JP2012002535A - Vehicular route guidance apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicular route guidance apparatus capable of performing appropriate route guidance even in the case streets are not congested.SOLUTION: A vehicular route guidance apparatus includes a car navigation system 100 equipped on a vehicle and a center side device 310 provided in a center 300 at the outside of the vehicle. A controller 10 of the car navigation system 100 searches recommended routes, determines an intersection which requests weighting information from the recommended routes, and requests the weighting information from the center side device 310 (S30-S32). Then, if receiving the weighting information including a weighted value based on transit time when the vehicle actually turns right or left at the intersection, the controller 10 re-searches a route in consideration of the received weighting information and starts route guidance (S33-S35).

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicular route guidance apparatus that provides guidance related to a route.

  Conventionally, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, there has been a vehicle route guidance device for guiding a recommended route from a current position of a vehicle to a destination.

  This vehicle route guidance device uses the information stored in the road data storage means to predict a road that is in a traffic jam on the recommended route searched by the route search means when it falls into a traffic jam. Traffic congestion prediction means, traffic congestion detection means that detects the presence or absence of traffic congestion based on the driving state of the vehicle, such as travel speed, braking, gear change, acceleration / deceleration, etc. Route search means for searching for a recommended route to the destination that avoids the traffic jam is provided.

JP-A-6-208699

  As described above, the vehicle route guidance apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes route search means for weighting roads that are congested and searching for a recommended route to a destination that avoids the traffic jams. Can guide the recommended route to the destination that avoids traffic jam.

  However, it is not possible to determine whether it is easy to make a right or left turn at an intersection based only on the traffic congestion situation on the road. That is, it cannot be determined how much time it takes to make a right or left turn.

  For example, when making a right turn at an intersection, there is no traffic jam, but there are cases where it is difficult to turn right (it takes time) due to the fact that there are many oncoming lanes. Also, when turning right or left at an intersection, there is no traffic jam, but it may be difficult to turn left (it takes time) due to many pedestrians crossing the pedestrian crossing.

  Therefore, the vehicle route search device does not take into account the time it takes to make a right or left turn at an intersection (difficulty of making a right or left turn), so select a route for making a right or left turn at the intersection as described above. Therefore, there is a possibility that appropriate guidance regarding the route cannot be performed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicular route guidance device capable of providing appropriate guidance regarding a route even when there is no traffic jam.

In order to achieve the above object, a vehicle route guidance apparatus according to claim 1,
Map information acquisition means for acquiring map information including at least information on roads and information on intersections;
A transit time measuring means for measuring the transit time required for the vehicle to turn right or left at the intersection;
Weight value calculating means for calculating a weight value indicating ease of right or left turn at the intersection to be measured based on the passing time measured by the passing time measuring means;
Information on the intersection where the vehicle turns right or left, information on the approach road to the intersection that passed when the vehicle turns right or left, intersection information including information indicating whether the vehicle has turned right or left, and the vehicle turns right or left at the intersection Weighting information storage means for storing weighting information in association with a weight value calculated based on the passing time required to make a left turn;
Providing means for providing information relating to a route based on the weighting information using map information obtained by the map information obtaining means provided in the vehicle.

  In this way, weighting information including weight values calculated based on the passing time required when the vehicle actually turns right or left at the intersection is stored, and information on a route based on the weighting information is provided. Even when there is no traffic jam, it is possible to provide appropriate guidance regarding the route.

Further, as shown in claim 2, including a vehicle-side device mounted on the vehicle and a center-side device provided in a center outside the vehicle, the vehicle-side device and the center-side device can communicate with each other,
The vehicle side device includes a map information acquisition unit, a passage time measurement unit, a vehicle side transmission unit that transmits the intersection information and the passage time to the center side device, and a vehicle side that receives information transmitted from the center side device. Receiving means,
The center side device includes weight value calculation means, weight information storage means, center side reception means for receiving the intersection information and transit time transmitted from the vehicle side transmission means, and weight information stored in the weight information storage means. Alternatively, a center-side transmission unit that transmits information on a route based on the weighting information to the vehicle-side device may be provided.

  By doing in this way, the weighting information based on the information collected from many vehicles with the center side apparatus can be memorize | stored. Also, the center side device transmits this weighting information or information on the route based on this weighting information to the vehicle side device, so that the vehicle side device is based on the weighting information or weighting information of the intersection where the host vehicle passes for the first time. Information about the route can be acquired. Further, the vehicle side device does not need to calculate the weight value.

Further, as shown in claim 3, including a vehicle side device mounted on the vehicle and a center side device provided in a center outside the vehicle, the vehicle side device and the center side device are communicable,
The vehicle side device includes map information acquisition means, transit time measurement means, weight value calculation means, vehicle side transmission means for transmitting intersection information and weight values to the center side device, and information transmitted from the center side device. Vehicle-side receiving means for receiving,
The center side device includes weight information storage means, center side reception means for receiving intersection information and weight values transmitted from the vehicle side transmission means, weight information stored in the weight information storage means, or based on this weight information. Center-side transmission means for transmitting information relating to the route to the vehicle-side device.

  By doing in this way, the weighting information based on the information collected from many vehicles with the center side apparatus can be memorize | stored. In addition, the center side device transmits weighting information or information related to the route based on the weighting information to the vehicle side device, so that the vehicle side device uses the weighting information on the intersection where the host vehicle passes for the first time or the route based on the weighting information. Information about can be obtained. Further, the center side device does not need to calculate a weight value.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the vehicle-side device and the center include a vehicle-side device mounted on the vehicle, a center-side device provided at the center outside the vehicle, and an intersection monitoring device provided around the intersection. The side device, the center side device and the intersection monitoring device can communicate with each other.
The intersection monitoring device includes a passing time measuring unit, and a monitoring device side transmitting unit that transmits the intersection information and the passing time at the intersection to be monitored to the center side device,
The center side device includes weight value calculation means, weight information storage means, center side reception means for receiving the intersection information and transit time transmitted from the monitoring apparatus side transmission means, and weight information stored in the weight information storage means. Or center side transmission means for transmitting information on the route based on this weighting information to the vehicle side device;
The vehicle-side device may include map information acquisition means and vehicle-side reception means that receives weighting information transmitted from the center-side device or information on a route based on the weighting information.

  By doing in this way, the weight information based on the information which many vehicles actually drive | worked in many intersections by the center side apparatus can be memorize | stored. In addition, the center side device transmits weighting information or information related to the route based on the weighting information to the vehicle side device, so that the vehicle side device uses the weighting information on the intersection where the host vehicle passes for the first time or the route based on the weighting information. Information about can be obtained.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the map information acquisition means, the transit time measurement means, the weight value calculation means, and the weight information storage means may be provided in a vehicle side device mounted on the vehicle.

  By doing in this way, even if it is a case where it is only the vehicle side apparatus mounted in a vehicle and there is no traffic jam, the appropriate guidance regarding a route can be performed.

  In addition, the ease of turning right or left at the intersection varies depending on the lighting time of the green light at the traffic light even if the passing time is the same. Therefore, as shown in claim 6, the weight value calculating means passes when the vehicle turns right or left when the vehicle measured by the passing time measuring means turns right or left at the intersection. You may make it calculate the value divided by the lighting time of the green light at least of the traffic light with respect to the approach road to an intersection as a weight value.

  By doing in this way, since it can be set as the weight value according to the lighting time of the green signal in a traffic light, it is preferable.

  In the case where the passing time is measured by the intersection monitoring device provided around the intersection, the number of vehicles entering / exiting the intersection per unit time increases in proportion to the number of lanes. Therefore, as shown in claim 7, the weight value calculation means passes when the vehicle turns right or left when passing by the vehicle measured by the passage time measurement means to turn right or left at the intersection. It is preferable to calculate as a weight value a value obtained by dividing the value obtained by dividing at least the green light lighting time of the traffic light for the approach road to the intersection by the number of right turn lanes or the number of left turn lanes on the approach road to the intersection.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, the vehicle includes a direction indicator information acquisition unit that acquires lighting information indicating that the vehicle direction indicator is turned on and light extinction information indicating that the vehicle direction indicator is turned off. You may make it measure the elapsed time after acquiring information until it acquires light extinction information as passage time.

  By doing in this way, the time from when the driver tries to turn right or left to when the right or left turn is completed can be measured as the elapsed time.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided position information acquisition means for acquiring position information relating to the position of the vehicle, and the providing means provides a recommended route from the departure place to the destination, and the transit time measuring means Is provided in the vehicle, and when the vehicle position indicated by the position information reaches a predetermined distance before the intersection indicating a right turn or a left turn on the recommended route, the vehicle position passes the intersection and is separated by a predetermined distance. You may make it measure the elapsed time until time as a passage time.

  By doing in this way, the transit time required for the vehicle to turn right or left at the intersection can be measured only by information that a general route guidance apparatus has.

  As information indicating whether the vehicle has made a right turn or a left turn included in the weighting information, information indicating a right turn or information indicating a left turn can be used. Information regarding the exit road from the intersection that passed when the vehicle made a right or left turn may be used.

