JP2017062189A - Predicted traveling time database, predicted arrival time calculating unit, route search device, and navigation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a predicted traveling time database capable of acquiring a predicted arrival time whose precision does not greatly vary according to time conditions to be applied.SOLUTION: A predicted traveling time database is stored in a storage unit 14 and allows information to be processed by an accessing computer 11. The database includes: an inter-second-area predicted traveling time database unit that defines information on an inter-second-area predicted traveling time that represents a predicted traveling time of a moving body from each second area to another second area within each first area obtained by statistical traffic information in terms of a time condition in correspondence to the time condition; and an inter-first-area predicted traveling time database unit that defines an inter-first-area predicted traveling time information that represents a predicted traveling time of the moving body from each first area to another first area obtained using statistical traffic information in terms of a time condition in correspondence to the time condition.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a movement prediction time database including information indicating movement prediction time of a moving body between areas set on a road map, an estimated arrival time calculation device using the same, a route search device using the same, and the same The present invention relates to a navigation device using the.

  Conventionally, a navigation device described in Patent Document 1 is known. In this navigation device, for each of a plurality of areas into which a road map is divided, for example, a route search is performed using a database in which passage times at an average vehicle speed obtained based on statistical traffic information are associated. Specifically, when an area including the current position of the vehicle is determined, the required arrival time (movement estimated time) from the area to each of all other areas is calculated based on the passing time of each area. . Then, for an area where vehicles depart from the current location toward the destination, the arrival time is calculated from the departure time and the required arrival time, and statistical traffic information (congestion information) corresponding to the arrival time (time condition) The link to which the cost based on) is assigned is used for route search.

  According to such a navigation device, each of a plurality of areas into which the road map is divided uses a database in which passage times at an average vehicle speed obtained based on statistical traffic information are associated with each other. Since the route is searched based on the statistical traffic information corresponding to the arrival time to each area calculated based on the time, appropriate statistical information can be used. As a result, an appropriate route can be searched.

Japanese Patent No. 4957841

  The database used in the above-described conventional navigation apparatus associates the transit time at the average vehicle speed obtained based on the statistical traffic information with each of a plurality of areas dividing the road map. In this database, the passing time of each area is calculated based on the average vehicle speed and the size of the area (for example, the diagonal distance), but the speed (vehicle speed) of the vehicle traveling in each area is It may vary depending on the general conditions (morning commuting, daytime, nighttime, time zone, day of the week, season, etc.). For this reason, the arrival time of each area obtained as a constant value based on the transit time of each area calculated based on the average vehicle speed affected by those temporal conditions and the departure time, The accuracy varies depending on the time period and time. For this reason, the statistical traffic information corresponding to the arrival time is not necessarily appropriate for each area used in the route search. Therefore, there is a possibility that route search that appropriately takes statistical traffic information into consideration is not performed.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides a predicted movement time database capable of obtaining an estimated arrival time whose accuracy does not vary greatly depending on applied time conditions.

  Further, the present invention provides an estimated arrival time calculation device using such a movement prediction time database, a route search device using such an arrival prediction time calculation device, and a navigation device using such a route search device. It is to provide.

  The movement prediction time database according to the present invention is stored in a storage unit, on a road map in which a plurality of first areas of a predetermined size and a plurality of second areas obtained by subdividing each first area are set. Including information representing the predicted movement time of the moving body between areas in the movement predicted time database processed by the accessing computer, each obtained by using the statistical traffic information in the time condition, Movement between second areas in which movement prediction time information between the second areas representing movement prediction time of the moving body from each second area to another second area in the first area is determined in association with the time condition. Movement between first areas representing predicted movement time of the mobile body from each first area to another first area, obtained using a predicted time database section and statistical traffic information under temporal conditions The measurement time information as constituted with a first inter-area movement prediction time database section that defines in association with the temporal condition.

  With such a configuration, the computer accesses the second inter-area movement prediction time database unit in the movement prediction time database stored in the storage unit, and then changes from one second area in the first area to another second area. Until now, it is possible to acquire the second inter-area movement prediction time information representing the movement prediction time when the moving body moves under the specified temporal condition. The predicted travel time represented by the second inter-area travel predicted time information is obtained based on statistical traffic information under the specified temporal condition. Further, the computer accesses the first inter-area movement predicted time database unit in the predicted movement time database stored in the storage unit, and moves from a certain first area to another first area under a specified temporal condition. The first inter-area movement prediction time information representing the movement prediction time when the body moves can be acquired. The predicted travel time represented by the first inter-area travel predicted time information is also obtained based on the statistical traffic information under the specified temporal condition.

  In the movement prediction time database according to the present invention, the second inter-area movement prediction time database unit includes each peripheral second area from each second area excluding each peripheral second area located in the periphery of each first area. A first portion in which information indicating the predicted movement time of the mobile body is determined in association with the time condition, and each second area other than the peripheral second area from each peripheral second area in each first area. It can be set as the structure which has the 2nd part which determined the information showing the movement estimated time of the said mobile body to an area corresponding to the said time condition.

  With this configuration, the computer accesses the first part of the second inter-area movement prediction time database in the movement prediction time database stored in the storage unit, and the moving body moves under the specified temporal conditions. It is possible to acquire second inter-area movement prediction time information representing the movement prediction time from the second area to the surrounding second area when leaving the first area. In addition, the computer accesses the second portion of the movement prediction database between the second areas in the movement prediction time database stored in the storage unit, and the moving body moves into the first area under the specified temporal condition. The movement prediction time information between 2nd areas showing the movement prediction time from the surrounding 2nd area to 2nd areas other than a surrounding 2nd area at the time of doing can be acquired.

