JP3791043B2 - Navigation device and intersection guide method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a navigation device and an intersection guidance method for outputting guidance information relating to an intersection for changing a route on a drive route by superimposing and displaying a position of a measured vehicle and a set drive route on map data.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, for vehicle use, a combination of vehicle position information obtained by GPS (Grobal Positioning System) and map data stored in an optical disk, an IC card, or the like is used to form a liquid crystal display (hereinafter referred to as “LCD”). ) And the like, the demand for navigation devices that inform the user of the current position of the vehicle on the map data has increased, and various navigation devices have been developed.
[0003]
In such a navigation device, a driving route from the departure point to the destination point is set on the map data in advance, and when actually driving, the driver is guided to drive according to the driving route. Done. For example, the voice guidance is automatically output when the distance to the intersection on the drive route where the vehicle changes the course next reaches a predetermined distance (for example, 300 m), and the driver is aware that the vehicle turns at the intersection. I was letting.
[0004]
[Problem to be Solved by the Invention]
However, in the above-described conventional configuration, voice guidance is output only when the vehicle approaches a predetermined distance from the next intersection where the route is to be changed, so that voice guidance is output when there is no intersection where the route is to be changed for a while. This is a problem that the user feels uneasy about driving.
[0005]
The present invention provides a navigation device and an intersection guidance method for providing guidance information for an intersection on a drive route whose route is to be changed next when a user requests guidance information when driving according to a set drive route. For the purpose.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
To achieve this object, the present invention provides positioning means for determining the position of a vehicle, map storage means for storing road map data, image display means for displaying image signals such as the road map data, and the road map. An enlarged map creating means for creating enlarged map data of an intersection based on data, an input means for a user to input various data, and the road based on departure point information and destination point information input from the input means Route driving means for setting a drive route on map data, route storage means for storing the drive route set by the route setting means, and when traveling according to the drive route stored in the route storage means Next, an output request for guidance information relating to an intersection on the drive route whose route is to be changed next (hereinafter referred to as “first intersection”) is received. When there from the means, when the searching first intersection based on the drive route, (hereinafter referred to as "second intersection") the first intersection to change the course in succession intersection exists , And a control means for causing the enlarged view creation means to create enlarged view data for each of the first and second intersections and outputting the two enlarged view data to the image display means.
[0007]
As a result, when driving according to the set drive route, a navigation device is provided that provides guidance information for intersections on the drive route whose route is to be changed next when the user requests guidance information.
[0010]
According to a first aspect of the present invention includes a positioning means for determining the position of the vehicle, and map storage means for storing road map data, and image display means for displaying an image signal, such as the road map data, the road An enlarged map creating means for creating enlarged map data of an intersection based on map data, an input means for a user to input various data, and based on departure point information and destination point information input from the input means, When traveling according to the drive route stored in the route storage means, route storage means for storing the drive route set by the route setting means, route setting means for setting the drive route on the road map data In addition, an output request for guidance information related to an intersection on the drive route whose route is to be changed next (hereinafter referred to as a “first intersection”) is input. When there from stage, when the searching first intersection based on the drive route, (hereinafter referred to as "second intersection") the first intersection to change the course in succession intersection exists , By causing the enlarged map creation means to create the enlarged map data for each of the first and second intersections, and the control means for outputting the two enlarged map data to the image display means, Guidance information relating to the first intersection on the drive route can be output as an enlarged view at any point designated by the input means.
[0011]
【Example】
An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0012]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a navigation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. First, the configuration of the navigation device of this embodiment will be described below.
[0013]
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes positioning means for determining the position of the vehicle, which determines the position of the vehicle using a positioning method called satellite navigation or self-contained navigation. The former satellite navigation includes a GPS receiver that simultaneously receives radio waves from a plurality of GPS satellites and obtains positioning data such as the absolute position of the vehicle. A moving distance and a moving direction of a vehicle are calculated from a physical quantity of the vehicle detected by a sensor, a gyro sensor, or the like, and are accumulated in a previous vehicle position to obtain a current vehicle position.
