JP2007093291A - Navigation device, method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a navigation device, a method, and a program for exactly guiding a user by displaying an image taken during a certain period of time at all times at a place where guidance by means of an image for the user is necessary such as an intersection, a fork, or an approach to an expressway. <P>SOLUTION: A distance measurement part 46 is a means for measuring/detecting whether a distance between a present position detected by a present position calculation part 41 and a node at a prescribed place previously set is equal to or less than a prescribed distance. An image existence determination part 47 is a means for determining, via a disk control part 13, whether or not image data are included in attribute data of the node at the prescribed place. An image taking control part 48 is a means for causing an image taking part 12 on the outside to take an image of the prescribed place and storing taken image data in a road map database. An image display part 49 is a means for displaying the image data on the prescribed place on a display part 10. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a navigation apparatus, method, and program for displaying an image at an intersection, a road branch point, an expressway entrance, and the like to provide accurate guidance to a user.

  In recent years, navigation devices that have rapidly become popular have stored a database obtained by digitizing roads, place names, buildings, etc. on a map in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, and set destinations based on these digital map databases Then, the taxiway is searched and calculated according to the road database previously stored in the device, and the obtained taxiway and the vehicle position calculated sequentially from navigation data such as GPS, gyroscope, vehicle speed pulse, etc. are displayed on the surrounding map. The optimal route to the destination to be displayed or specified is also calculated and guided (navigated) by screen display or synthesized voice.

In such a navigation device, there has been proposed a device that displays and guides an image or a photograph of an actually photographed landscape in the vicinity of an intersection where guidance such as turning left or right is provided during guidance guidance.
JP2004-347539 JP 2000-65588 A

  However, in the above navigation device, when the approaching intersection is approached, if the image data associated with the intersection is not prepared in advance, the image of the intersection cannot be displayed. Even if there is image data, because there is no means to update the image data, the surrounding landscape at the intersection, for example, the shape of the intersection or the state of the store serving as a landmark has changed. In addition, the image data before the change continues to be displayed.

  As described above, the conventional navigation apparatus cannot provide appropriate guidance to the driver at the intersection where the image data is not prepared or at the intersection where the image data is old and the surrounding scenery has already changed. It was.

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is always constant at points such as intersections, branch points, and highway entrances where guidance guidance using images is required for the user. It is an object of the present invention to provide a navigation device, a method, and a program that can provide a user with more accurate guidance by displaying images taken within a period.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 is directed to a display for displaying information including image data provided from a database provided inside or outside the apparatus, a photographing device for photographing a landscape, and a destination. And a control unit that controls the display of the information including the image data on the display, and the control unit is based on navigation data obtained from a sensor group. Current position calculation means for calculating the current position, and distance determination means for determining whether the current position calculated by the current position calculation means is within a predetermined distance from a predetermined point on a preset map Image presence / absence determining means for confirming the presence / absence of image data associated with the predetermined point from the database, and the current position is determined by the distance determining means. If the image presence / absence determining means confirms that the image data at the predetermined point is in the database, the image data is acquired from the database and displayed on the display device. When it is determined that the current position is within the predetermined distance by the image display means and the distance determination means, and it is confirmed that the image data at the predetermined point is not in the database by the image presence determination means, Image photographing control means for causing the photographing device to photograph the scenery at the predetermined point and storing it in the database.

  The invention of claim 8 captures the invention of claim 1 from the viewpoint of a method, a display for displaying information including image data provided from a database provided inside or outside the apparatus, and a landscape In a navigation method performed using a photographing device that captures the image and a control unit that performs guidance guidance of an optimal route to the destination and controls display of information including the image data on the display unit, the control unit includes: A current position calculation process for calculating a current position based on navigation data obtained from a sensor group, and a current position calculated by the current position calculation process within a predetermined distance from a predetermined point on a preset map A distance determination process for determining whether or not there is an image, an image presence determination process for checking the presence or absence of image data associated with the predetermined point from the database, and the distance determination When the process determines that the current position is within the predetermined distance and the image presence determination process confirms that the image data at the predetermined point is in the database, the image data is acquired from the database. Then, it is determined that the current position is within the predetermined distance by the image display processing to be displayed on the display and the distance determination processing, and the image data at the predetermined point is not in the database by the image presence determination processing. When the image is confirmed, the image capturing control processing is performed, in which the image capturing device captures the landscape of the predetermined point and stores the image in the database.

