JP2003279365A - Navigation system, navigation program, recording medium, and high-speed road information forming method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To search a route comprising a high-speed road which is easy to run and can be passed at a higher running speed when a car runs in reality, on the basis of factors which influence easiness in running and a running speed, when a route is searched. <P>SOLUTION: A navigation system has a storage portion which stores search data including high-speed road information for distinguishing high-speed roads, a high-speed road determination portion which determines whether or not a road is a high-speed road on the basis of the high-speed road information, and a route search portion which searches a route lowering a searching cost for a road determined as a high-speed road, and searches a route which minimizes the searching cost. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a navigation system, a navigation program, a recording medium and a rapid road information creating method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a navigation device mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile, when an operator such as a driver operates a predetermined input section to set a destination, the destination and the present location are detected. A route from the current position to the destination is searched based on the current position of the vehicle detected by the section, and the searched route is guided. In this case, the route is searched so that the distance from the current position to the destination and the required time are the shortest.

The route to be searched is usually
Roads with a certain width (for example, width 5
[M] and above), prefectural roads, national roads, highways, etc. For example, if a narrow road such as a back alley is displayed on the screen that guides the searched route, the display is complicated and it becomes difficult to grasp the route, and the narrow road is guided as a route. Then, traveling is difficult and the driver is tired. Therefore, by making only the roads having a certain width or more and the main roads to be searched, it is possible to easily understand the guided route and to easily travel.

[0004]

However, in the conventional navigation device described above, when the searched route does not include a road that is easier to travel than when actually traveling and can travel more quickly. There is.

For example, the road width was narrow and the road was relatively old,
It is assumed that a national road with many intersections and traffic lights is parallel to a prefectural road with relatively wide roads, which has been recently developed and has few intersections and traffic lights.
In this case, it is clear that the route passing through the prefectural road is preferable to the route passing through the national highway because the prefectural road is easier to travel than when actually traveling and can travel more quickly. However, in the conventional navigation device, when searching for a route, the priority is based on the road type without considering factors such as the number of intersections and the number of traffic signal lights that affect running ease and traveling speed. Therefore, the national road is selected with priority over the prefectural road. Therefore, in the case as described above, the route that goes through the national road is searched, and the prefectural road, which is a road that is easier and faster to drive, is not included in the searched route. .

The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems,
When searching for a route, based on factors that affect ease of running and running speed, a navigation system, a navigation program, that can search for a route including a high-speed road that is easy to run and has a high running speed when actually traveling. An object is to provide a recording medium and a method for creating rapid road information.

[0007]

Therefore, in the navigation system of the present invention, a storage unit for storing search data including express road information for identifying express roads, and a road for express roads based on the express road information. A rapid road determination unit that determines whether the road is a road, a route search unit that searches for a route with a low search cost for the road that is determined to be a rapid road, and a route that minimizes the search cost. Have.

[0008] In another navigation system of the present invention, the expressway is further provided with a median strip, whether the road length is between traffic signal lights, the road length between intersections, or whether it is a vertical separation road. It is specified based on whether or not it is a road or at least one of the number of lanes on the road.

In yet another navigation system of the present invention, the expressway is a road having a road length between traffic signal lights or an average road length between traffic signal lights in a section that is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

In yet another navigation system of the present invention, the express train is a road having a road length between intersections or an average road length between intersections within a section that is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

In still another navigation system of the present invention, the vehicle-mounted device further includes the storage unit, the rapid road determination unit and the route search unit.

In still another navigation system of the present invention, a storage unit for storing search data, a rapid road determination unit for determining a rapid road based on the search data, and a road determined to be a rapid road. And a route search unit that searches for a route with a minimum search cost and a route with the minimum search cost.

In still another navigation system of the present invention, a storage unit for storing road data composed of a plurality of links, a plurality of links are read from the storage unit, and the plurality of links are combined to perform a grouping operation. Grouping operation means to perform, a rapid road determining means to determine whether the grouped links satisfy the conditions of the expressway, and a creating means to create expressway information for the link determined to be the expressway. Have.

In the navigation program of the present invention, a computer for navigation uses a rapid road determining unit for determining whether or not the road is a rapid road based on the rapid road information for identifying the rapid road, and a rapid road. The search cost of the road that is determined to be a road is reduced to search for a route, and the function is performed as a route search unit that searches for a route with the minimum search cost.

In another navigation program of the present invention, a computer for navigation uses a storage unit for storing road data consisting of a plurality of links, reads a plurality of links from the storage unit, and connects the plurality of links. Grouping operation means for performing a grouping operation by a group, a rapid road determining means for determining whether or not the grouped links satisfy the condition of the expressway, and expressway road information for the link determined to be the expressway. Make it function as a creation means.

In the computer-readable recording medium of the present invention, the search data including the express road information for identifying the express road and used by the computer for searching the route is recorded.

In the rapid road information creating method of the present invention, a plurality of links are read from the road data, the plural links are combined to perform a grouping operation, and whether the grouped links satisfy the condition of the rapid road. Determine whether or not
Expressway information is created for links that are determined to be expressways.

[0018]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a first diagram showing a data structure of search data according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram of a vehicle-mounted device of a navigation system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a second diagram showing the data structure of search data in the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the functions of the vehicle-mounted device of the navigation system in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a hierarchical structure of a road network according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, reference numeral 14 denotes an on-vehicle device as a computer which functions as a navigation device. The on-vehicle device 14 records a current location detection processing section 15 for detecting the current location, road data, search data and the like. Data recording unit 16 as a recorded recording medium, navigation processing unit 17 that performs various arithmetic processing such as navigation processing based on the input information, input unit 34, display unit 3
5, a voice input unit 36, a voice output unit 37, and a communication unit 38, and a vehicle speed sensor 41 in the navigation processing unit 17.
Are connected.

