JP2002372433A - Car navigation equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide car navigation equipment which can grasp surely a route as far as a destination. SOLUTION: In the car navigation equipment which performs guidance as far as a destination designated by a user, an entering detection means 11b is installed which detects the entering of a vehicle to a peripheral region of the destination, on the basis of a present position which is detected by a present position detecting means 8 and changes hourly. Until arrival to the destination from the time when the entering detection means 11b detects the entering, an entering control means 11a makes a display part 3 display a destination map image showing the vicinity of the destination, superpose self car information showing a vehicle on a position on a destination map image corresponding to a present position detected by the present position detecting means 8, and display the superposed image.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a car navigation system, and more particularly, to a current position detecting means for detecting a current position of a vehicle, a map image information storing means for storing map image information, and the current position. The map image information corresponding to the current position detected by the detection unit is extracted from the map image information storage unit, and a map image based on the map image information is displayed on a display unit, and the current position is displayed on the map image. And a display control means for displaying the information, and a car navigation device for guiding to a destination designated by the user.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A car navigation device provided in a driver's seat of a vehicle displays a map image of the area where the vehicle is currently running to a driver of the vehicle, and displays the current position of the vehicle on the map image. The position and the traveling direction of the vehicle are displayed. Such a car navigation device has a route search function, and displays a route searched based on search conditions such as a destination and a waypoint entered by an operator such as a driver, on the map image in a superimposed manner. . The user is guided by the display unit, the audio output unit, and the like, for example, by providing a voice guide such as "soon to turn left" or "arrival at the destination" or a route guide such as an enlarged display of an intersection. .

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a display image of a conventional car navigation device. As shown in FIG. 8, a display unit of a conventional car navigation device extracts map image information of a predetermined range centering on the current position of the own vehicle from a map database, and generates a map generated based on the map image information. The image 80 is displayed on the display unit, and the vehicle information 70 indicating the current position and the traveling direction of the vehicle is superimposed on the map image 80 and displayed. When the vehicle approaches the destination, the “destination” and the flag 100 indicated by the flag are superimposed and displayed on the map image 80. In addition, according to a request or setting from a user, a landmark L indicating “P” indicating a parking lot existing on the map image 80 can be displayed.

[0004]

However, the above-described conventional car navigation apparatus terminates the above-described route guidance when the vehicle approaches the destination, and then displays a map image centered on the position of the vehicle. In some cases, the map image 80 may be switched depending on the position and the traveling direction of the vehicle even though the destination is approaching the user, and if this switching occurs, the destination may be changed depending on the user. There was a problem that it was not possible to grasp a reliable route to the vehicle. Therefore, if the switching of the map image 80 occurs frequently, the user cannot be quickly guided to the destination.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems,
An object of the present invention is to provide a car navigation device that can surely grasp a route to a destination.

[0006]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a car navigation apparatus for solving the above-mentioned problems, as shown in a basic configuration diagram of FIG. Current position detecting means 8 to be detected
And map image information storage means 6 for storing map image information
And extracting the map image information corresponding to the current position detected by the current position detection means 8 from the map image information storage means 6, displaying a map image based on the map image information on the display unit 3, A display control means 11a for displaying the current position on the map image, wherein the car navigation apparatus guides the user to a destination designated by the user. The display control unit 11a further includes an entry detection unit 11b configured to detect entry of the vehicle into a peripheral area of the destination, and the display control unit 11a arrives at the destination after the entry detection unit 11b detects the entry. Up to this point, a destination map image indicating the vicinity of the destination is displayed on the display unit 3 and the current position corresponding to the current position detected by the current position detecting unit 8 is displayed. The position on the target land map image, wherein the display by superimposing a vehicle information indicating the vehicle.

According to the car navigation system of the present invention, the vehicle detecting means detects that the vehicle has entered a peripheral area such as a circle or a semicircle at a predetermined distance from the destination. 11b, the display control means 11a causes the display unit 3 to display a destination map image showing the vicinity of the destination from this detection until arrival at the destination, and the current position detected by the current position detection means 8 The vehicle information is superimposed and displayed at the position on the destination map image corresponding to. Therefore, when the vehicle approaches the destination, the display unit 3
Displays a destination map image showing the vicinity of the destination, and superimposes the vehicle information that changes from time to time at the position corresponding to the current position on the destination map image up to the destination. Is prevented from being switched when the user is approaching, and the user can easily grasp the destination. In addition, even if the display control unit 11a displays a schematic diagram showing a parking lot around the destination on the destination map image displayed on the display unit 3, the map image cannot be switched, so that the user Can easily grasp the position of the parking lot. Therefore, when the vehicle approaches the destination, the display on the display unit 3 is fixed to the destination map image, so that the user can easily grasp the destination and quickly guide the user to the destination. be able to.

