guiding means guides a resting place closest to the current position of the vehicle detected by the position detecting means. This is because there is a high possibility that the user usually wants to take a break at a rest area closest to the current position of the vehicle.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the utilization storage means for storing the degree of ease of use of the resting place is provided, and the guidance means has a degree of ease of use stored in the utilization storage means that is higher than a predetermined degree. It is good also to guide a big resting place. This is because some users may want to take a break at a break where the degree of ease of use is greater than a predetermined degree.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the traffic information acquisition means for acquiring the traffic information on the travel route estimated by the estimation means or the travel route set by the setting means, and the prediction means includes the traffic information acquisition means. If traffic congestion occurs on the travel route estimated by the estimation means or the travel route set by the setting means from the acquired traffic jam information, the vehicle travels in a point closer to the front than when no traffic congestion has occurred. It is desirable to predict the location. Thereby, the prediction means can accurately predict the travel point on the travel route or the travel route of the vehicle after the first set time has elapsed in accordance with the road condition.

  In the vehicle guidance device according to claim 6, position detecting means for detecting the current position of the vehicle, position storage means for storing position information of the resting place, estimation means for estimating the travel route of the vehicle, or vehicle On the travel route estimated by the estimation means from any one of the setting means for setting the travel route of the vehicle, the current position of the vehicle detected by the position detection means, and the location information of the resting place stored in the position storage means Alternatively, on the travel route set by the setting means, the vehicle arrives next based on the determination means for determining the rest area where the vehicle reaches next and the rest area where the vehicle reaches next, and the determination result of the determination means After the departure from the rest area, the prediction means for predicting the travel time until reaching the next rest area, and when the travel time predicted by the prediction means is equal to or longer than a preset second set time, Arrival in Characterized in that it comprises in the break area and a guide means for guiding to take a break that.

  As described above, in order to provide appropriate break guidance to the user of the vehicle, it is necessary to consider that the user goes to the toilet, but the vehicle is traveling on the travel route or the travel route. For this, the travel time from when the vehicle departs from the next resting area to the next resting area is important. In other words, depending on the travel route or travel route on which the vehicle is traveling, it may be predicted that the travel time from the next resting point where the vehicle will reach to the next resting point will be longer. While the vehicle is traveling between the resting places, the user cannot do it even if he wants to take a break.

  Therefore, on the travel route estimated by the estimation means from the current position of the vehicle detected by the position detection means and the location information of the resting place stored in the position storage means, or on the movement route set by the setting means The rest area where the vehicle reaches next and the rest area where the vehicle reaches next are determined by the determining means. Next, from the determination result of the determination means, on the travel route estimated by the estimation means or on the travel route set by the setting means, the vehicle departs from the rest area where it will reach next and then to the next rest area The travel time to reach is predicted by the prediction means. Then, when the predicted traveling time is equal to or longer than the second set time, the guiding means guides the user to take a break at the next resting place. As a result, even when the predicted traveling time is equal to or longer than the second set time, the user can take a break at the rest area where the vehicle will arrive next according to the guidance of the guidance means, and the user can take a break. It is possible to avoid such a situation.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided the traffic information acquisition means for acquiring the traffic information on the travel route estimated by the estimation means or the travel route set by the setting means. When traffic congestion occurs on the travel route estimated by the estimation means or the travel route set by the setting means based on the acquired traffic jam information, the travel time is compared to the case where no traffic congestion occurs. It is desirable to predict that will be longer. Thereby, the prediction means can predict the above-mentioned travel time in consideration of the traffic jam situation on the travel route estimated by the estimation means or on the travel route set by the setting means.

