Route guidance device, control method, program, and storage medium

Abstract

To provide a route guidance device capable of appropriately introducing favorable facilities to stop by.SOLUTION: Once a destination is set, a system controller 20 of a navigation device 1 provided herein searches for stop-by candidate facilities having given relevance to the destination by referring to a determination table 32 or determination table 32A. The navigation device 1 then notifies a user of a search result for the stop-by candidate facilities using a display unit 40 or a voice output unit 50.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for providing guidance to facilities to be visited. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known a technique for providing guidance regarding facilities to be visited apart from the destination. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a navigation device in which a user specifies a desired category of interchangeable facilities such as convenience stores, gas stations, etc., and the specified category is used as a keyword to search for a corresponding point within a predetermined distance from the guided route, and one of the searched points is set as a stopover point (stopover point). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-132923 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In Patent Document 1, the user needs to set in advance the genre and keywords of the facilities they want to pass through. Also, when automatically searching for a route point when the genre and keywords of the facilities they want to pass through have not been set, the search targets all facilities, which causes a problem of increased processing time.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and a main object of the present invention is to provide a route guidance device that can preferably guide a user to facilities that are desirable to visit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The invention described in claim 1 is A route guidance device provided or installed in a mobile body, a storage unit that stores attribute information regarding the presence or absence of facilities at a facility set as a destination; a search unit that searches for candidate stop-off points that are candidates to stop off at when heading to the set destination; a notification unit that notifies a user about the stop-off candidate points; Equipped with the search unit searches for facilities that have facilities that are lacking in the facility at the destination as candidate stop-off points based on the attribute information; The notification unit does not notify the stop-off candidate point when the stop-off candidate point is within a predetermined distance from the destination. The route guidance device is characterized by the above.

[0007] The invention described in claim 8 is A control method executed by a route guidance device provided or installed in a mobile body, comprising: a search step of searching for candidate stop-off points that are candidates to stop off at when heading to the set destination; a notification step of notifying a user of the stop-off candidate points; and the searching step searches for facilities that have facilities that are lacking in the facility set as the destination, as candidate stop points, based on attribute information regarding the presence or absence of facilities in the facility set as the destination; The notification step is a control method characterized in that notification regarding the stop-off point candidate is not made when the stop-off point candidate is within a predetermined distance from the destination.

[0008] The invention described in claim 9 is A program executed by a computer of a route guidance device provided or installed in a mobile body, a search unit that searches for candidate stop-off points that are candidates to stop off at when heading to the set destination; a notification unit that notifies the user about the stop-off candidate points; causing the computer to function as the search unit searches for facilities that have facilities that are lacking in the facility of the destination based on attribute information related to the presence or absence of facilities in the facility set as the destination, as candidate stop-off points; The notification unit is a program that does not notify the candidate stop-off point if the candidate stop-off point is within a predetermined distance from the destination. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic configuration of a navigation device. [Figure 2] 10 is a specific example of the data structure of a determination table in the first embodiment. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart relating to searching for and providing information about candidate stop-off facilities. [Figure 4] 10 is a display example according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] 10 is a specific example of a data structure of a determination table in the second embodiment. [Figure 6] 10 is a display example according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7] 10 is a schematic configuration of a route search system according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a route guidance device provided on or installed in a mobile body includes a search unit that searches for candidate locations to stop at when heading to a set destination, and a notification unit that notifies the user of the results of the search by the search unit, and the search unit determines the locations to search for based on their relevance to the destination.

[0011] The route guidance device includes a search unit and a notification unit. The search unit searches for candidate locations to stop at when heading to a set destination. The notification unit notifies the user of the search results of the search unit. The search unit then determines the locations to search for based on their relevance to the destination. According to this aspect, when a destination is set, the route guidance device searches for candidate locations to stop at based on their relevance to the destination and notifies the user of the search results. This allows the route guidance device to suitably select candidate locations to stop at and notify the user of the selected locations.

[0012] In one aspect of the route guidance device, the route guidance device includes a storage unit that stores correspondence information that associates a facility set as a destination with a location recommended to be visited before arriving at the facility, and the search unit searches for the location associated with the set destination in the correspondence information, thereby enabling the route guidance device to suitably search for locations related to the destination and notify the user of the search results.

[0013] In another aspect of the route guidance device, the route guidance device includes a storage unit that stores attribute information of a facility set as a destination, and the search unit determines the points to search for based on the attribute information corresponding to the set destination. This aspect also allows the route guidance device to preferably search for points related to the destination and notify the user of the search results.

[0014] In another aspect of the route guidance device, the attribute information is information regarding the presence or absence of a specific facility, and the search unit searches for a location that has the facility that is missing at the destination based on the attribute information. Here, the facility corresponds to various facilities such as a restroom, a grocery store, a parking lot, an eating and drinking space, and a restaurant. This allows the route guidance device to search for a location that has the facility that is missing at the destination and notify the user.

