Method for showing intersection route and intersection route guidance apparatus

Abstract

To prevent a host vehicle from proceeding into an incorrect route at an intersection where a vehicle is highly likely to enter an erroneous route.SOLUTION: An intersection route guidance device 1 acquires the destination of a host vehicle, and sets a route which a host vehicle is most likely to travel when traveling to a destination as an estimation route. Also, the device provides lane change guidance so that the host vehicle proceeds through a specific intersection along the estimated route, in a case where the nearest intersection on the estimated route is the specific intersection where the host vehicle is highly likely to enter an erroneous route.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an intersection route guidance method and an intersection route guidance device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a route search system that selects routes previously taken by drivers with similar driving habits so that a driver can obtain a route that suits the driver's preferences is disclosed in Patent Document 1. The route search system disclosed in Patent Document 1 guides the driver through intersections on the guide route by providing guidance on the direction of travel, such as turning right or left or going straight, just like a general navigation device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-87353 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, there are intersections where there is a high possibility of taking the wrong route. For example, at intersections where there are multiple lanes before the intersection and each lane has a different destination, there is a possibility of taking the wrong route unless you change lanes in advance. At such intersections, conventional navigation devices only provide guidance on the direction of travel and do not provide guidance on changing lanes, which can lead to the problem of taking the wrong route.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide an intersection route guidance method that can prevent a vehicle from taking an incorrect route at an intersection where there is a high possibility that the vehicle will take an incorrect route. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An intersection route guidance method and device according to one aspect of the present invention obtains the destination of a vehicle, sets the route that the vehicle is most likely to take to reach the destination as an estimated route, and if the nearest intersection on the estimated route is a specific intersection where there is a high possibility of the vehicle heading in the wrong direction, provides guidance on lane changes so that the vehicle can proceed through the specific intersection onto the estimated route. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the vehicle from taking a wrong route at an intersection where there is a high possibility that the vehicle will take a wrong route. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an intersection route guidance device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of intersection route guidance processing by the intersection route guidance device according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a specific intersection determined by an intersection route guidance device according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a specific intersection determined by an intersection route guidance device according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a specific intersection determined by an intersection route guidance device according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a specific intersection determined by an intersection route guidance device according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of route guidance by an intersection route guidance device according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, an intersection route guidance method and an intersection route guidance device according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same parts are given the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0010] [Configuration of the intersection route guidance device] The configuration of an intersection route guidance device according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an intersection route guidance device according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, intersection route guidance device 1 includes an information acquisition unit 3, an estimated route setting unit 5, a specific intersection determination unit 7, a guidance output unit 9, a map database 11, and a personal information database 13. In addition, intersection route guidance device 1 is connected to a vehicle sensor 15, a GPS receiver 17, an in-vehicle speaker 19, and an in-vehicle microphone 21.

[0011] The intersection route guidance device 1 is a device that is mounted on a vehicle and provides guidance on the route when the vehicle passes through the nearest intersection while traveling. The intersection route guidance device 1 is not a general navigation device that sets a driving route from a departure point to a destination, but is a spot route guide that provides guidance on the nearest short section. In other words, the intersection route guidance device 1 does not set a driving route, but sets a Most Probable Path (MPP) that is most likely to be taken when the vehicle travels to the destination, and provides guidance on which way to go at the nearest intersection according to this route.

[0012] The intersection route guidance device 1 is mounted on an in-vehicle device that provides an in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) function that supports comfortable driving for the driver. Therefore, the intersection route guidance device 1 interacts with the driver through the IVI function and guides the driver on the route to the nearest intersection while learning the driver's characteristics.

[0013] The information acquisition unit 3 acquires information necessary for providing route guidance at an intersection. Specifically, the information acquisition unit 3 acquires images captured by the camera of the vehicle sensor 15 and data detected by the laser range finder, and acquires road structure information, such as the number of lanes and the positions of lane boundaries, on the road on which the vehicle is traveling from the map database 11. The information acquisition unit 3 also acquires personal information, such as the driving history and schedule of the driver of the vehicle, from the personal information database 13. Furthermore, the information acquisition unit 3 acquires the destination of the vehicle when providing route guidance at an intersection.

