JPH08271276A - Route guidance device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] While providing route guidance with high immediacy information, at the same time make the degree of arrival in the entire route recognized. [Structure] CD-containing map data including road information
A CD block 5 equipped with a ROM, a KEY block 4 having a remote control unit 20 for setting a starting point and a destination in map data, and an antenna 1 and a GP for acquiring and inputting the latitude and longitude of the current position as current position data.
The route from the departure point to the destination is calculated based on the S block 2 and the road information stored in the map data, and the GP is calculated.
The map data around the current position input from the S block 2 is read from the CD-ROM and displayed on the monitor block 6 together with the route obtained by the route calculation, and at the same time, the entire route from the starting point to the destination at the current position is displayed. And a CPU 9 for displaying the degree of arrival at the same screen in the same screen.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a route guidance device applied to, for example, an automobile navigation system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, GPS (Global Posi)
2. Description of the Related Art Navigation devices for automobiles, which utilize the Tioning System), have become widespread. In this type of navigation device, latitude information and longitude information of the current position are calculated based on signals from a plurality of artificial satellites received by a GPS antenna, and road information and place name information read from a recording medium such as a CD-ROM. It is designed to be displayed on the display together with map data such as.

In navigation devices, a route guidance function is becoming essential. This function is used to display the recommended road from the starting point (current position) to the destination on the CD-ROM.
It is calculated and set according to the calculation conditions based on the road information contained in the map data recorded in the etc., and while traveling on the recommended route, when approaching the branch point, the direction to turn etc. will be announced by voice or display. However, this will guide the user to the destination. In addition, the calculation conditions are basically based on the fact that the distance to the destination is the shortest, and in addition to this, when calculating the route, the driver prefers toll roads, national roads, use only general roads, etc. Generally, various conditions based on road information can be added.

[0004]

However, in such a conventional navigation device, what is obtained when executing the route guidance function as described above is what direction to proceed next at that time, etc. However, there is no output of the degree of arrival at that time for the entire route from the starting point to the destination.

In this case, if the entire route from the starting point to the destination is short by, for example, enlarging the display area on the screen displaying the route, the entire route and the current position are displayed on one screen. There is a possibility that it can be recognized by reading the degree of achievement from the display.

However, it is not only troublesome to perform such an operation while driving, but also dangerous because various unnecessary information other than the route and the current position are displayed at the same time. No, and especially if the distance from the starting point to the destination is long, I do not know if it can handle it.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide information with high immediacy when guiding a route while at the same time recognizing the degree of arrival in the entire route. It is to provide a possible route guidance device.

[0008]

Means for Solving the Problems That is, the present invention is: (1) Map data storage means in which map data including road information is stored, and a starting point and a destination in the map data stored in this map data storage means. Setting means, a route calculating means for calculating the route from the starting point to the destination set by the setting means based on the road information stored in the map data storing means, and the route calculating means The point input means for inputting the point on the route and the map data around the point input by the point input means are read out from the map data storage means and displayed together with the route obtained by the route calculation means, and at the same time, Display control means for displaying the degree of arrival for the entire route from the starting point to the destination at the point input by the point inputting means on the same screen. One in which the. (2) In the above item (1), the point input means inputs position information indicating the present location. (3) In the above item (2), the point input means is G
The position information indicating the current location is automatically input by PS. (4) In the above item (1), the display control means displays the degree of arrival for the entire route from the starting point to the destination at the point input by the point inputting means in an image matching the shape of the route. It is the one. (5) In the above item (1), the display control means indicates the degree of arrival at the point input by the point input means to the entire route from the departure place to the destination around the point input by the point input means. The window is displayed on the display screen of the map data. (6) In the above item (5), the display control means changes the display position of the window in accordance with the position of the route in the display screen of the map data around the point input by the point input means. It is the one.

[0009]

According to the configuration described in the above item (1), the map data around the input point is displayed together with the route corresponding to the input point on the route, and from the departure point at the point on the same screen. Since the degree of arrival for the entire route to the destination is displayed, it is possible to grasp the degree of arrival for the entire route at the same time while providing highly immediate information when guiding the route.

According to the configuration described in the above item (2), in addition to the operation of the above item (1), the position information indicating the current position is input by the point input means, so that the current position is actually displayed. It is also possible to grasp the degree of arrival in the entire route.

According to the configuration described in the above item (3), in addition to the operation of the above item (2), the position information indicating the current position is automatically input by the GPS by the point input means. It can sometimes be used as an automobile navigation device that guides a route.