Then, the current position detection processing section 15 is
PS (Global Positioning Sys)
tem) sensor 21, geomagnetic sensor 22, distance sensor 2
3, a steering sensor 24, a beacon sensor 25, a gyro sensor 26, an altimeter (not shown), and the like. The GPS sensor 21, geomagnetic sensor 22, distance sensor 23, steering sensor 24, beacon sensor 2
5, some of the gyro sensor 26, altimeter, etc.
It may be omitted as appropriate from the viewpoint of manufacturing cost and the like.

The GPS sensor 21 detects the current position on the earth by receiving the radio wave generated by the artificial satellite, and the geomagnetic sensor 22.
Detects the direction in which the vehicle is heading by measuring the geomagnetism, and the distance sensor 23 detects the distance between predetermined positions on the road. As the distance sensor 23, for example, the number of rotations of a wheel (not shown) is measured, the distance is detected based on the number of rotations, the acceleration is measured,
It is possible to use a device that detects the distance by integrating the acceleration twice.

Further, the steering sensor 24 detects a steering angle, and the steering sensor 24 is, for example, an optical rotation sensor or a rotation resistance sensor attached to a rotating portion of a steering wheel (not shown). An angle sensor or the like attached to the wheel is used.

Then, the beacon sensor 25 receives the position information from the beacons arranged along the road and detects the current position. The gyro sensor 26 detects a rotational angular velocity of the vehicle, that is, a turning angle. As the gyro sensor 26, for example, a gas rate gyro, a vibration gyro or the like is used. Then, by integrating the turning angle detected by the gyro sensor 26, the direction in which the vehicle is heading can be detected.

The GPS sensor 21 and the beacon sensor 25 can independently detect the present location. Then, the current position can be detected by combining the distance detected by the distance sensor 23 and the azimuth detected by the geomagnetic sensor 22 and the gyro sensor 26. The current position can also be detected by combining the distance detected by the distance sensor 23 and the steering angle detected by the steering sensor 24.

The data recording unit 16 is provided with a database of various data files, and in addition to the search data for searching the route, a guide map along the searched route is displayed on the screen of the display unit 35. , A characteristic photo at an intersection or route, a frame drawing, etc., the distance to the next intersection, the direction of travel at the next intersection, etc., and other guidance information. Record various data for. The data recording unit 1
Various data for outputting predetermined information by the audio output unit 37 is also recorded in 6.

Here, as shown in FIG. 1, the search data includes intersection data, road data, traffic regulation data, and route display data. Further, in the intersection data, in addition to the number of intersections in which the data is stored, data regarding each intersection is stored as intersection data with a number for identification. Further, in each of the intersection data, in addition to the number of roads connecting to the corresponding intersection, that is, the number of connecting roads, a number for identifying each connecting road is added and stored. The intersection data may include the type of the intersection, that is, whether the intersection is a traffic signal light installed intersection or a traffic signal light not installed intersection.

Further, in the road data, in addition to the number of roads in which the data is stored, data regarding each road is stored as road data with a number for identification. Each of the road data stores a road type, a distance as a length of each road, a travel time as a time required to travel on each road, and the like. Further, the road type includes administrative road attributes such as national roads, prefectural roads, main local roads, general roads, and expressways, and express road information for identifying whether or not the road is a express road.

The search data may have a structure as shown in FIG. In this case, the express road information is not included in the road type, and the express road database is independently constructed. Then, in the rapid road database, rapid road information for identifying whether or not the road is a rapid road is stored with a corresponding road data number.

The road data includes width, gradient, cant, altitude, bank, road condition, median strip, road number of lanes, number of lanes of the road itself. It is desirable to include data such as points where the width decreases and points where the width narrows. Then, in the case of a highway or a highway, each of the lanes in the opposite direction is stored as separate road data and processed as a two-way road. For example, in the case of a highway having two or more lanes on each side, it is processed as a two-lane road, and the up lane and the down lane are stored in the road data as independent roads. Furthermore, for corners, radius of curvature, intersection, T-junction,
It is desirable to include data such as corner entrances. Further, road attributes such as railroad crossings, expressway entrance and exit rampways, expressway toll gates, downhill roads, and uphill roads may be included.

Further, the navigation processing unit 17 is
CPU 31 for controlling the entire vehicle-mounted device 14, the CPU
RAM 32 used as a working memory when 31 performs various arithmetic processes, and a control program, as well as a search for a route to a destination, travel guidance on the route, determination of a specific section, search for a point, facility, etc. It comprises a ROM 33 as a recording medium in which various programs for performing the above are recorded. Then, in the navigation processing unit 17,
The input unit 34, the display unit 35, the voice input unit 36, the voice output unit 37, and the communication unit 38 are connected. Then, various processes such as a route search, a driving guide on the route, a specific section determination, a search for a spot, a facility and the like are executed. Note that some of the voice input unit 36, the voice output unit 37, and the communication unit 38 can be appropriately omitted from the viewpoint of manufacturing cost and the like.

Further, the navigation program,
Computer-readable recording media in which search data, road data, etc. are recorded are not only semiconductor memory but also magnetic tape, magnetic disk, magnetic drum, CD-ROM, M
D, DVD-ROM, optical disk, MO, IC card,
It includes all types of recording media such as optical cards and memory cards.