  The vehicle guidance device according to claim 8, wherein the position detection means for detecting the current position of the vehicle, the position storage means for storing the position information of the resting place, the estimation means for estimating the travel route of the vehicle, or the vehicle On the travel route estimated by the estimation means, or on the movement route set by the setting means, from any one of the setting means for setting the movement route and the location information of the resting place stored in the position storage means, The next resting place to be reached from the determining means for determining the next resting place and the next resting place that the vehicle will reach, the determination result of the determining means, and the location information of the resting place stored in the position storing means And a distance acquisition means for acquiring a distance between the next arrival place and a resting place, and a guide for taking a break at the next arrival place when the distance acquired by the distance acquisition means is a predetermined distance or more. Guidance Characterized in that it comprises a stage.

  As described above, in order to provide appropriate break guidance to the user of the vehicle, it is necessary to consider that the user goes to the toilet, but the vehicle is traveling on the travel route or the travel route. For this, the distance between the rest area where the vehicle reaches next and the rest area where the vehicle reaches next is important. In other words, depending on the travel route or travel route on which the vehicle is traveling, the distance from the rest area where the vehicle reaches next to the rest area where it reaches next may become longer, but the vehicle travels between the rest areas. During this time, the user cannot do it even if he wants to take a break.

  Therefore, on the travel route estimated by the estimation means from the current position of the vehicle detected by the position detection means and the location information of the resting place stored in the position storage means, or on the movement route set by the setting means The rest area where the vehicle reaches next and the rest area where the vehicle reaches next are determined by the determining means. Next, based on the determination result of the determination means, on the travel route estimated by the estimation means or on the travel route set by the setting means, the rest area where the vehicle reaches next and the rest area where the vehicle reaches next The distance is acquired by distance acquisition means. Then, when the distance acquired by the distance acquiring unit is equal to or greater than the predetermined distance, the guiding unit guides the user to take a break at the next resting place. Thereby, even when the distance between the rest area where the vehicle arrives next and the rest area where the vehicle reaches next is a predetermined distance or more, the user takes a break at the rest area where the vehicle will arrive next according to the guidance of the guide means. It is possible to avoid a situation where the user cannot perform a break.

  As described in claim 9, it is desirable that the second set time be set shorter as the temperature in the vehicle interior of the vehicle becomes lower. This is because, as the temperature in the vehicle interior of the vehicle becomes lower, the user wants to go to the toilet at shorter time intervals, and therefore it is preferable to provide break guidance at shorter time intervals.

  As described in claim 10, it is desirable that the second set time be set shorter as the temperature outside the vehicle becomes lower. This is because, as in the case described above, the user wants to go to the toilet at a short time interval as the temperature outside the vehicle becomes low, so it is preferable to provide break guidance at a short time interval.

  As described in claim 11, it is desirable that the first set time or the second set time is set shorter when the weather is rainy or cloudy than when the weather is fine. As in the case described above, when the weather is rainy or cloudy, the user wants to go to the toilet at a short time interval compared to when the weather is clear, and fatigue due to driving the vehicle tends to accumulate. This is because it is preferable to provide break guidance at short time intervals.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the vehicle guide device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle guide device of the present embodiment operates by being incorporated in a vehicle navigation device.

  In FIG. 1, a position detector 1 includes a geomagnetic sensor 1A, a gyroscope 1B, a distance sensor 1C, and a GPS receiver 1D, and detects a current position and a traveling direction of a vehicle.

  The geomagnetic sensor 1A has a configuration in which an exciting winding for exciting the annular ferromagnetic material such as permalloy, for example, and two orthogonal detection windings for direction detection are wound. And the voltage which generate | occur | produces in two detection windings by applying an alternating voltage to an excitation winding is measured, and the advancing direction of a vehicle is detected as an absolute direction based on this.

  The gyroscope 1B includes, for example, a crystal resonator, and detects the yaw angular velocity (yaw rate) of the vehicle from vibration based on Coriolis force generated when the resonator is vibrated.

  The distance sensor 1C detects the moving distance of the vehicle based on, for example, rotation signals of wheels and axles (not shown) mounted on the vehicle.

