JP2011232296A - Navigation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a navigation device capable of searching routes where a solar system can be efficiently utilized.SOLUTION: In a navigation device 1 capable of searching routes by inputting a destination, there is acquired a regional weather prediction information WD on regions where the route to the destination is supposed to be set, and there can be set an ecology route having a higher rate of fine weather based on the regional weather prediction information WD.

Description

  The present invention relates to a navigation device that searches for a route by inputting a destination.

  Conventionally, in a navigation system that searches for a route by inputting a destination, when a desired facility is searched and set as a destination, the user can select an appropriate facility and arrive at the searched facility. A navigation system that outputs weather information at an expected time is known. (For example, see Patent Document 1)

JP 2003-279359 A

By the way, it is desirable to select an appropriate route in order to increase the utilization of the solar system in vehicles equipped with the solar system, which have been increasing in recent years.
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a navigation device that can search for a route that can effectively use a solar system.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a navigation device that enables a route search by inputting a destination, obtains weather prediction information of a region where a route to the destination is assumed, and It is possible to set an ecology route that increases the clear sky rate based on the prediction information. For example, a vehicle with a solar system can select a route with a low environmental load, and even a vehicle without a solar system can select a safe route with good visibility and road surface conditions.
In addition, the present invention is characterized in that an assumed power generation amount up to the destination of the ecology route is calculated.
Further, the present invention is characterized in that the estimated power generation amount is calculated in consideration of time and season information of the area.

Further, the present invention calculates an assumed power generation amount up to the destination in the recommended route not considering the weather prediction information, and includes each of the estimated power generation amounts up to the destination in the ecology route and the recommended route. The route is displayed in a selectable manner.
Further, the present invention is characterized in that each route can be selected so as to include the travel distance to the destination in addition to the estimated power generation amount.
Further, the present invention is characterized in that an assumed power consumption amount up to the destination is calculated, and an ecological route in which a remaining amount of power increases based on the assumed power consumption amount and the assumed power generation amount can be set. .

According to the present invention, since the ecology route that increases the clear sky rate can be set based on the weather prediction information, it is possible to search for a route that increases the power generation amount of the solar system, that is, a route that can effectively use the solar system.
Further, since the assumed power generation amount up to the destination is calculated, it is possible to select a route by comparing the power generation amount.
In addition, since the assumed power generation amount up to the destination is calculated in consideration of the time and season information, the assumed power generation amount is a quantitative index with high prediction accuracy, and the route where the solar system power generation amount increases is quantitative and It can be accurately identified.

In addition to the ecology route, the recommended route that does not consider weather forecast information is searched, and the ecology route and the recommended route are displayed so that they can be selected including the estimated power generation amount and travel distance of each route. Can quickly and easily compare the solar system utilization and mileage of each route, and can select the route that meets the needs.
In addition, it is possible to set an ecological route that calculates the assumed power consumption to the destination and increases the remaining power based on the assumed power consumption and the assumed power generation amount, so the fuel consumption for power generation is reduced. The route can be selected.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the navigation apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement at the time of power generation amount priority route search and display. It is a figure which shows an example of the display mode of a display apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement at the time of electric power remaining amount priority route search.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a navigation device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The navigation device 1 includes a GPS receiver 2, a vehicle information acquisition device 3, an input device 4, an auxiliary processing device 5, an external information acquisition device 6, a recording device 7, a control device 8, and a display device 9. The guidance voice output device 10 includes a function of searching for a route from the current location to the destination when a destination is input. In the present embodiment, the navigation device 1 is mounted on a vehicle equipped with a solar system.

The GPS receiver 2 is a device that receives GPS radio waves from a GPS (Global Positioning System) satellite, detects the absolute coordinate position of the vehicle position, and outputs the absolute coordinate position to the control device 8.
And the navigation apparatus 1 acquires the positioning information (position, moving direction) of the vehicle at a predetermined time interval by the GPS receiver 2, and performs a map matching process for matching the position of the vehicle to the position on the map. Identify the current position of the vehicle on the map. As a result, the position of the vehicle can be displayed together with the surrounding map, the route from the current location to the destination can be searched, and the route guidance to the destination can be performed.

