JP4791726B2 - Traffic information display method for navigation device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a navigation device, and more particularly to a traffic information display technique for an in-vehicle navigation device.

  There is a vehicle-mounted navigation device that displays traffic information on a plurality of points on a map. In this technique, traffic information in the same time zone (for example, current time) is displayed for a plurality of points (see Patent Documents 1 and 2).

JP 2004-108849 A JP 2004-108846 A

  However, what the user wants to know is traffic jam information at the arrival time of the point. In Patent Document 1, since traffic information of the same time zone (for example, current time) is displayed for a plurality of points, the user does not know the traffic information at the arrival time of each point.

  Further, the user may want to know an area that can be reached by a predetermined time, but the technique of Patent Document 1 cannot answer the user's request.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to display traffic information in different time zones. Also, an outline of an area that can be reached by a predetermined time is displayed.

  In order to solve the above problems, the traffic information display method of the navigation device of the present invention displays traffic information in different time zones.

For example, in the traffic information display method for a navigation device according to the present invention, the navigation device obtains time-series traffic information that is traffic information for each time zone, and a point on a map or the map using the time-series traffic information. A display step of displaying traffic information in a different time zone for each divided area is performed. Further, for example, the navigation device of the present invention includes a time-series traffic information obtaining unit that obtains time-series traffic information that is traffic information for each time zone, and each divided area on a map using the time-series traffic information. Display means for displaying traffic information in different time zones, division means for dividing a region on the map, with a region including points belonging to the same time zone as the expected arrival time, and the width of the time zone A time zone width setting unit for setting the time zone traffic information, and the display unit displays the traffic information of a different time zone for each region divided by the division unit using the time-series traffic information. An estimated arrival time at a point is a time zone having a width set by the time zone width setting means, and an area including the points belonging to the same time zone is divided as one divided area, and the time zone width setting means Is displayed As the scale of the map is small, it has a configuration that, increasing the width of the time zone to be set.

  The navigation device may include a storage device that stores link data of links constituting roads on the map. The link data and the predicted traffic information are used to search for a route that minimizes the total cost from the departure point to the destination, using the estimated travel time of the time zone to which the estimated arrival time for each link belongs as the cost of each link. A route search step, a step of displaying the route searched in the route search step and displaying traffic information of a time zone to which an expected arrival time to the link belongs as traffic information of a link on the way to a destination on the route May be performed.

  The navigation device includes a step of obtaining time-series traffic information that is traffic information for each first time zone, a time zone width setting step for setting a width of a second time zone, and the second time period. For each zone, using the time-series traffic information of the first time zone corresponding to the second time zone, an area specifying step for obtaining an area that can be reached within the time zone, and a step for displaying the obtained area May be performed.

  Further, the navigation device uses the link data and the time-series traffic information to calculate an estimated arrival time for each mesh that is a segmented area on the map, and calculates for each mesh. And a step of displaying the expected arrival time.

  In addition, when the navigation device receives a cursor stop request on the display screen during display of a screen for setting a destination, the navigation device stops the cursor and sets a point on the map where the cursor has stopped as a temporary destination. Calculating a travel time or an estimated arrival time to the temporary destination, displaying the calculated travel time or an estimated arrival time to the temporary destination, and accepting a confirmation request as the destination, The ground may be set as a destination for route guidance.

  In addition, the navigation device may sort and display the facilities in order of receiving a facility selection, searching for a route to the received facility and obtaining travel time, and in order of decreasing travel time.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a navigation system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the navigation system of the present embodiment includes an in-vehicle navigation device 100 and a traffic information distribution center 200. The in-vehicle navigation device 100 and the traffic information distribution center 200 are connected via a network 400.

  The traffic information distribution center 200 is a server device that distributes traffic information to the in-vehicle navigation device 100. The traffic information distribution center 200 holds traffic information (time-series traffic information) for each time zone in its own storage device.

  The time-series traffic information includes statistical traffic information generated by statistically processing past traffic information, and real-time predicted traffic information generated from past traffic information and current traffic information. Here, a case where the traffic information distribution server 200 holds real-time predicted traffic information as time-series traffic information will be described.

  The real-time predicted traffic information includes link-specific predicted traffic information 210, road type predicted traffic information 220, and the like.

  FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the predicted traffic information 210 by link. The link-specific predicted traffic information 210 is predicted traffic information for each link constituting a road on the map. Specifically, the link-specific predicted traffic information 210 includes a link trip for each time zone 213 for each mesh area identification code (mesh ID) 211 and link identification code (link ID) 212 that divides the area on the map. The time 214 and the traffic congestion degree 215 are included. Further, the predicted traffic information 210 by link includes the created time (date and time) 216.

  FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of the road type predicted traffic information 220. The road type predicted traffic information 220 is predicted traffic information for each road type. Specifically, the road type predicted traffic information 220 includes a link travel speed 224 and a congestion degree 225 for each time zone 213 for each road type 221 such as a general road, an intercity highway, and a national road. The road type predicted traffic information 220 includes the created time (date and time) 226. Instead of the link travel speed 224, the link travel time may be included.

  Such real-time predicted traffic information is generated based on traffic information collected in the past. FIG. 4 shows an example of generating real-time predicted traffic information.

  In FIG. 4, the code | symbol 41 shows the time-dependent change of the travel time Td of a certain link calculated | required from the traffic information collected in the past. Reference numeral 42 indicates a change with time of the travel time Td 'of the link obtained from the current traffic information. Let t be the current time.

