JP2006162398A - Navigation device and navigation method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a navigation device that estimates a current traffic jam situation based on traffic jam information obtained from VICS and presents a route that can reach a destination in a shorter time considering the estimated traffic jam situation.
A navigation apparatus according to the present invention estimates a traffic jam situation at an intersection by increasing the cost of a node corresponding to the intersection included in the traffic jam location. When crossing a congested road, the straight cost of the node is increased in the straight cost increase process (step S1201), and when turning right at this intersection, the right turn cost of the node is increased (step S1202). ). After performing the above processing for all the nodes corresponding to the intersection included in the traffic jam location, the route search is performed again to generate route information.
[Selection] FIG.

Description

  The present invention relates to a navigation device, and more particularly to a navigation device that acquires traffic jam information and presents a route to a destination based on the acquired traffic jam information.

  Conventionally, in order to make the driving environment of a vehicle more comfortable, a navigation device that presents a route to a destination to a user has been used. The navigation device includes, for example, a GPS (Global Positioning System) for acquiring vehicle position information and attitude information, a gyro sensor, and a hard disk drive for storing map information. In recent years, there has been proposed a device that can obtain traffic information from a VICS (Vehicle Information Communication System) or the like and consider the traffic situation on the road, and can reach the destination in a shorter time.

As an example, there is a navigation device described in Patent Document 1. The navigation device described in Patent Literature 1 accumulates information on roads that have been congested in the past as traffic jam information in association with the time zone, date, and day of the week, and based on the accumulated traffic jam information, the shortest route to the destination It is determined whether or not there is a traffic jam. If there is a traffic jam, a route that bypasses the traffic jam location is searched, and the route that takes the shortest time is selected by comparing the bypass route with the shortest route.
JP 2003-315077 A

  However, in the conventional navigation device, it is determined whether there is a traffic jam in the route by using the traffic jam information closest to the time zone, the date, and the day of the week among the accumulated traffic jam information. There was a problem that the information does not always accurately represent the current traffic situation. Further, since there is a road from which traffic jam information cannot be obtained from VICS or the like, there is a problem in that all traffic jam situations cannot be considered in route creation only by the traffic jam information obtained.

  Therefore, the present invention creates a route in consideration of the latest acquired traffic jam information, further estimates the traffic jam status that cannot be acquired from VICS etc. using the acquired traffic jam information, and also considers the estimated traffic jam status An object of the present invention is to provide a navigation device that presents a route that can reach a destination in a shorter time.

  The navigation device of the present invention includes a position information acquisition unit that acquires a current position, a map information storage unit that stores map information, an input unit that inputs an operation instruction, and traffic congestion information that acquires road traffic congestion information. Based on the traffic information acquired by the acquisition unit, the traffic information acquisition unit, a traffic jam estimation unit that estimates the traffic situation near the congested road, the current position acquired by the location information acquisition unit, and the map information storage unit Route information that creates route information from the current location to the destination based on the traffic jam estimated by the traffic jam estimation unit in addition to the map information stored in the destination and the destination information entered using the input unit Based on the route information created by the creating unit, the route information creating unit, the guide information creating unit for creating guide information for performing route guidance to the destination, and the guide information created by the guide information creating unit to the user Information to provide And a test unit.

  It is preferable that the traffic jam estimation unit estimates a traffic jam situation on a road for which traffic jam information cannot be acquired by the traffic jam information acquisition unit.

  Moreover, it is preferable that a traffic jam estimation part estimates the traffic jam condition of the road which intersects with the traffic jam road based on traffic jam information.

  Alternatively, it is preferable that the traffic jam estimation unit estimates a traffic jam situation at an intersection included in a traffic jam road based on the traffic jam information.

  Further, it is preferable that the route information creation unit creates a route that avoids a congested road based on the traffic jam information and the traffic jam situation estimated by the traffic jam estimation unit.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the route information creation unit creates a route that enters the congested road with a left turn based on the traffic jam information and the traffic jam situation estimated by the traffic jam estimation unit.

  The map information stored in the map information storage unit includes nodes and links, and the route information creation unit creates route information based on the cost attached to at least one of the nodes and links. The traffic jam estimation unit preferably increases the cost given to the node corresponding to the intersection included in the traffic jam road based on the traffic jam information.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the traffic jam estimation unit increases the straight traveling cost of the node corresponding to the intersection included in the traffic jam road based on the traffic jam information.

  Further, it is preferable that the traffic jam estimation unit increases the right turn cost of the node corresponding to the intersection included in the left-hand traffic road that is congested based on the traffic jam information.

