Route search and navigation apparatus and storage medium storing computer programs for navigation processing with travel difficulty by-pass
First Claim
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1. A route search apparatus comprising:
- search means for searching a database to determine a guidance route;
a receiver for receiving information as to an impedance to travel on a road within a local area;
present location detection means for detecting the present location of the apparatus;
first comparison means for comparing the received information, inclusive of location of an impedance to travel, with said guidance route to determine if the impedence to travel is located ahead on the guidance route;
search estimation means, responsive to a determination that the location of the impedence to travel is located ahead on the guidance route, for determining a necessary time or distance required for a new route search to determine a new guidance route by-passing the impedence to travel and for preparation to initiate guidance based on the new guidance route;
prediction means for determining a predicted travel time or predicted travel distance between the detected present location and a specified location in advance of the impedance to travel;
second comparison means for comparing the necessary time with the predicted travel time or the necessary distance with the predicted travel distance; and
judgement means for deciding, based on the comparison by said second comparison means, whether or not the new route search is to be conducted.
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Abstract
The present invention prevents execution of a detour route search, responsive to and in accordance with received VICS data, where certain conditions are not met. To this end, the system of the invention calculates a time RT1 required for a vehicle to move from its present location to a first point where the vehicle must turn to the right or left to follow a previously determined guidance route and also calculates a time CT required to conduct a route re-search based on the received VICS data. If RT1≦CT the system then performs a route re-search based on the received VICS data. On the other hand, if RT1<CT execution of the route re-search is prohibited.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A route search apparatus comprising:
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search means for searching a database to determine a guidance route; a receiver for receiving information as to an impedance to travel on a road within a local area; present location detection means for detecting the present location of the apparatus; first comparison means for comparing the received information, inclusive of location of an impedance to travel, with said guidance route to determine if the impedence to travel is located ahead on the guidance route; search estimation means, responsive to a determination that the location of the impedence to travel is located ahead on the guidance route, for determining a necessary time or distance required for a new route search to determine a new guidance route by-passing the impedence to travel and for preparation to initiate guidance based on the new guidance route; prediction means for determining a predicted travel time or predicted travel distance between the detected present location and a specified location in advance of the impedance to travel; second comparison means for comparing the necessary time with the predicted travel time or the necessary distance with the predicted travel distance; and judgement means for deciding, based on the comparison by said second comparison means, whether or not the new route search is to be conducted. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A navigation apparatus for a vehicle comprising:
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present position detection means for detecting present position of the vehicle; a receiver for receiving road traffic information; route search means for searching a database to determine a route leading to a destination; necessary time calculation means for calculating time required for a new route search performed in accordance with the road traffic information received by said road traffic information reception means to determine a new guidance route and for preparation to initiate guidance for the new guidance route; predictive time calculation means for calculating a predicted time required for the vehicle to arrive at a specified location in advance of a road branch in the direction of forward travel by the vehicle; comparison means for comparing said necessary time with said predicted time; and judgment means, responsive to said comparison, for judging whether or not the new route search is to be conducted. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5)
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6. A medium storing therein a computer program for navigation of a vehicle, the program including:
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calculating a necessary time for execution of a route search, in accordance with updated road traffic information received from a source remote from the vehicle, to determine a new guidance route and for preparation to initiate guidance along the new guidance route; calculating a predicted time when the vehicle is expected to reach a travel direction change point leading to the new guidance route; comparing the predicted time with the necessary time; and executing the route search in accordance with results of the comparison. - View Dependent Claims (7)
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8. A navigation apparatus for a vehicle comprising:
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present position detection means for detecting the present location of the vehicle; a receiver for receiving road traffic information; route search means for searching to determine a guidance route leading to a destination; necessary time calculation means for calculating time required for a new route search, performed in response to receipt of the road traffic information, for determination of a new guidance route and for preparation to initiate guidance for the new guidance route; predictive time calculation means for calculating a predicted time required for the vehicle to reach a travel direction-change location in the forward direction at which the vehicle must to turn to follow the new guidance route; comparison means for comparing said necessary time with said predicted time; and judgment means responsive to said comparison, for judging whether or not the new route search is to be conducted. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
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11. A medium storing therein a computer program for navigation processing for use in a vehicle, the program comprising:
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calculating a necessary time for a new route search for a new guidance route in accordance with road traffic information received by communication from a location remote from the vehicle and for preparation for start of guidance for the new guidance route; calculating a predicted time when the vehicle is expected to reach a certain location in advance of a road branch; comparing the predicted time with the necessary time for a determination of whether or not the new route search should be conducted. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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Specification