  The GPS receiver 1D receives a GPS signal for position measurement transmitted from a GPS satellite (not shown), which is an artificial satellite, and detects the latitude, longitude, and altitude of the point where the vehicle is currently traveling.

  The position detector 1 detects the current position and the traveling direction of the vehicle with high accuracy by interpolating the detection results of the four devices described above. Of course, depending on the required detection accuracy, it is not necessary to provide all the four devices described above. Note that the current position and the traveling direction of the vehicle may be detected based on the detection result by detecting the acceleration in the left-right direction and the height direction of the vehicle using, for example, a three-dimensional gyro. Moreover, it is good also as performing based on the detection signal by other sensors, such as a steering sensor. This position detector 1 constitutes a position detection means.

  The map data storage 2 has, for example, a hard disk as a storage medium, and includes map data including road information, building information, address information of each area, zip code information, and the like, map image data for displaying a map image, Remember. The map data includes, for example, position information of a rest area (rest area) such as a parking area and a service area, and a usage degree indicating a degree of ease of use of the rest area. The map data and map image data described above may be stored in a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or the like. The map data storage device 2 functions as a position storage means and a utilization degree storage means.

  The display 3 is a small vehicle-mounted display, and performs various navigation displays including display of map images. The display 3 displays a break recommendation image for inquiring whether or not to take a break to the user of the vehicle, a break area closest to the vehicle, or a break area whose usage is equal to or higher than a predetermined value. A rest area selection image requesting to select is displayed. In addition, a break area guidance image that guides a break area that is closest to the vehicle or a break area that has a utilization level equal to or greater than a predetermined value is also displayed. For the various displays described above, an in-vehicle head-up display or the like may be used. This display 3 functions as a part of guide means.

  The operation switch 4 is composed of a plurality of mechanical switches and instructs the start and end of various navigation operations. In addition, it is determined whether or not to take a break, and it is also selected which one of the break area closest to the vehicle or the break area whose usage is equal to or greater than a predetermined value is to be guided. The various instructions, determinations, and selections described above may be configured by a touch switch including a display panel that displays operation keys and a touch panel that detects that the operation keys displayed on the display panel are pressed. Further, it may be performed using voice recognition.

  The remote controller 5 is, for example, a multi-function remote controller including various function switches, and can perform almost the same operation as the operation switch 4 described above via the remote control sensor 6.

  The communication device 8 is an in-vehicle small-sized communication device, and is transmitted from an information center (not shown) and indicates traffic information indicating traffic information on a travel route and a travel route of the vehicle, and weather indicating a weather in a region where the vehicle is traveling. Receive data. Congestion information and weather may be received from a radio broadcast or the like.

  ECU9 is comprised from a well-known computer and performs various navigation operations including a map image display. Specifically, the ECU 9 reads map image data around the current position of the vehicle from the map data storage 2 based on the current position and the traveling direction of the vehicle detected by the position detector 1, and indicates the current position of the vehicle. A map image on which the mark is superimposed is displayed on the display 3 and various voice guidance is performed from the speaker 10. In addition, when the user sets a destination, a travel route to the destination is set.

  Further, the ECU 9 has an internal timer 11, and predicts the travel point of the vehicle after the elapse of a preset first set time when the user starts driving the vehicle. And when the rest area is not provided within the predetermined range from the travel point, every time the vehicle approaches the rest area where the vehicle stops before the first set time elapses, Guide them to take a break. The predetermined range is a range that is sufficiently shorter than a point from the point where the vehicle starts driving to the above-mentioned traveling point.

  Specifically, when the user starts driving the vehicle, the ECU 9 estimates the travel route of the vehicle unless the vehicle travel route is already set. Next, when the vehicle travels along the travel route or the travel route described above, a travel point on the travel route or the travel route of the vehicle after the first set time set in advance is predicted. At that time, the traffic jam data received by the communication device 8 is used. Then, based on the position information of the break area included in the map data stored in the map data storage device 2, when the break area is not provided within the predetermined range from the predicted travel point, the internal timer 11 is started. Start counting elapsed time.

