JP2020003339A - Device, system, and method for searching for route with best fuel economy - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a method for searching for a route which searches for a route with the best fuel economy for each user and for each vehicle.SOLUTION: A route search device includes: a storage unit storing fuel economy information for each link of a road related to a vehicle; an output unit; and a processor for searching for a route with the best fuel economy required for a vehicle to travel through a link of the road from a first point to a second point on the basis of the fuel economy information stored in the storage unit; and outputting the route to the output unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

  The present invention relates to a route search device, a route search system, and a route search method for searching for a route with the best fuel efficiency.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a user is notified of a fuel efficiency that indicates fuel consumed during traveling of a vehicle.

  The fuel efficiency may change depending on a driving operation such as an accelerator pedal or a gear shift even when the same vehicle travels on the same route. Further, fuel efficiency is also affected by the state of road congestion such as traffic congestion.

  In order to improve fuel efficiency, it is conceivable that the user starts by knowing the fuel efficiency when driving his / her vehicle. As a result, the user can improve the driving operation, thereby improving the fuel efficiency.

  Further, Patent Document 1 proposes obtaining fuel efficiency information for each vehicle type and providing the fuel efficiency information for each vehicle type as required.

JP 2016-110279 A

  As described above, the fuel efficiency can vary depending on the driving operation such as an accelerator pedal or a gear shift even in the same vehicle. Therefore, since the driving operation differs depending on the user, the fuel efficiency changes depending on the user driving the vehicle even for the same vehicle.

  Further, even if the user who performs the driving operation is the same, if the driving vehicle is different, the fuel efficiency may change based on the difference in the engine displacement or the vehicle weight.

  Thus, different users or vehicles can change fuel economy.

  Therefore, it is an object of the present specification to provide a route search device, a route search system, and a route search method for searching for a route with the best fuel efficiency based on each user and each vehicle.

  According to the route search device disclosed in this specification, a storage unit that stores fuel efficiency information for each link of a road associated with a vehicle, an output unit, and a road connecting the vehicle from a first point to a second point And a processing unit for searching for a route with the best fuel efficiency required for traveling via the link based on the fuel efficiency information stored in the storage unit and outputting the route using an output unit.

  Further, according to the route search system disclosed in this specification, a communication unit, a storage unit that stores fuel efficiency information for each link of a road associated with a vehicle, and a method in which the vehicle travels from a first point to a second point. A processing unit that searches for a route with the best fuel efficiency required to travel via the link of the connecting road based on the fuel efficiency information stored in the storage unit, and outputs the route using the communication unit. And a terminal communicably connected to the server, wherein the terminal minimizes fuel consumption required for the vehicle to travel via a road link connecting the first point to the second point. A request for searching for a route is transmitted to the server, and the processing unit of the server obtains the route, and transmits the route to the terminal using the communication unit.

  Further, according to the route searching method disclosed in the present specification, the processor determines a route that provides the best fuel efficiency for a vehicle to travel via a road link that connects the first point to the second point. The method includes a step of searching based on fuel efficiency information of a vehicle for each road link, and a step of outputting a route using an output unit.

  According to the above-described route search device disclosed in this specification, a route with the best fuel efficiency can be searched.

  Further, according to the above-described route search system disclosed in this specification, a route with the best fuel efficiency can be searched.

  Furthermore, according to the above-described route search method disclosed in the present specification, a route with the best fuel efficiency can be searched.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an embodiment of a system disclosed in the present specification. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a server. FIG. 6 is a diagram (part 1) for explaining an example of a link fuel consumption data table. FIG. 11 is a diagram (part 2) for explaining an example of a link fuel consumption data table. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a terminal. It is a figure showing composition of an in-vehicle device. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of an in-vehicle apparatus. FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram (part 1) for explaining the operation of the system. It is a figure explaining the route information displayed on an in-vehicle device. FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram (part 2) for explaining the operation of the system. FIG. 9 is a diagram (part 1) for explaining the searched route information. FIG. 9 is a diagram (part 2) for explaining the searched route information.

  Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the system disclosed in the present specification will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, but extends to the inventions described in the claims and their equivalents.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an embodiment of a system disclosed in this specification.

  The system 1 of the present embodiment includes a server 10, a terminal 20 operated by a user, and an in-vehicle device 30 mounted on a vehicle driven and operated by the user. The server 10 is communicably connected to the terminal 20 and the in-vehicle device 30 via the network N.