  The vehicle information acquisition device 3 includes a vehicle speed sensor and a parking brake sensor, and receives a vehicle speed pulse signal that is a pulse signal proportional to the vehicle speed and a parking brake signal that is a signal indicating whether or not the parking brake is activated. 5 is output.

  The input device 4 is a device that outputs a signal corresponding to a user operation such as destination input to the auxiliary processing device 5. The input device 4 is composed of a touch panel provided on the display screen 13 to be described later, a remote controller, or the like. When the touch panel is operated by the user, the input device 4 performs auxiliary processing on a signal including information on coordinates of the operated position. Output to the device 5. Further, when an operation element of the remote controller is operated, a signal corresponding to the operated operation element is output to the auxiliary processing device 5.

The auxiliary processing device 5 detects the vehicle speed based on the vehicle speed pulse signal input from the vehicle information acquisition device 3, and determines whether the vehicle is running or stopped based on the vehicle speed pulse signal and the parking brake signal. And the detection results are output to the control device 8.
Further, the auxiliary processing device 5 detects a user operation based on a signal from the input device 4 and outputs a detection result to the control device 8.

  The external information acquisition device 6 is, for example, a mobile phone connected to the navigation device 1 and communicates with an external information server S outside the vehicle to store data stored in the external information server S, particularly weather forecast information WD described later. Obtain and output to the control device 8. The external information acquisition device 6 may be formed integrally with the navigation device 1, a mobile computer such as a notebook computer or PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) that can be connected to or disconnected from the navigation device 1, a PHS ( Personal Handy-phone System) or the like.

The recording device 7 includes a hard disk device and the like, and has a large capacity such as a map database MD having map information and route search information, weather forecast information WD acquired from the external information server S, and a generated power database ED. Is stored in a rewritable manner.
The map database MD is a map for navigation (map data), such as map image data for display, road data used for route search, etc., location information of each point on the map, city name assigned to each point, It includes address information such as street addresses, facility information related to facilities at each point, and the like. This facility information includes information for identifying the facility such as the official name, abbreviation, address, telephone number, and position on the map of each facility. In addition, the map database MD includes information on the boundary lines of the divided areas of the weather prediction information WD accumulated in the external information server S, and road weather prediction information MDW for each road that is rewritten each time the route is searched. .

  The weather prediction information WD is the weather prediction data of each divided area divided by a predetermined boundary line, which is acquired from the external information server S by the external information acquisition device 6, for example, every 10 minutes in “Western Kanagawa” Including the predicted clear sky rate. The clear sky rate in the present embodiment is the ratio of “sunny” time per predetermined time.

The generated power database ED is a database for calculating an assumed power generation amount which will be described later, and includes generated power predicted values corresponding to the season, time, and clear sky rate. For example, at the time from 10:00 am to 11:00 am in spring (March, April, May), if the clear sky rate is 80% or more and less than 90%, the generated power is stored as 1 kW / h. Yes.
The assumed power generation amount in the present embodiment is a predicted value of the amount of power generated by the solar system mounted on the vehicle when the vehicle travels on a certain route. Note that a plurality of generated power databases ED may be stored so that the user can easily change the generated power database ED according to the specifications of the solar system mounted on the vehicle.

  The control device 8 includes a CPU 11 as a program execution means, a ROM (not shown) for storing a program, a RAM 12 used as a work area during program execution, and other peripheral circuits. Control. Various functions of the navigation device 1 are realized by the control device 8 executing various programs to control each part of the navigation device 1.

The control device 8 calculates the positioning information (position, moving direction, speed) of the vehicle based on the information obtained from the GPS receiver 2 or the like, the map matching process described above, and the calculation for route search and route guidance. Execute processing etc. Further, the control device 8 executes arithmetic processing for performing control according to the user's operation based on information input from the auxiliary processing device 5.
In addition, the control device 8 includes an RTC (real time clock) that measures the current time, and appropriately acquires the time measured by the RTC. Since power is always supplied to the RTC even when the ACC power is off, the RTC does not stop even when the engine is stopped.
Further, when the destination and the search condition are input on the route search screen, the control device 8 is based on the current time measured by the RTC, the map database MD stored in the recording device 7, and the vehicle positioning information described above. Thus, a plurality of recommended routes R that match the search conditions are searched. Further, the travel distance on the searched route and the estimated arrival time at the destination are calculated.