  When the user is driving the vehicle, the elapsed time indicated by the internal timer 11 is before the first set time has elapsed, and the detection result of the position detector 1 and the map data stored in the map data storage 2 are When the break area located on the travel route or the movement route enters the predetermined range from the current position of the vehicle based on the position information of the break area included, the ECU 9 displays a break recommendation image on the display 3. When it is determined to take a break from the operation switch 4 or the remote controller 5, the ECU 9 displays a break area guidance image for guiding the break area on the display 3. However, when a plurality of break areas are included in the predetermined range, the ECU 9 causes the display 3 to display a break area selection image. After that, when either the rest area closest to the vehicle or the rest area whose usage is equal to or higher than a predetermined value is selected from the operation switch 4 or the remote controller 5, the ECU 9 detects the position detector 1. The rest area guidance image for guiding the selected rest area is displayed on the display 3 based on the current position of the vehicle and the position information and usage of the rest area included in the map data stored in the map data storage 2. . The internal timer 11 functions as a time measuring means, and the ECU 9 functions as an estimation means, a setting means, a prediction means, and a guidance means.

  The first set time is set when the user starts driving the vehicle based on the weather data received by the communication device 8. Specifically, the first set time is set to be shorter when the weather indicated by the weather data received by the communication device 8 is rainy or cloudy and is not sunny, with a predetermined time as a reference. This is because, when the weather is rainy or cloudy, it is preferable to provide break guidance at a short time interval because the user wants to go to the toilet at a short time interval or fatigue from driving the vehicle tends to accumulate.

  The memory 12 is used as a temporary storage area when the ECU 9 performs various operations. As the memory 12, for example, a memory card or the like is used.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart relating to processing performed by the ECU 9 at the start of driving of the vehicle in the vehicle guidance device of the present embodiment. The processing of this flowchart is started immediately after the user starts driving the vehicle.

  In step 201, the ECU 9 determines whether or not a vehicle travel route is set. If the travel route is not set, the process proceeds to step 202, the travel route of the vehicle is estimated, and the process proceeds to step 203. If the movement route is set, the process immediately proceeds to step 203.

  In step 203, the weather data and the traffic jam data received by the communication device 8 are acquired. In step 204, a first set time is set from the weather data acquired in step 203.

  In step 205, when the vehicle travels along the travel route or the travel route, the travel point of the vehicle after the first set time set in step 204 is obtained using the traffic data acquired in step 203. Predict. By using the traffic jam data, the travel point on the travel route or the travel route of the vehicle after the first set time has elapsed can be accurately predicted according to the road condition.

  In step 206, it is determined from the position information of the rest area included in the map data stored in the map data storage device 2 whether or not the rest area is provided within a predetermined range from the travel point predicted in step 205. If not provided, the internal timer 11 is activated to start counting elapsed time, and the process ends. If so, the process is immediately terminated.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart relating to processing performed by the ECU 9 during driving of the vehicle in the vehicle guidance device of the present embodiment. The process of this flowchart is executed at predetermined time intervals while the user is driving the vehicle.

  In step 301, the ECU 9 determines from the elapsed time indicated by the internal timer 11 whether the first set time has elapsed. If it is before the first set time has elapsed, the routine proceeds to step 302. If it is after the first set time has elapsed, or if the internal timer 11 has not been activated, the process ends.

  In step 302, based on the detection result of the position detector 1 and the position information of the rest area included in the map data stored in the map data storage 2, whether or not the rest area has entered within a predetermined range from the current position of the vehicle. Determine whether. If the break area is within the predetermined range, the process proceeds to step 303. If there is no rest area within the predetermined range, the process is terminated.

  In step 303, a break recommended image is displayed on the display 3 and waits. In step 304, it is determined whether or not a break is determined from the operation switch 4 or the remote controller 5. If it is decided to take a break, the process proceeds to step 305. If not, the process ends.