  The invention of claim 15 captures the invention of claim 1 from the viewpoint of a computer program, and a display for displaying information including image data provided from a database provided inside or outside the apparatus; In a navigation program for causing a photographing device to photograph a landscape and a control unit that performs guidance guidance of an optimum route to a destination and controls display of information including the image data on the display device, and to execute predetermined processing, The program causes the control unit to execute a current position calculation process for calculating a current position based on navigation data obtained from a sensor group, and a current position calculated by the current position calculation process is a map set in advance. An image associated with the predetermined point is executed by performing distance determination processing for determining whether or not the predetermined point is within a predetermined distance from the upper predetermined point. Image presence / absence determination processing for confirming the presence / absence of data from the database is executed, the distance determination processing determines that the current position is within the predetermined distance, and the image presence determination processing determines image data at the predetermined point. Is confirmed to exist in the database, the image data is acquired from the database and displayed on the display unit, and the current position is within the predetermined distance by the distance determination process. When the image presence / absence determination process confirms that there is no image data at the predetermined point in the database, the image capturing is performed by causing the photographing device to capture the scenery at the predetermined point and storing the image at the database. Control processing is executed.

  In the above-described aspect, the current position is set to a predetermined point, which is a point that is set in advance as requiring guidance using an image, such as an intersection, a branch point, or an expressway entrance. When approaching within a predetermined distance, the presence / absence of image data at the predetermined point is determined, and when there is no image data in the database, the landscape of the predetermined point is photographed and stored to be set as the predetermined point It is possible to obtain the latest image at the point.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the image presence / absence determining means is such that although the image data at the predetermined point is in the database, the update date and time of the image data has passed a predetermined period. In some cases, the image data is determined not to exist in the database.

  The invention of claim 9 captures the invention of claim 2 from the viewpoint of the method, and in the invention of claim 8, the image presence / absence determination processing is performed in such a manner that image data at the predetermined point is stored in the database. If the update date / time of the image data has passed a predetermined period, the image data is determined not to exist in the database.

  The invention of claim 16 captures the invention of claim 2 or 9 from the viewpoint of a computer program, and in the invention of claim 15, the process of determining the presence or absence of the image is an image at the predetermined point. If the data is in the database but the update date / time of the image data has passed a predetermined period, it is determined that the image data is not in the database.

  In the above aspect, when determining the presence or absence of image data at a predetermined point, even if the image data exists, the update date and time of the image data is confirmed, and this update date and time exceeds a predetermined period Is treated as having no image data. As a result, it is possible to prevent the guidance guidance by displaying image data after a certain period of time. Therefore, when the scenery around the intersection, for example, the shape of the intersection or the state of the store serving as a landmark has changed, the guidance guidance is always based on a new image within a certain period without displaying the previous image data. Is possible.

  Here, the update date and time widely includes the date when the image was taken and the date and time stored in the database. Moreover, the fixed period is a period that is arbitrarily determined with reference to a span in which the surrounding landscape changes, such as one year from the last update date, and can be changed as appropriate by the user's selection.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the control unit determines that the image presence / absence determining means determines that the update date and time of the image data at the predetermined point has passed a predetermined period. Further, it is characterized by comprising means for notifying that the image data has been passed for a predetermined period by display on the display or output of synthesized speech.

  The invention of claim 10 captures the invention of claim 3 from the viewpoint of the method, and in the invention of claim 9, the control unit performs the image data determination at the predetermined point by the image presence / absence determination process. When it is determined that the update date / time has passed a predetermined period, a process for notifying that the image data has passed for a predetermined period is performed by display on the display or output of synthesized sound. It is characterized by that.

  The invention of claim 17 captures the invention of claim 3 or 10 from the viewpoint of a computer program. In the invention of claim 16, the program causes the control unit to perform the image presence determination process. When it is determined that the update date and time of the image data at the predetermined point has passed a predetermined period, the image data has been passed for a predetermined period by display on the display or output of synthesized speech It is characterized by performing the process which alert | reports this.

  In the above-described aspect, an image that the user should originally display is displayed by notifying the user that the update date and time of the image data at a predetermined point has passed a predetermined period by screen display or output of synthesized speech. The reason why is not displayed can be recognized.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to third aspects, the control unit is configured to display the display at a predetermined point where image data is confirmed by the image presence / absence determining unit. Means for displaying that there is image data in the vicinity of the predetermined point on the map displayed on the screen.

