Patent EP0702208A2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
← Back to Patent Explorer
EP0702208A2 Expired / Lapsed EP ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Method and system of route selection

Assignee: Panasonic Holdings Corp
•
Filing: 1995-09-07
•
Granted: —
•
Expires: 2015-09-07
📄 Original PDF 🌐 Google Patents 🔄 Sync Now

Abstract

Abstract A route selection data storage unit 7 stores route selection data which are created from original data describing a detailed road system. When a plurality of crossings and a plurality of roads which are expressed on the road system in the original data satisfy prescribed conditions, these crossings and roads are integrated with each other respectively and recorded in the route selection data. The route selection data include a passage link table, so that links which are deleted by integration of the crossings are not missed. The passage link table records links which are deleted due to the integration of the crossings but passed in practice with reference to approach and escape links as to the respective crossings integrated with each other. An optimum route search unit 6 searches for the optimum route between a starting place and a destination which are designated by a position detection unit and/or a spot input unit 5 through the route selection data. When the optimum route obtained through the search passes through the integrated crossings, the optimum route search unit 6 supplements the deleted links with corresponding passage links recorded in the passage link table.

Inventors

  • 👤 Takeshi Yagyu
  • 👤 Yoshiki Ueyama
  • 👤 Makoto Fushimi
  • 👤 Yasuhiro Nakamura

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction EP
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-09 15:46
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01C; G01C21/00; G01C21/26; G01C21/34; G01C21/3407; G01C21/3415

