Route searching device, route searching method, and program

Abstract

To provide a route searching device capable of easily searching for a route including a passing spot that a user desires while avoiding a section in which the user cannot drive easily.SOLUTION: A route searching device 1 includes: a section setting section 11 for setting a departing place and a destination for determining a route searching section; a display control section 12 for displaying a map on a display section; a track line input section 13 for receiving input of a track line drawn by tracing a map; a passing route setting section 14 for setting a passing route that a user designates on the basis of a track line; and a route searching section 15 for searching for a destination route from a starting place to a destination. The display control section 12 performs display for promoting input of a designated passing spot when a set passing route includes a section in which driving is difficult. The passing route setting section 14 re-sets a passing route so as to include an inputted, designated passing spot. The route searching section 15 re-searches for a destination route by using a reset passing route.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a route search device, a route search method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] There is known a route search device that searches for a route from a departure point to a destination and presents the search result to a user. As a related technique, Patent Document 1 discloses an in-vehicle navigation device including a display device provided with a touch switch. When a user traces on a road map displayed on the screen with a finger, the in-vehicle navigation device detects the trace locus by the touch switch. Further, the in-vehicle navigation device specifies a passing route that the user desires to pass through based on the trace locus.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] A user may specify, as a passing route from a departure point to a destination, a road that is impassable due to one-way traffic, road closures due to construction, etc., a road with a narrow width, or a road with heavy traffic congestion where driving is difficult. In such a case, the route search fails, and re-search of the route (so-called re-route search) is required. The in-vehicle navigation device disclosed in Patent Document 1 notifies the user that the specified road cannot be used when the route search fails. The user needs to trace the road again while avoiding difficult driving sections in order to perform re-search of the route.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a route search device, a route search method, and a program that can easily search for a route including a user-desired waypoint while avoiding a difficult-to-drive section in view of the above-described problems.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The route search device according to the present disclosure includes: a section setting unit that sets a departure point and a destination that define a route search section; a display control unit that displays a map on a display unit; a trajectory line input unit that receives an input of a trajectory line drawn by tracing on the map; a passing route setting unit that sets a passing route specified by a user based on the trajectory line; a route search unit that searches for a destination route from the departure point to the destination using the passing route; and when the set passing route includes a difficult-to-drive section, the display control unit performs a display prompting an input of a specified waypoint, the passing route setting unit re-sets the passing route so as to include the input specified waypoint, and the route search unit re-searches for the destination route using the re-set passing route.

[0007] The route search method according to the present disclosure includes: a section setting step of setting a departure point and a destination that define a route search section; a display control step of displaying a map on a display unit; a trajectory line input step of receiving an input of a trajectory line drawn by tracing on the map; a passing route setting step of setting a passing route specified by a user based on the trajectory line; a route search step of searching for a destination route from the departure point to the destination using the passing route; and in the display control step, when the set passing route includes a difficult-to-drive section, a display prompting an input of a specified waypoint is performed. In the passing route setting step, the passing route is reset to include the specified via point entered. In the route search step, the destination route is re-searched using the reset passing route.

[0008] The program according to the present disclosure includes a section setting step of setting a departure point and a destination that define a route search section, a display control step of displaying a map on a display unit, a trajectory line input step of receiving an input of a trajectory line drawn by tracing on the map, a passing route setting step of setting a passing route specified by a user based on the trajectory line, a route search step of searching for a destination route from the departure point to the destination using the passing route, and includes In the display control step, when the set passing route includes a section where driving is difficult, a display prompting an input of a specified via point is performed, In the passing route setting step, the passing route is reset to include the specified via point entered. In the route search step, the destination route is re-searched using the reset passing route and causes a computer to execute a route search method.

Advantages of the Invention

[0009] The route search device, route search method, and program according to the present disclosure enable easy search for a route including a via point desired by the user while avoiding a section where driving is difficult.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference numerals. For the sake of clarity of explanation, redundant explanations are omitted as necessary.

[0012] First, an overview of the route search device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. The route search device 1 is an information processing device that searches for a destination route indicating a route from a departure point to a destination and presents the search result to the user. In the present embodiment, an example in which the route search device 1 is mounted on a vehicle will be used for explanation, but it is not limited thereto. The route search device 1 may be realized by a terminal device such as a smartphone owned by a person. The user of the route search device 1 may be, for example, a driver of a vehicle or a passenger.

[0013] The departure point and the destination may be automatically set or set by the user. For example, the route search device 1 sets the current position of the route search device 1 as the departure point and sets the point designated by the user as the destination. The route search device 1 searches for a destination route from the set departure point to the destination and presents the search result to the user. For example, the route search device 1 displays the destination route obtained by the search on the display unit in association with a map. The user can grasp the destination route by visually recognizing the display unit.