  The invention of claim 11 captures the invention of claim 4 from the viewpoint of a method, and in the invention of any one of claims 8 to 10, the control section performs the image presence determination process. A process for displaying the presence of image data in the vicinity of the predetermined point on the map displayed on the display is executed for the predetermined point where it is confirmed that there is image data.

  The invention of claim 18 captures the invention of claim 4 or 11 from the viewpoint of a computer program. The invention according to any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein the program includes the control unit. In addition, a process for displaying the presence of image data in the vicinity of the predetermined point on the map displayed on the display for a predetermined point that has been confirmed to have image data by the image presence / absence determination process is executed. It is characterized by.

  In the above-described aspect, the presence / absence of image data at a predetermined point is displayed on the route. For example, “Since an image is displayed at the next intersection, let's turn right according to the image”. Driving becomes possible, and the user can realize a safe driving.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, when the photographing unit photographs the landscape of the predetermined point by the image photographing control means, Means is provided for notifying that effect by displaying on the display or by outputting synthesized speech.

  The invention of claim 12 captures the invention of claim 5 from the viewpoint of a method, and in the invention of any one of claims 8 to 11, the control section performs the image capturing control process. When the photographing device has photographed the scenery at the predetermined point, a process for notifying the fact by displaying on the display device or outputting synthesized speech is executed.

  The nineteenth aspect of the present invention is the invention according to the fifth or twelfth aspect of the present invention from the viewpoint of a computer program. The invention according to any one of the fifteenth to eighteenth aspects of the present invention, wherein the program In addition, when the photographing device has photographed the scenery at the predetermined point by the image photographing control processing, a processing for notifying the fact by displaying on the display device or outputting synthesized sound is executed. .

  In the above-described aspect, when there is no image data at a predetermined point or when an image whose update date has passed a predetermined period is stored, an image of the predetermined point is newly taken, Is notified to the user by the screen display or the output of the synthesized sound, the user recognizes the reason why the image that should be displayed is not displayed, and that the image data is updated to the latest one. Can be recognized.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the control unit executes guidance guidance for an optimum route to the destination by virtually moving the current position. It is characterized by comprising a simulation means.

  The invention of claim 13 captures the invention of claim 6 from the viewpoint of the method, and in the invention of any one of claims 8 to 12, the control unit is an optimum for reaching the destination. A simulation process is performed in which route guidance is performed by virtually moving the current position.

  The invention of claim 20 captures the invention of claim 6 or 13 from the viewpoint of a computer program. In the invention of any one of claims 15 to 19, the control unit is provided with a destination. It is characterized in that a simulation process is performed in which guidance guidance of the optimal route to the point is performed by virtually moving the current position.

  In the above aspect, the user can grasp in advance whether or not there is image data at a predetermined point in the route by virtually moving the current position of the guidance guidance in the present invention and executing a simulation before starting driving. In addition, the image of the route is displayed on the screen in the simulation, so that the image of the route can be held more realistically. In addition, the user can perform planned driving by checking the presence / absence of image data and the points that are not displayed because the image data is old.

  The invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to claim 6, wherein, when the simulation unit is executed, the control unit is configured such that the virtual current position is within the predetermined distance by the distance determination unit. And when the image presence / absence determining means confirms that the image data at the predetermined location is in the database, the display means that the image data is at the predetermined location; And a means for accepting a user's selection operation of whether or not to display image data at a point on the display by a predetermined input device.

  The invention of claim 14 captures the invention of claim 7 from the viewpoint of a method. In the invention of claim 13, the control unit is configured to determine whether the virtual current position is If the current position is determined to be within the predetermined distance by the distance determination process and the image data at the predetermined point is confirmed to be in the database by the image presence determination process, Performing a process of displaying the presence of image data on the display unit and a process of accepting a user's selection operation of whether or not to display the image data at the predetermined point on the display unit using a predetermined input unit. Features.

  The invention of claim 21 captures the invention of claim 7 or 14 from the viewpoint of a computer program. In the invention of claim 20, the program causes the control unit to execute the simulation process. In addition, the virtual current position is determined by the distance determination processing to be within the predetermined distance, and the image presence determination processing is performed to confirm that the image data at the predetermined point is in the database. If the image data at the predetermined point is displayed on the display unit, a user's selection operation as to whether or not to display the image data at the predetermined point on the display unit is input. It is characterized in that a process accepted by a container is executed.