According to the configuration described in the above item (4), in addition to the operation of the above item (1), the degree of reaching the entire route at the input point is displayed as an image that matches the shape of the route. For example, not only the degree of reach but also the situation of the route can be visually recognized, such as whether or not there is a winding mountain road in the route after the input point.

According to the configuration described in the above item (5), in addition to the operation of the above item (1), the degree of reach for the entire route at the input point is displayed in a window on the display screen of the map data around the input point. As a result, the degree of arrival at the input point for the entire route can be easily visually recognized from the display screen.

According to the configuration described in the item (6), in addition to the operation of the item (5), the window can be changed to a position where it does not interfere with the route in the display screen of the map data around the input point. Since it is displayed, it is possible to prevent a part of the route from being masked by the window.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an automobile navigation system utilizing GPS will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a circuit configuration of the entire device, including an antenna 1 installed on a roof of a vehicle body,
L1 band (1.57542 from the satellite received by this antenna 1
GPS block 2 that demodulates and decodes the C / A code of (GHz) by the despreading LSI and calculates the latitude and longitude of the current location.
And have.

The GPS block 2 is connected to a graphic block 3, and the graphic block 3 records KEY block 4 mainly composed of a remote control unit 20 which will be described later in detail, map data including road information and place name information. A CD block 5 in which a CD-ROM as a recording medium is mounted and a monitor block 6 having a display device including a CRT or an LCD panel are connected to each other.

The graphic block 3 is provided with a CPU 9 which controls the entire apparatus based on an operation program stored in the ROM 7 and various data stored in the RAM 8. In addition to the operation program, the ROM 7 fixedly stores a plurality of standard highway background patterns to be described later.

When the latitude / longitude data of the present location, that is, position data is sent from the GPS block 2 during normal traveling on a general road, the CPU 9 sends it via the CPU peripheral circuit gate array (G / A) 10. The map data and road data around the current location are called from the CD block 5, and the information is sent to the monitor block 6 as a video signal via the graphic controller 12 to which the video RAM 11 is connected. As a result, a road map or the like is displayed on the display screen of the monitor block 6.

FIG. 2 shows the external structure of the remote control unit 20 which mainly comprises the KEY block 4.
2A is a left side view and FIG. 2B is a top view. The remote control unit 20 is a wired remote controller in which a remote control body case 21 is connected to the KEY block 4 by a cable. As shown in FIG. 2A, a power switch is turned on / off by a slide switch on the left side surface of the remote control body case 21. A power switch 22 is provided for performing.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2B, the power source LED 23, NAVI /
CD key 24, TV key 25, FM DATA key 2
6, MENU key 27, cursor key 28, ENTER
Key 29, Position key (shown as "POS" in the figure)
30, scale change / tuning key 31, MARK key 32, POINT key 33, HOME key 34 and VI
A DEO key 35 is provided.

The power LED 23 is the power switch 22.
Lights up in red when the power is turned on. NAVI /
The CD key 24 is a key to be operated when a navigation operation is performed by this apparatus or when a music CD is mounted on the CD block 5 for music appreciation, although the description is omitted in this embodiment.

Although not described in this embodiment, the TV key 25 is a key to be operated when a TV tuner (not shown) is connected to the graphic block 3 to watch TV on the monitor block 6, and an FM DATA key. Similarly, although not described in this embodiment, reference numeral 26 is a key operated when an FM tuner (not shown) is connected to the graphic block 3 to display character data or the like by FM data multiplex broadcasting on the monitor block 6.

The MENU key 27 is a key for instructing the display of a menu screen, and the cursor key 28 is a ring-shaped key for instructing the cursor displayed on the display screen of the monitor block 6 in the up, down, left and right directions on the menu screen or the like. Key, EN
The TER key 29 is a key for operating the icon or the like pointed to by the cursor on the display screen by moving the cursor key 28.

The position key 30 is a key for displaying the latitude and longitude of the current position indexed by the antenna 1 and the GPS block 2, and the scale change / tuning key 31 is the scale of the map displayed during the navigation operation. Key for instructing up / down tuning during television or radio reception operation.

Further, the MARK key 32 is a key for marking a passage position or the like in the route guidance function at an arbitrary position of the map data, and the POINT key 33 is for setting a destination and setting the destination side when the route guidance function is operating. The HOME key 34 is a key for instructing screen scrolling and the like, and is also a key for instructing setting of the current location and screen scrolling to the current location side when the route guidance function is operating.

