JP3736732B2 - Vehicle navigation device and computer-readable storage medium - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is suitable for mounting on a moving body such as an automobile. For vehicle navigation systems Related.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, in the field of automobiles, which are representative vehicles, navigation devices that perform route guidance to a destination have been widely used.
[0003]
In recent years, a navigation device having a communication function has also been proposed. As a navigation device having such a communication function, for example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-105897, a CD or a DVD mounted on the host vehicle is used. When displaying the map image on the display based on the map information stored in advance in the storage medium, when receiving the position information indicating the current position of the other vehicle and the message information, the symbol image corresponding to the position information is displayed. A navigation device that displays a map image including the content of a received message has been proposed.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the navigation device having the conventional communication function can exchange the position information and the message information, but is limited to communication between the navigation devices having the same function, such as a movement trajectory and an image taken in the past. Can not send.
[0005]
Thus, for example, a person traveling on a trip or the like with a vehicle equipped with a navigation device as described above notifies other people outside the vehicle who do not have a navigation device with a similar function of the traveling situation. Is not easy.
[0006]
Therefore, the present invention Moving trajectory Vehicle navigation device for transmission as well as An object is to provide a computer-readable storage medium.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a vehicle navigation apparatus according to the present invention is characterized by the following configuration.
[0008]
That is , A navigation device for a vehicle, comprising: current position detection means for detecting a current position of the own device; and communication control means for transmitting position information representing the detected current position to an external communication device, wherein the current position The detection means includes storage means for storing past movement trajectories by storing position information representing the detected current position over a plurality of points in time series, and the communication control means includes the position information representing the current position. , Transmitting the position information of a plurality of points read out in time series from the storage means to a predetermined external communication device, and the communication control means further includes position information indicating the current position, and the surrounding area of the current position. Based on the map information representing the position information and the position information of the plurality of points, the current position and the past movement locus represented by the position information of the plurality of points are identified. It generates the map image information representing the map image of the surrounding area including the symbol image as possible, the map image information, and transmits to the predetermined external communication apparatus.
Further, the present invention is characterized by a computer-readable storage medium in which control program code operable as the vehicle navigation device is stored.
[0023]
【The invention's effect】
Book ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to invention, provision of the navigation apparatus for vehicles which transmits the movement locus | trajectory of the own vehicle is implement | achieved. Thereby, for example, a person traveling on a trip or the like by a vehicle equipped with the navigation device according to the present invention can inform other people outside the vehicle of the moving situation. Even if the external communication device does not have the same image display function as that of the map information or the navigation device, the map image can be displayed.
[0029]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a vehicle navigation apparatus and an information communication method thereof according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as an embodiment applied to a navigation unit mounted on an automobile.
[0030]
First, the device configuration of the navigation unit in the present embodiment and the overall configuration of a communication system constituted by the navigation unit and an external communication device will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0031]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement of devices around a driver's seat of an automobile equipped with a navigation unit according to this embodiment.
[0032]
In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a navigation unit, which is embedded, for example, in a state where an operation panel is exposed on a center console in a passenger compartment. Reference numeral 2 denotes a navigation operation module capable of various operations of the navigation unit 1 and is provided, for example, in the vicinity of the range shift lever. The navigation operation module 2 includes a switch for operating a navigation function, a switch for capturing photographic information (image information) from the digital camera 4, or a switch for transmitting / receiving data to / from an external device via the mobile phone 3. Are integrated, and the operator performs various operations of the navigation unit 1 while referring to a display screen such as the display 8.
[0033]
A mobile phone 3 is detachably connected to the navigation unit 1. Reference numeral 4 denotes a digital camera that is detachably connected to the navigation unit 1 and does not need to be connected if photographic data is not transmitted to the external communication device.
