Device and method for providing driving path

Abstract

Provided are an apparatus and method for providing a driving route. The apparatus includes an input device configured to receive a required return time of a departure point. The apparatus also includes a controller configured to determine whether the required return time is less than a preset time, to set a virtual destination according to the result of the determination, to calculate a first driving time from the departure point to the virtual destination and a second driving time from the virtual destination to the departure point, to compare the sum of the first driving time and the second driving time with the required return time, and to determine whether to provide a return route to the departure point based on the result of the comparison.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0156586 filed on November 29, 2019, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, which is hereby incorporated by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a device for providing a driving path and a method thereof. Background Art

[0004] When driving a vehicle, the driver may drop off a passenger at a destination, and the driver may need to pick up the passenger again at the same location after a certain time. However, as no-parking / stopping areas have become larger recently, it may be difficult to park / stop at a specific point until the passenger is ready to get on again.

[0005] Generally, a device for providing a driving route searches for and provides a route from a departure point to a destination, but when the departure point and the destination are the same, a conventional device for providing a driving route may not generate a route and thus does not support providing a route. Therefore, the driver may have the inconvenience of arbitrarily driving nearby roads without receiving a route until picking up the passenger again at the same place after a certain time. Summary of the invention

[0006] The embodiments of the present disclosure can solve the above-mentioned problems occurring in the prior art while completely maintaining the advantages achieved by the prior art.

[0007] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an apparatus for providing a driving route that can improve the driving convenience of a user by searching for and providing a driving route that returns to a starting point after a preset time, and a method for providing the driving route.

[0008] The technical problems to be solved by the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned problems, and any other technical problems not mentioned herein will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure belongs from the following description.

[0009] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an apparatus for providing a driving route includes: an input device, which receives a return time required to a starting point; and a controller, which determines whether the return time required is less than a preset time, sets a virtual destination according to the determination result, calculates a first driving time from the starting point to the virtual destination and a second driving time from the virtual destination to the starting point, compares the sum of the first driving time and the second driving time with the return time required, and determines whether to provide a return route to the starting point based on the comparison result.

[0010] When the return required time is less than a preset time, the controller may set a virtual destination at a location at a predetermined distance from the departure point in a direction opposite to the driving direction.

[0011] When the return required time is greater than a preset time, the controller may set a virtual destination at one of a plurality of points reachable from the departure point within a predetermined time.

[0012] The controller may set, as the virtual destination, a point that is the shortest distance from the departure point among points that can be reached from the departure point within a predetermined time.

[0013] When the sum of the first travel time and the second travel time is greater than the return required time, the controller may notify that a return path to the departure point is not provided.

[0014] When the sum of the first travel time and the second travel time is the same as the return required time, the controller may provide a return path to the departure point.

[0015] The controller may provide, as the return path, a first path in which travel is performed within a first travel time from the departure point to the virtual destination, and a second path in which travel is performed within a second travel time from the virtual destination to the departure point.

[0016] When the sum of the first driving time and the second driving time is less than the required return time, the controller may recalculate the first driving time until the sum of the first driving time and the second driving time is the same as the required return time.

[0017] The controller may recalculate the first travel time by resetting the first route.

[0018] The controller may reset the first path by assigning the user preference as the weight.

[0019] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for providing a driving route includes: receiving a return time required for a departure point; determining whether the return time required is less than a preset time; and setting a virtual destination based on the determination result; calculating a first driving time from the departure point to the virtual destination and a second driving time from the virtual destination to the departure point; comparing the sum of the first driving time and the second driving time with the return time required; and determining whether to provide a return route to the departure point based on the comparison result.

[0020] Setting the virtual destination includes: when the required return time is less than a preset time, setting the virtual destination at a position at a predetermined distance from the departure point in a direction opposite to the driving direction.

[0021] Setting the virtual destination includes: when the time required for returning is greater than a preset time, setting the virtual destination at one of a plurality of points that can be reached from the departure point within a predetermined time.

[0022] Setting the virtual destination includes setting a point that is the shortest distance from the departure point among points that can be reached from the departure point within a predetermined time as the virtual destination.

