Route search device

Abstract

The present invention gives a user the opportunity to train his or her memory and suppresses a decrease in cognitive functions such as memory.　A route search device according to the present invention comprises: a route search unit that retrieves routes from the current position of a vehicle to a destination designated by a user; a check point setting unit that sets two check points on each route; a route information acquisition unit that acquires information related to a planned route which spans between the check points and which has been planned by the user; and a control unit that provides route guidance by displaying, from among the routes retrieved by the route search unit, a route excluding the route between the check points. The control unit does not provide route guidance when the vehicle is traveling between the checkpoints.

Description

Route search device

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a route search device.

[0002] In recent years, navigation devices that provide travel guidance for vehicles to allow users to easily reach their desired destinations have been installed in vehicles. As this type of technology, when searching for a route from the current position to a destination, instead of searching only for the optimal route, a technology is disclosed that searches for, for example, a recommended route, a distance-prioritized route, etc., and presents the routes to the user. (See, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2008-209208

[0004] In the above-described technology, the route with the shortest required travel time, travel distance, etc. to the destination is presented to the user every time. Therefore, even if the user drives along the searched route, there is a problem that brain activity is not activated, and the effect of suppressing the decline of cognitive functions such as memory cannot be expected.

[0005] Accordingly, the present disclosure has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a route search device that gives the user an opportunity to train their memory and suppresses the decline of cognitive functions such as memory.

[0006] Aspect 1: One or more embodiments of the present disclosure include a route search unit that searches for a route from the current position of a vehicle to a destination specified by a user, a checkpoint setting unit that sets two checkpoints on the route, a route information acquisition unit that acquires information related to the planned route between the checkpoints planned by the user, and a control unit that performs route guidance by displaying a route excluding the route between the checkpoints from the routes searched by the route search unit, wherein the control unit does not perform route guidance when the vehicle is traveling between the checkpoints, thereby proposing the route search device.

[0007] Embodiment 2: One or more embodiments of the present disclosure propose a route search device comprising one or more processors and one or more memories communicably connected to the one or more processors, wherein the one or more processors search for a route from the vehicle's current location to a destination specified by the user, set two checkpoints on the route, obtain information on a planned route between the checkpoints planned by the user, display the route excluding the route between the checkpoints from the searched route, and not provide route guidance when the vehicle is traveling along the planned route.

[0008] One or more embodiments of this disclosure have the effect of giving users an opportunity to train their memory and suppressing the decline of cognitive functions such as memory.

[0009] This figure shows the configuration of a vehicle according to the embodiment of this disclosure. This figure shows the configuration of a route search device according to the embodiment of this disclosure. This figure shows an example of a screen for inputting a planned route displayed by the route search device according to the embodiment of this disclosure. This figure shows an example of a planned route acquired by the route search device according to the embodiment of this disclosure. This figure shows an example of a screen for re-inputting a planned route displayed by the route search device according to the embodiment of this disclosure. This figure shows an example of a screen displayed by the route search device according to the embodiment of this disclosure during route guidance. This figure shows the processing flow of the route search device according to the embodiment of this disclosure. This figure shows the processing flow of the route search device according to the embodiment of this disclosure.

[0010] <Embodiment> A route search device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 8.

[0011] <Configuration of Vehicle 1> As shown in Figure 1, the vehicle 1 according to this embodiment is configured to include a route search device 100, a display device 200, and an input device 300. The route search device 100 will be described later.

[0012] In this embodiment, the display device 200 is, for example, a display panel such as a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) panel, and displays information input from the route search device 100, which will be described later. In this embodiment, the display device 200 displays, for example, a destination setting screen input from the route search device 100, which will be described later. In this embodiment, the display device 200 displays, for example, map information and information regarding the route to the destination, input from the route search device 100, which will be described later. The display device 200 may be, for example, a meter display panel provided in the vehicle 1. The information displayed by the display device 200 will be described later.

[0013] In this embodiment, the input device 300 is, for example, a capacitive touch panel disposed on the surface of the display device 200, which detects user touch operations. In this embodiment, the input device 300 detects, for example, user touch operations when inputting a destination, and outputs the detection result to the route search device 100, which will be described later. In this embodiment, the input device 300 detects, for example, touch operations when inputting a planned route, and outputs the detection result to the route search device 100, which will be described later. The planned route described above will be described later.