[0034]
In the present embodiment, the digital camera 4 is based on a compass 42 capable of detecting a shooting direction and a received GPS signal in addition to a general shooting function including an imaging device such as a CCD (Charg-Coupled Device). A GPS sensor 43 for detecting the current position is provided. Photo data (image data) taken by the digital camera 4 includes individual identification (ID) data for each photo, and photo data generated by the imaging device. The data format is composed of fields of coordinate data (latitude, longitude, altitude) representing the photographing position detected by the GPS sensor 43, azimuth data detected by the compass 42, and date data on which the photo data is generated. .
[0035]
The photograph data is not limited to the data obtained by the digital camera 4 as described above. For example, the photograph data obtained by using an external personal computer using a scanner is transferred via a communication line using the mobile phone 3 or the like. Or may be obtained via a removable storage medium.
[0036]
Reference numeral 6 denotes a speaker / microphone unit that includes a microphone through which a passenger inputs voice to the navigation unit 1 and a speaker through which a voice signal output from the unit is output. Used for guidance by As an example, the speaker / microphone unit 6 is embedded in an A-pillar of a vehicle. 7 is a head-up display (HUD) on which various information such as route guidance information and vehicle speed by the navigation unit 1 is displayed. Reference numeral 8 denotes a display provided on the dashboard, which displays the same information as the head-up display 7 and more detailed monitor information such as the operating state of the vehicle.
[0037]
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a communication system and a schematic configuration of a navigation unit and an external communication device in the present embodiment.
[0038]
<Navigation unit 1>
As shown in FIG. 1, the navigation unit 1 includes a navigation operation module 2, a mobile phone 3, a digital camera 4, a microphone / speaker unit 6, a HUD 7, and a display 8 as shown in FIG. The microcomputer 11 is based on map data 12, GPS (global positioning system) sensor 13, and sensor output signals from a gyro etc. by executing a control program stored in advance in a ROM or the like. The current position is detected and a route is guided to a desired destination by a general method, and communication processing (details will be described later) with a stationary communication device 9 as an external communication device is performed.
[0039]
Here, the map data 12 includes a drive unit (not shown) such as a DVD-RAM drive, and includes various kinds of information such as location information representing a route such as roads, railways, rivers, place names, stores and private houses, and their telephone numbers and addresses. This is data read from a storage medium such as a DVD in which information is stored.
[0040]
Further, the map data 12 has a data format based on a predetermined standard, and the position information described above is in a predetermined coordinate system in order to realize general navigation processing such as map matching based on a GPS signal or the like. A point corresponding to the coordinate information in order to display a map image that can be recognized by an occupant (operator) on the display 8 as coordinate information that represents coordinate values (latitude data, longitude data). Attribute information (identification information of roads and their grades, railways, rivers, stores, etc.) is associated in advance for each point.
[0041]
<Communication device 9>
2, the communication device 9 includes a microcomputer 91, a display 92, a speaker 93, a microphone 94, a storage device 95 such as a hard disk, and a modem (or terminal adapter) 96. For example, an information device such as a personal computer for home use or a so-called videophone, which has a communication function capable of bidirectional communication of voice and data, is assumed.
[0042]
The microcomputer 91 has a function of establishing a communication line to a public line in the city based on a general procedure through a modem 96 by executing a control program stored in advance in a ROM, a storage device 95 or the like. In addition, a communication process (details will be described later) with the navigation unit 1 is performed.
[0043]
The communication device 9 will be described as a stationary communication device in order to easily explain the features of the present embodiment. However, the communication device 9 is not limited to the stationary communication device, but detects the current position of the own device or is obtained from the outside. A portable information terminal (PDA) may be used as long as it has a function to perform bidirectional communication of voice and data with the mobile phone 3 connected to the navigation 1.
[0044]
The mobile phone 3 of the navigation unit 1 having the above-described device configuration and the communication device 9 establish a one-to-one communication line using a public line in the city via the exchange 15 and its transmission / reception antenna 16. To do. The public line used in the present embodiment may be an analog or digital telephone line or a line capable of packet communication.
[0045]
[Data communication processing]
Here, the data communication processing included in the operation control processing performed by the navigation unit 1 and the communication device 9 described above will be outlined.