[0015] In another aspect of the route guidance device, the search unit searches for the location based on an expected arrival time at the destination. Generally, whether a facility is necessary for a user may vary depending on the arrival time at the destination. Therefore, with this aspect, the route guidance device can preferably notify the user of a location that has a facility that is lacking at the destination.

[0016] In another aspect of the route guidance device, the route guidance device further includes an acquisition unit that acquires traffic information around the destination, and the search unit searches for the location based on the traffic information. With this aspect, the route guidance device can search for a location that is suitable for a toilet break when there is congestion, etc., and notify the user of the location.

[0017] In another aspect of the route guidance device, the route guidance device further includes a history recording unit that records history information about stop-off points when the destination of the mobile body is set, and the notification unit does not notify the user of the search results when it determines, based on the history information, that the set destination was not stopped at at any of the points searched for by the search unit when it was set as a destination in the past. This aspect makes it possible for the route guidance device to preferably prevent unnecessary notification to the user of points that were not stopped at in the past when heading to the same destination.

[0018] In another aspect of the route guidance device, the notification unit notifies the user of the search results before the moving object arrives at the destination. This aspect allows the route guidance device to notify the user of suitable places to stop by before arriving at the destination.

[0019] In another aspect of the route guidance device, the search unit starts searching for the location when the destination is specified. With this aspect, the route guidance device can automatically search for candidate locations to stop at when the destination is specified, and notify the user of the search results.

[0020] In another aspect of the route guidance device, the route guidance device further includes an input receiving unit that receives an input specifying whether to start searching for the facility when the destination is specified. With this aspect, the route guidance device can suitably switch on and off a function of automatically searching for and notifying candidate points to stop at when a destination is specified, based on a user input.

[0021] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a server device that communicates with a route guidance device includes a receiving unit that receives information about a destination from the route guidance device, a search unit that searches for candidate locations to stop at on the way to the destination, and a transmission unit that transmits information about the search results to the route guidance device, wherein the search unit determines the locations to search for based on their relevance to the destination. According to this aspect, when the server device receives information about a destination from the route guidance device, it searches for candidate locations to stop at based on their relevance to the destination and transmits information about the search results to the route guidance device. This allows the server device to preferably notify the user of the candidate locations to stop at via the route guidance device.

[0022] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a control method is provided for a route guidance device mounted on or installed in a mobile body, the control method comprising: a search step of searching for candidate locations to stop at when heading to a set destination; and a notification step of notifying a user of the search results in the search step, wherein the search step determines the locations to search for based on their relevance to the destination. By executing this control method, the route guidance device can suitably select candidate locations to stop at and notify the user.

[0023] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a program executed by a computer of a route guidance device that is equipped or installed in a mobile body and provides route guidance to a destination causes the computer to function as a search unit that searches for facilities within a predetermined range from a set destination before arriving at the destination, and a notification unit that notifies the user of the search results of the search unit, and if the facility does not exist, the notification unit notifies the user that the facility does not exist. By executing this program, the route guidance device can suitably select candidate stop-off points and notify the user. Preferably, the program is stored in a storage medium. [Example]

[0024] First and second preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0025] <First Example> (1) Navigation device configuration Fig. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a navigation device 1 to which a route guidance device according to the present invention is applied. When a destination is set, the navigation device 1 searches for facilities related to the destination and automatically notifies the user of the search results. As shown in Fig. 1, the navigation device 1 includes a stand-alone positioning device 10, a GPS receiver 18, a system controller 20, a data storage unit 31, a communication device 38, a display unit 40, an audio output unit 50, and an input device 60.

[0026] The autonomous positioning device 10 includes an acceleration sensor 11 that detects the acceleration of the vehicle, an angular velocity sensor 12 such as a vibration gyroscope that detects the angular velocity of the vehicle when the vehicle changes direction, and a distance sensor 13 that measures vehicle speed pulses consisting of pulse signals generated in conjunction with the rotation of the vehicle's wheels.

[0027] The GPS receiver 18 receives radio waves 19 carrying downlink data including positioning data from multiple GPS satellites. The positioning data is used to detect the absolute position of the vehicle from latitude and longitude information, etc.