  In the above aspect, at the time of executing the above simulation, the user not only displays the presence / absence of image data at a predetermined point, but also accepts a selection from the user as to whether or not to display image data in the route. Since only the image that the user wants to display can be selected and displayed during the simulation, the simulation can be executed in accordance with the user's purpose, skill, and route recognition.

  As described above, according to the present invention, images taken within a certain period are always taken at points where guidance guidance using images is required for the user, such as an intersection, a branch point, or an entrance to a highway. By displaying, it is possible to provide a navigation device, a method, and a program capable of performing more accurate guidance guidance by the user.

  Next, a navigation device according to the present invention (hereinafter referred to as “the present device”), a corresponding navigation method, and a best mode for carrying out the program will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the assumptions common to the prior art already described are not restated.

[1. Constitution]
[1-1. overall structure]
This device is an in-vehicle navigation device and includes the following elements shown in the functional block diagram of FIG. That is, an absolute position / azimuth detector 1 including a GPS antenna and a receiver, a relative azimuth detector 2 using a gyro, etc., and a vehicle speed that is a sensor group that processes pulses obtained from a vehicle and obtains navigation data for navigation. And a detector 3.

  The processing unit 4 is a main CPU that controls the entire system and its peripheral circuits, and performs navigation processing including calculation of the current position based on navigation data obtained from the sensor groups (1 to 3) and map matching, externally or internally. This is a part to be performed using the road map data provided from the database.

  Of the memory M, the ROM 5 stores a program for the CPU of the processing unit 4, the DRAM (dynamic RAM) 6 stores data processed by the CPU, and the SRAM (static RAM) 7 Information such as settings is backed up by the battery even when the main power is turned off, and a VRAM (video RAM) 8 is used for writing a bit pattern of an image displayed on the display unit 10.

  The display unit 10 is a part for displaying information such as a map and a menu, and is a TFT liquid crystal panel, for example. The input unit 11 is a part that receives input of various commands and information from the user, and is, for example, a switch, a touch panel, a remote controller, or the like. The user interface unit 9 is a part that connects the display unit 10 or the input unit 11 and the processing unit 4 to perform signal transmission, conversion, timing control, and the like.

  In accordance with the processing of the processing unit 4, the image capturing unit 12 is a point (hereinafter simply referred to as a point that is preliminarily set to require guidance to the user using an image, such as an intersection, a branch point, or an expressway entrance. It is called a “predetermined point”).

  The disk control unit 13 is a readable / writable storage device such as a hard disk, and serves to read a road map data database using road links and store captured image data in an image database, via a mobile phone or the like. It can be replaced by providing information from the server (so-called offboard). This embodiment is characterized by the structure of this road map data database. This will be described below.

  Of the road map data, the road data is mainly composed of nodes (points) indicating intersections / branches and links (lines) connecting the nodes as shown in FIG. Each link is assigned a unique number that identifies the link (link ID), link length, type (national road, prefectural road, etc.), link road width, toll / free, and traffic restrictions. ing.

  Further, in the present embodiment, attribute information such as presence / absence information of image data is given to a node at a predetermined point set in advance as a point where guidance guidance using an image is necessary for the user. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, for the node 2 that is an intersection or a branch point, information on the presence / absence of image data in the links b, c, d entering from the link a, the image of the image data A data number is assigned as attribute information.

  Further, an image database as shown in FIG. 4 is provided linked to the image data number. As shown in the figure, the image database is composed of an image number (image No.), a shooting date of the image, and image data such as a bitmap (BMP) or JPEG. This image data is not provided for all nodes or links in the road map data, but only for those corresponding to major intersections or predetermined points that require guidance from the user. is there.

  The FM multiplex broadcast receiving and processing unit 14 is a part that receives FM broadcast waves and extracts desired data such as VICS.

[1-2. Role of main CPU and its peripheral circuits]
The processing unit 4 is configured to realize the roles as the following parts shown in FIG. 1 by the operation of the program as described above. That is, the current position calculation unit 41 is a means for sequentially calculating the own vehicle position, and specifically, is configured to calculate the own vehicle position by combining GPS navigation positioning and autonomous navigation positioning. . Here, in GPS navigation positioning, the current position is calculated using information obtained by the absolute position / orientation detection unit 1 based on radio waves from an artificial satellite. In the autonomous navigation positioning, the current position is calculated using information obtained from the relative bearing detection unit 2 and the vehicle speed detection unit 3 based on the geomagnetism and the speed of the host vehicle.