  For example, in the case of a five-way road, a plurality of right turn routes or left turn routes may exist for one approach road. That is, when entering the intersection from one approach road and making a right turn or left turn, there may be a plurality of exit roads in the right turn direction or a plurality of exit roads in the left turn direction. In such a plurality of exit roads, the ease of making a right turn or the ease of making a left turn may not change much regardless of which exit road is traveled. Therefore, information indicating that the vehicle has made a right turn or information indicating that the vehicle has made a left turn may be used.

  However, as shown in claim 10, when information on exit roads from intersections that passed when the vehicle turns right or left is used, even if there are a plurality of exit roads as described above, the weighting information Indicates which exit road it corresponds to.

  In addition, the degree of congestion may vary depending on the date even at the same intersection. For example, there is an intersection where the winter season (conversely, summer season) is congested, but the summer season (conversely, winter season) is crowded. Accordingly, as shown in claim 11, the information processing device includes date information acquisition means for acquiring date information indicating a date, and the weighting information storage means, in addition to the intersection information and the weight value calculated based on the passage time, Weighting information associated with date information indicating the date when the passage time is measured is stored, and the providing means provides information on the route based on the weighting information associated with the date information acquired by the date information acquiring means You may make it do.

  By doing in this way, the information regarding the path | route based on the weighting information suitable for the date can be provided.

  In addition, even at the same intersection, the degree of congestion may vary depending on the time zone. For example, there are intersections where traffic is crowded, such as school hours and commuting hours, but congestion is eliminated in other times. Therefore, as shown in claim 12, the information processing device includes time information acquisition means for acquiring time information indicating time, and the weighting information storage means, in addition to the intersection information and the weight value calculated based on the passage time, Weighting information associated with time information related to the time when the passage time is measured is stored, and the providing means provides information related to the route based on the weighting information associated with the time information acquired by the time information acquiring means. You may do it.

  By doing in this way, the information regarding the path | route based on the weighting information suitable for the time slot | zone can be provided.

  Also, the degree of congestion may vary depending on the day of the week even at the same intersection. For example, there is an intersection where congestion occurs on weekdays (Monday to Friday) but congestion is eliminated on holidays (Saturday and Sunday). Therefore, as shown in claim 13, the information processing device includes day information acquisition means for acquiring day information indicating the day of the week, and the weighting information storage means, in addition to the intersection information and the weight value calculated based on the passage time, Weighting information associated with day information relating to the day of the week when the passage time is measured is stored, and the providing means provides information related to the route based on the weighting information associated with the day of the week information acquired by the day of the week information acquiring means. You may do it.

  By doing in this way, the information regarding the route based on the weighting information corresponding to the day of the week can be provided.

  Also, the degree of congestion may vary depending on the weather even at the same intersection. For example, there are intersections that are crowded on rainy days and snowy days, but on sunny days and cloudy days the congestion is eliminated. Therefore, as shown in claim 14, weather information acquisition means for acquiring weather information relating to the weather is provided, and the weighting information storage means includes the passage information in addition to the intersection information and the weight value calculated based on the passage time. Weighting information associated with weather information relating to the weather when the time is measured is stored, and the providing means provides information related to the route based on the weighting information associated with the weather information acquired by the weather information acquiring means It may be.

  By doing in this way, the information regarding the path | route based on the weighting information according to the weather can be provided.

  In addition, the degree of congestion may vary depending on the presence or absence of events at nearby event venues even at the same intersection. Then, as shown in claim 15, the event information acquisition means for acquiring event information related to the holding of the event is provided, the weighting information storage means includes the intersection information, the weight value calculated based on the passing time and the lighting time, In addition, the weighting information associated with the event information when the transit time is measured is stored, and the providing means stores information related to the route based on the weighting information associated with the event information acquired by the event information acquiring means. You may make it provide.

  By doing in this way, the information regarding the path | route based on the weighting information which suited the holding condition of the event can be provided.

  According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, the providing means may provide a recommended route searched for in consideration of the weight value to the driver of the vehicle as information relating to the route based on the weighting information.

  In this way, it is possible to provide an appropriate recommended route that avoids an intersection that takes a long time to turn right or left.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, the providing means may provide the vehicle driver with an intersection whose weight value exceeds a predetermined value as information relating to the route based on the weighting information.

  Thus, at an intersection where the weight value exceeds a predetermined value, that is, an intersection where it is difficult to make a right turn or a left turn extremely, the driver may make an unreasonable right turn or left turn. Therefore, it is possible to call attention by providing the vehicle driver with an intersection whose weight value exceeds a predetermined value in advance.

It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the route guidance apparatus for vehicles in embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the information collection process operation | movement of the car navigation apparatus in embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the weighting information generation processing operation | movement of the center side apparatus in embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the route guidance process operation | movement of the car navigation apparatus in embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the transmission processing operation | movement of the center side apparatus in embodiment of this invention. It is an image figure which shows the right turn pattern of the vehicle in an intersection (crossroad). It is an image figure which shows the right turn pattern of the vehicle in an intersection (five-way intersection). It is an image figure which shows the example of a right turn of a vehicle. (A) is an image figure which shows the example of the right turn of the vehicle in the case of one right turn lane, (B) is an image figure which shows the example of the right turn of the vehicle in the case of two right turn lanes. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the route guidance apparatus for vehicles in a modification.

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

  As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle route guidance apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a car navigation apparatus 100 (corresponding to a vehicle-side apparatus of the present invention) mounted on a vehicle, and a center 300 provided outside the vehicle. Is.

  A car navigation device (hereinafter also referred to as car navigation) 100 includes a position detector 1, a map data input device 6, an operation switch group 7, an external memory 8, a display device 9, a remote control sensor 11, a VICS communication device 13, a communication module 14, The vehicle-mounted camera 15 and the control device 10 to which these are connected are provided. The control device 10 is also connected to a winker control device 20 that controls turning on and off of a winker (direction indicator) provided in the vehicle.

  The control device 10 is configured as a known computer, and includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an I / O, and a bus line for connecting these configurations. For example, the control device 10 searches for a guidance route (recommended route), determines whether or not the intersection has made a right or left turn (right / left turn detection means), and measures a passing time at an intersection that has made a right or left turn (passing time measurement means). ) Processing for displaying information on the route on the display device 9 based on the intersection weighting information (hereinafter also simply referred to as weighting information) received from the center side device 310 using the map data acquired from the map data input device 6 ( Providing means) and the like. Of these processes, the features of the present invention will be described in detail later. In addition, the measurement of the passage time of the intersection which turned right or left can be made by providing the control apparatus 10 with a timer or the like.

  The position detector 1 detects the position of the vehicle and outputs position information related to the position to the control device 10, all of which are from the surrounding geomagnetic sensor 2, gyroscope 3, distance sensor 4, and satellite. It has a GPS receiver 5 for GPS (Global Positioning System) that detects the position of the vehicle based on radio waves. Since these sensors 2, 3, 4, and 5 have errors of different properties, they are configured to be used while being complemented by a plurality of sensors. Depending on the accuracy, a part of the above may be used, and further, a steering rotation sensor, a vehicle sensor for each rolling wheel, or the like may be used.

  The map data input unit 6 is a device for inputting various data including so-called map matching data for improving the accuracy of position detection, map data (map information), and landmark data (marker information). Further, as map data, data relating to an intersection including information identifying an intersection (for example, node ID) (information relating to an intersection), data relating to a road including information identifying a road (such as a link ID) (information relating to a road) ). As the medium, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, a memory card, a hard disk drive, or the like can be used, and is not particularly limited. That is, the control apparatus 10 acquires various data from this map data input part 6 (map information acquisition means).

  The operation switch group 7 may employ, for example, a touch switch configured integrally with a display device 9 to be described later and installed on a display screen, a push-type hard switch provided around the display screen of the display device 9, and the like. Can be used for various inputs. For example, various information such as departure point information including the position information of the departure point and destination information including the position information of the destination by the user's operation, and a guide route from the departure point (for example, current position) to the destination This is for inputting an operation signal associated with a function executed by the navigation device 100 such as a (recommended route) search instruction to the control device 10.

  A remote control sensor 11 and a remote control terminal (described below and described as an operation remote controller in FIG. 1) 12 are remote operation devices having functions equivalent to the operation switch group 7. When receiving the infrared signal transmitted from the operation remote controller 12, the remote control sensor 11 generates an operation signal by converting the infrared signal into an electric signal, and inputs the operation signal to the control device 10.

  As the input device, in addition to the operation switch group 7 and the remote control sensor 11 (operation remote control 12), a joystick that can operate the cursor displayed on the display screen of the display device 9 in multiple directions is adopted. be able to. Moreover, as an input device, you may make it provide only at least one of the operation switch group 7 and the remote control sensor 11 (operation remote control 12).

  The external memory 8 is used for storing data and the like handled in the control device 10 as necessary, and can store, for example, weighting information described later. The external memory 5 can be composed of a nonvolatile storage medium capable of writing and reading data, for example.