  The server 10 stores fuel efficiency information for each road link associated with each vehicle for each of a plurality of users who use the system. Specifically, the server 10 allows the user identified by the user identification information (user ID) to drive and operate the vehicle identified by the vehicle identification information (vehicle ID) and to identify the user by the link identification information (link ID). Fuel efficiency information when the vehicle travels on a road link to be performed. A road link is a section of a road connecting adjacent nodes, with an intersection or the like in the road as a node. In the map data, road links are identified and managed using, for example, link identification information for identifying each section of the road.

  The terminal 20 or the in-vehicle device 30 is operated by the user to achieve the best fuel efficiency required to travel via a road link from the first point (for example, the current location) to the second point (for example, the destination). A route search request that requests to search for a route to be transmitted to the server 10 via the network N.

  Based on the stored fuel efficiency information, the server 10 searches for a route with the best fuel efficiency required to travel via a road link connecting the first point to the second point, and determines the searched route. , To the terminal 20 or the in-vehicle device 30 via the network N.

  The terminal 20 or the in-vehicle device 30 outputs the route received from the server 10 and notifies the user. By driving the vehicle with reference to the notified route, the user can travel from the first point to the second point on the fuel-efficient route.

  The server 10 includes a processing unit 11, a storage unit 12, a display unit 13, an operation unit 14, and a communication unit 15.

  The processing unit 11 has one or more processors and peripheral circuits. The processing unit 11 performs control of various hardware components of the server 10 and various processes according to a predetermined computer program 12a stored in the storage unit 12 in advance, and temporarily stores data generated during the processing. The storage unit 12 is used.

  The function executed by the processing unit 11 may be a function module realized by executing a predetermined program, or the function executed by the processing unit 11 may be implemented in the server 10 as a separate circuit. You may.

  The storage unit 12 may include a semiconductor memory such as a random access memory (RAM) or a read only memory (ROM), a magnetic disk, or a flash memory. The storage unit 12 may include a drive that can read a storage medium that temporarily stores a predetermined computer program.

  The storage unit 12 stores the above-described computer program 12a, map data 12b, and link fuel consumption data table 12c.

  The map data 12b has map information, a link ID, and information on a starting point position and an ending point position of a link as position information of a road link, a link distance, and the like.

  In the link fuel consumption data table 12c, a link ID, a user ID, a vehicle ID, a fuel consumption, and an average vehicle speed are registered in association with each other.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the link fuel consumption data table.

  The link fuel consumption data table 300 has a link ID column 301, a user ID column 302, a vehicle ID column 303, a fuel consumption column 304, and an average vehicle speed column 305.

  In the link ID column 301, a link ID for identifying a road link is registered. In the user ID column 302, a user ID for identifying a user is registered. In the vehicle ID column 303, a vehicle ID for identifying a vehicle is registered. Fuel efficiency information 304 is registered in the fuel efficiency column 304 when the user identified by the user ID drives the vehicle identified by the vehicle ID and travels on a link on the road identified by the link ID. The fuel efficiency information is not particularly limited as long as it is information indicating the fuel efficiency consumed when traveling on the link. Examples of the fuel efficiency information include a travel distance per unit fuel, a consumed fuel amount, a travel distance per unit power, and power consumption. In the average vehicle speed column 305, the average vehicle speed when the user identified by the user ID drives the vehicle identified by the vehicle ID and travels on the link of the road identified by the link ID is registered.

  Further, the link fuel efficiency data table 300 further includes a fuel efficiency for each road link in association with the weather when the vehicle travels on the road link and / or the time zone when the vehicle travels on the road link. Information may be registered. Usually, the fuel efficiency in rain or low temperature is worse than the fuel efficiency in sunny weather. It is possible to search for the route with the best fuel efficiency, including the effect of the weather. Further, when a link on a certain road is congested during the morning and evening commuting hours, the fact that fuel efficiency in this time zone tends to be worse than fuel efficiency in other time zones is reflected when searching for a route.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the link fuel consumption data table.

  In the link fuel efficiency data table 400, the fuel efficiency of the road link identified by the link ID registered in the link fuel efficiency data table 300 is further stored in association with the time zone and the weather.

  The link fuel efficiency data table 400 has a time zone field 401 in which a time zone is associated with each fuel efficiency registered in the fuel efficiency field of the link fuel efficiency data table 300, and a weather field 402 in which the weather is associated. In the link fuel efficiency data table 400, for each link ID associated with the user ID and the vehicle ID, the fuel efficiency of the road link is registered in association with the time zone and the weather.