[0023] Comparing the sum of the first travel time and the second travel time with the required return time includes notifying that a return route to the departure point is not provided when the sum of the first travel time and the second travel time is greater than the required return time.

[0024] Comparing the sum of the first travel time and the second travel time with the required return time further includes providing a return route to the departure point when the sum of the first travel time and the second travel time is the same as the required return time.

[0025] Providing the return path includes providing a first path in which travel is performed within a first travel time from a departure point to a virtual destination and a second path in which travel is performed within a second travel time from the virtual destination to the departure point as the return path.

[0026] Comparing the sum of the first driving time and the second driving time with the required return time further includes: when the sum of the first driving time and the second driving time is less than the required return time, calculating the first driving time again until the sum of the first driving time and the second driving time is the same as the required return time.

[0027] Recalculating the first travel time includes recalculating the first travel time by resetting the first path.

[0028] Calculating the first travel time again includes resetting the first route by assigning the user preference as a weight. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings:

[0030] Figure 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an apparatus for providing a driving route according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0031] Figure 2 , Figure 3A and Figure 3B , FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C is a diagram illustrating the operation of the apparatus for providing a driving route according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0032] Figure 5 and Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating the operation of an apparatus for providing a driving route according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0033] Figure 7 and Figure 8 is a flowchart describing a method for providing a driving route according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the exemplary drawings. When adding reference numerals to the components of each drawing, it should be noted that even if the same or equivalent components are shown on other drawings, they are represented by the same reference numerals. In addition, when describing the embodiments of the present disclosure, detailed descriptions of well-known features or functions will be excluded so as not to unnecessarily make the subject matter of the present disclosure unclear.

[0035] When describing components according to embodiments of the present disclosure, terms such as first, second, "A", "B", (a), (b), etc. may be used. These terms are intended only to distinguish one component from another, and these terms do not limit the nature, sequence, or order of the constituent components. Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as those generally understood by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure belongs. Terms defined in general dictionaries should be interpreted as having the same meaning as the contextual meaning associated with the relevant field, and should not be interpreted as having an ideal or overly formal meaning unless explicitly defined as having such a meaning in this application.

[0036] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an apparatus for providing a driving route according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0037] Reference Figure 1 The device 100 for providing a driving route may include an input device 110 , a display 120 , a navigation 130 , and a controller 140 .

[0038] The input device 110 may receive an input signal corresponding to a manipulation, operation or voice of a user, and the controller 140 may generate a control signal corresponding to the input signal. In detail, the input device 110 may receive the time required for the vehicle to return to the starting point from the user (hereinafter referred to as "return required time"). In this case, the return required time may refer to the time required to return from the starting point to the starting point. The input device 110 may be implemented as a roller, button, knob, touch screen, touch pad, joystick, trackball, etc. that can be operated by the user. Alternatively, the input device 110 may be implemented by at least one or a combination of a motion sensor and a voice recognition sensor that detects the motion or voice of a passenger. According to an embodiment, the input device 110 may be set on a steering wheel device and an audio video navigation (AVN) screen.

[0039] The display 120 may display an image related to the result determined by the controller 140. For example, when the controller 140 provides a path, the display 120 may display the path generated by the controller 140. In addition, the display 120 may be formed as an interlayer structure or integrated with a touch sensor, and may be implemented as a touch screen integrated with the input device 110. In this case, the display 120 may receive a user's command in a touch manner and may include a touch sensor.

[0040] Navigation 130 can provide the user with information about the surrounding area of ​​the area where the user is located in the form of a map, text or various symbols, or can provide a path to the destination input by the user. To this end, navigation 130 is equipped with a GPS receiver to receive the current position of the vehicle, and can provide map image information related to a certain area, road guidance image information, road guidance audio information or vehicle speed information and destination information based on the current position of the vehicle. In addition, navigation 130 may include a separate output device to provide the user with information related to the operation of navigation 130. The output device may include a display device and a sound output device, and the display device may be integrated with the display 120.

[0041] Although not shown, the apparatus for providing a driving path according to an embodiment of the present disclosure further includes a storage device that stores at least one algorithm for calculating or executing various commands for performing operations of the apparatus for providing a driving path. The storage device may include at least one storage medium selected from a flash memory, a hard disk, a memory card, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EPEROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), a magnetic memory, a magnetic disk, and an optical disk.