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 42
Claim 1
Independent Claim 68 words
A route selection method for selecting the optimum route on a map, comprising: a first step of integrating crossings satisfying predetermined conditions with each other in original data describing a detailed road system, thereby creating route selection data reducing the number of crossings; and a second step of searching for the optimum route between a starting place and a destination as being designated through said route selection data.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 99 words
The route selection method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said route selection data include: road system data describing said road system after integration of said crossings, and a passage link table recording links being deleted due to said integration of said crossings but passed in practice with reference to approach and escape links as to respective said crossings being integrated with each other, said second step being adapted to supplement said deleted links with corresponding said passage links being described in said passage link table when the optimum route obtained by a search passes through said integrated crossings.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 64 words
The route selection method in accordance with claim 2, wherein said first step is adapted to integrate crossings on said data with each other when a traffic control is present over a plurality of crossings in an actual road system, said passage link table recording said traffic control being applied to said crossings being integrated with each other in relation to said traffic control.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 68 words
The route selection method in accordance with claim 2, wherein said passage link table further records evaluation values in passage of said integrated crossings with reference to said approach and escape links, said second step being adapted to search for the optimum route by reading said passage evaluation values corresponding to approach and escape links as to said integrated crossings from said passage link table and referring thereto.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 59 words
The route selection method in accordance with claim 2, wherein said passage link table further records traffic information provision numbers as to said integrated crossings with reference to said approach and escape links, said second step being adapted to search for the optimum route in consideration of traffic information being provided in correspondence to said traffic information provision numbers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 96 words
The route selection method in accordance with claim 5, wherein said road system being described in said original data is divided into predetermined regions, said traffic information being provided for respective said regions, said passage link table also recording traffic information provision numbers corresponding to regions to which crossings being integrated with each other beyond boundaries between said predetermined regions belong before said integration upon presence of said crossings in road system data in said route selection data, in addition to traffic information provision numbers corresponding to regions to which said crossings belong after said integration.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 37 words
The route selection method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said first step is adapted to integrate a plurality of roads, being present between adjacent two crossings due to said integration of said crossings, with each other.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 75 words
A route selection system for selecting the optimum route on a map, comprising: route selection data storage means storing route selection data, being created from original data describing a detailed road system, reducing the number of crossings by integrating those satisfying predetermined conditions in said original data with each other; and optimum route search means searching for the optimum route between a starting place and a destination as being designated through said route selection data.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 93 words
The route selection system in accordance with claim 8, wherein said route selection data include: road system data describing said road system after integration of said crossings, and a passage link table recording links being deleted by said integration of said crossings but being passed in practice with reference to approach and escape links as to respective said integrated crossings, said optimum route search means supplementing said deleted links with corresponding said passage links being recorded in said passage link when the optimum route obtained by said search passes through said integrated crossings.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 65 words
The route selection system in accordance with claim 9, wherein crossings on said original data are integrated with each other in said route selection data when a traffic control is present over a plurality of crossings in an actual road system, said passage link table recording said traffic control being applied to said crossings being integrated with each other in relation to said traffic control.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 67 words
The route selection system in accordance with claim 9, wherein said passage link table further records evaluation values in passage of said integrated crossings with reference to said approach and escape links, said optimum route search means searching for the optimum route by reading said passage evaluation values corresponding to approach and escape links as to said integrated crossings from said passage link table and referring thereto.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 58 words
The route selection system in accordance with claim 9, wherein said passage link table further records traffic information provision numbers as to said integrated crossings with reference to said approach and escape links, said optimum route search means searching for the optimum route in consideration of traffic information being provided in correspondence to said traffic information provision numbers.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 96 words
The route selection system in accordance with claim 12, wherein said road system being described in said original data is divided into predetermined regions, said traffic information being provided for respective said regions, said passage link table also recording traffic information provision numbers corresponding to regions to which crossings being integrated with each other beyond boundaries between said predetermined regions belong before said integration upon presence of said crossings in road system data in said route selection data, in addition to traffic information provision numbers corresponding to regions to which said crossings belong after said integration.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 37 words
The route selection system in accordance with claim 8, wherein a plurality of roads being present between adjacent two crossings due to said integration of said crossings are integrated with each other in said route selection data.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 86 words
A route selection system for selecting the optimum route on a map, comprising: starting route search means searching for the optimum routes from a starting place to respective spots being present in a prescribed range and selecting any one from said optimum routes as a starting route; output means outputting said starting route being obtained by said starting route search means for guidance; and optimum route search means searching for the optimum route to said destination after said starting route is outputted from said output means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 50 words
The route selection system in accordance with claim 15, wherein said starting route search means searches for the optimum routes to respective spots being present in a range being reachable in a constant time from said starting place for selecting any one from said optimum routes as said starting route.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 44 words
The route selection system in accordance with claim 15, wherein said starting route search means searches for the optimum routes to respective spots being present at constant distances from said starting place for selecting any one from said optimum routes as said starting route.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 75 words
The route selection system in accordance with claim 15, wherein said starting route search means presumes arrival evaluation values from terminal spots of respective said optimum routes obtained by said search to said destination for selecting that having the minimum sum of an arrival evaluation value of the optimum route from said starting place to said terminal spot and said presumed arrival evaluation value from said terminal spot to said destination as said starting route.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 95 words
The route selection system in accordance with claim 18, further comprising storage means storing starting route decision data, said starting route decision data including arrival evaluation values being necessary for traveling along the optimum route between arbitrary two spots as to each of a plurality of spots being previously picked up on said map, said starting route search means presuming said arrival evaluation values from terminal spots of respective said optimum routes being obtained by said search to said destination on the basis of said starting route decision data being stored in said storage means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 98 words
The route selection system in accordance with claim 19, wherein said map being employed for said route search in said starting route search means and said optimum route search means is previously divided into units, said starting route decision data assuming spots on roads being present on boundaries between said units as starting place side spots for storage of said arrival evaluation values, said starting route search means searching for the optimum routes to respective said spots being present in said units including said starting place for selecting any one of said optimum routes as said starting route.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 35 words