[0014] In addition, when there is a passing route desired by the user, the route search device 1 accepts an input for designating the passing route from the user. The passing route is for designating a route on which the vehicle passes on the destination route. The passing route may be represented by a predetermined area. For example, the passing route may be an area corresponding to a predetermined road. For example, the passing route may be a road (e.g., a relatively wide road) on which the user wants to drive the vehicle. Also, the passing route may be a route including a predetermined point. For example, the passing route may be a route including a place (e.g., a store) where the user wants to stop by. The route search device 1 may accept inputs of a plurality of passing routes. The user can designate any route desired to be passed as the passing route.

[0015] The route search device 1 sets a passing route based on the user's desire and searches for a destination route using the set passing route. When a plurality of passing routes are set, the route search device 1 searches for a destination route so as to include the plurality of passing routes. Thereby, the route search device 1 can search for a destination route including the passing route desired by the user.

[0016] However, when the set passage route based on the user's preference includes a section where driving is difficult, it is not preferable for the route search device 1 to include such a difficult driving section in the destination route. In such a case, the route search device 1 notifies the user that the passage route includes a section where driving is difficult and displays a prompt for inputting a designated waypoint. The route search device 1 preferably notifies the user of the location where the difficult driving section is located. Note that the difficult driving section may include a section where driving is prohibited, such as a road where vehicle driving is prohibited, or a section that the user arbitrarily designates and wishes to avoid driving through.

[0017] A designated waypoint is for designating a point through which the vehicle passes on the destination route. The designated waypoint may be set as a point that is essential for the vehicle to pass through. Thereby, the user can designate a point that they definitely want to pass through. The user can not only recognize that the passage route includes a section where driving is difficult, but also easily input a designated waypoint for resetting the passage route.

[0018] The route search device 1 resets the passage route to include the input designated waypoint and re-searches for the destination route. Thereby, the route search device 1 can present to the user a destination route that can pass through the designated waypoint desired by the user while avoiding a section where driving is difficult. The route search device 1 can be used as a car navigation device for guiding the user to the destination route.

[0019] (Configuration of Route Search Device 1) Referring to FIG. 1, the configuration of the route search device 1 will be described in detail. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the route search device 1 according to the present embodiment. The route search device 1 includes a section setting unit 11, a display control unit 12, a trajectory line input unit 13, a passage route setting unit 14, a route search unit 15, and a display unit 16.

[0020] The route search device 1 includes a processor, a memory, and a storage device as components not shown in the figure. A computer program implementing the processes according to the present embodiment is stored in the storage device. The processor can read the computer program from the storage device into the memory and execute the computer program. As a result, the processor realizes the functions of the section setting unit 11, the display control unit 12, the trajectory line input unit 13, the passing route setting unit 14, and the route search unit 15.

[0021] The section setting unit 11, the display control unit 12, the trajectory line input unit 13, the passing route setting unit 14, and the route search unit 15 may each be realized by dedicated hardware. Also, some or all of the components of each device may be realized by general-purpose or dedicated circuitry, a processor, etc., or a combination thereof. These may be configured by a single chip or by a plurality of chips connected via a bus. Some or all of the components of each device may be realized by a combination of the circuitry etc. described above and a program. Also, as the processor, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), a quantum processor (quantum computer control chip), etc. can be used.

[0022] Also, when some or all of the components of the route search device 1 are realized by a plurality of information processing devices, circuitry, etc., the plurality of information processing devices, circuitry, etc. may be centrally arranged or may be distributed. For example, the information processing devices, circuitry, etc. may be realized in a form in which each is connected via a communication network, such as a client-server system, a cloud computing system, etc.

[0023] The section setting unit 11 sets the departure point and the destination. The departure point and the destination are the points that define the route search section that is the target of route search. For example, the section setting unit 11 receives the user's input via the input unit and sets the departure point and the destination. In the present embodiment, the route search device 1 includes a display unit 16 having a touch panel as the input unit.

[0024] The section setting unit 11, for example, displays a setting screen for allowing the departure point and the destination to be input on the display unit 16. The section setting unit 11 receives the input to the setting screen by the user and sets the departure point and the destination. The section setting unit 11 may receive voice input using a voice input unit (not shown).

[0025] The section setting unit 11 may acquire the current position of the vehicle and set the current position as the departure point. By doing so, the section setting unit 11 can set the departure point without requiring the user's operation. The current position may be specified, for example, by a position specifying unit (not shown) provided in the vehicle. The position specifying unit performs positioning using a technology such as GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System), for example. The position specifying unit may be configured by a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver or the like.

[0026] Note that the section setting unit 11 may receive the input of the departure point and the destination via a terminal device such as a smartphone used by the user. The route search device 1 communicates with the terminal device via a communication unit (not shown). The communication unit may communicate with the terminal device using long-distance communication such as a mobile phone line, or may communicate with the terminal device using short-distance communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). By doing so, the section setting unit 11 can receive the input of the departure point and the destination from a device other than the route search device 1. Since the input can be received without going through the display unit 16, a passenger in a seat away from the installation position of the route search device 1 can input the departure point and the destination.