[0042] The controller 140 may be implemented by various processing devices, such as a microprocessor having a semiconductor chip capable of performing calculations or executions of various commands, and may control the overall operation of the apparatus for providing a driving path according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0043] In detail, the controller 140 can determine whether the return time required is less than a preset time, set a virtual destination based on the determination result, calculate a first driving time from a departure point to the virtual destination, and a second driving time from the virtual destination to the departure point, compare the sum of the first driving time and the second driving time with the return time required, and determine whether to provide a return path to the departure point based on the comparison result.

[0044] To this end, the controller 140 may obtain a map image of a preset area based on the current position of the vehicle by using the navigation 130, may connect the shapes of the roads included in the map image, and may determine whether to provide a return path set using a link. In this case, the link may include a road on which the vehicle can travel.

[0045] In the following, in order to describe the present disclosure in more detail, the case where the return time required to the departure point input by the user is less than the preset time is described as an implementation mode. At the same time, the case where the return time required is not less than the preset time (when the return time required is greater than the preset time) is described as another implementation mode. Figure 2 , Figure 3A and Figure 3B , FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C An implementation scheme is described.

[0046] Figure 2 , Figure 3A and Figure 3B , FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C 2 is a diagram illustrating the operation of an apparatus for providing a driving route according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0047] like Figure 2 As shown, the controller 140 may display the shape of the road included in the map image of the preset area as a connection relationship 10 based on the current position of the vehicle. In addition, the controller 140 may calculate the required time from the first intersection connecting the intersections to the second intersection adjacent to the first intersection. Figure 2 The numbers in the circles described on the connection relationship may refer to the required time. This is not limited to Figure 2 implementation, and the numbers in circles in the following figure may indicate the time required.

[0048] For example, when the first intersection is called "1", the second intersection is called "11", and the third intersection is called "21", the controller 140 can calculate the required time from "1" to "11" as 4 minutes, and can calculate the required time from "11" to "21" as 3 minutes.

[0049] In addition, the controller 140 may set a departure point on the connection relationship 10. When the return required time input from the user is less than a preset time, the controller 140 may identify the connection relationship including the departure point and may set a virtual destination at a position at a predetermined distance from the departure point in a direction opposite to the driving direction of the vehicle. In this case, when the departure point is located on the connection relationship between the first intersection 1 and the second intersection 11, the controller 140 may set the virtual destination on the same connection relationship between the first intersection 1 and the second intersection 11, but may set the virtual destination at a position spaced from the departure point in a direction opposite to the driving direction. In this case, when the vehicle returns to the departure point, the virtual destination may be used as a waypoint.

[0050] The controller 140 may calculate the sum of the driving time from the departure point to the virtual destination and the driving time from the virtual destination to the departure point as the return path driving time. The controller 140 may compare the return path driving time and the return required time, and may determine whether to provide a return path based on the comparison result. When the return path driving time is greater than the return required time, the controller 140 may advise that a return path to the departure point is not provided. On the other hand, when the return path driving time is the same as the return required time, the controller 140 may provide a return path to the departure point. In this case, when the controller 140 provides the return path, the controller 140 may control not to display the virtual destination. In addition, when the return path driving time is less than the return required time, the controller 140 may reset the driving path from the departure point to the virtual destination so that the driving time from the departure point to the virtual destination is calculated again until the return path driving time is the same as the return required time.

[0051] More specifically, reference will be made to Figure 3A and Figure 3B , FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C Describes the operation of calculating the travel time of a return route.

[0052] The controller 140 may set the return path before calculating the return path travel time. For example, the controller 140 may set the path that turns and travels at the first intersection (a point that can turn) encountered after traveling from the departure point as the return path. For example, the controller 140 may set the return path that turns in the first direction (north direction) or the second direction (south direction) at the second intersection 11 encountered for the first time after traveling from the departure point. In this disclosure, reference will be made to Figure 3A Describes a turn in a first direction and will refer to Figure 3B Describes a turn in a second direction.