  Further, it is preferable that the traffic jam estimation unit increases the left turn cost of the node corresponding to the intersection included in the right-hand traffic road that is congested based on the traffic jam information.

  Alternatively, the map information stored in the map information storage unit includes a node and a link, and the route information creation unit creates route information based on the cost attached to at least one of the node and the link. The traffic jam estimation unit may increase the cost of the link connected to the node corresponding to the intersection included in the traffic jam road based on the traffic jam information.

  Further, the navigation method of the present invention is acquired in a position information acquisition step for acquiring the current position, an input step for inputting an operation instruction, a traffic jam information acquisition step for acquiring road traffic jam information, and a traffic jam information acquisition step. Based on the traffic jam information, the traffic jam estimation step for estimating the traffic jam in the vicinity of the jammed road, the map information, the current position acquired in the location information acquisition step, and the destination information input in the input step In addition to the route information creation step that creates route information from the current location to the destination based on the traffic jam estimated in the traffic jam estimation step, and the route information created in the route information creation step, Guide information creation step for creating guide information for route guidance, and providing the guide information created in the guide information creation step to the user And a guide information providing step.

  The navigation apparatus according to the present invention includes a traffic jam estimation unit, so that the traffic jam information on the road where traffic jam information cannot be acquired by the traffic jam information acquisition unit is estimated. As a result, it is possible to create a route in consideration of a more accurate traffic jam situation, and thus it is possible to present a route that reaches the destination in a shorter time.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a navigation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The navigation device according to the present embodiment includes a position information acquisition unit 100, an attitude information acquisition unit 101, a traffic jam information acquisition unit 102, a map information storage unit 103, an input unit 104, a navigation unit 108, and a guidance information provision unit 109.

  The position information acquisition unit 100 and the posture information acquisition unit 101 acquire the position and posture information of the own vehicle. The position information acquisition unit 100 includes, for example, a GPS receiver and a speed sensor. The posture information acquisition unit 101 is composed of, for example, a gyro sensor. The GPS receiver detects the absolute position of the vehicle on the earth, the speed sensor detects the moving speed of the vehicle, and the gyro sensor detects the attitude of the vehicle.

  More specifically, the GPS receiver receives information such as the absolute position of the host vehicle, the vehicle traveling direction, and the date and time, and outputs the received information to the navigation unit 108. Further, the vehicle speed sensor measures the speed of the host vehicle and outputs the measured speed of the host vehicle to the navigation unit 108. Further, the gyro sensor measures the angular velocity of the host vehicle, obtains a change amount of the relative posture of the subject vehicle by integrating the measured angular velocity with time, and sends the obtained change amount of the posture of the subject vehicle to the navigation unit 108. Output.

  The navigation unit 108 obtains the position and posture of the own vehicle using self-contained navigation based on information supplied from the GPS receiver, the vehicle speed sensor, and the gyro sensor. Since the self-contained navigation is a method that has been conventionally used, a detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  The traffic jam information acquisition unit 102 acquires traffic jam information. For the traffic jam information acquisition unit 102, for example, a radio wave or light beacon, a VICS receiver (FM multiplex broadcast receiver), a mobile phone, or the like is used. The traffic jam information acquired by the traffic jam information acquisition unit 102 includes, for example, a road number indicating a traffic jam location, a traffic jam head position, a traffic jam length, a travel time at the traffic jam location, and the like. The traffic jam information acquisition unit 102 acquires the update time of the traffic jam information. The acquired traffic jam information is output to the navigation unit 108.

  The map information storage unit 103 stores map information as digital information. For the map information storage unit 103, for example, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, a hard disk drive (HDD), or the like is used. The map information storage unit 103 stores map information used for processing performed by the navigation unit 108 (route information creation processing, guidance information creation processing, traffic jam estimation processing, etc. described later). Examples of map information stored in the map information storage unit 103 include road data, background information, characters and symbols such as names of municipalities and intersections, and the like. The road data includes a road list, a node table, an intersection configuration node list, an intersection net list, and the like. The node table includes signal information, connection link information connected to the node, cost information attached to the node and link, and the like. The background information is used to display roads, buildings, facilities, parks, rivers, etc. on the map screen.

  As the input unit 104, for example, a microphone for inputting information by voice, a dedicated remote controller for operating the navigation device, a mobile phone equipped with an infrared communication function, a mobile information terminal, or the like is used. The user operates the input unit 104 to input a destination and set functions of the navigation device.

