JP3368775B2 - Car navigation system - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle-mounted navigation device, and more particularly to an ATIS (Advanced Traffic I).
nformation Service) and VICS (Vehicle Informatio)
n and Communication System: on Road Traffic Information settable navigation device a route based on the traffic information data received from the communication system) or the like to the destination.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in order to improve road traffic conditions, traffic information such as traffic jams, accidents, and vacant parking lots is notified to the vehicle driver so that the driver can select an appropriate route and make a stray or mistake. It is attempted to prevent running and smooth traffic flow, or to conserve environmental problems such as exhaust gas due to decentralization of traffic flow.

As such a system, for example,
There is a navigation aid system described in 7 -21 417 JP. This system transmits the origin and destination from a vehicle, which is a mobile station, to a fixed station, sets a route at the fixed station based on the transmitted origin and destination, and sends the route back to the mobile station. The mobile station receiving the returned route displays the route on the display device.

ATIS, for example, is currently the one that realizes such a technique. At ATIS, when the vehicle sends information about the current location and the destination,
Based on the transmitted information, the center returns route information, which is a so-called "recommended route", to the vehicle side.
This recommended route is set by the ATIS center side. For example, if the location where congestion is occurring is known, a route that bypasses it is set up, or there is currently no congestion. For the purpose of preventing future traffic congestion in advance, the recommended route is set so that the vehicles traveling on the same route are dispersed.

[0005]

However, there is a remarkable inconvenience that information obtained from the ATIS center cannot be voice-guided at present. In other words, in the navigation system which is generally used at present, the route is displayed on the screen and the running guidance is sequentially provided by voice. However, since this is not possible, a device equipped with a voice guidance function in terms of hardware. However, it cannot be used effectively. Therefore, the driver must read the displayed route by himself and judge it.

Also, regarding the display contents, the ATI
There is an inconvenience that it is difficult for the driver to grasp sufficient driving guidance information simply by reading the recommended route received and displayed from the S center. This is because the road network that can be handled by the ATIS center is only for main trunk lines and is considerably coarser than the actual road network. Of course, the road network used by the navigation system installed in the vehicle does not necessarily cover all existing road networks, but the level that the ATIS center can handle is considerably coarser than that. There is. This is because the road network map information used in the vehicle-mounted navigation system is supplied by a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, which is, so to speak, static (fixed). On the other hand, in the ATIS center, the contents are dynamic (variable), so to speak, in order to take into consideration the situation such as traffic congestion information and temporary traffic closures, which are changed every moment.

The coarse road network causes the following inconveniences. For example, FIG. 5 shows an example of the recommended route of ATIS. The thickest line in FIG. 5 is the recommended route, and the next thickest line is the ATIS road network. The actual road network includes the thinnest lines. Therefore, when the recommended route is acquired from the ATIS center and is displayed, the line except the thinnest line in FIG. 5 is displayed.
Start position of the recommended route from the current position (indicated by A in Fig. 5)
Or from the end position of the recommended route (indicated by B in FIG. 5) to the destination, it is necessary to drive without guidance. Further, as shown in FIG. 6 (B), although there are roads for connecting between grade crossings in the actual road network, the roughness is caused in the ATIS road network. As shown in (A), the road connecting the grade crossings is simply displayed in a schematic state with the roads omitted. Even when the recommended route is highlighted, the recommended route is divided at the overpass, so that, for example, as shown in FIG.
Even if it is necessary to make a left turn at point a and then a right turn at the next intersection in order to drive to
In the ATIS road network shown in (A),
They cannot be shown on the display.

As described above, since it is not possible to make a sufficient judgment only by displaying, it is possible to set the route based on a more precise road network in order to reduce the burden on the driver and realize more appropriate navigation. It is necessary that at least the traveling guide can be performed by voice output on the set route.

However, in the case of actual implementation including the process of converting into the format of the navigation system provided in the own vehicle as described above, predetermined data concerning the own vehicle is transmitted to the ATIS center and the recommended route is sent from the ATIS center. Will be required, and time will be required for setting the route to the destination again based on the received recommended route. Therefore, during this time, no driving guidance can be provided, which reduces the effectiveness of the navigation function.

