JP2004069549A - Onboard navigation device and facilities icon display method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an onboard navigation device and a facilities icon display method, in which the position and the charge of a car park or other facilities can be easily known, even if the vehicle is traveling. <P>SOLUTION: In displaying the car park around the current position of the vehicle on a map, for example, data on the position, the utilization situation, the charge, and so forth of the car park around the current position of the vehicle are acquired from an information distribution center. The background color of a car park icon is fixed to one color of the white, green, and orange, according to the utilization situation of the car park, and the character color of the car park icon is fixed to one color of blue, gray, and white, according to the charge per hour. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an in-vehicle navigation device and a facility icon display method for guiding a vehicle to a destination, and more particularly, to an in-vehicle navigation device and a facility icon display method for finding a fee of a facility that a user intends to use.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The in-vehicle navigation device includes a map data storage device such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) on which map data is recorded, a display device, a gyro, a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver, a vehicle speed sensor and other vehicle current position and current direction. And the like. Then, the map data including the current position of the vehicle is read from the map data storage device, a map image around the vehicle position is drawn based on the map data, and a vehicle position mark (location) is superimposed on the map image and displayed. Then, scroll the map image according to the movement of the vehicle, fix the map image on the screen and move the vehicle position mark so that you can see at a glance where the vehicle is currently traveling I have.
[0003]
In addition, usually, the in-vehicle navigation device is equipped with a route guidance function that enables a user to easily travel to a desired destination without making a mistake on a road. According to this route guidance function, the lowest cost route from the starting point to the destination using the map data is automatically searched by performing a simulation calculation such as a horizontal search method or a Dijkstra method, and the searched route is guided. The route is memorized as a route, and while driving, the guidance route is drawn on the map in a different color from other roads and is drawn thicker, and is displayed on the screen, or within a certain distance from the intersection where the vehicle should change the route on the guidance route. When the vehicle approaches, the user is guided to the destination by drawing an arrow indicating the course at the intersection where the course is to be changed on the map and displaying the arrow on the screen.
[0004]
The cost is a value obtained by multiplying a constant based on a road width, a road type (such as a general road or an expressway), a right turn, a left turn, and the like based on the distance, a predicted traveling time of a vehicle, and the like. Is a numerical value of the degree of appropriateness. Even if there are two routes having the same distance, the cost differs depending on whether the user specifies, for example, whether to use a toll road, or gives priority to distance or time.
[0005]
In recent years, systems for providing traffic information from outside the vehicle, such as VICS (VEHICLE INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION SYSTEM), have been put to practical use. In the VICS, various traffic information such as accident information, traffic congestion information, and parking lot availability information is provided by an optical beacon, a radio beacon, and FM multiplex broadcasting. The in-vehicle navigation device receives such traffic information via a beacon receiver or an FM multiplex broadcast receiver and displays it on a display device.
[0006]
By the way, it is very convenient for the user to know the availability information of the parking lot around the destination by VICS or the like. However, when there are many parking lots around the destination, it is sometimes necessary to know not only the availability information but also the fee of each parking lot. In order to respond to such a demand, a navigation device in which not only map data but also data such as a position of a parking lot and a fee are recorded in a map data storage means such as a DVD has been put to practical use.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional in-vehicle navigation device, in order to know the charge of the parking lot, for example, a desired parking lot is selected on a map, and then the display of the charge is instructed using a menu having a complicated hierarchical structure. There is a need. Therefore, it is difficult to know the charge of the parking lot while the vehicle is driving, and it is necessary to consider the operation after stopping the vehicle.
[0008]
In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide an in-vehicle navigation device and a facility icon display method that can easily know the position and fee of a parking lot or other facilities even while the vehicle is running. .
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The above-described problems include a map data storage unit that stores map data, a vehicle position detection unit that detects a current position of a vehicle, a facility use fee acquisition unit that acquires fee data of a facility that a user intends to use, and a display. Means, the map data storage means, the vehicle position detection means, and the facility use fee acquisition means are controlled, a map is displayed on the display means, and the facility which the user intends to use is determined according to the use fee. The problem is solved by an on-vehicle navigation device having control means for displaying by an icon.
[0010]
In addition, the above-described problem is that in a facility icon display method of a vehicle-mounted navigation device that displays a facility icon on a map, a facility that a user intends to use is displayed with an icon corresponding to a usage fee of the facility. The feature is solved by a method of displaying a facility icon of a vehicle-mounted navigation device.