[0027] The display control unit 12 displays a map on the display unit 16. Further, when the passage route set in the passage route setting unit 14 includes a section where driving is difficult, the display control unit 12 performs a display prompting the user to input a designated via point on the display unit 16. The user can input the designated via point via the display unit 16 in accordance with the display. A specific example of the display performed by the display control unit 12 will be described later.

[0028] The trajectory line input unit 13 accepts the input of a trajectory line drawn by tracing on the map displayed on the display unit 16. For example, the user traces the display unit 16 with a finger to draw a trajectory line on the map displayed on the display unit 16. Specifically, the user keeps a finger touching the display unit 16 and slides the finger to trace a road on the map to draw a trajectory line. The drawing position of the trajectory line is associated with the position (coordinates) on the map displayed on the display unit 16. Thereby, the user can specify the traced road as a passage route. The trajectory line input unit 13 outputs trajectory line information regarding the trajectory line to the passage route setting unit 14. The trajectory line information may include information on the position on the map corresponding to the trajectory line.

[0029] The user may lift the finger slid on the display unit 16 from the display unit 16, place the finger on the display unit 16 again, and draw a trajectory line different from the trajectory line before the finger was lifted. In this case, the trajectory line input unit 13 accepts the input of a plurality of drawn trajectory lines. The trajectory line input unit 13 outputs trajectory line information including information on the positions of each of the plurality of trajectory lines to the passage route setting unit 14. Note that the trajectory line input unit 13 may have an eraser function for deleting the drawn trajectory line.

[0030] In addition, the trajectory line input unit 13 detects an enclosed area drawn so as to surround a predetermined area on the map based on the input trajectory line. For example, assume that the user wishes to include Building A in the passing route. In this case, the user places a finger near Building A on the map, slides the finger while touching the display unit 16, and traces on the map so as to surround Building A. As a result, an enclosed area drawn so as to surround Building A is formed. Thereby, the user can specify the enclosed area as the passing route. The position of the enclosed area can be represented using the position (coordinates) on the map.

[0031] When the trajectory line input unit 13 detects the enclosed area, it outputs enclosed area information regarding the enclosed area to the passing route setting unit 14. The enclosed area information may include information on the position on the map corresponding to the enclosed area. The trajectory line input unit 13 may specify Building A included in the enclosed area and include information on Building A in the enclosed area information. When a plurality of buildings are included in the enclosed area, the trajectory line input unit 13 may display a list of the plurality of buildings on the display unit 16 and allow the user to select the buildings to be included in the passing route. Note that, not limited to buildings, the trajectory line input unit 13 may display facilities, structures, roads, etc. included in the enclosed area in a list.

[0032] The trajectory line input unit 13 may be configured to detect the enclosed area when the trajectory line satisfies a predetermined condition. For example, the trajectory line input unit 13 may detect an area surrounded by two or more layers of trajectory lines as the enclosed area. In this case, the trajectory line input unit 13 does not detect an area surrounded by a single layer of trajectory line as the enclosed area, but detects an area surrounded by two or more layers of trajectory lines as the enclosed area. By doing so, the trajectory line input unit 13 can prevent detecting, as the enclosed area, an area accidentally surrounded due to a user's misoperation.

[0033] In addition, the trajectory line input unit 13 may further detect the drawing speed of the trajectory line. For example, the trajectory line input unit 13 detects the drawing speed based on the moving speed of the contact point where the user's finger touches the display unit 16. The trajectory line input unit 13 can detect the drawing speed based on the amount of change in the position of the contact point per unit time. The trajectory line input unit 13 may also detect the drawing speed based on the time from the start to the end of the drawing of the trajectory line and the length of the trajectory line. The trajectory line input unit 13 may output the drawing speed to the passing route setting unit 14 including the drawing speed in the trajectory line information.

[0034] Note that the trajectory line input unit 13 may receive the input of the trajectory line via the terminal device used by the user, similar to the section setting unit 11. Also, here an example where the user traces the display unit 16 with a finger has been described, but the user may input the trajectory line using a stylus pen, a mouse, a trackball, or the like.

[0035] The passing route setting unit 14 sets the passing route specified by the user based on the trajectory line input by the trajectory line input unit 13. For example, the passing route setting unit 14 identifies the road corresponding to the trajectory line based on the trajectory line information output from the trajectory line input unit 13, and sets the identified road as the passing route. Thereby, the passing route setting unit 14 can set the road traced by the user on the map as the passing route. The passing route setting unit 14 outputs passing route information regarding the set passing route to the route search unit 15. The passing route information may include information on the position on the map corresponding to the passing route.