  The destination setting unit 42 is a means for accepting designation of a destination, that is, input by facility search from a database in which the road map data is recorded or cursor designation on a map. The route setting unit 43 calculates a route from the current position detected by the current position calculation unit 41 to the destination specified by the destination setting unit 42 based on the road map data, and obtains the result. It is a means for setting a given route.

  The guidance unit 44 is a means for controlling the guidance guidance by determining elements to be displayed in the route, elements such as blinking emphasis, and using combined speech. Based on the calculated vehicle position, route and road map data, the map display unit 45 displays a map around the vehicle position or a map displayed in a wide area on the display unit 10 in a three-dimensional display or other manner. It is.

  The distance measuring unit 46 is a means for measuring and detecting whether or not the distance between the current position detected by the current position calculating unit 41 and a node at a predetermined point set in advance is within a predetermined distance.

  The image presence / absence determination unit 47 is a means for accessing the road map database via the disk control unit 13 and determining whether or not image data is included in the attribute data of a node at a predetermined point. If it is included, the image display unit 49 described later is notified to that effect, and if not included, the image capturing control unit 48 is notified accordingly. The image presence / absence determination unit 47 also checks the shooting date / time of the data when there is image data together with the presence / absence of the image data, and if the date / time is older than a preset period, It is configured to determine. The predetermined period during which the image data is determined to be “old” may be set to, for example, one year when the apparatus is set, or the user may freely set the short length.

  When the image capturing control unit 48 receives a notification from the image presence / absence determining unit 47 that the image data is not included as the attribute of the node at the predetermined point, the image capturing control unit 48 causes the external image capturing unit 12 to capture the image at the predetermined point. This is means for storing photographed image data in a road map database and assigning a unique image number.

  The image display unit 49 is a unit that displays image data at a predetermined point on the display unit 10 based on the notification from the image presence / absence determination unit 47.

[2. Action]
Details of the processing according to the present embodiment as described above will be described.
[2-1. Outline of action]
In the navigation device of this embodiment, as shown in the image diagram of FIG. 5, when the vehicle (current position) moves within a predetermined distance from the guidance intersection that is a predetermined point, the attribute information of the node at this intersection is referred to. Then, it is determined whether there is image data corresponding to this intersection, and if there is image data, it is determined whether the shooting date of the image data is within a predetermined period. If there is image data, guidance is provided. An image of the target intersection is displayed on the display unit 10. On the other hand, when there is no image data, or when there is image data but the image data is so-called old data that has exceeded a predetermined period from the shooting date, the image shooting unit 12 captures an image of the intersection to be guided. At the same time, it is stored in association with the attribute information of the node at the intersection.

[2-2. Details of action]
[Route setting processing]
Next, details of the operation of the navigation device of this embodiment will be described as processing by specific means of the processing unit 4. As shown in FIG. 6, the navigation device according to the present embodiment executes each process of destination setting, route setting, and route guidance in the same manner as a normal navigation device. Specifically, the destination setting unit 42 accepts designation of a destination by a cursor operation or facility search on the map, and sets the destination based on the designation (S601).

  Next, the route setting unit 43 searches for and sets an optimum route to the destination using a route search algorithm (S602). In the route calculation in the route setting unit 43, as in the conventional case, a value (road cost) indicating the ease of passing is calculated using the information of the nodes and links of the road map data, so that the total of the road costs is minimized. To select a route. At this time, the traffic restriction information such as entry prohibition and one-way traffic is used to select a route that does not contradict the restriction. Next, based on the current position sequentially calculated by the current position calculation unit 41, the map display unit 45 displays a map of the current position together with surrounding maps and routes, and the guide unit 44 displays the direction of travel along the route and the like with synthesized voices and screens. Guidance is made by display or the like (S603).

[Image guidance processing]
Next, image guidance processing at the time of route guidance in the navigation device of this embodiment, that is, the image guidance processing in S603 in FIG. 6 will be described with reference to FIG. Based on the current position sequentially calculated by the current position calculation unit 41 (S701), the guide unit 44 determines whether it has arrived at the destination (S702). End (END).