  As the display device 9, for example, a color liquid crystal display device provided on an instrument panel or the like can be adopted. On the screen of the display device 9, a vehicle mark indicating the current position of the vehicle detected by the position detector 1, map data acquired from the map data input device 6, and additional data such as a guide route to be further displayed on the map And can be displayed overlapping.

  The VICS communication device 13 is a communication device that receives traffic jam information and regulation information provided from a VICS (Vehicle Information and Communication Systems (registered trademark)) center 200. The received traffic jam information and regulation information can be displayed superimposed on the map displayed on the display device 9. However, the present invention can achieve the object even if the VICS communication device 13 and the VICS center 200 are not provided.

  The communication module 14 performs communication (wireless communication) with the center 300 via an external communication network such as the Internet network, and will be described later based on support from the control device 10. Information is transmitted to the center 300 (vehicle-side transmission means), and weighting information to be described later is received from the center 300 (vehicle-side reception means), and the received weighting information is output to the control device 10. In other words, the communication module 14 has information on the intersection at which the vehicle turns right or left, information on the approach road to this intersection that has passed when this vehicle turns right or left, and this information that has passed when this vehicle turns right or left Intersection information including information on the exit road from the intersection, the transit time it took for this vehicle to turn right or left at this intersection, and the traffic lights for the approach road to this intersection that passed when this vehicle turned right or left Are transmitted to the center 300 in association with at least the lighting time of the green light. It should be noted that the center 300 transmits passage time, lighting time, and intersection information from a large number of vehicles. In addition, the passage time, lighting time, and intersection information can be paraphrased as probe information.

  The in-vehicle camera 15 can employ a CCD camera or the like that includes an image sensor such as a CCD. For example, it is mounted in the vicinity of a room mirror installed in the vehicle interior. This in-vehicle camera 15 images a traffic light in front of the vehicle. More specifically, a traffic light is imaged for a lane in front of the vehicle where the vehicle is traveling. This is provided in order to acquire the lighting time when the green light of the traffic light is lit (the lighting time when the green light is lit). The control apparatus 10 acquires the lighting time of the green light in the traffic light by determining the color of the traffic light from the traffic light image captured by the in-vehicle camera 15. In addition, in a traffic light in which a right turn or left turn arrow type traffic light is installed, the time during which the right turn or left turn arrow is displayed is also included in the lighting time of the green light.

  In the present embodiment, the time (lighting time) during which the green light of the traffic light is lit is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. One cycle lighting time of the traffic light can also be adopted. For example, one cycle time of red, blue (green), and yellow, one cycle time of red, red and yellow, blue (green), and yellow can be employed. In this case, the absolute value of the weight value, which will be described later, is smaller than when the lighting time of the green light is adopted, but the intersection having a relatively large weight value indicates that the intersection is more difficult to turn right or left. Can do.

  In the present embodiment, the vehicle-mounted camera 15 will be described as means for acquiring the lighting time of the green light and the time of one cycle in the traffic light, but the present invention is not limited to this. This lighting time (green signal lighting time or one cycle lighting time) may be acquired via the communication module 14 from a control center or a police in charge having central control of the signal timing, You may acquire via the communication module 14 from the roadside machine installed in the periphery.

  Further, the lighting time acquired from the control center or the police in charge through the communication module 14 in this way may be stored in the external memory 8 of the car navigation system 100. In this case, the control device 10 acquires the lighting time from the external memory 8. As described above, when the lighting time of the green light and the time of one cycle in the traffic light are obtained via the communication module 14, the object of the present invention can be achieved without providing the in-vehicle camera 15.

  The turn signal control device 20 controls turning on (flashing) and turning off of a turn signal (direction indicator) provided in the vehicle. Further, the winker control device 20 outputs lighting information indicating that the winker is lit (flashing) and extinguishing information indicating that the winker is extinguished to the control device 10. That is, the control device 10 acquires lighting information and extinguishing information from the turn signal control device 20 (direction indicator information acquisition means).

  In the car navigation system 100 configured as described above, the control device 10 receives map data when an operation signal indicating destination information or a route search instruction is input by the operation remote controller 12 or the operation switch group 7 by a user operation. Using the data obtained from the input device 6, the optimum route from the departure point (for example, current position) to the destination (for example, the route that can reach the destination from the departure point in the shortest time) is automatically selected. To search for a guidance route (recommended route). Then, the control device 10 determines the map to be displayed based on the searched guidance route (recommended route), the position information acquired from the position detector 1 and the vehicle position calculated from the data acquired from the map data input device 6. The direction is determined, and the vehicle mark, the map data, and the additional data such as the guide route are superimposed and displayed on the display device 9. Note that a technique such as the Dijkstra method can be employed as a technique for automatically setting an optimum route.

  Furthermore, the car navigation system 100 provides information on a route based on weighting information described later to the driver of the vehicle. As information regarding the route based on the weighting information, for example, a recommended route searched in consideration of the weighting information (weight value) is displayed on the display device 9. In addition, intersections with weight values exceeding a predetermined value are superimposed on the recommended route or the surrounding road map and displayed on the display device 9.

  On the other hand, the center 300 that can communicate with the car navigation system 100 includes a center side device 310. The center side device 310 is configured by a server to which a communication device (not shown) that communicates with the communication module 14 of the car navigation system 100 is connected.

  The center side device 310 receives passage time, lighting time, and intersection information transmitted from a large number of vehicles (that is, the car navigation system 100 mounted on the vehicle) (center side receiving means). Then, a weight value is calculated based on the passage time and lighting time (weight value calculating means), and the weight value and intersection information are associated and stored in a storage device (not shown) provided in the center 300 ( Weighting information storage means). The center side device 310 collects weighting information, creates a database, and stores it in a storage device. In other words, the center side device 310 collects the weighting information as the probe information, creates a database, and stores it in the storage device. Further, the center side device 310 holds weight information of a plurality of intersections for one intersection according to the number of roads to be combined and the combination form.

  Further, the center side device 310 transmits (distributes) the weighting information stored in the storage device or the information on the route based on the weighting information to the vehicle (center side transmission means). In the present embodiment, an example in which weighting information is transmitted to car navigation system 100 is employed.

  More specifically, the center side device 310 indicates the passing time of the intersection where the received vehicle turns right or left, and the lighting time of at least the green light of the traffic light for the approach road to this intersection that passed when this vehicle turns right or left. The value divided by is calculated as a weight value indicating the ease of turning right or left at this intersection (weight value calculating means). The center side device 310 also receives information about the intersection at which the received vehicle turns right or left, information about the approach road to this intersection that passed when the vehicle turns right or left, and when the vehicle turns right or left Weight information that associates the intersection information including information on the exit road from this intersection that has passed and the weight value calculated based on the transit time required for this vehicle to turn right or left at this intersection is stored in the storage device. Store (weighting information storage means).

  Here, the processing operation of the vehicle route guidance apparatus in the present embodiment will be described.

  First, the information collection processing operation of the car navigation device 100 (control device 10) will be described with reference to FIG. The flowchart shown in FIG. 2 starts when power is supplied to the car navigation apparatus 100, for example.

  First, in step S10, the control device 10 acquires lighting information indicating that the winker is lit (flashes) from the winker control device 20 (direction indicator information acquisition means), and starts measuring the passing time (passing). Time measuring means). In step S11, the control device 10 acquires the position information of the vehicle detected by the position detector 1 (position information acquisition means), and acquires data related to the intersection from the map data input device 6 (map information). Acquisition means), based on the lighting information, the position information, and the data relating to the intersection, it is determined whether or not the vehicle has entered the intersection while the blinker is blinking. If it is determined that the vehicle has entered the intersection while the blinker is blinking, the process proceeds to step S12. If it is determined that the vehicle is not entering the intersection while the blinker is blinking, the process is terminated. For example, when changing the lane by blinking the blinker, it is determined that the vehicle has not entered the intersection while the blinker is blinking. Therefore, when such a lane change is performed, it is possible not to execute the following processing. Therefore, it is possible to prevent such information (passing time) from the vehicle from being reflected in the weight value.

  In step S12, the control device 10 acquires a lighting time. That is, the control apparatus 10 acquires the lighting time of the green signal in the traffic light by determining the color of the traffic light from the traffic light image captured by the in-vehicle camera 15.

  In step S13, the control device 10 uses the data related to the road (entrance road) at the position of the vehicle indicated by the position information when the lighting information is acquired from the blinker control device 20, as the data related to the road (entrance road) when entering the intersection. For example, it is stored in a RAM or the like.

  In step S <b> 14, the control device 10 detects whether or not the vehicle has left the intersection depending on whether or not the turn-off information is acquired from the blinker control device 20. That is, when the light extinction information is acquired, it is determined that the vehicle has left the intersection. Furthermore, when it is detected that the vehicle has left the intersection, the measurement of the passing time is stopped (passing time measuring means).