[0028] The system controller 20 includes an interface 21, a CPU 22, a ROM 23, and a RAM 24, and controls the entire navigation device 1. For example, the system controller 20 searches for a route to a destination specified by the user and provides route guidance for the searched route. In this embodiment, the system controller 20 automatically searches for candidate facilities (also referred to as "candidate stop-off facilities") when a destination is set, and notifies the user of the search results for the candidate stop-off facilities via the display unit 40 and the audio output unit 50. The candidate stop-off facilities are facilities that have a predetermined relationship with the destination, such as facilities in the vicinity of the destination that have facilities not present at the destination. The system controller 20 is an example of a "search unit," a "history recording unit," a "acquisition unit," an "input receiving unit," and a "notification unit" according to the present invention, as well as a computer that executes a program according to the present invention. The candidate stop-off facilities are an example of a "candidate stop-off location" according to the present invention.

[0029] The interface 21 acts as an interface with the standalone positioning device 10 and the GPS receiver 18. The interface 21 inputs these output data to the system controller 20. The CPU 22 controls the entire system controller 20. The ROM 23 has a non-volatile memory (not shown) in which a control program for controlling the system controller 20 is stored. The RAM 24 readably stores various data such as route data preset by the user via the input device 60, and provides a working area for the CPU 22.

[0030] The system controller 20 , the data storage unit 31 , the display unit 40 , the audio output unit 50 and the input device 60 are interconnected via a bus line 30 .

[0031] The data storage unit 31 is configured with a storage medium such as an HDD or flash memory, and stores various data used in navigation processing, such as map data. The map data includes road data represented by links corresponding to roads and nodes corresponding to road junctions (intersections), as well as facility information on each facility that can be set as a destination. In this embodiment, the data storage unit 31 also stores a determination table 32 that the system controller 20 references when determining candidate stop-off facilities that should be notified to the user based on the set destination. A specific example of the data structure of the determination table 32 will be described later with reference to FIG. 2. The determination table 32 is an example of "correspondence information" in the present invention.

[0032] The communication device 38 receives traffic congestion information distributed from a VICS (Vehicle Information Communication System, registered trademark) center, traffic congestion information distributed from a server device (not shown) that distributes traffic congestion information, etc. Note that the communication device 38 may receive information to be stored in the data storage unit 31 as map data from a server device (not shown) under the control of the system controller 20.

[0033] The display unit 40 displays various display data on a display device such as a display under the control of the system controller 20. Specifically, the system controller 20 reads map data from the data storage unit 31. The display unit 40 displays an image based on the map data read from the data storage unit 31 by the system controller 20 on a display screen such as a display. The display unit 40 includes a graphic controller 41 that controls the entire display unit 40 based on control data sent from the CPU 22 via the bus line 30, a buffer memory 42 that is a memory such as a VRAM (Video RAM) and temporarily stores image information that can be displayed immediately, a display control unit 43 that controls the display 44 based on image data output from the graphic controller 41, and the display 44.

[0034] The audio output unit 50 is configured to include a D / A converter 51 that performs D / A conversion of audio digital data sent from the RAM 24 or the like via the bus line 30 under the control of the system controller 20, an amplifier (AMP) 52 that amplifies the audio analog signal output from the D / A converter 51, and a speaker 53 that converts the amplified audio analog signal into audio and outputs it inside the vehicle.

[0035] The input device 60 is composed of keys, switches, buttons, a remote control, a voice input device, etc. for inputting various commands and data. The input device 60 is arranged on the front panel of the main body of the in-vehicle electronic system installed in the vehicle or around the display 44. In addition, if the display 44 is a touch panel type, the touch panel provided on the display screen of the display 44 also functions as the input device 60.

[0036] The configuration of the navigation device 1 to which the present invention can be applied is not limited to the configuration shown in Fig. 1. For example, the navigation device 1 may be provided with a head-up display that allows the driver to view a virtual image through a windshield or combiner of the vehicle, instead of or in addition to the display 44.

[0037] (2) Example of data structure of judgment table Next, a specific example of the data structure of the determination table 32 will be described.

[0038] Fig. 2(A) is a first specific example showing the data structure of the determination table 32. In the example of Fig. 2(A), the determination table 32 includes items of "destination category" and "stop-off candidate category." Here, "destination category" indicates each category when facilities that can be set as destinations are classified, and "stop-off candidate category" indicates the category of a facility that should be set as a stop-off candidate facility when a destination belonging to the corresponding destination category is set.

[0039] Here, a specific example of referencing the determination table 32 shown in FIG. 2A will be described. For example, when a facility belonging to the "campsite" category is set as the destination, the system controller 20 refers to the first record in the determination table 32 shown in FIG. 2A and determines that a facility in the "supermarket" category should be set as a candidate stop facility. Therefore, in this case, the system controller 20 refers to facility information in the map data stored in the data storage unit 31 and searches for, for example, a supermarket within a predetermined distance from the destination or within a predetermined distance from the set route to the destination. The system controller 20 then considers the searched facility as a candidate stop facility and issues a notification recommending a stop at the facility. In this way, the system controller 20 can encourage the user to stop at a supermarket suitable for purchasing items needed for a barbecue or other activities at the campsite before arriving at the campsite.