[0014] <Configuration of the Route Search Device 100> The route search device 100 is configured to include one or more processors and one or more memories that are communicatively connected to one or more processors. As shown in Figure 2, the route search device 100 according to this embodiment is configured to include a processor 110 and a memory 120. The processor 110 will be described later.

[0015] Memory 120 includes ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc., which are not shown. In this embodiment, memory 120 stores, for example, a control program and various data input from the processor 110, which will be described later. In this embodiment, memory 120 pre-stores map information, including, for example, road information, intersection information, facility information, landmark information, etc. The map information described above is updated as appropriate. In this embodiment, memory 120 stores, for example, deviation history information input from the processor 110, which will be described later. Deviation history information will be described later.

[0016] <Configuration of Processor 110> As shown in Figure 1, the processor 110 is configured to include a location information acquisition unit 111, a route search unit 112, a checkpoint setting unit 113, a route information acquisition unit 114, and a control unit 115. Each part of the processor 110 and the memory 120 perform input and output of various information via the bus line BL.

[0017] In this embodiment, the location information acquisition unit 111 acquires information regarding the current location of the vehicle 1 based on radio waves received from GPS (Global Positioning System) satellites, for example. Hereinafter, the information regarding the current location of the vehicle 1 will be referred to as "current location information". In this embodiment, for example, when a request to acquire current location information is input from the control unit 115 (described later) via the bus line BL, the location information acquisition unit 111 continuously outputs the current location information to the route search unit 112 and the control unit 115, which will be described later.

[0018] The route search unit 112 searches for a route from the current location of the vehicle 1 to a destination specified by the user. In this embodiment, for example, if information regarding the destination is input from the control unit 115 (described later) via the bus line BL, the route search unit 112 searches for a route from the current location to the destination by referring to the map information stored in the memory 120. Hereinafter, the information regarding the destination input from the control unit 115 (described later) will be referred to as "destination information". In this embodiment, for example, the route search unit 112 searches for the route that takes the shortest amount of time from the current location to the destination. In this embodiment, for example, the route search unit 112 outputs information regarding the searched route to the checkpoint setting unit 113, the route information acquisition unit 114, and the control unit 115 (described later) via the bus line BL. In this embodiment, for example, the route search unit 112 stores information regarding the searched route in the memory 120 via the bus line BL. Hereinafter, the information regarding the route searched by the route search unit 112 will be referred to as "route information".

[0019] The checkpoint setting unit 113 sets two checkpoints on the route searched by the route search unit 112. In this embodiment, for example, when route information is input from the route search unit 112 via the bus line BL, the checkpoint setting unit 113 sets two checkpoints on the route. In this embodiment, for example, the checkpoint setting unit 113 sets two checkpoints on the route based on map information and deviation history information stored in the memory 120. Examples of the above-mentioned checkpoints include the current location (starting point), destination, intersections, facilities and landmarks along the route. In this embodiment, for example, the checkpoint setting unit 113 sets the current location (starting point) of vehicle 1 as the first checkpoint. Hereinafter, the first checkpoint will be referred to as "CP1".

