JP2012127733A - Route searching system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a route searching system which displays an appropriate congestion avoidance route and does not display an inappropriate congestion avoidance route by determining whether or not a congestion avoidance route is displayed.SOLUTION: A vehicle navigation device 2 searches a route from a present position of a vehicle to a destination. When determining that the vehicle has a chance to encounter congestion by traveling on the searched route, a center device 3 first searches a congestion avoidance route from the present position of the vehicle to the destination. The center device 3 does not unconditionally display the congestion avoidance route but determines whether or not the searched congestion avoidance route is to be displayed based on vehicle information (a weight of the vehicle, a load of the vehicle and the like) as well as user setting information (a condition whether or not the user wants to avoid travelling a curved road). Then the center device 3 displays the congestion avoidance route only when the same determines that the congestion avoidance route is to be displayed.

Description

  The present invention relates to a route search system that searches for a route from a current position of a vehicle to a destination and presents the searched route.

  A vehicle navigation device generally has a function of searching for a route from a current position of a vehicle to a destination and presenting the searched route (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2009-41926 A

  By the way, if the route searched by the vehicle navigation apparatus is congested, the vehicle encounters (or gets involved) when the vehicle travels along the route. Therefore, in the vehicle navigation device, by receiving traffic information distributed from the outside, it is determined whether or not the vehicle encounters traffic when traveling along the route, and when it is determined that the vehicle encounters traffic, It is considered to search for a traffic jam avoiding route that can avoid the traffic jam and present the searched traffic jam avoiding route.

  However, it is not always preferable for the driver to present the traffic avoidance route, and it is preferable for the driver to present the original route although the vehicle encounters traffic jam than to present the traffic avoidance route. There is a case. For example, if the original route is a route that does not pass through a steep portion and the traffic jam avoidance route passes through a steep portion, the original route is presented to a driver of a vehicle having a large vehicle weight or loading capacity. Is preferable. For example, if the original route is a route with few curves and the congestion avoidance route is a route with many curves, it is preferable to present the original route for a driver who does not like driving on a curve.

  The present invention has been made in view of the circumstances described above, and its purpose is to select whether or not to present a traffic jam avoidance route, and to present an appropriate traffic jam avoidance route, while an inappropriate traffic jam avoidance route. Therefore, it is possible to provide a route search system that can improve convenience.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the route search means searches for a route from the current position of the vehicle specified by the current position specifying means to the destination set by the destination setting means. The traffic jam information acquisition unit acquires traffic jam information from the outside, and the traffic jam encounter determination unit determines whether or not the vehicle encounters traffic jam by traveling according to the route searched by the route search unit. The determination is made based on the traffic information corresponding to the route searched by the route search means in the acquired traffic information. Here, if the vehicle encounters a traffic jam and is determined by the traffic jam encounter determining means, the traffic jam avoidance route searching means is from the current position of the vehicle specified by the current position specifying means to the destination set by the destination setting means. Search for traffic jam avoidance routes. The presentation determination information acquisition unit acquires the presentation determination information, and the presentation determination unit determines whether to present the traffic jam avoidance route searched by the traffic jam avoidance route search unit or not. Determine based on information. Then, when the presentation determination unit determines to present the traffic jam avoidance route searched by the traffic jam avoidance route search unit, the presentation control unit causes the presentation unit to present the traffic jam avoidance route.

  As a result, a route from the current position of the vehicle to the destination is searched, and if it is determined that the vehicle encounters a traffic jam by traveling according to the searched route, a route for avoiding the traffic jam from the current position of the vehicle to the destination is searched. However, instead of presenting the searched traffic avoidance route unconditionally, whether to present the searched traffic avoidance route using presentation determination information that is a criterion for determining whether to present the traffic congestion avoidance route or not. Is determined based on the presentation determination information, and only when it is determined to present a traffic jam avoidance route, the traffic jam avoidance route is presented. The congestion avoiding route can be prevented from being presented, and convenience can be improved.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the presentation determination information acquisition means includes vehicle information acquisition means for acquiring vehicle information output from the vehicle information output means as presentation determination information, and the presentation determination means Whether to present the traffic jam avoidance route searched for by the route search means is determined based on the vehicle information acquired by the vehicle information acquisition means. This makes it possible to determine whether or not to present the searched traffic avoidance route based on the vehicle information. For example, when the vehicle weight or the loading amount is set as the determination item as the vehicle information, the original route has a steep slope. If it is a route that does not pass through a location and the traffic jam avoidance route passes through a steep location, the traffic weight avoidance route is presented to the driver of the vehicle with a small vehicle weight or load while the vehicle weight For example, it is possible not to present a traffic jam avoidance route to a driver of a vehicle having a large load.

  According to the invention described in claim 3, the volatile storage means for sequentially storing the vehicle information output from the vehicle information output means, and the vehicle information stored in the volatile storage means when a predetermined condition is satisfied. A vehicle information storage device comprising a nonvolatile storage means for storing the vehicle information, and the vehicle information acquisition means presents the vehicle information output from the vehicle information output means and stored in the volatile storage means Obtain as information. Thereby, it is not necessary to prepare a dedicated device for acquiring the presentation determination information, and the vehicle information sequentially stored in the vehicle information storage device can be effectively used as the presentation determination information.