  In step S15, the control apparatus 10 calculates the time (passing time) from the start of measurement of the passing time to the stop of measurement. Thus, the passage time required for the vehicle to pass through the intersection is measured by the elapsed time from the acquisition of the lighting information to the acquisition of the extinguishing information (passing time measuring means). By doing in this way, the time from when the driver tries to turn right or left to when the right or left turn is completed can be measured as the elapsed time.

  In step S <b> 16, the control device 10 uses the data related to the road (entrance road) at the vehicle position indicated by the position information when the turn-off information is acquired from the blinker control device 20 as the data related to the road (exit road) when leaving the intersection For example, it is stored in a RAM or the like.

  In step S17, the control device 10 determines whether the vehicle has made a right turn or left turn on the intersection based on the data on the approach road stored in step S13 and the data on the exit road stored in step S16. Determine (right / left turn detection means). That is, the vehicle turns right or left at the intersection based on the road information at the vehicle position indicated by the position information when the lighting information is acquired and the road information at the vehicle position indicated by the position information when the extinction information is acquired. Determine whether or not. For example, if the data relating to the approach road stored in step S13 and the data relating to the exit road stored in step S16 indicate not a straight road connected to the same intersection but a right turn or a left turn, the vehicle turns right at the intersection. Or, it is determined that the vehicle has made a left turn.

  Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, the blinker is blinked and the intersection is not turned right (exited in the direction of road D) or left (exited in the direction of road B) even though the vehicle entered the intersection from road A. Furthermore, the vehicle may go straight on the road C (in the direction of the dotted line). Here, by doing as described above, such a vehicle can determine that the vehicle does not turn right or left at the intersection. Therefore, it is possible to prevent such information (passing time) from the vehicle from being reflected in the weight value.

  In step S18, the control device 10 performs intersection information including data on the approach road stored in step S13, data on the exit road stored in step S16, data on the intersection acquired in step S11, and the lighting time acquired in step S12. And the passage time calculated in step S15 is transmitted to the center side device 310 via the communication module 14. At this time, the intersection information, the lighting time, and the passage time are associated with each other and transmitted to the center side device 310.

  Here, the reason why the intersection information includes the data regarding the approach road and the data regarding the exit road in addition to the data regarding the intersection will be described. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, there are four types of right turn patterns at intersections of crossroads formed by intersections of two straight roads that are often seen, depending on the approach direction to the intersection. In this case, a pattern entering the intersection from road A and exiting to road D, a pattern entering the intersection from road B and exiting to road A, a pattern entering the intersection from road C and exiting to road B, road D There is a pattern of entering the intersection and exiting on the road C. Similarly, there are four types of left turn patterns depending on the approach direction to the intersection. In addition, as shown in FIG. 7, at the intersection of five intersections, for example, when entering the intersection from road A, there are two types of right turn patterns, a pattern that exits to road D and a pattern that exits to road E. .

  Therefore, the data transmitted from the car navigation system 100 to the center side device 310 includes data indicating an approach road (which road has entered the intersection) to which this vehicle has traveled when turning right or left at the intersection, It is preferable to include data indicating the exit road from the intersection (which road exited from the intersection). In this way, including information on exit roads from intersections that passed when the vehicle makes a right or left turn, even if there are multiple exit roads as described above, the weighting information is assigned to which exit road. It is preferable since it can be understood whether it corresponds.

  However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, information indicating that the vehicle has made a right turn or information indicating that the vehicle has made a left turn can be used. That is, as described above, in the case of the five-way intersection shown in FIG. 7, there may be a plurality of right turn routes or left turn routes for one approach road. That is, when entering the intersection from one approach road and making a right turn or left turn, there may be a plurality of exit roads in the right turn direction or a plurality of exit roads in the left turn direction. In such a plurality of exit roads, the ease of making a right turn or the ease of making a left turn may not change much regardless of which exit road is traveled. Therefore, information indicating that the vehicle has made a right turn or information indicating that the vehicle has made a left turn may be used.

  Next, the weighting information generation processing operation of the center side device 310 will be described based on FIG. The flowchart shown in FIG. 3 starts, for example, every predetermined time when power is supplied to the center side device 310.

  First, in step S <b> 20, the center side device 310 determines whether or not the lighting time, the passing time, and the intersection information are received from the car navigation system 100. And when it determines with having received these lighting time, passage time, and intersection information, it progresses to step S21, and when it determines with having not received lighting time, passage time, and intersection information, a process is complete | finished.

  In step S21, the center side device 310 calculates a weight value from the lighting time and the passage time received in step S20. In other words, the center side device 310 divides the passing time of the intersection where the received vehicle turns right or left by the lighting time of at least the green light of the traffic light for the approach road to this intersection that passed when this vehicle turns right or left. The value is calculated as a weight value indicating the ease of making a right or left turn at this intersection (weight value calculation means). In other words, the center side device 310 calculates a value obtained by dividing the received passage time by the lighting time associated with the passage time as a weight value. That is, “intersection weight value” = “time required for a right or left turn at an intersection” / “lighting time of a green light”.

  In step S22, the center side device 310 makes information on the intersection where the received vehicle has made a right or left turn, information on an approach road to this intersection that has passed when the vehicle has made a right or left turn, and the vehicle makes a right or left turn. Stores weighting information associating intersection information including information related to exit roads from this intersection that has passed through, and weight values calculated based on the time required for this vehicle to turn right or left at this intersection Store in the device (weighting information storage means). In other words, the center side device 310 stores in the storage device weighting information that associates the weight value calculated in step S21 with the intersection information associated with the passage time and lighting time employed when calculating the weight value. To do.

  As described above, even when the intersection is the same intersection, there are a plurality of right turn patterns or left turn patterns. Therefore, the storage device stores weighting information at a plurality of intersections, and further stores a plurality of weighting information for each intersection depending on the number of roads to be combined and the combination form.

  For example, when entering the intersection from the road A shown in FIG. 6, passing through this intersection and exiting to the road D, “time taken for a right turn at the intersection” = 35 seconds, “green signal (for road A)” Assuming that “lighting time of” is 60 seconds, the weight value in this case is 35/60 = 0.58. Further, when entering the intersection from the road B shown in FIG. 6, passing through the intersection and exiting to the road A, “time taken for the right turn at the intersection” = 45 seconds, “green signal (for the road B)” Assuming that “lighting time of” is 90 seconds, the weight value in this case is 45/90 = 0.5. Therefore, in this example, rather than a route entering the intersection from the road A, passing through this intersection, and exiting to the road D, entering the intersection from the road B, passing through this intersection, It can be seen that the route exiting A is easier to pass (turn right). That is, the smaller the value is, the easier it is to pass (right turn or left turn). In this way, the weight value can also be expressed in other words as the ease of passage of a route composed of an intersection and a combination (pattern) of an approach road and an exit road with respect to the intersection.

  Next, the route guidance processing operation of the navigation device 100 will be described based on FIG. 4, and the transmission processing operation of the center side device 310 will be described based on FIG. The flowchart shown in FIG. 4 starts when a destination (and a departure point) is input to the car navigation device 100, for example. Further, the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 starts at predetermined intervals when power is supplied to the center side device 310, for example.

  First, in step S30 of FIG. 4, the control device 10 searches for a recommended route (guide route) from the departure point (for example, the current position) to the destination. Since this route search is a well-known technique, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In step S31 of FIG. 4, the control device 10 determines an intersection for which weighting information is requested from the recommended route searched in step S30. That is, in this recommended route, an intersection that guides a right turn or a left turn is extracted.

  In step S32 of FIG. 4, the control device 10 requests the center side device 310 for the weighting information of the intersection extracted in step S31. At this time, the control device 10 requests the data including the extracted intersection, the data regarding the approach road to the intersection on the recommended route, the data regarding the exit road from the intersection on the recommended route, and the identification data for identifying the car navigation system 100. A signal (a request signal indicating a request for weighting information) is transmitted from the communication module 14 to the center side device 310. The identification data is not particularly limited as long as the center side device 310 can distinguish the destination to which the weighting information is transmitted with respect to the received request signal. That is, the center side device 310 only needs to be able to identify the car navigation system 100 that is the transmission source of the received request signal.

  As described above, the car navigation system 100 transmits the data regarding the extracted intersection, the data regarding the approach road to the intersection in the recommended route, and the data regarding the exit road from the intersection in the recommended route, and weights corresponding to these data. By requesting information (weighted information of the extracted intersection), only necessary weighting information can be received and used in real time with a minimum amount of communication.

  Here, processing of the center side device 310 that is the transmission destination of the request signal will be described. First, in step S40 of FIG. 5, the center side device 310 determines whether or not there is a request for weighting information. If the center side device 310 receives the above request signal, the center side device 310 determines that there is a request for weighting information and proceeds to step S41. If the request signal is not received, the center side device 310 determines that there is no request for weighting information. Exit.

  In step S41 of FIG. 5, the center side device 310 retrieves the requested weighting information from the storage device. At this time, the center side device 310 searches for the corresponding weighting information using the data relating to the intersection, the data relating to the approach road to this intersection, and the data relating to the exit road from this intersection included in the request signal as search keys.