[0011]
In the present invention, the facility that the user intends to use is displayed with an icon corresponding to the usage fee. For example, the usage fee of the facility is divided into three stages, and three types of icons having different colors, shapes, sizes, etc. are prepared according to the usage fee. Thereby, the user can easily understand the usage fee of the facility based on the color, shape, or size of the icon displayed on the map, and can determine an optimal facility for the user.
[0012]
If the facility that the user intends to use is a parking lot, if the color, shape or size of the icon is changed according to not only the usage fee but also the usage status (for example, whether or not there is a vacancy), the user can pay the usage fee. And the use situation can be grasped at a glance.
[0013]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0014]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an outline of a method for acquiring parking lot data in a vehicle-mounted navigation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The information distribution center 42 is connected to a parking lot management company 43 via a communication line, and collects, in real time, the usage fees and usage status of the parking lots in various places via the parking lot management company 43. The information distribution center 43 is composed of data (position, name, address, telephone number, etc.) of various facilities such as public facilities, accommodation facilities, leisure facilities, gas stations, convenience stores, and restaurants in various places. The facility database 42a is provided. The facility database 42a also records parking lot data in various places. In response to a request from the on-vehicle navigation device 40 mounted on the vehicle 41, the information distribution center 42 searches for parking lots around a predetermined point using the facility database 42a, and finds the positions of those parking lots. Then, the data of the usage status and the fee are transmitted to the vehicle-mounted navigation device 40.
[0015]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the vehicle-mounted navigation device 40 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0016]
Reference numeral 1 denotes a DVD in which map data is stored. In the map data stored in the DVD 1, roads and the like are stored as a coordinate set of vertices (nodes) represented by longitude and latitude. A road is formed by connecting two or more nodes, and a portion connecting the two nodes is called a link. The map data includes (1) a road layer including a road list, a node table, an intersection configuration node list, and the like; (2) a background layer for displaying roads, buildings, parks, rivers, and the like on a map screen; 3) It is composed of a character / symbol layer for displaying characters such as names of administrative divisions such as municipalities, names of roads, names of intersections, names of buildings, and map symbols.
[0017]
A mobile communication device 2 transmits and receives data to and from the information distribution center 42. In the present embodiment, a vehicle-mounted telephone is used as the mobile communication device 2. Reference numeral 3 denotes an operation unit provided with various operation buttons and the like for operating the navigation device body 10 described later.
[0018]
Reference numeral 4 denotes a VICS receiver for receiving VICS information transmitted via an optical beacon, a radio beacon, and FM multiplex broadcasting. Reference numeral 5 denotes a GPS signal transmitted from a GPS satellite, and the longitude and latitude of the current position of the vehicle. Is a GPS receiver that detects
[0019]
Reference numeral 6 denotes a self-contained navigation sensor. The self-contained navigation sensor 6 includes an angle sensor 6a such as a gyro that detects a vehicle rotation angle, and a traveling distance sensor 6b that generates a pulse at every constant traveling distance. Reference numeral 7 denotes a display device such as a liquid crystal panel. The navigation device main body 10 displays a map around the current position of the vehicle on the display device 7, and provides guidance routes from the departure point to the destination, vehicle position marks, and the like. Display guidance information. Reference numeral 8 denotes a speaker for providing guidance information to the user by voice.
[0020]
The navigation device main body 10 includes the following. Reference numeral 11 denotes a DVD controller for reading data from the DVD1. 12 is an interface connected to the communication device 2, 13 is an interface connected to the operation unit 3, 14 is an interface connected to the VICS receiver 4, 15 is an interface connected to the GPS receiver 5, and 16 is self-contained navigation. This is an interface connected to the sensor 6.
[0021]
Reference numeral 17 denotes a buffer memory for temporarily storing map data read from the DVD 1. Reference numeral 18 denotes a control unit constituted by a microcomputer. The control unit 18 detects the current position of the vehicle based on information input from the interfaces 15 and 16, reads map data of a predetermined area from the DVD 1 via the DVD controller 11 to the buffer memory 17, Various processes are executed, such as searching for a guidance route from the departure point to the destination under the search conditions set using the map data read out in step S17.
[0022]
Reference numeral 19 denotes a map drawing unit that generates a map image using the map data read into the buffer memory 17, and 20 generates various menu screens (operation screens) and various marks such as a vehicle position mark and a cursor according to an operation situation. This is the operation screen / mark generation unit to be operated.