  According to the invention described in claim 4, the presentation determination information acquisition unit includes the user setting information acquisition unit that acquires the user setting information set by the user as the presentation determination information, and the presentation determination unit includes the congestion avoidance route search. Whether to present the traffic jam avoidance route searched by the means is determined based on the user setting information acquired by the user setting information acquisition means. This makes it possible to determine whether or not to present the searched traffic avoidance route based on the user setting information. For example, in the case where the condition for determining whether to avoid driving the curve is set as the determination item as the user setting information If the original route is a route with few curves and the traffic jam avoidance route is a route with many curves, a traffic jam avoidance route is set for a vehicle driver who does not avoid (does not dislike) driving a curve. On the other hand, it is possible not to present the traffic jam avoidance route to the vehicle driver who has set a condition for avoiding (dislikes) driving of the curve.

  According to the invention described in claim 5, the traffic jam avoiding route searching means sets the destination from the current position of the vehicle specified by the current position specifying means when the traffic jam encounter determining means determines that the vehicle encounters the traffic jam. A plurality of congestion avoidance routes to the destination set by the means, and the presentation determination means determines whether to present each of the plurality of congestion avoidance routes searched by the congestion avoidance route search means. The determination is based on the presentation determination information acquired by the acquisition means. As a result, it is possible to present an appropriate traffic jam avoidance route for each of the plurality of traffic jam avoidance routes while not presenting an inappropriate traffic jam avoidance route.

  According to the invention described in claim 6, if the presentation control means determines that the congestion avoidance route searched by the congestion avoidance route search means is not presented by the presentation determination means, the presentation control means determines the route searched by the route search means. Present from the presentation means. As a result, the original route can be presented when the congestion avoiding route is not presented.

  According to the invention described in claim 7, the presentation determination unit determines the history of presenting the traffic jam avoidance route searched by the traffic jam avoidance route search unit, and presents the traffic jam avoidance route searched by the traffic jam avoidance route search unit. It is determined based on the presentation determination information acquired by the presentation determination information acquisition means and the history of presenting the traffic jam avoidance route. Thus, for example, if the center device presents a traffic jam avoidance route to an unspecified number of people, the number of times the traffic jam avoidance route is presented is equal to or greater than a set value by managing the number of times the traffic jam avoidance route is presented. Therefore, it can be avoided that the vehicle encounters a traffic jam on the contrary, and can be operated appropriately.

The functional block diagram of a vehicle navigation apparatus and a center apparatus which shows one Embodiment of this invention Functional block diagram showing the overall configuration The flowchart which shows the process which a vehicle navigation apparatus performs Flow chart showing processing performed by center device Diagram showing nodes Diagram showing how to determine the recommended route 6 equivalent diagram 6 equivalent diagram 6 equivalent diagram 6 equivalent diagram Functional block diagram of vehicle navigation device 3 equivalent figure

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the overall configuration of the route search system. The route search system 1 includes a vehicle navigation device 2 mounted on a vehicle and a center device 3 installed on the center side. The vehicle navigation device 2 and the center device 3 are connected to a wide area communication network (a fixed communication network and a fixed communication network). Wide area communication via a mobile communication network) is possible. The center device 3 and the vehicle navigation device 2 have a one-to-many relationship, and the center device 3 can perform wide-area communication with each of the plurality of vehicle navigation devices 2 mounted on each of the plurality of vehicles. is there.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle navigation device 2 includes a control unit 4, a current position specifying unit 5 (corresponding to a current position specifying unit), a map data input unit 6, and an operation switch unit 7 (presentation determination information acquiring unit). , Equivalent to user setting information acquisition means), vehicle information acquisition unit 8 (equivalent to presentation determination information acquisition means, vehicle information acquisition means), VICS (registered trademark) information reception unit 9, wide area communication unit 10, and display The apparatus 11 (equivalent to a presentation means) is comprised.

  The control unit 4 includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, an I / O bus, and the like that are well-known microcomputers, and executes a control program to control the operation of the entire apparatus. The current position specifying unit 5 includes a G sensor, a gyroscope, a distance sensor, a GPS receiver, and the like as constituent elements. The current position of the vehicle is specified by complementing detection results of these constituent elements to each other. Is output to the control unit 4. In this case, the current position specifying unit 5 does not have to include all these components as long as the current position of the vehicle can be detected with the required detection accuracy, and a steering sensor for detecting the steering angle of the steering wheel The wheel sensor etc. which detect rotation of each wheel may be combined and comprised.

  When the map data input unit 6 is loaded with a recording medium 12 such as a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, memory card, HDD, etc., and the map data recorded on the loaded recording medium 12 is input, the input map data Is output to the control unit 4. The map data here is data including road data indicating the shape and type of the road, intersection data indicating the position and type of the intersection, map matching data for performing map matching, and the like. The operation switch unit 7 is composed of a mechanical switch arranged around the display device 11, a touch switch formed on the display device 11, and the like. When an operation of a passenger (driver or passenger) is detected, the operation content Is output to the control unit 4.