In the case of ATIS, basically bidirectional communication is premised. Therefore, information about the current location and the destination is transmitted from the vehicle, and the recommended route set based on the transmitted information is transmitted to the vehicle side. Although it is assumed that a reply is sent, the same inconvenience is also assumed when one-way communication of a so-called broadcast format is premised, in which the recommended route is unilaterally transmitted from the center side. In other words, instead of being based on the current or destination position of the vehicle, for example, the recommended route in a predetermined area is set on the center side and transmitted, and on the vehicle side that receives the recommended route, for example, in relation to the destination. When a route is adopted, it is determined whether or not the route is adopted, and when the route is adopted, the same inconvenience as in the case of the above-described two-way communication may occur. Therefore, the same applies even if a system such as VICS transmits such a recommended route.

The present invention can solve such a problem and reset a so-called dynamic destination route in consideration of a recommended route obtained from an external source such as an ATIS center. , It is intended to realize more appropriate navigation by making it possible to exert an appropriate traveling guidance function even during the resetting.

[0012]

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention The present invention, which has been made to achieve the above object, stores the link information of links connecting nodes and the connection information of links including traffic restrictions. Means, a destination setting means for setting a destination, a route setting means for setting a route from a departure place to a destination, and a driving guide for the set destination route, at least output by voice from a voice utterance device. The route setting means calculates the route cost using the Dijkstra method based on the link information and the connection information, and sets the destination route by connecting the link that minimizes the route cost. In the in-vehicle navigation device, the above setting was made on the external source side.
Transmission means for transmitting information about the destination and the current location,
Based on the sent information about the destination and the current location
Is determined and a receiving means for receiving a predetermined recommended route originating from a source of said external routing means can reset the route to the destination taking into account the recommended route received by the receiving means At the same time, the guide means guides the travel according to the previously set destination route while the route setting means resets the destination route, and at the time of resetting, the reset destination route. It is characterized in that it is configured to switch to driving guidance by.

The vehicle-mounted navigation device stores link information of links connecting nodes and connection information of links including traffic restrictions, and if a destination is set,
For the route from the origin to the destination, the route cost can be calculated using the Dijkstra method based on the link information and the connection information, and the destination route can be set by connecting the link with the minimum route cost. The travel guidance for the set destination route can be executed by outputting at least a voice from the voice utterance device.

In addition to exhibiting such a basic navigation function, in the vehicle-mounted navigation device of the present invention, the transmitting means sets the destination set to the external source side.
And the information about the current location, and the receiving means
Determined based on information about the trusted destination and current location
Re to receive the predetermined recommended route originating from an external source
It Then , the route setting means can reset the destination route in consideration of the received recommended route. The recommended route to be considered when re-setting the destination route is set by the center side, as represented by, for example, the one transmitted from the ATIS center. Set a route that detours, or set a recommended route so that vehicles traveling on the same route are dispersed for the purpose of preventing future congestion in advance even if there is no congestion at present It has been done. Therefore, by setting a destination route that includes such a recommended route, it is possible to provide driving guidance that considers not only the individual vehicle circumstances but also the traffic situation from a somewhat broader perspective, and avoiding a further increase in traffic congestion, and Appropriate navigation that contributes to active traffic control such as avoiding traffic congestion in advance can be realized.

Then, while the route setting means resets the destination route, the guiding means guides the travel by the destination route set previously, and when the route setting means resets the destination route, the resetting is performed. Switch to driving guidance according to the destination route. In other words, the recommended route received from the outside can be reset and guided so that it can be handled normally by the navigation device itself, and while it is being reset, the guide route according to the previously set destination route can be used. It can be performed.
Therefore, it is possible to re-set the so-called dynamic destination route in consideration of the recommended route obtained from the external transmission source such as the ATIS center, and it is possible to exert an appropriate travel guidance function during the re-setting. In this way, more appropriate navigation can be realized.

This will be described with reference to FIG. First, static route setting is used to calculate (), and after the calculation, travel guidance is started based on that route (). Then, when the recommended route is acquired by communication while continuing the driving guidance (), a route reflecting the recommended route is created (). This is the dynamic route setting. And
At the time when the route is reset in, the route guidance is switched to the route based on the reset destination route.