[0014]
Reference numeral 2 denotes data storage means for storing various types of data in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disk-Read Only Memory), which is road map data and point information (hereinafter referred to as “land”) that serves as a landmark for driving buildings and facilities. Display data), map data, position (coordinate) data corresponding to landmark information, voice data for voice guidance, and the like are stored.
[0015]
Reference numeral 3 denotes image display means for displaying image signals such as map data to the user, and an LCD or the like is used for the display screen.
[0016]
Reference numeral 4 denotes voice synthesis means for performing voice synthesis processing on voice data stored in the data storage means 2 and outputting a voice signal.
[0017]
Reference numeral 5 denotes a voice output means for outputting the voice signal output from the voice synthesis means 4 as voice.
[0018]
Reference numeral 6 denotes an input means for inputting various data by the user. The user gives an instruction by operating a keyboard, a touch panel, or the like, or an instruction given by recognizing the voice emitted by the user. Can be considered. In particular, the latter input method based on voice recognition does not affect the driving of the user and is very effective from the viewpoint of safety.
[0019]
Reference numeral 7 denotes route setting storage means for setting and storing a drive route on the road map data based on the departure point and the destination point input from the input means 6.
[0020]
Reference numeral 8 denotes an enlarged map creating means for creating an enlarged map of the intersection based on the road map data stored in the data storage means 2.
[0021]
Reference numeral 9 denotes timer means for counting a predetermined time.
Reference numeral 10 denotes control means for controlling signals output from the aforementioned means.
[0022]
The operation of the navigation device configured as described above will be described below.
[0023]
In this embodiment, the drive route from the departure point to the destination point is set and stored in advance by the route setting storage means 7. As for the method of setting the drive route, there are prior methods such as a method for setting the distance from the departure point to the destination point to be the shortest, or a method for preferentially selecting the main road. Detailed description in the example is omitted.
[0024]
When the apparatus is activated, the control means 10 reads out only a predetermined area of the road map data stored in the data storage means 2 based on the vehicle position information output from the positioning means 1, and the vehicle is stored in the read road map data. The position information is superimposed and output to the image display means 3. The drive route stored in the route setting storage unit 7 is also superimposed on the road map data and output to the image display unit 3.
[0025]
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the navigation device in one embodiment of the present invention. When driving according to a preset drive route, the position of the vehicle at the time when the user requests guidance for an intersection, The operation of performing voice guidance at the next intersection (hereinafter referred to as the “first intersection”) whose course is to be changed is shown. Note that, as shown in the conventional example, this operation includes an operation in which voice guidance is performed automatically when the vehicle approaches a first intersection up to a predetermined distance (for example, 300 m).
[0026]
As shown in FIG. 2, when the control means 10 detects that there is an instruction for the output of guidance information from the input means 6 (step 101), the vehicle is at a predetermined distance (for example, 300 m) to the first intersection. It is determined whether it is within 10 seconds from the end of the voice guidance that is automatically output when approaching to (step 102), and if it is within 10 seconds, the voice guidance output at that time is again output to the voice output means 5 (Step 103). The count of 10 seconds is counted by the timer means 9 and output to the control means 10.
[0027]
If it is determined in step 102 that 10 seconds have elapsed, vehicle position information is obtained (step 120), and the position of the first intersection is detected based on the route setting storage means 7 (step 121). .
[0028]
The control means 10 calculates the distance from the vehicle position obtained in step 120 to the first intersection on the drive route (step 104). If this calculated distance is X, it is first determined whether or not the calculated distance X is greater than 5100 m (step 105). If the calculated distance X is greater than 5100 m, the voice data “It's been a while” from the data storage means 2. Is read out (step 106) and output to the audio output means 5 (step 107).