  In the time zone column 401, 24 hours are divided into hourly time zones and registered. The weather field 402 has a sunny field 402a, a cloudy field 402b, a rain field 402c, and a snow field 402d. In the fine field 402a, the user identified by the user ID operates the vehicle identified by the vehicle ID during the time zone of the time zone field 401, and the link of the road identified by the link ID is displayed in the fine weather. The fuel efficiency information at the time of traveling is registered. Similarly, in each of the cloudy field 402b, the rainy field 402c, and the snowy field 402d, fuel efficiency information that has been traveled in cloudy weather, rainy weather, and snowy weather is registered.

  Furthermore, the fuel efficiency information may be registered in the link fuel efficiency data table 12c in association with the temperature, and / or the date, and / or the day of the week.

  As described above, by registering the fuel efficiency information in the link fuel efficiency data table 12c in association with various conditions when the user operates the vehicle, the server 10 determines that the fuel efficiency is the best based on the fuel efficiency information. It is possible to search for a route with high accuracy.

  The display unit 13 can display various information under the control of the processing unit 11. As the display unit 13, for example, a liquid crystal display can be used.

  The operation unit 14 can be operated by a user to input an operation. As the operation unit 14, for example, a keyboard and a mouse can be used.

  The communication unit 15 transmits and receives information between the terminal 20 and the in-vehicle device 30 via the network N. The processing unit 11 performs various processes based on the information received using the communication unit 15. Further, the processing unit 11 transmits the result of performing various processes using the communication unit 15. The communication unit 15 may include a communication circuit and a communication line that perform transmission and reception.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a terminal.

  The terminal 20 includes a processing unit 21, a storage unit 22, a display unit 23, an operation unit 24, a communication unit 25, a GPS information receiving unit 26, and a sound output unit 27.

  The processing unit 21 has one or a plurality of processors and peripheral circuits. The processing unit 21 performs control of various hardware components of the terminal 20 and various processes according to a predetermined computer program stored in the storage unit 22 in advance, and stores the data generated during the processing to temporarily store the data. The unit 22 is used.

  The function executed by the processing unit 21 may be a function module realized by executing a predetermined program, or the function executed by the processing unit 21 may be implemented in the terminal 20 as a separate circuit. You may.

  The storage unit 22 may include a semiconductor memory such as a random access memory (RAM) or a read only memory (ROM), a magnetic disk, or a flash memory. The storage unit 22 may include a drive that can read a storage medium that temporarily stores a predetermined computer program. Further, it is preferable that the storage unit 22 stores a user ID of a user who operates the terminal 20 and a vehicle ID.

  In addition, the storage unit 22 has a map having information on the map information, the link ID, the start position and the end position of the link as the position information of the road link, the link distance, and the like, similarly to the storage unit 12 of the server 10. Store the data.

  The display unit 23 can display various information associated with the operation of the terminal 20 under the control of the processing unit 21. As the display unit 23, for example, a liquid crystal display can be used.

  The operation unit 24 can be operated by a user to input an operation. The terminal 20 may use, for example, a touch panel integrated with the display unit 23 as the operation unit 24.

  The communication unit 25 can transmit and receive information to and from the server 10 or the in-vehicle device 30 via the network N using wireless communication. The communication unit 25 is connected to the network N via a base station according to a predetermined wireless communication standard such as 3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Project) or LTE (Long Term Evolution). The communication unit 25 may include a communication circuit and an antenna that perform transmission and reception wirelessly. The processing unit 21 performs various processes based on the information received using the communication unit 25. Further, the processing unit 21 transmits the result of performing various processes using the communication unit 25.

  The GPS information receiving unit 26 is a position information obtaining unit that obtains the position of the terminal 20. The GPS information receiving unit 26 receives a GPS radio wave transmitted by a GPS artificial satellite, obtains the position of the terminal 20, and sends the position information of the terminal 20 to the processing unit 21. Output.

  The sound output unit 27 is connected to a speaker (not shown) and is controlled by the processing unit 21 to output sound. The sound output unit 27 has, for example, an audio interface.

  The processing unit 21 has a navigation function. The navigation function is a function module realized by executing the route guidance program. The processing unit 21 outputs a map image indicating a map around the terminal 20 and route guidance information to the display unit 23 based on the route information received from the server 10 with reference to the map data stored in the storage unit 22. , And outputs the voice guidance information to the sound output unit 27. The processing unit 21 calculates the current position of the terminal 20 based on the position acquired by the GPS information receiving unit 26, and updates the map image and the route guidance information displayed on the display unit 23 as needed.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the vehicle-mounted device.

  In-vehicle device 30 is mounted on vehicle 600. The in-vehicle device 30 includes a processing unit 31, a storage unit 32, a display unit 33, an operation unit 34, a sound output unit 35, and a communication unit 36.