Incidentally, the data recording section 16 and the ROM 3
3 is composed of a magnetic core, a semiconductor memory, and the like, which are not shown. In addition, the data recording unit 16 and the ROM 3
3, magnetic tape, magnetic disk, magnetic drum, C
D-ROM, MD, DVD-ROM, optical disk, M
Various storage media such as O, IC cards, optical cards, and memory cards can also be used. The storage medium may be installed in the in-vehicle device 14 in advance, or may be appropriately exchanged by a driver or the like.

In the present embodiment, the ROM 33
Various programs are recorded in the data recording unit 16
Although various kinds of data are recorded in the above, the program and the data can be similarly recorded in the external storage medium. In this case, for example, a storage medium such as a flash memory (not shown) may be provided in the navigation processing unit 17, and the program and data may be read from the external storage medium and written in the storage medium. Therefore, the program and data can be updated by replacing the external storage medium. Also, a control program of an automatic transmission control device (not shown) and the like can be recorded in the external storage medium. In this way, it is possible to activate programs recorded in various storage media and perform various processes based on the data.
The external storage medium is a magnetic tape, a magnetic disk, a magnetic drum, a CD-ROM, an MD, a DVD-RO.
Any type such as M, optical disk, MO, IC card, optical card, memory card may be used.

Further, the communication section 38 is for transmitting and receiving various kinds of data to and from the FM transmitter, the telephone line, the Internet, the mobile telephone network, etc., and is received by, for example, an information sensor (not shown) or the like. Various data such as road information such as traffic congestion, traffic accident information, D-GPS information for detecting a detection error of the GPS sensor 21, and the like are received. In addition, a program for realizing the functions of the present invention,
Other programs for operating the in-vehicle device 14,
Data, etc. are transmitted from an information center (Internet server, navigation server, etc.) to a plurality of base stations (Internet provider terminals, communication stations connected to the communication unit 38 via telephone lines, communication lines, etc.). Further, it is also possible to transmit from each base station to the communication unit 38. When using such a system, when at least a part of the program and data transmitted from each base station is received, the CPU 31 reads and writes a readable / writable memory,
For example, the program can be downloaded to a recording medium such as the RAM 32, a flash memory, or a hard disk, the program can be started, and various types of processing can be performed based on the data.

In this case, for example, the program and the data can be recorded in different recording media or can be recorded in the same recording medium.

Further, by using a home-use personal computer, the programs, data, etc. transmitted from the information center are downloaded to a recording medium such as a memory card or a CD-R which can be attached to and detached from the personal computer,
It is also possible to start the program and perform various processes based on the data.

The input unit 34 is for correcting the position at the start of traveling and for inputting the destination, and includes operation keys, push buttons, and the like arranged on the main body of the in-vehicle device 14. Although it is composed of a jog dial, a cross key, etc., it may be a remote controller. In addition,
When the display unit 35 is a touch panel, the display unit 3
It is desirable that the display device includes the operation keys displayed on the screen of No. 5 and the operation switches such as the operation menu. In this case, input can be performed by pressing (touching) the operation switch like a normal touch panel.

On the screen of the display unit 35, operation guides, operation menus, operation key guides, a route from the present location to a destination, guide information along the route, and the like are displayed. As the display unit 35, a CRT display, a liquid crystal display, an LED display, a plasma display, a hologram device that projects a hologram on a windshield, or the like can be used.

The voice input unit 36 is composed of a microphone (not shown) or the like, and can input necessary information by voice. Furthermore, the audio output unit 37
Is equipped with a voice synthesizer and a speaker (not shown), and outputs voice information, for example, guide information composed of voice synthesized by the voice synthesizer, gear shift information, etc. from the speaker,
Notify the operator. Note that, in addition to the voice synthesized by the voice synthesizer, various sounds, and various guide information recorded in advance on a tape, a memory or the like can be output from the speaker.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the vehicle-mounted device 14 includes a route search unit 27 for searching a route and a rapid road determination for determining whether or not the road is a rapid road from the viewpoint of function. Unit 28, express road information creating unit 2 for creating express road information for identifying whether or not the road is an express road
Have 9.

Here, the route searching unit 27 is for searching a route by a normal method. When the destination is set, the search data as shown in FIG. Set the route to the ground. Note that, in the search data, as shown in FIG. 5, road network data is hierarchized, and the route searching unit 27 may search for a route using the hierarchized road network data. desirable.

In this case, the road network data is hierarchized into three layers, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, and the uppermost layer (uppermost layer) consists of one block, and only expressways and main national roads nationwide. A highway network consisting of is stored. The intermediate layer (intermediate layer) is composed of a plurality of blocks that cover a predetermined area, and each block includes, for example, a highway, a national road, a major local road, etc., that covers about 90 [km] squares. A basic road network consisting of is stored. Further, the bottom layer (bottom layer) is composed of a plurality of blocks that cover a predetermined area, and each block has, for example, about 18
[Km] A detailed road network consisting of highways, national roads, main local roads, prefectural roads, narrow streets, etc., covering the four sides is stored.

Then, in the case of a route search in which the distance to the destination is a short distance (for example, about 3 [km]), the route searching unit 27 selects only the lowest block around the current location, that is, one block. Use to find a route. Also,
In the case of a route search where the distance to the destination is a medium distance (for example, about 50 [km]), the route search unit 27 includes the current position, the lowest block around the destination, and the current position to the destination. The blocks are searched in the middle layer, that is, using a total of three blocks. Further, in the case of a route search in which the distance to the destination is a long distance (for example, about 300 [km]), the route searching unit 27 includes blocks of the lowest layer and the middle layer around the current location and the destination, and
The route is searched for using the uppermost block including the current position to the destination, that is, a total of five blocks.
Therefore, the amount of road network data used to search for a route can be reduced, and the time required for route search can be shortened.