[0053] like Figure 3AAs shown, the controller 140 may set a return path P1, which turns in the first direction (north direction) at the second intersection 11 first encountered after driving from the starting point, turns in the third direction (west direction) at the fourth intersection 12 first encountered after turning in the first direction, turns in the second direction (south direction) at the fifth intersection 2 first encountered after turning in the third direction, turns in the fourth direction (east direction) at the first intersection 1 first encountered after turning in the second direction, and then returns to the starting point via the virtual destination after turning in the fourth direction. In this case, the controller 140 may calculate the sum of the required time α from the starting point to the virtual destination and the required time β from the virtual destination to the starting point as the return path travel time. According to an embodiment, the controller 140 may calculate the required time α from the starting point to the virtual destination as 15 minutes (2 minutes + 4 minutes + 5 minutes + 3 minutes + 1 minute), and the controller 140 may calculate the return path travel time as 16 minutes (15 minutes + 1 minute) based on the required time β (1 minute) from the virtual destination to the starting point.

[0054] At the same time, if Figure 3B As shown, the controller 140 may set a return path P2, which turns in the second direction (south direction) at the second intersection 11 first encountered after driving from the starting point, turns in the third direction (west direction) at the sixth intersection 13 first encountered after turning in the second direction, turns in the first direction (north direction) at the seventh intersection 3 first encountered after turning in the third direction, turns in the fourth direction (east direction) at the first intersection 1 first encountered after turning in the first direction, and then returns to the starting point via the virtual destination after turning in the fourth direction. In this case, the controller 140 may calculate the sum of the required time α from the starting point to the virtual destination and the required time β from the virtual destination to the starting point. According to an embodiment, the controller 140 may calculate the required time α from the starting point to the virtual destination as 7 minutes (2 minutes + 1 minute + 2 minutes + 1 minute + 1 minute), and the controller 140 may calculate the return path driving time as 8 minutes (7 minutes + 1 minute) based on the required time β (1 minute) from the virtual destination to the starting point.

[0055] When the required time for returning input by the user is 20 minutes, the controller 140 may determine Figure 3A and Figure 3BThe return path travel time shown is less than the return required time, and the return path travel time can be recalculated by resetting the return path until the return path travel time equals the return required time. In this case, the resetting of the return path can be set by assigning the user preference as a weight. For example, when the user prefers a side street, the return path can be reset to include the side street, and when the user prefers a main street, the return path can be reset to include the main street.

[0056] As described above, the controller 140 may reset the path from the departure point to the virtual destination and may recalculate the return path travel time. FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C A more detailed description is given.

[0057] like Figure 4A As shown, according to an embodiment, the controller 140 may set a return path P3, which turns in the second direction (south direction) at the second intersection 11 first encountered after driving from the starting point, drives on the extended connection relationship, does not turn in the third direction (west direction) at the sixth intersection 13 first encountered after turning in the second direction, turns in the third direction (west direction) at the eighth intersection 14 encountered after driving on the extended connection relationship, drives in the first direction (north direction) to the first intersection 1 from the ninth intersection 4 encountered after turning in the third direction, turns in the fourth direction (east direction) at the first intersection 1, and then returns to the starting point via the virtual destination after turning in the fourth direction. In this case, the controller 140 may calculate the sum of the required time α from the starting point to the virtual destination and the required time β from the virtual destination to the starting point. According to an embodiment, the controller 140 may calculate the required time α from the starting point to the virtual destination as 12 minutes (2 minutes + 1 minute + 1 minute + 4 minutes + 2 minutes + 1 minute + 1 minute), and may calculate the return path driving time as 13 minutes (12 minutes + 1 minute) based on the required time β (1 minute) from the virtual destination to the starting point.