First, a difference 43 between the link travel time Td′42 obtained from the current traffic information and the past link travel time Td41 is obtained at predetermined time intervals. Then, an average 44 of the obtained differences is obtained. The predicted travel time Td ′ (t + n) at time (t + n) is
Td (t + n) + (average of differences)

  The link travel speed 224 for each road type is obtained from the estimated travel time 214 for each link and the link length obtained as described above, and the travel speed for each link is obtained, and the obtained travel speed is classified for each road type. After that, it is generated by obtaining an average travel speed for each road type.

  Note that the method of generating predicted traffic information is not limited to the above. For example, the time series data of the past day and the time series data of the current day may be compared and prediction may be performed using data of similar days.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of the in-vehicle navigation device 100. As shown in the figure, the in-vehicle navigation device 100 includes an arithmetic processing unit 1, a display 2, a data storage device 3, a voice input / output device 4, an input device 5, a wheel speed sensor 6, and a geomagnetic sensor 7. , A gyro sensor 8, a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiving device 9, an in-vehicle LAN device 11, an FM multiplex broadcast receiving device 12, a beacon receiving device 13, and a network communication device 14.

  The arithmetic processing unit 1 is a central unit that performs various processes. For example, the present location is detected based on information output from the various sensors 6 to 8 and the GPS receiver 9. Further, map data necessary for display is read out from the data storage device 3 based on the obtained current location information. Further, the read map data is developed in graphics, and a mark indicating the current location is superimposed on the map data and displayed on the display 2. In addition, an optimum route (the starting point) connecting the destination instructed by the user and the current location (departure location) using the map data stored in the data storage device 3 and the time-series traffic information received from the traffic information distribution center 200 is used. Search for the recommended route. Further, the user is guided using the voice input / output device 4 and the display 2.

  The display 2 is a unit that displays graphics information generated by the arithmetic processing unit 1. The display 2 is composed of a CRT, a liquid crystal display, or the like. The signal S1 between the arithmetic processing unit 1 and the display 2 is generally connected by an RGB signal or an NTSC (National Television System Committee) signal.

  The data storage device 3 includes a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, HDD, or IC card. In this storage medium, map data 310 is stored.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of the map data 310. The map data 310 includes, for each mesh ID 311, link data 312 for each link constituting the road included in the mesh area.

  The link data 312 includes, for each link ID 3121, coordinate information 3122 of two nodes (start node and end node) constituting the link, road type information 3123 including the link, and link length information 3124, 2 indicating the link length. A link ID (connection link ID) 3126 of a link connected to each of the nodes is included. Here, by distinguishing the start node and the end node for the two nodes constituting the link, the upward direction and the downward direction of the same road are managed as different links. The map data 310 also includes information (name, type, coordinate information, etc.) of map components other than roads included in the corresponding mesh area.

  Returning to FIG. The voice input / output device 4 converts the message to the user generated by the arithmetic processing unit 1 into a voice signal and outputs it. Also, a process of recognizing the voice uttered by the user and transferring the contents to the arithmetic processing unit 1 is performed.

  The input device 5 is a unit that receives instructions from the user. The input device 5 includes a hard switch such as a scroll key and a scale change key, a joystick, a touch panel pasted on a display, and the like.

  The sensors 6 to 8 and the GPS receiver 9 are used for detecting the current location (vehicle position) by the vehicle-mounted navigation device 100. The wheel speed sensor 6 measures the distance from the product of the wheel circumference and the measured number of rotations of the wheel, and further measures the angle at which the moving body is bent from the difference in the number of rotations of the paired wheels. The geomagnetic sensor 7 detects the magnetic field held by the earth and detects the direction in which the moving body is facing. The gyro 8 is configured by an optical fiber gyro, a vibration gyro, or the like, and detects an angle at which the moving body rotates. The GPS receiver 9 receives a signal from a GPS satellite and measures the distance between the mobile body and the GPS satellite and the rate of change of the distance with respect to three or more satellites to thereby determine the current position, travel speed, and travel of the mobile body Measure orientation.

  The in-vehicle LAN device 11 receives various information of the vehicle on which the in-vehicle navigation device 100 is mounted, such as door opening / closing information, light lighting state information, engine status, failure diagnosis result, and the like.

  The FM multiplex broadcast receiver 12 receives the approximate current traffic data, traffic regulation information, and weather information sent from the FM multiplex broadcast station as FM multiplex broadcast signals.

  The beacon receiving device 13 receives current traffic data including the link travel time sent from the beacon.

  The network communication device 14 mediates exchange of information between the in-vehicle navigation device 100 and the traffic information distribution center 200. Further, the traffic information distribution center 200 is accessed periodically or in response to a request from the user, and time-series traffic information (real-time traffic information) is received and stored in the data storage device 3.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the arithmetic processing unit 1.

  As illustrated, the arithmetic processing unit 1 includes a user operation analysis unit 41, a route search unit 42, a route storage unit 43, a route guidance unit 44, a current position calculation unit 46, and a display processing unit 45. .

  The current position calculation unit 46 uses distance data and angle data obtained as a result of integrating the distance pulse data S5 measured by the wheel speed sensor 6 and the angular acceleration data S7 measured by the gyro 8, respectively. The current position (X ′, Y ′), which is the position after the vehicle travels, is periodically calculated from the initial position (X, Y). Further, by performing map matching processing using the calculation result, the current location is matched with the road (link) having the highest shape correlation.