  In the movement prediction time database according to the present invention, the first inter-area movement prediction time database section includes the moving object from each peripheral second area of each first area to each peripheral second area of another first area. It can be set as the structure which contains the information showing movement prediction time as said 1st area movement prediction time information.

  With such a configuration, the computer accesses the first inter-area movement prediction time database unit in the movement prediction time database stored in the storage unit, and the moving body is moved under the specified temporal condition. First inter-area movement prediction time information representing a movement prediction time from the second area around the first area to the second area around the other first area when entering the other first area. Can be obtained.

  An estimated arrival time calculation device according to the present invention is an estimated arrival time calculation device that calculates an estimated arrival time at which a mobile body that has left a departure point at the departure time arrives at a destination point. A predicted movement time from the database to the second area of the first area on the arrival side including the destination point from the second area of the first area on the arrival side including the departure point in the time condition at the time of movement of the mobile object is calculated. Based on the estimated movement time acquisition means to be acquired, the departure time of the departure point, and the estimated movement time acquired by the estimated movement time acquisition means, the arrival of the second area in the first area on the arrival side of the mobile object And a predicted arrival time calculating means for calculating the predicted time as the predicted arrival time of the destination point.

  With such a configuration, from the above-described predicted movement time database, the second area of the arrival side first area including the destination point from the second area of the departure side first area including the departure point in the time condition at the time of movement of the mobile object is obtained. The predicted travel time up to two areas is acquired, and based on the departure time of the departure point and the acquired predicted travel time, the predicted arrival time of the second area of the first area on the arrival side of the moving body is Calculated as the estimated time of arrival at the destination.

  In the estimated arrival time calculation device according to the present invention, the predicted movement time acquisition means includes the second area of the first area on the departure side in the temporal condition of movement of the moving body within the first area on the departure side. Estimated movement time between departure-side second areas for obtaining a first movement prediction time from the second-area movement prediction database section to a surrounding second area located around the departure-side first area in the direction toward the destination. An acquisition means, and a second estimated movement time from the first area on the departure side to the first area on the arrival side in a time condition of movement of the mobile body from the first area on the arrival side to the first area on the arrival side. The first inter-area movement predicted time acquisition means acquired from the first inter-area movement prediction database unit, and the arrival time in the time condition of the movement of the first area on the arrival side The third movement prediction time from the second area around the arrival-side first area in the direction toward the destination in the first side area to the second area including the destination is acquired from the inter-second-area movement database unit. And a predicted arrival time calculation unit between the arrival side and second areas. The estimated arrival time calculation unit includes the departure time, the first predicted movement time, the second predicted movement time, and the third predicted movement time. Based on this, the arrival time can be calculated.

  With such a configuration, the mobile object is positioned around the departure-side first area in the direction from the second area of the departure-side first area to the destination in the time condition of movement within the departure-side first area. The first predicted movement time to the surrounding second area is acquired from the movement prediction database section between the second areas, and in the temporal condition of the movement of the moving body from the first area on the departure side to the first area on the arrival side The second movement predicted time from the first area on the departure side to the first area on the arrival side is acquired from the movement prediction database section between the first areas, and the movement time of the mobile body in the first area on the arrival side Estimated movement time from the second area around the first area on the arrival side to the second area including the destination in the direction toward the destination in the first area on the arrival side It is al acquisition. Then, the predicted arrival time of the destination point is calculated based on the departure time, the first predicted movement time, the second predicted movement time, and the third predicted movement time.

  A route search device according to the present invention is a route search device that searches for a route that guides a moving body from a departure point to a destination point using a road database that represents a road network by a combination of links and nodes. The traffic information acquisition means for acquiring traffic information corresponding to the above, the arrival prediction time acquisition means for acquiring the predicted arrival time of the destination point of the moving body from any of the arrival time calculation devices described above, and the traffic information acquisition means Using the traffic information corresponding to the time conditions when moving the moving object that leaves the departure point at the departure time, the links are sequentially linked from the departure point toward the destination point. The forward route search means for searching for the forward route and the traffic information acquisition means acquired by the destination point before the arrival time acquired by the predicted arrival time acquisition means. A reverse route that searches for a reverse route that extends toward the departure point by sequentially connecting links from the destination point, using traffic information corresponding to the time conditions for the movement of the moving object that arrives at the estimated arrival time A combination determination unit that determines whether or not a search unit, a forward route obtained by the forward route search unit, and a reverse route obtained by the reverse route search unit are combined at the same node; Route generation means for generating a route from the departure point to the destination point by combining the forward route and the backward route determined to be combined at the same node by the combination determination unit at the node. It becomes the composition which has.

  With such a configuration, the predicted arrival time of the destination of the moving object is acquired from any of the predicted arrival time calculation devices described above, and corresponds to the time condition when moving the moving object leaving the departure point at the departure time Using the traffic information, a forward route extending from the departure point to the destination point by sequentially connecting links is searched. In addition, using the traffic information corresponding to the time condition when the moving object arrives at the estimated arrival time of the destination point, the link is sequentially linked from the destination point to the departure point. A reverse path is searched. Then, it is determined whether or not the forward path and the reverse path are combined at the same node, and the forward path and the reverse path determined to be combined at the same node are combined at the node. A route from the departure point to the destination point is generated.

  In the route search device according to the present invention, when a plurality of routes are generated by the route generation means, the predicted arrival time of the joining node obtained based on the departure time of the forward route in each route, and Obtained by the predicted arrival time difference calculating means for calculating the difference from the predicted arrival time of the joining node obtained based on the predicted arrival time of the reverse route, and the arrival time calculating means among the plurality of routes. In addition, it may be configured to include a recommended route determination unit that determines a route that minimizes the difference between the two predicted arrival times as a recommended route.