[0023]
21 is a guidance route storage unit that stores the guidance route searched by the control unit 18, and 22 is a guidance route drawing unit that draws the guidance route. The guidance route storage unit 21 stores all nodes of the guidance route searched by the control unit 18 from the departure place to the destination. The guidance route drawing unit 22 reads the guidance route information (node sequence) from the guidance route storage unit 21 and draws the guidance route in a color and line width different from those of other roads.
[0024]
An audio output unit 23 supplies an audio signal to the speaker 8 based on a signal from the control unit 18.
[0025]
Reference numeral 24 denotes an image synthesizing unit, which superimposes on the map image drawn by the map drawing unit 19, various marks and operation screens generated by the operation screen / mark generation unit 20, the guidance route drawn by the guidance route drawing unit 22, and the like. Display on the display device 7.
[0026]
In the navigation device configured as above, the control unit 18 detects the current position of the vehicle from the GPS signal received by the GPS receiver 5 and the signal input from the self-contained navigation sensor 6. Then, map data around the current position of the vehicle is read from the DVD 1 via the DVD controller 11 and stored in the buffer memory 17. The map drawing unit 19 generates a map image based on the map data read into the buffer memory 17, and displays a map image around the current position of the vehicle on the display device 7.
[0027]
In addition, the control unit 18 detects the current position of the vehicle based on signals input from the GPS receiver 5 and the self-contained navigation sensor 6 with the movement of the vehicle, and according to the detection result, displays the map displayed on the display device 7. The vehicle position mark is superimposed on the image, the vehicle position mark is moved with the movement of the vehicle, and the map image is scroll-displayed.
[0028]
Further, when the user operates the operation unit 3 to set a destination, the control unit 18 sets the current position of the vehicle as the departure point and uses the map data of the DVD 1 to determine the lowest cost route from the departure point to the destination. To search. After that, the route obtained by the search is stored in the guidance route storage unit 21 as a guidance route, and the guidance route is superimposed on the map image and displayed. Then, the control unit 18 appropriately outputs guidance information as the vehicle travels, and guides the vehicle to travel along the guidance route to the destination.
[0029]
Hereinafter, an operation of the on-vehicle navigation device according to the present embodiment when searching for a surrounding parking lot will be described.
[0030]
When the user presses a predetermined button on the operation unit 3, the control unit 18 transmits data (latitude / longitude) of the current position of the vehicle to the information distribution center 42 via the communication device 2. The information distribution center 42 uses the facility database 42a to search for a parking lot around the current position of the vehicle sent from the vehicle. Then, the data of the searched position of the parking lot, the use status, and the fee are transmitted to the navigation device 40.
[0031]
In the information distribution center 42, as described above, the parking lot usage status and usage fee data are transmitted in real time from the parking lot management company 43, so that the latest usage status and usage fee can always be known.
[0032]
The control unit 18 of the in-vehicle navigation device 40, when inputting the data of the parking lot position, the use situation and the fee from the information wiring center 42 via the communication device 2, sets a predetermined value on a map corresponding to the latitude and longitude of the parking lot. Display the parking lot icon at the location. At this time, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the background color of the parking lot icon is changed to three types according to the usage status (utilization rate) of the parking lot, and the parking lot is used for one hour. The color of the character (P) of the parking lot icon is changed to three types according to the fee.
[0033]
For example, when the parking lot is empty (the usage rate is 50% or less), the background color of the parking lot icon is set to white. When the usage rate of the parking lot is about 70%, the background color of the parking lot icon is green, and when the usage status of the parking lot is full (the usage rate is almost 100%), the background color of the parking lot icon is orange. Color.
[0034]
For parking lots where the usage fee per hour is 400 yen or less, the color of the text is blue. For parking lots where the usage fee per hour is 401-600 yen, the text color is gray and the parking fee of 601 yen or more is used. For the parking lot, the text color is white.
[0035]
As described above, in the present embodiment, one of the nine types of parking lot icons is selected and displayed according to the usage status and the fee of the parking lot.
[0036]
FIG. 4 is an example of a screen displayed on the display device 7 after performing a search for a parking lot around the vehicle-mounted navigation device according to the present embodiment.
[0037]
In the present embodiment, the use status of the parking lot is indicated by the character color of the parking lot icon, and the usage fee per hour is indicated by the character color of the parking lot icon, so that the user only needs to look at the screen of the display device 7. It is possible to easily grasp the position of the parking lot, the status of use, and the fee per hour, and instantaneously determine which parking lot is most suitable.