[0058] In addition, if Figure 4BAs shown, the controller 140 may set a return path P4, which does not turn at the second intersection 11 first encountered after driving from the starting point but extends the connection relationship, turns in the first direction (north direction) at the third intersection 21 first encountered after the extended connection relationship, turns in the third direction (west direction) at the tenth intersection 22 first encountered after turning in the first direction, does not turn at the fourth intersection 12 after turning in the third direction but drives on the extended connection relationship, turns in the second direction (south direction) at the fifth intersection 2 encountered after driving on the extended connection relationship, turns in the fourth direction (east direction) at the first intersection 1 encountered after turning in the second direction, and then returns to the starting point via the virtual destination after turning in the fourth direction. In this case, the controller 140 may calculate the sum of the required time α from the starting point to the virtual destination and the required time β from the virtual destination to the starting point. According to an embodiment, the controller 140 may calculate the required time α from the starting point to the virtual destination as 19 minutes (2 minutes + 3 minutes + 2 minutes + 3 minutes + 5 minutes + 3 minutes + 1 minute), and may calculate the return path driving time as 20 minutes (19 minutes + 1 minute) based on the required time β (1 minute) from the virtual destination to the starting point.

[0059] In addition, if Figure 4C As shown, the controller 140 may set a return path P5, which does not turn at the second intersection 11 first encountered after driving from the starting point but extends the connection relationship, turns in the second direction (south direction) at the third intersection 21 first encountered after extending the connection relationship, turns in the third direction (west direction) at the eleventh intersection 23 encountered after turning in the second direction, does not turn at the sixth intersection 13 after turning in the third direction but extends the connection relationship, turns in the first direction (north direction) at the seventh intersection 3 encountered after extending the connection relationship, turns in the fourth direction (east direction) at the first intersection 1 encountered after turning in the first direction, and then returns to the starting point via the virtual destination after turning in the fourth direction. In this case, the controller 140 may calculate the sum of the required time α from the starting point to the virtual destination and the required time β from the virtual destination to the starting point. According to an embodiment, the controller 140 may calculate the required time α from the starting point to the virtual destination as 12 minutes (2 minutes + 3 minutes + 2 minutes + 1 minute + 2 minutes + 1 minute + 1 minute), and may calculate the return path driving time as 13 minutes (12 minutes + 1 minute) based on the required time β (1 minute) from the virtual destination to the starting point.

[0060] When used to drive through Figure 3A and Figure 3BWhen the time for the return path (return path travel time) set to travel by turning at the first intersection encountered after driving from the starting point is less than the required return time, the controller 140 can reset the path from the starting point to the virtual destination by extending the connection relationship, and can recalculate the required time from the starting point to the virtual destination, such as FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C In addition, the controller 140 may calculate the return path travel time as described in the above embodiment, and when the return path travel time is the same as the return required time input by the user, the controller 140 may provide the return path P4 as the final path (refer to Figure 4B ).

[0061] On the other hand, the controller 140 may determine whether the required return time to the departure point input by the user is greater than a preset time, and may provide a notification such as Figure 5 and Figure 6 Driving path shown.

[0062] Figure 5 and Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating the operation of an apparatus for providing a driving route according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0063] like Figure 5 As shown, the controller 140 may set the position of the departure point on the connection relationship 10, may extract points 511 that can be reached from the departure point A within a predetermined time, and may set a virtual destination B at one of the reachable points 511. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the controller 140 may set a virtual destination at a point that is the shortest distance from the departure point among the points that can be reached from the departure point within a predetermined time. In this case, the predetermined time may represent a value obtained by dividing the time required for return by "n" (where "n" is a natural number). However, when a one-way road is included in the connection relationship connecting a point that is the shortest distance from the departure point, the controller 140 may not set a virtual destination at that point. In this case, the virtual destination B may be used as a signpost when returning to the departure point A. Reference will be made to Figure 6 A more detailed description is given.

[0064] Figure 6 It is described how to establish a return path by extending the connection relationship according to an embodiment of the present disclosure when the time for traveling through the return path set to travel at the intersection encountered for the first time after traveling from a starting point (return path travel time) is less than the return required time.