[0046]
The navigation unit 1 transmits to the communication device 9 map image information representing a map image (see FIG. 6) of the area around the current position of the automobile (vehicle) in which the unit is mounted via the communication line. The map image information includes the current position of the navigation unit 1, the past movement trajectory of the host vehicle, information on a symbol image that can identify the route guide route to the destination, and the passage time (date and time) corresponding to the movement trajectory, Information on messages and photographs (or their thumbnail images) is included, and the data format of this map image information is a so-called bitmap, JPEG, GIF, etc. data format that can be easily reproduced by a general personal computer. The data transfer speed of the communication line to be used and how much detailed map image is displayed on the communication device 9 side may be selected.
[0047]
According to the present embodiment, the communication device 9 that has received the map image information includes map information having the same standard as the map data 12 of the navigation unit 1 and a map image display processing module (software or hardware) based on the map information. ), The received map image information can be easily displayed on the display 92, and the operator of the communication device 9 can view the displayed map image so that the navigation unit 1 It is possible to easily recognize the location of the mounted car and the progress of movement.
[0048]
Next, the operation control processing of the navigation unit 1 and the communication device 9 will be described in detail. In the present embodiment, the navigation unit 1 is supplied with power from a battery of an automobile on which the unit is mounted, and has a device configuration capable of executing communication processing described later even when the ignition is off. .
[0049]
<Operation control processing of the navigation unit 1>
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation control process of the navigation unit 1 in the present embodiment, and represents a procedure of software executed by the microcomputer 11.
[0050]
In the figure, step S1, step S2: It is determined whether or not an ignition key switch (not shown) of the vehicle on which navigation 1 is mounted has been turned on (step S1), and NO (ignition: off) is determined by this determination. Sometimes the process proceeds to step S7. When YES (ignition: on), the current position of the host vehicle (coordinate information composed of latitude / lightness data, etc.) is calculated by a general method based on the output signal of the GPS sensor 13 or the like ( Step S2).
[0051]
Step S3, Step S4: Based on the coordinate information of the current position calculated in Step S2, the map information around the current position is read from the map data 12 (Step S3), and the route guide route to the set desired destination The setting process is performed (step S4).
[0052]
Steps S5 and S6: A map image including the current position, the surrounding area, a travel locus (route guidance route), and the like is obtained by using the map information read in step S3 in the same procedure as a general navigation device. Then, it is displayed on the display 8 at a desired scale set by the occupant (step S5), and predetermined navigation processing such as route guidance using the microphone / speaker unit 6 and the HUD 7 is performed (step S6).
[0053]
Step S7: Data storage processing for storing various data to be transmitted to an external communication device is performed.
[0054]
Step S8: Data communication processing that is a feature of the present embodiment is performed.
[0055]
In addition, the process in each step of step S1 to step S6 mentioned above shall be based on a general method, and detailed description in this embodiment is abbreviate | omitted.
[0056]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing data storage processing of the navigation unit 1 in the present embodiment, and shows details of step S7 in FIG.
[0057]
In the figure, step S11 to step S13: It is determined whether a predetermined time period (for example, about 10 minutes) has elapsed (step S11), and when this determination is NO (when the predetermined time has not elapsed) Proceeding to step S14, if YES (when a predetermined time has elapsed), the current position detected in step S2 and the time at the current position are stored in a memory such as an EEPROM (not shown) (step S12). Further, when a route guidance route is set in step S4, route guidance route information representing the route guidance route is stored in the memory (step S13). By these steps, the current position is stored in the memory in time series in the predetermined time period, and thus the time-series position information can be used as information representing the movement locus of the host vehicle.
[0058]
Steps S14 and S15: It is determined whether or not an operation for inputting photo data from the digital camera 4 has been performed (step S14). If the determination is NO (no operation), the process proceeds to step S16, and YES (the operation is present). In this case, the input photographic data is recorded together with the coordinate data (latitude, longitude, altitude) of the photographing position associated with the photographic data, the azimuth data in the photographing direction, and the date data on which the photographic data is generated. It memorize | stores in memory, such as (not shown) (step S15).