  With this configuration, when a plurality of routes are generated by combining the forward route and the reverse route, arrival of a join node obtained based on the departure time of the forward route in each route The difference between the predicted time and the predicted arrival time of the corresponding node obtained based on the predicted arrival time of the reverse route is calculated, and the difference between the two predicted arrival times of the plurality of routes is minimized. Is determined as the recommended route.

  The navigation device according to the present invention further includes a guide route determining unit that determines a guide route based on the route obtained by any of the route search devices described above, and a guide route determined by the guide route determining unit. The navigation processing execution means for performing the navigation processing is included.

  According to the movement prediction time database as described above, the movement prediction time represented by the movement prediction time information between the second areas obtained from the movement prediction time database section between the second areas and the movement prediction time database section between the first areas are obtained. The movement prediction time represented by the first inter-area movement prediction time information is obtained based on the statistical traffic information under the specified temporal conditions, so that the time condition to be applied is calculated from these movement prediction times. Accordingly, it is possible to obtain an estimated arrival time whose accuracy does not vary greatly.

  According to the predicted arrival time calculation apparatus according to the present invention using such a predicted movement time database, it is possible to obtain a predicted arrival time of a destination with higher accuracy in accordance with statistical traffic information, and such According to the route search device according to the present invention using the predicted arrival time calculation device, in the route search from the destination point side, the statistics corresponding to the time condition based on the arrival prediction time of the destination point with higher accuracy. Traffic information can be applied, and as a result, a route search reflecting appropriate traffic information becomes possible. Furthermore, according to the navigation device using such a route search device, it is possible to perform route guidance appropriately according to the traffic information of the mobile body according to the searched route.

1 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of an in-vehicle device including a navigation device (including a route search device) according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a primary mesh division (primary area). It is a figure which shows the structural example of a secondary mesh division (secondary area). It is a figure showing the center in the secondary mesh division which comprises a primary mesh division, and the link of the vicinity. It is a figure which shows the example of the optimal path | route which extends from one secondary mesh division to another secondary mesh division in a primary mesh division. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the movement prediction time database between secondary meshes. It is a figure which shows the example of the link straddling the surrounding secondary mesh division contained in a primary mesh division. It is a figure which shows the example of the optimal path | route extended from a primary mesh division to another primary mesh division. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the movement prediction time database between primary meshes. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the route search process from the departure point to the destination point. It is a flowchart which shows the detailed procedure of the process for calculating the arrival arrival time of the destination point in the process shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the relationship between the 1st mesh division containing a departure point, and the 1st mesh division containing a destination point. It is a figure which shows an example of the surrounding secondary mesh division which exists in the direction toward the destination point from the departure point in the primary mesh division containing a departure point. It is a figure which shows the example (1st part) of a part of movement prediction time database between secondary meshes. It is a figure which shows an example of the surrounding secondary mesh division which exists in the direction toward the destination point from the starting point in the primary mesh division containing a destination point. It is a figure which shows the example of a part of movement prediction time database between primary meshes. It is a figure which shows the example (2nd part) of a part of movement prediction time database between secondary meshes. It is a figure which shows the forward direction search and reverse direction search of a path | route. It is a figure which shows the joining point node of the path | route obtained by the forward direction search, and the path | route obtained by the reverse direction search. It is a flowchart which shows the detailed procedure of the process which concerns on the optimal path | route extraction in the process shown in FIG.

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

  An in-vehicle device including a navigation device using a database according to an embodiment of the present invention is configured as shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 1, an in-vehicle device 100 includes a processing unit 11 that includes a computer unit (including a CPU) and executes various processes according to a program. Connected to the processing unit 11 are an AV unit 17 that performs playback processing of various sound sources and video sources (for example, CD and DVD) and a navigation unit 18 that performs navigation processing such as vehicle route guidance. Further, an output circuit to which a speaker 16 is connected is connected to the processing unit 11. Under the control of the processing unit 11, audio signals from the AV unit 17 and the navigation unit 18 are supplied to the speaker 16 via the output circuit 15, and audio based on the audio signals is output from the speaker 16. The processing unit 11 further includes a road database (road information) including audio information and video information reproduced by the AV unit 17 and a road network (including links and nodes) used for processing by the navigation unit 18. ), A storage unit 14 (for example, a hard disk drive) for storing various information such as a movement prediction time database (details will be described later).

  The in-vehicle device 100 is configured by an LCD panel, and includes an operation unit including a display unit 13 provided in, for example, an instrument panel in a vehicle interior, and a touch panel provided integrally with the display unit 13 (LCD panel). 12. The processing unit 11 can execute various types of processing based on input information in accordance with operations on the operation unit 12 and can display information such as images obtained by the various types of processing on the display unit 13. A communication unit 19 is connected to the processing unit 11. Under the control of the processing unit 11, the communication unit 19 can communicate with an external device such as a server via a predetermined mobile communication network and a public network such as the Internet to send and receive information. The processing unit 11 can acquire information (including traffic information) from an external device via the communication unit 19.

  In the above-described in-vehicle device 100, the route search device according to the embodiment of the present invention is configured by the function of the processing unit 11, and the function of the navigation unit 18 and the processing unit 11 is combined with the embodiment of the present invention. Such a navigation device is configured.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of rectangular first areas M1 are set on the road map. The first area M1 corresponds to, for example, a primary mesh section (one side is about 80 km) in the land use subdivision mesh of the national land numerical information. Each first area M1 is subdivided into a plurality (64 (8 × 8)) of secondary areas M2 as shown in FIG. The second area M2 corresponds to, for example, a secondary mesh section (one side is about 10 km) in the land use subdivision mesh of the national land numerical information. Hereinafter, the first area is referred to as a primary mesh section, and the second area is referred to as a secondary mesh section.

