JP2004085583A - Navigation method for vehicles and system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a driver to grasp necessary information readily when running on a highway and provide an improvement in safety, in a navigation system that updates the current position as a vehicle travels and displays it on a map screen. <P>SOLUTION: A central processing unit 3 readouts selectively map information from CD-ROM device 4 corresponding to an azimuth and a traveled distance, or the like detected by a magnetic field sensor 12 and a wheel speed sensor 13, updates and displays the current position on the map screen, and guides the vehicle by displaying the route to the destination on the map screen. Remaining the current position as it is fixed on the monitor screen, when running on a highway, two or more of pieces of character information relating to the route of the highway are lined in order of the route and scroll displayed, and exit and entrance ramps are displayed with arrows or other marks as well. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicular navigation method and apparatus for displaying a vehicle position on a map screen and performing route guidance when driving on an expressway, which is useful for determining a course of a driver.

The navigation device calculates the position of the vehicle based on the bearing detected by the geomagnetic sensor and the travel distance detected by the wheel speed sensor, and converts map information near the position of the vehicle into a so-called CD-ROM using a compact disc. A map screen is created by sequentially reading from the ROM disk, and the own vehicle position is displayed on the map screen, and a recommended route from the current position to the destination is displayed by inputting the destination. Is used to determine the course of the driver.

Conventionally, in such a navigation device, the map screen faithfully reproduces the shape and connection relationship of an actual road. Even if a route is determined by setting a destination or the like, there is a problem other than information related to the route. Since necessary information is also displayed, the display is complicated.

Therefore, the above-described conventional technology has a problem that necessary information on a route cannot be easily grasped, which is not preferable in terms of safe driving.

An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicular navigation method and apparatus that can easily grasp necessary information on a route when traveling on a highway.

The present invention relates to a vehicle navigation method for calculating a current position of a vehicle, reading map information corresponding to the current position, and displaying the current position on a map,
It is possible to set a route to a destination, and to display a plurality of character information related to the route arranged in a line in the order of the route while traveling on the highway, and to display a mark indicating an exit or an entrance of the highway. This is a featured vehicle navigation method.

According to the present invention, the current position of the vehicle is fixedly displayed on the display screen, and at least the character information is scroll-displayed.

The present invention is also characterized in that a user can arbitrarily switch between display of character information on the route and display of a map.

The present invention also provides a vehicle navigation method for calculating a current position of a vehicle, reading map information corresponding to the current position, and displaying the current position on a map.
A route to a destination can be set, and when it is determined that the vehicle is traveling on a highway, a display in which a plurality of character information items related to the route are arranged in a line in a route order is automatically output,
Fixedly displaying the current position of the vehicle on the display screen, scrolling at least the character information,
A vehicle navigation method characterized in that a user can arbitrarily switch between display of character information on the route and display of a map.

The present invention also provides a vehicle navigation device that calculates a current position of a vehicle, reads map information corresponding to the current position, and displays the current position on a map.
Route setting means for setting a route to the destination;
Extracting means for responding to the output of the path setting means and extracting character information relating to the path from map information;
While traveling on the highway, the control unit controls the display so that a plurality of character information extracted by the extraction unit are arranged in a line in the order of the route and a mark indicating an exit or an entrance of the highway is displayed. A navigation device for a vehicle, comprising:

According to the present invention, the current position of the vehicle is fixedly displayed on the display screen, and at least the character information is scroll-displayed.

The present invention is also characterized in that a user can arbitrarily switch between display of character information on the route and display of a map.

The present invention also provides a vehicle navigation device that calculates a current position of a vehicle, reads map information corresponding to the current position, and displays the current position on a map.
Route setting means for setting a route to the destination;
Extracting means for responding to the output of the route setting and extracting character information on the route from the map information;
Control means for automatically outputting a display in which a plurality of character information extracted by the extracting means are arranged in a line in the order of the route when it is determined that the vehicle is traveling on the highway,
Fixedly displaying the current position of the vehicle on the display screen, scrolling at least the character information,
A navigation device for a vehicle, wherein a user can arbitrarily switch between displaying character information on the route and displaying a map.

According to the present invention, a navigation device for a vehicle detects an azimuth and a distance by detecting means realized by a geomagnetic sensor, a wheel speed sensor, and the like, and responds to the detected result by a microcomputer or the like. Calculating the current position of the vehicle, drawing means reads out the map information recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM disk corresponding to the current position, and displays an image obtained by synthesizing the current position on a map screen. This is a device for displaying on the display means while updating.

In the navigation device as described above, when a route to a destination or a waypoint is set by the route setting means, the extraction means converts character information such as a road name and an intersection name relating to the route from the read map information. The character information is extracted in the order of paths, and, for example, the drawing means controls the display means to display the character information on the display means.

