Navigation device and navigation method

Abstract

To provide a mechanism for improving user experience under time constraints with respect to route guidance.SOLUTION: A navigation device 20 that guides a route to a destination to a user 11 includes a control section that, when determining that the user 11 cannot arrive at a specific location that is one of the destination and another point on the route by the scheduled time, searches a database in which a plurality of points selected by the user 11 are registered in advance together with genre information for identifying genres of respective points to determine an alternative location of the same genre as the specific location from among the plurality of points, and presents proposal data for proposing the determined alternative location to the user 11.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present disclosure relates to a navigation device and a navigation method.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a navigation device that determines whether it is possible to arrive at a destination within the business hours input by a user, and when it is determined that arrival is not possible, guides an alternative location that is different from the destination and that can be reached within the business hours.

Prior Art Document

Patent Document

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

[0007] The navigation method related to this disclosure is: A navigation method that guides the user to a destination, If the navigation system determines that the user cannot reach a specific point, which is either the destination or another point on the route, by the scheduled time, it searches a pre-registered database containing multiple points selected by the user, along with genre information that identifies the genre of each point, to determine an alternative point from among the multiple points that is of the same genre as the specific point. The navigation device presents the user with suggested data proposing alternative locations that have been determined. Includes. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide a mechanism that improves the user experience when route guidance is under time constraints. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This figure shows the configuration of the system according to the embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of a navigation device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] This is a table showing examples of information registered in the database according to the embodiments of this disclosure. [Figure 4] This is a flowchart showing the operation of the navigation device according to the embodiment of this disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Hereinafter, one embodiment of this disclosure will be described with reference to the figures.

[0011] In each figure, identical or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the description of this embodiment, the description of identical or corresponding parts will be omitted or simplified as appropriate.

[0012] Referring to Figure 1, the configuration of the navigation system 10 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0013] The navigation system 10 comprises a navigation device 20 and a server device 30. The navigation device 20 can communicate with the server device 30 via a network 40.

[0014] The navigation device 20 is installed in the vehicle 12 and used by the user 11 riding in the vehicle 12. The navigation device 20 is an in-vehicle device, such as a car navigation system, that has the function of guiding the user 11 to a destination. Alternatively, the navigation device 20 may be connected to the vehicle 12 as an external device or held by the user 11. The navigation device 20 may also be a mobile device, such as a mobile phone, smartphone, or tablet with a map application installed, that has the function of guiding the user 11 to a destination.

[0015] The server device 30 is installed in a facility such as a data center and operated by a service provider that provides web services or other services. The server device 30 is a computer belonging to a cloud computing system or other computing system.

[0016] Vehicle 12 is any type of automobile such as, for example, a gasoline vehicle, a diesel vehicle, a hydrogen vehicle, an HEV, a PHEV, a BEV, or an FCEV. "HEV" is an abbreviation for hybrid electric vehicle. "PHEV" is an abbreviation for plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. "BEV" is an abbreviation for battery electric vehicle. "FCEV" is an abbreviation for fuel cell electric vehicle. Although vehicle 12 is driven by user 11 in this embodiment, the driving may be automated at any level. The level of automation is, for example, any one of levels 1 to 5 in the SAE level classification. "SAE" is an abbreviation for Society of Automotive Engineers. Vehicle 12 may be a vehicle dedicated to MaaS. "MaaS" is an abbreviation for Mobility as a Service.

[0017] Network 40 includes the Internet, at least one WAN, at least one MAN, or any combination thereof. "WAN" is an abbreviation for wide area network. "MAN" is an abbreviation for metropolitan area network. Network 40 may include at least one wireless network, at least one optical network, or any combination thereof. The wireless network is, for example, an ad hoc network, a cellular network, a wireless LAN, a satellite communication network, or a terrestrial microwave network. "LAN" is an abbreviation for local area network.

[0018] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the outline of this embodiment will be described.