[0036] When the road section corresponding to the specified trajectory line is a route that runs in reverse on a one-way road, a difficult-to-travel section where vehicle passage is prohibited, a section where the road width is less than a predetermined reference value, or a section where traffic congestion has occurred at a level equal to or higher than a predetermined reference level, etc., the passage route setting unit 14 determines whether it is a difficult-to-travel section including a section where travel is impossible by referring to the map information described later. When the set passage route includes a difficult-to-travel section, the passage route setting unit 14 re-sets the passage route so as to include the designated via point input by the user. For example, the passage route setting unit 14 specifies a point within the enclosed area as the designated via point based on the enclosed area information, and re-sets the passage route so as to include the specified designated via point. By doing so, the passage route setting unit 14 can re-set the passage route so as to include the point within the enclosed area input according to the display prompting the input of the designated via point. If the enclosed area has been detected before the display prompting the input of the designated via point is performed, the passage route setting unit 14 may specify the point within the enclosed area as the designated via point. Thereby, the user does not need to trace the map again for the input of the designated via point.

[0037] Furthermore, when the drawing speed of the trajectory line satisfies a predetermined condition, the passage route setting unit 14 may set the passage route to include the road corresponding to the trajectory line, and when the drawing speed does not satisfy the predetermined condition, the passage route may be set to include the road corresponding to the area within a predetermined range from the trajectory line. As the predetermined condition, a predetermined speed threshold may be used. The passage route setting unit 14 sets different passage routes when the drawing speed of the trajectory line is less than the speed threshold and when it is equal to or higher than the speed threshold.

[0038] For example, when it is desired to accurately specify the road r1 as the passage route, it is assumed that the user traces the road r1 slowly. On the other hand, when it is desired to roughly specify the road r2 as the passage route, it is assumed that the user traces the road r2 faster than when tracing the road r1. Thus, the drawing speed of the trajectory line is considered to be related to the strength of the user's intention to specify the traced road as the passage route.

[0039] For example, when the drawing speed V of the trajectory line is less than the speed threshold Th, the passing route setting unit 14 sets a passing route so as to include a road that exactly corresponds to the trajectory line. Further, when the drawing speed V of the trajectory line is greater than or equal to the speed threshold Th, the passing route setting unit 14 sets a passing route so as to include a road corresponding to an area within a predetermined range from the trajectory line. In other words, when the drawing speed V of the trajectory line is greater than or equal to the speed threshold Th, the passing route setting unit 14 may search for an appropriate passing route by including, as an option, a road existing in an area within a predetermined range determined in advance from the road corresponding to the trajectory line. By doing so, the passing route setting unit 14 can select whether to set the passing route limited to the road traced by the user according to the drawing speed of the trajectory line, or to set the passing route so as to include even the roads around the road traced by the user.

[0040] The route search unit 15 searches for a destination route from the departure point to the destination. When no passing route is set, the route search unit 15 searches, with reference to the map information, for a destination route that arrives at the destination in the shortest time, for example. At this time, the map information includes information such as the latitude and longitude of each point such as intersections on the map, the presence or absence of traffic lights, the road type of the roads connecting these points and the distance between each point, the name of existing facilities and the type of facilities. Further, the map information includes information on sections where driving is difficult, such as that the road is a pedestrian-only road where vehicle driving is prohibited, or that it is a one-way road that permits driving only in one direction. Not limited to this, the route search unit 15 may search, with reference to the map information, for a destination route that arrives at the destination with the shortest driving distance, for example. The route search unit 15 may search for the destination route using any technique.

[0041] When a passing route is set, the route search unit 15 searches for a destination route from the departure point to the destination using the passing route. The route search unit 15 searches for the destination route based on the passing route information output from the passing route setting unit 14.

[0042] Also, when the passage route set by the passage route setting unit 14 includes a section where driving is difficult, the route search unit 15 re-searches for the destination route using the passage route re-set by the passage route setting unit 14. Thereby, even when the once-set passage route includes a section where driving is difficult, the route search unit 15 can re-search for the destination route so as to pass through the designated via point specified by the user.

[0043] The display unit 16 displays information regarding the processing of the route search device 1. The display unit 16 is a display device such as a display, for example. In the present embodiment, the display unit 16 has a function as an input unit capable of inputting information. The display unit 16 is a touch panel, for example.

[0044] The configuration of the route search device 1 has been described above. The configuration of the route search device 1 is not limited to that described above and may be changed as appropriate. For example, the route search device 1 may include an audio output unit that outputs information regarding the processing of the route search device 1 by voice. The audio output unit is a speaker, for example. Also, as described above, the route search device 1 may include a communication unit for communicating with devices other than the route search device 1 and a position specifying unit for specifying the position of the route search device 1.

