JP2000258183A - Navigation system and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a navigation system in which a goal can be inputted surely. SOLUTION: A navigation ECU 10 searches a course up to a goal inputted from an operating section 14 and presents a searched course on a display 16. When a user inputs a goal from the operating section 14, a decision is made whether an input point is in an area where the entering point is limited, e.g. a highway. If the input point is in such an area, an input confirmation message is presented on the display 16. For example, a message 'Is a goal set on a highway ?' is presented. Since an input confirmation message is presented, the user can input a goal surely even in a specific area.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a navigation device, and more particularly to a point input such as a destination.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a navigation device is known in which a user inputs a destination, searches for a route to the destination, displays the route on a screen, and guides the vehicle. It is disclosed in the gazette.

In such a navigation device,
When inputting a point such as a destination, map data is displayed on a screen, and the user can touch a desired point on the map data.

[0004]

However, when the device side recognizes the destination touched on the screen, there is a problem that a point desired by the user is not always recognized.

For example, as shown in FIG. 4, when a user is traveling on a highway and wants to set a specific service area ($ SA) on the highway as a destination, the user is required to set the destination on the map data. Touch this point, but on the device side, the service area on the expressway is not set as the destination because the expressway is a road to which the approach road is limited. There is a problem that it is recognized that a point on a general road that runs alongside the road is input, and a route is searched for the point on the general road.

FIG. 5 shows a route searched in this way. Since the destination is set to a predetermined point on the general road contrary to the user's intention, the route obtained by the search is a route that gets off the highway and reaches the general road point near the service area. . In this case, there is a problem that the user has to re-enter the destination.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and has as its object the purpose of providing a user with an access to a limited area such as an expressway. Be sure to enter the desired point,
An object of the present invention is to provide a navigation device capable of executing a route search and the like.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a navigation apparatus having a function of inputting a point, comprising: an input unit for inputting the point; And a notifying means for notifying an input confirmation message when an area where the point of entry is limited is input. When the predetermined area is designated by the user, a destination message desired by the user can be reliably set by notifying the user of the destination but notifying the user of a confirmation message. The predetermined area is an area in which a vehicle must pass through a specific waypoint in order to enter a specific point in the area from the current position of the vehicle, and therefore, a certain point in this area is erroneously set as a destination. In this case, the obtained route may be significantly different from the route to the original destination. In addition, "notification"
In addition to visual notification, auditory notification is also included.

In a second aspect based on the first aspect, the area is on a highway. In order to enter the expressway, it is necessary to pass a specific IC. If the original destination is on the expressway, and if a point other than the expressway is mistakenly recognized as the destination, it should be originally obtained. The route is completely different from the route. Therefore, such a problem can be solved by using an expressway as the predetermined area.

In a third aspect based on the first aspect, the area is inside a tunnel. In order to enter the tunnel, you must enter the connecting road of the tunnel.If another mountain road passes over the tunnel, if the original destination is inside the tunnel, the mountain road If the upper point is erroneously recognized as the destination, the route is completely different from the route that should be originally obtained. Therefore, such a problem can be solved by using a tunnel, more specifically, a tunnel that three-dimensionally intersects with another road as the predetermined area.

In a fourth aspect based on the first aspect, the area is a water area. If a destination is set beyond the water area when viewed from the current location, it is necessary to pass through a bridge built at a specific point in order to cross the water area. Routes to be performed (routes that do not cross water bodies)
It will be a completely different route. Therefore, such a problem can be solved by using a water area as the predetermined area. The water area includes lakes, coasts, and the like, in addition to rivers.