  The VICS information receiving unit 9 receives VICS information (corresponding to traffic jam information) transmitted from the VICS center device 13 installed on the VICS center side that is infrastructure equipment. The VICS information is road traffic information such as traffic jam information and traffic regulation information provided in real time to the driver. The wide area communication unit 10 performs wide area communication with the center apparatus 3 via a wide area communication network. The display device 11 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display device, displays various display screens such as a menu screen and a destination input screen, and displays a current position mark indicating a current position of the vehicle, a travel locus, and the like on a map of map data. Superimposed display. The display device 11 may be composed of an organic EL, a plasma display device, or the like. The vehicle information acquisition unit 8 acquires vehicle information from a vehicle information storage device 14 described later in detail.

  The above-described control unit 4 includes a map matching unit 4a that maps a road where the current position of the vehicle exists using the current position of the vehicle and road data and map matching data included in the map data, and an occupant Sets a destination input on the destination input screen (corresponding to destination setting means), and a route search unit 4c for searching for a route from the current position of the vehicle to the destination input by the occupant. (Corresponding to the route search means), a route guidance unit 4d for calculating a route necessary for route guidance based on the searched route and map data included in the map data, and the vicinity of the current position of the vehicle Are equipped with functional blocks for performing well-known navigation, such as a drawing unit 4e for drawing a map, a schematic diagram of an expressway, an enlarged view near an intersection, and the like.

  Further, when the route search unit 4c searches the route from the current position of the vehicle to the destination input by the occupant, the control unit 4 inputs the searched route and the vehicle information acquisition unit 8 from the vehicle information storage device 14. The vehicle information (presentation determination information) and the user setting information (presentation determination information) set by the user using the operation switch unit 7 are transmitted from the wide area communication unit 10 to the center device 3 via the wide area communication network. In addition to the functional blocks described above, the vehicle navigation device 2 is issued from a data storage unit that stores various data, a voice output control unit that controls voice output such as route guidance guidance and warning guidance, and an occupant. A voice recognition unit for recognizing the voice.

  The center apparatus 3 includes a control unit 15, a VICS information receiving unit 16 (corresponding to a traffic jam information acquiring unit), a wide area communication unit 17, and a map database 18. The control unit 15 includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, an I / O bus, and the like that are well-known microcomputers, and controls the operation of the entire apparatus by executing a control program. The VICS information receiving unit 16 receives the VICS information transmitted from the VICS center device 13 installed on the VICS center side, similarly to the VICS information receiving unit 9 of the vehicle navigation device 2 described above. The wide area communication unit 10 performs wide area communication with the vehicle navigation apparatus 2 via the wide area communication network. The map database 18 holds data including road data indicating the shape and type of the road, intersection data indicating the position and type of the intersection, map matching data for performing map matching, and the like.

  The control unit 15 refers to the VICS information received from the VICS center device 13 and determines whether or not the vehicle encounters a traffic jam. The traffic jam encounter determination unit 15a (corresponding to the traffic jam encounter determination unit) and the current position of the vehicle A traffic jam avoidance route search unit 15b for searching for a traffic jam avoidance route to the destination (corresponding to the traffic jam avoidance route search means) and a presentation for determining whether or not to present the traffic jam avoidance route searched by the traffic jam avoidance route search unit 15b Functional blocks such as a determination unit 15c (corresponding to a presentation determination unit) and a presentation control unit 15d (corresponding to a presentation control unit) for controlling the presentation of a congestion avoiding route are provided.

  The vehicle information storage device 14 is a device that functions as a storage device that keeps vehicle information before and after the occurrence of a vehicle accident as evidence, and is protected by a strong housing so that it is difficult to be damaged even if it receives an impact due to a vehicle accident. It is fixedly installed under the rear seat. The vehicle information storage device 14 includes a control unit 19, a volatile memory 20 (corresponding to volatile storage means), a nonvolatile memory 21 (corresponding to nonvolatile storage means), and output interface (IF) units 22 and 23. It is configured with. The control unit 19 includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, an I / O bus, and the like that are well-known microcomputers, and controls the operation of the entire apparatus by executing a control program. The volatile memory 20 is connected to various devices (various devices, various sensors, various switches, etc.) 24 (corresponding to vehicle information output means) mounted on the vehicle via an in-vehicle LAN 25.

  The various devices 24 include an in-vehicle camera device 26, an acceleration sensor 27, a speed sensor 28, an accelerator sensor 29, a brake sensor 30, a steering sensor 31, a weight sensor 32, a seat sensor 33, and the like. The in-vehicle camera device 26 outputs a signal that can identify an image obtained by photographing the periphery of the vehicle. The acceleration sensor 27 outputs a signal that can specify the acceleration. The speed sensor 28 outputs a signal that can specify the speed (vehicle speed). The accelerator sensor 29 outputs a signal that can specify the number of accelerator operations and the accelerator opening based on the driver operating the accelerator pedal. The brake sensor 30 outputs a signal that can specify the number of brake operations and the amount of brake depression based on the driver operating the brake pedal. The steering sensor 31 outputs a signal that can specify the number of steering operations and the steering angle based on the fact that the driver has operated the steering. The weight sensor 32 outputs a signal that can specify the vehicle weight and the load capacity. The seat sensor 33 outputs a signal that can specify whether or not an occupant is seated.