[0045] (Processing performed by the route search device 1) Subsequently, with reference to FIGS. 2 to 9, the processing performed by the route search device 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the flow of the route search processing performed by the route search device 1. FIGS. 3 to 9 are diagrams showing examples of the screens displayed on the display unit 16. Hereinafter, with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 2, the description will be made with appropriate reference to FIGS. 3 to 9 related to each step. Note that the route search device 1 may perform this processing not only at the start of the vehicle's driving but also after the start of driving when re-searching. Note that, as will be described later, the route search device 1 can select one mode from a plurality of modes. Here, it is assumed that the processing starts in the "normal mode", which is one of the plurality of modes.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 2, first, the section setting unit 11 sets a departure point S and a destination G that define the route search section (S1). The section setting unit 11 may use the current position of the vehicle as the departure point. The section setting unit 11 may accept input of the departure point S and the destination G from the user via the display unit 16. Next, the route search unit 15 searches for a destination route from the departure point S to the destination G (S2). The display control unit 12 displays the search result on the display unit 16 (S3).

[0047] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen D1 for displaying the search result. The display screen D1 includes a map and a presented route R1 as a destination route from the departure point S to the destination G. The presented route R1 indicates the destination route when there is no designation of a passing route from the user. In FIG. 3, the presented route R1 is shown shaded, and the same applies to subsequent figures.

[0048] Further, the display screen D1 includes a mode display area a1, a mode change button a2, and a completion button a3. The mode display area a1 is an area indicating the currently operating mode. The mode indicates the type of method for inputting a trajectory line by the user. The mode change button a2 is a button for changing the mode. The completion button a3 is a button for determining the destination route and ending the search process.

[0049] In this embodiment, an example will be described in which "normal mode", "road tracing mode", "enclosing mode", "one-stroke mode", "freehand mode", and "composite mode" are provided as selectable modes. The example in FIG. 3 corresponds to a screen display example in the "normal mode". Details of other modes will be described later.

[0050] Note that since the display screen D1 shown in FIG. 3 is an example, the display screen D1 may be changed as appropriate. For example, in the example of FIG. 3, the mode display area a1 and the mode change button a2 are arranged superimposed on the map, but these buttons may be arranged in an area separate from the map.

[0051] Return to FIG. 2. The route search unit 15 determines whether to determine the destination route using the displayed presented route R1 (S4). For example, when the completion button a3 is pressed, the route search unit 15 determines that it determines the presented route R1 shown in FIG. 3 as the destination route. The display control unit 12 may display, on the display unit 16, a message for confirming with the user whether it is okay to determine the presented route R1 as the destination route. For example, the display control unit 12 displays a message such as "If the displayed route is okay, please press the completion button. If you want to change the route, please press the mode change button."

[0052] For example, due to reasons such as a narrow road width or traffic congestion on the road, the user may not want to drive on the presented route R1. Also, there may be a case where there is a store that the user wants to stop by at a position away from the presented route R1. When the presented route R1 is not the desired route in this way, the user can change the destination route by pressing the mode change button a2.

[0053] If it is determined to determine the presented route R1 as the destination route (YES in S4), the process ends. In this case, the route search device 1 may perform navigation from the departure point S to the destination G using the presented route R1 as the destination route.

[0054] If it is determined not to determine the presented route R1 as the destination route (NO in S4), the trajectory line input unit 13 accepts a mode selection (S5). For example, when the mode change button a2 is pressed without pressing the completion button a3, the trajectory line input unit 13 changes the mode to be operated from the "normal mode" to the selected mode. Here, it is assumed that the user selects the "trace mode".

[0055] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen D2 displayed in the "Route Tracing Mode". The "Route Tracing Mode" is a mode in which the user designates a passing route by tracing the road the user wants to drive on. The display screen D2 includes a trajectory line L1 drawn by the user in addition to the content of the display screen D1. The trajectory line L1 corresponds to the road the user wishes to drive on. In FIG. 4, the trajectory line L1 is shown as a thick solid line. The same applies to the trajectory lines L2 to L10 shown in the subsequent figures.

[0056] In the example of FIG. 4, the user draws the trajectory line L1 by tracing the desired road starting from the departure point S, and connects the trajectory line L1 to the point P101 on the presented route R1. As a result, the user can specify the passing route so that the road corresponding to the trajectory line L1 is included in the destination route instead of the route indicated by the presented route R1 between the departure point S and the point P101. The user ends the drawing of the trajectory line L1 by pressing the completion button a3.

[0057] Return to FIG. 2. The trajectory line input unit 13 receives the input of the drawn trajectory line L1 (S6). The trajectory line input unit 13 outputs trajectory line information regarding the trajectory line L1 to the passing route setting unit 14. The passing route setting unit 14 sets a passing route based on the trajectory line information (S7). Here, the passing route setting unit 14 sets the road corresponding to the trajectory line L1 as the passing route. The passing route setting unit 14 outputs passing route information regarding the set passing route to the route search unit 15.

[0058] Subsequently, the route search unit 15 determines whether the set passing route includes a section where driving is difficult, referring to the map information (S8). The route search unit 15 may determine whether the set passing route includes a section where driving is difficult via any service that provides information on road conditions such as one-way traffic or road closures. If it is determined that the set passing route does not include a section where driving is difficult (NO in S8), the process proceeds to step S12. If it is determined that the set passing route includes a section where driving is difficult (YES in S8), the display control unit 12 performs a display prompting the input of a designated via point (S9).

