JP2001227977A - Route navigation system and route navigation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a route navigation system capable of setting a route on the basis of short-time information such as updated map data, traffic restriction by vehicle type classification or road blockage by road repairing. SOLUTION: This route navigation system has a route navigation device 100 displaying a present position on a display device on the basis of the map data, a host server 30 storing various information, and a communication line connecting the route navigation device 100 and the host server 3.0. The route navigation device 100 downloads the various information stored in the host server 30 and uploads user information to the host server 30.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a route navigation system and a route navigation device for setting an optimum route based on frequently changing information such as traffic regulations based on vehicle classification and road closures due to road construction.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A car navigation device is mainly mounted on a car, reads map information from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM or a DVD, and reads a GPS (Global Positioning System).
The positioning system has a function of calculating a current position based on a signal received by an antenna and indicating the current position on a map. In addition, there is also a route setting function for setting an optimal route to a destination, and a function for providing additional information such as sightseeing information, traffic information, facility information, and the like. In addition, a GPS antenna is added to a portable personal computer, not limited to in-vehicle use.
Car navigation devices that can be independently carried have been developed.

[0003]

The above-described conventional car navigation system has the following problems. That is, the functions of displaying the current position and setting a route are provided based on map data recorded on a read-only storage medium such as a CD-ROM. Therefore, when a new road is constructed, abolished, or changed, it is necessary to purchase a new storage medium.

[0004] In addition, since the route setting usually performed assumes a normal passenger car, if a vehicle such as a bus or a truck has a different vehicle classification, the vehicle may not be able to actually pass due to traffic restrictions. Furthermore, short-term information such as road construction and accident information could not be reflected in route setting.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a route navigation system and a route navigation device capable of setting a route based on updated map data, short-time information such as traffic regulation by vehicle classification and road closure due to road construction. It is intended to be.

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and to achieve the object, a route navigation system and a route navigation device according to the present invention are configured as follows.

(1) A route navigation device that displays the current position on a display device based on map data, a host computer that stores various information, and a communication line that connects the route navigation device and the host computer. The route navigation device downloads various information stored in the host computer and uploads user information to the host computer.

(2) In the route navigation system according to (1), the various information is at least one of update information of map data, traffic congestion information, accident information, and user information. Features.

(3) The route navigation system according to (1), wherein the route navigation device includes a storage unit for storing the various information.

(4) The route navigation system according to (1), wherein the route navigation device sets a route based on departure position information, destination position information, and the various types of information. And

(5) The route navigation system according to the above (4), wherein the route setting section sets a route based on traffic regulation according to vehicle classification.

(6) In the route navigation system according to (1), the route navigation device creates the road as the user information when the vehicle travels on a road that is not recorded in the map data. It is characterized by the following.

(7) A current position display section for displaying the current position on the display device based on the map data, and a route calculation section for setting a route based on the traffic regulation based on the map data and the vehicle division. It is characterized by the following.

(8) A current position display unit for displaying the current position on a display device based on the map data, a download unit for downloading various information via a communication line, and a map data and the download by the download unit. A route calculation unit for setting a route based on the various information.

[0015]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of a route navigation system 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The route navigation system 10 includes a communication line 20 such as the Internet or a telephone line.
The communication line 20 includes a route navigation system host server (hereinafter, referred to as “host server”) 30.
And various information providing company servers 40 and the transport company server 4
1, taxi company server 42, and general provider 5
0, a radio station for a transportation company 51, and a radio station for a taxi 52
Etc. are connected.

The general-purpose provider 50 is connected to the general-purpose route navigation device 1 via a telephone line or a mobile telephone line.
00 is connected. The route navigation device 100 mounted on the delivery truck is connected to the transport company radio station 51 via radio. Taxi radio station 5
A route navigation device 100 mounted on a taxi is connected to 2 via a radio. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 60 denotes a GPS system communication satellite, and reference numeral 61 denotes a VICS system base station.