  The navigation unit 108 includes a route information creation unit 105, a guidance information creation unit 106, and a traffic jam estimation unit 107. Each of these performs processing such as route information creation, guidance information creation, and traffic jam estimation. The navigation part 108 is comprised by CPU, ROM, RAM etc., for example.

  The route information creation unit 105 is used via the input unit 104 and the position information of the own vehicle acquired from the position information acquisition unit 100 and the posture information acquisition unit 101, the map information stored in the map information storage unit 103, and the input unit 104. The route information from the current position of the own vehicle to the destination is created based on the destination information input by the person. Further, the guide information creating unit 106 creates guide information for guiding the user to the destination based on the route information created by the route information creating unit 105. In addition, the traffic jam estimation unit 107, which is a feature of the navigation apparatus, estimates traffic jam occurring on the route to the destination based on the traffic jam information acquired by the traffic jam information acquisition unit 102.

  The guide information providing unit 109 provides the guide information created by the guide information creating unit 106 to the user. The guidance information providing unit 109 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display or a speaker. Examples of the guidance information displayed on the liquid crystal display include, for example, a surrounding map image centered on the position of the vehicle, an enlarged view of the intersection near the intersection, and the like. Examples of the guidance information output from the speaker include, for example, a distance to an intersection, information on right and left turns, and information on traffic jams in the vicinity.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of the configuration of the navigation device according to the present embodiment. 2 includes a GPS receiver 201, a gyro sensor 202, a vehicle speed sensor 203, an arithmetic processing unit 207, a VICS information receiver 208, an HDD 209, a liquid crystal display 210, a speaker 211, and a microphone 212. The arithmetic processing unit 207 includes a CPU 204, a ROM 205, and a RAM 206.

  The GPS receiver 201, the gyro sensor 202, and the vehicle speed sensor 203 correspond to the position information acquisition unit 100 and the posture information acquisition unit 101. The arithmetic processing unit 207 corresponds to the navigation unit 108, and the VICS information receiver 208 corresponds to the traffic jam information acquisition unit 102. The HDD 209 corresponds to the map information storage unit 103, and the microphone 212 corresponds to the input unit 104. Further, the liquid crystal display 210 and the speaker 211 correspond to the guidance information providing unit 109.

  Next, processing performed by the navigation device according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a procedure of main processing in the navigation device.

  First, when the present navigation device is activated, the navigation unit 108 acquires the current position and posture information of the vehicle from the position information acquisition unit 100 and the posture information acquisition unit 101 (step S301). Next, the navigation unit 108 acquires destination information (postal code, address, telephone number, etc.) from the user via the input unit 104 (step S302). Based on this input, the navigation unit 108 sets a destination.

  Next, the route information creation unit 105 included in the navigation unit 108 performs a route search from the current position of the host vehicle to the set destination. Although there are various methods for searching for a route, the navigation device uses the shortest route search method. The shortest route search method is a method in which intersections on the map are represented by nodes, roads, and the like are represented by links, and a route that minimizes the total cost attached to these nodes and links is obtained. An example of the shortest path search method is the Dijkstra method. The route information creation unit 105 creates route information that is the shortest route from the current position of the vehicle to the destination after performing route search (step S303).

  Here, a method of creating route information will be specifically described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram in which a route from the position of the vehicle 401 to the destination 402 is expressed by nodes and links. White circles in the figure represent nodes, and bold lines and dotted lines represent links. The number attached to the link in the figure represents the cost attached to the link. Further, although not shown in FIG. 4, there are cases where the cost is also applied to the node. For example, a node representing an intersection is given a right turn cost when the vehicle turns right, and a left turn cost when it turns left.

  FIG. 4 shows a route indicated by a thick line and a route indicated by a dotted line as routes that the vehicle 401 can pass. The route information creation unit 105 performs route search for these routes. Specifically, the cost attached to the link of each route is added from the position of the own vehicle 401 to the destination 402, and the total cost is compared. When the cost of the route indicated by the bold line is actually added, the total cost is “5”, and when the cost of the route indicated by the dotted line is added, the total cost is “11”. Therefore, the route information creation unit 105 selects a route indicated by a thick line as route information.

  Generally, information as shown in FIG. 5 is attached to nodes and links. Information attached to each node includes signal information, traffic jam information, information on links connected to the node, and the like. The information attached to each link connected to the node includes lane information such as how many lanes the road has.

