Route guidance device, route guidance method, and computer program

Abstract

This technology provides guidance to the appropriate entrance when a destination has multiple entrances. [Solution] The navigation device 12 acquires information on road congestion provided by the traffic information provider 16. If there are multiple entrances to the destination, the navigation control unit 32 of the navigation device 12 compares the congestion levels over a predetermined distance to each of the multiple entrances and sets a route to the entrance with the lowest congestion level among the multiple entrances. The navigation device 12 outputs information on the set route.

Description

[[Technical Field]]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to data processing technology, and particularly to a route guidance apparatus, a route guidance method, and a computer program. [[Background Art]]

[0002] In recent years, a route search system has been proposed in which a server apparatus provides waiting time data indicating the time required to reach a destination via each entrance to a route search apparatus, and the route search apparatus searches for and outputs a route including any of the entrances that a vehicle should pass through based on the waiting time data (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [[Prior Art Documents]] [[Patent Documents]]

[0003] [[Patent Document 1]] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2014-202585 [[Summary of the Invention]] [[Problem to be Solved by the Invention]]

[0004] Conventionally, when a destination has a plurality of entrances and the plurality of entrances are arranged in a line along a road, there is a high possibility that the entrance with the shortest distance from the own vehicle is selected regardless of the congestion status of the road. An object of the present disclosure is to provide a technique for guiding an appropriate entrance when a destination has a plurality of entrances. [[Means for Solving the Problem]]

[0005] In order to solve the above problem, a route guidance apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes: an acquisition unit that acquires information related to road congestion degree; a setting unit that, when a destination has a plurality of entrances, compares the congestion degree of a predetermined distance before entering each of the plurality of entrances, and sets a route to the entrance having the lowest congestion degree of the predetermined distance before entering among the plurality of entrances; and an output unit that outputs information related to the route set by the setting unit.

[0006] Another aspect of this disclosure is a route guidance method. This method involves an information processing device acquiring information on the degree of road congestion, comparing the degree of congestion over a predetermined distance to each of the multiple entrances if there are multiple entrances to the destination, setting a route to the entrance with the lowest degree of congestion over the predetermined distance to the entrance, and outputting information on the set route.

[0007] Furthermore, any combination of the above components, or any conversion of the expressions of this disclosure between systems, computer programs, recording media containing computer programs, etc., are also valid forms of this disclosure. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the technology disclosed herein, when there are multiple entrances to a destination, it is possible to guide the user to the appropriate entrance. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This indicates a situation where the destination has multiple entrances. [Figure 2] This figure illustrates an example of route guidance using a conventional navigation system in the situation shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] This figure illustrates an example of route guidance using the navigation device of the embodiment in the situation shown in Figure 1. [Figure 4] This is a block diagram showing the functional blocks of a navigation device according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a flowchart showing the operation of the navigation device according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] This is a flowchart detailing the second route setting process in S13 of Figure 5. [Figure 7] This flowchart shows the operation that follows Figure 6. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The subject of the apparatus or method in this disclosure comprises a computer. The functions of the subject of the apparatus or method in this disclosure are realized by the computer executing a program. The computer comprises a processor as its main hardware component, which operates according to the program. The processor is of any type as long as it can realize its functions by executing the program. The processor consists of one or more electronic circuits, including a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) or a large-scale integration (LSI). Multiple electronic circuits may be integrated on one chip or provided on multiple chips. Multiple chips may be aggregated in one device or provided on multiple devices. The program may be recorded on a non-temporary recording medium such as a computer-readable ROM (Read Only Memory), optical disc, or hard disk drive, or on a computer-readable temporary storage medium such as RAM (Random Access Memory). The program may be pre-stored on the recording medium or supplied to the recording medium or storage medium via a wide-area communication network, including the Internet.