Although not described in this embodiment, the VIDEO key 35 is a key to be operated when a video camera (not shown) is connected to the graphic block 3 and the video is viewed on the monitor block 6.

Next, the operation when the route guidance is executed according to the above embodiment will be described. 3 and 4 are CPUs
It shows the contents of operation processing when executing route guidance by 9
At the beginning, a departure place and a destination are input and set in order to set a route for route guidance (step A1).

This input setting is performed by operating the power switch 22 of the remote control unit 20 to turn on the power and then the MEN.
The U key 27 is operated to display the menu screen, and the cursor key 28 is operated to select the "route guidance" menu on the screen, and then the ENTER key 29 is operated to confirm.

By this confirmation operation, a submenu in the "route guidance" mode, for example, "route setting""guidancestart""guidancestop""routeedit""variousdisplay""voice guide setting"
The item names such as are displayed on the screen. Operate the cursor key 28 to select "route setting", then enter.
When the key 29 is operated and confirmed, the process of actually inputting and setting the starting point and the destination is started.

Therefore, the CD mounted on the CD block 5
-From the ROM, read the map data around the departure point and display it on the display screen of the monitor block 6 in HOME.
When the key 34 is operated to display the cursor on the screen, the cursor key 28 is operated to move the cursor to an arbitrary point, and the ENTER key 29 is operated. At that time, the latitude / longitude data on the map where the cursor is located Is stored and held in the RAM 8 as latitude and longitude data of the departure place.

Similarly, with the map data in the vicinity of the destination being read out and displayed on the display screen of the monitor block 6, the POINT key 33 is operated this time to display the cursor on the screen and then the cursor key 28. When the cursor is moved to an arbitrary point by operating and the ENTER key 29 is operated, the latitude / longitude data on the map where the cursor is located at that time is stored and held in the RAM 8 as the latitude / longitude data of the destination.

At this time, when a plurality of destinations are set by setting the destinations using the POINT key 33, the last set destination is the final destination, and the other destinations are from the starting point to the destination. It will be set as a waypoint to reach, and when multiple waypoints are set,
The order through which it passes shall correspond to the set order.

When the starting point and the destination are input and set as described above, the CPU 9 calculates by the road information in the map data to calculate the guide route from the starting point to the destination according to the program stored in the ROM 7. Perform (step A2).

After the calculation is completed, based on the calculated route,
An overall course map is created that shows the rough shape of the route from the origin to the destination (step A3). If multiple routes are calculated by the above route calculation, an overall course map is created for each route. To do.

Then, the created whole course diagram is displayed on the entire display screen by the monitor block 6 (step A4). Calculate multiple routes by the above route calculation,
If there are multiple course diagrams, they are cyclically displayed in order of increasing distance (not a straight distance but a distance on the map) of the entire course. In this case, the switching of the entire course map to be displayed may correspond to the operation of the cursor key 28, or may be automatically switched after being displayed for a fixed time, for example, every 5 seconds.

FIGS. 6A to 6C each show an example of the entire course displayed on the screen of the monitor block 6 as described above. In this case, the departure place is "S",
The destination is indicated by "G", the calculated route shape is indicated by a thin solid line, and the position indicated by "○" in the middle of the route indicates the waypoint.

Further, the distance of the entire course described above is displayed at the lower right corner of the screen.
It can be seen that the route shown in (A) has the shortest distance. By operating the ENTER key 29 in the state where any one of the displayed courses is displayed, selection and confirmation are performed (step A5).

The data of the route not selected and the data of the whole course map thereof are erased from the RAM 8, and only the data of the selected route and the data of the whole course map are stored in the R
Held in AM8.

At this time, if necessary, by calling the submenu in the "route guidance" mode and selecting the "various display" item, for example, "enlargement of intersection shape", "overall course view", "remaining view" Item names such as “distance”, “place name”, “estimated arrival time”, etc. are displayed on the screen, and when any one of them is selected and confirmed by operating the cursor keys 28 and the ENTER key 29, a window is displayed on the map for route guidance when executing route guidance The corresponding display image can be obtained by the display.

After that, while the "guidance start" item is selected in the sub-menu in the "route guidance" mode described above, the operation of the enter key 29 is awaited to instruct the start of the route guidance operation (step). A6).

When the start of operation is instructed, the CPU 1 peripheral circuit G / A is first operated from the antenna 1 and the GPS block 2.
Whether or not the current position of the vehicle is recognized is determined based on whether latitude / longitude data is input via 10 (step A7).

If it is determined that the current position is recognized, then it is determined whether or not the current position is within the area to be displayed for route guidance (step A8).