[0020] The checkpoint setting unit 113 sets checkpoints based on information regarding the history of vehicle 1 deviating from the planned route. Hereinafter, the information regarding the history of vehicle 1 deviating from the planned route will be referred to as "deviation history information". The above-mentioned deviation history information includes at least information regarding a predetermined number of times determined at the time of the previous checkpoint setting, and information regarding the number of times vehicle 1 deviated from the planned route during the previous trip. In this embodiment, the checkpoint setting unit 113 sets a second checkpoint based, for example, on the route information searched by the route search unit 112 and the deviation history information stored in the memory 120. Hereinafter, the second checkpoint will be referred to as "CP2". In this embodiment, the checkpoint setting unit 113 determines CP2 such that, for example, the number of right and left turns when traveling from CP1 to CP2 on the route searched by the route search unit 112 is a predetermined number determined based on the deviation history information. In the following, the number of times vehicle 1 deviated from the planned route during the previous run will be referred to as the "number of deviations". In this embodiment, for example, if the number of deviations is 0, the checkpoint setting unit 113 determines a predetermined number (e.g., 6) that is one more than the predetermined number (e.g., 5) set during the previous run. In this embodiment, for example, if the number of deviations is 1, the checkpoint setting unit 113 determines a predetermined number (e.g., 5) that is the same as the predetermined number (e.g., 5) set during the previous run. In this embodiment, for example, if the number of deviations is 2 or more, the checkpoint setting unit 113 determines a predetermined number (e.g., 4) that is one less than the predetermined number (e.g., 5) set during the previous run. In this embodiment, for example, the checkpoint setting unit 113 sets CP2 at intersections reached when a predetermined number of right and left turns are performed from CP1 on the route searched by the route search unit 112, as well as facilities and landmarks near those intersections.In this embodiment, the checkpoint setting unit 113 sets the destination to CP2 if, for example, the number of right and left turns to be performed from the current position (CP1) to the destination is less than the predetermined number described above. In this embodiment, the checkpoint setting unit 113 outputs information about the set checkpoint to the control unit 115, which will be described later, via, for example, the bus line BL. Examples of the information about the checkpoint include, for example, the location information of CP1 and CP2. In this embodiment, the checkpoint setting unit 113 stores information about the predetermined number of turns determined when setting the checkpoint as deviation history information in the memory 120.

[0021] The route information acquisition unit 114 acquires information about the planned route between checkpoints planned by the user. Hereinafter, information about the planned route will be referred to as "planned route information". In this embodiment, for example, when a route information acquisition request is input from the control unit 115 (described later) via the bus line BL, the route information acquisition unit 114 acquires the planned route information. The above-mentioned planned route information will be described later. In this embodiment, for example, the route information acquisition unit 114 outputs the planned route information to the control unit 115 (described later) via the bus line BL. In this embodiment, for example, the route information acquisition unit 114 stores the acquired planned route information in the memory 120 via the bus line BL.

[0022] The route information acquisition unit 114 reacquires information about the planned route from the user if the time required between checkpoints when traveling along the planned route is longer than a predetermined time when traveling along the route searched by the route search unit 112. In this embodiment, for example, the route information acquisition unit 114 reacquires the planned route information from the user when a reacquisition request is input from the control unit 115, which will be described later. The planned route information to be reacquired from the user will be described later. In this embodiment, for example, the route information acquisition unit 114 outputs the reacquired planned route information to the control unit 115, which will be described later, via the bus line BL.

[0023] In this embodiment, the control unit 115 controls the entire route search device 100 according to the control program stored in the memory 120. In this embodiment, for example, if the control unit 115 determines that an operation to input destination information has been performed based on the detection result of a touch operation input from the input device 300, it displays a destination input screen on the display device 200. In this embodiment, for example, if the control unit 115 determines that destination information has been input from the user, it outputs the destination information to the route search unit 112 via the bus line BL. In this embodiment, for example, if the control unit 115 determines that destination information has been input from the user, it outputs a request to acquire current location information to the location information acquisition unit 111 via the bus line BL.

[0024] In this embodiment, the control unit 115 displays a planned route input screen on the display device 200 when, for example, information regarding checkpoints is input from the checkpoint setting unit 113 via the bus line BL. In this embodiment, the control unit 115 displays map information, the current position of vehicle 1, the destination position, the position of CP1, and the position of CP2 on the display device 200, for example as shown in Figure 3. In this embodiment, the control unit 115 displays on the display device 200 the route (shown by the thick line in Figure 3) that excludes the route from CP1 to CP2 from the route searched by the route search unit 112. In this embodiment, the control unit 115 displays a planned route input screen on the display device 200, for example as shown in Figure 3, and prompts the user to input the route from CP1 to CP2. The user plans the route from CP1 to CP2 and inputs the planned route by, for example, touching the input device 300. In this embodiment, the user inputs a planned route by, for example, touching the displayed road and tracing the road from CP1 to CP2. In this embodiment, the control unit 115 displays the planned route entered by the user as a dashed line based on the detection result of the touch operation input from the input device 300, for example, as shown in Figure 4. In this embodiment, if the control unit 115 determines, for example, that the "Complete" button shown in Figure 4 has been touched based on the detection result of the touch operation input from the input device 300, it outputs a route information acquisition request to the route information acquisition unit 114.