[0011] First, we will explain the challenges of the conventional technology and provide an overview of the navigation device in this embodiment. Figure 1 illustrates a situation where a destination has multiple entrances. As shown in Figure 1, when a destination such as a facility has multiple entrances (Entrance 1, Entrance 2, Entrance 3) lined up along the road, the entrance closest to the vehicle (in other words, the entrance closest to the vehicle's current location) is selected, regardless of the congestion near each entrance. For example, in the situation in Figure 1 (assuming the vehicle is just before Entrance 1), even though Entrance 3 is not congested, the vehicle was directed to Entrance 1.

[0012] Figure 2 illustrates an example of route guidance using a conventional navigation system in the situation shown in Figure 1. The conventional navigation system calculates the cost to each entrance as follows: Search cost for entry point 1: C1 = d1 × V1 Search cost for entry 2: C2 = C1 + d2 × V2 Search cost for entry 3: C3 = C2 + d3 × V3 As a result, C1 is minimized, and the route to entrance 1 is guided; in other words, the route that goes through entrance 1 to the destination is guided.

[0013] To address the challenges of conventional technologies, the navigation device of this embodiment guides the user to the optimal entrance when a destination, such as a facility, has multiple entrances, by considering the traffic congestion on the roads connected to those multiple entrances. Figure 3 illustrates an example of route guidance by the navigation device of this embodiment in the situation shown in Figure 1. Here, the routes leading to entrance 1, entrance 2, and entrance 3 are referred to as route 1, route 2, and route 3, respectively.

[0014] The navigation device of the embodiment checks whether each of routes 1, 2, and 3 passes through other entrances. For example, since route 2 passes through entrance 1 and route 3 passes through entrances 1 and 2, it can be determined that entrances 1, 2, and 3 are along a road. Furthermore, if the road distance d2 from entrance 1 to entrance 2 and the road distance d3 from entrance 2 to entrance 3 are within a predetermined threshold (for example, within 1 km), the navigation device of the embodiment can determine that it is possible to reach entrances 1-3 via route 3.

[0015] Next, the navigation device of the embodiment sets the distance along the road from each entrance to which the congestion level is calculated (hereinafter also referred to as the "determination distance") dΔ to a predetermined reference value (for example, 100m). However, if the distance along the road between entrances is less than the reference value, the distance along the road between those entrances is used as the determination distance dΔ. In the example in Figure 3, dΔ is set to 50m.

[0016] Here, the dΔ before entrance 1 indicates congestion throughout the entire section. The dΔ before entrance 2 indicates 50% congestion and 50% crowding. The dΔ before entrance 3 indicates 70% smooth traffic and 30% congestion. Let's consider the congestion levels as follows: congestion: 3x, crowding: 2x, smooth traffic: 1x. The navigation system in this embodiment calculates the cost to each entrance as follows. Entrance 1 Search cost C1=dΔ×V1=50 m×(1.0×3)=150 m Entrance 2 Search cost C2=dΔ×V2=50 m×(0.5×3+0.5×2)=125 m Entrance 3 Search cost C3=dΔ×V3=50 m×(0.7×1+0.3×3)=80 m As a result, C3 becomes the minimum value, and a route to entrance 3 is guided, in other words, a route that reaches the destination through entrance 3 is guided.

[0017] As a modification, the cost may be calculated with the unit of time. Here, for example, the speed for each congestion level is set as follows: traffic jam: 5 km / h, congested: 20 km / h, smooth: 50 km / h. In this modification, the cost for each entrance may be calculated as follows. Entrance 1 Search cost C1=dΔ / V1=(50 m×1.0) / traffic jam=36 seconds Entrance 2 Search cost C2=dΔ / V2=(50 m×0.5) / traffic jam+(50 m×0.5) / congested=22.5 seconds Entrance 3 Search cost C3=dΔ / V3=(50 m×0.7) / smooth+(50 m×0.3) / traffic jam=13.32 seconds Also in this modification, C3 becomes the minimum value, and a route to entrance 3 is guided.

[0018] Note that, unless otherwise specified, appropriate values may be determined for the threshold values and reference values in the embodiment based on the knowledge of the developer of the navigation device and the results of experiments using the navigation device.