[0040] Similarly, when a facility belonging to the inn category is set as the destination, the system controller 20 refers to the second record in the determination table 32 and determines that a facility belonging to the convenience store category should be set as a candidate stop facility. Therefore, the system controller 20 searches for convenience stores near the destination or the route and issues a notification recommending a stop at the searched convenience store. In this way, the system controller 20 can encourage the user to stop at a convenience store suitable for purchasing items needed inside the inn before arriving at the inn.

[0041] In this way, in the example of FIG. 2(A), each destination category is associated with a candidate stop category, which is a category of facilities that are preferable to stop by when heading to a facility belonging to the corresponding destination category. Note that the determination table 32 shown in FIG. 2(A) is created in advance, for example, by a personal method, and stored in the data storage unit 31. Also, preferably, information specifying the content to be notified may be associated with each combination of "destination category" and "candidate stop category" in FIG. 2(A). Specific examples of the content to be notified will be described later with reference to FIG. 4.

[0042] Fig. 2(B) is a second specific example showing the data structure of the determination table 32. In the example of Fig. 2(B), the determination table 32 includes the items "Destination" and "Candidate Stopover Facility." Here, facilities that can be set as a destination are registered in the "Destination," and facilities that should be set as candidate stopover facilities when the facility indicated by the "Destination" is set as the destination are registered in the "Candidate Stopover Facility."

[0043] Here, a specific example of referencing the determination table 32 shown in FIG. 2(B) will be described. For example, when "A Land," a large amusement facility where parking congestion frequently occurs, is set as the destination, the system controller 20 refers to the first record in the determination table 32, considers "Roadside Station B," a facility where restroom breaks are available, as a candidate stop facility, and issues a notification that "Roadside Station B" should be the stop location. This allows the system controller 20 to take into account the occurrence of parking congestion at "A Land" and appropriately encourages the user to take a restroom break at "Roadside Station B." Similarly, when "E Farm," a facility without a parking lot, is set as the destination, the system controller 20 refers to the third record in the determination table 32, considers "F Factory," which is the departure point of the shuttle bus to E Farm and has a parking lot, as a candidate stop facility, and issues a notification that "F Factory" should be the stop location. As a result, the system controller 20 can take into consideration that "Farm E" is a facility that does not have a parking lot, and can appropriately encourage the customer to stop by "Factory F," which is the departure point of the shuttle bus and has a parking lot.

[0044] In this way, in the example of Fig. 2(B), each specific facility that can be set as a destination is associated with candidate stop facilities, which are facilities that are recommended to be stopped at on the way to the facility. Note that the determination table 32 shown in Fig. 2(B) is created in advance, for example, by a personal method, and stored in the data storage unit 31. Preferably, information specifying the content to be notified may be associated with each combination of "destination" and "candidate stop facility" in Fig. 2(B).

[0045] The data storage unit 31 may store both the determination table 32 having the data structure shown in FIG. 2(A) and the determination table 32 having the data structure shown in FIG. 2(B). In this case, the system controller 20 searches for stop-off candidate facilities, for example, by preferentially referring to the determination table 32 shown in FIG. 2(B). Then, if the set destination is not registered in the determination table 32 shown in FIG. 2(B), the system controller 20 refers to the determination table 32 shown in FIG. 2(A) based on the category of the set destination. In this case, the system controller 20 recognizes the category of facilities to be set as stop-off candidate facilities by referring to the determination table 32 shown in FIG. 2(A), and regards corresponding facilities around the destination or around the route to the destination as stop-off candidate facilities.

[0046] (3) Processing flow 3 is a flowchart showing an outline of the process for providing guidance to candidate stop-off facilities. The system controller 20 executes the process of the flowchart shown in FIG. 3 every time it detects that a destination has been set.

[0047] First, when a destination is specified, the system controller 20 performs a route search to the destination specified by the user (step S101). Then, the system controller 20 refers to the determination table 32 and searches for candidate stop facilities based on the destination (step S102). When referring to the determination table 32 of FIG. 2(A), the system controller 20 recognizes the category of the destination based on facility information included in the map data in the data storage unit 31, and identifies the category of the candidate stop facilities from the identified category by referring to the determination table 32 of FIG. 2(A). Then, the system controller 20 searches for facilities belonging to the identified category within the search range around the destination or the route. When referring to the determination table 32 of FIG. 2(B), the system controller 20 searches for facilities associated with the set destination in the determination table 32 from the facility information included in the map data in the data storage unit 31.