Further, when the route searching unit 27 searches for a route, the rapid road determining unit 28 investigates the rapid road information included in the road data in the search data, and a block used for the search. It is determined whether or not the road included in is a highway. Here, in the present embodiment, the express road is a road that is easy to drive and has a relatively high traveling speed, and is, for example, a road having a wide road width and having few intersections and traffic signal lights. Then, the route searching unit 27 searches the route by reducing the search cost for the road determined by the rapid road determining unit 28 as the rapid road. Therefore, when the route including the express road and the route not including the express road have substantially the same conditions, the route including the express road is preferentially searched.

Here, the search cost is the weighting of roads for route search, and is weighted for road type, toll / highway, road length, road width, right / left turn, and the like. For example, when the length of the road is the search cost, the route with the shortest total length of the road to the destination is the route. If the travel time is the search cost, the route with the shortest total travel time to the destination is the route.

Then, the rapid road information creating section 29
When the route searching unit 27 investigates the expressway road information and the expressway road information is not included in the road data, the expressway road information is created. Here, when the route search unit 27 uses the hierarchical road network data to search for a route, the route search unit 27 creates rapid road information about roads included in blocks to be used. Then, the rapid road information is stored in the road data as one of the road types, as shown in FIG. Therefore, for the roads included in the blocks used for the search in the past, it is not necessary to create the express road information because the express road information is included in the road data.

Note that the search data is managed in block units, and the rapid road information creating unit 29, as shown in FIG. 5, includes the management information of the blocks used for the search for the roads in the blocks. , It is determined whether or not there is information indicating that rapid road information is added. Then, if there is, the process is terminated, but if not, fast road information is given to the road that satisfies the conditional expression described later,
Information indicating that rapid road information is added to the roads in the block is added to the block management information. As a result, the rapid road information is learned as the number of route searches increases. Therefore, it is not necessary to make the determination once again for the block that has been once determined for the expressway, and the time required for the route search becomes shorter than in the case where the determination for the expressway is made every time the route is searched.

Further, in the present embodiment, the vehicle-mounted device 14 reads the plurality of links from the storage unit that stores the road data composed of the plurality of links and reads the plurality of links from the viewpoint of function. Grouping operation means for combining and performing grouping operation, rapid road determination means for determining whether or not the grouped links satisfy the condition of the expressway, and expressway for the link determined to be the expressway It may have a creating means for creating information.

Next, the operation of the vehicle-mounted device 14 having the above-mentioned structure will be described.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a road for creating rapid road information according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG.
Is a table showing the basic conditions for determining the expressway in the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 satisfies the basic condition for creating the expressway information in the first embodiment of the present invention. 9 is a table showing a procedure for creating the expressway information according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 is a view showing the expressway information according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a flow chart which shows operation.

First, when the operator sets a destination, the route search unit 27 starts a route search from the current position to the destination. Here, it is assumed that the route search unit 27 searches for a route using the hierarchical road network data. Then, when the express road information is not created for the road included in the block used by the route searching unit 27, the express road information creating unit 29 creates the express road information.

In this case, the rapid road information creating unit 29
Extracts a road R1 for creating rapid road information as shown in FIG. Here, the road R1 is the same continuous route. In addition, in FIG. 6, the road R2 indicated by a thin line is connected to the road R1 and forms a continuous route, but is another road. For example, road R1
Is a prefectural road, while road R2 is a city road, road R1 and road R2 have different administrative road attributes. Therefore, in this embodiment, even if they are continuous, Treat as a separate road, not as a road.

The road R1 is divided into a plurality of links L10 to L19 as shown in FIG. Note that L50 is a link of the road R2. Here, a link is a unit that constitutes a road, and is usually divided with an intersection of three or more difference roads as a boundary. The intersection includes not only an intersection where a traffic signal light device is installed but also an intersection where a traffic signal light device is not installed. Therefore, the number of links on one road is not constant, but in the present embodiment, an example will be described in which the number of links is divided into 10 as shown in FIG. Further, in FIG. 6, white circles indicate boundaries of links. It should be noted that, like the boundary between L50 and L10 in FIG. 6, a point at which the administrative road attribute of a road changes is also treated as a link boundary.

Subsequently, the express road information creating section 29
For each of the links L10 to L19, it is checked whether or not the conditions for determining a highway are met. First, as the first condition, the links L10 to L1 are
It is determined whether or not 9 corresponds to basic conditions A to H, which are elements for facilitating running and increasing traveling speed, as shown in FIG. 7.

Here, the basic condition A is a condition regarding the administrative road attribute. The basic condition B is a condition related to the road length between the traffic signal lights, and for example, the road length between the traffic signal lights or the average road length between the traffic signal lights in the section is equal to or more than a predetermined value. Further, the basic condition C is a condition related to the road length between the intersections, for example, that the road length between the intersections or the average road length between the intersections in the section is equal to or more than a predetermined value.