[0019] Details of the navigation device according to the embodiment will be described. Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the functional blocks of the navigation device 12 according to the embodiment. Each block shown in the block diagram of this disclosure can be realized in hardware terms by elements and mechanical devices such as the CPU and memory of a computer, and in software terms by computer programs, etc., but here, the functional blocks that are realized through the cooperation of these are depicted. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that each functional block shown in Figure 4 can be realized in various ways by combinations of hardware and software.

[0020] The navigation device 12 is an information processing device mounted on the vehicle 10, and is a route guidance device that displays the current location and provides route guidance to a destination. The navigation device 12 acquires traffic information transmitted from the traffic information provision device 16 via the communication network 18 and the communication unit 14 of the vehicle 10. The traffic information includes information on the degree of congestion on the roads on which the vehicle 10 is traveling.

[0021] Traffic information may also be VICS information transmitted from a VICS (registered trademark) (Vehicle Information and Communication System) center, which functions as a traffic information providing device 16, via a communication medium or broadcast medium. Alternatively, traffic information may be transmitted from a wireless communication device (roadside unit, etc.) installed on the road, which functions as a traffic information providing device 16, and in this case, traffic information may be provided by optical beacons or radio beacons.

[0022] The navigation device 12 includes a display 20, a speaker 22, an operation unit 24, a traffic information receiving unit 26, a map database 28, a route search unit 30, and a navigation control unit 32.

[0023] The display 20 is a display device that shows information about the vehicle 10's current location and route information to the destination. The speaker 22 outputs audio related to the vehicle 10's current location and route information to the destination. The display 20 and speaker 22 constitute an output unit that outputs information related to the route set by the navigation control unit 32, which will be described later.

[0024] The control unit 24 receives input from the occupants of the vehicle 10 to the navigation device 12. The control unit 24 may include a touch panel, in which case the display 20 and the control unit 24 may be integrally formed.

[0025] The map DB28 stores map data as a memory unit. The map data includes information about various facilities that can be set as destinations. The facility information includes the number of entrances to the facility, the location of each entrance (e.g., latitude and longitude), and information indicating how many lanes each entrance connects to. The map DB28 may be implemented by the memory or storage of the navigation device 12.

[0026] The traffic information receiving unit 26, acting as an acquisition unit, acquires traffic information, including information on road congestion, provided by the traffic information providing device 16. The route search unit 30 searches for a route (direct route) from the vehicle 10's current location to the destination, etc., in accordance with instructions from the navigation control unit 32.

[0027] The navigation control unit 32 controls the operation of each part of the navigation device 12. Furthermore, as a setting unit, if there are multiple entrances to the destination, the navigation control unit 32 calculates and compares the congestion level (hereinafter also referred to as "equidistance congestion level") for a predetermined distance to each of the multiple entrances. The navigation control unit 32 then sets the route to the entrance with the lowest equidistance congestion level among the multiple entrances.

[0028] The functions of the traffic information receiving unit 26, the route search unit 30, and the navigation control unit 32 may be implemented in a computer program. This computer program may be recorded on a non-temporary recording medium, or installed in the storage of the navigation device 12 via that recording medium. The processor (CPU, etc.) of the navigation device 12 may perform the functions of the above-mentioned multiple functional blocks by reading this computer program into main memory and executing it.

[0029] The operation of the navigation device 12 with the above configuration will now be explained. The traffic information provider 16 periodically or as needed provides the vehicle 10 with traffic information, including information on the degree of road congestion. This information on the degree of road congestion can also be called congestion information, and may include, for example, information indicating the congestion status (congested, busy, or smooth) for each section of the road. The traffic information receiving unit 26 of the navigation device 12 receives the traffic information provided by the traffic information provider 16 sequentially via the communication unit 14 of the vehicle 10 and analyzes its contents. The navigation device 12 also constantly detects the current location of the vehicle 10 using known positioning technologies such as GPS (Global Positioning System).