[0059] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen D2a when it is determined that the set passing route includes a section where driving is difficult. The display control unit 12 displays a message M2 such as "It is not possible to pass. Please specify a via point." in order to prompt the input of the designated via point. The message M2 may appropriately select a message such as "There is a traffic jam. If you want to search for another route, please specify the desired via point." according to the cause of the driving difficulty. The display control unit 12 may display an X mark M1 at a portion corresponding to the section where driving is difficult on the trajectory line L1.

[0060] The user inputs the designated via point by tracing on the map according to the display. The trajectory line input unit 13 receives the input of the designated via point (S10). For example, the user selects "surround mode" from the mode change button a2 and inputs the designated via point by tracing to surround a predetermined area on the map. The trajectory line input unit 13 may automatically select the "surround mode". Here, the "surround mode" will be described.

[0061] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen D3 displayed in the "surround mode". The "surround mode" is a mode in which the user specifies the designated via point by surrounding the point where the user wants to pass with a circle. The display screen D3 includes the trajectory lines L2 and L3 drawn by the user. The trajectory lines L2 and L3 are drawn so as to surround the points P1 and P2 respectively. The points P1 and P2 are the points where the user hopes to pass. Thereby, the user can specify the points P1 and P2 as the designated via points. The trajectory line input unit 13 outputs the surrounding area information regarding the surrounding area to the passing route setting unit 14. Note that the user may specify not only the designated via point but also the road on which the user wants to drive in the same manner as the above-described "trace mode".

[0062] Return to FIG. 2. The passing route setting unit 14 re - sets the passing route based on the surrounding area information so as to include the designated waypoints P1 and P2 (S11). The passing route setting unit 14 may exclude the trajectory line L1 determined to include a difficult - to - drive section and re - set the passing route to include only the points P1 and P2, or may re - set the passing route taking the trajectory line L1 into account. For example, the passing route setting unit 14 may identify the difficult - to - drive section among the passing route and the trajectory line L1 and exclude only that section from the passing route. By doing so, the passing route setting unit 14 can re - set the passing route that better reflects the user's intention.

[0063] Note that although the drawing order of the trajectory lines L2 and L3 is not considered here, the passing route setting unit 14 may re - set the passing route considering the drawing order. For example, when the trajectory lines L2 and L3 are drawn in this order, the passing route setting unit 14 may re - set the passing route so that the vehicle passes through the points P1 and P2 in this order.

[0064] Subsequently, the route search unit 15 re - searches for the destination route using the re - set passing route (S12). Specifically, the route search unit 15 re - searches for the destination route from the starting point S to the destination G that includes the points P1 and P2. Thereby, the route search unit 15 can obtain a presented route R2 (not shown) different from the presented route R1.

[0065] Subsequently, the display control unit 12 displays the presented route R2 as the re - search result on the display unit 16 (S13). The display control unit 12 may display the difference in the destination route before and after the re - search in a distinguishable manner. For example, the display control unit 12 may display the presented route R2 after the re - search in red and the presented route R1 before the re - search in blue. The display control unit 12 may also display only the different parts between the presented route R1 and the presented route R2. Not limited to this, the display control unit 12 may express the difference before and after the re - search by any method. For example, the display control unit 12 may change the thickness of each route, or may blink one of the routes. By doing so, the user can intuitively grasp the difference in the routes before and after the re - search.

[0066] Subsequently, the route search unit 15 determines whether to determine the destination route using the displayed presented route R2 (S14). If it is determined that the presented route R2 is to be determined as the destination route (YES in S14), the process ends. If it is determined that the presented route R2 is not to be determined as the destination route (NO in S14), the route search device 1 returns to step S5 and repeats the subsequent processes.

[0067] The processing of the route search device 1 according to the present embodiment has been described above. Note that the route search device 1 may skip the processing of steps S2 to S4 performed in the "normal mode" and proceed directly to step S5 after step S1. Thereby, the user can specify the passing route from the beginning.

[0068] In the above description, the locus line input unit 13 accepts the input of the locus line using the "trace mode" and the "surrounding mode", but the input method of the locus line is not limited to these. In addition to the "trace mode" and the "surrounding mode", the locus line input unit 13 may use the "one-stroke mode", the "freehand mode", and the "composite mode" described below as input methods.

[0069] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen D4 displayed in the "one-stroke mode". The "one-stroke mode" is a mode in which the user designates the road to travel on and the points to pass through in one stroke. The "one-stroke mode" has the functions of both the "trace mode" and the "surrounding mode". The user can continuously specify the road to be used as the passing route and the designated via points without lifting the finger from the display unit 16.