  After the above-described step S303, the guidance information creation unit 106 included in the navigation unit 108 creates guidance information for guiding the user along the route information to the destination (step S304). Examples of guidance information include information on points targeted for guidance (hereinafter referred to as guidance target points) such as intersections, branch points, and destinations, and points that provide guidance information before the guidance target points ( (Hereinafter referred to as “guidance information provision point”), information on a point providing guidance information near the destination (hereinafter referred to as “destination guidance range”), distance to the guidance target point provided at the guidance information provision point, guidance target For example, information on landmarks existing at a point, destination guidance information that informs that the vehicle has reached the destination within the destination guidance range, and the like.

  After step S304, the navigation unit 108 acquires the current position and posture information of the host vehicle from the position information acquisition unit 100 and the posture information acquisition unit 101 (step S305).

  Next, the navigation part 108 determines whether the position of the own vehicle is a guidance information provision point. When the position of the own vehicle is the guidance information providing point (Yes in Step S306), the navigation unit 108 further determines whether or not the position of the own vehicle is within the destination guidance range (Step S307). If the position of the own vehicle is outside the destination guidance range (No in step S307), the navigation unit 108 provides guidance information to the user (step S308). As an example of the guidance information provided at the guidance information provision point, for example, an arrow is displayed on the map displayed on the liquid crystal display, and information such as “100 meters ahead, turn left at the intersection with the convenience store” is displayed on the speaker. Provided by voice.

  When the position of the own vehicle is not the guidance information provision point (No in step S306), the navigation unit 108 tries to acquire traffic jam information. When the traffic jam information is acquired (Yes in step S309), the navigation unit 108 compares the acquired traffic jam information with the traffic jam information stored in the navigation unit 108. When the acquired traffic information is different from the traffic information stored in the navigation unit 108, or when the traffic information is not stored in the navigation unit 108 (Yes in step S310), the navigation unit 108 displays the traffic information. Update (step S311).

  If the traffic information is not acquired (No in step S309), or if the acquired traffic information is the same as that stored in the navigation unit 108 (No in step S310), the navigation unit 108 Are acquired from the position information acquisition unit 100 and the posture information acquisition unit 101 (step S305).

  When the traffic jam information is updated in step S311, the route information creation unit 105 and the traffic jam estimation unit 107 included in the navigation unit 108 perform a traffic jam avoidance route creation process (step S312) described later. After the congestion avoiding route is created, the guidance information creating unit 106 included in the navigation unit 108 creates guidance information based on the created traffic jam avoiding route (step S304).

  At this time, the navigation unit 108 may provide guidance information for explaining a traffic jam condition to the user, and the user may input to the navigation unit 108 whether or not to change the route. As an example, the navigation unit 108 announces to the user, “There may be a traffic jam waiting for a right turn at the next XX intersection. Do you want to change the route?” It may be possible to input to the navigation unit 108 whether or not to change the route by responding “Yes” or “No”.

  The processes in steps S304 to S312 described above are repeated until the position of the vehicle enters the destination guidance range.

  If the position of the host vehicle is within the destination guidance range (Yes in step S307), the navigation unit 108 provides destination guidance information (step S313). The destination guidance range is a certain range from the destination. As an example of the method for determining the destination guidance range, a location having a radius of 10 meters from the destination location may be considered as the destination guidance range. Alternatively, the destination guidance range may be set in advance by the user. When the vehicle enters the destination guidance range and the destination guidance information is provided, the navigation unit 108 ends the guidance.

  Next, an outline of the congestion avoiding route creation process (step S312) will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a route from the position of the vehicle 601 to the destination 602. In FIG. 6, for the road 603, traffic jam information is obtained from VICS or the like, and a traffic jam location and its length are indicated by a hatched portion 604 from the obtained traffic jam information. Further, it is assumed that the road 605 is a road from which traffic jam information cannot be obtained from VICS or the like.

  Generally, if there is no right turn lane on a road that intersects with a congested road (road 603 in FIG. 6) and a road that intersects with the road (road 605 in FIG. 6), wait for a right turn. There is a situation where a straight-ahead car cannot proceed because of this vehicle. Even when there is a right turn lane, there may be a situation in which the vehicle cannot go straight due to a vehicle waiting for a right turn as the road width is narrow. In such a case, it is considered that traffic jams also occur on roads that intersect with traffic jams. For example, in FIG. 6, there is a possibility that a traffic jam has occurred on the road 605 near the intersection 607.

  However, since the traffic congestion state of the road 605 cannot be acquired from VICS or the like, when a route is created using a conventional navigation device, the route indicated by the broken line 606 is adopted as the shortest route. This is because the route information is created without considering the possibility that the road 605 is congested near the intersection 607.