  Information specified by signals output from these various devices 24 is collectively referred to as vehicle information. Various devices 24 may include devices and sensors other than those described above. For example, an engine control device that outputs a signal that can specify the engine speed, a brake control device that outputs a signal that can specify the brake hydraulic pressure, a transmission control device that outputs a signal that can specify the shift position, and the operation of the wiper A wiper switch that outputs a signal that can specify the state, an air conditioner switch that outputs a signal that can specify the operating state of the air conditioner, and the like may be included.

  When the signals output from the various devices 24 are input via the in-vehicle LAN 25, the volatile memory 20 sequentially stores vehicle information specified by the input signals. That is, when the volatile memory 20 inputs a signal from various devices 24 exceeding the storage capacity, the latest vehicle specified by the signal is deleted while erasing the oldest vehicle information stored at that time. By storing (overwriting) information, vehicle information specified by signals input from various devices 24 is sequentially stored. In addition, when the apparatus power supply of the vehicle information storage device 14 is turned off, the stored contents (vehicle information) stored in the volatile memory 20 are deleted.

  The nonvolatile memory 21 is configured to be able to store a part of the vehicle information stored in the volatile memory 20. When a predetermined condition (e.g., a condition that the acceleration is equal to or higher than a set value) is established, the control unit 19 outputs a transfer command to the volatile memory 20 and outputs a write command to the nonvolatile memory 21 so as to be volatile. A part of the vehicle information stored in the memory 20 is stored (copied) in the nonvolatile memory 21. The vehicle information stored in the nonvolatile memory 21 is vehicle information that is useful, for example, when analyzing a vehicle accident. Even if the device power supply of the vehicle information storage device 14 is turned off, the stored contents stored in the nonvolatile memory 21 are retained without being erased.

  One output interface unit 22 has a communication function with a dedicated tool 34 that can be operated by a specific worker (for example, a person in charge of vehicle accident analysis), and accepts a read operation by a specific worker. In this case, the dedicated tool 34 has a function of accepting an operation input from a specific worker or displaying information, and the specific worker should read vehicle information stored in the nonvolatile memory 21. When a read operation is performed, a read command is transmitted to the output interface unit 22. When receiving the read command transmitted from the dedicated tool 34, the output interface unit 22 outputs the received read command to the control unit 19. When the read command is input from the output interface unit 22, the control unit 19 outputs the vehicle information stored in the nonvolatile memory 21 to the output interface unit 22, and transmits the vehicle information from the output interface unit 22 to the dedicated tool 34. Let

  When the dedicated tool 34 receives the vehicle information transmitted from the output interface unit 22, the dedicated tool 34 displays the received vehicle information and provides the vehicle information stored in the nonvolatile memory 21 to a specific worker. The communication performed between the output interface unit 22 and the dedicated tool 34 may be wired communication or short-range wireless communication. Examples of wired communication include USB communication. Examples of wireless communication include Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication.

  The other output interface unit 23 has a communication function with the vehicle navigation device 2 described above, and outputs the received read command to the control unit 19 when receiving the read command transmitted from the vehicle navigation device 2. . When the read command is input from the output interface unit 23, the control unit 19 outputs the vehicle information stored in the volatile memory 20 to the output interface unit 23, and the vehicle information is output from the output interface unit 23 to the vehicle navigation device 2. Send it. The communication performed between the output interface unit 23 and the vehicle navigation device 2 may be wired communication or short-range wireless communication, and USB communication is an example of wired communication. Examples of distance wireless communication include Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication.

  The vehicle information storage device 14 configured as described above is connected so as to be interlocked with the on / off of the ignition switch by inputting an ignition signal from the ignition switch, and the device power is turned on when the ignition switch is on. (Starts up), and the apparatus power is turned off (stopped) when the ignition switch is off.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, FIG. 3 shows a process performed by the vehicle navigation apparatus 2 in a flowchart, and FIG. 4 shows a process performed by the center apparatus 3 in the flowchart. Less than,
(1) Processing performed by the vehicle navigation device 2 (2) Processing performed by the center device 3 will be sequentially described. Here, at least the vehicle weight and the loading amount are included as the vehicle information transmitted from the vehicle navigation device 2 to the center device 3, and at least the driving of the curve is performed as the user setting information transmitted from the vehicle navigation device 2 to the center device 3. The description will be made on the assumption that the condition of avoiding (dislikes) or not avoiding (not dislikes) is included.

(1) Processing performed by the vehicle navigation device 2 In the vehicle navigation device 2, the current position specifying unit 5 sets the current position of the vehicle in a predetermined cycle (for example, every time the travel distance reaches a predetermined distance or every time a predetermined time elapses). )Identify. The control unit 4 waits for the passenger to input a destination on the destination input screen (step S1). When determining that the occupant has input the destination on the destination input screen ("YES" in step S1), the control unit 4 sets the destination input by the occupant by the destination setting unit 4b (step S2). Then, the current position of the vehicle specified by the current position specifying unit 5 at that time is acquired from the current position specifying unit 5 (step S3), and a route from the current position of the vehicle to the destination is searched by the route search unit 4c ( Step S4).