[0048] Then, the system controller 20 determines whether or not the corresponding stop-off candidate facility has been identified by the search in step S102 (step S103). If the corresponding stop-off candidate facility has been identified by the search in step S102 (step S103; Yes), the system controller 20 provides guidance for the stop-off candidate facility (step S104). In this case, the system controller 20, for example, displays and / or outputs audio to notify the user of the existence of the searched stop-off candidate facility, and accepts an input to set the searched stop-off candidate facility as a stop-off location. Note that the system controller 20 may only display and / or output audio to notify the user of the existence of the searched stop-off candidate facility, and not accept an input to set the searched stop-off candidate facility as a stop-off location.

[0049] On the other hand, if the system controller 20 is unable to identify any relevant stop-off candidate facilities through the search in step S102 (step S103; No), the system controller 20 ends the processing of the flowchart.

[0050] (4) Display example FIG. 4 shows an example of a display that is displayed on the display 44 when introducing the candidate stop-off facilities in step S104 of FIG.

[0051] In the example of Fig. 4, after the route to the destination is set, the system controller 20 refers to the determination table 32 of Fig. 2(B) and determines the candidate stop facility "Roadside Station B" from the destination "A Land." Then, the system controller 20 displays the current location, the location of the destination "A Land," the route to the destination, and the location of the candidate stop facility "Roadside Station B" on the map, and also displays a pop-up window 70 that prompts the user to set the candidate stop facility "Roadside Station B" as a stop.

[0052] Here, the system controller 20 displays in the pop-up window 70 that parking congestion is expected at the destination "Land A" and that a toilet break is recommended at the candidate stop facility "Roadside Station B." In this case, the system controller 20 determines the content to be displayed in the pop-up window 70 by, for example, referring to information indicating the content to be notified, which is registered in each record of the determination table 32. The system controller 20 also displays a button in the pop-up window 70 for inputting whether or not to set the candidate stop facility "Roadside Station B" as a stop. When the "YES" button in the pop-up window 70 is selected, the system controller 20 performs a route search that includes "Roadside Station B" as a stop and starts guidance for that route. On the other hand, when the "NO" button in the pop-up window 70 is selected, the system controller 20 erases the display in the pop-up window 70 and provides route guidance to the destination.

[0053] 4, the system controller 20 provides information on candidate stop-off facilities that are associated with restrooms in the determination table 32 based on the destination information (i.e., information indicating that parking lot congestion is likely to occur). This allows the system controller 20 to appropriately provide information on candidate stop-off facilities that are desirable for the user.

[0054] <Second Example> 2A and 2B, the navigation device 1 has a determination table 32A that records attributes related to the presence or absence of specific equipment for each facility that can be set as a destination. The navigation device 1 then determines facilities to be searched for as candidate stop-off facilities by taking into consideration the attributes of the destination recognized by referring to the determination table 32A.

[0055] 5 shows an example of the data structure of the determination table 32A stored in the data storage unit 31 in the second embodiment. The determination table 32A has the following items: "Destination," "Category," "Sales of daily necessities and food," "Nearby facilities that sell daily necessities and food," "Restrooms," "Nearby facilities with restrooms," "Eating and drinking establishments," "Parking," "Eating and drinking spaces where food can be brought in," and "Parking congestion."

[0056] "Destination" records facilities that can be set as destinations, and "Category" records the category of the facility recorded in "Destination." Furthermore, "Sales of daily necessities and food" records whether the facility recorded in "Destination" sells daily necessities and food, and "Nearby facilities selling daily necessities and food" records whether there are facilities selling daily necessities and food around the facility recorded in "Destination." Furthermore, "Toilets" records whether the facility recorded in "Destination" has toilets, and "Nearby facilities with toilets" records whether there are facilities with toilets around the facility recorded in "Destination." Furthermore, "Restaurants," "Parking," and "Eating space where food is allowed" record whether the facility recorded in "Destination" has restaurants, parking, and eating space where food is allowed, respectively. Furthermore, "Parking congestion" records whether congestion is statistically likely to occur in the parking lot attached to the facility recorded in "Destination."

[0057] In this way, the judgment table 32A records attribute information regarding the presence or absence of each facility (i.e., facilities selling daily necessities, toilet facilities, restaurants, parking lots, etc.) at the facility recorded in the ``destination'' as well as attribute information such as the presence or absence of alternative facilities with each facility in the vicinity of the target facility and the presence or absence of parking lot congestion.

[0058] 5, each item other than "destination" and "category" is divided into three categories based on the characteristics of each item. Specifically, "sale of daily necessities and food," "restaurants," "parking lot," and "space for eating and drinking where food can be brought in" are classified as "characteristic facility 1," "parking lot congestion" is classified as "characteristic facility 2," and "surrounding facilities selling daily necessities and food" and "surrounding facilities with restrooms" are classified as "presence or absence of alternative facilities."