  The processing unit 31 has one or more processors and peripheral circuits. The processing unit 31 controls each hardware component of the in-vehicle device 30 and performs various processes according to a predetermined computer program stored in the storage unit 32 such as a route search program, and temporarily stores data generated during the process. The storage unit 32 is used to store the information in the storage unit 32.

  The storage unit 32 may include a semiconductor memory such as a random access memory (RAM) or a read only memory (ROM), a magnetic disk, or a flash memory. The storage unit 32 may include a drive that can read a storage medium that temporarily stores a predetermined computer program. In addition, it is preferable that the storage unit 32 stores a vehicle ID of a vehicle on which the in-vehicle device 30 is mounted and a user ID of a user who operates the vehicle.

  Further, the storage unit 32, like the storage unit 12 of the server 10, has a map having map information, a link ID, and information on a start point position and an end point position of a link as position information of a road link, a link distance, and the like. Store the data.

  The display unit 33 can display various types of information associated with the operation of the in-vehicle device 30 under the control of the processing unit 31. As the display unit 33, for example, a liquid crystal display can be used.

  The operation unit 34 can be operated by a user to input an operation. The in-vehicle device 30 may use, for example, a touch panel integrated with the display unit 33 as the operation unit 34.

  The sound output unit 35 is connected to a speaker (not shown), and is controlled by the processing unit 31 to output sound. The sound output unit 35 has, for example, an audio interface.

  The communication unit 36 can transmit and receive information to and from the server 10 or the terminal 20 via the network N using wireless communication. The communication unit 36 connects to the network N via a base station in accordance with a predetermined wireless communication standard such as 3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Project) or LTE (Long Term Evolution). The communication unit 36 can include a communication circuit and an antenna that perform transmission and reception wirelessly. The processing unit 31 performs various processes based on the information received using the communication unit 36. Further, the processing unit 31 transmits the result of performing various processes using the communication unit 36.

  In addition, the communication unit 36 transmits and receives information to and from the vehicle state acquisition unit 41 mounted on the vehicle 600 via a network C (Controller Area Network: CAN) mounted on the vehicle 600. The communication unit 36 may include a communication circuit and a communication line that perform transmission and reception by wire.

  The vehicle state acquisition unit 41 is mounted on the vehicle 600 and can communicate with the in-vehicle device 30 via the network C. The vehicle state acquisition unit 41 is configured to output information on a fuel injection amount output from an engine ECU (not shown), a remaining fuel amount output from a fuel tank remaining fuel amount sensor (not shown), or a rechargeable battery (see FIG. The information indicating the state of the vehicle, such as the remaining charge amount (not shown) or the vehicle speed information output from a vehicle speed sensor (not shown), is acquired and transmitted to the in-vehicle device via the network C. The function of the vehicle state acquisition unit 41 may be partially executed by a unit such as an engine ECU or a rechargeable battery ECU (not shown).

  The GPS information receiving unit 40 is a position information obtaining unit that obtains the position of the vehicle 600 on which the in-vehicle device 30 is mounted. The GPS information receiving unit 40 receives a GPS radio wave transmitted by a GPS satellite to determine the position of the vehicle 600, The position information is output to the in-vehicle device 30.

  Next, an operation in which the vehicle-mounted device 30 mounted on the vehicle operated by the user acquires fuel efficiency information for each road link and transmits the information to the server 10 will be described below with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. explain.

  First, in step S701, the user turns on the ignition power supply and the accessory power supply of the vehicle. As a result, the drive unit such as the engine of the vehicle becomes operable, and the supply of electric power to the electrical equipment including the in-vehicle device 30 and the like is started.

  Next, in step S703, the processing unit 31 of the in-vehicle device 30 starts acquiring position information of the vehicle from the GPS information receiving unit 40. In addition, the processing unit 31 acquires information used for obtaining fuel efficiency such as vehicle speed information and fuel injection amount from the vehicle state obtaining unit 41 via the network C using the communication unit 36, The storage unit 32 starts storing the position information of the vehicle, the information used for obtaining the fuel efficiency, and the time at which the information was obtained in association with each other. The method by which the processing unit 31 obtains the fuel efficiency is not particularly limited to the above.

  Next, in step S705, the processing unit 31 of the in-vehicle device 30 refers to the map data stored in the storage unit 32 and determines whether or not the vehicle has reached a road node based on the vehicle position information. I do. Specifically, the processing unit 31 determines whether the position of the vehicle matches any one of the start position and the end position of the link of the road node.