[0029]
When the calculated distance X is less than 5100 m in step 105, the control means 10 detects the course at the first intersection based on the drive route stored in the route setting storage means 7 (step 108), Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the calculated distance X is less than 5100 m and not less than 800 m (step 109). In step 109, if 800 m ≦ calculated distance X <5100 m, the enlarged view creation means 8 creates an enlarged view of the first intersection, displays it on the image display means 3 (step 110), and from the data storage means 2 The voice data “approximately Δ △ km ahead XX direction” is read out (step 111), and the calculated distance X and the course at the intersection are synthesized with this voice data and output to the voice synthesizer 4. (Step 112).
[0030]
If the calculated distance X is less than 800 m in step 109, the control means 10 determines whether or not 45 m ≦ calculated distance X <800 m (step 113). When 45 m ≦ calculated distance X <800 m, an enlarged view of the first intersection is created by the enlarged view creation means 8 and displayed on the image display means 3 (step 114). The voice data is read out (step Δ), and the calculated distance X and the traveling direction at the intersection are synthesized and output to the voice synthesizing means 4 (step 116).
[0031]
If 45 m ≦ calculated distance X <800 m is not satisfied in step 113, the control means 10 causes the enlarged view creation means 8 to create an enlarged view of the first intersection and displays it on the image display means 3 (step 117). Read the voice data “This is the direction of XX ahead” from the data storage means 2 (step 118), synthesize the route at the first intersection already calculated, and output from the voice output means 5 via the voice synthesis means 4 (Step 119).
[0032]
In addition, as described above, an example in which individual audio data corresponding to the distance and direction is used instead of creating audio data by adding distance and direction information to the base audio data is shown below. deep.
[0033]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the navigation apparatus in one embodiment of the present invention. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 are diagrams showing a storage table of audio data in one embodiment of the present invention, and the audio data shown in these drawings are stored in the data storage means 2. FIG. Yes.
[0034]
As shown in FIG. 3, first, Step 201 to Step 204 are the same as the operation shown in FIG. In step 205, the course at the first intersection is detected.
[0035]
Next, the operation of step 206 will be described. In step 206, the control means 10 searches for a message corresponding to the calculated distance X calculated in step 204 and the route detected in step 205 based on the data number, and reads it from the data storage means 2. For example, when the calculated distance X is 5100 m or more, the voice data indicating “There is a road for a while” of the data number A-1 is read. When the distance is 1800 m and the traveling direction is right, the voice data indicating the data number E-1 “about 2 km ahead, rightward” is read.
[0036]
The audio data read out as described above is synthesized into an audio signal by the audio synthesizing unit 4 and output from the audio output unit 5 (step 207). Further, the control means 10 determines whether or not the calculated distance X is less than 5100 m (step 208), and if it is less than 5100 m, causes the enlarged view creation means 8 to create an enlarged view of the first intersection, and displays the image display means. 3 is displayed (step 209).
[0037]
In this way, since all the messages corresponding to the distance and the traveling direction are stored in the large-capacity data storage means 2 such as a CD-ROM, it is not necessary to combine a plurality of types of messages.
[0038]
By performing the processing as shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3, it becomes possible to output the intersection guidance information when requested by the user. Here, the intersection information shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. The output operation of the enlarged view will be described in detail below.
[0039]
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the navigation device in one embodiment of the present invention.
[0040]
As shown in FIG. 8, the control means 10 is a drive stored in the vehicle position information and route setting storage means 8 when instructed by the input means 6 as described above or output from the positioning means 1. When it is determined that the vehicle has reached a predetermined distance (for example, 300 m) before the first intersection based on the route, the first intersection is detected on the road map data (step 1). The distance from the vehicle position to the first intersection can be easily obtained from the position data of latitude and longitude corresponding to the road map data stored in the data storage means 2. Further, it is examined whether or not there is an intersection (hereinafter referred to as “second intersection”) whose course is changed continuously at the first intersection (step 2). Here, in this embodiment, the following three conditions are listed as conditions for determining whether or not there is a continuous second intersection at the first intersection.