For example, as an example of the time required for processing,
If the static route setting of was about 20 seconds, the recommended route acquisition was about 20 seconds, and the route resetting was about 20 seconds,
With the conventional method, about 4 times during the dynamic route setting of
No driving guidance will be given for 0 seconds. Considering the case where the dynamic route setting of is followed by the static route setting of, the traveling guidance is provided after about 20 seconds has passed, and the total waiting time is about 60 seconds. .

On the other hand, in the case of the present invention, the travel guidance is started at the time when the first static route setting () is finished, and thereafter, while the dynamic route setting is being performed. The started driving guidance continues. And ...
Since driving guidance when dynamic routing is completed in the switches, in the guide Ki out to continue without interruption travel guidance from it is started, preferred in view of prevention of the period can not travel guidance.

The present invention does not assume a system in which the recommended route is unilaterally transmitted from, for example, an external source , but provides information on the destination and the current location set on the external source side. a transmitting means for transmitting, receiving means are the configuration for receiving a predetermined recommended route originating from is determined based on the information about the destination and current position obtained by the transmission source, bidirectional communication such as ATIS This configuration is effective when applied to a system based on.

In other words, the recommended route is a route that takes into consideration not only the vehicle-specific situation but also the traffic situation from a broader perspective, but may differ depending on the destination and the current location set for each vehicle. It is common. Therefore, by transmitting the recommended route for each vehicle in this way, a more suitable recommended route can be obtained for each vehicle. In addition, the traffic management side can consider the traffic status from a wide perspective while being based on the status of the vehicle, which is preferable for realizing more appropriate navigation.

Of course, it does not make sense to unilaterally send the recommended route. For example, if the main road in a predetermined area has a very low traffic volume, the main road is set as the recommended route. It may be uniformly transmitted to vehicles entering the area. Also in this case, it is effective on the vehicle side because the vehicle can smoothly travel if it passes through the recommended route, and on the traffic management side, it can lead to an appropriate state as traffic control from a wide viewpoint. Of course, the traffic volume of the main trunk road is monitored, and if it is determined that traffic congestion will occur if the traffic volume further increases, the recommended route may not be selected.

As the guide means, it is sufficient if at least it can be executed by outputting a voice from the voice utterance device, but the running guide is executed by outputting a voice from the voice utterance device. Alternatively, it may be configured so that an image can be displayed on a display device that displays graphics or symbols on the screen. As a current navigation device, it is general to provide a visual output and a voice output to give a visual and audible appeal for driving guidance.

It is to be noted that, as an advantage in the case where the voice guidance device outputs the voice in the driving guidance, the driver does not need to shift the viewpoint to the display device, so that the safe driving can be better ensured. There are points such as that. Although it has been described that the transmission means on the premise of the above-described two-way communication transmits the information about the destination and the current location to the external source side, this information is, of course, the position information (the location information indicating the destination and the current location itself). (For example, position coordinates in 2D map data)
However, if it is assumed that the route is set based on the link information and the connection information between the links, the so-called "static route setting" using the stored link information and connection information It is also possible to send the link information closest to the set destination and current location.

The advantage of this is, for example, the current ATI.
Road network link information in S (simply "A
Also called "TIS link". ) Will be easier to understand if explained in consideration of the comparison with. In other words, since there are links in the ATIS link for each traveling direction, it may be difficult to specify which direction is desired. For example, the ATIS center sets a recommended route for traveling in the opposite direction. There is a possibility that it will be done. Therefore, if the link information closest to the destination and the current position on the destination route once set by the static route setting is transmitted, it becomes easy to identify the traveling direction on the ATIS link.

Regarding the route setting, the current position of the host vehicle deviates from the reset destination route due to the movement of the vehicle while resetting in consideration of the received recommended route. Cases are also envisioned. In that case, the following measures can be considered. In other words, in such a case, it is possible to set a new destination route in consideration of the current position of the own vehicle, and while the new destination route is being set, the destination route was set previously. The route guidance is performed according to the destination route, and when the route is newly set, the route guidance is switched to the route guide according to the newly set destination route. Of course, after that, while the recommended route is being taken into consideration and the destination route is being reset as described above, the travel guidance may be provided based on the newly set destination route.