[0019] When the navigation device 20 determines that the user 11 cannot reach a specific point Px, which is either the destination or another point on the route, by the scheduled time Tx, it searches a database 27 in which a plurality of points 51 selected by the user 11 are registered in advance together with genre information 54 that identifies the genre of each point, and determines an alternative point Py of the same genre as the specific point Px from among the plurality of points 51. The navigation device 20 presents proposal data for proposing the determined alternative point Py to the user 11.

[0020] In the present embodiment, since an alternative plan is presented from the favorite points selected by the user 11, the user 11 can enjoy the trip within the time without significantly reducing the satisfaction level. For example, it becomes possible to have an experience such as not having time to go to a store that one originally wanted to visit, but finding out that there is a popular store of the same genre nearby and being able to go to that store instead. Such an experience is particularly likely to be obtained when the user 11 registers a store without knowing the location of the store well. Although it is difficult to search for an alternative plan while driving, in the present embodiment, the user 11 can smoothly change the plan by selecting an alternative plan from the system's proposal. In the prior art, the alternative point does not necessarily reflect the preferences, and there is a high possibility that the user satisfaction level will decrease. In the present embodiment, since an alternative plan is presented from the points registered by the user 11, it is difficult for the user satisfaction level to decrease. That is, according to the present embodiment, a mechanism for improving the user experience under time constraints for route guidance can be provided.

[0021] Referring to FIG. 2, the configuration of the navigation device 20 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0022] The navigation device 20 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, a communication unit 23, an input unit 24, an output unit 25, and a positioning unit 26.

[0023] The control unit 21 includes at least one processor, at least one programmable circuit, at least one dedicated circuit, or any combination thereof. The processor is a general-purpose processor such as a CPU or GPU, or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process. "CPU" is an abbreviation for central processing unit. "GPU" is an abbreviation for graphics processing unit. The programmable circuit is, for example, an FPGA. "FPGA" is an abbreviation for field-programmable gate array. The dedicated circuit is, for example, an ASIC. "ASIC" is an abbreviation for application specific integrated circuit. The control unit 21 controls each part of the navigation device 20 and executes processes related to the operation of the navigation device 20.

[0024] The storage unit 22 includes at least one semiconductor memory, at least one magnetic memory, at least one optical memory, or any combination thereof. The semiconductor memory is, for example, RAM, ROM, or flash memory. "RAM" is an abbreviation for random access memory. "ROM" is an abbreviation for read-only memory. RAM is, for example, SRAM or DRAM. "SRAM" is an abbreviation for static random access memory. "DRAM" is an abbreviation for dynamic random access memory. ROM is, for example, EEPROM. "EEPROM" is an abbreviation for electrically erasable programmable read-only memory. Flash memory is, for example, SSD. "SSD" is an abbreviation for solid-state drive. Magnetic memory is, for example, HDD. "HDD" is an abbreviation for hard disk drive. The storage unit 22 functions, for example, as main memory, auxiliary memory, or cache memory. The storage unit 22 stores data used for the operation of the navigation device 20 and data obtained through the operation of the navigation device 20. In this embodiment, the database 27 is built in the storage unit 22, but the database 27 may be built on external storage that can be connected to the communication unit 23.

[0025] The communication unit 23 includes at least one communication interface. The communication interface is, for example, an interface compatible with a mobile communication standard such as LTE, 4G, or 5G, or a wireless LAN communication standard such as IEEE 802.11. "LTE" is an abbreviation for Long Term Evolution. "4G" is an abbreviation for 4th generation. "5G" is an abbreviation for 5th generation. "IEEE" is an abbreviation for Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. The communication unit 23 communicates with the server device 30. The communication unit 23 receives data used for the operation of the navigation device 20 and transmits data obtained by the operation of the navigation device 20.