[0070] The display screen D4 includes a trajectory line L4 drawn by the user. The trajectory line L4 is drawn to connect the starting point S, the point P2, the point P1, and the point P101. Thus, the user can specify the road corresponding to the trajectory line L4 as the passing route while designating the points P1 and P2 as the designated via points. Also, in this example, if the road corresponding to the trajectory line L4 is a section where driving is difficult, the route search unit 15 searches for a destination route that does not pass through the road corresponding to the trajectory line L4 and includes the points P1 and P2. By using the "one-stroke drawing mode", the user can set the passing route and the designated via points at once without switching between the "road tracing mode" and the "enclosing mode".

[0071] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen D5 displayed in the "freehand mode". The "freehand mode" is a mode in which the user roughly designates the road on which they want to drive. The user uses the "freehand mode" when they do not want to precisely specify the passing route but rather want to roughly specify the passing route (for example, when they want to drive on a road along the sea).

[0072] The display screen D5 includes a trajectory line L5 drawn by the user. Here, the trajectory line L5 is not an exact tracing of a specific road but is drawn to roughly connect the starting point S to the destination G. In the "freehand mode", the passing route setting unit 14 may specify the search range of the road to be traveled based on the drawing speed. For example, the passing route setting unit 14 divides the calculated drawing speed into a plurality of levels. When it is the level with the slowest drawing speed, the passing route is set to include the road exactly corresponding to the trajectory line L5. When it is the level with the fastest drawing speed, the passing route is set to include the road corresponding to the area within a predetermined range with the largest width from the trajectory line L5. In this way, the passing route setting unit 14 controls the width of the area to be the predetermined range based on the calculated drawing speed. The drawing speed and the division of levels may be set using the above-described drawing speed V and a plurality of speed thresholds Th.

[0073] By doing so, the passing route setting unit 14 can set the passing route not to be limited to the road corresponding to the locus line L5, but to include the road corresponding to the area within a predetermined range from the locus line L5. As a result, in the "freehand mode", compared with the "road tracing mode", a certain width can be given to the range of the road specified by the locus line.

[0074] Note that the locus line input unit 13 may detect the drawing speed of the locus line L5 and automatically switch the mode according to the drawing speed. For example, in a mode other than the "freehand mode", when the drawing speed is equal to or higher than a predetermined speed, the locus line input unit 13 switches the mode to the "freehand mode". For example, in the "road tracing mode", when the user traces on the map at a speed equal to or higher than the speed threshold, the locus line input unit 13 can automatically switch the mode to the "freehand mode".

[0075] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen D6 displayed in the "composite mode". The "composite mode" is a mode that comprehensively has the functions of the above-described "road tracing mode", "surrounding mode", "one-stroke drawing mode", and "freehand mode".

[0076] The display screen D6 includes locus lines L6 to L10 drawn by the user. The locus line L6 is drawn so as to connect the point P102 and the destination G. The locus line L7 is drawn so as to connect the departure point S and the point P103. The locus lines L8, L9, and L10 are each drawn so as to surround the points P3, P4, and P5. The points P3, P4, and P5 are the points input as the designated via points. In this case, the passing route setting unit 14 sets the passing route to include the points P3, P4, and P5 and the roads corresponding to the locus lines L6 and L7 respectively. In this way, by comprehensively having the functions of a plurality of modes, the degree of freedom of input of the locus line can be increased.

[0077] The above describes a plurality of modes that can be used in the route search device 1. As shown in the above description, the user can easily specify a passing route by tracing on the map displayed on the display unit 16. Therefore, for example, while the vehicle is stopped, such as waiting for a signal, the operation can be performed smoothly without requiring complicated operations such as address search.

[0078] Note that while the user is tracing on the map, the display control unit 12 may change the display mode of the display screen. For example, the display control unit 12 changes the scale of the map according to the selected mode. The display control unit 12 may perform enlargement and reduction of the scale based on a predetermined scale. The predetermined scale may be set in advance.

[0079] For example, in the "Route Tracing Mode", the display control unit 12 enlarges the scale of the map. Thereby, the display control unit 12 can display a narrow range in detail, so that the user can easily trace the road to be traveled. Also, in the "Enclosure Mode", "One-Stroke Mode", "Freehand Mode", and "Composite Mode", the display control unit 12 reduces the scale of the map. Thereby, the display control unit 12 can display a wide range, so that the user can easily input a passing route or a designated via point without scrolling the screen.

[0080] Also, the display control unit 12 may scroll the map according to the movement of the user's finger. For example, in the "Route Tracing Mode", when the user traces a road, the user's finger moves from the center to the edge of the display screen. When the scale of the map is enlarged, it becomes easier for the user to trace the road, but when the user's finger gets close to the edge of the display screen, the operation becomes difficult. Therefore, the display control unit 12 scrolls the map so that the position corresponding to the contact point between the display unit 16 and the finger is arranged at the center of the display screen according to the user's operation.