[0030] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the navigation device 12 of the embodiment. When a destination is set by the occupant via the operation unit 24 (Y in S10), the navigation control unit 32 of the navigation device 12 reads information about the set destination (e.g., a facility) from the map DB 28. The navigation control unit 32 determines whether or not there are multiple entrances to the destination (S11).

[0031] If there is only one entrance to the destination (N in S11), the navigation control unit 32 performs a first route setting process (S12). As part of the first route setting process, the navigation control unit 32 sets the road closest to the entrance to the destination or a representative point of the destination as the destination. The navigation control unit 32 instructs the route search unit 30 to search for a route from the current position of the vehicle 10 to the destination. The route search unit 30 searches for a route from the current position of the vehicle 10 to the destination using the map data of the map DB 28 in accordance with the instruction.

[0032] The navigation control unit 32 starts route guidance by outputting route information to the destination, which has been searched by the route search unit 30, from the display 20 and speaker 22 (S14).

[0033] If there are multiple entrances to the destination (Y in S11), the navigation control unit 32 executes the second route setting process described later (S13). The navigation control unit 32 starts route guidance by outputting the route information set in the second route setting process in S13 from the display 20 and speaker 22 (S14). If no destination is set (N in S10), the processes from S11 onwards are skipped.

[0034] Figure 6 is a flowchart detailing the second route setting process in S13 of Figure 5. The navigation control unit 32 instructs the route search unit 30 to search for routes from the current position of the vehicle 10 to each entrance of the destination. The route search unit 30 searches for routes from the current position of the vehicle 10 to each entrance of the destination using map data from the map DB 28 in accordance with the instruction (S20). The route search process in S20 includes deriving the cost of the route to each entrance of the destination (for example, a cost based on either distance and / or time) using a known method.

[0035] The navigation control unit 32 executes the same route verification process (processing S21-S24 below) for each route to each entrance of the destination that has been searched by the route search unit 30. A route that is to be verified in one loop process is also called a "verification target route".

[0036] If there are still uncompared routes remaining, or in other words, if there are still routes whose satisfaction with the grouping conditions has not been determined (Y in S21), the navigation control unit 32 determines whether the routes to be checked satisfy the grouping conditions based on the current position of the vehicle 10 and the routes to each entrance (S22).

[0037] The grouping conditions are those that group the routes (entrances) to be compared in terms of equidistant congestion, as shown in Entrance 1, Entrance 2, and Entrance 3 in Figure 3. In other words, the grouping conditions are those that determine whether or not to include the route to be checked in the group for comparison of equidistant congestion. The grouping conditions in this embodiment include the following conditions 1, 2, and 3.

[0038] Condition 1 is a condition that identifies multiple entrances, including the route to one of several entrances to the destination, which in turn includes the route to the other entrance. Specifically, Condition 1 is that the route to be checked is included in the routes to the other entrances. In other words, Condition 1 is that the entrance to the route to be checked and the other entrances are located on the same road from the current position of vehicle 10.

[0039] Condition 2 is a condition for identifying multiple entrances to a destination where the distance between them is within a predetermined threshold (for example, within 1 km). Specifically, Condition 2 is that the distance between the entrance of the route to be checked and other entrances is within a predetermined threshold.

[0040] Condition 3 is a condition for identifying multiple entrances to the destination that are connected to roads with two or more lanes in each direction. Specifically, Condition 3 means that the entrances to the route under review are connected to roads with two or more lanes in each direction; in other words, the entrances to the route under review are located along roads with two or more lanes in each direction.

[0041] In this embodiment, the navigation control unit 32 determines that the grouping condition is met if the route to be checked satisfies all of conditions 1, 2, and 3. On the other hand, if the route to be checked does not satisfy at least one of conditions 1, 2, and 3, the navigation control unit 32 determines that the grouping condition is not met. As a modification, the navigation control unit 32 may determine that the grouping condition is met if the route to be checked satisfies at least one of conditions 1, 2, and 3. Alternatively, the navigation control unit 32 may determine that the grouping condition is met if the route to be checked satisfies any two of conditions 1, 2, and 3.