[0059] Note that information corresponding to the determination table 32A may be incorporated in advance as part of the facility information for each facility included in the map data stored in the data storage unit 31. The determination table 32A according to the second embodiment is an example of the "attribute information" of the present invention.

[0060] Next, a process executed by the navigation device 1 in the second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, the system controller 20 executes the flowchart of Fig. 3, similarly to the first embodiment. At this time, when searching for candidate stop-off facilities in step S102, the system controller 20 searches for candidate stop-off facilities by referring to the determination table 32A.

[0061] In a first example, the system controller 20 refers to the determination table 32A, and when the facility set as the destination does not have a predetermined characteristic facility 1 and the "presence or absence of alternative facility" item corresponding to the characteristic facility 1 is "○", the system controller 20 searches for surrounding facilities that have the characteristic facility 1 as candidate stop-off facilities. Also, when the facility set as the destination does not have a predetermined characteristic facility 1 and the "presence or absence of alternative facility" item corresponding to the characteristic facility 1 is not in the determination table 32A, the system controller 20 searches for surrounding facilities that have the characteristic facility 1 as candidate stop-off facilities.

[0062] Here, an example will be given of a case where the facility set as the destination does not have a specific feature facility 1 and the "presence or absence of alternative facilities" item corresponding to the feature facility 1 is "○". For example, if a facility (e.g., "J Campground") in which "Sales of daily necessities and food" is "×" and "Nearby facilities selling daily necessities and food" is "○" in the determination table 32A is set as the destination, the system controller 20 sets the search target as a nearby facility that sells daily necessities and food (e.g., a supermarket). Similarly, if a facility (e.g., "K Waterfall") in which "Toilets" is "×" and "Nearby facilities with toilets" is "○" in the determination table 32A is set as the destination, the system controller 20 sets the search target as a nearby facility that belongs to the category of facilities with toilets.

[0063] Next, we will explain an example of a case where the destination facility does not have characteristic facility 1 and the determination table 32A does not contain an item for "presence of alternative facility" corresponding to the characteristic facility 1. For example, when a facility (e.g., "J Campground") with "Parking lot" marked "X" in the determination table 32A is set as the destination, the system controller 20 determines that the search targets for candidate stop-off facilities are surrounding parking lots or surrounding facilities with parking lots.

[0064] In a second example, when a facility (for example, "K Waterfall") where "restaurant" and "eat and drink space where food is allowed" are both marked "X" in the judgment table 32A is set as the destination, the system controller 20 sets the search targets for potential stopover facilities to be nearby facilities that belong to the restaurant category.

[0065] In this case, preferably, the system controller 20 sets the search targets for stop-off candidate facilities to nearby facilities that belong to the restaurant category only when the estimated arrival time at the destination falls within a predetermined time period (for example, a typical lunch or dinner time period). If the estimated arrival time at the destination falls outside the predetermined time period, the system controller 20 determines the search targets for stop-off candidate facilities according to, for example, the first example or a third example described below. In this way, the system controller 20 may determine the search targets for stop-off candidate facilities taking into account the estimated arrival time at the destination.

[0066] Similarly, when a facility (e.g., "J Campground") that has "x" for "restaurants" and "sales of daily necessities and food" and "o" for "eat and drink space where food can be brought in" is set as the destination, and the expected time of arrival at the destination is within a specified time period, the system controller 20 sets the search targets for potential stopover facilities to nearby facilities that sell food (e.g., supermarkets, etc.).

[0067] In a third example, when a facility (e.g., "Shopping Center N") with "Parking lot congestion" marked as "○" in the judgment table 32A is set as the destination, the system controller 20 determines that nearby facilities belonging to the category of facilities with toilets will be searched for as potential stopover facilities.

[0068] Note that the system controller 20 may determine the stop candidate facilities based on any one of the first to third examples, or may determine the stop candidate facilities based on all of the first to third examples. In this case, if the system controller 20 has searched for a plurality of stop candidate facilities in step S102, the system controller 20 may provide guidance to all of the searched stop candidate facilities, or may provide guidance to one stop candidate facility selected based on a predetermined rule. Furthermore, in the determination table 32A shown in FIG. 5, a record is generated for each individual facility that can be set as a destination. However, instead of or in addition to this, a record may be generated for each category of facilities that can be set as a destination, similar to the determination table 32 shown in FIG. 2(A).

[0069] FIG. 6 shows an example of a display that is displayed on the display 44 when introducing candidate stop-off facilities in the second embodiment.