  The user operation analysis unit 41 receives a request from the user input to the input device 5, analyzes the request content, and controls each unit of the arithmetic processing unit 1 so that processing corresponding to the request content is executed. To do. For example, when the user requests a search for a recommended route, the display processing unit 45 is requested to display a map on the display 2 in order to set a destination. Further, it requests the route search unit 42 to calculate a route from the current location (departure location) to the destination.

  The route search unit 42 uses a Dijkstra method or the like to search for a route that minimizes the cost (for example, travel time) of a route connecting two designated points (current location, destination). The route storage unit 43 stores information on the route searched for by the route search unit 42.

  The route guidance unit 44 performs route guidance using the route searched by the route search unit 42. For example, the information on the route is compared with the information on the current location, and the voice input / output device 4 is used to inform the user by voice whether the vehicle should go straight before passing an intersection or the like. Further, the route guiding unit 44 displays the direction to travel on the map displayed on the display 2 and notifies the user of the recommended route.

  The display processing unit 45 receives the map data in the area required to be displayed on the display 2 from the data storage device 3, and at the specified scale and drawing method, the road, other map components, the current location, the destination Then, a map drawing command is generated so as to draw a mark such as an arrow for the guide route. Then, the generated command is transmitted to the display 2.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the arithmetic processing unit 1.

  As illustrated, the arithmetic processing unit 1 has a configuration in which devices are connected by a bus 32. The arithmetic processing unit 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 21 that performs various processes such as numerical calculation and control of each device, and a RAM (Random Access) that stores map data, arithmetic data, and the like read from the data storage device 3. Memory) 22, ROM (Read Only Memory) 23 for storing programs and data, DMA (Direct Memory Access) 24 for executing data transfer between the memories and between the memory and each device, and graphics drawing In addition, a drawing controller 25 that performs display control, a video random access memory (VRAM) 26 that stores graphics image data, a color palette 27 that converts image data into RGB signals, and an A / A that converts analog signals into digital signals. D converter 28 and SCI (Serial Communicati) which converts serial signals into parallel signals synchronized with the bus on Interface) 29, a PIO (Parallel Input / Output) 30 that puts a parallel signal on the bus in synchronization with the bus, and a counter 31 that integrates the pulse signal.

  [Description of Operation] Next, the operation of the in-vehicle navigation device 100 will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an outline of the operation of the in-vehicle navigation device 100 of the present embodiment.

  This flow is started when the user operation analysis unit 41 receives a traffic information display request from the user via the voice input / output device 4 or the input device 5.

  First, the user operation analysis unit 41 determines whether or not a traffic information display mode setting request has been received (S102), and if received, performs a traffic information display mode setting process (S104).

  Specifically, the user operation analysis unit 41 displays a display mode setting screen on the display 2 via the display processing unit 45.

  FIG. 10 is a display example of the display mode setting screen 500. A display mode option 510 is displayed on the display mode setting screen 500 and can be selected via the input device 5. The display modes include “main road traffic information display”, “reliability display”, “arrival time display”, and the like. The “display time of arrival” mode further includes “display a circle according to the arrival distance from the current position” and “display in units of meshes”. The display mode in these display modes will be described later.

  When the display mode setting request is not received (No in S102), the user operation analysis unit 41 does not change the display mode, remains in the previously set display mode, or performs initial setting (for example, The process proceeds to S106 with the "display main road traffic information").

  Next, the user operation analysis unit 41 determines whether a route search request has been received from the user via the input device 5 (S106). If a route search request has not been received, the process proceeds to traffic information display processing (S108).

  When a route search request is received (Yes in S106), the user operation analysis unit 41 starts route search processing.

  Here, the route search process will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart of route search processing. A part of this flow is also performed when obtaining an expected arrival time for an arbitrary link (point) described later.

  First, the user operation analysis unit 41 sets a departure place. The user operation analysis unit 41 normally sets the current location obtained by the current position calculation unit 46 as a departure location. The user operation analysis unit 41 also sets a destination based on a user instruction. For example, the user operation analysis unit 41 reads a map constituent registered in the map data from the data storage device 3. The user operation analysis unit 41 displays these map components on the display 2 via the display processing unit 45. The user operation analysis unit 41 causes the user to select a destination from the information of the displayed map constituent via the input device 5. The user operation analysis unit 41 also sets a departure time. When the current time is set as the departure time, the current time acquired when a search request for a recommended route is received using a built-in timer (not shown) or the like is set as the departure time (S1102).

  Next, the route search unit 42 specifies the mesh ID of each mesh region included in the route search region including the departure point and the destination from the coordinates of the current position. The route search unit 42 also acquires each link data 312 registered in each map data 310 having the specified mesh ID from the data storage device 3 (S1104).

  Next, the route search unit 42 uses the link data 312 read from the data storage device 3 in S1104 and uses the end node of the link (referred to as an extracted link) extracted from the heap table in S1118 described later as a start node. A link is selected as a link candidate (referred to as a candidate link) constituting a recommended route.

  However, when the processing in S1118 is not performed, that is, in the initial stage where the link is not registered in the heap table, instead of selecting the link having the extraction link end node as the start node as the candidate link, the departure place Is selected as a candidate link (S1106).