When it is determined that the area is the display target area,
Then, it is judged whether or not the item of "various display" is selected in the sub menu in the "route guidance" mode and the window is set to display some window (step A9).

If the judgment result is N (NO) in any of the judgment processes of steps A7 to A9, the process from step A7 is repeatedly executed again while continuing the operation in the "route guidance" mode. It waits for these three conditions to be satisfied simultaneously.

When it is determined in step A9 that some kind of window is set to be displayed, the next selected display selection contents are "intersection shape enlargement", "course outline", "remaining distance", and "place name". It is determined which of the "estimated arrival times" is (step A1).
0).

When it is determined that the "intersection shape enlargement" is set, the CD-R mounted on the CD block 5 to create the image data for the window display.
From the OM, an enlarged display image of the intersection shape including road information at the intersection position where the vehicle will pass next and information on which direction to turn according to the guidance route calculated by the route guidance calculation at the intersection. Create (Step A
11).

After that, it is confirmed whether or not the image data for window display has a priority in which the display should be prioritized in relation to other display contents (step A1).
6) It is determined whether it is within the window display period (step A17).

This does not always display the window display image on a part of the route guidance screen, but displays it intermittently at fixed time intervals, for example, only 15 seconds per minute, and the remaining 45 seconds. This is for performing processing such as displaying only the route guidance screen alone.

However, when it is determined in step A17 that the window should be displayed, the enlarged display image of the intersection shape is displayed in the window using a part of the route guidance screen (step A18). After that, the process from step A7 is repeated again.

When it is determined that the image data for window display created in step A16 does not have a priority for prioritizing display in the priority relationship with other display contents, or window display is performed in step A17. If it is determined that it is not within the expected period, step A18
The processing from step A7 is repeated again without performing the window display processing in.

When it is determined that the "course whole map" is set in step A10, the data of the course whole map selected in step A5 is RA
A process of reading from M8 and creating image data for window display is performed (step A12).

FIG. 5 shows a subroutine of the whole course map display process of step A12. At the beginning of the process, the current position in the whole course map is recognized from the current position of the vehicle acquired in step A7. (Step B1).

Then, on the basis of the result of this recognition, a mark process is performed such as changing the route from the starting point to the current position in the overall course map data to, for example, a thin solid line to a thick solid line (step B2).

Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the standard display position of the window, for example, the upper right position of the screen interferes with the route on the route guidance screen currently displayed (step B3). The length of the path of the interfering portion is stored in the RAM 8 as a degree value of the interference, and it is determined whether another window display position is on the path guidance screen (step B5).

Here, for example, the upper right position of the route guidance screen is set to the standard display position, the upper left position of the screen is set to the second display position, the lower left position is set to the third display position, and the lower right position is set to the fourth display position. If it is determined that the interference occurs at the standard display position, the second to fourth display positions still remain, so it is determined that another window display position is on the route guidance screen. Then, the window display position is changed to the second position (step B7), and it is again determined in step B3 whether or not the window display position interferes with the route in the route guidance screen currently displayed.

In this way, when it is determined that the window display position interferes with the route in the currently displayed route guidance screen, it is sequentially confirmed that other window displayed positions are on the route guidance screen. Then, the window display position is changed (steps B3, B5, B7).

Further, by repeating the above-mentioned steps B3, B5 and B7, it is determined that the fourth display position, the lower left position of the route guidance screen, also interferes with the route in the route guidance screen currently displayed. In this case, the display position of the window cannot be changed any more, and therefore the display position with the smallest interference degree value is selected as the window display position from the interference degree values stored in the RAM 8 at each display position (step B6).

Thus, when the display position of the window which does not interfere with the route or the display position of the window having the least degree of interference is selected, the selected position is determined as the window display position (step B
4) With the above, the subroutine of the display process of the whole course diagram of FIG. 5 is completed.

After that, in step A16, it is confirmed that this image data has a priority for display, and in step A17, it is determined that it is within the window display period, and then step A18. Then, the whole course diagram image is displayed in a window by using a part of the route guidance screen, and then the process from step A7 is repeated again.

FIG. 7 exemplifies a display state of this whole course diagram, and FIG. 7 (1) shows a display screen only for route guidance in the monitor block 6 at the time of executing route guidance. In the route guidance screen as shown in FIG. 1A, a vehicle position symbol SS in the form of a circle, for example, is displayed at the position on the road where the vehicle is traveling in the map. In, the traveling direction of the vehicle is indicated by the vertex direction of the isosceles triangle.