According to a second aspect of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problem, as shown in a basic configuration diagram of FIG. 1, in the car navigation apparatus according to the first aspect, the entry detecting means 11b includes After the entry into the surrounding area is detected, the exit from the surrounding area can be detected,
Route search means 1 for performing a route search from the current position detected by the current position detection means 8 to the destination in response to the detection of the exit by the entry detection means 11b.
1c, wherein the display control means 11a switches the display of the display unit 3 to the map image corresponding to the route searched by the route search means 11c.

According to the car navigation apparatus of the present invention, the entry detecting means 11b indicates that the vehicle has exited from the surrounding area by the entry detecting means 11b.
Is detected, the route search from the current position to the destination is performed by the route search unit 11c. Then, the display control unit 11a switches the display on the display unit 3 to a map image corresponding to the route searched by the route search unit 11c. Therefore, when it is detected that the vehicle has erroneously exited after entering the peripheral area of the destination, the route search is performed again, and the display of the display unit 3 is switched to the map image corresponding to the searched route. Can be surely guided to the wrong user. Therefore,
When the vehicle leaves the surrounding area, the display on the display unit 3 is switched to the map image corresponding to the route searched for the re-route, so that the user can be more reliably guided to the destination.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a car navigation system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. Note that the same or corresponding parts as those described in the description of the related art are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing a schematic configuration of a car navigation device according to the present invention, and FIG.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing another part of the processing outline performed by the CPU of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing another part of the processing injury performed by the CPU of FIG. 2, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display image of the car navigation device according to the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating another example of a display image of the car navigation device according to the present invention.

[0012] The car navigation device according to the present invention comprises:
As shown in FIG. 2, a microcomputer (μCOM)
1, an operation unit 2 connected to the μCOM1,
It comprises a display section 3, an audio output section 4, a storage section 5, a DVD-ROM or the like 6, a speed sensor or the like 7, a GPS receiver 8, or the like.

As is well known, the μCOM 1 is a central processing unit (CPU) 11 which performs various processes and controls according to a predetermined program, and a ROM 1 which is a read-only memory storing programs and the like for the CPU 11.
2. It is configured to have a RAM 13 which is a readable and writable memory which stores various data and has an area required for processing operations of the CPU 11, and the like.

The ROM 12 stores an application program related to car navigation.
This application program is a DVD-ROM etc. 6
A map image is generated on the basis of the map database 61 stored in the storage device, and processing relating to the present embodiment, which will be described later, is performed. Note that this application program is
Although it is stored in the OM 12, it can be stored in a DVD-ROM or the like 6 and loaded into the RAM 12 when the CPU 11 is started up to be resident.

The operation unit 2 has various key switches for inputting commands such as search conditions and route settings. More specifically, it has an arrow key for moving a cursor to a desired position on the map image displayed on the display unit 3, an enter key for confirming or defining input, a menu selection key, and the like. In addition,
Other types of command input devices and voice input devices may be used as long as they have functions similar to those described above.

The display unit 3 is, for example, a display device such as a well-known color LCD with a backlight. The display unit 3 displays a map image, a current location of a vehicle, a search route (route) superimposed on the current location, route guidance related to the search route, a waypoint, and the like. In addition, the audio output unit 4 may use a speaker device or the like that outputs a guide audio for route guidance.

The storage unit 5 stores surrounding determination information 51 for determining whether the vehicle enters the surrounding area of the destination, search condition information indicating conditions for performing a route search, and a route such as a route set point including a waypoint. Set point data, a required time display flag indicating whether or not the required time is displayed, and the like are stored. In addition, the surrounding determination information 51 is, for example, a predetermined distance (for example, 1 km or the like) around the destination set by the user.
This is information for defining an area such as a circle or a semicircle as a peripheral area.

A DVD-ROM or the like 6 is a well-known DVD (Di-
gital Versatile Disc) -ROM, which is a storage medium in which the map database 61 and the like are stored in advance. The map database 61 has, for example, map image information serving as basic data for displaying the map shown in FIG. 5 on the display unit 3 as a map image, position information corresponding to the map image, and the like. The position information is, for example, a table to which representative place names, landmarks, and the like are assigned corresponding to each latitude and longitude. In the present embodiment, the table includes data for enabling display of the parking lot (L in FIG. 5) as a landmark.