[0026] The input unit 24 includes at least one input interface. The input interface may be, for example, a physical key, a capacitive key, a pointing device, a touchscreen integrated with a display, a visible light camera, a depth camera, LiDAR, or a microphone. "LiDAR" is an abbreviation for light detection and ranging. The input unit 24 accepts operations to input data used for the operation of the navigation device 20. Instead of being provided in the navigation device 20, the input unit 24 may be connected to the navigation device 20 as an external input device. As a connection interface, an interface compatible with standards such as USB, HDMI®, or Bluetooth® can be used. "USB" is an abbreviation for Universal Serial Bus. "HDMI®" is an abbreviation for High-Definition Multimedia Interface.

[0027] The output unit 25 includes at least one output interface. The output interface is, for example, a display or a speaker. The display is, for example, an LCD or an organic EL display. "LCD" is an abbreviation for liquid crystal display. "EL" is an abbreviation for electroluminescent. The output unit 25 outputs data obtained by the operation of the navigation device 20. Instead of being provided in the navigation device 20, the output unit 25 may be connected to the navigation device 20 as an external output device, such as a display audio system. As the connection interface, an interface compatible with standards such as USB, HDMI®, or Bluetooth® can be used.

[0028] The positioning unit 26 includes at least one GNSS receiver. "GNSS" is an abbreviation for global navigation satellite system. GNSS systems include, for example, GPS, QZSS, BDS, GLONASS, or Galileo. "GPS" is an abbreviation for Global Positioning System. "QZSS" is an abbreviation for Quasi-Zenith Satellite System. QZSS satellites are called quasi-zenith satellites. "BDS" is an abbreviation for BeiDou Navigation Satellite System. "GLONASS" is an abbreviation for Global Navigation Satellite System. The positioning unit 26 measures the position of the navigation device 20.

[0029] The functions of the navigation device 20 are realized by executing the program according to this embodiment on the processor acting as the control unit 21. In other words, the functions of the navigation device 20 are realized by software. The program causes the computer to perform the operations of the navigation device 20, thereby causing the computer to function as the navigation device 20. That is, the computer functions as the navigation device 20 by performing the operations of the navigation device 20 according to the program.

[0030] The program can be stored on a non-temporary computer-readable medium. Examples of non-temporary computer-readable media include flash memory, magnetic recording devices, optical discs, magneto-optical recording media, or ROM. The program can be distributed, for example, by selling, transferring, or lending portable media such as SD cards, DVDs, or CD-ROMs containing the program. "SD" is an abbreviation for Secure Digital. "DVD" is an abbreviation for digital versatile disc. "CD-ROM" is an abbreviation for compact disc read only memory. The program may also be distributed by storing it in server storage and transferring it from the server to other computers. The program may also be provided as a program product.

[0031] A computer, for example, stores a program stored on a portable medium or a program transferred from a server in its main memory. Then, the computer reads the program stored in the main memory with its processor and executes the processing according to the read program. The computer may also read the program directly from the portable medium and execute the processing according to the program. The computer may also execute the processing according to the received program sequentially each time a program is transferred to the computer from a server. Processing may also be performed by a so-called ASP-type service, which does not transfer programs from the server to the computer, but realizes its function only through execution instructions and result retrieval. "ASP" is an abbreviation for application service provider. A program includes information used for processing by an electronic computer that is equivalent to a program. For example, data that is not a direct instruction to the computer but has the nature of defining the computer's processing falls under "equivalent to a program".

[0032] Some or all of the functions of the navigation device 20 may be implemented by a programmable circuit or a dedicated circuit as a control unit 21. In other words, some or all of the functions of the navigation device 20 may be implemented by hardware.

[0033] Refer to Figure 3 to illustrate an example of the information registered in database 27.

[0034] In the example shown in Figure 3, at least six favorite locations P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, and P6 are pre-registered in the database 27 as multiple locations 51 selected by user 11, along with the address 52 of each location, the business hours 53 of each location, and genre information 54 that identifies the genre of each location. In the genre information 54, each location is categorized into a hierarchical genre. For example, the sub-genre of favorite locations P1, P2, and P3 is "Italian restaurant". The sub-genre of favorite locations P4 and P5 is "Chinese restaurant", which is different from the sub-genre of favorite locations P1, P2, and P3. At the next level up, the genre of favorite locations P1, P2, P3, P4, and P5 is all "restaurant". The sub-genre of favorite location P6 is "coffee shop". At the next level up, the genre of favorite location P6 is also "coffee shop", which is different from the genre of favorite locations P1, P2, P3, P4, and P5.