[0042] If the navigation control unit 32 determines that the grouping condition is not met (N in S22), it determines that the entrance to the route to be checked is an entrance on a different route from the other entrances. The navigation control unit 32 excludes the route to be checked from the grouping and terminates the loop process (S23).

[0043] If the navigation control unit determines that the grouping condition is met (Y in S22), the navigation control unit 32 groups the target routes (or their entry points) as targets for comparing equidistant congestion levels and terminates one loop process (S24). Grouping can also be described as selecting targets for comparing equidistant congestion levels. The navigation control unit 32 sets the cost of the grouped routes (hereinafter also referred to as "grouped routes") as the maximum cost among the costs of each of those routes.

[0044] If there are no remaining uncompared routes, in other words, if the satisfaction of the grouping conditions has been determined for all routes to the entry points (N in S21), the identical route confirmation process is exited, and the process proceeds to Figure 7.

[0045] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the operation following Figure 6, detailing the second route setting process in S13 of Figure 5. The navigation control unit 32 selects the route with the lowest cost from the grouped routes set in S24 of Figure 6 and the individual routes (routes that were not grouped) set in S23 of Figure 6 (S30).

[0046] If the route selected in S30 is a grouped route (Y in S31), the navigation control unit 32 calculates the distance along the road from the vehicle 10 to the nearest entrance in the group and the distance along the road between entrances in the group, and calculates the determination distance dΔ based on these distances (S32). Specifically, the navigation control unit 32 determines the determination distance dΔ to be the smaller of a predetermined reference value (for example, 100m) and the minimum value of the above road distances.

[0047] As explained in relation to Figure 3 above, the navigation control unit 32 calculates the cost for dΔ before each entrance for each grouped route based on the degree of road congestion indicated by the traffic information received by the traffic information receiving unit 26 (S33). In other words, for each entrance to a grouped route, the navigation control unit 32 calculates the cost (for example, a cost based on distance or time) for dΔ before that entrance on the road connected to that entrance.

[0048] The navigation control unit 32 selects the entrance with the lowest cost from among the multiple entrances related to the grouped route and sets the route to that entrance as the route to be guided (S34). Then, the process proceeds to S14 in Figure 5. In this case, the route is guided through the entrance with the relatively low level of congestion among the multiple entrances related to the grouped route.

[0049] If the route selected in S30 is not a grouped route (N in S31), the processes in S31-S34 are skipped, and the process proceeds to S14 in Figure 5. In this case, the user is guided to a route that passes through an entry point that was not grouped.

[0050] According to the navigation device 12 of this embodiment, when there are multiple entrances to a destination set by the occupants of the vehicle 10, it can select and guide the occupants to an entrance that can be reached in a relatively short time, regardless of the distance to each entrance. Furthermore, according to the navigation device 12 of this embodiment, it can select and guide the occupants to the optimal entrance from among multiple entrances based on general traffic information (e.g., VICS information).

[0051] The present disclosure has been described above based on embodiments. The embodiments are illustrative, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications are possible for each component or combination of processing processes of the embodiments, and that such modifications are also within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0052] Any combination of the embodiments and modifications described above is also useful as an embodiment of the present disclosure. The new embodiments resulting from such combinations will possess the combined effects of the respective embodiments and modifications. Furthermore, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the functions to be performed by each constituent element described in the claims can be achieved by each component shown in the embodiments and modifications individually or in combination thereof. In addition, where terms such as "first," "second," etc. are used in this specification or in the claims, unless otherwise specified, they do not indicate any order or importance, but are used to distinguish one configuration from another.