  Here, the heap table is a table for registering the link data of the candidate link together with the total cost from the departure place to the end node of the candidate link, and is stored in a storage device such as a memory. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a heap table. As illustrated, a record 4300 is registered for each candidate link in the heap table. The record 4300 registers a field 4301 for registering the link ID of the candidate link, a field 4302 for registering the cost (travel time) of the candidate link, and the link ID of the connection source link that connects the end node to the start node of the candidate link. A field 4303 for registering, a field 4304 for registering the total cost (total travel time) from the departure place to the candidate link, and an extraction flag indicating whether or not an extraction link has been set in S1118 described later. Field 4306.

  Next, the route search unit 42 calculates the estimated arrival time at the end node of the extracted link. This can be calculated by specifying the candidate link record 4300 currently set for the extracted link from the heap table and adding the total travel time registered in the field 4305 of this record 4300 to the departure time (S1108). ). Then, the route search unit 42 specifies a record including the candidate link for each candidate link from the predicted traffic information 210 by link. Then, the link travel time 214 of the time zone (attention time zone) 213 to which the estimated arrival time belongs is specified from the specified record (S1110).

  Next, the route search unit 42 calculates the total travel time (total cost) from the departure place to the candidate link for each candidate link. Specifically, the travel time of the attention time zone of the candidate link is added to the total travel time of the extracted link registered in the heap table, and the addition result is set as the total travel time of the candidate link. Then, the route search unit 42 adds a record 4300 for each candidate link to the heap table. In the fields 4301 to 4304 of each added record 4300, the link ID of the corresponding candidate link, the travel time (cost) of the candidate link, the link ID of the extracted link (connection source link), from the departure place to the candidate link Register the total travel time (total cost). Further, “not yet” indicating that the extraction link has not been set is registered in the field 4306 (S1114).

  Next, the route search unit 42 includes a link where the destination exists or is close to the destination (referred to as a destination link) among the candidate links newly added to the heap table in S1114 performed immediately before. It is checked whether or not (S1116).

  If it is determined in S1116 that there is no destination link, the route search unit 42 sorts the record 4300 of each candidate link registered in the heap table in ascending order of the total travel time, and the extraction flag in the field 4306 is set to “Not yet”. The unextracted link with the minimum total travel time is extracted from the heap table, for example, by extracting the unextracted link located at the top of the candidate links (called unextracted links). Then, the current extracted link is changed to the unextracted link, and the extraction flag registered in the field 4306 of the record 4300 of the unextracted link is changed from “not yet” to “completed” (S1118). Then, the process returns to S1106.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S1116 that there is a destination link, the route search unit 42 performs recommended route determination processing. Specifically, the connection source link of the destination link (candidate link whose link ID is registered in the field 4303 of the destination link record 4300) is searched from the heap table, and the searched link constitutes a recommended route. Determine a link (referred to as a configuration link). Next, it is checked whether or not there is a connection source link of the configuration link. If there is a connection source link, this connection source link is determined as the configuration link, and it is further checked whether or not there is the connection source link. The recommended route is configured by repeating this process until there is no connection source link of the configuration link, that is, the configuration link is a link that exists or is close to the departure location (called a departure location link). Determine each component link. Then, the route search unit 42 stores, as recommended route information, the link data 312 of each constituent link constituting the recommended route and the predicted travel time obtained in S1110 in the route storage unit 43 together with the departure time information ( S1120).

  With the above processing, the cost of each constituent link constituting the recommended route is as follows. That is, the travel time obtained from the predicted traffic information corresponding to the time zone including the departure time is used as the travel time of the first link constituting the recommended route. In addition, the travel time of the nth (n ≧ 2) link constituting the recommended route corresponds to a time zone including an expected arrival time at the end node of the n−1th link connected to the nth link. The travel time obtained from the predicted traffic information is used.

  Returning to FIG.

  Next, the display processing unit 45 displays traffic information on the display 2. First, the traffic information display process when the route search is not performed will be described.

  The display processing unit 45 displays traffic information on the display 2 according to the display mode set in S104.

  First, a case where “display traffic information of main road” is set as the display mode will be described.

  The display processing unit 45 acquires the current position from the current position calculation unit 46. Then, the mesh around the current position, which is to be displayed on the display 2 at the currently set display scale, is specified.

  Next, the display processing unit 45 refers to the map data 310 and extracts links included in the identified mesh and belonging to a main road (for example, a general road or a national road). Furthermore, a link satisfying a predetermined condition is selected from the extracted links. Here, the predetermined condition is a link at a portion where main roads intersect, a link adjacent to a specific facility (convenience store, gas station, etc.), and the like.

  Then, an expected arrival time from the current position to the selected link is calculated. Calculation of the predicted arrival time can be performed in the same manner as the above route search method. That is, a recommended route to the link is obtained by setting the current time as the departure time, setting the current position as the departure point, and setting the destination as the link. By adding the total travel time to the link to the current time, the expected arrival time to the link can be calculated.

  When the arrival time to the link is obtained, the display processing unit 45 displays traffic information on the display 2. FIG. 13 is a display example in such a case.

  The display processing unit 45 displays a map 611 around the current position 612 on the display screen 610. Furthermore, with regard to the link on the main road selected above, the degree of congestion 215 in the time zone 213 to which the predicted arrival time for the link belongs is specified with reference to the predicted traffic information 210 for each link. Then, the degree of traffic congestion 215 is displayed as traffic congestion information 613a-d. The display processing unit 45 may display the traffic information 613a to 613d with an icon whose display mode is changed according to the traffic level (for example, an icon that is darker as the traffic level is higher), It may be displayed.