[0059]
Step S16, Step S17: It is determined whether a comment (message) input operation has been performed by the operation of the navigation operation module 2 or the like (step S16). If this determination is NO (no input operation), the process proceeds to step S18. If YES (with input operation), the input message data is stored in a memory such as an EEPROM (not shown) in a state in which it is associated with the current position detected in step S2 and the time at the current position (step S17). ).
[0060]
Step S18, Step S19: It is determined whether or not the operation state (on / off state) of the ignition key switch (not shown) of the vehicle equipped with the navigation 1 has changed (step S18). If no change), the process ends (that is, proceeds to step S8 in FIG. 3), and if YES (the operation state changes), the operation state of the switch is determined based on the current position detected in step S2 and its current position. In a state associated with the time at the position, it is stored in a memory such as an EEPROM (not shown) (step S19), and the process is terminated.
[0061]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the data communication process of the navigation unit 1 in the present embodiment, and shows details of step S8 of FIG.
[0062]
In the figure, step S21: It is determined whether or not a predetermined transmission switch capable of starting data transmission has been turned on by an operation of the navigation operation module 2 or the like. If this determination is YES (the switch is operated), The process proceeds to step S26, and if NO (no operation of the switch), the process proceeds to step S22.
[0063]
Steps S22 and S23: It is determined whether or not a data transmission / reception permission mode is set by determining a setting state of a predetermined switch capable of setting permission / prohibition of data transmission / reception (step S22). When it is (permitted mode), the process proceeds to step S23, and when it is NO (prohibited mode), the process proceeds to step S24. In step S23, it is determined whether a predetermined signal for requesting data transmission is received from an external communication device (communication device 9). If this determination is YES (when the signal is received), step S26 is performed. If NO (when the signal is not received), the process proceeds to step S24. When the communication line to be used is a telephone line, it is assumed that the line has been established in order to receive the request signal.
[0064]
Steps S24 and S25: It is determined whether or not an automatic transmission mode for automatically transmitting data to an external communication device is set. If this determination is YES (automatic transmission mode), the process proceeds to step S25; In the case of the manual transmission mode, the process ends (that is, returns to step S1 in FIG. 3).
[0065]
Step S25: When a predetermined time period (for example, about 10 minutes) has elapsed since the previous data was transmitted, the distance traveled by the host vehicle without transmitting the data since the previous data was transmitted to the external communication device is determined. This determination is made as to whether it corresponds to the case where the predetermined distance is exceeded or the scale level of the map image represented by the image data to be transmitted is larger than a predetermined scale ratio (that is, a wide-range map image). If it corresponds to either case, the process proceeds to step S26, and if it does not correspond to any case, the process ends.
[0066]
Here, when the scale level of the map image represented by the image data to be transmitted is larger than a predetermined scale ratio, for example, the destination of the set route guide path and the data to be transmitted at the next data transmission In this case, the distance from the past current position stored in the memory that has not yet been transmitted is too far, and these two positions do not fit in the map image of the predetermined scale ratio.
[0067]
Step S26, Step S27: Data stored in step S7 (data storage process: FIG. 4) (latest and past current position information, photo information, message information, ignition operation state information, etc.) is read from the memory (step S26) The data to be transmitted this time is selected from the read data (step S27). As a selection criterion in step S27, in order to minimize the data communication amount, data that was not transmitted in the previous data transmission or data that was not stored in the memory, from the latest current position to a predetermined time before The data up to the current position of the vehicle or data stored while traveling a predetermined distance is selected.
[0068]
Step S28, Step S29: Based on the output signal of the GPS sensor 13, etc., the current position of the host vehicle (coordinate information consisting of latitude / mild data, etc.) is calculated by a general method (Step S28: FIG. 3 described above) The coordinate information calculated in step S2 may be used), and the location of the destination is detected by referring to the map data 12 according to the telephone number of the destination to which the data is to be transmitted. Map data (coordinate information) of the surrounding area including the position and the address of the other party is read from the map data 12 (step S29).