  In step S42 in FIG. 5, the center side device 310 transmits the weighting information (weighting information corresponding to the request signal) extracted by the search in step S41 to the car navigation 100 that has transmitted the request signal.

  The center side device 310 does not store the weighting information corresponding to the request signal for the received request signal for which the corresponding weighting information could not be retrieved from the storage device of the center 300. Information indicating that is transmitted to the car navigation system 100 that has transmitted the request signal.

  Returning to the processing on the car navigation 100 side, in step S33 of FIG. 4, the control device 10 determines whether or not the weighting information is received from the center side device 310 via the communication module 14. If it is determined that the weighting information has been received, the process proceeds to step S34. If it is determined that the weighting information has not been received, the determination in step S33 is repeated.

  If it is determined that the weighting information has not been received for a predetermined period of time, or if information indicating that the weighting information corresponding to the request signal is not stored in the storage device is received, the process proceeds to step S34. Good. In this case, there is no need to perform a re-search described later.

  Further, the car navigation system 100 may store the weighting information in the external memory 8 every time it is received. For example, in a situation where communication with the center side device 310 is not possible, the weighting information stored in the external memory 8 may be used.

  In step S34, the control device 10 searches for a route again in consideration of the received weighting information. As described above, since the weighting information includes a weight value indicating the ease of turning right or left at the intersection, in this re-search, by selecting the intersection indicated by the weight value information having a smaller weight value, the right turn or It is possible to select an intersection that is easy to turn left. Therefore, in this re-search, it is possible to search for a route while avoiding an intersection that is difficult to turn right or left.

  In step S35, the control device 10 starts route guidance by displaying the recommended route and the vehicle mark on the display device 9 based on the recommended route re-searched in step S34. That is, the control device 10 provides information regarding the route based on the weighting information using the map data acquired from the map data input device 6. Therefore, in this case, the information to be provided is the recommended route re-searched in step S34.

  Thus, the value obtained by dividing the time required for the vehicle to actually turn right or left at the intersection by the lighting time of at least the green light of the traffic light for the approach road to this intersection that passed when the vehicle turned right or left. By generating weighting information using (weight value) and providing information on the route based on this weighting information, appropriate guidance on the route can be provided even when there is no traffic jam.

  Further, by doing so, weighting information based on information collected from a large number of vehicles by the center side device 310 can be stored. Therefore, in the car navigation system 100, it is possible to acquire information related to the route based on the weighting information of the intersection where the host vehicle passes for the first time. Further, the vehicle side device does not need to calculate the weight value.

  Further, in this way, the center 300 (center side device 310) gathers information for generating weighting information from a plurality of vehicles (car navigation system 100) that actually turn right or left at the intersection. It can be updated to information reflecting road conditions in real time. Therefore, the vehicle (car navigation system 100) that acquires this weighting information can use the weighting information that reflects this real-time road condition.

  In the present embodiment, the center side device 310 has been described by employing an example in which the weighting information corresponding to the intersection included in the request signal from the car navigation system 100 is used, but the present invention is limited to this. It is not a thing. For example, the weighting information corresponding to the intersection included in the request signal from the car navigation system 100 and the weighting information of the intersection within a predetermined range with respect to this intersection may be transmitted. Further, the center side device 310 may periodically distribute the weighting information to the car navigation system 100. A request signal including position information indicating the current position is transmitted from the car navigation system 100 to the center 300 (center side device 310). The center 300 weights intersection information within a predetermined range with respect to the position information included in the request signal. May be transmitted.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the center side device 310 has been described by employing an example in which weighting information is transmitted, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, instead of the weighting information, information on the route based on the weighting information may be transmitted, or information on the route based on the weighting information and the weighting information may be transmitted. In this case, the car navigation system 100 transmits a request signal including the departure place and the destination to the center side device 310. The center side device 310 searches for a recommended route in consideration of the weighting information stored in the storage device of the center 300 based on the departure place and the destination included in the received request signal. Then, the center side device 310 transmits this recommended route to the car navigation system 100 as information related to the route based on the weighting information. Further, in addition to the recommended route, the center side device 310 may transmit weighting information of intersections within a predetermined range from the recommended route to the car navigation system 100.

  In the present embodiment, an example of determining whether the vehicle has made a right turn or a left turn at an intersection using lighting information indicating that the blinker is turned on (flashing) and light-off information indicating that the turn signal has been turned off is used. Although adopted, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the route guidance based on the recommended route is being performed, the control device 10 is based on position information regarding the position of the vehicle, information on an intersection indicating a right turn or a left turn on the recommended route, and road information on the recommended route. You may make it determine (right-left turn detection means) whether the vehicle turned right or left at the intersection. By doing in this way, it is possible to determine whether or not the vehicle has made a right turn or a left turn at the intersection only with information that a general car navigation system has.

  Further, when determining whether or not the vehicle has made a right turn or a left turn at the intersection in this way, the control device 10 determines that the position of the vehicle indicated by the position information is a predetermined distance before the intersection indicating a right turn or a left turn on the recommended route. You may make it measure (elapsed time measurement means) as elapsed time from the time it arrived until the position of the vehicle passes the intersection (right turn or left turn) and leaves a predetermined distance. By doing in this way, the transit time required for the vehicle to turn right or left at the intersection can be measured only by information that a general car navigation system has.

  In general, it is recommended to blink the blinker 30m before the intersection when turning right or left. Therefore, 30 m or the like can be adopted as the predetermined distance before the predetermined distance. On the other hand, when the vehicle turns right or left at the intersection and travels several meters on the exit road, it can be considered that the right turn or left turn at the intersection has been completed. Therefore, several meters or the like can be adopted as the predetermined distance when the above-mentioned predetermined distance is left.

  Also, depending on the intersection, it is very difficult to make a right or left turn, and it may not be possible to make a right or left turn in one cycle of the traffic light (one green light lighting time). For example, when entering the intersection from the road A shown in FIG. 6, passing through this intersection and exiting to the road D, “time taken for a right turn at the intersection” = 180 seconds, “green signal (for road A)” If the “lighting time of” is 60 seconds, the weight value in this case is 180/60 = 3.00. In this case, the weight value exceeds 1. Thus, at an intersection where the weight value exceeds a predetermined value, that is, an intersection where it is difficult to make a right turn or a left turn extremely, the driver may make an unreasonable right turn or left turn.

  Therefore, in the weighting information managed (stored) by the center side device 310, the weighting information including a weight value exceeding 1 is regarded as an intersection that is difficult to turn right or left, and an accident occurs when the vehicle driver makes a right or left turn. It is also possible to use it for the purpose of making a notice to call attention so as not to wake up. Furthermore, the weighting information including weight values exceeding 2 and 3 can be used for the purpose of notifying as an intersection that is difficult to turn right or left.

  That is, the center side device 310 alerts the driver of the vehicle not to cause an accident when making a right turn or left turn as an intersection that makes it difficult to make a right turn or left turn for weighting information including a weight value exceeding 1. The information shown is associated and stored. Further, for weighting information including weight values exceeding 2 and 3, information for notifying as an intersection that is particularly difficult to turn right or left is stored in association.

  Therefore, the car navigation system 100 that has received such weighting information has a predetermined weight value for a recommended route or a road map (a road map for which no recommended route is set) as information related to the route based on the received weighting information. The intersection that exceeds the value is displayed on the display device 9 and this intersection is difficult to turn right or left, so it is not easy to make an accident when making a right or left turn, especially an intersection that is difficult to turn right or left You may make it notify that it is. In this way, alerting can be performed by providing the vehicle driver with an intersection whose weight value exceeds a predetermined value in advance.

  Further, when the received weighting information is stored in the external memory 8 or the like of the car navigation system 100, the search may be performed in consideration of the weighting information in the re-search where the departure point and the destination are input. .

  The weighting information is requested on the condition that there is an instruction from the driver (for example, on the condition that an instruction signal indicating that weighting information is requested from the operation switch group is input). May be. If the received weighting information is stored in the external memory 8 of the car navigation system 100, the weighting information is requested on condition that there is no information corresponding to the weighting information stored in the external memory 8 or the like. May be.

  Moreover, in this Embodiment, although the example which uses passing time, lighting time, and intersection information as information transmitted from the car navigation 100 to the center side apparatus 310 was demonstrated, this invention is limited to this. is not.

  The car navigation system 100 may transmit only the passage time and intersection information to the center side device 310. Then, in addition to the configuration in the above embodiment, the center side device 310 acquires at least the green light lighting time of the traffic light for the approach road to this intersection based on the received intersection information (lighting time acquisition means). It may be.