  When it is determined that the vehicle has not reached the road node (step S705-No), the process returns to before step S705.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the vehicle has reached the road node (step S705-Yes), the processing unit 31 of the in-vehicle device 30 obtains the fuel efficiency when traveling on the link of the road immediately before (step S707). Specifically, the processing unit 31 refers to the map data stored in the storage unit 32, and obtains the link ID and the link distance of the link having the node as the end point and the node passing immediately before as the start point. I do. Then, the processing unit 31 obtains the fuel efficiency consumed from the time when it is located at the node serving as the start point to the time when it is located at the node serving as the end point. For example, the processing unit 31 obtains the fuel efficiency as a quotient obtained by dividing the distance of the link by the total amount of fuel injected into the engine from the time when the link is located at the start node to the time when the link is located at the end node. . Further, the processing unit 31 obtains the average vehicle speed as a quotient obtained by dividing the distance of the node by the time required for traveling from the time when the node is located at the start point to the time when the node is located at the end point.

  Next, in step S709, the processing unit 31 of the in-vehicle device 30 transmits the obtained fuel efficiency and average vehicle speed together with the link ID, the user ID, and the vehicle ID together with the time at which the vehicle reached the node via the network N. Send to 10. The processing unit 31 may transmit the user ID and the vehicle ID stored in the storage unit 32 to the server 10, but may transmit the user ID or the vehicle ID input by the user using the operation unit 34 to the server 10. May be sent to

  The processing unit 11 of the server 10 registers the received fuel efficiency and average vehicle speed in the link fuel efficiency data table 12c of the storage unit 12 in association with the link ID, the user ID, and the vehicle ID. If the fuel efficiency and the average vehicle speed have already been registered in association with the same link ID, user ID, and vehicle ID, the processing unit 11 newly receives the fuel efficiency and the average vehicle speed that have been registered. The respective average values of the fuel efficiency and the average vehicle speed are obtained and registered in the link fuel efficiency data table 12c.

  In addition, the processing unit 11 of the server 10 acquires the position information of the link of the road identified by the link ID with reference to the map data stored in the storage unit 12, and converts the position information of the link through the network N into the link information. Based on this, the weather and temperature of the link may be acquired, and the fuel efficiency may be registered in the link fuel efficiency data table 12c in association with the weather, time zone, temperature, date, and day of the week. Here, the time zone may be a time zone that includes the time received by the server 10 from the vehicle-mounted device 30.

  The processing unit 31 of the in-vehicle device 30 repeatedly executes the processing of steps S705 to S709 while the accessory power is on (step S711-No). On the other hand, when the accessory power supply is turned off, the processing unit 31 ends the processing (step S711-Yes).

  Next, the operation of the system 1 when the user operates the in-vehicle device 30 to search for a route from the first point (for example, the current position) to the second point (for example, the destination) is shown in FIG. This will be described below with reference to the sequence diagram shown.

  First, in step S801, the processing unit 31 of the in-vehicle device 30 inputs a destination and a route search request by operating the operation unit 34 by the user. The processing unit 31 inputs the current position from the GPS information receiving unit 40, and transmits a user ID, a vehicle ID, a current position, a destination, and a route search request via the network N using the communication unit 36. To the server 10. The processing unit 31 may transmit the vehicle ID stored in the storage unit 32 or, if the user can drive and operate a plurality of vehicles, transmit the vehicle ID input or selected by the user. Is also good.

  Next, in step S803, the server 10 receives the user ID, the vehicle ID, the current position, the destination, and the route search request.

  Next, in step S805, based on the route search request, the processing unit 11 of the server 10 refers to the map data 12b and the link fuel consumption data table 12c stored in the storage unit 12, and determines the user identified by the user ID. Then, the vehicle identified by the vehicle ID is operated to search for a route (best fuel efficiency route) with the best fuel efficiency required to travel via a road link from the current position to the destination. The processing unit 11 may use, for example, a reciprocal of fuel efficiency as a weight between nodes (that is, links of roads) to obtain a best fuel efficiency route using the Dijkstra method. Here, the processing unit 11 may estimate the fuel efficiency of a link whose fuel efficiency is not registered in the link fuel efficiency data table 12c based on the fuel efficiency registered in a node adjacent to this link. For example, the processing unit 11 estimates the fuel efficiency of a link for which fuel efficiency is not registered as an average value of fuel efficiency of an adjacent node. In addition, the fuel efficiency of the link fuel efficiency data table 12c stored in the storage unit 12 may be the weather when the vehicle travels on the road link, and / or the time zone when the vehicle travels on the road link, and / or Registered in association with the temperature at which the vehicle travels on the road link, and / or the day of the week when the vehicle travels on the road link, and / or the date on which the vehicle travels on the road link. If there is, based on the link fuel consumption data table 12c, the processing unit 11 determines whether the weather of the link at the time of receiving the route search request or / and / or the time zone or / and the temperature of the link or / and / Alternatively, the best fuel economy route may be searched for on a date. Then, the processing unit 11 obtains estimated values of the fuel efficiency, the travel distance, and the travel time when the vehicle travels on the best fuel efficiency route. The processing unit 11 can obtain the travel distance as the sum of the distances of the road links that form the best fuel efficiency route. Further, the processing unit 11 can obtain the travel time as the sum of the quotients obtained by dividing each distance of the link of the road forming the best fuel efficiency route by the average vehicle speed of the link.