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the guide unit 44 has not yet arrived at the destination (NO in S702), the distance measurement unit 46 is notified of this. Based on this, the distance measuring unit 46 refers to the current position sequentially calculated by the current position calculating unit 41 and determines whether or not the vehicle has approached a predetermined point set in advance (S703). If the distance measurement unit 46 determines that the vehicle has approached the predetermined point, the distance measurement unit 46 notifies the image presence / absence determination unit 47 of the fact and shifts to image guidance processing (S704). As described above, the predetermined distance that is an index for starting guidance for a predetermined point such as an intersection that requires guidance may be set in advance, for example, when approaching 600 m before the intersection. The user may set an arbitrary distance.

  Next, the image guidance process in S704 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. First, the image presence / absence determination unit 47 accesses the road map database shown in FIG. 3 via the disk control unit 13 or the like, for example, and determines the presence / absence of image data at a predetermined point (S801). More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, a predetermined point is “node 2”, the current position of the vehicle is “link a”, and the route turns left from “link a” to “link b”. In such a case, the attribute “connection link b” of the attribute “link a” of the node number “2” in the database of FIG. 3 is referred to.

  In this case, since the “connection link b” is the image data “present”, the image presence / absence determination unit 47 determines “image data exists” (YES in S801). The image presence / absence determination unit 47 further reads the image number of the connection link and accesses the image database shown in FIG. 4 to confirm the shooting date of the image data (S802). If the image data shooting date is within a predetermined period (YES in S802), the image presence / absence determination unit 47 notifies the image display unit 49 to display the image having the image number 100 (S803). In this case, if the predetermined period of the data shooting date is set to be within one year from September 1, 2005, for example, the shooting date of the image data 100 is “05/08” as shown in the image database of FIG. / 03 ", that is, August 3, 2005, which satisfies the condition within a predetermined period.

  On the other hand, when the image presence / absence determining unit 47 determines that “no image data” (NO in S801), or when it is determined that there is image data but the data shooting date has passed a predetermined period (NO in S803). ) Notifies the image capturing control unit 48 that it is necessary to capture an image.

  This process will be specifically described with reference to FIG. 3. A predetermined point is “node 2”, the current position of the vehicle is “link a”, and the route is changed from “link a” to “link c”. On the other hand, when turning right, the attribute “connection link c” of the attribute “link a” of the node number “2” is referred to. In this case, since the “connection link c” is the image data “none”, the image presence / absence determination unit 47 determines “no image data” (NO in S801).

  When the route goes straight from “link a” to “link d”, the attribute “link a” of the attribute “link a” of the node number “2” is referred to. In this case, since “connection link d” is image data “present”, the image presence / absence determination unit 47 determines “image data exists” (YES in S801). Then, the image presence / absence determination unit 47 accesses the image database shown in FIG. 4 and determines whether or not the image data shooting date is within a predetermined period (S802). As described above, if the predetermined period of the data shooting date is set within one year from September 1, 2005, for example, the shooting date of the image data 101 is “04/08/0” as shown in the image database of FIG. 02 ”, that is, since August 2, 2004, it is determined that the predetermined period has passed (NO in S802). Based on the processing as described above, the image capturing control unit 48 causes the image capturing unit 12 to capture an image of a predetermined point, stores the captured image in the image database (S804), and the image guidance process ends. (END).

[Image capture / update processing]
Next, image capturing / updating processing of the road map database and the image database by the image capturing control unit 48 will be described with reference to FIG. When the above-mentioned predetermined point is “node 2” and the current position of the vehicle is “link a” and the route turns right from “link a” to “link c”, as shown in FIG. Since there is no image data in the connection link c ”, the image capturing control unit 48 newly captures image data using the image capturing unit 12 and stores it in the image database shown in FIG. At this time, a unique number is assigned to the photographed image data, and the photographing date is recorded. Assuming that number 200 is newly assigned here, “without image data” in “connection link c” shown in FIG. 9 is changed to “with image data”, and “image number −” is changed to “image number 200”. The Further, the image to be photographed is a landscape around the vehicle at the predetermined point, and it is desirable to photograph a landscape viewed from the viewpoint of the driver.

  When the above-mentioned route goes straight from “link a” to “link d”, the image of the image number 101 of “connection link d” in “link a” at the predetermined point “node 2” is As shown in the image database of FIG. 4, since the shooting date of the image data has passed a predetermined period, the image shooting control unit 48 also takes new image data using the image shooting unit 12 in this case, The image is stored in the image database shown in FIG. At this time, the photographed image data is assigned a unique number as described above. Here, assuming that number 201 is newly assigned, “image data present” of “connection link d” shown in FIG. 9 is not changed, and “image number 101” is updated to “image number 201”. The image data saved and updated in this way is used for image guidance when passing the predetermined point next time.