  In step 305, it is determined whether or not a plurality of break areas are within the predetermined range. If a plurality of rest areas are within the predetermined range, the process proceeds to step 306. If a single rest area is within the predetermined range, the process proceeds to step 308.

  In step 306, a rest area selection image is displayed on the display 3 and waits. In step 307, it is determined from the operation switch 4 or the remote controller 5 which one of the rest area closest to the vehicle or the rest area whose usage is equal to or higher than a predetermined value is selected. When the rest area closest to the vehicle is selected, the process proceeds to step 308. If a rest area whose usage is equal to or greater than a predetermined value is selected, the process proceeds to step 309.

  In step 308, the rest area that guides the rest area closest to the vehicle from the current position of the vehicle detected by the position detector 1 and the position information of the rest area included in the map data stored in the map data storage 2 The guide image is displayed on the display 3, and the process is terminated. Usually, the user is likely to want to take a break in the rest area closest to the vehicle.

  In step 309, a rest area guidance image for guiding a rest area in which the degree of use is equal to or greater than a predetermined value is displayed on the display 3 based on the degree of use of the rest area included in the map data stored in the map data storage unit 2. The process is terminated. This is because some users may want to take a break in a break area where the usage is equal to or higher than a predetermined value.

  Note that if the user ends the driving of the vehicle before the elapsed time indicated by the internal timer 11 reaches the first set time, the processing of this flowchart ends immediately. In this way, the user can easily grasp the rest area on the travel route or on the travel route by guiding the rest area located on the travel route or on the travel route, and the user can take a break for rest. There is no need to deviate from the travel route or travel route.

  As described above, in the vehicle guidance device of the present embodiment, the ECU 9 predicts a travel point on the travel route or the travel route of the vehicle after the first set time has elapsed immediately after the start of the vehicle operation. . If there is no rest area within the specified range from the predicted travel point, a break will occur each time the vehicle approaches the rest area where the vehicle stops before the first set time elapses. Guide you to do. Accordingly, it is possible to provide appropriate break guidance to the user of the vehicle in consideration of the user going to the toilet.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the vehicle guidance device of the present embodiment, when the vehicle is traveling on the set travel route, appropriate break guidance is given to the user of the vehicle. The point mentioned above is the point of this embodiment.

  The temperature measuring device 7 is an electric temperature measuring device provided with, for example, a platinum resistance temperature sensor, measures the temperature outside the vehicle and the temperature inside the vehicle interior, and outputs the temperature as vehicle outside temperature data and vehicle interior temperature data. For measurement of the temperature outside the vehicle and the temperature inside the vehicle, a radiation thermometer or the like may be used.

  When the destination is input from the operation switch 4 or the remote controller 5, the ECU 9 uses the map data stored in the map data storage 2 to set a travel route to the destination. At that time, the ECU 9 predicts the travel time required for the vehicle to move between the rest areas located on the set travel route, and stores the predicted travel time. Specifically, the ECU 9 identifies each rest area located on the set movement route from the position information of the rest area included in the map data stored in the map data storage 2, and the distance between each rest area Is calculated. Next, the traffic data received by the communication device 8 is acquired, and the estimated travel time required for the vehicle to move between the rest areas is calculated from the calculated distance between the rest areas and the acquired traffic data. And remember.

  Further, when the vehicle is traveling on the travel route set by the vehicle, when the vehicle approaches one of the rest areas to a predetermined distance or less, between the rest area and the next rest area, Examine the stored estimated travel time. When the predicted traveling time is longer than the preset second set time, the ECU 9 causes the display 3 to display a rest area guidance image for guiding the rest area where the vehicle is approaching.