  The above-described movement prediction time database stored in the storage unit 14 includes a secondary mesh movement prediction time database (second area movement prediction time database section) and a primary mesh movement prediction time database (first area movement). Predicted time database section). The inter-secondary mesh movement prediction time database is obtained from each secondary mesh area M1 (i) in each primary mesh section M1 obtained using the statistical traffic information in the day of the week and the time zone (temporal conditions). The inter-secondary area movement prediction time information indicating the movement prediction time of the vehicle (moving body) up to the secondary mesh section M2 (j) is associated with the day of the week and the time zone. Further, the primary inter-mesh movement prediction time database is obtained from each primary mesh section M1 (i) obtained by using statistical traffic information in a day of the week and a time zone (temporal condition) to another primary mesh section M1. The primary inter-mesh movement prediction time information indicating the vehicle movement prediction time up to (j) is associated with the day of the week and the time zone. In addition, the time required for the vehicle to pass through the road link on each day of the week and each time zone is statistically calculated, and the statistical time required to pass through each road link is used as the statistical traffic information DT. Can do.

  For example, the inter-secondary mesh movement prediction time database is created as follows.

  From the search start link to the end link, a link near the center of each secondary mesh section M2 (i) is a search start link, a link near the center of another secondary mesh section M2 (j) is an end link, While considering the statistical traffic information for the day of the week and time of day, search for the optimal route based on cost, and information indicating the predicted time when the vehicle moves on the obtained optimal route is moved between secondary meshes Predicted time information. For example, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in the primary mesh section M1 (n), the predicted movement time of the vehicle from the secondary mesh section M2 (18) to the other secondary mesh section M2 (39) is The link Lo near the center Pc of the secondary mesh section M2 (18) is set as the search start link Ls, and the link near the center of the other secondary mesh section M2 (39) is set as the end link Le. Up to the end link Le, it is obtained as the predicted time when the vehicle moves on the optimum route Ro obtained by searching in consideration of the statistical traffic information on the day of the week and the time zone.

More specifically, in the route search, the route cost is
It is calculated according to route cost = link cost + node cost + congestion cost. The traffic congestion cost is based on the statistical traffic information, and represents the total amount of time passing through each link obtained statistically.
The route that minimizes the route cost calculated in this way is selected as the optimum route, and the congestion cost in the optimum route (the sum of the congestion costs for each link) corresponds to the predicted movement time between the secondary meshes. To do.

  In consideration of the calculation method (see FIG. 11) about the predicted arrival time of the destination point as described later, the inter-secondary mesh movement prediction database includes all the secondary mesh sections and other secondary mesh sections. Rather than determining the predicted movement time of the vehicle, each of the surrounding secondary mesh sections (NO. 0 to 7, 8, 15, 16, 23, 24, 31, in FIG. 32, 39, 40, 47, 48, 55, 56 to 63) (secondary mesh sections M2 (i) to each peripheral secondary mesh section M2 (j)) In contrast to the first portion in which information representing time is defined in association with the day of the week and the time zone, conversely, each secondary mesh section M2 (i) other than the peripheral secondary mesh sections from each peripheral secondary mesh section M2 (j). Vehicle movement to It constituted by a second portion which defines the information representative of the measurement time in association with the day and time zone.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the inter-secondary mesh movement prediction time database created as described above is described above from one secondary mesh section (starting mesh) to another secondary mesh section (arriving mesh). The estimated travel time information obtained in this way is used for the day of the week and departure time, as well as holiday flags (holidays: 1 and weekdays: 0) and additional information (holiday information and information on events expected to be crowded, etc. Including).

  In addition, the primary inter-mesh movement prediction time database that defines the primary inter-mesh movement prediction time information in association with the time conditions of the day of the week and the time zone is created as follows.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 7, each of the peripheral secondary mesh sections M2 (0 to 7, 15, 16, 23, 24, 31, 32, 39, and 40 located in the periphery in the primary mesh section M1 (n). , 47, 48, 55, 56 to 63), the representative links Li, Lk, Lm, Ln, Ls,... (For example, one side of the secondary mesh section) that straddle the secondary mesh section M2 (i) A link straddling the center, a link straddling a corner of the secondary mesh section, etc.) is extracted, and the extracted link is set as a search start link. In addition, a superficial link that straddles each peripheral secondary mesh section M2 (j) in the other primary mesh section M1 (m) is extracted, and the extracted link is set as an end link. Then, from the search start link to the end link, the optimal route search is performed based on the cost while taking into account the statistical traffic information in the day of the week and the time zone, and the vehicle moves on the obtained optimal route. The information indicating the predicted time is used as primary mesh movement predicted time information. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the predicted movement time of the vehicle from the primary mesh section M1 (064E) to the other primary mesh section M1 (163D) is the secondary mesh section around the primary mesh M1 (064E). Is a search start link Ls, a link straddling the secondary mesh section around the other primary mesh section M1 (163D) is an end link Le, and from the search start link Ls to the end link Le, It is obtained as the predicted time when the vehicle moves on the optimum route Ro obtained by searching in consideration of the statistical traffic information of the time zone.

More specifically, as in the case of the predicted movement time between secondary meshes described above, in the route search, the route cost is:
The route cost is calculated according to the link cost + node cost + congestion cost, and the route having the smallest route cost is selected as the optimum route. Then, the congestion cost (the sum of the congestion costs for each link) on the optimum route corresponds to each primary mesh movement prediction time.