Further, the control device 8 acquires the weather forecast information WD of each division area from the external information server S via the external information acquisition device 6 and stores it in the recording device 7 and is included in the map database MD of the recording device 7. After rewriting the road weather prediction information MDW, it is possible to search for a route with a high clear sky rate.
In addition, the control device 8 is based on the current time, the map database MD, and the positioning information of the vehicle, and is scheduled to enter and to escape to a segmented area of the weather prediction information WD through which a certain route passes, for example, “Western Kanagawa” It is possible to calculate the time, and furthermore, based on the weather prediction information WD, the scheduled approach time, the scheduled exit time, and the generated power database ED stored in the recording device 7, power is generated in the segmented area. Can be calculated (hereinafter referred to as a predicted power generation amount). Then, it is possible to calculate the assumed power generation amount when the route is traveled based on the predicted power generation amount value, the current time, and the estimated arrival time in each divided area. Thereby, the control apparatus 8 can specify the power generation amount priority route E1 (ecology route) having the maximum assumed power generation amount.
Furthermore, the control device 8 can calculate an assumed power consumption, which is a predicted value of the power consumption when the route travels from the current location to the destination for a route based on the map database MD or the like. it can. Based on the assumed power consumption and the above-described assumed power generation amount, the control device 8 can specify the remaining power priority route (ecology route) having the maximum predicted value of the remaining power.

The display device 9 includes a display screen 13 composed of a liquid crystal panel or the like, and specifies a menu screen for specifying basic operations, a route search screen for route search, a destination, and the like, under the control of the control device 8. The navigation operation screen to be displayed is displayed on the display screen 13.
The guided audio output device 10 includes a D / A converter, an amplifier, a speaker, and the like (each not shown), and converts audio data input from the control device 8 into an analog audio signal according to the control of the control device 8. Is output from the speaker.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the navigation device 1 when searching and displaying the power generation priority route E1.
First, the user operates the input device 4 to set a search condition that does not consider the weather, and then inputs a destination (step SA1). Search conditions that do not consider the weather are, for example, “high speed priority” and “congestion statistics priority”.
When the destination is input, the control device 8 performs a temporary route search from the current location to the destination, identifies a plurality of route candidates, and sets a route to the divided area through which the plurality of route candidates pass, that is, the destination. Identify all possible segmented areas. The condition for the temporary route search is, for example, “standard”, and the specification of a plurality of route candidates is to specify, for example, 20 route candidates in descending order of matching degree with the “standard” condition.
The control device 8 then predicts the weather in each of the divided areas where the route setting from the external information server S to the destination is assumed via the external information acquisition device 6 (mobile phone) connected to the navigation device 1. Information WD is acquired (step SA2), stored in the recording device 7, and road weather prediction information MDW included in the map database MD of the recording device 7 is rewritten.
Subsequently, the control device 8 searches for a plurality of routes with a high clear sky rate based on the rewritten map database MD and the like. Specifically, for example, 10 routes are searched in descending order of the fine weather rate. At the same time, a recommended route is searched for under the search condition not considering the weather selected in step SA1 (step SA3).