In this embodiment, for example, the basic condition A is that the administrative road attribute is prefectural road or higher, that is,
It is a prefectural road, national road, etc. This is because if the road is more than a prefectural road, the road is in good condition and it is thought that the road is easy to run and the running speed is high. And basic condition B
Means that the average road length between the traffic signal lights is 1000 [m] or more. This is because if the distance between the traffic signal lights is a certain distance or more, it is considered that the vehicle can easily run and the traveling speed increases. Regarding the basic condition B, all the links existing between the traffic signal lights are combined and judged, and the judgment result is applied to all the combined links. The basic condition C is that the average road length between intersections is 15
It is 0 [m] or more. This is because if the distance between the intersections is more than a certain amount, it is considered that the vehicle can easily run and the traveling speed increases.

The basic condition D is that the road is an upper / lower separated road or a single road with a median strip installed. This is because it is considered that if the upper and lower lines are distinguished, it is easier to drive and the traveling speed increases. The basic condition E is that the average number of lanes on one side is 1.5 or more. This is because if the number of lanes on one side is 1.5 or more, that is, if the number of lanes on one side is 2 or more, it is considered that the vehicle is easy to drive and the traveling speed increases.

Further, the basic condition F is that the road is an elevated road continuing for 2 [km] or more. This is because an elevated road is considered to be easy to drive and to increase the traveling speed. The basic condition G is that there is no intersection between interchange shapes. This is because if there are no intersections between the interchange-shaped points, it is generally an elevated road, and it is thought that it is easy to drive and the traveling speed increases. Further, the basic condition H is that the road is a motorway. This is because it is considered that a road for exclusive use of automobiles, such as an expressway, will be easier to drive and the traveling speed will increase.

The basic condition A for specifying the expressway
~ H can be changed, deleted, or added as needed. For example, it is possible to add to the basic condition B the ratio of the time of the green signal (progressable signal) and the time of the red signal (progressive signal) of the traffic light. This is because if the ratio of the time of the green light is above a certain level, it is considered that the vehicle can easily run and the traveling speed increases.

Subsequently, the express road information creating unit 29
As a second condition, for each of the links L10 to L19, the following conditional expression (1) regarding the basic conditions A to H is given.
It is determined whether or not [F or G or H or {B and (D
or E)}] and (A and C) ... Conditional expression (1) When conditional expression (1) is decomposed, the following conditional expression (2)-
It becomes (6). A and B and C and D ... Conditional expression (2) A and B and C and E ... Conditional expression (3) A and C and F ... Conditional expression (4) A and C and G ... Conditional expression (5) A and C and H ... Conditional expression (6) Therefore, if any of the conditional expressions (2) to (6) is satisfied, the second condition is satisfied. become.

The conditional expression as the second condition can be changed or deleted as needed. In the present embodiment, for convenience of explanation, basic conditions F to H are set.
Is omitted, it is determined whether or not the basic conditions A to E are satisfied as the first condition, and it is determined whether or not the conditional expression (2) or (3) is satisfied as the second condition. The case will be described. As a result, the result as shown in FIG. 8 could be obtained. In FIG. 8, ◯ means that the basic condition or the conditional expression is satisfied, and x means that the basic condition or the conditional expression is not satisfied.

Then, when the links that meet the second condition are displayed with thick lines, they become as shown in FIG. 9 (a). That is, the links L10, L12, and L17 are the second
It corresponds to the condition of.

Next, the expressway information creating unit 29 performs a grouping operation to combine the links into groups. First, the first grouping operation is performed. In this case, adjacent links of the links that meet the second condition on the same road are combined into one group. in this case,
Links that do not meet the second condition that are interposed therebetween are also combined into one group. In the case shown in FIG. 9A, the link L10 and the link L12 are combined, and the intervening link L11 that does not correspond to the second condition is also combined to form one group. Further, the link L12 and the link L17 are combined, and the links L13 to L16 that do not meet the second condition interposed therebetween are also combined to form one group. Then, the group is regarded as one link, it is determined whether or not the basic conditions A to E are satisfied, and then it is determined whether or not the conditional expression (2) or (3) is satisfied.

As a result, if the group satisfies the second condition, it will be treated as one link that meets the second condition. If the second condition is not met, the group is disassembled, returned to the original state, and treated as a separate link.

The result of the first grouping operation is shown in FIG. 9 (b). In this case, the group in which the links L10 to L12 are combined meets the second condition, and is therefore treated as one link that meets the second condition, and is indicated by a thick line. On the other hand, the group in which the links L12 to L17 are combined does not correspond to the second condition, and thus is returned to the original state as shown in FIG. 9B.

Next, the express road information creating section 29 performs a second grouping operation. In this case, links that meet the second condition and links that do not meet the second condition that are adjacent to the link are combined into one group. If there are links that do not meet the second condition on both sides of the link that meets the second condition, the longer link that does not meet the second condition is selected and combined. Figure 9
In the case shown in (b), the link L13 is combined with the group of the links L10 to L12 to form one group. Further, the link L18 is combined with the link L17 to form one group. Then, the group is regarded as one link, it is determined whether or not the basic conditions A to E are satisfied, and then it is determined whether or not the conditional expression (2) or (3) is satisfied.

As a result, if the group satisfies the second condition, it will be treated as one link meeting the second condition. If the second condition is not met, the group is disassembled, returned to the original state, and treated as a separate link.

The result of the second grouping operation is shown in FIG. 9 (c). In this case, the group combining the links L10 to L13 and the link L
The group in which 17 and L18 are combined corresponds to the second condition, and thus is treated as one link that corresponds to the second condition and is indicated by a thick line.