In a fifth aspect based on the first aspect, the area is along a railway.
A problem similar to that of a river occurs along a railway (it is necessary to pass through a railroad crossing or an elevated road), so that the destination can be reliably set by using it as a predetermined area.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a medium recording a control program for executing a navigation function having a function of inputting a point, the program causing a computer to input the point, and inputting the point. It is characterized in that it is determined whether or not the point is a predetermined area where a point to be entered is limited. If the point is the predetermined area, an input confirmation message is displayed on a display device. The form of the recording medium is arbitrary, and includes any medium capable of carrying information electromagnetically, chemically, and optically.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of this embodiment. The navigation ECU 10 is configured by a microcomputer and executes calculations such as searching for a route to the input destination. Navigation ECU 10
Also has a function of recognizing a point designated by the user for the purpose, which will be described later. Navigation E
The map database 12 is connected to the CU 10. The map database 12 includes a CD-ROM and a DV.
D, etc., and stores map data for the whole country. Further, an operation unit 14 is connected to the navigation ECU 10, and from this operation unit 14, a point input such as a destination and a waypoint and various command inputs are performed. This operation unit 14 can be composed of buttons,
It can also be constituted by a touch panel provided on the surface of the display. Thus, a touch on the display can be detected and a point input or the like can be performed. Further, a display 16 and a speaker 18 are connected to the navigation ECU 10. The display 16 displays a map around the current location and a current location mark,
Displays various operation menu screens and the like. When a destination is input, map data around the destination that the user wants to input is displayed. Further, various guidance sounds are output from the speaker 18 to guide the vehicle along the route obtained by the search. The position detection device 20 is configured by a GPS, and detects an absolute position (latitude and longitude) of the vehicle. Of course, it is also possible to receive error information about the current position detection from the FM multiplex broadcast and use DPS for correcting the error. Further, self-contained navigation combined with an azimuth sensor and a distance sensor can be used. It is also preferable to obtain traffic information from a beacon and use it for route selection (VICS).

In such a navigation device,
When traveling to a destination, the user first inputs a destination. The destination can be input by an address, a telephone number, a facility name, or the like, or by a user touching a point on the map data displayed on the display 16. When the destination is input, the navigation ECU 10
Recognizes an input point, registers it as a destination, and searches for an optimal route from the current position to the destination using the map data in the map database 12 using, for example, the Dijkstra method. The route obtained by the search is displayed on the display 16, and the user can travel to the destination along the searched route.

Here, when the user touches the screen to input a desired destination, the touched point is a predetermined area, specifically, an area where the point to enter the area is limited. In some cases, as described in the related art, a point different from the destination intended by the user may be recognized as the destination.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, when such an area is designated, a message asking the user to confirm the destination input is displayed on the display 16,
This saves the user the trouble of re-entering the destination after the route search has been executed.

FIG. 2 shows a screen displayed on the display 16 by the navigation ECU 10 when a service area on the expressway is designated as shown in FIG. 4, for example. In FIG. 2, since the user has specified the service area on the highway, it is not clear whether the user has truly specified this service area as the destination or specified a point on a general road that runs alongside this highway. For this reason, the navigation ECU 10 does not uniformly recognize a point on a general road as a destination, but displays a confirmation message “Set on an expressway” on the display 16 to confirm the user's intention. At the same time, the touch switches “Yes” and “No” are displayed. If the user wants to set a destination on the expressway, he or she can operate the touch switch of “Yes”, and the navigation ECU 10 sets the service area on the expressway as the destination and sets the destination from the current location to the destination. Find the route to the ground.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the route is set on the highway as shown in FIG. 3 instead of the route down the highway and going to a predetermined point on the general road as shown in FIG. A route to the service area is searched, and a route desired by the user is obtained.

When the user desires a point on a general road as a destination, he / she only has to touch a "No" switch on the screen shown in FIG. The point is determined to be a point on a general road, the point on the general road is registered as a destination, and a guidance route via a general road as shown in FIG. 5 is searched.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the contents described with reference to FIGS.

In step 110, it is determined whether or not to set a destination by touching a certain point on the screen, that is, a method of inputting the destination is determined.

Whether or not to set a destination by touching a certain point on the screen is determined by using the mode switching means of the input method of the destination or directly by the operator at a certain point on the screen. By touching itself, it can be determined that the operator has selected to input a destination by touching a certain point on the screen.

If it is determined in step 110 that the input method of the destination is a method using a telephone number, an address, a facility name, or the like, an input control suitable for the input method of each destination is executed in step 120.

If it is determined in step 110 that the input method of the destination is a method of touching a certain point on the screen, the destination input in step 130 is compared with the information of the map database, and the input is performed. It is examined whether or not the location where the destination enters is limited.

In the case where the entry position is not limited, the destination is set as it is in step 140. In areas where access is limited,
Proceeding to step 150, the means for confirming the intention of the operator displays whether the destination may be set in the limited area. This is a display as shown in FIG.

In step 160, based on the display in step 150, it is determined whether or not the area where the entry position is limited should be set as the destination. If it is determined that the destination should not be set, the destination is set on a general road closest to the area in step 170. If it is determined in step 160 that the destination should be set, in step 180, an area where the position where the destination setting means enters is limited is set as the destination.

When the destination is set, the destination setting is completed. If No in step 110, a destination is set by each input method (step 19).
0).