  Further, the processing unit 11 of the server 10 obtains a link ID having a lower fuel consumption than a predetermined threshold value among links of a road forming a best fuel consumption route from the current position to the destination. The predetermined threshold value may be, for example, a fuel efficiency of twice or more the average value of the fuel efficiency (km / L) of the link of the road forming the best fuel efficiency route. The best fuel efficiency route, the link ID whose fuel efficiency is lower than a predetermined threshold value, and the estimated values of the fuel efficiency, the travel distance, and the travel time when traveling on the best fuel efficiency route are hereinafter also referred to as best fuel efficiency route information.

  In addition, the processing unit 11 of the server 10 refers to the map data 12b and the link fuel consumption data table 12c stored in the storage unit 12 to travel via a road link that connects the current position to the destination. A route that requires the shortest traveling distance (the shortest traveling distance route) is searched. For example, the processing unit 11 may obtain the shortest travel distance route with the shortest travel distance using the Dijkstra method, using the weight between nodes (that is, road links) as the distance between nodes. Then, the processing unit 11 obtains the estimated values of the fuel efficiency, the traveling distance, and the traveling time when traveling on the shortest traveling distance route. Hereinafter, the estimated values of the fuel efficiency, the traveling distance, and the traveling time when traveling along the shortest traveling distance route and the shortest traveling distance route are also referred to as shortest traveling distance information.

  Further, the processing unit 11 of the server 10 refers to the map data 12b and the link fuel consumption data table 12c stored in the storage unit 12 to travel via a road link connecting the current position to the destination. A route that requires the shortest running time (the shortest running time route) is searched. For example, the processing unit 11 may use the Dijkstra method to determine the shortest travel time route using the Dijkstra method, using the weight between nodes (that is, road links) as the travel time between nodes. The processing unit 11 may obtain the travel time between the nodes as a quotient obtained by dividing the distance between the nodes by the average vehicle speed. The processing unit 11 may estimate the average vehicle speed of a link whose fuel efficiency is not registered in the link fuel efficiency data table 12c based on the average vehicle speed registered in a node adjacent to this link. For example, the processing unit 11 estimates an average vehicle speed of a link for which an average vehicle speed is not registered as an average value of the average vehicle speeds of the adjacent nodes. Then, the processing unit 11 calculates estimated values of the fuel efficiency, the travel distance, and the travel time when the vehicle travels on the shortest travel time route. Hereinafter, the estimated values of the fuel efficiency, the travel distance, and the travel time when traveling on the shortest travel time route and the shortest travel time route are also referred to as the shortest travel time route information.

  Next, in step S807, the processing unit 11 of the server 10 transmits, via the network N, the best fuel efficiency route information, the shortest travel distance route information, the shortest travel time route information, and the link whose fuel efficiency is worse than the threshold. It transmits to the in-vehicle device 30.

  Next, in step S809, the in-vehicle device 30 receives the best fuel efficiency route information, the shortest travel distance route, and the link whose shortest travel time route fuel efficiency is lower than the threshold.

  Next, in step S811, the processing unit 31 of the in-vehicle device 30 displays the received route information on the screen of the display unit 33, as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 9 shows a screen 900 of the display unit 33. The screen 900 shows the predicted values of the fuel efficiency, the running distance, and the running time of the best fuel economy route with the priority on fuel economy, the shortest running distance route with the priority on distance, and the shortest running time route with the priority on time.

  Next, in step S811, the processing unit 31 of the in-vehicle device 30 inputs the route selected by the user using the operation unit 34, displays the selected route information on the display unit 33, and starts the route guidance. I do. The user operates the vehicle based on the route information displayed on the display unit 33 of the in-vehicle device 30 and the voice guidance information output from the sound output unit 35. When the best fuel economy route is selected by the user, the in-vehicle device 30 guides the best fuel economy route, so that the user can travel to the destination with the best fuel economy when traveling with a driving vehicle. In this case, if there is a link whose fuel efficiency is lower than a predetermined threshold value, the processing unit 31 displays on the display unit 33 that the vehicle is running on a link with poor fuel efficiency while the link is running. And / or output from the sound output unit 35 to notify the user that a fuel-efficient driving operation is performed. Accordingly, the user can drive the accelerator pedal and / or the brake pedal with care while driving on a link with poor fuel efficiency so as to improve fuel efficiency. Further, the fuel efficiency information during traveling is acquired by the vehicle-mounted device 30 and transmitted to the server 10 as described with reference to FIG.