  Next, the control unit 4 transmits the searched route, the vehicle information input from the vehicle information storage device 14 to the vehicle information acquisition unit 8, and the user setting information set by the user using the operation switch unit 7. 10 is transmitted to the center device 3 via the wide area communication network (step S5), and it waits for the wide area communication unit 10 to receive the recommended route from the center apparatus 3, and the route, vehicle information, and user setting information are It is determined whether or not an elapsed time after transmission from the communication unit 10 to the center device 3 has reached a predetermined time (steps S6 and S7).

  Then, the control unit 4 performs the wide area communication of the recommended route from the center device 3 before the elapsed time after transmitting the route, the vehicle information, and the user setting information from the wide area communication unit 10 to the center device 3 reaches a predetermined time. If it is determined that it has been received by the unit 10 ("YES" in step S6), the recommended route received from the center device 3 by the wide area communication unit 10 is displayed on the display device 11, and route guidance is performed according to the recommended route ( Step S8).

  On the other hand, before receiving the recommended route from the center device 3 by the wide area communication unit 10, the control unit 4 transmits the route, vehicle information, and user setting information from the wide area communication unit 10 to the center device 3. Is determined to have reached the predetermined time (“YES” in step S7), the searched route (original route) is displayed on the display device 11, and route guidance is performed according to the route (step S9).

(2) Processing performed by the center device 3 In the center device 3, the control unit 15 is on standby for receiving a route, vehicle information, and user setting information from the vehicle navigation device 2 by the wide area communication unit 10 (step T1). ). If the control unit 15 determines that the route, vehicle information, and user setting information are received from the vehicle navigation device 2 by the wide area communication unit 10 ("YES" in step T1), the control unit 15 receives the VICS information reception unit 16 from the VICS center device 13. By referring to the VICS information received at step S2, the traffic jam encounter determination unit 15a determines whether or not the vehicle encounters traffic jam when traveling along the route (step T2).

Here, the control unit 15 determines whether or not the vehicle encounters a traffic jam as follows. As shown in FIG. 5, there are nodes X _{0 to} X _n such as intersections on the route from the current position of the vehicle to the destination, and the distances between the nodes are _expressed as L _{0,1 to} L _{n-1, n} . And the passing time, which is the time for the vehicle to pass between the nodes, is set as T _{0,1 to} T _{n-1, n,} and the maximum passing time for each passing time between the nodes is T (max) _{0, 1 to} T (max) _{n-1, n} are set. The control unit 15 compares T _{n−1, n} with T (max) _{n−1, n} to determine whether or not there is a traffic jam between the nodes X _{n−1 to} X _n . That is, the control unit 15
T _{n-1, n} <T (max) _{n-1, n}
If the relationship is established, it is determined that there is no traffic jam between the nodes _{Xn-1 to Xn} ,
T _{n-1, n} ≧ T (max) _{n-1, n}
If the relationship is established, it is determined that a traffic jam has occurred between the nodes X _{n-1 to} X _n .

Further, the control unit 15 sets the time required to pass between the nodes after the time t has elapsed as T _0,1 (t) to T _{n-1, n} (t),
T _{n-1, n} (t) <T (max) _{n-1, n}
The minimum t at which the above relationship is established is set as ts, and it is determined that the traffic jam is resolved after the time ts has elapsed. If the vehicle speed at this time is V, the control unit 15
(L _0,1 + L _1,2 + L _2,3 +... + L _{n−2, n−1} + L _{n−1, n} ) / V <ts
If the relationship is established, it is determined that the vehicle encounters traffic,
(L _0,1 + L _1,2 + L _2,3 +... + L _{n−2, n−1} + L _{n−1, n} ) / V ≧ ts
If the relationship is established, it is determined that the vehicle does not encounter traffic jam.

  When determining that the vehicle does not encounter traffic jam by the traffic jam encounter determination unit 15a (“NO” in step T2), the control unit 15 determines the route (original route) received from the vehicle navigation device 2 as the recommended route ( In step T3), the determined recommended route is transmitted from the wide area communication unit 10 to the vehicle navigation device 2 (step T4).

  On the other hand, if the control unit 15 determines that the vehicle encounters a traffic jam by the traffic jam encounter determination unit 15a (“YES” in step T2), the control unit 15 travels from the current position of the same vehicle as the route received from the vehicle navigation device 2 to the destination. The traffic jam avoiding route is searched by the traffic jam avoiding route searching unit 15b (step T5). Next, the control unit 15 collates the searched congestion avoidance route with the vehicle information and user setting information received from the vehicle navigation device 2 to determine whether or not the searched congestion avoidance route satisfies the presentation criterion. Determine (step T6). That is, the control unit 15 collates the searched congestion avoidance route with the presentation determination information to determine whether the searched congestion avoidance route satisfies the presentation determination criterion.

  The control unit 15 is, for example, a route through which the searched traffic avoidance route passes a steep portion (for example, a route having a portion where the height difference per unit distance exceeds a predetermined value), and is received from the vehicle navigation device 2. If it is determined based on the vehicle information that the vehicle weight and the loading amount exceed preset values, the determined congestion avoidance route is determined not to satisfy the presentation criterion (“NO” in step T6). In this case as well, the route (original route) received from the vehicle navigation device 2 is determined as the recommended route (step T3), and the determined recommended route is transmitted from the wide area communication unit 10 to the vehicle navigation device 2 (step T3). Step T4).