In this way, the character information relating to the route is extracted and displayed by the drawing means, so that the shape of the road and the connection relationship therebetween are simplified and easy to see, so that necessary information regarding the route can be easily grasped. it can.

In particular, according to the present invention, while the vehicle is traveling on the highway, the control means performs display in which character information on the routes is arranged in the order of the routes and in a line, so that the necessary information on the routes is easily grasped as described above. be able to.

According to the present invention, while the vehicle is traveling on the highway, the control means displays a mark indicating the exit or entrance of the highway on the display means. This makes it possible to easily know the direction in which the vehicle should travel on the highway, and to ensure safe driving.

According to the present invention, the configuration is such that the user can arbitrarily switch between the display of the character information and the map display while the vehicle is traveling on the highway, and the usability can be further improved.

According to the present invention, when it is determined that the vehicle is traveling on the highway, the control means automatically outputs a display in which a plurality of the character information are arranged in a line in the order of the route and thereby necessary information regarding the route is provided. Information can be easily grasped.

According to the present invention, the current position of the vehicle is fixedly displayed on the display screen, and at least the character information, that is, the character information and the mark or only the character information is scroll-displayed. This makes it easier to grasp information and improves safe driving.

According to the present invention, on a highway, when a route to a destination or a stopover is set, a plurality of character information items relating to the route are extracted in the order of the route and displayed in a line, so that the connection relationship between the roads is simplified, Necessary information on the route can be easily grasped. Therefore, readability and visibility are improved, and safety can be improved.

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, while driving | running on a highway, while displaying the several character information regarding a path | line arranged in a line in the order of the path | route, the mark such as the arrow which shows an entrance / exit is displayed, and thereby grasp | ascertain necessary information easily , Readability and visibility are facilitated, and safe driving is ensured. Further, the user can arbitrarily switch between the display of the character information and the map display, and the usability is improved.

According to the present invention, when it is determined that the vehicle is traveling on a highway, character information is displayed as described above, and this display is automatically performed. In this case, the display of the mark or the like is performed. Although it may be performed, it may not be performed, and such automatic display of character information makes it possible to easily grasp necessary information on the route.

Further, according to the present invention, the information necessary for traveling of the vehicle is always displayed by fixedly displaying the current position and scrolling the character information, so that the necessary information can be easily grasped, and Driving will be improved.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a navigation device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The navigation device 1 is mounted on a vehicle and displays a current position and a route guide to a destination, and is useful for determining a course of a driver.

Therefore, roughly, in the navigation device 1, the central processing unit 3, which is realized by a microcomputer or the like in response to an input operation to the operation key 2 and is a calculation unit and a drawing unit, is connected via the communication bus 10. Thus, reading of map information of a desired area to the CD-ROM device 4 is supported. In response to the support, the processing circuit 5 reads the map information of the corresponding area from the map information recorded on the CD-ROM disk 7 as the recording medium via the decoder 6. In response to the map information input from the processing circuit 5 via the communication bus 10 in this way, the central processing unit 3 drives the display device 9 implemented by a liquid crystal display device or the like via the display drive circuit 8 to drive the display device 9. By doing so, a map screen display of the desired area is realized.

Further, when the current position is set as described later, the central processing unit 3 responds to the detection results of the geomagnetic sensor 12 and the wheel speed sensor 13 input from the processing circuit 11 via the communication bus 10, The azimuth and distance traveled by the own vehicle are calculated, the map information of the map screen corresponding to the current position of the own vehicle is read from the CD-ROM device 4, and the map screen is scrolled and displayed together with the current position.

Also, at predetermined intervals, the traveling locus of the vehicle is compared with the road shape obtained from the map information, and matching is performed to correct the current position so that the traveling locus matches the road shape when, for example, turning right or left at an intersection. Perform processing. In this way, as indicated by reference numeral P11 in FIG. 2A, a marker indicating the current position and the traveling direction of the vehicle is updated and displayed on the display device 9 along with the map screen according to the traveling of the vehicle. .

Further, the input of the current position is performed, and thereafter, the map screen is scrolled, and the operator searches for the destination, sets the position of the destination, and selects the route search. As shown in (), a recommended route with the shortest distance, for example, from the current position indicated by reference sign P11 to the destination indicated by reference sign P12 is calculated and displayed.

When the route is determined as described above, a deformed map for extracting and displaying character information on the route, such as a road name and an intersection name, in the order of the route is created and displayed as follows.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram for explaining the display operation of the deformed map. When a current position and a destination or a waypoint are input from the input unit 21 such as the operation keys 2 and the processing circuit 11, the route search unit 22 outputs a map from the CD-ROM device 4 or the like as indicated by reference numeral 23. The information is read, the read map information is stored in the storage unit 24, and the data operation unit 25 performs an arithmetic process, calculates a route having the shortest distance as described above, and outputs the route to the route guidance unit 26, for example. . On the other hand, the map information is also provided to the current position detection unit 27, and the image of the map screen including the current position is also provided to the route guidance unit 26.