The route navigation device 100 may be a vehicle-mounted device, a device incorporated in a portable personal computer, a device detachably mounted, or a dedicated portable device. In addition, the route navigation device 100
Has a common structure for general use, delivery trucks, and taxis, but in the case of business use such as delivery trucks and taxis, it is possible to specify the destination of data transmission and reception.

The host server 30 has a function of collecting and distributing various kinds of information via the communication line 20, and the various information providing company servers 40 collect local information such as vacant information such as parking lots. And has a function of transmitting data to the host computer 30.

The route navigation apparatus 100 includes a general provider 50, a transport company radio station 51, and a taxi company radio station 52, and a transmission / reception unit 110 for receiving various types of information and transmitting user information via a mobile phone network and a radio network. , Storage unit 120, display 130, operation unit 140, G
PS receiving section 150, VICS receiving section 151, sensor section 160, imaging section 170, current position transmitting section 180
And a control unit 200 for cooperatively controlling these.

The transmission / reception unit 110 has a function of transmitting data in the route navigation device 100 and a function of receiving data from the host server 30 or the like.

The storage unit 120 includes a storage device such as a hard disk, and a DVD drive for reading and writing a DVD-RAM (rewritable storage medium). Note that DV
A database is recorded in the D-RAM. Included are map data, various timetable data (buses, trains, ships, airplanes, etc.) and various toll table data (expressways, toll roads, bus fares, train fares, ship fares, other passenger fares) , Public transport information data, facility location data, and the like. Other databases that can be added include personal traffic information data and address book data.

The map data and the like recorded on the DVD-RAM are installed in a storage device. For this reason,
It is not necessary to change the map data during the movement even if the map data includes a plurality of DVD-RAMs. Therefore, the optimum map can always be automatically called, and it is not necessary to reset the route setting at the joint of the map data.

On the other hand, the map data updated after the DVD-RAM is issued is stored in the storage unit 120 via the transmission / reception unit 110 by being distributed from the host server 30, and is updated as new map data. . Further, the user can edit the map data or the like by himself and store it in the storage unit 120. As a result, it is possible to create and store the most suitable map data that is closest to the current state. Also, the ever-changing traffic information / road information such as construction information input via the transmission / reception unit 110 and traffic congestion information input via the VICS reception unit 151 are also stored in the storage unit 120.

The display 130 is a touch panel display for displaying map data, fee display, and the like, and allows a user to perform various operations.

The operation unit 140 includes an operation remote controller, a microphone,
It is composed of voice operation, voice judgment software, device button switches, etc., and processes user operations.
Send to Further, the map data can be edited (added / deleted / edited) by the touch panel display of the display 130 and the operation unit 140.

The GPS receiver 150 has a function of receiving a signal from a satellite via a GPS antenna. In addition, the VICS receiving unit 151 transmits the VICS via an antenna.
It has a function of receiving road information from S by radio waves or beacons.

The sensor section 160 includes a vehicle speed sensor, a direction sensor, and the like, and has a function of complementing the GPS system.

The imaging section 170 includes a digital camera, a storage section for storing image data recorded by the digital camera, and the like. The recorded image data is stored in the storage unit 1
20 is stored.

The current position transmitting section 180 has an auxiliary power supply and a transmitting section. The auxiliary power supply supplies power to the route navigation device 100 when power is not supplied from the vehicle battery due to some kind of failure, and the transmission unit transmits and receives the current position of the vehicle when it cannot move due to failure or accident. The information is accurately transmitted to the host server 30 via the unit 110. This makes it possible to cause a vehicle accident or the like on an unfamiliar land or at midnight, and to transmit current position data and image data when contacting an ambulance vehicle, police, a tow truck, or an insurance company. In addition, by taking a picture of the situation and sending it as an attachment, you can grasp the current state, or record the situation immediately after the accident with a digital camera etc.,
It also has a function to make verification easier. Further, by transmitting the physical condition of the injured person, it is possible to perform emergency treatment or the like until an ambulance arrives according to a doctor's instruction.