  When the shortest travel distance route is selected by the user, the in-vehicle device 30 guides the shortest travel distance route, so that the user can travel to the destination with the shortest travel distance. When the shortest travel time route is selected by the user, the in-vehicle device 30 guides the shortest travel time route, so that the user can travel to the destination in the shortest travel time. Note that the above-described processing of the in-vehicle device 30 may be performed by the terminal 20 communicating with the server 10.

  Next, another operation example of the system 1 of the present embodiment will be described below with reference to a sequence diagram shown in FIG. In this operation example, the user owns two vehicles A and B, and the server 10 obtains the best fuel efficiency route for each of the two vehicles. The vehicle A has an engine with a larger displacement than the vehicle B, and the vehicle weight is heavier than the vehicle B. Conversely, the vehicle B has an engine with a smaller displacement than the vehicle A, and has a lighter weight than the vehicle A.

  First, the processing unit 21 of the terminal 20 inputs a destination and route search request by operating the operation unit 24 by the user. The processing unit 21 inputs the current position from the GPS information receiving unit 26, and transmits a user ID, a vehicle ID, a current position, a destination, and a route search request via the network N using the communication unit 25. To the server 10. The processing unit 21 may transmit the vehicle ID stored in the storage unit 22 or may transmit the vehicle ID input by the user among the two vehicles owned by the user.

  Next, in step S1003, the server 10 receives the user ID, the vehicle ID, and the current position, destination, and route search request.

  Next, in step S1005, the processing unit 11 of the server 10 is identified by the received user ID with reference to the map data 12b and the link fuel consumption data table 12c stored in the storage unit 12 based on the route search request. The user drives and operates the vehicle identified by the vehicle ID, and searches for a route (best fuel efficiency route) with the best fuel efficiency required to travel via a road link from the current position to the destination. I do. Further, the processing unit 11 refers to the link fuel efficiency data table 12c and, when another vehicle ID associated with the received user ID is registered, the user identified by the received user ID is identified by the user ID. The route (the best fuel efficiency) required to drive and operate the vehicle identified by the other vehicle ID associated with the vehicle and to travel via the link of the road connecting the current position to the destination (the best fuel efficiency) Route). In this manner, the processing unit 11 determines, for each of the two vehicles A and B owned by the user, the fuel consumption required to travel via the road link connecting the current position to the destination. Search for the best route (best fuel economy route).

  Next, in step S1007, the processing unit 11 of the server 10 transmits the best fuel efficiency route information for each of the two vehicles A and B owned by the user to the terminal 20 via the network N.

  Next, in step S1009, the terminal 20 receives the best fuel efficiency route information for each of the two vehicles A and B owned by the user.

  Next, in step S1011, the processing unit 11 of the terminal 20 displays the received best fuel efficiency route information on the screen of the display unit 23 as shown in FIG. In FIG. 11, the display of the travel distance and the travel time of the best fuel efficiency route information is omitted.

  The user operates the terminal 20 to transmit a route search request for searching for the best fuel efficiency route from the current location P1 to the destination P2 to the server 10, and as a result, the server 10 obtains two vehicles A and B owned by the user. , The same fuel economy best route R1 was searched. FIG. 11 shows the best fuel efficiency route R1 and the best fuel efficiency for each of the two vehicles A and B owned by the user.

  The fuel efficiency when the user drives the vehicle A and travels on the best fuel efficiency route R1 is 10 km / L. On the other hand, the best fuel efficiency route R1 when the user drives the vehicle B is the same as the vehicle A, but the fuel efficiency is 8 km / L, which is worse than that when the vehicle A is operated. .

  Since the route R1 is a route along the coast, which is relatively flat, has many straight portions, and has a relatively high traveling speed, the fuel efficiency of the vehicle A having a large displacement is better than that of the vehicle B. It is thought that it showed.

  The user who has been notified of the fuel efficiency of the best fuel efficiency route R1 for each of the two vehicles A and B owned by the terminal 20 from the terminal 20 selects the vehicle A, and has a better fuel efficiency than the case where the vehicle B is driven and operated. From the vehicle to the destination P2.