[0026]

1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a vehicle-mounted navigation device 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle-mounted navigation device 20 includes a position detector 24, a map data input device 26, an operation switch group 28, a navigation ECU 30 connected to these, an external memory 32 connected to the navigation ECU 30, a display device 34, and a speaker 35. ing. The navigation ECU
Reference numeral 30 is configured as an ordinary computer, and internally provided with a well-known CPU, ROM, RAM, I / O, and a bus line connecting these configurations.

The position detector 24 detects the position of the vehicle on the basis of radio waves from a well-known gyroscope 38, a distance sensor 40, and a GPS (Global Position).
ingSystem) has a GPS receiver 42.
Since each of these sensors, 18, 20, 22 has an error of different nature, it is configured to be used while being interpolated by a plurality of sensors. Depending on the accuracy, it may be configured by a part of the above, and further, a rotation sensor of the steering wheel, a wheel sensor of each rolling wheel, or the like may be used.

The map data input device 26 is a device for inputting various data including so-called map matching data for improving the accuracy of position detection and map data. As a storage medium corresponding to the storage means, a CD-ROM is generally used because of its data amount, but another medium such as a memory card may be used.

The display device 34 is a color display device, and on the screen of the display device 34, the current vehicle position mark input from the position detector 24, map data input from the map data input device 26, and It is possible to display the guide route displayed on the map and additional data such as a mark of a set point described later in an overlapping manner.

Further, the driver is informed of the driving guidance by voice through the speaker 35,
Both the display by the display device 34 and the voice output from the speaker 35 can guide the driver to travel.
For example, in the case of a right turn, the content such as "Please turn right at the next intersection" is output by voice. If the driver is informed by voice, the driver can check the traffic information at the set point without moving the viewpoint, and thus further safe driving can be achieved. The display device 34 and the speaker 35 correspond to the "guidance means" of the present invention.

The operation switch group 28 corresponding to the "destination setting means" is, for example, a touch switch integrated with the display device 34 or a mechanical switch, and is used for various inputs. Then, when the position of the destination is input by the operation switch group 28, the in-vehicle navigation device 20 automatically selects the optimum route from the current position to the destination to form the guide route, and the display device. It is provided with a so-called route guidance function of displaying on 34 and guiding by voice through the speaker 35. Such a method of automatically setting the optimum route is
Techniques such as the Dijkstra method are known.

Further, the vehicle-mounted navigation device 20
Includes a communication device 44. This communication device 44 is
This is for communicating with the information center 10 as an "external source". In the present embodiment, this information center 1
An ATIS center 0 is capable of bidirectional communication. Therefore, this communication device 44 is a "reception means".
And corresponds to the "transmitting means". Further, as a device used as the communication device 44, a mobile phone such as a car phone or a mobile phone is generally used.

Here, the configuration of the information center 10 will be briefly described. The information center 10 collects by an external event collection device 12 that collects external events such as road conditions from various sensors S attached near the road, a road map in the center area, and various regulations and external event collection devices 12. A road network data storage device 14 in which various types of traffic information created based on the generated external event are stored;
A communication device 16 that communicates with a navigation device 20 mounted in a vehicle via a wireless line such as a car phone or a mobile phone, position data (current location and destination) received from the navigation device 20, and road network data storage The control device 18 includes a controller 18 that calculates a recommended route based on the information stored in the device 14.

By having such a configuration, the on-vehicle navigation device 20 performs "dynamic route setting" for setting the route to the destination in consideration of the "recommended route" acquired from the information center 10. Two types of route setting, "static route setting" without considering the recommended route, are possible. This route setting is performed by the navigation ECU 30 corresponding to "route setting means".
Will be executed mainly.

When a dynamic route is set, the navigation EC
The U30 first transmits information about the current location and the destination to the information center 10. Then, the information center 10 returns a recommended route based on the transmitted information. This recommended route is set by the information center 10 from a so-called macro viewpoint, taking various circumstances into consideration. For example, if you know the place where congestion is occurring, set a route that bypasses it, or even if there is no congestion at present, from the purpose of preventing future congestion in advance, etc. The recommended route is set so that vehicles traveling on the same route are dispersed.