The route selection system in accordance with claim 19, wherein said storage means stores said arrival evaluation values while reducing the number of destination side spots as compared with that of starting place side spots.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 80 words
The route selection system in accordance with claim 18, wherein said starting route search means obtains arrival evaluation values necessary for traveling along one-line distances between terminal spots of said optimum routes obtained by said search and said destination for selecting that having the minimum sum of an arrival evaluation value of the optimum route from said starting place to said terminal spot and said presumed arrival evaluation value from said terminal spot to said destination as said starting route.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 117 words
The route selection system in accordance with claim 15, further comprising storage means storing starting route decision data, said starting route decision data including information on a spot to be passed for traveling along the optimum route between arbitrary two spots as to each of a plurality of spots being previously picked up on said map, said starting route search means acquiring the optimum route between said starting place and said destination from said starting route decision data for regarding a passage spot being included in said optimum route being acquired from said starting route decision data as a temporary destination for selecting said starting route among a plurality of optimum routes being obtained by said search.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 40 words
The route selection system in accordance with claim 15, wherein said starting route search means selects a route most approaching the direction of said destination as said starting route among a plurality of optimum routes being obtained by said search.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 66 words
The route selection system in accordance with claim 15, wherein said optimum route search means searches for a first optimum route from said starting place to said destination, searches for a second optimum route for reaching said first optimum route from a current position, and connects said first and second routes with each other to define the optimum route from said current position to said destination.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 55 words
The route selection system in accordance with claim 25, wherein said optimum route search means searches for said second route in a prescribed range from said current position to define a route between said current position to a spot intersecting with said first route on a boundary of said search range as said second route.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 39 words
The route selection system in accordance with claim 15, wherein said optimum route search means searches for the optimum route from a terminal spot of said starting route being obtained by said starting route search means to said destination.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 33 words
The route selection system in accordance with claim 15, wherein said starting route search means prepares data being necessary for said search during a user's operation of setting said destination of said route.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 46 words
A route selection method employing route selection data recording a road system and route numbers being arbitrarily set for prescribed roads respectively for obtaining a route from a starting place or its vicinity to a destination or its vicinity on the basis of said route numbers.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim 64 words
The route selection method in accordance with claim 29, wherein route numbers of roads passing through the vicinity of said starting place are compared with those of roads passing through the vicinity of said destination so that those of said roads having the same said route number are selected as a route connecting the vicinity of said starting place with that of said destination.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim 29 words
The route selection method in accordance with claim 30, wherein the optimum route between said starting place and said road of said selected route number is further searched for.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim 28 words
The route selection method in accordance with claim 31, wherein the optimum route between said road of said selected route number and said destination is further searched for.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim 37 words
The route selection method in accordance with claim 30, wherein any one road is selected by the user when a plurality of roads having the same said route number are found as the result of said comparison.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim 104 words
The route selection method in accordance with claim 29, wherein the optimum routes to respective spots being present in a predetermined constant range from said starting place are searched for and thereafter route numbers of roads passing through said searched range are compared with those of roads passing through the vicinity of said destination so that, upon finding of roads having the same route number, a combination of the optimum route between said starting place and said road having said route number and said road having said road number is selected as the route connecting said starting place with the vicinity of said destination.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim 28 words
The route selection method in accordance with claim 34, wherein the optimum route between said road of said selected route number and said destination is further searched for.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim 37 words
The route selection method in accordance with claim 34, wherein any one road is selected by the user when a plurality of roads having the same said route number are found as the result of said comparison.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim 118 words
The route selection method in accordance with claim 29, wherein optimum routes to respective spots being present in a predetermined constant range from said starting place and those to respective spots being present in a predetermined constant range from said destination are searched for respectively and thereafter route numbers of roads passing through both said searched ranges are compared with each other so that a combination of the optimum route between said starting place and a road having a certain route number and the optimum route between said road having said route number and said destination is selected as the route connecting said starting place with said destination upon finding of roads having the same said route number.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim 37 words
The route selection method in accordance with claim 37, wherein any one road is selected by the user when a plurality of roads of the same said route number are found as the result of said comparison.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim 86 words
The route selection method in accordance with claim 29, wherein the user is made to designate a spot to be passed and a route number corresponding to said designated spot is obtained from said route selection data, so that the optimum route between said starting place and a road having said obtained route number is obtained in the vicinity of said starting place while the optimum route between said road having said obtained route number and said destination is obtained in the vicinity of said destination.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim 169 words
A route selection system employing route selection data recording a road system and route numbers being arbitrarily set for prescribed roads respectively for selecting a route between a starting place and a destination, comprising: first search means searching for optimum routes to respective spots being present in a predetermined constant range from said starting place; second search means searching for optimum routes to respective spots being present in a predetermined constant range from said destination; compare means comparing roads passing both said ranges being searched by said first and second search means with each other; and route selection means selecting a combination of the optimum route between said starting place and a road having a certain said route number, a road having said route number and the optimum route between said road having said route number and said destination as the route connecting said starting place with said destination when roads having the same said route number are present as the result of said comparison by said compare means.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim 45 words
The route selection system in accordance with claim 40, further comprising user designation means for making the user designate any one road when a plurality of roads having the same said route number are present as the result of said comparison by said compare means.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim 166 words
A route selection system employing route selection data recording a road system and route numbers being arbitrarily set for prescribed roads respectively for selecting a route from a starting place to a destination, comprising: designation means making the user designate a spot to be passed; retrieval means retrieving a route number corresponding to said spot being designated by said designation means from said route selection data; first search means searching for the optimum route between said starting place and a road having said retrieved route number; second search means searching for the optimum route between said road having said retrieved route number and said destination; and route selection means selecting a combination of the optimum route in the vicinity of said starting place being searched for by said first search means, said road having said retrieved route number, and the optimum route in the vicinity of said destination being searched for by said second search means as a route connecting said starting place with said destination.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

JPS59105113A Cited
JPH0256591A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Maintenance schedule is calculated for granted US utility patents.

Assigned Categories & Tags

No categories assigned to this patent yet.

Assign Category Tag