The control unit 200 includes a CPU 201 and a display control unit 210 for displaying on the display 130.
A route setting unit 220 for setting a route based on the current position and destination position, map data, and various information, and a transmission / reception control unit 23 for controlling transmission / reception contents of the transmission / reception unit 110
0, the road information update unit 240, and the past data reference unit 25
0, the user information creating unit 260, and the GPS receiving unit 150
Current position calculation unit 2 that calculates the current position based on the signal received by and the information calculated by the sensor unit 160
70.

The display control unit 210 searches the map stored in the storage unit 120 based on the current position calculated by the current position calculation unit 270 and the target position input by the user, and displays the map on the display 130. In addition, display control of each screen shown in FIGS.

The route setting section 220 sets an optimum route based on a user's instruction, map data, and the like. In setting a route, calculation is performed in consideration of the following conditions. That is, the shortest time or shortest distance, traffic restrictions by vehicle type, designated arrival time, whether there is a closed period or construction period on the passing day, whether there is a time zone restriction on the expected passing time, information on road construction and accidents, passing date, passing It is a congestion forecast based on the estimated time (weekends, holidays, large holidays, etc.).
Also, since an external interrupt function is provided,
Route resetting and external route setting are reflected by data interruption.

In the route setting section 220, the movement is not limited to the car, but the optimum route search including the time and the fare of a train, a bus, a ship, an airplane, etc., the optimum fare calculation, the transfer timing, etc. are searched and calculated. It is also possible.
In addition, various transportation means can be reserved according to the route setting. In addition, when setting the route, software such as the means of transportation and tolls, their priorities, compromises, etc. are considered, so that the route can be set according to the user's conceptual thinking as much as possible. May be created.

The transmission / reception control unit 230 uploads user information such as images, sounds, and road data stored in the storage unit 120 to the host computer 30 via the communication line 20, and updates data, traffic congestion information, construction information, and the like. Of the host computer 3 via the communication line 20
0 and is stored in the storage unit 120. Note that uploading and downloading are automatically performed at fixed intervals, and are performed at an arbitrary time according to a user instruction.

In the road information updating unit 240, the transmitting / receiving unit 11
0, the updated data of the map data among the various information downloaded is written to the DVD-RAM. The update data also includes information such as the names of interchanges of toll roads and expressways, and revised fares, in addition to road changes. In addition, since there are many roads that are not registered on the map data, a function to newly write the roads on the map when the user passes through the roads is provided.

The past data reference unit 250 accumulates and analyzes past route settings and VICS information that have been used once, and refers to the route settings for the next and subsequent times. That is,
It learns data statistics, ratios, and patterns independently and flexibly sets routes according to user preferences. Also, VIC
It is also possible to record public traffic information such as S, calculate statistics such as congestion conditions, ratios, pattern characteristics, and the like, and calculate a route before receiving VICS information.

The user information creating section 260 transmits the map data edited independently by the user to the information center. In the host computer 30, the communication line 20
And other users distribute the distributed data through their own route navigation device 100.
, It can be updated to the latest information.
In addition, message guidance and comments can be recorded by voice, and text input can be voice-converted.

The current position calculating section 270 calculates the current position based on signals from the GPS receiving section 150 and the sensor section 160, and displays the current position on the display 130 via the display control section 210.

The fee payment unit 280 is connected to an ETC system (automatic fee collection system) to automatically transmit data to a credit company or a center via the Internet by using a fee calculation function, By transmitting directly to the receiving device, payment can be made smoothly and traffic jams can be eliminated. Payment methods include a method of making payments in a timely manner with a payment system using “electronic money”, a method of using the payment function of ETC, a method of transmitting directly to a service center or a credit company using the Internet, etc. There is.