  The primary inter-mesh movement prediction time database created as described above is, for example, as shown in FIG. Like the secondary inter-mesh movement prediction time database (see FIG. 6), the movement prediction time information obtained as described above until a certain peripheral secondary mesh section (arrival) It is associated with a holiday flag and additional information (including holiday information and information on events that are expected to be crowded).

  Next, when the operation unit 12 performs an operation for designating the destination point GL and an operation for searching for a route for guiding the vehicle, the processing unit 11 outputs a signal from the navigation unit 18, for example, a GPS unit. Based on the above, the current position of the vehicle is acquired and designated as a departure point ST, and a route search process for guiding the vehicle from the departure point to the destination point is performed (function as a route search device). This route search process is performed, for example, according to the procedure shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 10, the processing unit 11 calculates a link (road) corresponding to the designated departure point ST as a departure point side search start link, and specifies a secondary mesh section including the departure point ST. A primary mesh partition number that identifies the partition number and the primary mesh partition including the secondary mesh partition is calculated (S11). The processing unit 11 calculates a link (road) corresponding to the designated destination point GL as a destination point search start link, and identifies a secondary mesh section number that includes the secondary mesh section including the destination point GL. And the primary mesh division number which identifies 1 mesh division containing this secondary mesh division is calculated (S12).

  Then, the processing unit 11 (function as an estimated arrival time calculation device) includes a secondary mesh movement prediction time database (see FIG. 6) and a primary mesh movement prediction time database (see FIG. 9) stored in the storage unit 14. ) Is used to calculate the predicted time at which the vehicle will arrive at the destination point GL using the movement prediction time information between the secondary meshes and the movement prediction time information between the primary meshes (S13). Specifically, the predicted arrival time is calculated according to the procedure shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 11, the processing unit 11 uses a surrounding secondary mesh section M2 (i) existing in a direction from the departure point ST toward the destination point GL in the departure-side primary mesh section M1 (n) including the departure point ST. Calculate (S131). For example, as shown in FIG. 12, consider a case where the departure point ST is included in the departure side primary mesh section M1 (064E) and the destination point GL is included in the arrival side primary mesh section M1 (163D). In this case, as shown in FIG. 13, in the departure side primary mesh section M1 (064E), the surrounding secondary mesh section M2 (55) as the surrounding secondary mesh section existing in the direction from the departure point ST toward the destination point GL. ) Is obtained. The departure point ST is included in the secondary mesh section M2 (45) of the departure-side primary mesh section M1 (064E) (obtained by the processing in S11 in FIG. 10).

  Returning to FIG. 11, when the peripheral secondary mesh section in the direction of the destination point GL is obtained (S131), the processing unit 11 stores the secondary mesh movement prediction time database (first portion) stored in the storage unit 14. Referring to, the estimated arrival time of the acquired neighboring secondary mesh section M2 (i) is calculated (S132). For example, in the example shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the day of the week and the departure time from the secondary mesh section M2 (45) including the departure point GL to the surrounding secondary mesh section M2 (55) (for example, , 12:00), the movement prediction time (first movement prediction time) corresponding to the time zone including the time zone is acquired from the movement prediction time database (second part) between the secondary meshes (movement between the second areas on the departure side) Estimated time acquisition means). Specifically, from the secondary mesh movement prediction time database shown in FIG. 14, the day of the week (Monday) from which the vehicle departs from the secondary mesh section M2 (45) to the surrounding secondary mesh section M2 (55). And a predicted movement time of 35 minutes (min) corresponding to the time zone including the departure time (12:00) is acquired. Then, by adding the predicted movement time (35 minutes) to the departure time (12:00), the estimated arrival time (passage prediction) of the surrounding secondary mesh M2 (55) in the departure-side primary mesh section M1 (064E). Time, estimated departure time: 12:35).

  Returning to FIG. 11, the processing unit 11 calculates a peripheral secondary mesh section existing in the direction from the departure point ST to the destination point GL in the arrival-side primary mesh section M1 (163D) (S133). For example, as shown in FIG. 15, in the arrival-side primary mesh section M1 (163D), the peripheral secondary mesh section M2 (40) is a peripheral secondary mesh section that exists in the direction from the departure point ST to the destination point GL. can get. The destination point GL is included in the secondary mesh section M2 (50) of the arrival-side primary mesh section M1 (163D) (obtained by the processing in S12 in FIG. 10).

  When the peripheral secondary mesh section in the direction of the destination point GL is obtained (S133), the processing unit 11 refers to the primary mesh movement prediction time database stored in the storage unit 14 and arrives at the arrival-side primary mesh section M1. In (163D), the predicted arrival time of the surrounding secondary mesh section M2 (40) acquired as described above is calculated (S134). Specifically, first, the peripheral secondary mesh section M1 (55) (see FIG. 13) of the departure side primary mesh section M1 (064E) and the peripheral secondary mesh section M1 of the arrival side primary mesh section M1 (163D). (40) The predicted movement time (second movement predicted time) of the vehicle between (see FIG. 15) is obtained by referring to the primary inter-mesh movement predicted time database (first estimated movement time between areas). ). For example, from the primary inter-mesh movement prediction time database shown in FIG. 16, the peripheral secondary mesh section M2 (55) of the departure side primary mesh section M1 (064E) to the periphery 2 of the arrival side primary mesh section M1 (163D). Up to the next mesh section M2 (40), the day of the week (Monday) when the vehicle passes (departs) the surrounding secondary mesh section M2 (55) on the departure point ST side and the predicted passage time (predicted arrival time / departure) A predicted movement time 175 minutes (min) corresponding to a time zone including (predicted time) 12:35 (obtained by the processing in S132) is acquired. Then, by adding the predicted movement time (175 minutes) to the predicted passage time (predicted arrival time / predicted departure time) (12:35) of the surrounding secondary mesh section M2 (55) on the departure point ST side, The predicted arrival time (15:30) of the secondary mesh section M2 (40) around the arrival-side primary mesh section M1 (163D) is obtained.