Subsequently, the rapid road information creating unit 29
The second grouping operation for the second time is performed. In the case shown in FIG. 9C, the link L14 is combined with the group of the links L10 to L13 to form one group. Further, the link L19 is combined with the group of the link L17 and the link L18 to form one group. Then, the group is regarded as one link, it is determined whether or not the basic conditions A to E are satisfied, and then it is determined whether or not the conditional expression (2) or (3) is satisfied.

As a result of the second grouping operation of the second time, neither the group in which the links L10 to L14 are combined nor the group in which the links L17 to L19 are combined satisfy the second condition. It is disassembled and returned to its original state.

Subsequently, the express road information creating unit 29
The third second grouping operation is performed. In this case, based on the result of the second grouping operation of the second time, the link that meets the second condition and the link that does not meet the second condition that is adjacent to the link and that is the second grouping still exist. A link that does not meet the second condition that is not the target of the operation is combined. Therefore, in the group of the links L10 to L13, there is no link other than the link L14 that does not correspond to the adjacent second condition, and therefore the links L10 to L1.
3 is left as it is. On the other hand, the link L16 is combined with the group of the link L17 and the link L18 to form one group. Then, the group is regarded as one link, it is determined whether or not the basic conditions A to E are satisfied, and then it is determined whether or not the conditional expression (2) or (3) is satisfied.

The result of the third grouping operation of the third time is as shown in FIG. 9 (d). In this case, the group combining the links L16 to L18 is the second group.
Since the above condition is met, it is treated as one link that meets the second condition, and is indicated by a thick line.

The number of times the second grouping operation is performed can be set arbitrarily, but in the present embodiment, the number of times is three.

Subsequently, the express road information creating unit 29
Based on the result of the second grouping operation of the third time, the second
All links belonging to the group corresponding to the condition are judged to be expressways, and expressway information is created. Links that belong to a plurality of groups are treated as belonging to any one of the groups. The judgment result is shown in FIG. 9 (e). In this case, the links L10 to L13 and the links L16 to L18 are determined as expressways, and the links L14, L15, and L
It is determined that 19 is not a highway. Then, the judgment result is created as rapid road information and stored in the road type in the search data as shown in FIG. In addition,
If the search data is as shown in FIG. 3, it is stored in the expressway database, but here,
It is assumed that the search data is as shown in FIG.

Then, the rapid road information creating section 29
The above-described operation is performed for all the roads included in the block used by the route searching unit 27 to create the express road information, which is stored in the road type in the search data. It should be noted that it is not necessary to create express road information for roads included in blocks used for searching in the past, because express road information is included in the road data.
Accordingly, rapid road information is provided for all roads included in all blocks used by the route search unit 27.

Next, the rapid road determining unit 28 determines, regarding the roads included in the blocks used by the route searching unit 27,
The rapid road information included in the road data in the search data is examined to determine whether or not it is a rapid road.

Then, the route searching section 27 searches the route from the present location to the destination with a low search cost for the expressway. As a result, a route with a low search cost from the current position to the destination is selected as the optimum connecting road. Finally, the optimum route from the current location to the destination is displayed on the screen of the display unit 35.

Next, the flow chart in this embodiment will be described. Step S1 The road R1 is extracted. In step S2, it is determined whether or not the first condition is satisfied for each link. Step S3 It is judged whether or not the second condition is satisfied for each link. If yes, go to step S4; if no, go to step S5. Step S4: The link is judged to be a highway. Step S5: Perform the first grouping operation. In step S6, it is determined whether or not the group satisfies the second condition. If yes, go to step S4; otherwise, go to step S7. Step S7: Perform a second grouping operation. In step S8, it is determined whether or not the group satisfies the second condition. If so, the process proceeds to step S4, and if not, the process proceeds to step S9. Step S9: It is judged that the link is not a highway.

The steps in the above flow chart can be changed, deleted or replaced as necessary. For example, deleting step S2, deleting steps S7 and S8,
Step S5 and step S7 can be interchanged.

As described above, in the present embodiment, when the route searching unit 27 searches for a route, the rapid road determining unit 2
It is determined whether or not 8 is a express road based on the express road information included in the road data in the search data. And
The route search unit 27 searches for a route with a low search cost for a highway, and searches for a route with the lowest search cost.

As a result, it is possible to search for a route including a high-speed road that is easy to run and has a high traveling speed when actually traveling. Therefore, the driver of the vehicle can travel safely and comfortably, and can reach the destination in a shorter time.

The expressway information for identifying whether the expressway is a expressway or not is created by the expressway information creating section 29 and stored in the search data. In this case, the grouped links satisfying the condition of the express road are determined as the express road. Therefore, the express road information is information that appropriately reflects the ease of travel and the traveling speed when actually traveling on the road. Also, when the time required to reach the destination is calculated based on the searched route,
A more accurate required time is calculated.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. It should be noted that description of the same structure and the same operation as those of the first embodiment will be omitted.

FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration of the navigation system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, reference numeral 40 denotes an information center as a server, which is configured in a computer provided with arithmetic means such as CPU and MPU, storage means such as semiconductor memory and magnetic disk, and communication interface. Note that the computer may be a so-called distributed server in which a plurality of computers are organically combined, instead of a single computer. Further, another system may be built in the computer.