  FIG. 12 shows the result of the user operating the terminal 20 to search for the best fuel efficiency route from the current location P1 to another destination P3. The server 10 searched for the same best fuel efficiency route R2 for each of the two vehicles A and B owned by the user. FIG. 12 shows the fuel efficiency of the best fuel efficiency route R2 for each of the two vehicles A and B owned by the user.

  The fuel efficiency when the user drives the vehicle B and travels on the best fuel efficiency route R2 is 4 km / L. On the other hand, the best fuel efficiency route R2 when the user operates the vehicle B is the same as the vehicle A, but the fuel efficiency is 6 km / L, which is better than the case where the user operates the vehicle A. .

  The route R2 is a route that passes through mountains, has many up roads, down roads, and curved roads, and has a high frequency of acceleration / deceleration driving operations. Therefore, it is considered that the fuel efficiency of the vehicle B having a small displacement and the light vehicle weight showed a better result than the vehicle A.

  The user who has been notified of the fuel efficiency of the best fuel efficiency route R2 for each of the two vehicles A and B owned by the terminal 20 from the terminal 20 selects the vehicle B so that the current location P1 can be better fueled than when the vehicle A is operated. To the destination P3.

  As described above, the system 1 searches for a route with the best fuel efficiency according to the vehicle alone or the combination of the user and the vehicle. Here, even if the route is the same, the user is notified that the vehicle with the best fuel efficiency is different, so that the user can select the vehicle with the best fuel efficiency. Note that, in the above description, the user has a plurality of vehicles and seeks the route with the best fuel efficiency for each vehicle, but when the user operates any one of the plurality of rental cars, Alternatively, a route with the best fuel efficiency may be obtained for each of the plurality of rental cars, and a vehicle indicating the route with the best fuel efficiency may be rented.

  According to the above-described system of the present embodiment, the user can search for a route with the best fuel efficiency for each vehicle.

  In the present invention, the route search method, the route search device, and the system according to the above-described embodiment can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the present invention.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the server has searched for the route with the best fuel efficiency. However, the terminal or the in-vehicle device may search for the route with the best fuel efficiency.

Reference Signs List 1 system 10 server 11 processing unit 12 storage unit 12a computer program 12b map data 12c link fuel consumption data table 13 display unit 14 operation unit 15 communication unit (output unit)
Reference Signs List 20 terminal 21 processing unit 22 storage unit 23 display unit 24 operation unit 25 communication unit 26 GPS information reception unit 27 sound output unit 30 in-vehicle device 31 processing unit 32 storage unit 33 display unit 34 operation unit 35 sound output unit 36 communication unit 40 GPS Information receiver 41 Vehicle status acquisition unit

Claims (7)

A storage unit for storing fuel efficiency information for each link of the road associated with the vehicle,
An output unit;
Searching for a route on which the vehicle has the best fuel efficiency required to travel via a link of a road connecting the first point to the second point based on the fuel efficiency information stored in the storage unit; A processing unit that outputs the path using the output unit;
A route search device comprising: The processing unit includes:
The route search device according to claim 1, wherein, among the links of the roads forming the route, links having lower fuel efficiency than a predetermined threshold are output using the output unit. The fuel efficiency information is further associated with the weather when the vehicle travels on the road link, or the time zone when the vehicle travels on the road link,
The processing unit, in one weather, or in one time zone, the fuel efficiency required for the vehicle to travel via a road link connecting the first point to the second point is the best. The route search device according to claim 1, wherein a route is searched based on the fuel efficiency information.   The route search device according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle is associated with a user who operates the vehicle.   When there are a plurality of the vehicles associated with the user, the processing unit may be configured to operate the vehicle for each of the plurality of vehicles and connect the road from the first point to the second point. Searching for the route with the best fuel efficiency required to travel via the link of the plurality of vehicles, and among the plurality of vehicles, outputting the vehicle showing the best fuel efficiency and the route searched for the vehicle. The route search device according to claim 4, wherein the output is performed using a unit. A communication unit;
A storage unit for storing fuel efficiency information for each link of the road associated with the vehicle,
Searching for a route on which the vehicle has the best fuel efficiency required to travel via a link of a road connecting the first point to the second point based on the fuel efficiency information stored in the storage unit; A processing unit that outputs the route using the communication unit,
A server having
A terminal communicably connected to the server;
With
The terminal sends a request to the server to search for the route that minimizes fuel consumption required for the vehicle to travel via a road link that connects the first point to the second point. And
A system in which the processing unit of the server obtains the route and transmits the route to the terminal using the communication unit. The processor
Searching for a route on which the fuel efficiency required for the vehicle to travel via a road link connecting the first point to the second point based on the fuel efficiency information of the vehicle for each road link;
Outputting the route using an output unit.

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