  Next, the processing unit 11 refers to the secondary inter-mesh movement prediction time database (second portion) stored in the storage unit 14, and the vicinity where the vehicle enters in the arrival-side primary mesh section M1 (163D). A predicted movement time (third predicted movement time) from the secondary mesh section M2 (40) to the secondary mesh section M2 (50) including the destination point GL (see FIG. 15) is calculated (S135: second area on the arrival side) Inter-movement predicted time acquisition means). For example, from the secondary mesh movement prediction time database (second part) shown in FIG. 17, in the arrival-side primary mesh section M1 (163D), the neighboring secondary mesh section M2 (40) to the secondary mesh section M2 (50) ) Until the vehicle passes (departs) the surrounding secondary mesh section M2 (40) and the predicted passage time (Monday (Mon)) and the predicted passage time (predicted arrival time / predicted departure time) 15:30 (processing in S134) The movement estimated time 30 minutes (min) corresponding to the time zone including Then, the processing unit 11 adds the predicted movement time (30 minutes) to the predicted passing time (predicted arrival time / predicted departure time) (15:30) of the peripheral secondary mesh section M2 (40) on the destination point GL side. Thus, the predicted arrival time (16:00) of the secondary mesh section M2 (50) including the destination point GL is calculated as the predicted arrival time of the destination point GL (S136: arrival time calculation means).

  As described above, by using the inter-secondary mesh movement prediction time database (see FIGS. 6, 14, and 17) and the primary inter-mesh movement prediction time database (see FIGS. 9 and 16), statistical traffic information is obtained. Considering this, it is possible to obtain a predicted time (16:00) when a vehicle that has left the departure point ST at a certain time (12:00) will arrive at the destination point GL. In particular, a predicted movement time between secondary mesh sections obtained from a movement prediction time database between secondary meshes, and a predicted movement time represented by movement predicted time information between primary mesh sections obtained from a primary mesh movement prediction time database. Are obtained based on statistical traffic information under the time conditions (day of the week and time zone) when the vehicle travels. Therefore, the time conditions ( It is possible to obtain a predicted arrival time whose accuracy does not vary greatly depending on the day of the week and the time zone.

  According to the process for obtaining the predicted arrival time of the vehicle destination point GL as described above, each secondary mesh in each primary mesh section obtained using the statistical traffic information at each day of the week and time zone. From each primary mesh section obtained using the inter-secondary mesh movement prediction time database representing the predicted movement time of vehicles from the section to other secondary mesh sections, and statistical traffic information for each day and time zone Since the predicted arrival time of the destination point GL is obtained using the primary inter-mesh movement prediction time database representing the predicted movement time of the vehicle to the other primary mesh section, it is more suitable for actual traffic conditions. The arrival time of the destination point GL with high accuracy can be obtained.

  Returning to FIG. 10, when the estimated arrival time of the destination point GL is obtained as described above (S13), the processing unit 11 uses the estimated arrival time of the destination point GL from the departure point ST to the destination point GL. Route search processing (S14 to S19: function of route search device). In this process, a forward direction search process (forward direction route searching means) that sequentially searches for a link from the departure point ST toward the destination point GL, and conversely, a reverse link that sequentially searches for a link from the destination point GL toward the departure point ST. Direction search processing (reverse route search means) is performed. Then, by combining the route obtained by the forward direction search process and the route obtained by the reverse direction search process, a route from the departure point ST to the destination point GL is obtained (route generation means).

  In FIG. 10, the processing unit 11 uses the road database stored in the storage unit 14, for example, traffic information obtained via the communication unit 19 (at each time within a predetermined time range from the present time distributed in real time. In consideration of (traffic information acquisition means), the starting point side search start link corresponding to the starting point ST (obtained by the processing in S11). ) To the destination point GL, the search links are sequentially connected to extend the route in the forward direction (S14: forward search processing (forward route search means)). The processing unit 11 sequentially searches from the destination side search start link corresponding to the destination point GL (obtained by the processing in S12) toward the departure point ST in consideration of the acquired traffic information. The links are connected to extend the route in the reverse direction (S15: reverse direction search process (reverse direction route search means)).

  In the forward direction search process (S14), as in the forward direction search shown in FIG. 18, the estimated movement time (20min, 15min, etc.) at each link is calculated based on the acquired traffic information, and the departure point ST The predicted arrival time (12:20, 12:35, etc.) of each node is obtained by adding the estimated movement time for each link to the departure time (12:00). Then, based on the traffic information corresponding to the predicted arrival time at each node, the predicted movement time at the link following the node in the direction of the destination point GL is calculated. In this way, each process is performed cyclically, such as traffic information acquisition, link movement prediction time calculation, node arrival prediction time calculation, and traffic information corresponding to the arrival prediction time. By repeating, considering the traffic information, the search links are sequentially connected from the departure point ST (departure point side search start link) to the destination point GL, and the route extends in the forward direction.

  In the reverse direction search process (S15), as in the reverse direction search shown in FIG. 18, a predicted movement time (such as 25 min) for each link is calculated based on the acquired traffic information, and the arrival prediction of the destination point GL is calculated. By subtracting the estimated movement time at each link from the time (16:00 (obtained by the processing at S13)), the arrival time (15:25, etc.) of each node is obtained. Based on the traffic information corresponding to the predicted arrival time at each node, the predicted movement time at the link following the node in the direction of the departure point ST is calculated. In this way, each process is cyclically performed, such as acquisition of traffic information, calculation of predicted movement time at the link, calculation of predicted arrival time at the node, and acquisition of traffic information corresponding to the predicted arrival time. By repeating the above, considering the traffic information, the search links are sequentially connected from the destination point GL (the destination point side search start link) to the departure point ST, and the route extends in the reverse direction.