  Note that the image data is stored in a readable / writable storage medium such as a hard disk read by the disk control unit 13, but there is not enough free space for storing captured image data on these media, If the update process fails, an error message may be displayed on the display unit 10. In addition, old image data may be deleted from the storage device at the time of update to increase the free space.

[3. effect]
According to the present embodiment as described above, with respect to a predetermined point that is a point that is set in advance as requiring guidance using an image to the user, such as an intersection, a branch point, or an entrance to a highway. When the current position approaches within a predetermined distance, the presence / absence of image data at the predetermined point is determined, and when there is no image data in the database, the scenery at the predetermined point is photographed and stored, The latest image can be acquired at the point set as the predetermined point.

  Also, when determining the presence or absence of image data at a predetermined point, even if image data exists, the update date and time of the image data is confirmed, and the update date and time exceeds a predetermined period By treating the image data as having no image data, it is possible to prevent the guidance of the image data that has passed for a certain period of time from being displayed. In other words, when the scenery around the intersection, for example, the shape of the intersection or the state of the store that serves as a landmark has changed, a new image that is always taken within a certain period without displaying the image data before the change is displayed. Guidance guidance by is possible.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, an image within a certain period is always displayed at a point where guidance guidance using an image is required for a user, such as an intersection, a branch point, or an entrance to a highway. Thus, it is possible to provide the user with more accurate guidance guidance according to the current situation.

[4. Other Embodiments]
In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, Other embodiments which are illustrated next are included. In the above embodiment, the image display guidance process of the present invention is performed when the vehicle is being route-guided, that is, while the vehicle is traveling. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, the following processing can be executed even in advance confirmation before driving or running the vehicle.

  That is, after the destination is set by the destination setting unit 42 and the route setting unit 43 searches for and sets the optimum route to the destination using the route search algorithm, as shown in the screen example of FIG. The position is virtually moved, and the simulation traveling to the destination is executed.

  When the vehicle position falls within a predetermined distance with respect to the node at the predetermined point, as shown in the screen example (a), presence / absence information on the image of the intersection to be guided is displayed on the lower right side of the screen. When the user selects the “image” button on the screen, an image of the selected intersection is displayed as shown in the screen example (b). At this time, it is also possible to compare the shooting date of the image with the date held by the navigation device and display an error message on the display unit 10 when the shooting date has passed a predetermined period.

  Similarly, as shown in the screen example (c), when a schematic diagram of a route is displayed, an “image” button is displayed along with an intersection name display of an intersection where image data is present, and the user can select this “image” button. Is selected and executed, an image of the intersection is displayed as shown in screen example (b).

  By virtually moving the vehicle position as described above and executing the simulation of the guidance route before starting driving, the user can grasp in advance whether or not there is image data at a predetermined point in the route. By displaying the image in the route on the screen, it becomes possible to have a more realistic image of the route. In addition, the user can perform planned driving by checking the presence / absence of image data and the points that are not displayed because the image data is old.

  In the simulation driving mode, when the vehicle position falls within a predetermined distance to a node at a predetermined point, this is automatically displayed by processing of the distance measuring unit 46, the image presence / absence determining unit 47, and the image display unit 49. Instead of this, an “image” button may be displayed as shown in the lower right of the screen example (b), and it may be determined whether or not the image is displayed by selection by the user.

  Thus, by accepting a selection from the user as to whether or not to display image data in the route, the user can select and display only the image he / she wants to display during simulation. Simulation can be executed according to the level of skill, skill, and route recognition.

  Further, when the image capturing unit 12 captures an image based on the processing of the image capturing control unit 48, a message for notifying the user that the image is captured when the image display unit 49 captures the image is output. Is also possible.

  Thereby, the user can recognize the reason why the image that should originally be displayed is not displayed, and can recognize that the image data has been updated to the latest one.

  As shown in FIG. 11, an icon or the like indicating “image present” can be displayed on the route display screen for the presence / absence of an image at each predetermined point during route guidance by the guide unit 44. Further, when a point where “with image” is displayed is selected, an image related to the point may be displayed.