[0081] For example, in the example of FIG. 4, assume that the user performs a tracing operation to extend the trajectory line L1 from point P101 toward the destination G. The display control unit 12 scrolls the map so that the destination G displayed at the left end of the display screen D2 is displayed near the center of the display screen D2 in accordance with the tracing operation of the user. The display control unit 12 may scroll the map until the trajectory line by the user is connected to the presented route R1, and stop the scroll when they are connected. The display control unit 12 may also scroll the map in the same manner as in the "road tracing mode" for the "freehand mode".

[0082] Also, the display control unit 12 may fix and display the map at an arbitrary position of the user without performing the above-described map scrolling in the "enclosing mode". For example, the display control unit 12 receives a designation of the position to be fixed from the user. The display control unit 12 displays the map without scrolling the map even if the user performs a tracing operation. Thereby, even when the user traces on the map so as to enclose the designated waypoint, the map does not move, so the user can easily perform the operation. The display control unit 12 may fix the position of the map and display the map in the same manner as in the "enclosing mode" for the "one-stroke mode" and the "composite mode".

[0083] As described above, when the passage route set by the user includes a section where driving is difficult, the route search device 1 according to the present embodiment performs a display prompting the input of the designated waypoint. The route search device 1 re-sets the passage route so as to include the input designated waypoint, and re-searches for the destination route using the re-set passage route. By doing so, the user can easily search for a route including a desired waypoint while avoiding a section where driving is difficult.

[0084] Each functional component of the above-described route search device 1 may be implemented by hardware (e.g., a hard-wired electronic circuit, etc.) that implements each functional component, or may be implemented by a combination of hardware and software (e.g., a combination of an electronic circuit and a program that controls it). For example, the present disclosure can also implement any processing by causing a CPU to execute a computer program.

[0085] When the program is loaded into a computer, it includes a set of instructions (or software code) for causing the computer to perform one or more functions described in the embodiments. The program may be stored in various types of non-transitory computer readable media or tangible storage media. By way of example and not limitation, non-transitory computer readable media or tangible storage media include RAM (Random-Access Memory), ROM (Read-Only Memory), flash memory, SSD (Solid-State Drive) or other memory technologies, CD-ROM, DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), Blu-ray (registered trademark) disc or other optical disc storage, magnetic cassette, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices. Also, the program may be transmitted on various types of transitory computer readable media or communication media. By way of example and not limitation, transitory computer readable media or communication media include electrical, optical, acoustic, or other forms of propagated signals.

[0086] Note that the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0087] 1 Route search device 11 Section setting unit 12 represents the control unit 13 trajectory line input unit 14 passing route setting unit 15 route search unit 16 display unit a1 mode display area a2 mode change button a3 completion button D1~D6 display screen G destination L1~L10 trajectory line M1 cross mark M2 message P1~P2, P101~P103 locations R1 suggested route S departure place

Claims

1. An interval setting unit that sets a starting point and a destination that define a route search interval; A display control unit that displays a map on a display unit; A locus line input unit that receives an input of a locus line drawn by tracing on the map; A passing route setting unit that sets a passing route specified by the user based on the locus line; A route search unit that searches for a destination route from the starting point to the destination using the passing route; Comprising: When the set passing route includes a section where driving is difficult, the display control unit performs a display prompting the input of a specified via point; The passing route setting unit re-sets the passing route so as to include the input specified via point; The route search unit re-searches for the destination route using the re-set passing route Route search device.

2. Based on the input locus line, the locus line input unit detects an enclosed area drawn so as to enclose a predetermined area on the map, The passing route setting unit re-sets the passing route so as to include a point within the enclosed area as the specified via point The route search device according to claim 1.

3. The locus line input unit further detects the drawing speed of the locus line, The passing route setting unit sets the passing route to include a road corresponding to an area within a predetermined range from the locus line, and controls the width of the area to be the predetermined range based on the drawing speed. The route search device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. An interval setting step of setting a starting point and a destination that define a route search interval; A display control step of displaying a map on a display unit; A locus line input step of receiving an input of a locus line drawn by tracing on the map; A passing route setting step of setting a passing route specified by the user based on the locus line; A route search step of searching for a destination route from the starting point to the destination using the passing route; Including: In the display control step, when the set passing route includes a section where driving is difficult, a display prompting the input of a specified via point is performed; In the passing route setting step, the passing route is re-set so as to include the input specified via point; In the route search step, the destination route is re-searched using the re-set passing route Route search method.

5. An interval setting step of setting a starting point and a destination that define a route search interval; A display control step of displaying a map on a display unit; A trajectory line input step for receiving an input of a trajectory line drawn by tracing on the map; A passing route setting step for setting a passing route specified by the user based on the trajectory line; A route search step for searching for a destination route from the departure point to the destination using the passing route; including; In the display control step, when the set passing route includes a section where driving is difficult, a display prompting the input of a specified via point is performed; In the passing route setting step, the passing route is reset to include the input specified via point; In the route search step, the destination route is re-searched using the reset passing route A program for causing a computer to execute a route search method.

Images