The route navigation system 10 configured as described above is used as follows. FIG. 3 is a view showing a route logic navigation screen 300 which is a standard screen of the route navigation device 100. The screen 300 includes a main screen 301 showing map data and a current position, a vehicle division input screen 302 for setting an outline of a vehicle division, an imaging screen display section 303 showing a screen by the imaging section 170, and a data display showing various kinds of guidance. Part 30
4, a shooting button 305 for performing a shooting operation, a road information registration button 306, a highway / toll road button 307, a close button 308, and a transmission menu 309.

On the vehicle classification input screen 302, the following menus 302a to 302e are selected and input from a pull-down menu. That is, a vehicle classification menu 302a for setting a vehicle classification such as large / large special / normal / bus / trailer / two-wheel, a vehicle weight menu 302b for setting a load weight of a large vehicle, and a vehicle full width for setting a vehicle width of a large vehicle. A menu 302c, a vehicle length menu 302d for setting the total length of the large vehicle, and a vehicle height menu 302e for setting the loading height of the large vehicle. The vehicle classification menu 302
If a is not set, it is automatically regarded as a normal passenger car. Basically, each of the menus 302a to 302e is set in order, and is controlled so that inconsistent settings are not made.

When a photograph button 305 is pressed, an image is photographed by a digital camera, and the coordinates of the map are recorded together with the image. As a result, the display can be performed by specifying a meter from the position or the position immediately before the position while the vehicle is traveling on a single photograph basis.

When the user presses the road information registration button 306, FIG.
Road information editing screen 31 for registering road information as shown in FIG.
0 is displayed. This road information editing screen 310 will be described later. When the expressway / toll road button 307 is pressed, an expressway / toll road toll screen 340 as shown in FIG. 6A is displayed. This highway / toll road toll screen 34
0 will be described later.

When the close button 308 is pressed, the screen is ended and the screen returns to the main screen. By pressing the transmission menu 309, an appropriate transmission method can be designated. For example, when an emergency situation is selected, necessary information is attached with the map data and sent to the host server 30, and the host server 30 notifies the fire department (ambulance), police, insurance company, and the like. When the current information is selected, a destination address is designated and transmitted together with data such as a voice message and image data.

As shown in FIG. 4, the road information editing screen 310 includes a photo list 311, a photo display section 312, a detailed information data editing screen button 313, a comment information section 314, a registration button 315, a cancel button 316, and an apply button 317. Are located. Using these, the photographed data can be input and edited for the map data.

When the detailed information data edit screen button 313 is pressed, a detailed guide information registration screen 320 as shown in FIG. 5A is displayed. The detailed guidance information registration screen 320
As shown in FIG. 5A, a construction period input unit 321, a suspension period input unit 322, a vehicle restriction period input unit 323,
A traffic jam input section 324 and a sign input section 325 are arranged.

In the construction period input section 321, the closed road period input section 322, and the vehicle restriction period input section 323, it is possible to input a scheduled start date and a scheduled end date, respectively. In the traffic jam input section 324, it is possible to input a predicted start time and a predicted end time. Further, the sign input unit 32
In 5, the user can input the start time and end time of one-way traffic, the exemption period, and the like. In addition, it is possible to input traffic restrictions such as U-turn prohibition and entry prohibition.

FIG. 5B shows a date / time input display 330 displayed when a date or time is input.
A date input unit 331 and a time input unit 332 are arranged.

As shown in FIG. 6A, the highway / toll road toll screen 340 includes a current status display 341, a departure place display section 342, an arrival place display section 343, a toll display section 344,
A charge search screen 345 and a charge edit screen button 346 are arranged.

On the highway / toll road toll screen 340,
Section charges and distances can be searched. When the vehicle is approaching a toll road, the toll is displayed in advance, and on an expressway or the like, the toll is displayed every time the vehicle passes through an interchange. Furthermore, it is also possible to edit highway toll and road data.