[0065] like Figure 6As shown in , the controller 140 may set a return path P6 that does not turn but extends the connection relationship at the second intersection 11 first encountered after driving from the starting point A, turns in the third direction (west direction) at the fourth intersection 12 first encountered after the extended connection relationship, turns in the second direction (south direction) at the fifth intersection 2 first encountered after turning in the third direction, does not turn but travels in the extended connection relationship at the first intersection 1 first encountered after turning in the second direction, turns in the fourth direction (east direction) at the seventh intersection 3 encountered after driving on the extended connection relationship, turns in the first direction (north direction) at the sixth intersection 13 encountered after turning in the fourth direction, and then returns to the starting point A via the virtual destination B after turning in the first direction. In this case, the controller 140 may calculate the sum of the required time from the starting point A to the virtual destination B and the required time from the virtual destination B to the starting point A. According to an embodiment, the controller 140 may calculate the required time α from the departure point A to the virtual destination B as 25 minutes (3 minutes + 7 minutes + 10 minutes + 4 minutes + 1 minute), and may calculate the required time β from the virtual destination B to the departure point A as 15 minutes (3 minutes + 10 minutes + 2 minutes). Therefore, the controller 140 may calculate the return path travel time as 40 minutes (25 minutes + 15 minutes).

[0066] As described above, when the required return time input by the user is 40 minutes and the return path travel time is 40 minutes, the controller 140 may determine that the return path travel time is the same as the required return time input by the user and may use the return path P6 as the final path.

[0067] Figure 7 and Figure 8 is a flowchart describing a method for providing a driving route according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0068] like Figure 7 As shown, the controller 140 receives the required return time "X" to the departure point from the user (S110), and determines whether the received required return time "X" is less than the preset time "a" (S120). When the controller 140 determines in S120 that the required return time "X" is less than the preset time "a" (yes), the controller 140 can recognize that the user has requested a short distance path (S130).

[0069] When the controller 140 recognizes that the user requests a short-distance route, the controller 140 may identify a departure point by using the navigation 130 (S140), and may identify a connection relationship including the departure point (S150). The controller 140 may set a virtual destination in the connection relationship identified in S150 (S160). According to an embodiment, in S160, the controller 140 may set a virtual destination at a position spaced a predetermined distance from the departure point in a direction opposite to the driving direction of the vehicle.

[0070] The controller 140 calculates the required time α for traveling the return path set to travel to the virtual destination by turning at the intersection that is first encountered after traveling from the departure point (S170). In addition, the controller 140 calculates the required time β for traveling the return path from the virtual destination to the departure point by turning at the intersection that is first encountered (S180).

[0071] In addition, the controller 140 calculates the sum of the required times (α, β) calculated in S170 and S180 as the return path travel time, and determines whether the return path travel time is less than the return required time input by the user in S110 (S190). When the controller 140 determines in S190 that the return path travel time is less than the return required time (yes), the controller 140 extends the connection relationship so that the return path to the virtual destination does not travel by turning at the intersection that is first met after driving from the starting point (S195). In S195, the controller 140 extends the connection relationship to reset the return path, and recalculates the time α required to travel to reset the return path.

[0072] When the controller 140 determines in S190 that the return path travel time is not less than the return required time (no), the controller 140 determines whether the return path travel time is equal to the return required time (S200). When the controller 140 determines in S200 that the return path travel time is the same as the return required time (yes), the controller 140 selects a return path whose travel time is equal to the return required time (S210), and sets the selected return path as the final path (S220). In S220, the controller 140 may control not to display the virtual destination. On the other hand, when the controller 140 determines in S200 that the return path travel time is not the same as the return required time (no), the controller 140 may determine that the return path travel time is greater than the return required time. In this case, in S230, the controller 140 may notify that a return path to the departure point is not provided.

[0073] In addition, when the controller 140 determines in S120 that the required time for returning is not less than the preset time (No), that is, the required time for returning is greater than the preset time, such as Figure 8As shown, the controller 140 may recognize that the user has requested a long-distance route (S310). When the controller 140 recognizes that the user has requested a long-distance route, the controller 140 may recognize a departure point by using the navigation 130 (S320), and may extract a point that can be reached from the departure point within a predetermined time (S330). In S330, the predetermined time may be a value obtained by dividing the return required time by "n" (where "n" is a natural number).

[0074] The controller 140 may set the virtual destination at any point extracted in S330 (S340). In S340, the controller 140 may set the virtual destination at a point that is the shortest distance from the departure point among the points that can be reached from the departure point within a predetermined time. In this case, when a one-way road is included in a connection relationship connecting a point that is the shortest distance from the departure point, the controller 140 may control not to set the virtual destination at the point.