  On the other hand, for example, even when the searched traffic jam avoidance route is a route that passes through a steep portion, the control unit 15 is preset with the vehicle weight and the loading amount based on the vehicle information received from the vehicle navigation device 2. If it is determined that the set value is not exceeded, it is determined that the searched congestion avoidance route satisfies the presentation criterion (“YES” in step T6), and the congestion avoidance is determined to satisfy the presentation criterion. The route is determined as a recommended route (step T7), and the determined recommended route is transmitted from the wide area communication unit 10 to the vehicle navigation device 2 (step T4).

  Further, the control unit 15 is, for example, a route with a lot of curves in the searched traffic avoidance route (for example, a route having a predetermined number or more of places where the curvature exceeds a predetermined value). If it is determined that a condition for avoiding (dislikes) driving the curve is set in advance, it is determined that the searched traffic avoidance route does not satisfy the presentation determination criterion ("NO" in step T6). Also in this case, the route (original route) received from the vehicle navigation device 2 is determined as a recommended route (step T3), and the determined recommended route is transmitted from the wide area communication unit 10 to the vehicle navigation device 2 (step T4).

  On the other hand, for example, even if the searched route has a lot of curves, the control unit 15 is set in advance so as not to avoid driving the curve based on the user setting information received from the vehicle navigation device 2. If it is determined, it is determined that the searched traffic congestion avoidance route satisfies the presentation determination criterion (“YES” in step T6), and the traffic congestion avoidance route determined to satisfy the presentation determination criterion is determined as a recommended route. (Step T7), the determined recommended route is transmitted from the wide area communication unit 10 to the vehicle navigation device 2 (Step T4).

  By performing the processing described above, as shown in FIG. 6, the center device 3 determines that a traffic jam will be encountered when the vehicle travels according to the original route, and the traffic jam avoidance route satisfies the presentation criterion. When it is determined, the vehicle navigation device 2 displays the congestion avoiding route on the display device 11 as the recommended route. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, if the center device 3 determines that a traffic jam occurs when the vehicle travels according to the original route, the vehicle navigation device 2 determines that the traffic jam avoidance route does not satisfy the presentation criterion. The original route is displayed on the display device 11 as the recommended route.

  In addition, you may determine based on what vehicle information whether presentation determination criteria are satisfy | filled. That is, as the vehicle information, for example, the number of accelerator operations and the number of brake operations per unit time in the past are transmitted from the vehicle navigation device 2 to the center device 3, and the searched traffic jam avoidance route is the frequency of the accelerator operation and the brake operation (duty of driving). If the determined congestion avoidance route does not satisfy the presentation criteria, the searched congestion avoidance route may rapidly increase the frequency of accelerator operation and brake operation. If it is determined that it is low (same level), it is determined that the searched congestion avoidance route satisfies the presentation criterion, etc., and either the congestion avoidance route or the original route is determined as the recommended route good. In addition, it is possible to determine whether or not the presentation criterion is satisfied based on, for example, a driving history (whether there is a past driving record) as vehicle information, It may be determined whether the presentation criterion is satisfied based on a large truck or the like.

  Further, whether or not the presentation determination criterion is satisfied may be determined based on any user setting information. That is, for example, a condition as to whether the scenery is good is transmitted as user setting information from the vehicle navigation device 2 to the center device 3, and the searched traffic congestion avoiding route is a route with poor scenery (eg, passing through a residential area). If it is determined that the searched traffic avoidance route does not satisfy the presentation criterion, the searched traffic avoidance route is determined to be a route with good scenery (for example, passing along the coast). For example, it may be determined that the traffic jam avoiding route satisfies the presentation criterion, and either the traffic jam avoiding route or the original route is determined as the recommended route. In addition, it may be determined whether the presentation determination criterion is satisfied based on, for example, the condition of whether the number of lanes is large or small as user setting information.

  Further, the center device 3 may search for a plurality of congestion avoidance routes and determine whether or not the presentation determination criterion is satisfied according to the priority for each searched congestion avoidance route. Here, the priority order is, for example, a route having a short route length is ranked higher or a route that matches the past travel history is ranked higher. In this case, as shown in FIG. 8, in the center device 3, when the vehicle travels according to the original route, it is determined that a traffic jam will be encountered, and the traffic jam avoiding route A having the highest priority satisfies the presentation criterion. When the determination is made, the vehicle navigation device 2 displays the congestion avoiding route A as a recommended route on the display device 11.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 9, the center device 3 determines that a traffic jam will occur when the vehicle travels according to the original route, and determines that the traffic jam avoiding route A with the highest priority does not satisfy the presentation criterion. However, if it is determined that the traffic jam avoiding route B with the next highest priority satisfies the presentation determination criteria, the vehicle navigation device 2 displays the traffic jam avoiding route B as a recommended route on the display device 11. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 10, in the center device 3, it is determined that a traffic jam occurs when the vehicle travels according to the original route, but both the traffic jam avoidance route A and the traffic jam avoidance route B do not satisfy the presentation determination criteria. If determined to be, the vehicle navigation device 2 displays the original route on the display device 11 as the recommended route.