[0014] The estimated route setting unit 5 sets the most likely route (MPP) that the host vehicle will take to reach the destination as the estimated route. The estimated route setting unit 5 acquires signals received by the GPS receiver 17, calculates the current position of the host vehicle, and predicts and sets an estimated route to the destination. When calculating the current position of the host vehicle, it acquires highly accurate map information stored in the map database 11 and calculates with high accuracy the lane of the road on which the host vehicle is traveling and even the position within the lane.

[0015] The specific intersection determination unit 7 determines whether the nearest intersection on the estimated route is a specific intersection. A specific intersection is an intersection where there is a high possibility of taking the wrong route, such as an intersection with many lanes before the intersection and each lane having a different destination, or a branch with an exit on the right-hand side of the passing lane. Note that an intersection in this embodiment may be any point where multiple roads intersect, and therefore a branch is also included in the intersection.

[0016] The guidance output unit 9 provides lane change guidance to enable the host vehicle to proceed through the specific intersection to the estimated route. Specifically, the guidance output unit 9 outputs audio guidance to guide the host vehicle driver to change lanes from the in-vehicle speaker 19. The guidance output unit 9 also displays a guidance screen for guiding the host vehicle to change lanes on a display provided in the in-vehicle device that provides the IVI function.

[0017] The map database 11 stores map information. The map information is high-precision three-dimensional map data such as HD maps, and the map information records position information of three-dimensional objects such as traffic lights and utility poles installed on roads and sidewalks, as well as road structure information including the number of lanes on the road, the positions of lane boundaries, stop lines, etc.

[0018] The personal information database 13 stores the personal information of pre-registered users. The personal information includes each user's driving history, driving preferences, stopover history, schedule, and registered locations including home and workplace. The personal information of the driver of the vehicle is also recorded in the personal information database 13 by user registration.

[0019] The intersection route guidance device 1 is a controller configured with general-purpose electronic circuits including a microcomputer, a microprocessor, and a CPU, as well as peripheral devices such as memory, and is installed with a computer program for executing intersection route guidance processing. Each function of the intersection route guidance device 1 can be implemented by one or more processing circuits. The processing circuit may include, for example, a programmed processing device including electrical circuits, and may also include devices such as application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) or conventional circuit components arranged to perform the functions described in the embodiments.

[0020] The vehicle sensor 15 is a sensor mounted on the host vehicle for acquiring the situation around the host vehicle, and includes, for example, an exterior camera, radar, a laser range finder, sonar, etc. Images captured by the vehicle sensor 15 and detected data are output to the intersection route guidance device 1 and recorded in a storage device such as a memory (not shown). A GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver 17 is provided on the host vehicle for acquiring the current position of the host vehicle.

[0021] The in-vehicle speaker 19 and the in-vehicle microphone 21 are provided in an in-vehicle device that provides the IVI function, and are used for conversation with the driver and for outputting audio guidance.

[0022] [Intersection route guidance processing] Next, a description will be given of the intersection route guidance process performed by the intersection route guidance device 1 according to this embodiment. Fig. 2 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the intersection route guidance process. The intersection route guidance process shown in Fig. 2 starts when the vehicle power is turned on.

[0023] 2, in step S101, the information acquisition unit 3 acquires the destination of the vehicle. For example, the information acquisition unit 3 uses the IVI function installed in the vehicle to ask the driver of the vehicle, "Do you need directions from here on?" via the in-vehicle speaker 19 and the in-vehicle microphone 21. If the driver replies, "Thank you," the information acquisition unit 3 asks, "Where is your destination?" If the driver replies, "Shibuya," the information acquisition unit 3 acquires "Shibuya" as the destination.

[0024] Furthermore, the information acquisition unit 3 may acquire the driver's schedule from the personal information database 13 and acquire the destination based on the driver's schedule.

[0025] The intersection route guidance device 1 is not a navigation device that sets a driving route from a departure point to a destination, but a spot route guide that guides the vehicle when passing through the nearest intersection while traveling. Therefore, the destination does not need to be a specific address or building, but can be a general place name such as "Shibuya."