On the other hand, when the static route is set, the navigation ECU 30 allows the driver to select the operation switch group 28 from the menu displayed on the display device 34 after the power is turned on.
When the route information display process is selected in order to display the guide route on the display device 34 by operating, the following process is performed. That is, when the driver inputs the destination based on the map on the display device 34, the current location of the vehicle is obtained based on the satellite data obtained from the GPS receiver 42, and the Dijkstra method is used between the destination and the current location. The cost is calculated, and the shortest route from the current position to the destination is obtained as the guide route.
Then, the guide route is displayed so as to be superimposed on the road map on the display device 44 to guide the driver to an appropriate route.

The present invention does not individually execute the dynamic route setting and the static route setting which have been conventionally executed as described above, but in the case of the dynamic route setting, voice guidance is realized. And to eliminate the inconvenience caused by the generally rough road network used,
To prevent the reduction of the effectiveness of the navigation function due to the blank of the driving guidance when setting the route based on the static route setting while reflecting the recommended route set by the dynamic route setting. There is a focus on what to do.

Therefore, how the vehicle-mounted navigation device 20 of this embodiment realizes this point will be described with reference to FIG. 2 and subsequent figures. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a main process of setting a destination route and running guidance based on the set destination route. When the process is started, the first step S1 is performed.
At 10, the route (destination route) from the present location (departure location) to the destination is set.

Here, the contents of the processing relating to the route setting executed in S110 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. In the first step S210 in FIG.
Read the map data. This reading process is
The map data of the predetermined area including the set destination and the current position of the vehicle is read from the map data input device 26 (see FIG. 1).

Subsequently, in S220, the route cost (initial cost calculation) for both end nodes of the start link is calculated based on the current position (starting point) of the vehicle. In the present embodiment, since the route setting is performed using the Dijkstra method, this cost calculation is necessary. The route cost is calculated as follows.

That is, in the Dijkstra method, the route cost (evaluation value for the route) from the current position to each node is calculated using the link information for the links between the nodes and the connection information for the links including the traffic regulation. When all cost calculations to the destination have been completed, the link with the minimum route cost is connected to set the destination route. The calculation formula used in this case is, for example, the formula shown below.

Route cost = link length × road width coefficient × road classification coefficient × congestion degree Here, the road width coefficient is a coefficient set according to the road width, and the road classification coefficient is a road such as a toll road. It is a coefficient set according to the type. The congestion level is a coefficient set according to the congestion level of the road, and the initial value is "1". That is, when there is no congestion, "1" is set so as not to affect the calculation of the route cost, and the numerical value is set larger as the degree of congestion increases. By adding the route costs calculated using the above equation, the route cost on the route to the destination can be obtained.

In S220, the position on the link (starting link) closest to the current position of the vehicle is set, the route cost for the link is calculated using the above equation, and the proportional relationship is obtained from the positional relationship with the nodes at both ends of the link. Calculate the initial cost by allocation. Next, in S230, the node having the minimum route cost is specified from among the undetermined nodes. In addition, when there are a plurality of nodes having the minimum route cost, one of them is programmed.

Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the node specified in S230 can exit the link to which it is connected. If the node can exit (S240: YES), the process proceeds to S250 to pass the link. Calculate the route cost of
It is executed using the above-described calculation formula.

After the processing of S250, the process proceeds to S260,
Determines if the next node is in doubt. If it is undetermined (S260: YES), S2
Moving to 70, the route cost of the next node is updated.
After the processing of S270 or in the negative determination in S240 described above, that is, when the node specified in S230 cannot leave the link to which the node is connected, further negative determination in S260, that is, the next node is confirmed. If so, the process proceeds to S280.

In S280, it is determined whether or not the processing for all connection links has been completed. If the processing for all connection links has not been completed (S280: N
O), the process returns to S240, the process for the next connection link (S240 to S270) is performed, and when the process for all the connection links is completed (S280: YES), S
In S290, which moves to 290, the node having the minimum route cost is determined. This can be realized for the specified node, for example, by setting a confirmation flag in the node cost storage area.