  Therefore, when the navigation device according to the present embodiment travels straight through the intersection 607, a cost (hereinafter referred to as a straight travel cost) is attached to a node corresponding to the intersection 607, and the traffic congestion state of the road 605 near the intersection 607 is estimated. As a result, route information avoiding traffic congestion as shown by the thick line 608 is created.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 7, even when the destination 702 is located along the congested road 703, the navigation device takes into account that the road 705 is congested near the intersection 707. When the vehicle turns right at the intersection 707, a right turn cost obtained by performing a right turn cost increasing process described later is attached to a node corresponding to the intersection 707.

  In general, when entering a road that is congested due to a left turn and when entering a road that is congested due to a right turn, the user may be at risk if entering a road that is congested due to a right turn. Is expensive. This is because, in the case of a right turn, for example, if the last part of the traffic jam does not proceed, it may be left in the center of the intersection.

  In view of the above situation, in this navigation device, when the destination is located along a congested road, the right turn cost is set higher than the left turn cost by the right turn cost increasing process. As a result, as indicated by the thick line 708, route information for making a left turn on the road where the vehicle is congested is created.

  Next, a route search method of the navigation device will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram in which nodes and links are displayed on the route shown in FIG. White circles in the figure represent nodes. Further, the number attached to the link in the figure represents the cost of the link. The difference from the conventional route search method is that the navigation device estimates that the road 605 is congested and adds a straight traveling cost (“8” in this example) to the node representing the intersection 607.

  In FIG. 8, when the total cost attached to the route 606 and the route 608 is calculated, the total cost attached to the route 606 is “19”, and the total cost attached to the route 608 is “ 15 ". Therefore, in this case, the route 608 is selected as the shortest route to the destination.

  Further, a route search is actually performed for the route shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing nodes and links displayed on the route shown in FIG. As in FIG. 8, white circles in the figure represent nodes, and numbers attached to links represent the costs of the links. The difference from the conventional route search method is that when the right turn is made at the intersection 707 in this navigation device, a right turn cost increasing process is performed in the traffic jam estimation process described later, and the right turn cost (“24” in this example) considering the traffic jam is used as the intersection. It is attached to a node corresponding to 707.

  In FIG. 9, when the total cost attached to the route 706 and the route 708 is calculated, the total cost attached to the route 706 is “29”, and the total cost attached to the route 708 is “ 26 ". Therefore, in this case, the route 708 is selected as the shortest route to the destination.

  As described above, the navigation device according to the present embodiment estimates the traffic condition of a road that intersects with a congested road using the acquired traffic information, and creates a route that takes the estimated traffic condition into consideration. In this navigation device, in order to enable the creation of such a route, in addition to the node and link information as shown in FIG. 5 and the above-mentioned right turn cost, left turn cost and straight travel cost, a congestion node flag Information such as a right turn lane flag and a width flag is attached to the node or link (FIG. 10). Hereinafter, the congestion avoiding route creation process (step S312) using these flags will be described.

  Processing performed in the congestion avoiding route creation processing (step S312) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the congestion avoiding route creation process is started, first, the navigation unit 108 initializes all the right turn lane flag, width flag, and traffic jam flag attached to the node corresponding to the intersection to OFF (step S1101). Next, the navigation unit 108 turns on the traffic jam flag of the node corresponding to the intersection existing at the traffic jam location based on the traffic jam information acquired in step S309 in FIG. 3 (step S1102).

  Next, the navigation unit 108 determines whether or not there is a node with a traffic jam flag on the route in the current route information (step S1103). In this process, if it is determined that there is no node with the traffic jam flag on the route (No in step S1103), the navigation unit 108 determines that there is no traffic jam on the route of the vehicle in the current route information. Determine and guide the user based on the current route information.

  If it is determined in step S1103 that there is a node with a traffic jam flag on the route (Yes in step S1103), the navigation unit 108 displays the lane information and the width information included in the link connected to the corresponding node. Obtained from the map information storage unit 103 (step S1104).

  Next, the navigation part 108 determines whether the right turn lane exists in the lane information acquired in step S1104 (step S1105). If there is a right turn lane in the acquired lane information (Yes in step S1105), the navigation unit 108 turns on the right turn lane flag of the corresponding node (step S1106). If there is no right turn lane in the lane information (No in step S1105), the right turn lane flag of the corresponding node remains off.

  Next, the navigation unit 108 refers to the width information acquired in step S1104, and determines whether or not the road width information included in the width information is greater than or equal to a specified value (step S1107). If the road width information included in the width information is equal to or greater than the specified value (Yes in step S1107), the navigation unit 108 turns on the width flag of the corresponding node (step S1108). If the road width information is less than the specified value (No in step S1107), the width flag of the corresponding node remains off.