[0026] In step S103, the information acquisition unit 3 acquires vehicle sensor information. Specifically, the information acquisition unit 3 acquires, as vehicle sensor information, images captured by an exterior camera from the vehicle sensor 15, and acquires data on objects around the current position of the vehicle detected by radar, laser range finder, or sonar.

[0027] In step S105, the information acquisition unit 3 acquires map information stored in the map database 11. Specifically, the information acquisition unit 3 acquires, from the map information, the road standard and shape of the road on which the vehicle is traveling, the number of lanes, the positions of lane boundary lines, the colors of lane boundary lines, and the like.

[0028] In step S107, the information acquisition unit 3 acquires personal information from the personal information database 13. Specifically, the information acquisition unit 3 acquires the driving history, driving preferences, stopover history, schedule, registered locations including home and workplace of the driver of the vehicle, and the like.

[0029] In step S109, the estimated route setting unit 5 sets, as an estimated route, a route (Most Probable Path: MPP) that is most likely to be taken when the host vehicle travels to the destination acquired in step S101. At this time, the estimated route setting unit 5 may set the estimated route based on the driving history of the driver of the host vehicle.

[0030] For example, if the driver often drives on wide roads, the system will prioritize wide roads as the estimated route. Also, if the driver often selects routes that avoid traffic jams, the system will prioritize routes that avoid traffic jams as the estimated route.

[0031] In step S111, the specific intersection determination unit 7 determines whether or not the nearest intersection on the estimated route set in step S109 is a specific intersection. A specific intersection is an intersection where there is a high possibility of heading in the wrong direction.

[0032] For example, as shown in FIG. 3, when an estimated route R is set toward a destination P, there are intersections C1 to C3 on the estimated route R. At these intersections C1 to C3, roads of the same standard branch off multiple times in succession, so if you make a mistake in choosing a lane, you will end up on the wrong route. For this reason, the intersections C1 to C3 are determined to be specific intersections where there is a high possibility that you will end up on the wrong route.

[0033] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, branch C4 has an exit on the right-hand passing lane side, so it is determined to be a specific intersection where there is a high possibility of taking an incorrect route. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, intersections C5 and C6 are close to each other, so there is a high possibility that the driver will be confused about whether to take the closer intersection or the farther intersection and take an incorrect route. Therefore, intersections C5 and C6 are determined to be specific intersections where there is a high possibility of taking an incorrect route. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, intersection C7, which has an unusual shape, is also determined to be a specific intersection where there is a high possibility of taking an incorrect route.

[0034] In this way, the specific intersection determination unit 7 determines whether the nearest intersection on the estimated route is a specific intersection, and if it is a specific intersection, proceeds to step S113, and if it is not a specific intersection, proceeds to step S119.

[0035] In step S113, the estimated route setting unit 5 determines whether or not a change to the estimated route is necessary, and if a change to the estimated route is necessary, the process proceeds to step S115, and if a change to the estimated route is not necessary, the process proceeds to step S117.

[0036] The estimated route setting unit 5 acquires traffic information such as probe information and determines that the estimated route needs to be changed if there is congestion or traffic restrictions on the estimated route. However, even if there is congestion, if the time delay due to the congestion is small, it determines that there is no need to change the estimated route.

[0037] Furthermore, if a lane change prohibited section is set before the specific intersection and lane changes are not possible, the estimated route setting unit 5 determines that a change in the estimated route is necessary. The estimated route setting unit 5 determines the color of the road boundary line before the specific intersection from the image captured by the camera and road structure information, and if lane changes are prohibited, determines that a change in the estimated route is necessary.

[0038] In step S115, the estimated route setting unit 5 changes the estimated route. If there is a traffic jam or traffic regulation on the estimated route, the estimated route setting unit 5 sets an estimated route that bypasses the traffic jam or traffic regulation. Also, if a lane change no-go zone is set before the specific intersection and lane changes are not possible, the estimated route is changed so that the vehicle can pass through the specific intersection without changing lanes and then travel to the destination.

[0039] In step S117, the guidance output unit 9 provides guidance on changing lanes so that the vehicle can proceed from the specific intersection to the estimated route. For example, as shown in Fig. 7, if there are many lanes before the specific intersection and each lane has a different destination, a voice guide such as "Please move into the second lane from the right" is output from the in-vehicle speaker 19 so that the vehicle can proceed to the estimated route.