The reason why the navigation ECU 10 displays the input confirmation message as shown in FIG. 2 is that the input point corresponds to a predetermined area stored in a memory in the navigation ECU 10 in which the input point is predetermined. This is the case. That is, the navigation ECU
10, when the user inputs the destination on the map data,
It is determined whether or not the input point corresponds to a predetermined area. Then, a confirmation message is displayed only when the area corresponds to the predetermined area. The predetermined area is an area to which a point to enter is limited, and specifically includes the above-mentioned highway, a tunnel in a mountainous area, a water body, a railway line, and the like.

Regarding the tunnel, if the user inputs a certain point on a mountain road, for example, if there is a tunnel three-dimensionally intersecting the mountain road in addition to the mountain road, whether the user has specified the mountain road, Alternatively, since it is not clear whether the tunnel to be penetrated was specified, an input confirmation message is displayed. At this time, for example, if the mountain road is National Route XX,
It is preferable to display a message "Do you want to set on National Highway XX?" If the user selects "No", the destination is set in the tunnel.

Regarding the water area, when the user inputs a point in a river basin, for example, it is unclear which side of the water area (the side closer to the current location or the opposite side of the bridge) should be set. If the user's true destination is on the side closer to the current location, and the opposite shore is recognized as the destination (final guide destination), the user is erected at a specific point on the river to reach the destination. Display an input confirmation message because the route obtained is completely different from the original route desired by the user (the destination desired by the user can be reached without crossing the bridge) You do it. The message content at this time is, for example, when the road on the opposite bank is National Highway YY, "National Highway Y
It is preferable to display a message "Do you want to set it on No. Y?" If the user selects "Yes", the destination is set to the opposite bank.

With respect to the railroad, when the user inputs a point along the railroad, for example, the destination should be set to which side of the railroad (the side closer to the current location, or the opposite side across a railroad crossing or an overpass). Because it is unknown and causes the same problem as in the water area, an input confirmation message is displayed. As the message content at this time, if the road on the side closer to the current location is the national road ZZ, it is preferable to display a message "Do you want to set on the national road ZZ?"

As described above, in the present embodiment, when the point input by the user is the predetermined area, the input confirmation message is displayed to the user before the destination is determined, so that the desired destination can be surely determined. Can be set in the navigation device.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the destination is input has been described. However, the input confirmation message can also be displayed as necessary when inputting a transit point or another point. .

Although the input confirmation message is displayed on the display 16 in the present embodiment, it is of course possible to confirm by voice from the speaker 18. In this case, it is preferable that the message be spoken and that the "yes" and "no" selection switches be displayed on the display 16.

The predetermined area may be an area other than a highway, a mountain tunnel, a water area, or a railway area.
The characteristics of the predetermined area are that the points to enter are limited, or that the road crosses three-dimensionally and entry from one side to the other is limited to a specific point and the two cannot be distinguished on two-dimensional map data. ,.

Further, the above-described navigation ECU 1
The function 0 can be realized by installing the control program in the navigation ECU 10 from a medium on which the control program is recorded, and by causing the CPU in the navigation ECU 10 to sequentially execute the control program. The basic algorithm of the control program allows the user to input a point, determine whether the input point is a predetermined area, and confirm the input on the display device when the input point is the predetermined area. Is to display a message.

[0039]

As described above, according to the present invention, a point such as a destination can be input without fail, and the usability and reliability of the system can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an input confirmation message according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a search route to a destination in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a destination setting.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a search route in the related art.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 10 navigation ECU, 12 map database, 14 operation unit, 16 display, 18 speaker, 20 position detecting device.

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Satoshi Hotta 4-3-1 Tsunashima Higashi, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture F-term (reference) 2F029 AA02 AC02 AC09 AC18 5H180 AA01 BB13 FF04 FF25 FF25 FF27 FF32

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A navigation device having a function of inputting a point, comprising: input means for inputting the point; and input confirmation when an area in which a point to be entered is limited is input by the input means. A notifying means for notifying a message, and a navigation device. 2. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the area is on a highway. 3. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the area is inside a tunnel. 4. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the area is a body of water. 5. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the area is along a railway. 6. A medium in which a control program for executing a navigation function having a function of inputting a point is recorded, the program causing a computer to input a point, and the input point is a point at which the point enters. Is determined to be a predetermined limited area, and in the case of the predetermined area, an input confirmation message is displayed on a display device.