[0041]
1. 1. The distance from the first intersection to the second intersection is less than 280 m 2. The road connecting the first intersection and the second intersection is a straight line. In the above step 2 where there is no other intersection between the first intersection and the second intersection, when the control means 10 determines that there is no second intersection, the road map data in the data storage means 2 Based on the road information of the intersection and the information of the road intersection angle, etc., for the first intersection only, the enlarged map creation means 8 creates a figure enlarged from the image data indicating the intersection of the road map data ( Step 5), and output the created intersection enlarged view to the image display means 3 (Step 6). Further, it is checked whether or not the information related to the intersection name is included in the data storage means 2 (step 7). If it exists, the intersection name is output to the image display means 3 together with the enlarged view of the intersection (step 8). ).
[0042]
On the other hand, when it is determined in step 2 that the second intersection exists, the control means 10 causes the enlarged view creation means 8 to create enlarged views of the first and second intersections ( Step 3) Two enlarged views are output to the image display means 3 (Step 4).
[0043]
When the enlarged view of the intersection is output to the image display means 3, the control means 10 searches the landmark information in the data storage means 2, and whether there is a landmark such as a gas station around the intersection where the enlarged view is created. (Step 9), if present, the mark indicated by the landmark is output to the image display means 3 together with the enlarged view of the intersection (step 10).
[0044]
Based on the drive route stored in the route setting storage unit 8, the control unit 10 displays an arrow indicating the distance to the intersection and the course of the vehicle at the intersection on the enlarged intersection view (step 11). Further, if the distance to the first intersection is known (step 20), the distance is also displayed (step 21). One display example of the enlarged view of the intersection is shown in FIG.
[0045]
Here, a process of creating an enlarged intersection map in the enlarged map creating means 8 will be described. 10, FIG. 11, FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 are explanatory diagrams of an enlarged intersection view in one embodiment of the present invention. The enlarged view creation method of the enlarged view creation means 7 in steps 3 and 5 shown in FIG. Is shown.
[0046]
First, the road map data stored in the data storage means 2 includes information on the road width of the road (hereinafter referred to as “road width information”), information on the intersection angle of the intersecting road (hereinafter referred to as “intersection information”), and the like. Is stored, and the enlarged view creation means 8 classifies the information into three stages according to the road width based on the road width information of the roads constituting the intersection. These are referred to as width 3, width 2, and width 1 in order of increasing road width.
[0047]
A description will be given of a creation method when there are two or more roads having the widest width 3 among the roads constituting the intersection. As shown in FIG. 4, the enlarged view creation means 8 represents all the roads constituting the intersection as rectangles having a short width, and the midpoint of the short side coincides with the center point of the intersection based on the intersection information. Draw like so. As shown in FIG. 5, the figure is corrected by drawing a circle equal to the width of the road 3 having the widest diameter from the center of the intersection, thereby completing the enlarged view.
[0048]
In addition, a method for creating an enlarged view when there is only one road having the widest width 3 will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, each road constituting the intersection is drawn as a pentagon with the intersection of the intersection center point and the adjacent road as a vertex. If this is the case, a cut may enter the intersection as shown in FIG. Therefore, following the above processing, as shown in FIG. 7, the figure is corrected by drawing a convex polygon whose vertex is the intersection of the road and the road, and the enlarged view is completed.
[0049]
Further, in the creation of the above enlarged view, when the angle at which the adjacent road intersects with the road is less than 20 degrees, there is a possibility that the roads may be bonded to each other when the enlarged view is obtained. Create an enlarged view of the intersection with deformation until the degree.
[0050]
Note that the method of creating the enlarged intersection map is not limited to the above method, and enlarged maps of major intersections may be stored in advance in the data storage unit 2 as image data and read out when necessary. good.
[0051]
As described above, according to this embodiment, the driver performs voice guidance according to the distance to the next intersection to bend and the course at the intersection at the position of any vehicle for which the driver has requested voice guidance. The driver can recognize in advance the intersection that changes the course, and the driver's anxiety can be resolved. Further, when an intersection to be bent next approaches within a predetermined distance, an enlarged view of the intersection is displayed on the image display means 3 to provide guidance by image and voice, and a further effect can be expected.