  In this case, when the center side device 310 receives the intersection information and the transit time by the communication device (center side receiving means), the center side device 310 obtains at least a green light lighting time of the traffic light for the approach road to the intersection based on the intersection information. (Lighting time acquisition means). And the value obtained by dividing the passing time of the intersection where the received vehicle turns right or left by the lighting time of at least the green light of the traffic light for the approach road to this intersection that passed when this vehicle turns right or left It is calculated as a weight value indicating the ease of turning right or left (weight value calculating means). Also, information about the intersection where the received vehicle made a right or left turn, information about the approach road to this intersection that passed when this vehicle turned right or left, and from this intersection that passed when this vehicle turned right or left Weight information that associates the intersection information including information about the exit road and the weight value calculated based on the transit time required for the vehicle to turn right or left at the intersection is stored in the storage device (weight information storage) means). And the weighting information memorize | stored in the memory | storage device or the information regarding the path | route based on weighting information is transmitted to the car navigation system 100 (center side transmission means).

  In addition, this lighting time can be acquired via a communication apparatus from the control center or the police in charge as mentioned above. In addition, the lighting time acquired from the control center or the police in charge via the communication module 14 may be stored in the storage device of the center 300. In this case, the center side device 310 acquires the lighting time from this storage device.

  Also by doing in this way, the weighting information based on the information collected from a large number of vehicles by the center side device 310 can be stored. Therefore, in the car navigation system 100, it is possible to acquire information related to the route based on the weighting information of the intersection where the host vehicle passes for the first time. In the car navigation system 100, there is no need to calculate a weight value.

  Further, the car navigation system 100 may transmit the intersection information and the weight value to the center side device 310. That is, the car navigation system 100 includes weight value calculation means for calculating a weight value in addition to the above-described configuration. The control device 10 of the car navigation system 100 calculates a weight value based on the acquired passing time and lighting time (weight value calculating means).

  In this case, when the center side device 310 receives the intersection information and the weight value by the communication device (center side receiving unit), the center side device 310 stores the weighting information that associates the received intersection information and the weight value in the storage device (weighting). Information storage means). And the weighting information memorize | stored in the memory | storage device or the information regarding the path | route based on weighting information is transmitted to the car navigation system 100 (center side transmission means).

  Also by doing in this way, the weighting information based on the information collected from a large number of vehicles by the center side device 310 can be stored. Therefore, in the car navigation system 100, it is possible to acquire information related to the route based on the weighting information of the intersection where the host vehicle passes for the first time. Further, the center side device 310 does not need to calculate a weight value.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 10, in addition to the car navigation system 100 and the center 300 (center side device 310) described above, a plurality of roadside devices 400 (intersection monitoring devices) provided around the intersection and capable of communicating with the center side device 310. ) May be provided. In addition, since the car navigation 100 and the center 300 are the same as the above-mentioned embodiment, detailed description is abbreviate | omitted and illustration in FIG. 10 is also simplified.

  The roadside machine 400 is provided in the vicinity of each intersection (for example, a traffic light or a pedestrian bridge). The roadside machine 400 is a computer, a communication device that is connected to the computer and communicates with the center side device 310, a storage device that stores information about the intersection to be monitored and information about the road connected to the intersection ( Monitoring device side storage means), an own monitoring target intersection, and a camera for photographing a vehicle traveling on a road connected to the intersection.

  The roadside machine 400 detects that the vehicle has made a right or left turn at the intersection based on the video imaged by the camera (right / left turn detection means), and the passing time required for the vehicle to make a right or left turn at the intersection. Measure (passing time measuring means). The detection of the right or left turn of the vehicle and the measurement of the elapsed time are detected for each combination of the approach road and the exit road with respect to the intersection.

  At this time, the roadside machine 400 starts from when the vehicle position reaches a predetermined distance before the intersection based on the video taken by the camera until when the vehicle position turns right or left at the intersection and leaves the predetermined distance. The elapsed time is measured as the transit time. In general, it is recommended to blink the blinker 30m before the intersection when turning right or left. Therefore, 30 m or the like can be adopted as the predetermined distance before the predetermined distance. On the other hand, when the vehicle turns right or left at the intersection and travels several meters on the exit road, it can be considered that the right turn or left turn at the intersection has been completed. Therefore, several meters or the like can be adopted as the predetermined distance when the above-mentioned predetermined distance is left.

  The roadside machine 400 also has information on the intersection at which the vehicle turns right or left, information on the approach road to this intersection that passed when this vehicle turned right or left, and this information that passed when this vehicle turned right or left Intersection information including information regarding the exit road from the intersection and the transit time required for the vehicle to turn right or left at the intersection are transmitted to the center side apparatus 310 (monitoring apparatus side transmission means).

  On the other hand, the center side device 310 performs the same process as when receiving the intersection information and the passing time described above. For example, when the intersection information and the passing time are received by the communication device (center side receiving means), based on this intersection information, the lighting time of at least the green light of the traffic light for the approach road to the intersection is acquired (lighting time acquiring means) ), The value obtained by dividing the passing time of the intersection where the received vehicle turns right or left by the lighting time of at least the green light of the traffic light for the approach road to this intersection that passed when this vehicle turns right or left. It is calculated as a weight value indicating the ease of turning right or left (weight value calculating means). The center side device 310 also receives information about the intersection at which the received vehicle turns right or left, information about the approach road to this intersection that passed when the vehicle turns right or left, and when the vehicle turns right or left Weight information that associates the intersection information including information on the exit road from this intersection that has passed and the weight value calculated based on the transit time required for this vehicle to turn right or left at this intersection is stored in the storage device. Store (weighting information storage means). And the center side apparatus 310 transmits the weighting information memorize | stored in the memory | storage device to the car navigation system 100 (center side transmission means).

  By doing in this way, the weight information based on the information which many vehicles actually drive | worked in many intersections by the center side apparatus 310 can be memorize | stored. Therefore, in the car navigation system 100, it is possible to acquire weighting information of an intersection through which the host vehicle passes for the first time, or information related to a route based on the weighting information.

  In addition, the roadside machine 400 can detect the exit direction with respect to the approach road when the vehicle passes the intersection, for example, based on the shooting direction of the camera. Therefore, as described above, instead of the data indicating the exit road, the information indicating the right turn or the information indicating the left turn may be included in the intersection information.

  As described above, when the passing time is measured by the intersection monitoring device provided around the intersection, the number of vehicles entering / exiting the intersection per unit time increases in proportion to the number of lanes. For example, let us consider a case where it takes 30 seconds to exit from an intersection on a road with a right turn lane (FIG. 9 (a)) and a road with two lanes (FIG. 9 (b)). In the case of a one-lane road, one vehicle can pass in 30 seconds. On the other hand, in the case of a two-lane road, two vehicles can pass in 30 seconds. Therefore, the substantial transit time is 15 seconds / one for a two-lane road, so it is considered that it is easier to turn right.

  Therefore, as described above, when the passing time is measured by the roadside machine 400, the value obtained by dividing the passing time required for the vehicle to turn right or left at the intersection by the lighting time of the green light is further entered into the intersection. A value obtained by dividing the number of right turn lanes or the number of left turn lanes on the road is preferably calculated as the weight value. That is, it is preferable that “intersection weight value” = “time required for a right or left turn at an intersection” / “lighting time of a green light” / “number of intersection lanes”.

  The roadside device 400 may transmit the lighting time to the center side device 310 together with the intersection information and the passing time. Alternatively, the roadside device 400 may calculate a weight value and transmit the calculated weight value to the center side device 310 together with the intersection information. When the roadside device 400 calculates the weight value and transmits the weight value to the center side device 310, the center side device 310 does not need to calculate the weight value.

  In addition, the vehicle route guidance apparatus in the above-described embodiment adopts an example including the car navigation system 100 and the center 300 (center side apparatus 310) or the car navigation system 100, the center 300 (center side apparatus 310), and the roadside machine 400. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The vehicle route guidance apparatus of the present invention can be implemented only by the car navigation system 100 mounted on the vehicle. That is, the control device 10 of the car navigation system 100 acquires the above-described map data (map information acquisition means), detects the right / left turn (right / left turn detection means), measures the passing time (passing time measuring means), and calculates the weight value ( (Weight value calculation means) and a function of storing weight value information (weighting information storage means) may be provided. By doing in this way, even if it is a case where there is no traffic jam only with the car navigation system 100 mounted on the vehicle, it is possible to provide appropriate guidance regarding the route.

  In addition, the degree of congestion may vary depending on the date even at the same intersection. For example, there is an intersection where the winter season (conversely, summer season) is congested, but the summer season (conversely, winter season) is crowded. Therefore, in addition to the intersection information and the weight value calculated based on the passing time and the lighting time, weighting information associated with date information indicating a date when the passing time is measured may be stored. .

  In this case, for example, the center side device 310 acquires date information indicating the date (date information acquisition means), and in addition to the intersection information and the weight value, the date when the passage time is measured is displayed. Weighting information associated with the indicated date information is stored (weighting information storage means). In other words, the center-side device 310 classifies the weighting information stored in the storage device by date and totals it. The date information may be acquired from the car navigation system 100, or may be acquired from this device by providing a device (calendar function) that outputs date information indicating the date in the center 300.