In this embodiment, a DVD-ROM
6, etc., but may be another storage medium such as a CD-ROM. Therefore, since the map image information is stored in the DVD-ROM 6 or the like, in this embodiment, the DV
The D-ROM 6 functions as map information storage means.

The speed sensor 7 and the GPS receiver 8 are current position detecting means for detecting the current position of the own vehicle which is provided as a standard feature in this type of car navigation device. The current position calculated using the speed sensor 7 or the like and the GPS receiver 8 or the like is displayed on the map image on the display unit 3 by a predetermined pointer so that the driver can recognize the current position of the vehicle. The information is superimposed and displayed.

Next, an example of the display control processing according to the present invention performed by the CPU 11 shown in FIG. 2 will be described below with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 3 and 4 and the display image of FIG. In the present embodiment, CP is used as the display control means.
The display control process for causing U11 to function is premised on being called from a higher-level module after a route is determined as described in the related art.

First, when the display control process shown in FIG. 3 is called from the upper module, at step S11,
In order to perform well-known route guidance, guidance data in a corresponding order generated in accordance with the determined route is displayed on the display unit 3.
And output to the audio output unit 4 and the like, and then the process proceeds to step S12. As a result of this processing, the display unit 3 and the audio output unit 4 perform audio guidance such as "soon turn left" or "arrival at the destination" and route guidance such as enlarged intersection display.

In step S12, a predetermined time ΔT (for example, 10
Second, etc.) has elapsed. When it is determined that the predetermined time ΔT has not elapsed (step S
N) at 12), by repeating this determination processing, it waits for a predetermined time ΔT to elapse. On the other hand, when it is determined that the predetermined time ΔT has elapsed (Y in step S12), the process proceeds to step S13.

In step S13, the current position data of the vehicle is acquired by the RAM 13 using the speed sensor 7 and the GPS receiver 8, and then the process proceeds to step S14.
Then, in step S14, it is determined whether or not the vehicle has entered the peripheral area of the destination based on the surrounding determination information stored in the storage unit 5 and the current position data in the RAM 13, so that the vicinity of the destination is determined. Is determined.

If it is determined in step S14 that the vehicle has not entered the surrounding area, that is, it has not arrived near the destination (N in step S14), step S1 is executed.
Go to 5. Then, in step S15, the RAM1
3, the map image information corresponding to the current position data is extracted,
The map image on the display unit 3 is updated to the map image generated according to the map image information, and then the process proceeds to step S16.

In step S16, it is determined whether or not an end trigger such as a predetermined operation of the operation unit 2 has been issued. If it is determined that there is no end trigger (step S16
N), the process returns to step S11, and a series of processes for the next route guidance is executed. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is an end trigger (Y in step S16), the process ends and returns to the upper module.

If it is determined in step S14 that the vehicle has entered the surrounding area, that is, it has arrived near the destination (Y in step S14), the process proceeds to step S17. Then, in step S17, the route guidance is ended, and thereafter, the process proceeds to step S18.

In step S18, as shown in FIG. 5, an extraction area centered on the destination from the map database 61 (for example, an area corresponding to the screen size of the display unit 3, an area corresponding to the user's setting, etc.). E is defined with the north side up. Then, the map data for the extraction area E is loaded into the RAM 13 as destination map image information, and a display request for the destination map image information is output to the display unit 3 so that the display unit 3 displays the display data as shown in FIG. 3, a destination map image 81 corresponding to the extraction area E is displayed, and then the process proceeds to step S19.

In step S19, the DVD-ROM
Extraction area E based on the map database 61 such as 6
It is determined whether there is a parking lot inside, that is, whether there is a parking lot around the destination. When it is determined that there is no parking lot around the destination (N in step S19), the process proceeds to step S21 shown in FIG. On the other hand, if it is determined that a parking lot exists around the destination (Y in step S19), the process proceeds to step S20.

In step S20, the landmark L corresponding to the parking lot on the destination map image 81 (see FIG. 6)
Is output to the display unit 3 so that a landmark L indicating "P" indicating a parking lot is displayed at a corresponding position on the destination map image 81. The process proceeds to step S21 shown in FIG.