[0053] <Note> Based on the above description of embodiments and modifications, the following technology is disclosed. [Technology 1] An acquisition unit that acquires information on the degree of road congestion, If there are multiple entrances to the destination, a setting unit compares the degree of congestion over a predetermined distance to each of the multiple entrances and sets a route to the entrance with the lowest degree of congestion over the predetermined distance to the entrance. An output unit that outputs information regarding the route set by the setting unit, A route guidance device equipped with the following features. This route guidance system can guide users to the entrance that allows them to enter a destination in a relatively short time, regardless of the distance to each entrance, even when there are multiple entrances to the destination. [Technology 2] Select from among the multiple entrances to the aforementioned destination, a group of entrances where the route to one entrance includes the route to another entrance, as the target for comparing the degree of congestion over a predetermined distance until entry. Route guidance device as described in Technology 1. This route guidance system can guide users to the entrance that allows them to enter in a relatively short time from among multiple entrances along the same route. [Technology 3] From among the multiple entrances to the aforementioned destination, multiple entrances whose distance from each entrance falls within a predetermined threshold are selected as targets for comparing the degree of congestion over a predetermined distance before entry. Route guidance device as described in Technology 1. According to this route guidance system, it is possible to select an entrance that can be accessed in a relatively short time from among several entrances located in a relatively close area as the target for route setting. [Technology 4] Select from among the multiple entrances to the aforementioned destination that are connected to roads with two or more lanes in each direction as targets for comparing the degree of congestion over a predetermined distance to the entrance. A route guidance device as described in any of Technology 1 to 3. This route guidance system makes it possible to avoid the congestion at one entrance affecting the travel time to another entrance among multiple entrances. [Technology 5] Obtain information on the degree of road congestion, If there are multiple entrances to the destination, the congestion level over a predetermined distance to each of the multiple entrances is compared, and a route is set to the entrance with the lowest congestion level over the predetermined distance to the entrance. It outputs information about the configured route. A route guidance method performed by an information processing device. This route guidance method allows for guidance to the entrance that can be reached in a relatively short time, regardless of the distance to each entrance, when there are multiple entrances to the destination. [Technology 6] Obtain information on the degree of road congestion, If there are multiple entrances to the destination, the congestion level over a predetermined distance to each of the multiple entrances is compared, and a route is set to the entrance with the lowest congestion level over the predetermined distance to the entrance. It outputs information about the configured route. A computer program that causes an information processing device to perform a specific action. According to this computer program, when there are multiple entrances to a destination, it can guide users to the entrance that allows them to enter in a relatively short time, regardless of the distance to each entrance. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0054] 10 Vehicle, 12 Navigation device, 20 Display, 22 Speaker, 24 Control unit, 26 Traffic information receiver, 28 Map database, 30 Route search unit, 32 Navigation control unit.

Claims

1. An acquisition unit that acquires information on the degree of road congestion, If there are multiple entrances to the destination, a setting unit compares the degree of congestion over a predetermined distance to each of the multiple entrances and sets a route to the entrance with the lowest degree of congestion over the predetermined distance to the entrance. An output unit that outputs information regarding the route set by the setting unit, A route guidance device equipped with the following features.

2. Among the multiple entrances to the aforementioned destination, a group of entrances where the route to one entrance includes the route to another entrance are selected as targets for comparing the degree of congestion over a predetermined distance until entry. The route guidance device according to claim 1.

3. From among the multiple entrances to the aforementioned destination, multiple entrances whose distance from each entrance falls within a predetermined threshold are selected as targets for comparing the degree of congestion over a predetermined distance before entry. The route guidance device according to claim 1.

4. Select from among the multiple entrances to the aforementioned destination that are connected to roads with two or more lanes in each direction as targets for comparing the degree of congestion over a predetermined distance to the entrance. A route guidance device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. Obtain information on the degree of road congestion, If there are multiple entrances to the destination, the congestion level over a predetermined distance to each of the multiple entrances is compared, and a route is set to the entrance with the lowest congestion level over the predetermined distance to the entrance. It outputs information about the configured route. A route guidance method performed by an information processing device.

6. Obtain information on the degree of road congestion, If there are multiple entrances to the destination, the congestion level over a predetermined distance to each of the multiple entrances is compared, and a route is set to the entrance with the lowest congestion level over the predetermined distance to the entrance. It outputs information about the configured route. A computer program that causes an information processing device to perform a specific action.

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