  Thereby, the center 300 (center side device 310) can transmit the weight value information according to the date (in other words, according to the season) or the information on the route based on the weight information to the car navigation system 100. For example, by including date information in a request signal transmitted from the car navigation system 100, the center 300 (center side device 310) is based on the weighting information associated with the date information included in the request signal or based on this weighting information. Information about the route can be transmitted to the car navigation system 100. Further, the center 300 (center side device 310) can transmit to the car navigation system 100 weighting information associated with the date when the request signal is received, or information on a route based on this weighting information.

  In addition, when the car navigation system 100 stores a plurality of pieces of information relating to this weighting information or a route based on this weighting information, the control device 10 acquires date information indicating a date (date information acquisition means) and acquires the information. The information regarding the route based on the weighting information associated with the date information is provided (providing means). In this case, a device (calendar function) that outputs date information indicating the date is provided in the car navigation 100, and the control device 10 can acquire date information from this device.

  By doing in this way, the information regarding the path | route based on the weighting information according to a date can be provided.

  If the center 300 (center side device 310) is not employed, the car navigation system 100 associates date information indicating the date when the passing time is measured in addition to the above-described intersection information and weight value. Information may be stored (weighted information storage means).

  In addition, even at the same intersection, the degree of congestion may vary depending on the time zone. For example, there are intersections where traffic is crowded, such as school hours and commuting hours, but congestion is eliminated in other times. Therefore, in addition to the intersection information and the weight value calculated based on the passage time and the lighting time, weight information that associates time information indicating the time when the passage time is measured may be stored. .

  In this case, for example, the center side device 310 acquires time information indicating the time (time information acquisition means), and in addition to the above-described intersection information and weight value, the time when the passage time is measured is determined. Weighting information associated with the indicated time information is stored (weighting information storage means). In other words, the center side device 310 classifies the weighting information stored in the storage device according to the time and totals it. The time information may be acquired from the car navigation system 100, or may be acquired from this device by providing a device (clock function) that outputs time information indicating the time in the center 300.

  Thereby, the center 300 (center side device 310) can transmit the weight value information according to the time (in other words, according to the time zone) or the information on the route based on the weight information to the car navigation system 100. For example, by including the time information in the request signal transmitted from the car navigation system 100, the center 300 (center side device 310) is based on the weighting information associated with the time information included in the request signal or the weighting information. Information about the route can be transmitted to the car navigation system 100. Further, the center 300 (center side device 310) can transmit to the car navigation system 100 weighting information associated with the time when the request signal is received, or information on a route based on this weighting information.

  Further, when the car navigation system 100 stores a plurality of pieces of information related to this weighting information or a route based on this weighting information, the control device 10 acquires time information indicating time (time information acquisition means) and acquires the time information. Information regarding a route based on the weighting information associated with the time information may be provided (providing means). In this case, a device (clock function) that outputs time information indicating the time is provided in the car navigation 100, and the control device 10 can acquire the time information from this device.

  By doing in this way, the information regarding the path | route based on the weighting information according to time can be provided.

  When the center 300 (center side device 310) is not adopted, the car navigation system 100 associates time information indicating the time when the passing time is measured in addition to the above-described intersection information and weight value. Information may be stored (weighted information storage means).

  Also, the degree of congestion may vary depending on the day of the week even at the same intersection. For example, there is an intersection where congestion occurs on weekdays (Monday to Friday) but congestion is eliminated on holidays (Saturday and Sunday). Therefore, in addition to the intersection information and the weight value, weighting information associated with day information indicating the day of the week when the passage time is measured may be stored.

  In this case, for example, the center side device 310 acquires day information indicating the day of the week (day information acquisition unit), and in addition to the above-described intersection information and the weight value calculated based on the passing time and the lighting time. The weighting information in association with the day information indicating the day of the week when the passage time is measured is stored (weighting information storage means). In other words, the center side device 310 classifies the weighting information accumulated in the storage device according to the day of the week and totals it. Note that the day information may be acquired from the car navigation system 100, or may be acquired from this apparatus by providing a device (calendar function) that outputs day information indicating the day of the week in the center 300.

  Thereby, the center 300 (center side device 310) can transmit the weight value information corresponding to the day of the week or the information on the route based on the weight information to the car navigation system 100. For example, by including day information in a request signal transmitted from the car navigation system 100, the center 300 (center side device 310) is based on weighting information associated with day information included in the request signal or based on this weighting information. Information about the route can be transmitted to the car navigation system 100. Further, the center 300 (center side device 310) can transmit to the car navigation 100 weighting information associated with the day of the week when the request signal is received, or information on a route based on this weighting information.

  In addition, when the car navigation system 100 stores a plurality of pieces of information relating to this weighting information or a route based on this weighting information, the control device 10 acquires day information indicating the day of the week (day information acquisition means) and acquires it. Information regarding a route based on the weighting information associated with the day information may be provided (providing means). In this case, a device (calendar function) that outputs day information indicating the day of the week is provided in the car navigation system 100, and the control device 10 can acquire the day information from this device.

  By doing in this way, the information regarding the path | route based on the weighting information according to a day of the week can be provided.

  When the center 300 (center side device 310) is not employed, the car navigation system 100 associates the day information indicating the day of the week when the transit time is measured in addition to the above-described intersection information and weight value. Information may be stored (weighted information storage means).

  Also, the degree of congestion may vary depending on the weather even at the same intersection. For example, there are intersections that are crowded on rainy days and snowy days, but on sunny days and cloudy days the congestion is eliminated. Therefore, in addition to the intersection information and the weight value calculated based on the passing time and the lighting time, weighting information that associates weather information related to the weather when the passing time is measured may be stored.

  In this case, for example, the center-side device 310 acquires weather information related to the weather (weather information acquisition means), and in addition to the above-described intersection information and weight value, the weather related to the weather when the transit time is measured. Weighting information associated with information is stored (weighting information storage means). In other words, the center side device 310 classifies the weighting information accumulated in the storage device according to the weather. The weather information may be acquired from the car navigation system 100 or may be acquired from a center that distributes the weather information.

  Thereby, the center 300 (center side device 310) can transmit the weight value information according to the weather or the information on the route based on the weight information to the car navigation system 100. For example, by including the weather information in the request signal transmitted from the car navigation system 100, the center 300 (center side device 310) is based on the weighting information associated with the weather information included in the request signal or based on the weighting information. Information about the route can be transmitted to the car navigation system 100. Further, the center 300 (center side device 310) can transmit to the car navigation system 100 weighting information associated with the weather when the request signal is received, or information on a route based on this weighting information.

  In addition, when the car navigation system 100 stores a plurality of pieces of information relating to this weighting information or a route based on this weighting information, the control device 10 acquires the weather information related to the weather (weather information acquisition means) and acquires it. Information regarding a route based on weighting information associated with weather information may be provided (providing means). In this case, the car navigation system 100 (the control device 10) can acquire weather information related to the weather from a center that distributes weather information provided outside the vehicle via the communication module 14 or the like.

  By doing in this way, the information regarding the route based on the weighting information according to the weather can be provided.

  When the center 300 (center side device 310) is not adopted, the car navigation system 100 associates weather information related to the weather when the transit time is measured in addition to the above-described intersection information and weight value. May be stored (weighting information storage means).

  In addition, the degree of congestion may vary depending on the presence or absence of events at nearby event venues even at the same intersection. Therefore, in addition to intersection information and weighting values, weighting information that associates event information (for example, location information of the place where the event is held, holding time, etc.) related to the holding of the event when the transit time is measured is stored. You may make it do.

  In this case, for example, the center side device 310 acquires event information (event information acquisition means) and associates event information when the transit time is measured in addition to the above-described intersection information and weight value. Weighting information is stored (weighting information storage means). In other words, the center side device 310 categorizes and aggregates the weighting information stored in the storage device according to the event holding status. The event information may be acquired from the car navigation system 100 or may be acquired from a center that distributes the event information.

  Thereby, the center 300 (center side device 310) can transmit the weight value information corresponding to the event or the information on the route based on the weight information to the car navigation system 100. For example, by including time information and position information in a request signal transmitted from the car navigation system 100, the center 300 (center side device 310) is associated with event information including time information and position information included in the request signal. The weighting information or information on the route based on the weighting information can be transmitted to the car navigation system 100.

  In addition, when the car navigation system 100 stores the weighting information or information on the route based on the weighting information, the control device 10 is based on the weighting information associated with the event information by the position information and the time information. Information regarding a route may be provided (providing means). In this case, the car navigation system 100 (the control device 10) can acquire event information from a center that distributes event information provided outside the vehicle via the communication module 14 or the like.

  By doing in this way, the information regarding the path | route based on the weighting information according to the holding condition of an event can be provided.

  When the center 300 (center side device 310) is not employed, the car navigation system 100 stores weighting information associated with event information (weighting information storage unit) in addition to the above-described intersection information and weighting value. May be.

  In addition, when associating the date information, time information, day information, weather information, and event information with the intersection information and the weight value, one of these pieces of information may be associated, or a plurality of information May be associated. In other words, at least one of these date information, time information, day information, weather information, and event information may be associated.