[0069]
Step S30: The destination to which the data is to be transmitted (the destination of the transmission request signal detected in step S23 or the destination desired by the vehicle occupant whose operation is detected in step S21) is the navigation unit 1. It is determined whether the device has map data of the same standard and can display a map image according to the same procedure as the unit, or a device such as a general personal computer that does not have map data. If YES (having map data), the process proceeds to step S31, and if NO, the process proceeds to step S32. As a determination method in this step, a predetermined confirmation signal is transmitted from the navigation unit 1 to the device of the other party (in addition, in the case of the other party desired by the vehicle occupant who detected the operation in step S21, It may be determined based on whether or not a predetermined response signal for the confirmation signal is received.
[0070]
Step S31: Since it is determined in step S30 that the counterpart device has the same map data as the navigation unit 1 and a map image display function based on the data, the data selected in step S27 (coordinate information) Current position information, past current position information representing the movement trajectory, route guide route information, etc.) are transmitted in the same data format, and the process is terminated.
[0071]
Step S32: Since it is determined in step S30 that the destination device does not have the same map data as the navigation unit 1 and the map image display function based on the data, the destination communication device In order to display an image similar to the map image displayed on the display 8 of the navigation unit 1, map image information in a data format such as so-called bitmap, JPEG, GIF, etc., which can be easily reproduced by a general personal computer. Need to send. Therefore, in this step, the map data (coordinate information) read in step S29 is converted into image data (map image information) in any of the above data formats.
[0072]
Here, as a method of converting coordinate information into image data, as described above, in order to display a map image that can be recognized by an occupant (operator) on the display 8, the coordinate information is included in the coordinate information. Since attribute information (identification information of roads and their grades, railways, rivers, stores, etc.) is associated in advance for each point, color information (for example, roads) to be converted beforehand for each type of attribute information Is white, railway is black, river is blue, route guideway is red, etc.), and according to the setting, individual attribute information associated in advance with the coordinate information of the range to be converted into image data is displayed. Each may be converted into color information.
[0073]
In step S32, if color information is converted for all types of attribute information, the data amount of image data to be transmitted increases, and therefore for predetermined attribute information (stores and private houses) among the attribute information, When the attribute represented by the attribute information is set as the background color of a map image such as green without being converted into color information that can be recognized by the operator, the image data is sent as image data in a predetermined compression format. Simplified map image information with a small amount of transmission data can be generated.
[0074]
In step S32, if the communication partner is far away and does not fit in the map image of the predetermined scale in the description of step S25, a part of the map image to be transmitted (for example, the lower right corner as shown in FIG. 6). It is preferable to synthesize a map image (simple map image) with a high scale ratio (wide range) that includes the current position of the vehicle and the location of the communication partner.
[0075]
The example of the map image shown in FIG. 6 includes the movement trajectory of the own vehicle and its passing time, the current position and the route guidance path ahead, the thumbnail of the photo data, the message, and the like. Is far away and does not fit in the map image of the predetermined scale ratio in the description of step S25, the current position of the host vehicle and the location of the communication partner are shown in the lower right corner of the map image of FIG. A map image (simple map image) with a scale ratio that includes the
[0076]
Step S33, Step S34: The data to be transmitted selected in Step S27 is combined with the image data (map image information) obtained in Step S32 by the same method as in Step S32, and is illustrated in FIG. Such image data representing the map image is generated (step S33), and the generated image data is transmitted to the communication apparatus of the other party via the currently established communication line (step S34), and the process is terminated. To do.
[0077]
<Operation Control Processing of Communication Device 9>
Next, the same map data as the navigation unit 1 and the operation control process performed in the communication device 9 that does not have a map image display function based on the data will be described.
[0078]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation control process of the communication device 9 in the present embodiment, and represents a software procedure executed by the microcomputer 91.