  In addition, the display processing unit 45 may display the expected arrival time 614 for the link on which the congestion degree is displayed. In this way, the user can know the approximate time of arrival at the point.

  Further, the display processing unit 45 may display the current time 615. If the current time 610 is displayed near the current position on the display screen, the user can clearly recognize the current time.

  Further, the display processing unit 45 may acquire the creation time 216 from the predicted traffic information 210 for each link on the display screen 610 and display it as indicated by reference numeral 616. In this way, the user can know the newness of the predicted traffic information and can determine whether or not it is reliable.

  In addition, when the display mode is set to “reliability display”, the display processing unit 45 displays the reliability 617 of the predicted traffic information.

  The display processing unit 45 obtains the reliability 617 from the difference between the predicted traffic information creation times 216 and 226 and the current time. For example, when the difference is 20 minutes or less, the display processing unit 45 sets the reliability to “high”, when the difference is 20 minutes to 1 hour, sets the reliability to “medium”, and when the difference exceeds 1 hour, Set the confidence level to low.

  The case where “display of traffic information on main road” is set as the display mode has been described above.

  The display processing unit 45 accepts selection of the road type of the traffic information to be displayed from the user via the input device 5 and displays the traffic information of the received road type link, not limited to the main road. Good.

  In addition, the display processing unit 45 divides the map on the display screen, determines one representative link (or point) for each divided region, and for the representative link, as described above, the expected arrival time and the time at that time. You may make it display traffic information (congestion degree).

  As the representative link, a link that exists in the cancellation of the divided area and that belongs to the designated road type may be selected.

  Further, the division of the area may be determined according to the display scale of the map. The larger the display scale 636, the narrower the map is displayed on the display 2. Accordingly, when the display processing unit 45 receives a request from the user via the input device 5 to increase the display scale 636, the currently set divided area so that the narrower area becomes one divided area. Reduce the size of. On the other hand, when a request to reduce the display scale 636 is received, the size of the currently set divided area is set larger.

  Next, the case where “display of arrival time” is set as the display mode and “circle display according to the arrival distance from the current position” is set will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 15, this display mode is a mode in which a region that can be reached by a predetermined time centered on the current position is displayed by concentric circles.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart of processing of the display processing unit 45 in such a case.

  The display processing unit 45 sets the road type. Specifically, selection of a road type is received from the user via the input device 4, and the received road type is set (S202).

  Next, the display processing unit 45 sets a time interval. Specifically, a time interval is received from the user via the input device 5, and the received time interval is set. It may be set at a predetermined time interval (for example, 10 minutes) (S204).

  Next, the display processing unit 45 sets a departure point and a departure time. Usually, the current position is set as the departure point, and the current time is set as the departure time (S206).

  Next, the display processing unit 45 refers to the road type predicted traffic information 220 and extracts the travel speed of the attention time zone in the set road type (S208). Here, the attention time zone refers to each time zone to which a plurality of times obtained by sequentially adding the time interval set in S204 to the departure time belongs.

That is, if the departure time t and the set time interval are m, the n-th time zone of interest is the time zone to which the time (t + n · m) belongs. Here, it is assumed that the travel speed in the attention time zone specified from the road type predicted traffic information 220 is V _{(t + n · m)} .

Next, the display processing unit 45 calculates the travelable distance from time (t + (n−1) · m) to time (t + n · m) in order from the current time by V _{(t + n · m)} · m. Obtain (S210). Then, the display processing unit 45 draws a circle indicating an area reachable by each time centered on the current position on the map of the display screen (S212). Drawing a circle is performed by increasing the radius by V _{(t + n · m)} · m sequentially from the current position as time passes.

FIG. 15 is a display example in such a case. On the display screen 630, the road type 635 set in S202 is displayed on the map 611. Concentric circles 632a to 632d corresponding to the expected arrival time (t + n · m) are displayed with the current position 631 as the center. The difference between the radii is V _{(t + n · m)} · m. Also, the expected arrival time 633 is displayed. The arrival time may be displayed with an icon 634 such as a clock mark.

By being displayed in this way, the user can know the guideline of the range of points to reach within a specific time. Note that the time interval may be changed according to the display scale 636. Changing the time interval changes the radius of the concentric circles displayed.

  The larger the display scale 636, the narrower the map is displayed on the display 2. Therefore, when the display processing unit 45 receives a request from the user via the input device 5 to increase the display scale 636, the display processing unit 45 returns to S204, and makes the time interval smaller than the currently set value. On the other hand, when a request to reduce the display scale 636 is received, the time interval is set larger than the currently set value. Then, the process proceeds to S206.

  FIG. 16 shows the state of the display screen in such a case. FIG. 16 has a larger map scale 636 than FIG. 15. That is, the map of a narrower range is enlarged and displayed. In such a case, the display processing unit 45 sets a large time interval. That is, in the example of FIG. 15, the reachable area at the expected arrival time of 10 minutes interval is displayed, but in the example of FIG. 16, the reachable area at the expected arrival time of 5 minutes interval is displayed. .

  Thus, if the interval of the predicted arrival time to be displayed is changed according to the scale of the map, it is easy for the user to see the expected arrival time.

  The display processing unit 45 may change the time interval according to the road type set in S202. For example, in S202, when a highway scheduled to travel at a higher speed than a general road is set as the road type, the display processing unit 45 displays the time interval with a larger time interval. For example, the time interval is set to 10 minutes for ordinary roads, while the time interval is set to 5 minutes for expressways.