As shown in FIG. 6B, the toll edit screen 350 includes a nationwide expressway / toll road name display section 351, an add road button 352, an add inter button 353, an expressway / toll road list 354, A registration button 355, a cancel button 356, and a close button 357 are arranged.

By using each screen as described above, when there is a change in the road conditions, the user makes changes to the map data, shoots, and records the conditions using a microphone. The data collected in this way is sent to the host server 30 via the transmission / reception unit 110 together with the map data. The host server 30 can edit the information and distribute the information to all users. Since the business data is usually secret outside the company, it is set to be transmitted to the transport company server 41 or the taxi company server 42 instead of the host server 30.

Similarly, when information on a toll road or an expressway is changed, editing, transmission, and reception can be similarly performed, and the latest data can be always maintained.

As described above, the information from each user is stored in the host server 30 and then distributed to each user, so that the information can be shared.

Next, a method of using the route navigation device 10 in a specific situation will be described.

(1) Basic Usage by General User When a general user uses an ordinary car, he or she makes various settings such as a vehicle type in the route navigation device 10 and then inputs a target position. First, a route is set along a normal route setting, for example, a route selection of the shortest distance. Next, route setting is performed in consideration of user's personal data that has been input in advance, for example, preference such as route selection in the shortest time and use of an expressway. Then, the user drives while following the guidance while receiving the GPS.

On the other hand, when the VICS is received, the route is added / changed in the middle of the route, or the road condition data is registered during traveling, the route setting is recalculated. Then, the route after the recalculation is displayed, and the user drives according to the guidance.

(2) How to use the delivery company when the delivery company uses a truck to carry out the delivery business. The delivery truck loads the luggage at the starting point of the truck, and inputs the delivery destination and delivery time designation to the route navigation device 100. I do.

In the route navigation device 100, a plurality of delivery destinations are stored as marks on the map data (see FIG. 3). Then, a route is set from the current position to be the shortest route around each delivery destination. When setting a route, traffic regulations, road conditions, and the like are also considered based on the delivery time designation. That is, the calculation is sequentially performed while judging the contents of the road sign and judging a lot of information such as traffic congestion and time zone, construction and regulation, and the like. At the same time, the judgment on road signs and other information is made by specifying the classification of large vehicles and ordinary vehicles.

The route from the current position to the destination is not only a one-way route calculated as a line including a passing point, but also a route.
It is also possible to set complicated routes such as a round trip route and an area patrol route suitable for a delivery business or the like.

Since the route setting is performed as described above, the driver of the delivery truck only operates according to the optimum route instruction set by the route setting unit 220 without know-how such as a land guide and a bypass.

In the case of a user of a delivery company, data to be sent only to the delivery company to which the user belongs can be created separately from the data to be sent to the host server 30. By sending the information to the delivery company, the information can be distributed to trucks of the delivery company, and information can be shared within the delivery company.

Further, when the delivery truck deviates from the set route for some reason, a warning is displayed and the route setting is performed again. Also, when a notification such as cancellation of delivery and receipt of package is received on the way, the route is set again in the same manner.

By pressing the completion button arranged on the screen or the like every time the delivery is completed, the completion is regarded as completed, and the mark is deleted from the map. Then, the color of the delivery list on the screen changes. Note that the setting is made so that the completion button cannot be pressed unless the user passes through the target position.

In addition, the route can be set in the shipping company server 41, and the route setting can be transmitted to the delivery truck, or the current position of the delivery truck or the delivery list data can be transmitted to give the instruction.

As described above, when the route navigation system 10 is used for the delivery service, the route is set efficiently, so that the delivery can be easily performed even when the delivery service is unfamiliar or when there is no land reference. be able to.
For this reason, differences in ability, experience, know-how, etc. can be eliminated, and delivery costs can be reduced and efficiency can be improved. On the other hand, the transport company server 41 can know the current position of each delivery truck, and can easily perform management.