[0025] In this embodiment, the control unit 115 calculates the planned route duration, which is the time required between checkpoints, based on the planned route information input from the route information acquisition unit 114 and the average vehicle speed. In this embodiment, the control unit 115 calculates the searched route duration, which is the time required between checkpoints, based on the route information searched by the route search unit 112 and the average vehicle speed. The above-described method for calculating the planned route duration and searched route duration is an example, and the calculation may also be performed by further referring to road congestion information, for example. In this embodiment, if the planned route duration is, for example, 30 minutes or more longer than the searched route duration, the control unit 115 displays a screen prompting the user to re-enter the planned route on the display device 200, as shown in Figure 5. In this embodiment, if the control unit 115 determines, for example, that the "Complete" button shown in Figure 5 has been touched based on the detection result of a touch operation input from the input device 300, it outputs a re-acquisition request to the route information acquisition unit 114.

[0026] The control unit 115 displays the route excluding the route between checkpoints from the route search unit 112 and provides route guidance. In this embodiment, for example, when planned route information is input from the route information acquisition unit 114 via the bus line BL, the control unit 115 starts route guidance. In this embodiment, for example, when providing route guidance, the control unit 115 does not display the planned route information acquired from the user on the display device 200, as shown in Figure 6. The control unit 115 does not provide route guidance when vehicle 1 is traveling along the planned route. In this embodiment, for example, if the control unit 115 determines, based on the current location information of vehicle 1, that vehicle 1 is traveling between CP1 and CP2, it does not provide route guidance before intersections where turns are made. In this embodiment, for example, if the control unit 115 determines, based on the current location information of vehicle 1, that vehicle 1 has arrived at CP2, it starts route guidance from CP2 to the destination based on the route information searched by the route search unit 112. In this embodiment, the control unit 115, for example, when traveling from CP2 to the destination, provides route guidance before intersections where turns are required. In this embodiment, the control unit 115 outputs route guidance audio from a speaker (not shown) provided in the vehicle 1.

[0027] If the vehicle 1 deviates from the planned route, the control unit 115 provides route guidance to return the vehicle 1 to the planned route. In this embodiment, for example, when the vehicle 1 is traveling between CP1 and CP2, the control unit 115 determines whether the position of the vehicle 1 has deviated from the planned route. In this embodiment, for example, the control unit 115 determines whether the vehicle 1 has deviated from the planned route based on the current position information input from the position information acquisition unit 111 and the planned route information input from the route information acquisition unit 114. In this embodiment, for example, if the control unit 115 determines that the vehicle 1 has deviated from the planned route, it provides route guidance to return the position of the vehicle 1 to the planned route. In this embodiment, for example, if the control unit 115 determines that the vehicle 1 has arrived at CP2 based on the current position information input from the position information acquisition unit 111, it stores the number of times the vehicle 1 has deviated from the planned route as deviation history information in the memory 120.

[0028] <Processing Flow of Route Search Device 100> The processing flow of the route search device 100 will be explained using Figures 7 and 8.

[0029] As shown in Figure 7, the control unit 115 determines whether or not destination information has been entered by the user (step S110). If the control unit 115 determines that destination information has not been entered ("NO" in step S110), it returns to the standby state. If the control unit 115 determines that destination information has been entered ("YES" in step S110), it proceeds to step S120.

[0030] The control unit 115 outputs destination information to the route search unit 112, causing the route search unit 112 to search for a route from the current location to the destination (step S120), and then proceeds to step S130.

[0031] The checkpoint setting unit 113 sets two checkpoints (step S130) based on the path explored in step S120 and the deviation history information stored in memory 120, and then proceeds to step S140.

[0032] The control unit 115 displays a planned route input screen on the display device 200 showing the positions of CP1 and CP2 set in step S130 (step S140), and then proceeds to step S150.

[0033] The control unit 115 determines whether the input of the planned route has been completed based on the detection result of the touch operation input from the input device 300 (step S150). If the control unit 115 determines that the input of the planned route has not been completed (NO in step S150), it returns to the standby state. If the control unit 115 determines that the input of the planned route has been completed (YES in step S150), it moves the process to step S160.