Reference numeral 14 denotes an in-vehicle device operated by the operator. Although there are many on-vehicle devices 14 in practice, one on-vehicle device 14 is represented in the present embodiment for convenience of description. The in-vehicle device 14 is the same as the in-vehicle device 14 in the first embodiment, but the function may be largely omitted in the present embodiment, such as a CPU, MPU, etc. It is sufficient to include a computing unit, a semiconductor memory, a storage unit such as a magnetic disk, a liquid crystal display, an LED display, a display unit such as a CRT, a keyboard, a remote controller, an input unit such as a touch panel, and a communication interface. The vehicle-mounted device 14 is, for example, a navigation device mounted on a vehicle such as a passenger car, a truck, a bus, a motorcycle, and the like.
(Personal Digital Assistant
nt), a personal computer, a game machine, a digital television, or the like.

Further, in the case where the on-vehicle device 14 is a navigation device, the current position is detected by the current position detection processing section 15 as in the case of the on-vehicle device 14 in the first embodiment. In the case of an information terminal or the like, the position of the base station can be detected as the current location based on communication with the base station in which the mobile phone, the mobile information terminal, or the like is located.

Here, the information center 40 and the in-vehicle device 14 are communicably connected to each other via the network 57. The network 57 is a wired or wireless public communication line network, a dedicated communication line network, the Internet,
Intranet, LAN (Local Area Ne)
network), WAN (Wide Area Network)
ork), satellite communication line network, or any other communication line, or a combination thereof. Also, communication may be performed using CS broadcasting or BS broadcasting by a broadcasting satellite, communication may be performed using terrestrial digital television broadcasting, communication may be performed using FM multiplex broadcasting, and Communication may be performed using an optical beacon or a radio beacon installed beside the road.

The navigation system in this embodiment is composed of the information center 40 and the in-vehicle device 14.

The information center 40 provides the in-vehicle device 14 with information such as a route to the destination based on the departure point information and the destination information transmitted from the in-vehicle device 14. 44, a terminal information storage unit 45 that sequentially stores the information for each in-vehicle device 14, and a terminal identification unit 46 that identifies the in-vehicle device 14 based on an ID key or the like.

Then, the information providing unit 44 uses the map database 47 and the POI (Po
int of Interest database 48,
Road database 49, public transport database 5
0, and has a traffic information database 51 and the like.

Here, the map database 47 stores map information such as nodes, links, coordinates and facility names for drawing a map. Also, the POI database 48
Stores facility data, town page data, and the like for searching points such as a starting point, a destination, and a passing point. Further, the road database 49 stores search data for searching routes such as road search costs and road types. Furthermore, the public transportation database 50
Stores data such as railways, buses, aircrafts, ships, routes, stops, and operation timetables. Furthermore, the traffic information database 51 collects road traffic information related to road congestion, etc., which is created by collecting information of traffic control systems such as police and Japan Highway Public Corporation in a road traffic information communication system called VICS. Store.

The map database 47, POI
The storage means of the information center 40, which stores the database 48, road database 49, public transportation database 50, traffic information database 51, etc., is the information center 40.
It may be an internal storage medium inside or an external storage medium. In this case, the internal storage medium and the external storage medium are magnetic tape, magnetic disk, magnetic drum, C
D-ROM, MD, DVD-ROM, optical disk, M
Any type such as O, IC card, optical card, and memory card may be used.

The information providing unit 44 also includes a map creating unit 52 for drawing a map based on the map information and the PO.
A POI search unit 53 for searching for coordinate information of a predetermined point such as a destination, point information such as name, address, etc. based on the information stored in the I database 48, the road database 49, and a public transportation database 50. A route search unit 54 that searches for a route from the current location to the destination based on the information stored in the traffic information database 21 or the like.

Further, the information providing section 44 has a transmitting / receiving section 56 for transmitting / receiving information to / from the vehicle-mounted device 14, and a keyword extracting section 55 for extracting a keyword such as a name of a spot from the received information. .

The information providing section 44 has a destination setting section, an estimated arrival time calculating section, a comparing means, and a returning means, which are not shown.

Here, the destination setting unit is the in-vehicle device 1
When you receive location information such as destination and transit point from 4,
A means for setting a destination based on the position information.
In addition, the estimated arrival time calculation unit calculates the time at which the destination will arrive, that is, the arrival based on the information of the route searched by the route search unit 54, for example, the sum of the required time data for each road section. It is a means for calculating the predicted time.
The estimated arrival time calculation unit may update the estimated arrival time at regular time intervals. At this time, the estimated arrival time may be recalculated in consideration of the latest traffic congestion information and regulation information stored in the traffic information database 51.

The comparing means is means for comparing the estimated arrival time with the desired arrival time extracted as the time keyword. Further, when the result of the comparison by the comparison unit reveals that the estimated arrival time is later than the desired arrival time as the time keyword, the reply means informs the in-vehicle device 14 that the estimated arrival time is later than the desired arrival time. It is a means of replying.

On the other hand, the in-vehicle device 14 has a communication section 38 and a display section 35, like the in-vehicle apparatus 14 in the first embodiment. Here, the display unit 35 causes the display unit to display the map transmitted from the information center 40,
The current location, destination, etc. of the on-vehicle device 14 are displayed on the map. Further, information such as the desired arrival time, estimated arrival time, destination name, address, etc. is also displayed.

As a result, when the information center 40 receives the information on the current location and the destination transmitted from the vehicle-mounted device 14, the information center 40 searches the search data by the same method as the method described in the first embodiment. The rapid road information included in the road data is examined to determine whether the road included in the layer used for the search is a rapid road that is easy to run and has a relatively high traveling speed. Then, with respect to the expressway, the search cost is reduced, and the route from the current position to the destination is searched. Then, the information about the searched route is transmitted to the in-vehicle device 14.