As a result, a flag 100 indicating the destination is displayed at the center of the destination map image 81, and the vehicle information 70 is displayed at the position on the destination map image 81 corresponding to the current position of the vehicle. Is done. Further, the destination map image 81
If a parking lot exists above, a landmark L indicating the parking lot is displayed at a corresponding position. For example, when the destination is a facility, a store, or the like, if the dedicated parking lot or the contract parking lot is displayed in a different color, the user can quickly park the vehicle in the parking lot. .

In step S21 shown in FIG. 4, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time ΔT (for example, 10 seconds) as a sampling time of the current position data has elapsed. If it is determined that the predetermined time ΔT has not elapsed (N in step S21), this determination process is repeated to wait for the predetermined time ΔT to elapse. On the other hand, if it is determined that the predetermined time ΔT has elapsed (step S2
If Y is 1, the process proceeds to step S22.

In step S22, the current position data of the vehicle is acquired by the RAM 13 using the speed sensor 7 and the GPS receiver 8, and then the process proceeds to step S23.
Then, in step S23, it is determined whether or not the vehicle has exited from the surrounding area of the destination based on the surrounding determination information stored in the storage unit 5 and the current position data in the RAM 13, thereby determining whether the vehicle has left the destination. It is determined whether or not a certain distance is left.

If it is determined in step S23 that the vehicle has departed from the surrounding area by a predetermined distance from the destination (Y in step S23), in step S24, the acquired current position data and the set destination are set. Based on the search conditions, a re-route search from the current position to the destination is executed by a simulation calculation such as a well-known horizontal search method or Dijkstra method to determine a route.
Returning to step S11, a series of processing is repeated.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S23 that the vehicle is not within a predetermined distance from the destination, that is, the vehicle is in the surrounding area (N in step S23), step S2
5, based on the current position data in the RAM 13,
When a display update request for updating the own vehicle information 70 to a position on the destination map image 81 corresponding to the current position of the vehicle is output to the display unit 3, the destination map image 81 centering on the destination is output. The position of the own vehicle information 70 above is updated and displayed, and then the process proceeds to step S26.

In step S26, it is determined whether or not a predetermined operation of the operation unit 2 or a route guidance end trigger such as an end of vehicle running has occurred. If it is determined that the route guidance end trigger has not been generated (N in step S26), the process returns to step S21, and a series of processes is executed. on the other hand,
If it is determined that the route guidance end trigger has been generated (Y in step S26), the process ends and returns to the upper module.

As is clear from the above description, since it is determined in step S14 whether or not the own vehicle has entered the surrounding area, step S14 corresponds to the approach determination means. In addition, since the route search from the current position to the destination is performed when the vehicle leaves the surrounding area in step S24, step S24 corresponds to a route search unit. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the CPU 11 functions as a display control unit, an approach detection unit, and a route search unit described in the claims.

Next, an example of the operation (action) of the present embodiment having the above configuration will be described.

When route guidance or voice guidance such as an enlarged display of an intersection to the destination set by the user is being performed by the display unit 3 or the voice output unit 4 or the like, the vehicle enters the area around the destination. Is detected, the display unit 3 displays a destination map image 81 centering on the destination as shown in FIG.
Is switched to and displayed. Then, on the destination map image 81, a flag 100 at a position corresponding to the destination,
The vehicle information 70 is superimposed and displayed at a position corresponding to the current position of the vehicle.

Also, if there is a parking lot around the destination,
On the destination map image 81, a landmark L indicating "P" indicating a parking lot is displayed for each corresponding position. Thereafter, only the destination map image 81 centered on the destination is displayed up to the destination, and when the vehicle moves toward the destination, the position on the destination map image 81 corresponding to the current position is displayed. Only the own vehicle information 70 is moved and displayed.

If the vehicle erroneously exits the area after entering the area around the destination, a re-route search from that position to the destination is executed, and a normal map corresponding to the route determined by this search is executed. The display on the display unit 3 is switched to the image 80 (see FIG. 8), and the route guidance for the determined route is performed.

As described above, when the vehicle approaches the destination, the display unit 3 displays the destination map image 81 indicating the vicinity of the destination, and displays the destination map image 8 up to the destination.
1 is superimposed and displayed on the position corresponding to the current position on the vehicle 1, so that the destination map image 81 is prevented from being switched when the destination is approaching, and the user can use the vehicle information 70. The destination can be easily grasped.