[0038]
In the above-described embodiment, the operation has been described in the case of searching for a parking lot around the current position of the vehicle. However, in the case of searching for a parking lot around a destination or an arbitrary point, use of the parking lot is similar to the above. A parking lot icon corresponding to the situation and the usage fee is displayed. The basic operation in this case is the same as that of the above-described embodiment, and the description is omitted here.
[0039]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the character color of the icon changes according to the usage fee per hour has been described. However, when the estimated parking usage time is input, the icon is changed according to the usage fee at the parking usage time. The character color of the icon may be changed.
[0040]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the data of the parking lot, the use status, and the use fee are acquired from the information distribution center 42 via the mobile communication device 2, but the present invention is not limited to this. is not. For example, data on the position of the parking lot and the usage fee may be stored in the DVD 1, and data on the usage status of the parking lot may be acquired by VICS or the like. Furthermore, instead of changing the color of the icon, the shape and size of the icon may be changed.
[0041]
Furthermore, a full parking lot or a parking lot whose usage fee is equal to or more than the amount set by the user may not be displayed on the screen.
[0042]
(Other embodiments)
In the above-described embodiment, the case where the present invention is used for searching for a surrounding parking lot has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when searching for accommodation facilities (hotels, etc.), The icon of the facility may be changed according to the accommodation fee. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display device after searching for accommodation facilities around the current position of the vehicle in the on-vehicle navigation device according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5, since the background color of the icon is changed, the position of the accommodation facility and the usage fee can be known at a glance.
[0043]
Further, the color, shape or size of the icon may be changed depending on the entrance fee for cultural facilities such as a zoo, a museum, an aquarium, and a botanical garden.
[0044]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the facility that the user intends to use is displayed with the icon corresponding to the usage fee, so that the location of the facility and the usage fee can be easily identified by the icon displayed on the map. The most suitable facility for the user can be determined. . In particular, when the facility that the user intends to use is a parking lot, if the icon is changed according to not only the usage fee but also the usage status (for example, whether or not there is a vacancy), the user can change the usage fee and the usage status. You can grasp at a glance.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an outline of a method for acquiring parking lot data in a vehicle-mounted navigation device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a vehicle-mounted navigation device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of nine types of parking lot icons displayed according to a parking lot usage status and a usage fee;
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on a display device after performing a peripheral parking lot search of the vehicle-mounted navigation device according to the present embodiment;
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display device after searching for accommodation facilities around the current position of the vehicle in the on-vehicle navigation device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 ... DVD,
2 ... communication equipment,
3. Operation unit,
4: VICS receiver,
5 ... GPS receiver,
6… Self-contained navigation sensor,
7. Display device,
10. Navigation device body,
11 ... DVD controller,
17 ... buffer memory,
18 ... Control unit,
19: Map drawing unit,
20 ... operation screen / mark generation unit
21: guidance route storage unit,
22 ... guidance route drawing unit
40 ... in-vehicle navigation device
41 ... Vehicle,
42 Information distribution center
43 ... Parking lot management company.

Claims (6)

Map data storage means for storing map data;
Vehicle position detecting means for detecting the current position of the vehicle;
Facility use fee acquisition means for acquiring fee data of a facility that the user intends to use,
Display means;
The map data storage means, the vehicle position detection means, and the facility usage fee acquisition means are controlled to display a map on the display means, and the facility which the user intends to use is displayed with an icon corresponding to the usage fee. An in-vehicle navigation device comprising a control unit. The in-vehicle navigation device according to claim 1, further comprising communication means capable of communicating with an information distribution center outside the vehicle. When the facility that the user intends to use is a parking lot, the control unit obtains information on the usage status of the parking lot via the communication unit, and the usage status and the fee of the parking lot are identifiable. The in-vehicle navigation device according to claim 2, wherein an icon is displayed. Change one of the background color or the character color of the parking lot icon according to the usage status of the parking lot, and change the other of the background color or the text color of the parking lot icon according to the usage fee of the parking lot. The vehicle-mounted navigation device according to claim 3, wherein the navigation device is changed. The in-vehicle navigation device according to claim 2, wherein the facility use fee acquisition unit acquires fee data of a facility that the user intends to use via the communication unit. In a facility icon display method of a vehicle-mounted navigation device for displaying a facility icon on a map,
A facility icon display method for an in-vehicle navigation device, wherein a facility to be used by a user is displayed with an icon corresponding to a usage fee of the facility.

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