[0034] The control unit 115 determines whether the time required for the planned route is longer than the time required for the searched route by a predetermined amount of time (step S160). If the control unit 115 determines that the time required for the planned route is not longer than the time required for the searched route by a predetermined amount of time (NO in step S160), it proceeds to step S180. If the control unit 115 determines that the time required for the planned route is longer than the time required for the searched route by a predetermined amount of time (YES in step S160), it proceeds to step S170.

[0035] The control unit 115 displays a screen on the display device 200 prompting the user to re-enter the planned route and outputs a re-acquisition request to the route information acquisition unit 114 (step S170), returning the process to step S150 and continuing the process.

[0036] The route information acquisition unit 114 acquires the planned route information (step S180) and proceeds to step S190.

[0037] Based on the route information searched in step S120 and the planned route information acquired in step S180, the control unit 115 displays the route guidance screen on the display device 200 (step S190), and then proceeds to step S200 in Figure 8.

[0038] The control unit 115 determines whether the position of vehicle 1 has deviated from the planned route based on the current position information input from the position information acquisition unit 111 and the planned route information input from the route information acquisition unit 114 (step S200). If the control unit 115 determines that the position of vehicle 1 has deviated from the planned route (YES in step S200), it provides route guidance to return vehicle 1 to the planned route (step S210) and proceeds to step S220. If the control unit 115 determines that the position of vehicle 1 has not deviated from the planned route (NO in step S200), it proceeds to step S220.

[0039] The control unit 115 determines whether or not vehicle 1 has arrived at CP2 based on the current location information input from the location information acquisition unit 111 and the planned route information input from the route information acquisition unit 114 (step S220). If the control unit 115 determines that vehicle 1 has not arrived at CP2 (NO in step S220), it returns to step S200 and continues processing. If the control unit 115 determines that vehicle 1 has arrived at CP2 (YES in step S220), it moves the processing to step S230.

[0040] The control unit 115 provides route guidance to the vehicle to travel along the route discovered in step S120 (step S230), and then proceeds to step S240.

[0041] The control unit 115 determines whether or not vehicle 1 has arrived at its destination based on the current location information input from the location information acquisition unit 111 and the route information input from the route search unit 112 (step S240). If the control unit 115 determines that vehicle 1 has not arrived at its destination (NO in step S240), it returns to step S230 and continues processing. If the control unit 115 determines that vehicle 1 has arrived at its destination (YES in step S240), it terminates the process.

[0042] <Function and Effects> As described above, the vehicle 1 according to this embodiment includes a route search device 100, a display device 200, and an input device 300. The route search device 100 includes a route search unit 112 that searches for a route from the current position of the vehicle 1 to a destination specified by the user, and a checkpoint setting unit 113 that sets two checkpoints on the route. The route search device 100 includes a route information acquisition unit 114 that acquires information about the planned route between checkpoints planned by the user. The route search device 100 includes a control unit 115 that displays the route excluding the route between checkpoints from the route search unit 112 and provides route guidance. The route information acquisition unit 114 acquires information from the user about the route from CP1 to CP2 planned by the user. The control unit 115 does not display the planned route or provide route guidance when the vehicle 1 is traveling between checkpoints. The user memorizes the route they have planned and drives from CP1 to CP2 without route guidance from the route search device 100. This allows the route search device 100 to give the user an opportunity to train their memory, thereby suppressing the decline of cognitive functions such as memory. Because the route search device 100 provides the user with an opportunity to train their memory, for example, memories of roads, intersections, facilities, landmarks, and routes can be solidified in the brain. As a result, the user can train cognitive functions such as memory, which can be expected to extend the age at which they can drive.

[0043] The control unit 115 of the route search device 100 according to the present embodiment provides route guidance for returning the vehicle 1 to the planned route when the vehicle 1 travels off the planned route. When the vehicle 1 is traveling between checkpoints, the control unit 115 checks whether the vehicle 1 is traveling off the planned route. When the vehicle 1 is traveling off the planned route, the control unit 115 provides route guidance for returning to the planned route. This allows the user to immediately recognize that the vehicle 1 has deviated from the stored planned route. Even if the user forgets the planned route and the vehicle 1 deviates from the planned route, the user can return to the planned route. The route search device 100 allows the user to immediately recognize that the vehicle 1 has deviated from the planned route, thereby minimizing the delay in the arrival time at the destination.