  The second set time is set when the user starts driving the vehicle based on the outside air temperature data and the vehicle interior temperature data output from the temperature measuring device 7 and the weather data received by the communication device 8. Is done. Specifically, the second set time is set to be shorter as the outside air temperature indicated by the outside air temperature data output from the temperature measuring device 7 is lower, based on the predetermined time. Further, the temperature is set to be shorter as the temperature in the passenger compartment indicated by the passenger compartment temperature data output from the temperature measuring device 7 is lower. In addition, the weather data received by the communication device 8 is set to be short even when the weather indicated by the weather data is rainy or cloudy and not sunny. This is because the lower the temperature outside the vehicle and the temperature inside the vehicle compartment, the more the user wants to go to the toilet at a short time interval, so it is preferable to provide break guidance at a short time interval. This is because, even when the weather is rainy or cloudy, it is preferable to provide break guidance at short time intervals because the user wants to go to the toilet at short time intervals or fatigue from driving the vehicle tends to accumulate.

  The ECU 9 functions as recommendation means, setting means, prediction means, and determination means.

  Since other mechanical configurations are the same as those in the above-described embodiment, description thereof is omitted. The operation will be described below.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart relating to processing for calculating and storing the predicted travel time required for the vehicle to move between the rest areas on the travel route set by the ECU 9 in the vehicle guidance device of the present embodiment. . The process of this flowchart is executed each time a vehicle travel route is set.

  In step 401, the ECU 9 identifies each rest area located on the set movement route from the position information of the rest area included in the map data stored in the map data storage unit 2. In step 402, the distance between each rest area is calculated from the position information of each rest area identified in step 401. In step 403, the traffic jam data received by the communication device 8 is acquired.

  In step 404, the estimated travel time required for the vehicle to move between the rest areas is calculated and stored from the distance between the rest areas calculated in step 402 and the traffic jam data acquired in step 403. . As a result, the ECU 9 can calculate the predicted travel time in consideration of the traffic jam on the moving route.

  In step 405, the vehicle outside temperature data and the vehicle interior temperature data output from the temperature measuring device 7 are acquired, the weather data received by the communication device 8 is acquired, the second set time is set, and the process ends.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart relating to processing in which the ECU 9 provides break guidance to the user of the vehicle in the vehicle guidance device of the present embodiment. The processing of this flowchart is executed at predetermined time intervals when the vehicle is traveling on the travel route set.

  In step 501, the ECU 9 takes a break in which the vehicle is located on the movement route from the current position of the vehicle detected by the position detector 1 and the position information of the rest area included in the map data stored in the map data storage 2. It is determined whether or not the area has been approached to a predetermined distance or less. When approaching to a predetermined distance or less, the process proceeds to step 502. If it has not yet approached the predetermined distance or less, the process is terminated.

  In step 502, it is determined whether or not the stored predicted traveling time between the rest area where the vehicle is approaching and the next rest area is longer than the second set time. If it is longer than the second set time, the process proceeds to step 503. If it is less than the second set time, the process ends. In step 503, a rest area guidance image for guiding a rest area where the vehicle is approaching is displayed on the display 3.

  As described above, in the vehicle guidance device of the present embodiment, the ECU 9 calculates and stores the estimated travel time required to move between the rest areas located on the set travel route. When the vehicle approaches the rest area on the moving route to a predetermined distance or less, if the predicted traveling time between the rest area and the next rest area is longer than the second set time, the ECU 9 A break area guidance image for guiding the inside break area is displayed on the display 3. As a result, even when the predicted travel time between the rest area where the vehicle is approaching and the next rest area is equal to or longer than the second set time, the user can take a break in the approaching rest area according to the rest guidance. It is possible to avoid a situation where the user can not take a break.

  Next, a modification of this embodiment will be described.

  In the vehicle guidance device of the present modification, when the vehicle approaches each rest area on the moving route to a predetermined distance or less, the distance between the rest area and the next rest area is greater than or equal to a preset set distance. In addition, we will give a break guide. The point mentioned above is the point of this embodiment.