[0040] In step S119, the estimated route setting unit 5 determines whether or not the estimated route needs to be changed, and if it needs to be changed, the process proceeds to step S121, and if it does not need to be changed, the process proceeds to step S123. The specific method of determination is the same as in step S113.

[0041] In step S121, the estimated route setting unit 5 changes the estimated route. If there is a traffic jam or traffic regulation on the estimated route, the estimated route setting unit 5 sets an estimated route that bypasses the traffic jam or traffic regulation.

[0042] In step S123, the guidance output unit 9 determines whether or not the destination acquired in step S101 has been reached. If the destination has not been reached, the process returns to step S111. If the destination has been reached, the intersection route guidance process according to this embodiment ends.

[0043] [Effects of the embodiment] As described above in detail, the intersection route guidance device 1 according to this embodiment acquires the destination of the host vehicle and sets the route that the host vehicle is most likely to take to reach the destination as the estimated route. If the nearest intersection on the estimated route is a specific intersection where there is a high possibility of the host vehicle taking an incorrect route, the intersection route guidance device 1 provides guidance on changing lanes so that the host vehicle can proceed through the specific intersection to the estimated route. This prevents the host vehicle from taking an incorrect route at a specific intersection where there is a high possibility of the host vehicle taking an incorrect route.

[0044] Furthermore, the intersection route guidance device 1 according to this embodiment changes the estimated route when a lane change prohibited section is set before the specific intersection and lane changes are not possible. This allows the device to change the estimated route and provide guidance so that the vehicle can arrive at the destination even when lane changes are not possible before the specific intersection.

[0045] Furthermore, the intersection route guidance device 1 according to this embodiment acquires the destination based on the schedule of the driver of the vehicle. This allows the destination to be automatically set in accordance with the driver's schedule, improving convenience for the driver.

[0046] Furthermore, when there is a traffic jam or traffic regulation on the estimated route, the intersection route guidance device 1 according to this embodiment sets an estimated route that bypasses the traffic jam or traffic regulation, thereby making it possible to bypass the traffic jam or traffic regulation and shorten the travel time to the destination.

[0047] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the descriptions and drawings that form part of this disclosure should not be understood to limit the present invention. Various alternative embodiments, examples, and operating techniques will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 1. Intersection route guidance device 3 Information acquisition department 5 Estimated route setting section 7 Specific intersection determination unit 9 Guidance output unit 11 Map Database 13 Personal Information Database 15 Vehicle Sensors 17 GPS receiver 19 Car speakers 21 Car microphone C1~C7 intersections P Destination R Estimated route

Claims

1. An intersection route guidance method using a controller that executes a process of providing route guidance when a host vehicle passes through a nearest intersection while traveling, comprising: acquire a destination of the vehicle; setting a route that is most likely to be traveled by the host vehicle when the host vehicle travels to the destination as an estimated route; When the nearest intersection on the estimated route is a specific intersection where there is a high possibility that the vehicle will proceed to a wrong route, guidance is given to change lanes so that the vehicle can proceed to the estimated route at the specific intersection. Intersection navigation method.

2. If a lane change prohibition zone is set before the specific intersection and lane change is not possible, the estimated route is changed. The intersection route guidance method according to claim 1.

3. Acquire the destination based on the schedule of the driver of the vehicle. The intersection route guidance method according to claim 1.

4. If there is a traffic jam or traffic regulation on the estimated route, an estimated route that bypasses the traffic jam or traffic regulation is set. The intersection route guidance method according to claim 1.

5. An intersection route guidance device including a controller that executes a process of providing route guidance when a vehicle passes through a nearest intersection while traveling, acquire a destination of the vehicle; setting a route that is most likely to be traveled by the host vehicle when the host vehicle travels to the destination as an estimated route; When the nearest intersection on the estimated route is a specific intersection where there is a high possibility that the vehicle will proceed to a wrong route, guidance is given to change lanes so that the vehicle can proceed to the estimated route at the specific intersection. Intersection route guidance device.

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