[0044] The checkpoint setting unit 113 of the route search device 100 according to the present embodiment sets checkpoints based on information related to the history of the vehicle 1 traveling off the planned route (deviation history information). In the present embodiment, the checkpoint setting unit 113, for example, sets CP2 such that the number of right and left turns when traveling from CP1 to CP2 on the route searched by the route search unit 112 reaches a predetermined number determined based on the deviation history information. In the present embodiment, for example, when the number of deviations is 0, the checkpoint setting unit 113 determines a number that is one more than the predetermined number (for example, 5) set during the previous travel as the new predetermined number (for example, 6). In the present embodiment, for example, when the number of deviations is 1, the checkpoint setting unit 113 determines the same number as the predetermined number (for example, 5) set during the previous travel as the predetermined number (for example, 5). In the present embodiment, for example, when the number of deviations is 2 or more, the checkpoint setting unit 113 determines a number that is one less than the predetermined number (for example, 5) set during the previous travel as the new predetermined number (for example, 4). The route search device 100 sets checkpoints according to the user's memory ability. As a result, the user can drive to the destination without applying an excessive load to the brain.

[0045] In this embodiment, the control unit 115 of the route search device 100 determines whether the time required between checkpoints when traveling along the planned route is longer than the time required between checkpoints when traveling along the route search unit 112 by a predetermined amount of time. If the control unit 115 determines that the time is longer than the predetermined amount of time, it outputs a request for reacquisition to the route information acquisition unit 114 and reacquires the planned route information from the user. If the control unit 115 determines that traveling along the planned route will delay the arrival time at the destination by a predetermined amount of time, it displays a screen on the display device 200 prompting the user to re-enter the planned route. This allows the route search device 100 to reduce the delay in the arrival time at the destination.

[0046] <Modification 1> The processing of the processor 110 of the route search device 100 described above may be performed by the processor of the navigation device installed in the vehicle 1. The navigation device, for example, displays route information on a display device installed in the navigation device and obtains planned route information from the user. The navigation device displays the route excluding the route between checkpoints from the searched route and provides route guidance. When the vehicle 1 is traveling between checkpoints, the navigation device does not display the planned route or provide route guidance. This allows the navigation device to give the user an opportunity to train their memory, thereby suppressing a decline in cognitive functions such as memory.

[0047] <Modification 2> The processing of the processor 110 of the route search device 100 described above may be performed on a processor such as a smartphone carried by the user. This allows the user to, for example, consider the route between checkpoints in advance at home and input the planned route information. This allows the user to have time to memorize the planned route before getting into the vehicle.

[0048] <Modification 3> Although the checkpoint setting unit 113 of the above-described route search device 100 sets the departure point as CP1, for example, when the departure point is around the user's home, CP1 may be set such that the distance from the home to CP1 is equal to or greater than a predetermined distance. In general, memories of roads around the user's home are often firmly established in the user's brain. Therefore, for example, when the current position is around the user's home, the checkpoint setting unit 113 sets CP1 such that the distance from the home to CP1 is separated by a predetermined distance or more. This allows the user to firmly establish memories of new roads and the like in their brain. Since the route search device 100 provides opportunities to train the memory ability regarding roads and the like that are not firmly established in the brain, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the user's cognitive function.

[0049] <Modification 4> Although the checkpoint setting unit 113 of the above-described route search device 100 sets CP2 based on the number of right and left turns when traveling from CP1 to CP2, CP2 may be set based on the travel distance from CP1 to CP2, for example. The checkpoint setting unit 113 sets CP2 such that the distance from CP1 to CP2 is 10 km or more, for example. Thereby, the route search device 100 provides an opportunity to drive while memorizing a long-distance route, so that it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the user's cognitive function.

[0050] <Modification 5> The checkpoint setting unit 113 of the above-described route search device 100 stores information on facilities and the like that have been set as checkpoints in the past in the memory 120, so as not to present the same checkpoint to the user consecutively, for example. This allows the user to firmly establish memories of new roads, facilities and the like in their brain each time they drive.