  Next, the navigation unit 108 determines whether or not the processing in steps S1104 to S1108 has been performed for all nodes for which the traffic jam flag is on (step S1109). After the above processing has been performed for all nodes for which the traffic jam flag is on (Yes in step S1109), the route information creation unit 105 and the traffic jam estimation unit 107 included in the navigation unit 108 perform traffic jam estimation processing (step S1110). ).

  Next, processing performed in the traffic jam estimation processing (step S1110) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the traffic jam estimation process is started, the traffic jam estimation unit 107 performs a straight traveling cost increase process, which will be described later (step S1201). With this process, the straight traveling cost of the node corresponding to the intersection when the vehicle travels straight on a road that intersects with a congested road is calculated.

  Next, the traffic jam estimation unit 107 performs a right turn cost increase process described later (step S1202). With this process, the right turn cost of the node corresponding to the intersection when the right approach is entered into a congested road.

  Next, the route information creation unit 105 re-searches the route based on the node cost newly calculated by the traffic jam estimation unit 107 (step S1203).

  When a new route is obtained in step S1203 (Yes in step S1204), the route information creation unit 105 travels a route that was adopted before the start of the traffic jam estimation process (hereinafter referred to as a route before processing). Compare the time with the travel time of the newly obtained route. In this comparison, if the difference between the travel time of the route before processing and the travel time of the newly obtained route is equal to or greater than the specified value (Yes in step S1205), the route information creation unit 105 is newly obtained. The route is adopted as a new route (step S1206). If the difference in travel time is less than the specified value, the route information creation unit 105 continues to use the route before processing.

  The reason for comparing the travel time differences in step S1205 is to have the user determine whether to prioritize travel time or travel distance. Therefore, in this navigation apparatus, the user is set in advance to set the time “if the travel time difference is different, the detour may be performed”, and the time input by the user is set as a specified value in step S1205. Processing is performed. For example, if the user inputs “If the travel time difference is 20 minutes different, the user may take a detour”. In step S1205, if the travel time difference is 20 minutes or more, the route information creation unit 105 newly obtains the route information. If the travel route is adopted as a route and the travel time difference is less than 20 minutes, the route information creation unit 105 continues to use the route before processing.

  In step S1203, when a new route is not obtained (No in step S1204), the route information creation unit 105 continues to use the route before processing.

  Next, the straight traveling cost increase process (step S1201) will be described in detail. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing details of the straight-ahead cost increasing process. When the straight traveling cost increase process is started, the traffic jam estimation unit 107 first selects a node for which the traffic jam flag is on (step S1301).

  Next, for the selected node, the traffic jam estimation unit 107 determines whether or not the right turn lane flag is on (step S1302). When the right turn lane flag is off (No in step S1302), that is, when there is no right turn lane, the traffic jam estimation unit 107 sets the straight traveling cost to twice the initial value (step S1303). If the right turn lane flag is on (Yes in step S1302), that is, if there is a right turn lane, the straight traveling cost remains the initial value. Here, it is assumed that if there is no right turn lane, the vehicle cannot proceed straight because of a vehicle waiting for a right turn.

  Next, the traffic jam estimation unit 107 determines whether or not the width flag is on (step S1304). If the width flag is off (No in step S1304), that is, if the road width is less than the specified value, the traffic jam estimation unit 107 doubles the straight traveling cost (step S1305). If the width flag is on (Yes in step S1304), that is, if the road width is greater than or equal to the specified value, the straight traveling cost remains unchanged. Here, it is assumed that when the road width is narrow, the vehicle cannot proceed straight because of a vehicle waiting for a right turn or a left turn.

  Next, the traffic jam estimation unit 107 determines whether or not the traffic jam distance is equal to or greater than a specified value (step S1306). When the traffic jam distance is equal to or greater than the specified value (Yes in step S1306), the traffic jam estimation unit 107 doubles the straight traveling cost (step S1307). If the traffic jam distance is less than the specified value (No in step S1306), the straight traveling cost remains unchanged. Here, it is assumed that when the traffic jam distance is equal to or greater than the specified value, the traffic jam is severe and it is difficult for the vehicle to travel near the intersection.

  Next, the traffic jam estimation unit 107 determines whether or not the processing of steps S1301 to S1307 has been performed for all nodes for which the traffic jam flag is on (step S1308). When the above processing is performed for all the nodes for which the traffic jam flag is on, the traffic jam estimation unit 107 ends the straight traveling cost increase processing.