[0054]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, positioning means for determining the position of a vehicle, map storage means for storing road map data, image display means for displaying an image signal such as the road map data, and the road map data An enlarged map creating means for creating enlarged map data of an intersection based on the above, an input means for a user to input various data, and the road map based on departure point information and destination point information input from the input means When traveling according to the drive route stored in the route storage unit, the route storage unit that stores the drive route set by the route setting unit, the route storage unit that sets the drive route on the data, Next, a request for outputting guidance information regarding an intersection on the drive route whose route is to be changed (hereinafter referred to as “first intersection”) is the input means. When there was Raa', when the searching first intersection based on the drive route, the (hereinafter referred to as "second intersection") first intersection intersection continuously changes the path exists, The enlarged map data for each of the first and second intersections is created by the magnified map creating means, and the two magnified map data are output to the image display means. Information on the first intersection on the drive route can be output as an enlarged view at any point instructed by the means, and the user can next determine the geographical situation at the first intersection where the course is to be changed. Since it can be obtained at any point, it is possible to drive without feeling uneasy.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a navigation device in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the navigation device in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an audio data storage table in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an audio data storage table in an embodiment of the present invention. The figure which shows the storage table of the audio | voice data in one Example FIG. 7 The figure which shows the storage table of the audio | voice data in one Example of this invention [FIG. 8] The flowchart which shows the operation | movement of the navigation apparatus in one Example of this invention. FIG. 9 is a view showing an example of an enlarged view of an intersection in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of an intersection in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of an intersection in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is an explanatory view of an enlarged view of an intersection in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of an intersection in an embodiment of the present invention. Explanation drawing [Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Positioning means 2 Data storage means 3 Image display means 4 Voice synthesis means 5 Voice output means 6 Input means 7 Route setting storage means 8 Enlarged view creation means 9 Timer means 10 Control means

Claims (5)

Positioning means for determining the position of the vehicle, map storage means for storing road map data, image display means for displaying image signals such as the road map data, and creating enlarged map data of the intersection based on the road map data Route setting for setting a drive route on the road map data based on the starting point information and the destination point information input from the input unit; Means, route storage means for storing the drive route set by the route setting means, and when driving according to the drive route stored in the route storage means, on the drive route to change the route next When there is a request for outputting guidance information related to an intersection (hereinafter referred to as "first intersection") from the input means, the drive Find the first intersection based on over preparative, wherein (hereinafter referred to as "second intersection") first intersection intersection continuously changes the path if there is, the first and second A navigation apparatus comprising: a control means for causing each of the enlarged map creation means to create each enlarged map data for an intersection and outputting the two enlarged map data to the image display means. Positioning means for determining the position of the vehicle, map storage means for storing road map data, image display means for displaying image signals such as the road map data, enlarged map storage means for storing enlarged map data of intersections, An input means for a user to input various data, a route setting means for setting a drive route on the road map data based on departure point information and destination point information input from the input means, and the route setting means The route storage means for storing the drive route set by the above and an intersection (hereinafter referred to as “first route”) on the drive route to change the course next when traveling according to the drive route stored in the route storage means. A first intersection based on the drive route when an output request for guidance information relating to the intersection is called from the input means. Search, when the intersection of diverted continuously to the first intersection (hereinafter referred to as "second intersection") is present, each of the first and second intersection from the enlarged view storage means And a control means for reading out the enlarged map data and outputting the two enlarged map data to the image display means. The control means obtains a distance from the position of the vehicle to the first intersection based on the road map data, and the enlarged map data of the first intersection includes the distance from the position of the vehicle to the first intersection. The navigation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a distance is included. The said control means calculates | requires the course in the 1st intersection based on the said drive route, The course in the said 1st intersection is included in the enlarged view data of the said 1st intersection. The navigation device according to claim 1 or 2 . It said input means, the navigation device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the by recognizing the voice of the user is a means for inputting data.

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