As described above, when the route from the initial position of the vehicle to the destination or the waypoint is determined by the route search unit 22, the output from the route guidance unit 26 is the extraction means in the deformed map display unit 28. This is given to the deformation map creation unit 29. The map creator 29 extracts character information on the route from the map information provided by the route guide 26 in the order of the route, and causes the display device 9 to display the extracted character information.

In the navigation device 1 configured as described above, the operation keys 2 include a current position setting key 2a, a destination setting key 2b, a stopover setting key 2c, a deformed display key 2d, a direction key 2e, It comprises a display switching key 2f, a cursor key 2g, a setting key 2h, a route search key 2i, and a scroll selection key 2j. The above setting operation will be described in detail below using these keys 2a to 2j.

When the operator operates the current position setting key 2a, the destination setting key 2b, or the waypoint setting key 2c, a cursor is displayed on the display screen, and the cursor is operated by operating the cursor key 2g to move the cursor to a desired position. After moving to, the setting key 2h is operated to set the current position or the destination or the waypoint. Thereafter, when the route search key 2i is operated, for example, a route having the shortest distance is calculated and obtained. Thereafter, when the deformed display key 2d is operated, a deformed map as shown in FIG.

The example shown in FIG. 4 shows a display screen 35 on a general road, in which a deformed map 38 and a conventional road map 36 are simultaneously displayed. In this display state, the display area of the road map 36 being displayed on the entire display screen 35 is narrowed by excluding the end of the road map 36, so that a margin 37 generated at the end of the display screen 35 is formed. A deformed map 38 is displayed. In this case, the deformed map 38 displays, as character information, an intersection name 39 and, when it is necessary to change the traveling direction at each intersection 39, the next direction 40, etc. in the order of the route. If the data of the intersection name 39 is not recorded on the CD-ROM disk 7 as described above, the distance between the intersections and the next direction may be displayed.

The reference numeral 34 on the road map 36 is a marker indicating the current position and the traveling direction of the vehicle. In the deformed map 38, reference numeral P1 represents the current position of the vehicle, and the position of the host vehicle is fixedly displayed in the vicinity of the center of the margin 37 in this embodiment, and the deformed map 38 is displayed as the vehicle travels. It is scrolled upward in FIG.

同時 に By displaying the deformed map 38 and the road map 36 at the same time in this way, it is possible to easily know information about the route and also to know information around the route.

In this case, the display area of the displayed road map 36 is narrowed to form a margin 37 on the display screen 35. However, the scale of the displayed road map 36 is reduced and the margin 37 is reduced. May be formed.

As described above, it is possible to display the deformed map 38 and the road map 36 at the same time, or to display one of them and switch the display arbitrarily or automatically.

例 The example shown in FIG. 5 shows a display screen 41 on a highway. On an expressway, only the deformed map 42 is displayed. In this case, the route does not have to be determined, and it is only necessary to determine that the user has got on the expressway. In this case, the character information is branch information such as an interchange (IC) 43a, a ramp (R) 43b, and a parking area (PA) 43c. In addition, in the case of a ramp, the character information is the entrance 44, or It is displayed whether it is the exit 45. In the deformed map 41, the current position indicated by the reference symbol P2 is fixedly displayed near the center of the screen, and the deformed map 41 is scrolled leftward in FIG. 5 as the vehicle travels.

In FIGS. 4 and 5, the own vehicle position indicated by reference numerals P1 and P2 is substantially at the center of the display screens 35 and 41, but the area on the downstream side in the traveling direction from the vehicle is displayed larger, for example, front wide. It can be set at any location corresponding to the function. To explain the setting method at this time, the operator operates the display switching key 2f to display a cursor on the display screens 35 and 41, and moves the cursor to a desired position by operating the cursor key 2g. After that, the user operates the setting key 2h to set the own vehicle position fixed point.

Further, the user can operate the scroll selection key 2j to fix the position of the own vehicle and select whether to scroll the deformed maps 38 and 42 or the position of the own vehicle. By the operation of 2e, four types of settings, up, down, left and right, can be made.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of setting the own vehicle position fixed point, the scroll target, and the direction described above. In step n1, the deformed display key 2d is operated, and a request for displaying a deformed map is given to the central processing unit 3. In step n2, it is determined whether or not the deformed map can be displayed in the central processing unit 3, that is, whether or not a route to be traveled is determined, or whether or not the vehicle is traveling on an expressway. If it is not possible, the process proceeds to step n3, where the conventional road map is displayed on the display screen, and the operation ends.