[0079]
In the figure, step S41, step S42: It is determined whether or not a predetermined operation requesting transmission of map image information has been performed (step S41). If this determination is NO (no operation), the process returns, and YES ( When the operation is present, a communication line for the telephone number of the input mobile phone 3 is established, and map image information is transmitted to the navigation unit 1 to which the mobile phone 3 is connected via the established communication line. A predetermined transmission request signal to be requested is transmitted.
[0080]
Step S43, Step S44: It is determined whether image data including a map image or the like has been received from the navigation unit 1 via the currently established communication line (step S43). When this determination is NO (when not received) ) Returns, and if YES (when received), a map image (see FIG. 6) is displayed on the display 92 according to the received image data.
[0081]
According to the above-described embodiment, since the movement trajectory, route guidance path, photographic information, message, and the like of the vehicle on which the navigation unit 1 is mounted can be transmitted to the external communication device, the external communication device Even if the device has the same map data as the navigation unit 1 and the map image display function based on the data, even if the device does not have the function such as the communication device 9 described above, The operator of the device on the side can be notified of the progress of the movement of the host vehicle, improving convenience.
[0082]
In addition, in this embodiment mentioned above, although the navigation unit 1 and the communication apparatus 9 demonstrated as an example the structure which communicates directly via a communication line, it is not restricted to this embodiment structure. For example, the image data transmitted from the navigation unit 1 is temporarily stored in a server computer provided in an information center in the city, in the same manner as in a general e-mail transmission / reception mode via a server of an Internet service provider. Even if a system configuration is adopted in which the operator of the communication device 9 downloads the stored image data or the like to the communication device 9 at a desired timing, the same effects as in the present embodiment can be enjoyed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement of devices around a driver's seat of an automobile on which a navigation unit according to an embodiment is mounted.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a communication system and a schematic configuration of a navigation unit and an external communication device in the present embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation control process of the navigation unit 1 in the present embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing data storage processing of the navigation unit 1 in the present embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing data communication processing of the navigation unit 1 in the present embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a display example of a map image that can be displayed by the communication device 9 in the present embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation control process of the communication device 9 in the present embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
1: Navigation unit,
2: Navigation operation module,
3: Mobile phone,
4: Digital camera,
6: Speaker / microphone unit,
7: Head-up display (HUD),
8, 92: Display,
9: Communication device,
11, 91: microcomputer,
12: Map data,
13, 41: GPS sensor,
15: Switching office,
16: Transmitting / receiving antenna,
42: compass,
93: Speaker,
94: Mike,
95: Storage device
96: modem,

Claims (4)

A vehicle navigation device comprising: current position detection means for detecting a current position of the own device; and communication control means for transmitting position information representing the detected current position to an external communication device,
The current position detection means includes storage means for storing past movement trajectories by storing position information representing the detected current position over a plurality of points in time series,
The communication control means transmits position information of a plurality of points read in time series from the storage means together with position information representing the current position to a predetermined external communication device,
The communication control means further includes
Based on the position information representing the current position, the map information representing the surrounding area of the current position, and the position information of the plurality of points, the current position and the past movement locus represented by the position information of the plurality of points Generating a map image information representing a map image of the surrounding area including a symbol image that can be identified, and transmitting the map image information to the predetermined external communication device . The position information representing the current position, the map information representing the surrounding area, and the position information of the plurality of points are coordinate information representing coordinate values in a predetermined coordinate system, and the coordinate information includes the coordinate information. The attribute information of the corresponding point is associated in advance for each point,
The communication control unit converts attribute information associated in advance with coordinate information representing the current position, the surrounding area, and the plurality of points into color information set in advance for each type of the attribute information. The vehicle navigation apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the map image information is generated. When generating the map image information, the communication control unit does not convert predetermined attribute information among the attribute information into the color information that allows the operator to recognize the attribute represented by the attribute information. The vehicle navigation apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein a simplified map image of a surrounding area including the symbol image is generated. A computer-readable storage medium storing control program code operable as the vehicle navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 .

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