[0051] The processing executed by the processor 110 of the above-described route search device 100 may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on this recording medium may be loaded into a memory and executed, whereby the route search device of the present disclosure can be realized. The computer system referred to herein includes hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices.

[0052] The computer system described above includes the homepage provisioning environment (or display environment) if it is using the WWW (World Wide Web) system. The program described above may be transmitted from the computer system in which it is stored to another computer system via a transmission medium or by transmission waves within the transmission medium. The transmission medium for transmitting the program described above refers to a medium that has the function of transmitting information, such as a network (communication network) such as the Internet or a communication line (communication line) such as a telephone line.

[0053] The above program may be intended to implement some of the functions described above. The above program may also be a so-called differential file (differential program) that can implement the functions described above in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system.

[0054] While embodiments of this disclosure have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, all pathfinding devices that a person skilled in the art could implement by appropriately modifying the design based on the pathfinding device described above as an embodiment of this disclosure also fall within the scope of this disclosure, insofar as they encompass the gist of this disclosure. Within the scope of the idea of ​​this disclosure, a person skilled in the art can conceive of various modifications and alterations, and it is understood that such modifications and alterations also fall within the scope of this disclosure. For example, any addition, deletion, or design modification of components, or addition, omission, or modification of processes, to each of the embodiments described above by a person skilled in the art, are also included within the scope of this disclosure, insofar as they retain the gist of this disclosure.

[0055] Any other effects and advantages brought about by the embodiments described herein that are obvious from this specification or that can be appropriately conceived by those skilled in the art are naturally provided by this disclosure. Various inventions can be formed by appropriate combinations of the multiple components disclosed in the above embodiments. For example, some components may be removed from all the components shown in the embodiments. Furthermore, components from different embodiments may be appropriately combined.

[0056] <Additional Notes> [Additional Note 1] A vehicle equipped with a route search device, a display device, and an input device, wherein the route search device comprises a route search unit that searches for a route from the current location of the vehicle to a destination specified by the user, a checkpoint setting unit that sets two checkpoints on the route, a route information acquisition unit that acquires information on a planned route between the checkpoints planned by the user, and a control unit that displays the route excluding the route between the checkpoints from the route search unit and provides route guidance, wherein the control unit does not provide route guidance when the vehicle is traveling between the checkpoints. [Addendum 2] A vehicle comprising a route search device, a display device, and an input device, wherein the route search device includes one or more processors and one or more memories communicably connected to the one or more processors, the one or more processors search for a route from the vehicle's current location to a destination specified by the user, set two checkpoints on the route, obtain information on a planned route between the checkpoints planned by the user, display on the display device the route from the current location to the destination excluding the route between the checkpoints from the searched route, and not provide route guidance when the vehicle is traveling between the checkpoints.

[0057] 1; Vehicle 100; Route search device 110; Processor 111; Location information acquisition unit 112; Route search unit 113; Checkpoint setting unit 114; Route information acquisition unit 115; Control unit 120; Memory 200; Display device 300; Input device

Claims

1. A route search device comprising: a route search unit that searches for a route from the vehicle's current location to a destination specified by the user; a checkpoint setting unit that sets two checkpoints on the route; a route information acquisition unit that acquires information on the planned route between the checkpoints planned by the user; and a control unit that displays the route excluding the route between the checkpoints from the route search unit and provides route guidance, wherein the control unit does not provide route guidance when the vehicle is traveling between the checkpoints.

2. The route search device according to claim 1, characterized in that the control unit provides route guidance to return the vehicle to the planned route if the vehicle deviates from the planned route.

3. The route search device according to claim 2, characterized in that the checkpoint setting unit sets the checkpoints based on information regarding the history of the vehicle deviating from the planned route.

4. The route search device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the route information acquisition unit reacquires information about the planned route from the user if the time required between checkpoints when traveling along the planned route is longer than a predetermined time or more than the time required between checkpoints when traveling along the route searched by the route search unit.

5. A route search device comprising one or more processors and one or more memories communicately connected to the one or more processors, wherein the one or more processors search for a route from the vehicle's current location to a destination specified by the user, set two checkpoints on the route, obtain information on a planned route between the checkpoints planned by the user, display the route excluding the route between the checkpoints from the searched route, and not provide route guidance when the vehicle is traveling along the planned route.

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