If it is determined in step n2 that the deformed map can be displayed, the process proceeds to step n4, where it is determined whether or not to scroll the own vehicle position. The scroll selection key 2j is operated to select to scroll the own vehicle position. Then, the process moves to step n6. In step n4, when the scroll selection key 2j is not operated and the user does not scroll the vehicle position, that is, the scroll of the map screen is selected, the process proceeds to step n5, where the display switching key 2f, the cursor key 2g, and The setting key 2h is operated to arbitrarily set the own vehicle position fixed point, and the process proceeds to Step n6. In step n6, the direction key 2e is operated to set the position of the vehicle or the direction of scrolling of the deformed maps 38 and 42. In step n7, deformed map information is created in the deformed map display unit 28, and the process proceeds to step n8, where the deformed maps 38 and 42 are displayed on the display device 9 and the operation is terminated.

In this way, the fixed point of the vehicle position, the scroll target and the direction can be set as desired by the operator or as required, so that it is convenient and easy to use.

In the above-described embodiment, the geomagnetic sensor 12 and the wheel speed sensor 13 are used to determine the traveling route of the vehicle. However, as another embodiment of the present invention, a signal from a satellite orbiting the earth orbit is used. The so-called GPS (Global Positioning System) that receives and measures the current position by triangulation
The current position may be measured using a positioning system, or another azimuth sensor such as a vibration gyro sensor or an optical fiber gyro sensor may be used instead of the geomagnetic sensor 12.

In the above embodiment, the character information is displayed at the end of the protruded display screen by reducing the display area of the map screen being displayed or reducing the scale. Thus, the character information is displayed in a margin formed at the end of the display screen. Therefore, the map screen and the character information are displayed together, making it easier to grasp the information. By displaying the character information and the conventional map drawing together, necessary information can be easily known, and other information can also be known.For example, when a wrong route is taken, the map information is displayed. The screen allows one to know the geography around the current location of the vehicle, which can be helpful in correcting the trajectory of the vehicle to the path.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of a navigation device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure showing the example of a display of a map screen. It is a functional block diagram for explaining display operation of a deformed map. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a deformed map in a general road. It is a figure showing an example of a display of a deformed map on an expressway. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of setting the own vehicle position fixed point, the scroll target, and the direction.

Explanation of reference numerals

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Navigation device 2 Operation key 3 Central processing unit 4 CD-ROM device 5, 11 Processing circuit 9 Display device 12 Geomagnetic sensor 13 Wheel speed sensor 22 Route search unit 28 Deformed map display unit 29 Deformed map creation unit 30 Drawing means 38, 42 Deformed map

Claims (8)

A vehicle navigation method for calculating a current position of a vehicle, reading map information corresponding to the current position, and displaying the current position on a map,
It is possible to set a route to a destination, and to display a plurality of character information related to the route arranged in a line in the order of the route while traveling on the highway, and to display a mark indicating an exit or an entrance of the highway. Characteristic vehicle navigation method. 2. The vehicle navigation method according to claim 1, wherein the current position of the vehicle is fixedly displayed on a display screen, and at least the character information is scroll-displayed. 3. The vehicle navigation method according to claim 1, wherein a user can arbitrarily switch between displaying character information and a map display regarding the route. A vehicle navigation method for calculating a current position of a vehicle, reading map information corresponding to the current position, and displaying the current position on a map,
A route to a destination can be set, and when it is determined that the vehicle is traveling on a highway, a display in which a plurality of character information items related to the route are arranged in a line in a route order is automatically output,
Fixedly displaying the current position of the vehicle on the display screen, scrolling at least the character information,
A vehicle navigation method, wherein a user can arbitrarily switch between display of character information on the route and display of a map. In a vehicle navigation device that calculates a current position of a vehicle, reads map information corresponding to the current position, and displays the current position on a map,
Route setting means for setting a route to the destination;
Extracting means for responding to the output of the path setting means and extracting character information relating to the path from map information;
While traveling on the highway, the control unit controls the display so that a plurality of character information extracted by the extraction unit are arranged in a line in the order of the route and a mark indicating an exit or an entrance of the highway is displayed. A navigation device for a vehicle, comprising: 6. The vehicular navigation device according to claim 5, wherein the current position of the vehicle is fixedly displayed on the display screen, and at least the character information is scroll-displayed. 7. The vehicle navigation device according to claim 6, wherein a user can arbitrarily switch between displaying character information and a map display relating to the route. In a vehicle navigation device that calculates a current position of a vehicle, reads map information corresponding to the current position, and displays the current position on a map,
Route setting means for setting a route to the destination;
Extracting means for responding to the output of the route setting and extracting character information on the route from the map information;
Control means for automatically outputting a display in which a plurality of character information extracted by the extracting means are arranged in a line in the order of the route when it is determined that the vehicle is traveling on the highway,
Fixedly displaying the current position of the vehicle on the display screen, scrolling at least the character information,
A navigation device for a vehicle, wherein a user can arbitrarily switch between displaying character information on the route and displaying a map.

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