  Next, the right turn cost increase process (step S1202) will be described in detail. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing details of the right turn cost increasing process. When the right turn cost increasing process is started, first, the traffic jam estimation unit 107 selects a node for which the traffic jam flag is on (step S1401).

  Next, for the selected node, the traffic jam estimation unit 107 determines whether or not the right turn lane flag is on (step S1402). If the right turn lane flag is off (No in step S1402), the traffic jam estimation unit 107 sets the right turn cost to twice the initial value (step S1403). If the right turn lane flag is on (Yes in step S1402), the right turn cost remains the initial value. Here, it is assumed that if there is no right turn lane, it is not possible to turn right because of a vehicle waiting straight ahead or turning left.

  Next, the traffic jam estimation unit 107 determines whether or not the width flag is on (step S1404). If the width flag is off (No in step S1404), the traffic jam estimation unit 107 doubles the right turn cost (step S1405). If the width flag is on (Yes in step S1404), the right turn cost remains unchanged. Here, it is assumed that when the road width is narrow, it is not possible to turn right because of a vehicle that is going straight or waiting to turn left.

  Next, the traffic jam estimation unit 107 determines whether or not the traffic jam distance is greater than or equal to a specified value (step S1406). When the traffic jam distance is equal to or greater than the specified value (Yes in step S1406), the traffic jam estimation unit 107 doubles the right turn cost (step S1407). If the traffic jam distance is less than the specified value (No in step S1406), the right turn cost remains unchanged. Here, as in the case of the straight travel cost increase process, it is assumed that when the traffic distance is equal to or greater than the specified value, the traffic is heavy and it is difficult for the vehicle to travel near the intersection.

  Next, the traffic jam estimation unit 107 determines whether or not the processing of steps S1401 to S1407 has been performed for all nodes for which the traffic jam flag is on (step S1408). When the above process is performed for all nodes for which the traffic jam flag is on, the traffic jam estimation unit 107 ends the right turn cost increase process.

  As described above, the navigation device according to the present embodiment estimates the traffic condition of a road that intersects with a congested road using the acquired traffic information, and creates a route that takes the estimated traffic condition into consideration. As a result, it is possible to estimate the traffic congestion situation of roads where traffic congestion information cannot be obtained from VICS, etc., and it is possible to create a route taking into account the more accurate traffic congestion situation, so the route to reach the destination in a shorter time Can be presented.

  More specifically, the navigation device estimates the traffic situation at this intersection by increasing the cost of the node corresponding to the intersection included in the traffic jam location. In addition, the navigation device attaches information indicating whether or not there is a right turn lane and information indicating whether or not the width of the road is equal to or greater than a predetermined value to a node corresponding to the intersection included in the traffic jam location. . Furthermore, this navigation apparatus acquires the traffic jam distance from the traffic jam information, and calculates the cost of the node at the intersection included in the traffic jam location in consideration of the acquired traffic jam distance. Thereby, it is possible to accurately estimate the traffic situation at the intersection included in the traffic jam location.

  In the present embodiment, the traffic congestion is estimated by increasing the cost of the node corresponding to the intersection included in the traffic congestion location. However, even if a method of increasing the cost of the link included in the traffic congestion location is used. Similar traffic estimation processing is possible. Specifically, it is possible to perform the traffic jam estimation process by regarding the travel time attached to the link information as a cost and increasing the travel time based on the acquired traffic jam information. In this case, the navigation device increases the travel time for the link connected to the node corresponding to the intersection included in the traffic jam location. Thereby, not only the trafficked intersection but also the trafficked section can be presented to the user.

  In this embodiment, the cost is doubled in steps S1303, S1305, S1307, S1403, S1405, and S1407, but the cost increasing method is not limited to this.

  In addition, the user may set a method for increasing the cost of the node corresponding to the intersection included in the traffic jam location. In this case, the navigation device increases the cost of the node using the parameters set by the user.

  In addition, this navigation apparatus can respond to right-hand traffic by converting a right turn lane to a left turn lane and a right turn cost to a left turn cost.

  In the above description, the navigation device is described as being mounted on a vehicle. However, the navigation device may be configured to be portable.

  The processing of the route information creation unit 105, the guidance information creation unit 106, and the traffic jam estimation unit 107 included in the navigation unit 108 may be realized by a computer program. Further, such a computer program may be distributed in a state of being recorded on a recording medium represented by a CD-ROM, or may be provided to a terminal device or the like through a network such as the Internet.