[0070] In the example of FIG. 6 , since “K Falls” has been set as the destination, the system controller 20 displays a display recommending the facility with a restroom, “P Mart,” as a candidate stop-off facility based on the fourth record in the determination table 32A. Specifically, since “K Falls” corresponds to a facility with an “X” for “Toilet” and an “O” for “Nearby Facilities with Restrooms,” the system controller 20 searches for nearby facilities in the category of facilities with restrooms based on the first example described above and determines the facility with a restroom, “P Mart,” as a candidate stop-off facility. The system controller 20 then displays the current location, the location of the destination, “K Falls,” the location of the candidate stop-off facility, “P Mart,” and the set route on a map, and also displays a pop-up window 71 superimposed on the map. Furthermore, the system controller 20 displays in the pop-up window 71 that the destination, “K Falls,” does not have a restroom and displays a button for specifying whether to set “P Mart” as a stop-off facility. If the "YES" button in the pop-up window 71 is selected, the system controller 20 searches for a route that includes "P Mart" as a stop-off point and starts providing guidance for that route. On the other hand, if the "NO" button in the pop-up window 71 is selected, the system controller 20 clears the display of the pop-up window 71 and provides route guidance to the destination.

[0071] As described above, when a destination is set, the system controller 20 of the navigation device 1 according to the first and second embodiments searches for candidate stop facilities that have a predetermined association with the destination by referring to the determination table 32 or the determination table 32A. The navigation device 1 then notifies the user of the search results for candidate stop facilities via the display unit 40 or the audio output unit 50. This allows the navigation device 1 to appropriately notify the user of candidate stop facilities that have an association with the destination.

[0072] <Modification> The following describes preferred modifications of the first and second embodiments. These modifications may be combined and applied to the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0073] (Variation 1) A part of the processing executed by the navigation device 1 in the first and second embodiments may be executed by a server device that communicates with the navigation device 1 via a network.

[0074] Fig. 7 shows the configuration of a route guidance system according to a modified example. In the example of Fig. 7, the route guidance system includes a navigation device 1 and a server device 3 that stores a determination table 32. The server device 3 has map data, and when a route search request including information such as the current position and destination is received from the navigation device 1, the server device 3 searches for a route to the destination and provides information on the search results to the navigation device 1.

[0075] In the configuration example of Fig. 7, for example, the navigation device 1 transmits a route search request including information such as the current location and destination to the server device 3. Then, the server device 3 executes the flowchart of Fig. 3 based on the received route search request. At this time, if the server device 3 determines in step S103 that a corresponding candidate stop facility exists, it transmits information for guiding the user to the candidate stop facility (for example, facility information related to the candidate stop facility) to the navigation device 1.

[0076] The server device 3 may store a determination table 32A instead of the determination table 32. In this case, the server device 3 executes a search process for candidate stop-off facilities based on the determination table 32A described in the second embodiment. In this modification, the CPU of the server device 3 is an example of the "receiving unit," "searching unit," and "transmitting unit" of the present invention.

[0077] In the configuration example of FIG. 7 , the server device 3 may receive information about the vehicle status (also referred to as “probe information”) from multiple onboard devices, such as the navigation device 1, traveling on the road, and analyze the received probe information to automatically generate the determination table 32. For example, if the server device 3 determines based on the probe information that a vehicle arrives at an initially set destination (also referred to as an “initial destination”), sets another facility as its destination, travels to that facility, and then arrives at the initial destination again, the server device 3 determines that it is preferable to stop at the other facility while staying at the initial destination. Therefore, in this case, the server device 3 adds a new record to the determination table 32 of FIG. 2(B) in which the initial destination is set as the “destination” and the other facility is set as a “candidate stop facility.” In this case, the probe information received from the navigation device 1 may include information about the destination setting history, etc. In this way, the server device 3 can automatically generate the determination table 32 in an optimal manner.

[0078] (Variation 2) 3, the navigation device 1 searches for and provides guidance on the candidate stop-off facilities simultaneously with the route search to the destination. Alternatively, the navigation device 1 may execute the process of searching for and providing guidance on the candidate stop-off facilities after the route search to the destination is completed and route guidance to the destination is started, but before arriving at the destination at the latest.

[0079] (Variation 3) In the flowchart of FIG. 3, the navigation device 1 may determine whether or not to provide guidance on the candidate stop-off facilities in step S104 based on the vehicle's movement history.

[0080] In this case, for example, when the system controller 20 provides guidance on stop candidate facilities according to the flowchart of FIG. 3 , it determines whether the user actually visited the stop candidate facility and stores the determination result, along with the destination and the stop candidate facility, as history information in the data storage unit 31. At this time, the system controller 20 determines that the user has visited the stop candidate facility when it determines, for example, based on location information obtained from the output of the GPS receiver 18, that the vehicle has stopped at the location indicated by the location information of the stop candidate facility stored in the map data for a predetermined period of time or longer. When the system controller 20 then executes the flowchart of FIG. 3 again, it refers to the history information before executing step S104. If the system controller 20 determines that the stop candidate facility being provided is a facility that was previously announced as a stop candidate facility for the same destination but that the user did not visit, it ends the processing of the flowchart without providing guidance on the stop candidate facility in step S104. In this way, the navigation device 1 can effectively suppress unnecessary notifications of stop candidate facilities that the user does not need.