Next, in S300, it is determined whether or not the node up to the end link has been determined, and if it has not been determined yet (S300: NO), S230.
Return to. On the other hand, when all the nodes up to the end link have been fixed (S300: YES), the process proceeds to S310, and the route with the smallest route cost is sequentially processed from the destination toward the current position (departure point). Trace and reverse it to the route from the present location (starting point) to the destination (destination route)
Is specified as the link string.

Returning to the description of the main processing in FIG. 3, S120
Then, the guidance by the destination route set in S110 is started. This highlights the destination route specified by the link row on the map displayed on the display device 34, and further, depending on the driving situation, for example, in the case of a right turn, "turn right at the next intersection. The content such as "please" is output from the speaker 35 by voice.

Then, in the following S130, the information center 1
In consideration of the recommended route acquired by communicating with 0, it is determined whether or not the condition for setting the route again is satisfied. The conditions for route re-setting here are roughly classified into two, that is, a condition automatically determined by the navigation device 20 and a condition based on a driver's operation. The operation based on the driver's operation is when the driver who desires the reset operates the operation switch group 28 to give an instruction. On the other hand, when the navigation device 20 automatically determines,
For example, when it is set to be automatically executed every predetermined time, it is the time condition. In addition, it is possible to determine that the setting condition is satisfied, for example, when another determination factor, for example, the traveling position of the vehicle deviates from a predetermined route in which the vehicle traveling position is set.

If the above-mentioned condition for resetting the path is satisfied (S130: YES), the process proceeds to S140 and S1 is performed.
The link information closest to the destination and the current location set in 10 is transmitted to the information center 10. This is the communication device 4
The information center 10 is accessed via 4 and transmitted after the connection is established.

Then, in the following S150, it is determined whether or not the recommended route has been acquired. Since the information center 10 determines the recommended route based on the link information closest to the destination and the current position transmitted in S140 and returns it to the corresponding navigation device 20 side, whether or not it has been received. To judge. As described above, the recommended route is set by the information center 10 side from a so-called macro viewpoint in consideration of various circumstances. For example, if the location where the traffic jam occurs is grasped, Vehicles traveling on the same route are set to be decentralized for the purpose of preventing future traffic congestion in advance even if there is no traffic congestion, etc. Is.

If this recommended route cannot be acquired from the information center 10 (S150: NO), the process returns to S130, but if it can be acquired (S150: YES), S1
Move to 60. In S160, the route to the destination that reflects the recommended route is set again.

In the route resetting process in S160, first, the recommended route is processed so that the navigation device 20 can normally handle the route, and then the route resetting process is performed in the same manner as the above-described route setting process in FIG. Run by that. First, the processing in the case of processing the recommended route so that the navigation device 20 can handle it normally will be described. Since the recommended route is also received as a link string, this link number is first converted into the link number of the mobile unit. This is because the form of the road number differs between the road network in the information center 10 which is a fixed station and the in-vehicle navigation device 20 which is installed in the vehicle which is a moving body, and therefore the conversion table is used in the in-vehicle navigation device 20. Convert to data that can be used for normal route setting processing. The conversion table is, for example, for the fixed station link information held by the information center 10, for each link number, the number of corresponding links on the mobile body side and the numbers of the n links on the mobile body side forming the link and the links. The information of the direction of is stored.

After conversion, in order to make it highly likely that the recommended route is included in the destination route, for example, the congestion degree of the link on the mobile body side corresponding to the recommended route is set to "0". As described above, in the present embodiment, “route cost = link length × road width coefficient × road type coefficient × congestion degree”.
Since the initial value of the congestion degree is "1", if the congestion degree of the link is set to "0", the route cost itself of the corresponding link becomes 0. That is, in the Dijkstra method in which the route cost is set to be the minimum, the possibility that the corresponding link is included in the destination route becomes very high.

In this way, after processing the recommended route so that it can be handled normally by the navigation device 20,
When the route setting process as shown in FIG. 3 is performed, as a result, a destination route including a recommended route with a route cost of 0 with a high probability can be set. Returning to the explanation of the main processing in FIG. 2,
In S170, it is determined whether or not the resetting of the destination route in consideration of the recommended route has succeeded. If not successful (S170: NO), the process returns to S130, but if successful (S170: YES), the process proceeds to S180.