[0075] As described above, since the device for providing a driving route according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can search and provide a driving route that returns to the starting point after a preset time, the user can accurately return to the starting point after the preset time and the user's driving convenience can be improved.

[0076] The above description is merely an example of the spirit of the present disclosure, and various modifications and variations may be made by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure belongs without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

[0077] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to exemplary embodiments and the accompanying drawings, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure belongs may make various modifications and changes to the present disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as claimed in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A device for providing a driving path, the device comprising: An input device configured to receive a required return time, wherein the required return time indicates a time required for a driver to return to a starting point; as well as a controller configured to determine whether the required return time is less than a preset time, set a virtual destination according to a result of the determination, calculate a first driving time from the departure point to the virtual destination and a second driving time from the virtual destination to the departure point, compare a sum of the first driving time and the second driving time with the required return time, and determine whether to provide a return path to the departure point based on a result of the comparison; When the required time for returning is greater than the preset time, the controller is configured to set the virtual destination to one of a plurality of points that can be reached from the starting point within a predetermined time.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein: When the required return time is less than the preset time, the controller is configured to set the virtual destination at a position at a predetermined distance from the departure point in a direction opposite to a driving direction.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The controller is configured to set, as the virtual destination, a point that is the shortest distance from the departure point among a plurality of points that can be reached from the departure point within the predetermined time.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein: When the sum of the first travel time and the second travel time is greater than the return required time, the controller is configured to notify that the return path to the departure point is not provided.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein: When a sum of the first travel time and the second travel time is the same as the return required time, the controller is configured to provide the return path to the departure point.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein: The controller is configured to provide a first path in which travel is performed within the first travel time from the departure point to the virtual destination and a second path in which travel is performed within the second travel time from the virtual destination to the departure point as the return path.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein: When the sum of the first driving time and the second driving time is less than the required return time, the controller is configured to recalculate the first driving time until the sum of the first driving time and the second driving time is the same as the required return time.

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein: The controller is configured to recalculate the first travel time by resetting the first route.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein: The controller is configured to reset the first path by assigning a user preference as a weight.

10. A method for providing a driving route, the method comprising: It takes time to receive the return to the departure point; Determine whether the time required for the return is less than a preset time; setting a virtual destination according to a result of said determining; Calculate a first travel time from the starting point to the virtual destination and a second travel time from the virtual destination to the starting point; comparing the sum of the first travel time and the second travel time with the return required time; and determining whether to provide a return path to the departure point according to a result of the comparison; The step of setting the virtual destination includes: when the time required for the return is greater than the preset time, setting the virtual destination to one of a plurality of points that can be reached from the starting point within a predetermined time.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein: Setting the virtual destination includes: when the required return time is less than the preset time, setting the virtual destination at a position at a predetermined distance from the departure point in a direction opposite to the driving direction.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein: Setting the virtual destination includes: setting, as the virtual destination, a point that is the shortest distance from the starting point among a plurality of points that can be reached from the starting point within the predetermined time.

13. The method according to claim 10, wherein: Comparing the sum of the first travel time and the second travel time with the required return time includes notifying that the return route to the departure point is not provided when the sum of the first travel time and the second travel time is greater than the required return time.

14. The method according to claim 10, wherein: Comparing the sum of the first travel time and the second travel time with the required return time further includes providing the return route to the departure point when the sum of the first travel time and the second travel time is the same as the required return time.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein: Providing the return path includes providing a first path and a second path as the return path, in which travel is performed within the first travel time from the departure point to the virtual destination, and in which travel is performed within the second travel time from the virtual destination to the departure point.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein: Comparing the sum of the first driving time and the second driving time with the required return time also includes: when the sum of the first driving time and the second driving time is less than the required return time, recalculating the first driving time until the sum of the first driving time and the second driving time is the same as the required return time.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein: Recalculating the first travel time includes resetting the first route.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein: Resetting the first path includes assigning user preferences as weights.

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