Also, a landmark (schematic diagram) L indicating a parking lot around the destination is displayed on the destination map image 81 displayed on the display unit 3.
Since 1 cannot be switched, the user can easily grasp the position of the parking lot. Therefore, when the vehicle approaches the destination, the display on the display unit 3 is fixed to the destination map image 81, so that the user can easily grasp the destination, and the user can quickly and reliably reach the destination. Can be guided to.

Further, when it is detected that the vehicle has erroneously exited after entering the peripheral area of the destination, a route search is performed again, and the display of the display unit 3 is switched to a map image corresponding to the searched route. Therefore, it is possible to reliably guide a user who has made an incorrect route. Therefore, when the vehicle leaves the surrounding area, the display on the display unit 3 is switched to the map image corresponding to the route searched for the re-route, so that the user can be more reliably guided to the destination.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the destination map image 81 is a map in which the north side is upward as shown in FIG. 6 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. As shown in FIG. 7, a destination map image 81 in which the traveling direction of the own vehicle is upward may be used. in this case,
The extraction area E centering on the destination is defined from the map database 61 such that the traveling direction of the vehicle is upward, and the map data for the extraction area E is used as map image information as R.
This can be dealt with by taking in the AM 13 and displaying the destination map image 81 on the display unit 3 based on this map image information.

Even when the destination map image 81 is displayed such that the traveling direction of the own vehicle is upward, the destination map image 81 is displayed when the destination is approaching, as in the above-described embodiment. Since the switching of the destination map image 81 is prevented, the user can easily grasp the destination.

Further, in the case of the destination map image 81 in which the traveling direction of the own vehicle is upward, if the destination map image 81 is generated so that the destination is located above the map, the user can reach the destination. The route can be grasped more accurately.

[0048]

As described above, according to the car navigation system of the first aspect of the present invention, when the vehicle approaches the destination, the display unit displays the destination map image indicating the vicinity of the destination. Display and superimpose the ever-changing vehicle information to the position corresponding to the current position on the destination map image up to the destination, so that the map image can be switched when the destination is approaching It is prevented and the user can easily grasp the destination. In addition, even if the display control means displays a schematic diagram showing a parking lot around the destination on the destination map image displayed on the display unit, the map image is not switched, so that the user can easily The location of the parking lot can be grasped. Therefore,
When the vehicle approaches the destination, the display on the display unit is fixed to the destination map image, so that the user can easily grasp the destination and can quickly guide the user to the destination. This has the effect.

According to the invention described in claim 2, according to claim 1
In addition to the effects of the invention described in the above, if it is detected that the vehicle has erroneously exited after entering the area around the destination, a route search is performed again, and the display of the display unit is displayed on a map image corresponding to the searched route. Since the switching is performed, it is possible to surely guide the user whose route is wrong. Therefore, when the vehicle exits from the surrounding area, the display on the display unit is switched to the map image corresponding to the route searched for the re-route, so that the user can be more reliably guided to the destination.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a basic configuration of a car navigation device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing a schematic configuration of a car navigation device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a part of a processing outline performed by a CPU in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing another part of the processing injury performed by the CPU of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an extraction area on a map.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a display image of the car navigation device according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another example of a display image of the car navigation device according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a display image by a conventional car navigation device.

[Explanation of symbols]

3 display unit 6 map image information storage means (map database) 8 current position detection means (GPS receiver) 11a display control means (CPU) 11b approach detection means (CPU) 11c route search means (CPU)

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Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A current position detecting means for detecting a current position of a vehicle which changes moment by moment, a map image information storing means for storing map image information, and the map corresponding to a current position detected by the current position detecting means. Display control means for extracting image information from the map image information storage means, displaying a map image based on the map image information on a display unit, and displaying the current position on the map image. In a car navigation device that performs guidance to a destination specified by a person, based on the current position detected by a current position detection unit,
The vehicle further includes an entry detection unit that detects entry of the vehicle into a peripheral area of the destination, wherein the display control unit sets the destination until the arrival at the destination after the entry detection unit detects the entry. Is displayed on the display unit, and the vehicle information indicating the vehicle is superimposed on a position on the destination map image corresponding to the current position detected by the current position detection unit. A car navigation device characterized in that it is displayed by being displayed. 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said entry detecting means is configured to detect exit from said peripheral area after detection of entry into said peripheral area, and said current position is detected in response to detection of said exit by said entry detecting means. A route search unit configured to perform a route search from the current position detected by the detection unit to the destination, the display control unit displaying a display unit on the map image corresponding to the route searched by the route search unit The car navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the car navigation device is switched.