  For example, in addition to intersection information, weight values calculated based on the passage time and lighting time, and weather information about the weather when the passage time is measured, time information about the time when the passage time is measured May be stored.

  In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the passage time is divided by the lighting time when the weight value is calculated has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can achieve the object as long as the weight value is calculated based on the actual passing time. That is, the lighting time may not be used for calculating the weight value. As described above, when the lighting time is not used, it is not necessary to acquire the lighting time or store it in the storage device. That is, it is not necessary to provide a device (function) for obtaining the lighting time or a device (function) for storing the lighting time.

  However, the ease of making a right or left turn at an intersection varies depending on the lighting time of the traffic light (for example, the lighting time of a green light) even if the passage time is the same. Therefore, by calculating a value obtained by dividing the passing time by the lighting time as the weight value, it is possible to obtain a weight value corresponding to the lighting time of the green light in the traffic light, which is preferable.

  Some intersections have no signal. However, intersections where the above-described weight values and weighting information are useful are intersections with a relatively large amount of traffic. In addition, since traffic lights are generally installed at intersections with a certain amount of traffic, the intersections targeted by the present invention are limited to intersections where traffic lights are installed. Similarly, intersections where red and yellow flashing signals are installed are also considered as intersections with relatively little traffic, and thus are not included in the intersections targeted by the present invention. Furthermore, for intersections that change to flashing signals only at night, the flashing time zones are not included.

  As mentioned above, although preferable embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not restrict | limited to the embodiment mentioned above at all, and various deformation | transformation are possible in the range which does not deviate from the meaning of this invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Position detection part, 2 Geomagnetic sensor, 3 Gyroscope, 4 Distance sensor, 5 GPS receiver, 6 Map data input device, 7 Operation switch group, 8 External memory, 9 Display apparatus, 10 Control apparatus, 11 Remote control sensor, 12 Operation remote control, 13 VICS communication device, 14 communication module, 15 vehicle-mounted camera, 20 blinker control device, 200 VICS center, 300 center, 400 roadside device

Claims (17)

Map information acquisition means for acquiring map information including at least information on roads and information on intersections;
A transit time measuring means for measuring the transit time required for the vehicle to turn right or left at the intersection;
Based on the passing time measured by the passing time measuring means, a weight value calculating means for calculating a weight value indicating the ease of turning right or left at the intersection to be measured;
Information on the intersection where the vehicle has made a right or left turn, information on the approach road to the intersection that has passed when the vehicle has made a right or left turn, intersection information including information indicating whether the vehicle has made a right turn or a left turn, Weighting information storage means for storing weighting information in association with a weight value calculated based on the transit time required to turn right or left at the intersection;
Providing means that is provided in the vehicle and provides information related to a route based on the weighting information using the map information acquired by the map information acquiring means;
A vehicle route guidance apparatus comprising: Including a vehicle-side device mounted on the vehicle and a center-side device provided at a center outside the vehicle, the vehicle-side device and the center-side device are communicable,
The vehicle side device includes the map information acquisition means, the passage time measurement means, the vehicle side transmission means for sending the intersection information and the passage time to the center side device, and information transmitted from the center side device. Vehicle-side receiving means for receiving
The center side device includes the weight value calculation means, the weight information storage means, the center side reception means for receiving the intersection information and the passage time transmitted from the vehicle side transmission means, and the weight information storage. 2. The vehicle route guidance according to claim 1, further comprising: a center side transmission unit that transmits the weighting information stored in the unit or information on a route based on the weighting information to the vehicle side device. apparatus. Including a vehicle-side device mounted on the vehicle and a center-side device provided at a center outside the vehicle, the vehicle-side device and the center-side device are communicable,
The vehicle side device includes the map information acquisition unit, the transit time measurement unit, the weight value calculation unit, the vehicle side transmission unit that transmits the intersection information and the weight value to the center side device, and the center Vehicle-side receiving means for receiving information transmitted from the side device,
The center side device includes the weighting information storage unit, the center side reception unit that receives the intersection information and the weight value transmitted from the vehicle side transmission unit, and the weighting information stored in the weighting information storage unit. Or a center-side transmission unit that transmits information on a route based on the weighting information to the vehicle-side device. A vehicle-side device mounted on the vehicle, a center-side device provided at a center outside the vehicle, and an intersection monitoring device provided around an intersection, the vehicle-side device, the center-side device, and the center The side device and the intersection monitoring device can communicate with each other,
The intersection monitoring device includes the transit time measuring means, and the monitoring device side transmitting means for transmitting the intersection information and the passing time at the intersection to be monitored to the center side device,
The center side device includes the weight value calculation means, the weight information storage means, the center side reception means for receiving the intersection information and the passage time transmitted from the monitoring apparatus side transmission means, and the weight information storage. Center-side transmission means for transmitting the weighting information stored in the means or information on a route based on the weighting information to the vehicle-side device;
The vehicle-side device includes the map information acquisition unit, and the vehicle-side reception unit that receives the weighting information transmitted from the center-side device or information on a route based on the weighting information. The route guidance device for vehicles according to claim 1.   2. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the map information acquisition unit, the transit time measurement unit, the weight value calculation unit, and the weight information storage unit are provided in a vehicle side device mounted on the vehicle. Route guidance device.   The weight value calculating means enters the intersection that the vehicle has passed when the vehicle makes a right turn or a left turn through the passage time required for the vehicle to turn right or left at the intersection measured by the passage time measuring means. The vehicle route guidance apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a value obtained by dividing at least a green signal lighting time of a traffic light with respect to a road is calculated as a weight value.   The weight value calculating means enters the intersection that the vehicle has passed when the vehicle makes a right turn or a left turn through the passage time required for the vehicle to turn right or left at the intersection measured by the passage time measuring means. 7. A value obtained by dividing a value obtained by dividing at least a green signal lighting time of a traffic light with respect to a road by a number of right turn lanes or a number of left turn lanes on an approach road to the intersection is calculated as a weight value. The vehicle route guidance apparatus according to the description.   Direction information information acquisition means for acquiring lighting information indicating that the direction indicator of the vehicle has been turned on and light extinction information indicating that the vehicle has been turned off is provided, and the transit time measuring means has acquired the lighting information and The vehicular route guidance device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein an elapsed time until the extinction information is acquired is measured as the passing time.   It comprises position information acquisition means for acquiring position information relating to the position of the vehicle, the providing means provides a recommended route from a departure place to a destination, and the passing time measuring means is indicated by the position information The elapsed time from when the position of the vehicle reaches a predetermined distance before the intersection indicating a right turn or left turn on the recommended route to when the position of the vehicle passes through the intersection and leaves a predetermined distance is defined as the passing time. The vehicular route guidance device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that measurement is performed.   10. The weighting information storage means uses information on an exit road from the intersection that has passed when the vehicle makes a right turn or a left turn as information indicating whether the vehicle has made a right turn or a left turn. The vehicle route guidance apparatus according to any one of the above.   Date information acquisition means for acquiring date information indicating a date, wherein the weighting information storage means measures the passage time in addition to the intersection information and the weight value calculated based on the passage time. Storing weighting information associated with date information indicating the date of the time, and the providing means provides information on a route based on the weighting information associated with the date information acquired by the date information acquiring means. The vehicular route guidance device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the vehicular route guidance device is characterized.   Time information acquisition means for acquiring time information indicating time, and the weighting information storage means measures the passage time in addition to the intersection information and the weight value calculated based on the passage time. Weighting information associated with time information relating to the time at the time is stored, and the providing means provides information related to the route based on the weighting information associated with the time information obtained by the time information obtaining means. The vehicular route guidance device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the vehicular route guidance device is characterized.   Day-of-week information acquisition means for acquiring day-of-week information indicating the day of the week is provided, and the weighting information storage means measures the passage time in addition to the intersection information and the weight value calculated based on the passage time. Weighting information associated with day information relating to the day of the week is stored, and the providing means provides information regarding a route based on the weighting information associated with the day information acquired by the day information acquiring means. The route guidance device for vehicles according to any one of claims 1 to 12.   Weather information acquisition means for acquiring weather information relating to the weather, and the weighting information storage means, when the passage time is measured in addition to the intersection information and the weight value calculated based on the passage time Weight information associated with weather information relating to the weather is stored, and the providing means provides information regarding a route based on the weight information associated with the weather information acquired by the weather information acquiring means. The vehicle route guidance apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13.   Event information acquisition means for acquiring event information related to event holding, wherein the weighting information storage means measures the passage time in addition to the intersection information and the weight value calculated based on the passage time. Weighting information associated with event information at the time, and the providing means provides information on a route based on the weighting information associated with the event information acquired by the event information acquiring means. The vehicle route guidance apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 14.   The said providing means provides the recommended route searched in consideration of the said weight value to the driver | operator of the said vehicle as information regarding the route based on the said weighting information. The vehicle route guidance apparatus according to one item.   The said providing means provides the driver | operator of the said vehicle with the intersection where the said weight value exceeds predetermined value as information regarding the route based on the said weighting information. The vehicle route guidance apparatus according to the description.

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