  When the center device 3 manages a large number of unspecified vehicles (vehicle navigation device 2) as a management target, a history (congestion avoidance route) that presents a traffic jam avoidance route in addition to vehicle information and user setting information as a presentation determination criterion. It is also possible to determine whether or not the presentation criterion is satisfied, including the number of times ( In this case, for example, the center device 3 manages the number of times the congestion avoidance route is presented as a recommended route for each congestion avoidance route, and the number of times the congestion avoidance route is presented as a recommended route within the immediately preceding unit time is less than the set value. If present, the congestion avoiding route is continuously presented as the recommended route, while if the number of times the congestion avoiding route is presented as the recommended route within the previous unit time is equal to or greater than the set value, the congestion avoiding route is recommended. Without presenting, another traffic avoidance route or the original route is presented as a recommended route.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the route search system 1 searches for a route from the current position of the vehicle to the destination, and determines that the vehicle encounters a traffic jam by traveling according to the searched route. Then, a traffic jam avoidance route from the current position of the vehicle to the destination is searched, but the searched traffic jam avoidance route is not presented unconditionally, but whether or not the searched traffic jam avoidance route is presented is vehicle information. It is configured to present the traffic jam avoidance route only when it is determined that the traffic jam avoiding route is to be presented based on the user setting information or the user setting information. The avoidance route can be prevented from being presented, and convenience can be improved.

  For example, in the case where the vehicle weight and the load amount are used as determination items as vehicle information, if the original route is a route that does not pass a steep portion and the traffic jam avoidance route is a route that passes a steep portion, the vehicle weight For example, it is possible to present a traffic jam avoidance route to a driver of a vehicle with a small load, while not presenting a traffic jam avoidance route to a driver of a vehicle with a large vehicle weight or load. Also, for example, in the case where the condition for whether or not to avoid driving the curve is set as the user setting information, if the original route is a route with few curves and the traffic jam avoidance route is a route with many curves, For vehicle drivers who set conditions that do not avoid (do not dislike) driving, while presenting a traffic jam avoidance route, for those who set conditions that avoid (dislike) driving on curves May not present a traffic jam avoidance route.

  In addition, the vehicle information storage device 14 that originally functions as a storage device that leaves the vehicle information before and after the occurrence of the vehicle accident as evidence is used, and the vehicle information stored in the volatile memory 20 of the vehicle information storage device 14 is used. Therefore, the vehicle information stored in the volatile memory 20 of the vehicle information storage device 14 can be used effectively.

In addition, since it is configured to present the original route when it is determined that the traffic jam avoiding route is not presented, the original route can be presented even when the traffic jam avoiding route is not presented.
Furthermore, if it is configured to determine whether or not to present the traffic jam avoidance route based on the history of presenting the traffic jam avoidance route in addition to the vehicle information and user setting information, the vehicle will It is possible to avoid encountering traffic jams and to operate appropriately.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be modified or expanded as follows.
A configuration in which the vehicle navigation device performs a process for determining whether or not the vehicle encounters a traffic jam, a process for searching for a traffic jam avoidance route, and the like is not limited to the configuration performed by the center device. That is, as shown in FIG. 11, in the vehicle navigation apparatus 31, the control unit 32 includes the map matching unit 4a, the destination setting unit 4b, the route searching unit 4c, the route guiding unit 4d, and the drawing unit 4e. VICS information received from the VICS center device 13 in addition to the functional blocks of the map matching unit 32a, the destination setting unit 32b, the route search unit 32c, the route guidance unit 32d, and the drawing unit 32e having functions equivalent to The traffic jam encounter determination unit 32f that determines whether or not the vehicle encounters traffic jam with reference to FIG. 4, the traffic jam avoidance route search unit 32g that searches for the traffic jam avoidance route from the current position of the vehicle to the destination, and the traffic jam avoidance route search A presentation determination unit 32h that determines whether or not to present the traffic jam avoidance route searched by the unit 32g, and a presentation control unit 32i that controls the presentation of the traffic jam avoidance route It may be provided with a function block.

  In this case, when it is determined that the occupant has input the destination on the destination input screen (“YES” in step S11), the control unit 32 sets the destination input by the occupant by the destination setting unit 32b ( In step S12), the current position of the vehicle specified by the current position specifying unit 5 at that time is acquired (step S13), and a route from the current position of the vehicle to the destination is searched by the route search unit 32c (step S14). . Next, the control unit 32 refers to the VICS information received by the VICS information receiving unit 9 from the VICS center device 13, and determines whether or not the vehicle encounters a traffic jam when the vehicle travels along the route by the traffic jam encounter determination unit 32f. (Step S15) If the traffic congestion encounter determining unit 32f determines that the vehicle does not encounter a traffic jam ("NO" in Step S15), the original route is determined as a recommended route (Step S16), and the determined recommended route is determined. The information is displayed on the display device 11, and route guidance is performed according to the recommended route (step S17).