[0035] When registering favorite locations, user 11 may register locations they have actively searched for, or they may select a package of locations recommended by a third party, such as a travel magazine, travel website, gourmet review site, or influencer that user 11 trusts, and register all locations included in that package at once. In the example shown in Figure 3, tags 55 indicating whether each location was registered individually by user 11 or registered as a result of selecting a package are also registered in the database 27. For example, favorite locations P1 and P6 were registered as a result of selecting a package of restaurants ranked on a travel website. Favorite locations P2 and P4 were registered as a result of selecting a package of 100 recommended restaurants in the area. Favorite location P3 was registered as a result of selecting a package of recommendations from influencers. Favorite location P5 was registered individually by user 11.

[0036] The information registered in database 27 is not limited to the example shown in Figure 3; some information may be omitted, simplified, or replaced with other information, or additional information may be added. For example, address 52 and business hours 53 may be omitted and obtained from an external system only when necessary. Genre information 54 does not have to be hierarchical. Alternatively, genre information 54 may have three or more levels of hierarchical structure. Tags 55 may be omitted.

[0037] Referring to Figure 4, the operation of the navigation device 20 according to this embodiment will be described. This operation corresponds to the navigation method according to this embodiment.

[0038] In step S1, the control unit 21 sets one or more specific points, including the destination. Specifically, the control unit 21 sets the destination by receiving an operation to specify the destination from the user 11 via the input unit 24. Alternatively, the control unit 21 may automatically set the destination by referring to calendar data showing an itinerary such as the user 11's travel plan. The calendar data may be stored in advance in the storage unit 22, or it may be stored in external storage that the communication unit 23 can connect to. The control unit 21 may further set specific points other than the destination by receiving an operation to specify waypoints from the user 11 via the input unit 24. Alternatively, the control unit 21 may further automatically set specific points other than the destination by referring to the calendar data.

[0039] In step S2, the control unit 21 sets a route to the destination set in step S1. If additional specific points other than the destination were set in step S1, the control unit 21 sets a route to the destination that passes through those specific points. Known methods can be used as the specific method for setting the route. Machine learning such as deep learning may also be used.

[0040] In step S3, the control unit 21 guides the user along the route set in step S2 via the output unit 25. Known methods can be used as the specific method for route guidance.

[0041] In step S4, the control unit 21 determines whether the user 11 has arrived at the destination. Specifically, the control unit 21 determines whether the user 11 has arrived at the destination by referring to the positioning result obtained from the positioning unit 26 and determining whether the current location of the vehicle 12 matches the destination. If it is determined that the user 11 has arrived at the destination, the flow shown in Figure 4 ends. If it is determined that the user 11 has not arrived at the destination, the process in step S5 is executed.

[0042] In step S5, the control unit 21 determines whether user 11 can arrive at specific location Px by the scheduled time Tx. Specific location Px is the destination set in step S1, or, if other specific locations besides the destination were set in step S1, the destination or other specific location. That is, specific location Px is either the destination or another location on the route set in step S2. Scheduled time Tx may be the closing time of specific location Px, such as the closing time of business, but in this embodiment, it is the time obtained by subtracting the time user 11 will stay at specific location Px from the closing time of specific location Px. The time user 11 will stay at specific location Px may be estimated from the average stay time of other users at specific location Px, or it may be entered by user 11 as the planned stay time. As a variation of this embodiment, scheduled time Tx may be specified by user 11 when specific location Px is set in step S1, or it may be automatically set by referring to calendar data.