  Further, the display processing unit 45 may change the time interval according to the road travel speed of the link set in S202. For example, referring to the road type predicted traffic information 220, the link travel speed 224 at the current time of the road type set in S202 is acquired. And the display process part 45 sets a time interval larger, so that the link travel speed 224 is large. For example, when the link travel speed is 40 km / h, the time interval is set to 10 minutes, whereas when the link travel speed is 70 km / h, the time interval is set to 5 minutes.

  Next, a case where “display of expected arrival time” is set as the display mode and “display in units of meshes” is set will be described. FIG. 17 is a flowchart of processing in such a case.

  First, the display processing unit 45 sets the road type in the same manner as in the above S202 (S212). Next, as in S206, the departure place and departure date and time are set (S214).

  Next, the display processing unit 45 specifies a mesh around the current position and displayed on the screen at the set display scale. Then, for each identified mesh, a distance from the current position to the representative point of the mesh (for example, the center point of the mesh) is obtained (S216).

  Next, the display processing unit 45 refers to the road type predicted traffic information 210, and identifies the travel speed of the road type set in S212 in the time zone to which the current time belongs (S218).

  Next, the display processing unit 45 obtains a travel time to the center of each mesh by dividing the distance to the representative point of the mesh by the travel speed specified in S218. Further, the travel time is added to the departure time to obtain the expected arrival time to the representative point (S220).

  Then, the estimated arrival time to the representative point of the mesh obtained is displayed together with the traffic information (S222). FIG. 18 is a display example in such a case.

  As shown in the figure, on the display screen 650, an expected arrival time 653 to the representative point of the mesh around the current position 631 is displayed on the map 611.

  Further, the display processing unit 45 refers to the road type predicted traffic information 220, identifies the traffic jam degree 225 in the time zone to which the expected arrival time to the representative point of the mesh belongs, and displays it as the traffic jam degree 652 for each mesh. The display processing unit 45 may display the degree of traffic congestion with characters, or may be displayed by changing the color of the mesh area (for example, darker as the traffic congestion level is higher).

  The case where the route search is not performed in S110 of FIG. 11 has been described above. When the route search is performed in S110, the display processing unit 45 displays the traffic information on the map around the current position as described above and further displays the recommended route according to the display mode.

  The display processing unit 45 may display only traffic information related to the recommended route.

  For example, as illustrated in FIG. 19, the display processing unit 45 displays traffic information related to the route together with the route search result.

  The display processing unit 45 displays the recommended route 662 on the map 611. In addition, the display processing unit 45 selects a specific link (for example, a link belonging to a main road) on the route 662, and obtains an estimated arrival time at the selected link. Then, referring to the link-specific predicted traffic information 210, the congestion degree in the time zone to which the predicted arrival time for the link belongs is specified and displayed.

  That is, in FIG. 19, the congestion levels 613 a and 613 b are displayed for the link on the route 662, and this is the congestion level at the expected arrival time for the link.

  In addition, about the link which displayed the congestion degree, you may make it display the estimated arrival time 665 to the link. Further, an estimated arrival time 667 to the destination may be displayed.

  Further, even during route guidance, traffic information may be displayed for a link on the way to a destination on the route.

  For example, the display processing unit 45 obtains an estimated arrival time to a specific link (for example, a link belonging to the main road) on the recommended route periodically (for example, every 10 minutes) during route guidance. Then, referring to the link-specific predicted traffic information 210, the degree of congestion in the time zone to which the predicted arrival time belongs is specified. Then, the degree of congestion is displayed.

  In this way, the congestion degree of a specific link of the recommended route is displayed using the predicted traffic information that is updated every moment and is transmitted from the traffic information distribution center 200 to the in-vehicle navigation center 100.

  Moreover, you may make it display the traffic information in the predicted arrival point for every predetermined time on a path | route.

  First, the display processing unit 45 obtains an expected arrival link for each time at a predetermined interval (for example, every 10 minutes). The expected arrival link at the time n may be determined by checking the expected arrival times of the links constituting the route in order from the departure place, and specifying the link that the expected arrival time reaches for the first time at the time n.

  Then, the display processing unit 45 acquires the degree of congestion at the predicted arrival time of the link from the predicted traffic information 210 for each link. Then, as shown in FIG. 19, the degree of congestion 665 is displayed together with the arrival time at the link. In FIG. 19, 10:40, 10:50..., Predicted arrival links at 10-minute intervals and the degree of traffic congestion are displayed.

  Note that the time interval may be determined in advance, or may be set according to a designation from the user.

  Further, the time interval may be changed according to the display scale 636.

  The larger the display scale 636, the narrower the map is displayed on the display 2. Therefore, when the display processing unit 45 receives a request from the user via the input device 5 to increase the display scale 636, the display processing unit 45 sets the time interval to be smaller than the currently set value. On the other hand, when a request for reducing the display scale 636 is received, the interval is set larger than the currently set value.

  Thus, if the interval of the time at which the degree of congestion is displayed is changed according to the scale of the map, it is easy for the user to see the expected arrival time.

  In addition, the display processing unit 45 may change the time interval according to the road type constituting the recommended route. For example, when the link constituting the recommended route is an expressway that is scheduled to travel at a higher speed than a general road, the display processing unit 45 displays the time interval with a larger time interval. For example, the time interval is set to 10 minutes for ordinary roads, while the time interval is set to 5 minutes for expressways.