  On the other hand, if the control unit 32 determines that the vehicle encounters a traffic jam by the traffic jam encounter determination unit 32f ("YES" in step S15), the control unit 32 sets the traffic jam avoidance route from the current position of the vehicle to the destination on the same route as the original route. A search is performed by the avoidance route search unit 32g (step S18), and it is determined whether or not the searched congestion avoidance route satisfies the presentation determination criterion (step S19). If the control unit 32 determines that the searched congestion avoidance route does not satisfy the presentation criterion (“NO” in step S19), the original route is determined as a recommended route in this case as well (step S16). The determined recommended route is displayed on the display device 11, and route guidance is performed according to the recommended route (step S17).

  On the other hand, when determining that the searched congestion avoidance route satisfies the presentation determination criterion (“YES” in step S19), the control unit 32 determines the searched congestion avoidance route as a recommended route (step S20). The determined recommended route is displayed on the display device 11, and route guidance is performed according to the recommended route (step S17). Even in such a configuration, an appropriate traffic avoidance route can be presented while an inappropriate traffic avoidance route is not presented.

  Not only the configuration for determining whether or not the vehicle encounters traffic jam using the VICS information transmitted from the VICS center device, but by performing inter-vehicle communication, for example, traffic information transmitted from other vehicles running in parallel The configuration may be used to determine whether or not the vehicle encounters a traffic jam.

  In the drawings, 1 is a route search system, 4b is a destination setting unit (destination setting unit), 4c is a route search unit (route search unit), 5 is a current position specifying unit (current position specifying unit), and 7 is an operation switch. (Presentation determination information acquisition means, user setting information acquisition means), 8 is a vehicle information acquisition section (presentation determination information acquisition means, vehicle information acquisition means), 11 is a display device (presentation means), 14 is a vehicle information storage device, 15a is a congestion encounter determination unit (congestion encounter determination unit), 15b is a congestion avoidance route search unit (congestion avoidance route search unit), 15c is a presentation determination unit (presentation determination unit), 15d is a presentation control unit (presentation control unit), Reference numeral 16 denotes a VICS information receiving unit (congestion information acquisition means), 20 denotes a volatile memory (volatile storage means), 21 denotes a nonvolatile memory (nonvolatile storage means), and 24 denotes various devices (vehicle information output means).

Claims (7)

Current position specifying means for specifying the current position of the vehicle;
Destination setting means for setting the destination;
Route searching means for searching for a route from the current position of the vehicle specified by the current position specifying means to the destination set by the destination setting means;
Traffic information acquisition means for acquiring traffic information from outside;
Corresponding to the route searched by the route search means in the traffic information acquired by the traffic information acquisition means whether or not the vehicle encounters traffic congestion by traveling according to the route searched by the route search means A traffic jam encounter determination means for determining based on traffic jam information to be
When the vehicle encounters a traffic jam, the traffic jam avoidance route is searched for from the current position of the vehicle specified by the current location specifying unit to the destination set by the destination setting unit. A traffic avoidance route search means to
Presentation determination information acquisition means for acquiring presentation determination information;
A presentation determination unit that determines whether to present the traffic jam avoidance route searched by the traffic jam avoidance route search unit based on the presentation determination information acquired by the presentation determination information acquisition unit;
And a presentation control means for presenting the traffic jam avoidance route from the presenting means when it is judged by the presentation judging means to present the traffic jam avoidance route searched by the traffic jam avoidance route searching means. Route search system. In the route search system according to claim 1,
The presentation determination information acquisition means includes vehicle information acquisition means for acquiring the vehicle information output from the vehicle information output means as presentation determination information,
The route determination characterized in that the presentation determination unit determines whether to present the traffic jam avoidance route searched by the traffic jam avoidance route search unit based on the vehicle information acquired by the vehicle information acquisition unit. system. In the route search system according to claim 2,
Volatile storage means for sequentially storing vehicle information output from the vehicle information output means, and nonvolatile storage means for storing vehicle information stored in the volatile storage means when a predetermined condition is satisfied. Connected to the vehicle information storage device,
The route search system, wherein the vehicle information acquisition means acquires vehicle information output from the vehicle information output means and stored in the volatile storage means as presentation determination information. In the route search system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The presentation determination information acquisition means includes user setting information acquisition means for acquiring user setting information set by a user as presentation determination information,
The presentation determination unit determines whether to present the traffic jam avoidance route searched by the traffic jam avoidance route search unit based on the user setting information acquired by the user setting information acquisition unit. Route search system. In the route search system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The traffic jam avoidance route search means, when the vehicle encounters traffic jam, when the traffic jam encounter judgment means judges, the purpose set by the destination setting means from the current position of the vehicle specified by the current position specification means Explore multiple traffic avoidance routes to the ground,
The presentation determination unit determines whether to present each of the plurality of congestion avoidance routes searched by the congestion avoidance route search unit based on the presentation determination information acquired by the presentation determination information acquisition unit. A route search system characterized by In the route search system according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The presentation control unit causes the presentation unit to present the route searched by the route search unit when the presentation determination unit determines that the congestion avoidance route searched by the congestion avoidance route search unit is not presented. A route search system characterized by that. In the route search system according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The presentation determination unit determines a history of presenting the traffic jam avoidance route searched by the traffic jam avoidance route search unit, and indicates whether or not to present the traffic jam avoidance route searched by the traffic jam avoidance route search unit. A route search system for making a determination based on presentation determination information acquired by a determination information acquisition means and a history of presenting the traffic jam avoidance route.

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