As described above, in the present embodiment, since the data recording unit 16 of the in-vehicle device 14 does not need to have a database including map data files, road data files, etc., the configuration of the in-vehicle device 14 is It can be simplified. Therefore, the in-vehicle device 14 can be reduced in size and weight, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. Further, in the information center 40, since various data are frequently updated, the result of the route search based on the latest data can be obtained.

When the in-vehicle device 14 includes a database including the map data file, the road data file, etc., the in-vehicle device 14 performs, for example, processing such as setting of a destination, and the result of the processing is reported. The information is sent to the information center 40 for subsequent processing.
It is also possible to do in. In this case, the processing load on the information center 40 can be reduced, the configuration of the information center 40 can be simplified, and the operating cost can be reduced.

The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, but can be variously modified within the scope of the present invention, and they are not excluded from the scope of the present invention.

For example, the computer creates the express road information as described above by using the search data obtained by removing the express road information from the search data as shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. The search data as shown is created and stored in the storage medium. Then, the in-vehicle device or the information center has the search data including the express road information as shown in FIG. 1 or 3 and the express road information creating unit 2 shown in FIG.
With a configuration excluding 9, the route can be searched while reducing the search cost of the express road based on the search data including the express road information for identifying the express road during the route search.

Alternatively, the in-vehicle device and the information center are shown in FIG.
Alternatively, the search data obtained by removing the expressway information from the search data as shown in FIG. 3 is provided, and by providing the configuration as shown in FIG. 4, the expressway information is created as shown in FIG. 1 or 3. However, the route can be searched based on the express road information.

Alternatively, the in-vehicle device and the information center are shown in FIG.
Alternatively, the search data obtained by removing the express road information from the search data as shown in FIG. 3 and the express road specifying unit for specifying the express road are provided, and the express road is specified as shown in FIG. The route may be searched at a low search cost. In this case, rapid road information is not created.

[0108]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, it is possible to search for a route including a rapid road that is easy to run and has a high traveling speed when actually traveling.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a first diagram showing a data structure of search data according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram of an in-vehicle device of the navigation system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a second diagram showing a data structure of search data according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a function of an in-vehicle device of the navigation system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a hierarchical structure of a road network according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a road for creating expressway information according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a table showing basic conditions for determining a highway according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a table showing whether or not a basic condition for creating expressway information according to the first embodiment of the present invention is satisfied.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a procedure for creating expressway information according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation of creating expressway information according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration of a navigation system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

14 In-vehicle device 27 Route Search Section 28 Rapid Road Judgment Section 29 Rapid Road Information Creation Department 34 Input section 40 Information Center

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F term (reference) 2C032 HB03 HB05 HB22 HB24 HC16                       HD16                 2F029 AA02 AB01 AB07 AB13 AC03                       AC09 AC14 AC18                 5H180 AA01 BB05 BB12 BB13 BB15                       CC12 FF04 FF05 FF12 FF13                       FF22 FF25 FF27 FF33 FF35

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A storage unit for storing search data including express road information for identifying a express road, and (b) determining whether or not the road is a express road based on the express road information. It is characterized by having a rapid road determination unit and (c) a route search unit that searches for a route with a low search cost for a road determined to be a rapid road and searches for a route with the minimum search cost. Navigation system. 2. Whether or not the expressway is a road length between traffic signal lights, a road length between intersections, and an upper / lower separated road,
The method according to claim 1, wherein it is specified based on whether or not the road has a median strip, or at least one of the number of lanes on the road.
Navigation system described in. 3. The navigation system according to claim 2, wherein the expressway is a road having a road length between traffic signal lights or an average road length between traffic signal lights in a section that is equal to or more than a predetermined value. 4. The navigation system according to claim 2, wherein the expressway is a road having a road length between intersections or an average road length between intersections within a section that is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. 5. The navigation system according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle-mounted device includes the storage unit, the rapid road determination unit, and the route search unit. 6. (a) a storage unit for storing search data;
(B) a rapid road determination unit that determines a rapid road based on the search data; and (c) a route that is searched with a low search cost for a road that is determined to be a rapid road, and the search cost is the minimum. And a route search unit that searches for a route. 7. A grouping in which (a) a storage unit that stores road data composed of a plurality of links, and (b) a plurality of links are read from the storage unit and the plurality of links are combined to perform a grouping operation. Operating means, (c) rapid road determining means for determining whether or not the grouped links satisfy the conditions for the rapid road, and (d) creating rapid road information for the link determined to be the rapid road. A navigation system comprising: a creating unit. 8. A (a) computer for navigation, (b) a rapid road determination unit for determining whether or not the road is a rapid road based on the rapid road information for identifying the rapid road, and ( c) A navigation program that functions as a route search unit that lowers the search cost of a road that is determined to be a rapid road, searches for a route, and searches for a route that minimizes the search cost. 9. (a) A computer for navigation, (b) a storage unit for storing road data consisting of a plurality of links, (c) a plurality of links read from the storage unit, and the plurality of links are combined. Grouping operation means for performing grouping operation, (d) rapid road determining means for determining whether or not the grouped links satisfy the conditions of the express road, and (e) determined to be the express road. A navigation program that functions as a creation means that creates rapid road information for links. 10. A computer-readable recording medium containing (a) express road information for identifying a express road, and (b) search data used by a computer for searching a route. 11. A method of: (a) reading a plurality of links from road data; (b) combining the plurality of links to perform a grouping operation; and (c) whether the grouped links satisfy the condition of a expressway. A rapid road information creating method comprising: (d) creating rapid road information for a link that is determined to be a rapid road.