  Further, the display processing unit 45 may change the time interval according to the road travel speed of the link type. For example, referring to the road type predicted traffic information 220, the link travel speed 224 at the current time of the road type of the link constituting the recommended route is acquired. Then, as the link travel speed 224 increases, the display processing unit 45 sets the time interval to be larger and displays the degree of congestion. For example, the time interval is set to 10 minutes when the link travel speed is 40 km / h, whereas the time interval is set to 5 minutes when the link travel speed is 70 km / h.

  Further, as described above, the display processing unit 45 may display the creation time 616 of the predicted traffic information. Further, the reliability may be determined and displayed according to the difference between the creation time and the current time. For example, when the difference is 20 minutes or less, the reliability is “high”, when the difference is 20 minutes to 1 hour, the reliability is “medium”, and when the difference exceeds 1 hour, the reliability is “low”. And set.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described above.

  According to the said embodiment, the traffic information of a different time slot | zone can be displayed on the same screen for every specific point (area | region). That is, the traffic information in the same time zone (for example, the current date and time) is not displayed at all points on the screen. For each specific point (area), traffic information in a time zone expected to pass there is displayed. Therefore, the user can know more meaningful traffic information.

  The above embodiment can be variously modified.

  For example, the road type predicted traffic information 220 may hold an average link travel speed for each mesh. In the “arrival time display” mode, when the arrival time to the representative point (for example, the center point) of the mesh is obtained, the average of the link travel speeds may be used.

  In addition, a temporary destination may be set before the destination is set, and traffic information around the temporary destination may be displayed. The flowchart of the process in the case of FIG. 20 is shown. This flow is performed when a map is displayed on the screen for destination setting and the user selects a point on the map with the cursor as a destination.

  When the cursor is stopped (Yes in S302), the display processing unit 45 sets the position on the map where the cursor is stopped as a temporary destination. Then, in the same manner as the route search process described above, an expected arrival time from the current position to the temporary destination is calculated.

  Next, the display processing unit 45 displays an expected arrival time 714 to the temporary destination 712 on the map 711 as shown in FIG.

  Further, the display processing unit 45 displays traffic information around the temporary destination. For example, among links belonging to main roads around the temporary destination, for a specific link (for example, a link that intersects with other main roads), the degree of congestion is determined by referring to the link-specific predicted traffic information 210. It is acquired and displayed (reference numerals 713a to 713c in the figure). Alternatively, the displayed map may be divided and the degree of traffic congestion may be acquired and displayed for the link at the center of the divided area with reference to the predicted traffic information 210 for each link.

  Next, the display processing unit 45 determines whether a request has been received from the user via the input device 5 to confirm the point where the cursor is currently positioned as a destination (S306). If the confirmation request is not accepted and the cursor is moved again, the process returns to S302.

  On the other hand, when the destination confirmation request is received (Yes in S306), the display processing unit 45 officially sets the point where the cursor is located as the destination. Then, a recommended route from the current position to the destination is displayed (S308).

  In this way, the user can know the expected arrival time at the point where the cursor stopped and the traffic information at the expected arrival time before determining the destination.

  If there is no link at a point on the map where the cursor is stopped, a link near the point may be set as a temporary destination.

  In addition, facilities designated by the user (convenience store, gas station, restaurant, etc.) may be sorted and displayed in order of expected arrival time.

  Specifically, the user operation analysis unit 41 receives a facility selection from the user via the input device 5 as a destination. The route search unit 42 searches for a route to the selected facility. If there are a plurality of facilities belonging to the selected facility, the plurality of facilities are set as destinations and a route search is performed. And the display process part 45 calculates | requires the estimated arrival time to each facility, sorts and displays it in order with an estimated arrival time early.

  Specifically, first, the display processing unit 45 reads the facility information input by the user and acquires the current position. Next, the facility information around the current position is extracted as a candidate from the map data. A route search is performed via the route search unit 42, and an estimated arrival time and distance to each facility is calculated. And it sorts and displays in order of expected arrival time.

  FIG. 22 is a display example in such a case. In the display screen, the left half is a map display 730 and the right half is a sort result text 740. A facility 732 set as a route search destination is displayed on the display map 731 as an icon (for example, a store logo mark). In addition, an expected arrival time 733 to each facility is displayed together with a current time 734. In addition, the sorted result 742 is displayed in order of the earliest expected arrival time.

  The display processing unit 45 calculates the direction (direction) to each facility on a regular basis (for example, every 3 seconds) using the current vehicle traveling direction as a reference (or true north as a reference), as indicated by reference numeral 743. It may be displayed. The direction may be displayed in 16 directions, for example.

  Thus, if the searched facility is displayed in order from the destination, the user can easily know the facility that is easily accessible.

  Note that when the recommended route is obtained as a result of the route search, the display processing unit 45 may sort and display the facilities in ascending order of the distance from the recommended route. Specifically, processing is performed as follows.

  First, the display processing unit 45 obtains a route to each facility via the route search unit 42 and calculates an expected arrival time and distance. Next, from the links that make up the route to each facility, links that are not links that make up the recommended route to the destination (ie, deviated links that deviate from the recommended route) are extracted, and the total travel time and total Find the distance. The facilities are sorted and displayed in ascending order of total travel time or total distance.

  In this way, if the searched facilities are displayed in the order from the route (in the order of shortest deviation distance), the user can easily know the easy-to-go facilities.