Various data in the shipping company server 41 can be distributed only to the delivery truck. further,
By the business alliance between the transportation company and the taxi company,
By sharing various types of data, business efficiency can be improved.

(3) Usage when using a means of transportation other than a car For example, by linking with data such as airplane time, train time, bus time, and ship time according to the travel schedule of a family trip, an optimal route Settings can be made.
Further, even when a reservation for an accommodation facility or a restaurant is not made, it is possible to search and make a reservation on the Internet or to search for information on the local area.

At the time of setting a route, it is necessary to determine a fare suitable for a vehicle classification, to reserve a transfer or the like and to determine an optimal time, to determine a marginal time, and to determine a fee according to the number of persons. .

When making a reservation and setting a route using voice, the following is performed. For example, a user may say, "From home, two adults and two children, use a regular road to Hakodate, use a ferry to Aomori. Use an expressway from Aomori to Tokyo Station, and go to Osaka by Shinkansen. From Osaka Station, take the subway or bus to Kansai New Airport, and fly to Okinawa by plane. You can rent a large car in Okinawa to get to your destination. "

The route setting section 220 recognizes the user's voice and makes a decision based on the content. As a result, as shown in Tables 1 to 4, “route judgment from words”, “reservation judgment from words”, “charge judgment from words”, and “date / time judgment from words” are performed.

[0072]

[Table 1]

[0073]

[Table 2]

[0074]

[Table 3]

[0075]

[Table 4]

As described above, the judgment is made from the voice of the user, so that the usability is further improved.

As described above, in the route navigation system 10 according to the present embodiment, route setting is performed based on updated map data, short-time information such as traffic regulation by vehicle classification and road closure due to road construction. Can be easily performed.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. That is, in the above-described embodiment, a DVD-RAM is used as a rewritable storage medium, but another storage medium such as a CD-RW or an MO may be used. Further, a combination of a read-only storage medium and a rewritable storage medium may be used. In addition, it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0079]

According to the present invention, it is possible to set a route on the basis of updated map data, short-term information such as traffic regulation by vehicle classification and road closure due to road construction.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of a route navigation system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a route navigation device used in the route navigation system.

3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating a main part of a guide unit and an antenna unit incorporated in the satellite communication antenna, and FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. FIG. 3B is a sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 2 and viewed in the direction of the arrow.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a magnetic sheet incorporated in the satellite communication antenna.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an output from an MR element incorporated in the satellite communication antenna.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an antenna position control unit of the satellite communication antenna.

[Description of Signs] 10 ... route navigation system 20 ... communication line 30 ... route navigation host server 40 ... various information providing company server 41 ... transport company server 42 ... taxi company server 50 ... general provider 51 ... transport company radio station 52 ... Taxi radio station

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A route navigation device that displays a current position on a display device based on map data, a host computer that stores various information, and a communication line that connects the route navigation device and the host computer. The route navigation system, wherein the route navigation device downloads various types of information stored in the host computer and uploads user information to the host computer. 2. The route navigation system according to claim 1, wherein said various information is at least one of update information of said map data, traffic congestion information, accident information and said user information. 3. The route navigation system according to claim 1, wherein the route navigation device includes a storage unit for storing the various information. 4. The route navigation system according to claim 1, wherein the route navigation device sets a route based on departure position information, destination position information, and the various types of information. 5. The route navigation system according to claim 4, wherein said route setting section sets a route based on traffic regulation by vehicle classification. 6. The route navigation system according to claim 1, wherein the route navigation device creates the road as the user information when passing through a road not recorded in the map data. 7. A current position display unit for displaying a current position on a display device based on map data, and a route calculation unit for setting a route based on traffic regulation based on the map data and vehicle division. A route navigation device characterized by the following. 8. A current position display unit for displaying a current position on a display device based on map data, a download unit for downloading various information via a communication line, and the map data and the data downloaded by the download unit. A route navigation device, comprising: a route calculation unit configured to set a route based on various information.