  The ECU 9 identifies each break area located on the set movement route from the position information of the break area included in the map data stored in the map data storage device 2, calculates the distance between each break area, and stores it. To do. When the vehicle is traveling on the set travel route, when the vehicle approaches one of the rest areas to a predetermined distance or less, the ECU 9 reads the distance between the rest area and the next rest area. When the read distance is greater than or equal to the preset set distance, the ECU 9 causes the display 3 to display a break area guidance image that guides the break area that the vehicle is approaching. The ECU 9 functions as recommendation means, setting means, distance acquisition means, and determination means.

  Since other mechanical configurations are the same as those in the above-described embodiment, description thereof is omitted. The operation will be described below.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart relating to a process in which the ECU 9 provides break guidance to the user of the vehicle in the vehicle guidance device of the present modification. The process of this flowchart is a step of determining whether or not the predicted traveling time between the rest area where the vehicle is approaching and the next rest area is larger than the second set time in the process of the flowchart of FIG. Instead, there is provided a step of determining whether or not the distance between the rest area where the vehicle is approaching and the next rest area is larger than the set distance. In other words, all the processes other than step 602 are the same as those in the flowchart of FIG.

  In step 602, the ECU 9 reads the distance between the rest area where the vehicle is approaching and the next rest area, and determines whether the read distance is larger than the set distance. If it is larger than the set distance, the process proceeds to step 603. If it is smaller than the set distance, the process is terminated.

  As described above, in the vehicle guidance device according to the present modification, when the vehicle approaches each rest area on the moving route to a predetermined distance or less, the distance between the rest area and the next rest area is set in advance. If this is the case, a break guide is provided. As a result, even if the distance between the break area where the vehicle is approaching and the next break area is greater than the set distance, the user can take a break in the approaching break area according to the break guide, and the user can take a break. You can avoid situations where you can't do it even if you want to.

  In each of the embodiments described above, the first set time and the second set time are set based on the vehicle outside temperature data and the vehicle interior temperature data output from the temperature measuring device 7 and the weather data received by the communication device 8. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be set based on information on seasons and months (January, August, etc.), for example. Thereby, break guidance can be more appropriately performed for the user of the vehicle.

  In the second embodiment described above, the estimated travel time required for the vehicle to travel between the rest areas is calculated and stored when the travel route of the vehicle is set. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, every time the vehicle approaches each break area, the predicted travel time between the break area and the next break area may be calculated. The predicted travel time described above may be predicted using not only traffic jam data but also data indicating various road traffic information such as speed limit information and road construction information. Thereby, the above-mentioned predicted travel time can be calculated more accurately.

  The vehicle guide devices according to the above-described embodiments and modifications can exhibit sufficient effects even when used alone. However, further effects can be expected by using in combination.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a vehicle guide device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In the vehicular guidance device of a 1st embodiment, it is a flow chart about processing which ECU performs at the time of the operation start of vehicles. In the vehicular guidance device of a 1st embodiment, it is a flow chart about processing which ECU performs during operation of a vehicle. In the vehicle guidance apparatus of 2nd Embodiment, it is a flowchart regarding the process which calculates and memorize | stores the estimated driving | running time required for a vehicle to move between each rest area on the movement path | route which ECU set. In the vehicular guidance device of a 2nd embodiment, ECU is a flow chart about processing which performs break guidance to a user of vehicles. In the vehicle guidance device of the modification of 2nd Embodiment, ECU is a flowchart regarding the process which performs a rest guidance to the user of a vehicle.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Position detector, 1A ... Geomagnetic sensor, 1B ... Gyroscope, 1C ... Distance sensor, 1D ... GPS receiver, 2 ... Map data storage, 3 ... Display, 4 ... Operation switch, 5 ... Remote control 6 ... Remote control sensor 7 ... Temperature measuring device 8 ... Communicator 9 ... ECU 10 ... Speaker 11 ... Internal timer 12 ... Memory

Claims (11)