[0081] (Variation 4) The navigation device 1 may receive, via the input device 60, an input for setting the on / off of the function for guiding the stop-off candidate facilities, which corresponds to steps S102 to S104 in FIG.

[0082] In this case, when executing the flowchart of Fig. 3, the navigation device 1 refers to the setting information stored in the data storage unit 31, and executes the processing of steps S102 to S104 only if the function for providing guidance on candidate stop-off facilities is set to ON. On the other hand, the navigation device 1 does not execute the processing of steps S102 to S104 if the function for providing guidance on candidate stop-off facilities is set to OFF.

[0083] (Variation 5) In the second embodiment, if a facility found as a candidate stop facility is within walking distance (for example, within 500 m) from the destination, the navigation device 1 does not need to provide guidance about the candidate stop facility. This allows the navigation device 1 to effectively prevent the provision of guidance about unnecessary candidate stop facilities.

[0084] (Variation 6) The navigation device 1 may determine the candidate stop-off facilities to be searched for based on traffic information about the route to the destination.

[0085] For example, when the navigation device 1 determines that there is congestion on the route to the destination based on traffic information received by the communication device 38 from a VICS center or the like, it searches for facilities with restrooms around the route as candidate stop-off facilities, regardless of whether there are restrooms at the destination.The navigation device 1 then notifies the user of the searched candidate stop-off facilities, recommending them as stop-off locations.This also allows the navigation device 1 to appropriately notify the user of candidate stop-off facilities that will be useful to the user. [Explanation of symbols]

[0086] 1. Navigation devices 3. Server equipment 10. Standalone positioning device 12 GPS receivers 20 System Controller 22 CPU 31 Data Storage Unit 38 Communication Equipment 40 Display Unit 44 Display 50 Audio Output Unit 60 Input Device

Claims

1. A route guidance device provided or installed in a mobile body, a storage unit that stores attribute information regarding the presence or absence of facilities at a facility set as a destination; a search unit that searches for candidate stop-off points that are candidates to stop off at when heading to the set destination; a notification unit that notifies a user about the stop-off candidate points; Equipped with the search unit searches for facilities that have facilities that are lacking in the facility at the destination as candidate stop-off points based on the attribute information; The notification unit does not notify the stop-off candidate point when the stop-off candidate point is within a predetermined distance from the destination. A route guidance device characterized by:

2. The route guidance device according to claim 1 , wherein the search unit searches for the candidate stop-off points based on an expected arrival time at the destination.

3. An acquisition unit that acquires traffic information around the destination, 3. The route guidance device according to claim 1, wherein the search unit searches for the candidate stop-off points based on the traffic information.

4. a history recording unit that records history information regarding stop-off points when a destination of the mobile body is set; The route guidance device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the notification unit does not provide notification regarding the results of the search by the search unit if it determines, based on the history information, that the set destination did not stop at the candidate stop points searched by the search unit when the set destination was set as a destination in the past.

5. 5. The route guidance device according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit notifies the user of the search results of the search unit before the mobile object arrives at the destination.

6. 6. The route guidance device according to claim 1, wherein the search unit starts searching for the candidate stop-off points when the destination is specified.

7. 7. The route guidance device according to claim 6, further comprising an input receiving unit that receives an input specifying whether or not to start searching for the candidate stop-off points when the destination is specified.

8. A control method executed by a route guidance device provided or installed in a mobile body, comprising: a search step of searching for candidate stop-off points that are candidates to stop off at when heading to the set destination; a notification step of notifying a user of the stop-off candidate points; and the searching step searches for facilities that have facilities that are lacking in the facility set as the destination, as candidate stop-off points, based on attribute information regarding the presence or absence of facilities in the facility set as the destination; The notification step does not notify the stop-off candidate point if the stop-off candidate point is within a predetermined distance from the destination. A control method comprising:

9. A program executed by a computer of a route guidance device provided or installed in a mobile body, a search unit that searches for candidate stop-off points that are candidates to stop off at when heading to the set destination; a notification unit that notifies the user about the stop-off candidate points; causing the computer to function as the search unit searches for facilities that have facilities that are lacking in the facility of the destination based on attribute information related to the presence or absence of facilities in the facility set as the destination, as candidate stop-off points; The notification unit does not notify the stop-off candidate point when the stop-off candidate point is within a predetermined distance from the destination. A program characterized by:

10. A storage medium storing the program according to claim 9.

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