The display form may be varied depending on the required time. For example, the color, the shape of the icon, the size, etc. are changed.
In addition, past setting history of the user may be registered, and the display of a well-designated facility (for example, convenience store A) may be displayed differently from other facilities. Such a well-designated facility may be displayed at the top regardless of the sorting order as described above.

  Moreover, as above-mentioned, the vehicle-mounted navigation apparatus 100 may use statistical traffic information as time-sequential traffic information. The statistical traffic information may be obtained from the traffic information distribution center 200 or may be stored in the data storage device 3 in advance.

  Further, the traffic information distribution center 200 may not transmit the road type predicted traffic information 220. In such a case, the in-vehicle navigation device 100 may create the road type predicted traffic information 220 based on the link-specific predicted traffic information 210.

  Moreover, although the example which applied this invention to the vehicle-mounted navigation apparatus was demonstrated, this invention is applicable also to navigation apparatuses other than vehicle-mounted.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a navigation system according to an embodiment to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the predicted traffic information for each link. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of road type predicted traffic information. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a method of generating real-time predicted traffic information. FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of the in-vehicle navigation device 100. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of map data stored in the data storage device 3. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the arithmetic processing unit 1. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the arithmetic processing unit 1. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an outline of processing of the in-vehicle navigation device 100. FIG. 10 is an example of a display mode setting screen. FIG. 11 is a flowchart of route search processing. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a heap table used for route search. FIG. 13 is an example of a traffic information display screen. FIG. 14 is a flowchart of processing for displaying traffic information. FIG. 15 is an example of a traffic information display screen. FIG. 16 is an example of a traffic information display screen. FIG. 17 is a flowchart of processing for displaying traffic information. FIG. 18 is an example of a traffic information display screen. FIG. 19 is an example of a traffic information display screen. FIG. 20 is a flowchart of processing for displaying traffic information. FIG. 21 is an example of a traffic information display screen. FIG. 22 is an example of a traffic information display screen.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Vehicle-mounted navigation apparatus, 200 ... Traffic information distribution center, 400 ... Network, 1 ... Arithmetic processing part, 2 ... Display, 3 ... Data storage device, 4 ... Voice input / output device, 5 ... Input device, 6 ... Wheel speed Sensor: 7 ... Geomagnetic sensor, 8 ... Gyro, 9 ... GPS receiver, 11 ... In-vehicle LAN device, 12 ... FM multiplex broadcast receiver, 13 ... Beacon receiver, 14 ... Network communication device, 21 ... CPU, 22 ... RAM 23 ... ROM, 24 ... DMA, 25 ... drawing controller, 26 ... VRAM, 27 ... color palette, 28 ... A / D converter, 29 ... SCI, 30 ... PIO, 31 ... counter, 41 ... user operation analysis unit, 42 ... route search unit, 42 ... route storage unit, 44 ... route guidance unit, 45 ... display processing unit, 46 ... current position calculation unit

Claims (5)

Time-series traffic information obtaining means for obtaining time-series traffic information that is traffic information for each time zone;
Display means for displaying traffic information in different time zones for each divided area on the map using the time-series traffic information;
Dividing means for dividing an area on a map, with an area including points belonging to the same time zone having an estimated arrival time as one divided area;
A time zone width setting means for setting a time zone width,
The display means displays traffic information in different time zones for each area divided by the dividing means using the time-series traffic information,
The dividing means divides an area including a point belonging to the same time zone as an expected time of arrival at that point in the time zone of the width set by the time zone width setting means,
The time zone width setting means increases the width of the set time zone as the scale of the displayed map is smaller.
A navigation device characterized by that . Time-series traffic information obtaining means for obtaining time-series traffic information that is traffic information for each time zone;
Display means for displaying traffic information in different time zones for each divided area on the map using the time-series traffic information;
Dividing means for dividing an area on a map, with an area including points belonging to the same time zone having an estimated arrival time as one divided area;
Road type setting means for setting the road type;
A time width setting means for setting the width of the time zone according to the set road type,
The display means displays traffic information in different time zones for each area divided by the dividing means using the time-series traffic information,
The dividing unit divides an area including a point belonging to the same time zone in which the expected arrival time at the point is a time zone having a width set by the time zone width setting unit, A navigation apparatus characterized by the above. The navigation device according to claim 2 , wherein the time-series traffic information includes a travel speed for each road type,
The time zone width setting means reduces the width of the set time zone as the travel speed of the set road type increases. Time-series traffic information obtaining means for obtaining time-series traffic information that is traffic information for each time zone;
Display means for displaying traffic information in different time zones for each divided area on the map using the time-series traffic information;
A reliability specifying means for obtaining a reliability from a difference between a creation time included in the time-series traffic information and a current time, and
The navigation device , wherein the display means displays the obtained reliability . A storage device for storing link data of links constituting roads on a map;
Time-series traffic information obtaining means for obtaining time-series traffic information which is traffic information for each first time zone;
Time zone width setting means for setting the width of the second time zone;
For each of the second time zones, using the time-series traffic information of the first time zone corresponding to the second time zone, region specifying means for obtaining an area that can be reached within the time zone;
Display means for displaying the obtained area as an area divided for each second time period ;
Road type setting means for setting the road type,
The time-series traffic information includes the travel speed for each first time zone in the road type,
The region specifying means includes
An area within a distance obtained by multiplying the travel speed of the first time zone corresponding to the set second time zone of the road type by the width of the second time zone, centered on the current location, A navigation device characterized in that it is obtained as an area that can be reached within two time zones .

Images