  The processing unit 11 determines whether or not the route obtained by the forward direction search process (S14) and the route obtained by the reverse direction search process (S15) are combined at the same node (S16: connection determination unit). If these routes do not combine at the same node (NO in S16), the processing unit 11 again performs the forward direction search process (S14) and the reverse direction search process (S15) without performing registration as a route candidate (S17). ) And determine whether or not the two obtained paths are to be combined (S16). On the other hand, when the route obtained by the forward direction search process (S14) and the route obtained by the backward direction search process (S15) are combined at the same node (YES in S16), the processing unit 11 combines the paths. (Route generation means) The route obtained as a result of the combination is registered as a route candidate (S17). When a predetermined number of route candidates are obtained by repeatedly executing the route search processing (S14 to S17) (YES in S18), the processing unit 11 performs processing for extracting a recommended route from the registered routes ( S19).

  The process of extracting the recommended route is performed according to the procedure shown in FIG.

Prior to the processing according to the procedure shown in FIG. 20, the processing unit 11 calculates the route cost of each route candidate.
Calculation is performed according to route cost = link cost + node cost + congestion cost. The congestion cost is based on the traffic information acquired via the communication unit 19 as described above, and represents the total time for passing through each link.

When the processing unit 11 calculates the route cost of each route candidate, the processing unit 11 sorts the obtained route candidates in order of the route cost (S191). Then, the processing unit 11 performs the forward search at the connection point node between the route obtained by the forward search processing (S14) and the route obtained by the backward search processing (S15) in the route candidate having the minimum route cost. The difference between the arrival time obtained by the process and the arrival time obtained by the backward search process is set as the initial value of the minimum arrival time difference T (S192). Thereafter, the processing unit 11 selects one route candidate Ri from the registered route candidates (S193), and as shown in FIG. 19, the route R _Fi obtained by the forward direction search processing of the selected route candidate Ri. And the arrival time (for example, 14:10) obtained by the forward direction search process at the connection point node Nc with the route R _Ri obtained by the backward direction search process and the arrival time ( For example, the difference Ti (arrival time difference Ti = 5 min) with respect to 14:15) is calculated (S194: arrival time difference calculating means).

  The processing unit 11 determines whether or not the obtained arrival time difference Ti is smaller than the minimum arrival time difference T (T> Ti) (S195). When the processing unit 11 is small (YES in S195), the arrival time Ti is set as a new minimum arrival time difference T (S196). When the processing unit 11 is large (NO in S195), the minimum arrival time T is not updated. After confirming that the processing for all the route candidates has not been completed (NO in S197), the next route candidate Ri is selected (S193). Similarly, the processing unit 11 calculates the arrival time difference Ti for the newly selected route candidate Ri (S194), and if the arrival time difference Ti is smaller than the minimum arrival time difference T (YES in S195). The arrival time difference Ti is set as a new minimum arrival time difference Ti (S196), and if it is larger (NO in S195), the minimum arrival time difference T is not updated. When such processing is completed for all route candidates (YES in S197), the processing unit 11 determines the route candidate Ri that has the minimum arrival time difference T at that time as a recommended route (S198: recommended route determination means). .

  According to the route search processing as described above (see S14 to S19 in FIG. 10 and FIG. 20), forward search is performed by sequentially connecting links from the departure point ST to the destination point GL in consideration of traffic information. A route that takes into account traffic information from the departure point ST to the destination point GL by processing and a reverse direction search process that extends the route by sequentially connecting links from the destination point GL to the departure point ST in consideration of traffic information Can be obtained efficiently. Further, in the backward search process, as described above, the destination point GL obtained with higher accuracy in accordance with the actual traffic situation using the inter-secondary mesh movement prediction time database and the primary mesh movement prediction time database. Since the route is extended by connecting the link while considering the traffic information corresponding to the time condition (time (time zone)) based on the predicted arrival time, the route is searched more appropriately considering the traffic information. can do.

  When the recommended route is determined as described above, the processing unit 11 causes the display unit 13 to display information on a predetermined number of route candidates together with the recommended route. When the recommended route is selected by an operation on the operation unit 12, information on the recommended route is actually provided to the navigation unit 18 as a vehicle guide route (guidance route determination means). The navigation unit 18 performs various navigation processes for guiding the vehicle according to the guidance route (recommended route) with the control unit 11 (navigation process execution means).

  Note that the secondary inter-mesh movement prediction time database and the primary inter-mesh movement prediction database are not stored in the storage unit 14 of the in-vehicle device 100 but are stored in a device such as an external server. May be. In this case, for example, the processing unit 11 uses information acquired from the inter-secondary mesh movement prediction time database or the primary inter-mesh movement prediction time database stored in the external device (such as a server) by the communication unit 19. Thus, it is possible to perform processing related to the calculation of the predicted arrival time of the destination point GL and the route search from the departure point ST to the destination point GL as described above. Also, the processing related to the calculation of the predicted arrival time of the destination point GL and the route search can be performed by an external device. In this case, the processing unit 11 can transmit a processing instruction to the external device via the communication unit 19, and can acquire a route that can be used for navigation processing as a response.

  In the above-described example, the predicted arrival time of the destination point GL is used for the backward route search. However, the present invention is not limited to this, for example, the departure time for presenting the predicted arrival time to the user. It can also be used for other purposes such as evaluation.

  The estimated arrival time calculation device and route search device realized as the functions of the processing unit 11 described above can also be applied to the movement of other moving bodies (for example, people) other than the vehicle.