  The navigation device of the present invention presents a route that can reach the destination in a shorter time by estimating the current traffic jam status based on the acquired traffic jam information and creating a route that takes into account the estimated traffic jam status. Therefore, it can be used for in-vehicle navigation devices.

The block diagram which shows the structure of the navigation apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. The block diagram which shows the specific example of a structure of the navigation apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the main processes in the navigation apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. Diagram explaining route search method Diagram showing examples of information attached to nodes and links The figure explaining the outline | summary of the traffic congestion avoidance route creation process in the navigation apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. The figure explaining the outline | summary of the traffic congestion avoidance route creation process in the navigation apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the search method of the route by the traffic congestion avoidance route creation process in the navigation apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the search method of the route by the traffic congestion avoidance route creation process in the navigation apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the example of the information attached | subjected to the node in the navigation apparatus concerning one Embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the traffic congestion avoidance route creation process in the navigation apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the traffic congestion estimation process in the navigation apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the straight cost increase process in the navigation apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the right turn cost increase process in the navigation apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Position information acquisition part 101 Posture information acquisition part 102 Congestion information acquisition part 103 Map information storage part 104 Input part 105 Route information creation part 106 Guidance information creation part 107 Congestion estimation part 108 Navigation part 109 Guidance information provision part

Claims (12)

A navigation device that provides route guidance to a destination,
A position information acquisition unit for acquiring the current position;
A map information storage unit for storing map information;
An input unit for inputting operation instructions;
A traffic information acquisition unit for acquiring road traffic information;
Based on the traffic jam information acquired by the traffic jam information acquisition unit, a traffic jam estimation unit that estimates a traffic jam situation near a traffic jam road,
In addition to the current position acquired by the position information acquisition unit, the map information stored in the map information storage unit, and the destination information input using the input unit, estimated by the congestion estimation unit A route information creation unit that creates route information from the current location to the destination based on traffic conditions,
Based on the route information created by the route information creation unit, a guidance information creation unit that creates guidance information for performing route guidance to the destination;
A navigation apparatus comprising: a guide information providing unit that provides guide information created by the guide information creating unit to a user.   The navigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the traffic jam estimation unit estimates a traffic jam situation on a road where traffic jam information cannot be acquired by the traffic jam information acquisition unit.   The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the traffic jam estimation unit estimates a traffic jam situation of a road intersecting with a traffic jam road based on the traffic jam information.   The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the traffic jam estimation unit estimates a traffic jam situation at an intersection included in a traffic jam road based on the traffic jam information.   The route information creation unit creates a route that avoids a congested road based on the traffic jam information and the traffic jam situation estimated by the traffic jam estimation unit. Navigation device.   The route information creation unit creates a route that enters a congested road by making a left turn based on the traffic jam information and the traffic jam situation estimated by the traffic jam estimation unit. The navigation device described. The map information stored in the map information storage unit includes nodes and links,
The route information creation unit creates the route information based on a cost attached to at least one of the node and the link,
The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the traffic jam estimation unit increases a cost given to a node corresponding to an intersection included in a traffic jam road based on the traffic jam information.   The navigation device according to claim 7, wherein the traffic jam estimation unit increases a straight traveling cost of a node corresponding to an intersection included in a traffic jam road based on the traffic jam information.   8. The navigation apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the traffic jam estimation unit increases a right turn cost of a node corresponding to an intersection included in a left-hand traffic road that is congested based on the traffic jam information.   The navigation apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the traffic jam estimation unit increases a left turn cost of a node corresponding to an intersection included in a traffic road on a right-hand side that is congested based on the traffic jam information. The map information stored in the map information storage unit includes nodes and links,
The route information creation unit creates the route information based on a cost attached to at least one of the node and the link,
The navigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the traffic jam estimation unit increases the cost of a link connected to a node corresponding to an intersection included in a traffic jam based on the traffic jam information. . A navigation method that provides route guidance to a destination using map information,
A location information acquisition step for acquiring the current location;
An input step for inputting operation instructions;
A traffic information acquisition step for acquiring road traffic information;
Based on the traffic jam information acquired in the traffic jam information acquisition step, a traffic jam estimation step for estimating a traffic jam situation near a traffic jam road,
In addition to the map information, the current position acquired in the position information acquisition step, and the destination information input in the input step, based on the traffic jam situation estimated in the traffic jam estimation step, the current location to the destination A route information creation step for creating route information up to
Based on the route information created in the route information creation step, guidance information creation step for creating guidance information for performing route guidance to the destination;
A navigation method comprising a guide information providing step of providing the guide information created in the guide information creating step to a user.

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