A time measuring means for measuring an elapsed time since the vehicle started driving;
A location storage means for storing location information of the rest area;
Either one of the estimation means for estimating the travel route of the vehicle, or the setting means for setting the travel route of the vehicle;
When the vehicle travels along the travel route estimated by the estimation means or along the travel route set by the setting means, the time measurement means is preset from the time when the elapsed time measurement starts. A predicting means for predicting a travel point on the travel route or the travel route of the vehicle after the first set time has elapsed;
From the position information of the resting place stored in the position storing means, when no resting place is provided within a predetermined range from the travel point predicted by the predicting means, until the vehicle reaches the predetermined range A vehicular guidance device comprising guidance means for guiding a user to take a break at a resting place where he can stop by. The guiding means determines a resting place located on the travel route estimated by the estimating means or on the moving route set by the setting means based on the location information of the resting place stored in the position storing means. The vehicle guidance device according to claim 1, wherein the determined break place is guided. Providing a position detecting means for detecting a current position of the vehicle;
The vehicle guide device according to claim 2, wherein the guide means guides a rest area closest to the current position of the vehicle detected by the position detection means. A usage storage means is provided for storing the degree of ease of use of rest areas,
The vehicular guidance apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the guidance means guides a resting place where the degree of ease of use stored in the utilization degree storage means is larger than a predetermined degree. A traffic information acquisition unit for acquiring traffic information on the travel route estimated by the estimation unit or on the travel route set by the setting unit;
The prediction means determines that the traffic jam occurs on the travel route estimated by the estimation means from the traffic jam information acquired by the traffic jam information acquisition means or on the travel route set by the setting means. The vehicle guidance device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a point in front of the vehicle is predicted as the travel point. Position detecting means for detecting the current position of the vehicle;
A location storage means for storing location information of the rest area;
Either one of the estimation means for estimating the travel route of the vehicle, or the setting means for setting the travel route of the vehicle;
On the travel route estimated by the estimation means based on the current position of the vehicle detected by the position detection means and the position information of the resting place stored in the position storage means, or the movement set by the setting means Determining means for determining a rest area where the vehicle reaches next and a rest area where the vehicle reaches next on the route;
From the determination result of the determining means, after the vehicle departs from the next rest area, a predicting means for predicting the travel time until the vehicle reaches the next rest area;
A vehicle guidance device comprising: guidance means for guiding the user to take a break at the next arrival rest area when the traveling time predicted by the prediction means is equal to or longer than a second preset time set in advance. . A traffic information acquisition unit for acquiring traffic information on the travel route estimated by the estimation unit or on the travel route set by the setting unit;
The prediction means determines that the traffic jam occurs on the travel route estimated by the estimation means from the traffic jam information acquired by the traffic jam information acquisition means or on the travel route set by the setting means. The guidance device according to claim 6, wherein the traveling time is predicted to be longer than when no occurrence occurs. Position detecting means for detecting the current position of the vehicle;
A location storage means for storing location information of the rest area;
Either one of the estimation means for estimating the travel route of the vehicle, or the setting means for setting the travel route of the vehicle;
On the travel route estimated by the estimation means from the location information of the rest area stored in the position storage means or on the travel route set by the setting means, A determination means for determining the next resting place;
Distance acquisition means for acquiring a distance between the next resting place and the next resting place from the determination result of the determining means and the position information of the resting place stored in the position storing means; ,
A vehicular guidance device comprising: guidance means for guiding the user to take a break at the next arrival break when the distance acquired by the distance acquisition means is greater than or equal to a preset set distance. The vehicle guidance device according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the second set time is set to be shorter as the temperature in the vehicle interior of the vehicle becomes lower. The vehicle guidance device according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the second set time is set to be shorter as the temperature outside the vehicle becomes lower. 11. The first set time or the second set time is set shorter when the weather is rainy or cloudy than when the weather is sunny. The vehicle guidance apparatus as described.

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