Subsequently, the control device 8 calculates the estimated power generation amount of each searched route (step SA4). Specifically, first, the control device 8 specifies the segment area through which each route passes and the entry / exit time to each segment area based on the current time, the map database MD, and the positioning information of the vehicle. . Next, based on the entry / exit times to each divided area, the weather prediction information WD of each divided area, and the generated power database ED, the generated power generation predicted value in each divided area is calculated. Then, the estimated power generation amount of each route is calculated based on the predicted power generation amount value in each divided area.
Then, the control device 8 specifies the power generation amount priority route E1 having the maximum assumed power generation amount in each route based on the assumed power generation amount.
Thereafter, the control device 8 controls the display device 9, and on the map displayed on the display screen 13, the power generation priority route E1 (ecology route) and the high speed priority with the highest degree of match with the “high speed priority” condition. The congestion statistics priority route R2 (recommended route) having the highest degree of matching with the route R1 and the “congestion statistics priority” condition is displayed together with the respective estimated power generation amount and travel distance (step SA5), and the process is terminated.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the display screen 13 in step SA5.
As shown in FIG. 3, in the present embodiment, on one side of the display screen 13, a high speed priority route R1, a traffic jam statistics priority route R2, and a power generation amount priority route E1 are displayed on a map. For example, the high-speed priority route R1 is indicated by a broken line, the traffic jam statistics priority route R2 is indicated by a two-dot chain line, and the power generation amount priority route E1 is indicated by a one-dot chain line.
Then, on the opposite side of the display screen 13, the travel distance of each route and the estimated power generation amount are displayed for each route. By this display, the travel distance becomes longer in the order of the high speed priority route R1, the traffic jam statistics priority route R2, and the power generation amount priority route E1, and the assumed power generation amount is the power generation amount priority route E1, the traffic jam statistics priority route R2, the high speed It is recognized quickly and easily that it decreases in order of the priority route R1. In the vicinity of the outer edge of the display screen 13, in order to make it easy to understand the quantitative meaning of the assumed power generation amount, for example, 1 kW / h is the power consumption when the auto air conditioner is set at 26 ° C. and operated for 30 minutes. The indication that there is is displayed.

According to the present embodiment, the control device 8 obtains the weather prediction information WD of the divided area where the route to the destination is assumed, and after rewriting the road weather prediction information MDW included in the map database MD, At the same time as the route search under the search conditions that do not consider the weather, the route with a high clear sky rate is searched, so in addition to the route with a high degree of coincidence with the conditions desired by the user, the route where the power generation amount of the solar system increases, that is, solar You can search for routes that can make effective use of the system. In addition, it is possible to search for a route that has good visibility and road surface conditions and can reduce user fatigue.
Moreover, in this embodiment, since the assumed power generation amount of each route is calculated, it becomes possible to select a route by comparing the power generation amount. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the estimated power generation amount of each route is calculated in consideration of time and season information, so the assumed power generation amount becomes a quantitative index with high prediction accuracy and the power generation amount that maximizes the power generation amount of the solar system. The quantity priority route E1 can be identified quantitatively and accurately, and a route that can make maximum use of the solar system can be searched.

In the present embodiment, the control device 8 causes the display screen 13 to display the power generation amount priority route E1, the high speed priority route R1, and the traffic jam statistics priority route R2 on the map, and the travel distance and the assumed power generation amount of each route. Are displayed so that they can be selected simultaneously.
In this case, since the display of the travel distance and the assumed power generation amount serves as a reference for quantitative comparison of the routes, the user can quickly and accurately display the position, the travel distance, and the assumed power generation amount of each route on the map. In addition to being able to easily recognize, it is possible to easily compare the solar system utilization and travel distance in each route, and to select a route that meets the desired conditions.
Furthermore, in this embodiment, since a guideline is displayed near the outer edge of the display screen 13 to make it easier to understand the quantitative meaning of the power generation amount, the user can more specifically recognize the utilization level of the solar system. Can do.

Another embodiment will be described below.
In the configuration of the navigation device 1 according to another embodiment, the same parts as those in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the navigation device 1 when searching for a remaining power priority route.
First, the user operates the input device 4 to input a destination (step SB1).
Next, the control device 8 performs a temporary route search from the current location to the destination to identify a plurality of route candidates, and a segmented region through which the plurality of route candidates pass, that is, a segmented region in which route setting to the destination is assumed. Identify all. The condition of the temporary route search is, for example, “standard”, and the specification of a plurality of route candidates is to specify, for example, 20 route candidates in descending order of matching with “standard”.
The control device 8 then predicts the weather in each of the divided areas where the route setting from the external information server S to the destination is assumed via the external information acquisition device 6 (mobile phone) connected to the navigation device 1. Information WD is acquired (step SB2), stored in the recording device 7, and road weather prediction information MDW included in the map database MD of the recording device 7 is rewritten.
Subsequently, the control device 8 searches for a plurality of routes with a high clear sky rate based on the map database MD or the like (step SB3). Specifically, the control device 8 searches for ten routes in descending order of, for example, the fine weather rate.