In S180, it is determined whether or not the current position is on the destination route reset in S160. If it is on the destination route (S180: YES), S190
Then, the travel guidance started and continued in S120 is switched to the travel guidance based on the destination route reset in S160. After the processing of S170, the process returns to S130.

On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in S180, that is, if the current position is not on the destination route reset in S160 (S180: NO), the process returns to S110 and a new route is set. As described above, the in-vehicle navigation device 20 stores the link information of the links that connect the nodes and the connection information of the links that includes the traffic restrictions. For the route to the destination, the route cost can be calculated using the Dijkstra method based on the link information and the connection information, and the destination route can be set by the connection of the link having the minimum route cost (S110 in FIG. 1). Further, the travel guidance for the set destination route can be executed by screen display on the display device 34 and voice output from the speaker 35 (S120).

In addition to such a basic navigation function, the vehicle-mounted navigation device 20 further receives the recommended route transmitted from the information center 10 by the communication device 44 (S140, S150), and the recommended route is received. The destination route can be reset in consideration of (S160). The recommended route that is taken into consideration when re-setting the destination route is set on the information center 10 side, and, for example, if the location where the traffic jam is occurring is known, a route that bypasses it is set,
Alternatively, even if there is no congestion at present, the recommended route is set so that vehicles traveling on the same route are dispersed for the purpose of preventing future congestion in advance. Therefore, by setting a destination route that includes such a recommended route, it is possible to provide driving guidance that considers not only the individual vehicle circumstances but also the traffic situation from a somewhat broader perspective, and avoiding a further increase in traffic congestion, and Appropriate navigation that contributes to active traffic control such as avoiding traffic congestion in advance can be realized.

While the recommended route is being taken into consideration and the destination route is being reset in this way (S130 to S17).
0), travel guidance is performed according to the destination route set previously (S120), and at the time of resetting (S170: YE
S and S180: YES), switching to the travel guidance by the reset destination route.

That is, since the recommended route received from the outside can be re-set so that it can be normally handled by the navigation device 20, and the route guidance can be provided, the route guidance by voice output and a more suitable road network than the information center 10. In addition to being able to provide travel guidance based on data, it is possible to provide travel guidance according to the previously set destination route even while the travel guidance is being reset. Therefore, it is possible to re-set the so-called dynamic destination route in consideration of the recommended route obtained from the information center 10, and to make it possible to exert an appropriate traveling guidance function during the re-setting. Appropriate navigation can be realized.

Further, the vehicle-mounted navigation device 20 is
Although the information about the destination and the current location is transmitted to the information center 10, as described above, the destination and the current location itself are not the position information indicating the destination and the current location itself (for example, the positional coordinate in the two-dimensional map data), but the destination and the current location. I try to send the link information that is closest to my current location. Specifically, the link information that is closest to the destination and the current location set by "static route setting" that sets the route based on the link information and the connection information between the links is transmitted.

This advantage will be briefly described. For example, if the information center 10 is an ATIS center, the current A
In the TIS link, since there is a link for each traveling direction, it may be difficult to specify which direction is desired. For example, the recommended route for traveling in the opposite direction is A
There is a possibility that it will be set at the TIS center. Therefore, if the link information closest to the destination and the current position on the destination route once set by the static route setting is transmitted, it becomes easy to identify the traveling direction on the ATIS link. Further, in the case of this embodiment, S1 in FIG.
If the determination is negative in 80, that is, the current location is S1.
If it is not on the destination route reset at 60 (S
180: NO), the process returns to S110 to newly set a route. Even in this case, since the travel guidance has been started in the previous process of S120, a new S110 is performed.
The destination route set in step 1 will be a travel guide in the process of step S120.

Therefore, as a result, when the new setting is made, the route is switched to the traveling guide according to the newly set destination route, which is preferable from the viewpoint of preventing the occurrence of the period in which the traveling guide cannot be performed. In other words, it is also possible that the current location of the vehicle may deviate from the reset destination route due to movement of the vehicle while resetting considering the received recommended route. If it is dealt with as described above, more appropriate navigation can be realized.

When it is determined that the present location is not on the destination route reset in S160, it may be determined whether or not it is on the route itself in a strict sense. If the vehicle departs from the route by a predetermined distance or a predetermined area or more, it may be determined that it is not on the destination route.