  In the above-described secondary inter-mesh movement prediction time database and primary inter-mesh movement prediction time database, the temporal condition associated with the movement prediction time obtained based on the statistical traffic information is the day of the week and the time zone (time However, for example, the movement prediction time may be associated with other time conditions such as only the day of the week, only the time zone (morning, daytime, night, etc.), season, month, date, and the like.

  As described above, the predicted movement time database according to the present invention has an effect that it is possible to obtain a predicted arrival time whose accuracy does not vary greatly according to the applied temporal condition, and is set on a road map. This is useful as a predicted movement time database including information indicating the predicted movement time of a moving body between areas.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Processing unit 12 Operation part 13 Display part 14 Memory | storage part 15 Output circuit 16 Speaker 17 AV unit 18 Navigation unit 19 Communication unit 100 In-vehicle apparatus

Claims (8)

Predicted movement time of a moving body between areas on a road map in which a plurality of first areas of a predetermined size and a plurality of second areas obtained by subdividing each first area are set. A predicted movement time database in which the information is processed by an accessing computer,
Second inter-area movement prediction time information representing the movement prediction time of the mobile body from each second area to another second area in each first area, obtained using statistical traffic information under temporal conditions. A second inter-area movement prediction time database unit that is determined in association with the temporal condition,
The first inter-area movement prediction time information representing the movement prediction time of the mobile body from each first area to the other first area, obtained using the statistical traffic information under the temporal condition, is used as the temporal condition. A predicted movement time database having a movement prediction time database section between first areas defined in association with each other. The second inter-area movement prediction time database unit calculates the movement prediction time of the mobile body from each second area to each peripheral second area excluding each peripheral second area located in the periphery of each first area. A first part that defines information to be represented in association with the time condition;
A second portion in which information indicating the predicted movement time of the mobile body from each peripheral second area in each first area to each second area other than the peripheral second area is determined in association with the temporal condition; The movement prediction time database according to claim 1, comprising:   The first inter-area movement predicted time database unit stores information indicating the predicted movement time of the moving body from each peripheral second area of each first area to each peripheral second area of another first area. The predicted movement time database according to claim 2, which is included as predicted movement information between areas. A predicted arrival time calculation device for calculating a predicted arrival time at which a mobile object that has left a departure point at a departure time arrives at a destination point,
From the movement prediction time database according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the destination point is determined from a second area of a departure-side first area including the departure point in a temporal condition when the moving body moves. A predicted movement time acquisition means for acquiring a predicted movement time to the second area of the first area on the arrival side including:
Based on the departure time of the departure point and the movement prediction time acquired by the movement prediction time acquisition unit, the arrival prediction time of the second area of the first area on the arrival side of the mobile object is calculated as the arrival prediction of the destination point. A predicted arrival time calculation device comprising predicted arrival time calculation means for calculating time. The movement predicted time acquisition means includes
A periphery located around the departure side first area in the direction from the second area of the departure side first area to the destination in a time condition of movement of the mobile body within the departure side first area A departure side second inter-area movement prediction time acquisition means for acquiring a first movement prediction time to the second area from the movement prediction database section between the second areas;
The second movement predicted time from the departure side first area to the arrival side first area in the time condition of movement of the mobile body from the departure side first area to the arrival side first area is represented by the first area. A first inter-area movement prediction time acquisition means that is acquired from the inter-movement prediction database unit;
The destination is included from the second area around the first area on the arrival side in the direction toward the destination on the first area on the arrival side in the time condition of movement in the first area on the arrival side of the mobile body. An arrival-side second inter-area movement prediction time acquisition unit that acquires a third movement prediction time to the second area from the inter-second area movement database unit;
The estimated arrival time according to claim 4, wherein the estimated arrival time calculation means calculates the estimated arrival time based on the departure time, the first estimated movement time, the second estimated movement time, and the third estimated movement time. Arithmetic unit. A route search device for searching for a route for guiding a moving body from a departure point to a destination point using a road database representing a road network by a combination of links and nodes,
Traffic information acquisition means for acquiring traffic information corresponding to temporal conditions;
A predicted arrival time acquisition means for acquiring a predicted arrival time of the destination point of the mobile body from the arrival time calculation device according to claim 4 or 5,
The traffic information acquired by the traffic information acquisition means, using the traffic information corresponding to the time conditions at the time of movement of the mobile body that leaves the departure point at the departure time, sequentially links from the departure point, and Forward route searching means for searching for a forward route extending toward the destination point;
Using the traffic information corresponding to the time condition for the movement of the moving body that arrives at the predicted arrival time acquired by the predicted arrival time acquisition means at the destination point, acquired by the traffic information acquisition means A reverse route search means for searching for a reverse route extending from the destination point to the departure point by sequentially connecting the links;
A combination determination unit that determines whether or not the forward route obtained by the forward route search unit and the reverse route obtained by the reverse route search unit are combined at the same node;
Route generation means for generating a route from the departure point to the destination point by combining the forward route and the backward route determined to be combined at the same node by the combination determination unit at the node. A route search device having. When a plurality of routes are generated by the route generation means, the predicted arrival time of the joining node obtained based on the departure time of the forward route in each route and the predicted arrival time of the reverse route An arrival time difference calculating means for calculating a difference from the predicted arrival time of the joining node obtained as a reference;
A route search device comprising: a recommended route determination unit that determines a route having a minimum difference between the two predicted arrival times obtained by the arrival time calculation unit among the plurality of routes as a recommended route. Guide route determination means for determining a guide route based on the route obtained by the route search device according to claim 6 or 7,
A navigation apparatus having navigation processing execution means for performing navigation processing according to the guidance route determined by the guidance route determination means.

Images