Further, the control device 8 calculates an assumed power generation amount for each route (step SB4). Specifically, first, the control device 8 specifies the segment area through which each route passes and the entry / exit time to each segment area based on the current time, the map database MD, and the positioning information of the vehicle. . Next, based on the entry / exit times to each divided area, the weather prediction information WD of each divided area, and the generated power database ED, the generated power generation predicted value in each divided area is calculated. Then, the estimated power generation amount for each route is calculated based on the predicted power generation amount value in each segment area, the current time, and the estimated arrival time.
In addition, the control device 8 calculates the assumed power consumption of each route based on the map database MD and the like. (Step SB5).
After that, the control device 8 calculates the remaining power when the destination is reached for each route based on the estimated power generation calculated in step SB4 and the estimated power consumption calculated in step SB5. A plurality of power remaining amount priority routes (ecology routes) to be increased are selected (step SB6), and the process is terminated.

  According to this embodiment, the control device 8 acquires the weather prediction information WD of the divided areas where the route to the destination is assumed, and the route with a high clear sky rate based on the weather prediction information WD of each divided area. And calculate the estimated power generation amount for each route in consideration of time and season information, calculate the estimated power consumption to the destination of each route, and based on the estimated power generation amount and the assumed power consumption amount Since a remaining power priority route (ecology route) that increases the remaining power when reaching the destination is selected, it is possible to select a route that consumes less fuel for power generation when traveling from the current location to the destination. Further, in a plug-in hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle, a route that reduces the frequency of charging can be selected.

In addition, the said embodiment is 1 aspect of this invention, Of course, it can change suitably in the range which does not deviate from the meaning of this invention. In the above embodiment, an example in which the navigation device 1 is mounted on a vehicle equipped with a solar system has been described. However, the navigation device 1 may be mounted on a vehicle that is not equipped with a solar system. Even when it is installed in a vehicle that is not equipped with a solar system, it is possible to present a route that improves visibility and road surface conditions and reduces user fatigue.
Further, in the above embodiment, the control device 8 searches for a plurality of routes with a high clear sky rate, calculates the assumed power generation amount of each route, and displays one power generation with the maximum assumed power generation amount on the display screen 13. Although the example which displays the amount priority route E1 was demonstrated, for example, you may display all the some routes searched so that the fine weather rate may become high, and select and display some routes in order with high assumed power generation amount. May be. In this way, the user can select the route that matches the hope by comparing the clear sky rate, the assumed power generation amount, and the travel distance from a plurality of routes having a relatively high clear sky rate.
Further, in the above embodiment, the assumed power generation amount is calculated in consideration of the time and season information of each divided area. However, the assumed power generation amount may be calculated without considering the time and season information. That is, in the above embodiment, the generated power database ED used for calculating the assumed power generation amount is a database related to the generated power according to the season, time, and clear sky rate, but the generated power database ED is generated power only according to the clear sky rate. May be a database.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Navigation apparatus 2 GPS receiver 4 Input apparatus 6 External information acquisition apparatus 7 Recording apparatus 8 Control apparatus 9 Display apparatus E1 Power generation amount priority route (ecology route)
R1 high speed priority route (recommended route)
R2 Traffic congestion priority route (recommended route)
13 Display screen S External information server WD Weather forecast information

Claims (6)

In a navigation device that enables a route search by inputting a destination,
A navigation device characterized in that weather forecast information of a region where a route to the destination is assumed is acquired, and an ecological route with a high clear sky rate can be set based on the weather forecast information.   The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein an assumed power generation amount to the destination of the ecology route is calculated.   The navigation apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the estimated power generation amount is calculated in consideration of time and season information of the area.   Calculates the expected power generation amount to the destination on the recommended route not considering the weather forecast information, and displays each route selectable including the estimated power generation amount to the destination on the ecology route and the recommended route. The navigation device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein   The navigation device according to claim 4, wherein each route is displayed so as to be selectable including a travel distance to the destination in addition to the assumed power generation amount.   The estimated power consumption to the destination is calculated, and an ecological route that increases the remaining amount of power based on the assumed power consumption and the assumed power generation amount can be set. The navigation device described.

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