As described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments as described above, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the information center 10 as the "external source" is described on the premise that it is capable of bidirectional communication such as an ATIS center, but it is premised on one-way communication such as VICS. It is also applicable to the system. In other words, instead of being based on the current or destination position of the vehicle, for example, the recommended route in a predetermined area is set on the center side and transmitted, and on the vehicle side that receives the recommended route, for example, in relation to the destination. Decide whether to adopt the route,
In the case of adopting it, when using a method of displaying it, the same inconvenience as in the case where the above-mentioned two-way communication is assumed may occur.

In this case as well, the vehicle side can travel smoothly if it passes through the recommended route, and it is effective for the traffic management side because it can lead to an appropriate state as traffic control from a wide viewpoint. Is. of course,
The traffic volume, etc. of the main highway is monitored, and if it is determined that traffic congestion will occur if the traffic volume further increases, the recommended route may not be selected.

In such a case, the communication device 4
No. 4 does not have to be a car phone or a mobile phone as described above, and is generally F in VICS, for example.
Equipped with receivers for M multiplex broadcasting, radio beacons and optical beacons, receives digital traffic information from FM stations in each region, radio beacon transmitters on expressways, and optical beacon transmitters on general roads. Any device will do.

Of course, the traffic information of a plurality of systems such as ATIS and VICS may be used together. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration is described in which the image is displayed on the display device 34 and the voice is output from the speaker 35 to enable the traveling guidance, but the configuration may be such that only the voice output is possible. However, in the current navigation device, it is general to output the voice together with the screen display as in the above embodiment.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a vehicle-mounted navigation device as an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing main processing relating to route setting and travel guidance.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a destination route setting process executed in the main process.

FIG. 4 is a time chart schematically showing the features of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an ATIS recommended route.

6A is an explanatory diagram of grade separation in an ATIS road network, and FIG. 6B is an explanatory diagram of grade separation in an actual road network.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ... Information center 12 ... External event collection device 14 ... Road network data storage device 16 ... Communication device 18 ... Sensors 20 ... In-vehicle navigation device 24 ... Position detector 26 ... Map data input device 28 ... Operation switch group 30 ... Navi E
CU 32 ... External memory 34 ... Display device 35 ... Speaker 38 ... Gyroscope 40 ... Distance sensor 42 ... GPS
Receiver 44 ... Communication device

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Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. Storage means for storing link information of links connecting nodes and connection information between links including traffic restrictions, destination setting means for setting a destination, and from a departure place to the destination. The route setting means for setting the route of the route, and the guide means capable of executing the driving guidance for the set destination route by outputting at least a voice from the voice utterance device. In the vehicle-mounted navigation device that calculates the route cost using the Dijkstra method based on the information and the connection information and sets the destination route by connecting the link that minimizes the route cost, the setting is made on the external source side. Related to destination and present location
Based on the information about the sending means and the destination and the current location
Is determined and a receiving means for receiving a predetermined recommended route originating from a source of the external, the route setting unit, resets the destination path in consideration of the recommended route received by said receiving means It is possible, and while the route setting means is resetting the destination route, the guiding means performs traveling guidance according to the destination route that was previously set, and when the route is reset, the guide means resets the route. An in-vehicle navigation device, characterized in that it is configured to switch to driving guidance according to a set destination route. 2. The guide means displays the traveling guide with the sound.
When executed by outputting as voice from the voice generator
Both, with a display device that displays a graphic or symbol on the screen
The vehicle-mounted navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle-mounted navigation device is configured to display an image . 3. The transmitting means transmits to the external source side.
As information about the destination and current position to Shin, the objective
The vehicle-mounted navigation device according to claim 1 , wherein the vehicle-mounted navigation device is configured to transmit link information that is closest to the location and the current location . 4. The route setting means is based on the present position of the vehicle.
Reconfigured in consideration of the recommended route received by the receiving means
If the vehicle is off the destination route,
Considering that the destination can be newly set considering the location,
In the guide means, the route setting means guides the destination route.
While newly setting, the destination route previously set
Driving guidance will be provided and the new setting will be made when the new setting is made.
The in-vehicle navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the in-vehicle navigation device is configured to be switched to traveling guidance according to a predetermined destination route .