[0043] Specifically, the control unit 21 predicts the time required to travel from the vehicle 12's current location to a specific point Px by referring to the positioning results obtained from the positioning unit 26 and map data. The map data may be pre-stored in the storage unit 22, or it may be stored in external storage that the communication unit 23 can connect to. The control unit 21 may further predict the travel time by referring to various information such as road conditions or weather, which can be obtained from the server device 30 via the communication unit 23. The control unit 21 determines whether the user 11 can arrive at the specific point Px by the scheduled time Tx by determining whether the time obtained by adding the predicted travel time to the current time is not later than the scheduled time Tx. If it is determined that the user 11 can arrive at the specific point Px by the scheduled time Tx, the process in step S3 is executed again. If it is determined that the user 11 cannot arrive at the specific point Px by the scheduled time Tx, the process in step S6 is executed.

[0044] In step S6, the control unit 21 searches the database 27 to determine an alternative location Py of the same genre as the specific location Px from among multiple locations 51. In the example shown in Figure 3, if the specific location Px is a coffee shop, the control unit 21 may determine the favorite location P6 as the alternative location Py after performing the same processing as in step S5 for the favorite location P6. That is, if the control unit 21 determines that the user 11 can arrive at the favorite location P6 by the scheduled time Ty, it determines the favorite location P6 as the alternative location Py. The scheduled time Ty is the time obtained by subtracting the time the favorite location P6 closes from the time the favorite location P6 stays. The time the user 11 stays at the favorite location P6 may be estimated from the average stay time of other users at the favorite location P6, or it may be the same as the time the user 11 stays at the specific location Px.

[0045] In this embodiment, if there are two or more locations of the same genre as a specific location Px among the multiple locations 51, the control unit 21 determines an alternative location Py according to the distance from the specific location Px, the ratings of other users, or a combination thereof. In the example shown in Figure 3, if the specific location Px is a Chinese restaurant, the control unit 21 can perform the same processing as in step S5 for favorite locations P4 and P5 and then determine an alternative location Py from among the favorite locations P4 and P5. That is, if the control unit 21 determines that the user 11 can arrive at either of the favorite locations P4 or P5 by the scheduled time Ty, it determines the alternative location Py to be the one that is closer to the specific location Px, the one with a higher rating from other users, or the one that is both close to the specific location Px and has a high rating from other users.

[0046] In this embodiment, if there are no locations of the same genre as a specific location Px among the multiple locations 51 at a certain level, the control unit 21 determines a location of the same genre as the specific location Px at the level above as the alternative location Py. In the example shown in Figure 3, if the specific location Px is a Chinese restaurant, the control unit 21 performs the same processing as in step S5 for favorite locations P4 and P5. If the control unit 21 determines that the user 11 cannot reach either of the favorite locations P4 or P5 by the scheduled time Ty, it performs the same processing as in step S5 for favorite locations P1, P2, and P3, and then determines an alternative location Py from among the favorite locations P1, P2, and P3. That is, if the control unit 21 determines that the user 11 can reach any of the favorite locations P1, P2, and P3 by the scheduled time Ty, it determines the alternative location Py to be the one closest to the specific location Px, the one with the highest rating from other users, or the one that is close to the specific location Px and has a high rating from other users.

[0047] In step S7, the control unit 21 presents the user 11 with suggestion data proposing an alternative location Py determined in step S6 via the output unit 25. Specifically, the control unit 21 displays a message proposing an alternative location Py on the display, which acts as the output unit 25. Alternatively, the control unit 21 may output the message proposing an alternative location Py as audio from the speaker, which acts as the output unit 25.

[0048] In step S8, the control unit 21 receives an input from the user 11 via the input unit 24 asking whether they agree to the proposed alternative location Py. If the user 11 does not agree to the proposal, the process in step S3 is executed again. If the user 11 agrees to the proposal, the process in step S9 is executed.