When the window display of the whole course map is set at the time of executing such a route guidance function, as shown in FIG. 7 (2), as described above, a fixed interval, for example, one minute. The window W of the whole course map is displayed only for 15 seconds in the cycle, and only the route guidance screen is displayed alone for the remaining 45 seconds.

FIG. 7 (3) shows only the window W of this whole course diagram extracted, and in addition to the display state shown when the course is selected in FIG. 6 above, the starting point is set by the mark processing in step B2 above. By changing, for example, a thin solid line to a thick solid line between the paths from "S" to the current position, and further changing the color as necessary, the degree to which the current position reaches the entire course can be visually easily recognized. ,
For example, it is possible to visually recognize the condition of the route such as whether or not there is a winding mountain road on the course after the current position and whether or not to pass through an urban area with many right and left turns.

When the current position falls within a preset range from the destination or the waypoint, instead of displaying the arrival degree of the current position for the entire course, the point is changed as shown in FIG. A nearby map may be displayed on the window W. FIG. 8 shows a display example of the window W when the current position is close to the destination, and the portion indicated by the letters “GOAL” in the map is the destination.

If it is determined in step A10 that the window display content is the "remaining distance", the current position and the route are set in order to create image data for the window display. From the guide route calculated by the guide calculation, calculate the remaining distance to the destination or the next stop, and create an image with text such as "○ km to the next stop (stop)" ( Step A13) and the above step A16.

Further, when it is determined in step A10 that "place name" is set as the content of the window display, the CD block is selected according to the current position to create the image data for the window display. The place name information of the current position is called from the CD-ROM mounted on the vehicle No. 5, and an image with characters such as "around XX town" is created (step A14), and the process goes to step A16.

Then, the expected arrival time is set as the content of the window display in step A10.
If it is determined that, the remaining distance from the current position and the guide route calculated by the route guide calculation to the destination is calculated to create the image data for the window display, and further from the current time point. Calculate the average traveling speed for a certain time immediately before, for example, 5 minutes, calculate the time required to travel the remaining distance from these, and add this to the current time to calculate the estimated arrival time. , A text image such as “GOAL expected arrival time: XX hour XX minute” is created (step A15), and the process goes to step A16.

In the above embodiment, the window on the route guidance screen is displayed intermittently at a constant cycle. However, the present invention is not limited to this and, for example, every 10 km of travel depending on the travel distance. It is conceivable to control the switching of the display / non-display such as displaying during the traveling of 1 km following.

[0068]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, it is possible to give a highly prompt information when guiding a route and at the same time make it possible to visually easily recognize the degree of arrival in the entire route. Can be provided.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall circuit configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an external configuration of a remote control unit included in the KEY block of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the operation according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the operation according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the operation according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed by an operation according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a view showing an example of a screen displayed by the operation according to the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed by the operation according to the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 ... Antenna 2 ... GPS block 3 ... Graphic block 4 ... KEY block 5 ... CD block 6 ... Monitor block 7 ... ROM 8 ... RAM 9 ... CPU 10 ... CPU peripheral circuit gate array (G / A) 11 ... Video RAM 12 ... Graphic controller 20 ... Remote control unit

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A map data storage means for storing map data including road information, a setting means for setting a starting point and a destination in the map data stored in the map data storage means, and the map data storage means. A route calculation means for calculating a route from the starting point to the destination set by the setting means based on the road information stored in the point setting means, and a point input means for inputting a point on the route obtained by the route calculation means And the map data around the point input by the point input means is read out from the map data storage means and displayed together with the route obtained by the route calculation means, and at the same time, the departure point at the point input by the point input means is displayed. A route guidance device comprising: display control means for displaying the degree of arrival for the entire route from the vehicle to the destination on the same screen. 2. The route guidance device according to claim 1, wherein the point input means inputs position information indicating a current location. 3. The point input means is GPS (Global)
3. The route guidance device according to claim 2, wherein the route guidance system comprises a Positioning System). 4. The display control means displays the degree of arrival for the entire route from the starting point to the destination at the point input by the point inputting means, in an image matching the shape of the route. Item 1. A route guidance device according to item 1. 5. The display control means displays the degree of arrival at the point input by the point input means for the entire route from the departure point to the destination, and displays the map data around the point input by the point input means. The route guidance device according to claim 1, wherein a window is displayed on the screen. 6. The display control means varies the display position of the window in accordance with the position of the route on the display screen of the map data around the point input by the point input means. Item 5. The route guidance device according to item 5.