[0049] In step S9, if the specific point Px is the destination, the control unit 21 changes the route set in step S2 to a route to an alternative point Py. If the specific point Px is not the destination, the control unit 21 changes the route set in step S2 to a route to the destination that goes via the alternative point Py. Known methods can be used as the specific method for changing the route. Machine learning such as deep learning may also be used. After step S9, the processing in step S3 is executed again.

[0050] According to this embodiment, by presenting alternative options while considering the length of stay, it becomes easier to avoid situations where user 11 arrives at their destination or transit point within business hours but is unable to participate in planned meals or events due to a delay in arrival.

[0051] When the destination is set in step S1, the user 11 may be allowed to input a desired arrival time. For example, the user 11 may be allowed to input a desired time by which they would like to arrive at the destination hotel. In step S5, the control unit 21 may determine whether the user 11 can stop at the coffee shop, which is a stopover point, by working backward from that time. If the user 11 does not have time to stop at the coffee shop, in step S6, the control unit 21 may determine an alternative coffee shop Py that would allow the user 11 to arrive at the hotel at the desired time even if they stopped there.

[0052] In step S5, when the travel time is predicted, near-future traffic congestion forecasts may be taken into consideration. By considering near-future traffic congestion forecasts, it is possible to accurately determine whether user 11 can arrive at a specific point Px by the scheduled time Tx.

[0053] When determining the alternative destination Py in step S6, information may be taken into consideration regarding user satisfaction levels, such as whether user satisfaction was high or not when alternative options were presented to users who previously chose the same destination or transit point, or whether there were many such users.

[0054] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above. For example, two or more blocks described in the block diagram may be combined, or one block may be divided. Instead of executing two or more steps described in the flowchart in chronological order as described, they may be executed in parallel or in a different order, depending on the processing capacity of the device performing each step, or as necessary. Other modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of this disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 10 Navigation System 11 users 12 vehicles 20 Navigation System 21 Control Unit 22 Memory section 23 Communications Department 24 Input section 25 Output section 26 Positioning Unit 27 Databases 30 Server Devices 40 Networks 51 Multiple locations 52 Address 53 Business Hours 54 Genre Information 55 tags

Claims

1. A navigation device that guides a user on a route to reach a destination, including intermediate stops, If the user determines that they cannot reach the transit point by the scheduled time, the control unit searches a pre-registered database containing multiple locations selected by the user, along with genre information identifying the genre of each location, to determine an alternative location of the same genre as the transit point from among the multiple locations, and presents the user with suggested data proposing the determined alternative location. The control unit is a navigation device that calculates the scheduled time by working backward from the desired arrival time entered by the user when the destination is set, so that the user can arrive at the destination by the desired arrival time even if they stop at an intermediate stop.

2. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit automatically sets the waypoints by referring to calendar data showing the user's schedule.

3. In the aforementioned genre information, each location is categorized into a hierarchical genre. Navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit determines, if the user is unable to reach the waypoint by the scheduled time, determines whether the user can reach the destination by the desired arrival time even if they stop at a first location of the same genre as the waypoint on a certain level, and if it determines that they can, it determines the first location as the alternative location, and if it determines that they cannot, it determines whether the user can reach the destination by the desired arrival time even if they stop at a second location of the same genre as the waypoint on a higher level, and if it determines that they can, it determines the second location as the alternative location.

4. The aforementioned scheduled time is the time obtained by subtracting the time the transit point closes from the time the transit point closes, The navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit estimates the time the user stays at the transit point from the average stay time of other users at the transit point.

5. A navigation method that guides a user on a route to reach a destination, including intermediate stops, When the navigation system determines that the user cannot reach the waypoint by the scheduled time, it searches a pre-registered database containing multiple locations selected by the user, along with genre information that identifies the genre of each location, to determine an alternative location of the same genre as the waypoint from among the multiple locations. The navigation device presents the user with suggested data proposing alternative locations, The navigation device calculates the scheduled time by working backward from the desired arrival time entered by the user when the destination is set, so that the user can arrive at the destination by the desired arrival time even if they make a stopover. Navigation methods including

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