  In this way, the presence / absence of image data at a predetermined point is displayed on the route, so that, for example, “Because an image is displayed at the next intersection, let's turn right according to the image.” Thus, the user can realize a safe drive.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, a predetermined point, that is, a point that is set in advance as requiring guidance using an image, such as an intersection, a branch point, or an expressway entrance, is set in advance when the device is shipped. Not only the set point but also a means for setting a point on the map as a predetermined point by the user's operation may be provided so that the predetermined point can be appropriately selected according to the user's purpose and desire.

The functional block diagram which shows the structure of embodiment of this invention. The image figure which shows the image display in the predetermined point in embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the road map database in embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the image database in embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the outline of the route guidance in embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows the route setting process in embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows the image guidance process in embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows the image guidance and imaging | photography process in embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the image update process of the image database in embodiment of this invention. The image figure which shows the image display in the predetermined point at the time of simulation execution in other embodiment of this invention. The example of a screen which shows an example of the image presence display on the path | route in other embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Absolute position and direction detection part 2 ... Relative direction detection part 3 ... Vehicle speed detection part 4 ... Processing part (Main CPU and its peripheral circuit)
5 ... ROM
6. Dynamic RAM (DRAM)
7. Static RAM (SRAM)
8 ... Video RAM (VRAM)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 9 ... User interface part 10 ... Display part 11 ... Input part 12 ... Image pick-up part 13 ... Disc control part 14 ... FM multiplex broadcast reception and processing part 41 ... Current position calculation part 42 ... Destination setting part 43 ... Path setting part 44 ... Guide unit 45 ... Map display unit 46 ... Distance measurement unit 47 ... Image presence / absence determination unit 48 ... Image shooting control unit 49 ... Image display unit

Claims (21)

A display for displaying information including image data provided from a database provided inside or outside the apparatus, a photographing device for photographing a landscape, and guidance for an optimum route to a destination, and the display with respect to the display In a navigation device comprising a control unit that controls display of information including image data,
The controller is
Current position calculation means for calculating the current position based on navigation data obtained from the sensor group;
Distance determination means for determining whether or not the current position calculated by the current position calculation means is within a predetermined distance from a predetermined point on a map set in advance;
Image presence / absence determining means for confirming the presence / absence of image data associated with the predetermined point from the database;
When the distance determining means determines that the current position is within the predetermined distance, and the image presence / absence determining means confirms that the image data at the predetermined point is in the database, the image data is stored in the database. Image display means obtained from a database and displayed on the display;
When the distance determining means determines that the current position is within the predetermined distance, and the image presence / absence determining means confirms that the image data at the predetermined point is not in the database, the scenery at the predetermined point A navigation apparatus comprising: an image capturing control unit configured to cause the image capturing device to capture an image and store the image in the database.   The image presence / absence determining means determines that the image data is not in the database when the image data at the predetermined point is in the database but the update date and time of the image data has passed a predetermined period. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the determination is performed.   When the image presence / absence determining means determines that the update date and time of the image data at the predetermined point has passed a predetermined period, the control unit performs the display on the display or the output of the synthesized voice. 3. The navigation apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising means for notifying that the image data has been passed for a predetermined period.   The control unit includes means for displaying that there is image data in the vicinity of the predetermined point on the map displayed on the display for a predetermined point where the presence or absence of image data is confirmed by the image presence / absence determining unit. The navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising:   The control unit includes means for notifying the display by display on the display or output of synthesized speech when the image capturing device captures the scenery at the predetermined point by the image capturing control unit. The navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.   The said control part is provided with the simulation means to perform guidance guidance of the optimal route | root which reaches a destination by moving the present position virtually, The one of Claim 1 thru | or 5 characterized by the above-mentioned. Navigation device. The control unit, when executing the simulation means,
When the virtual current position is determined by the distance determining means to be within the predetermined distance, and the image presence / absence determining means confirms that the image data at the predetermined point is in the database And means for displaying on the display that there is image data at the predetermined point;
The navigation device according to claim 6, further comprising: a unit that receives a user's selection operation as to whether or not to display the image data at the predetermined point on the display by a predetermined input device. A display for displaying information including image data provided from a database provided inside or outside the apparatus, a photographing device for photographing a landscape, and guidance for an optimum route to a destination, and the display with respect to the display In a navigation method performed using a control unit that controls display of information including image data,
The controller is
Current position calculation processing for calculating the current position based on navigation data obtained from the sensor group,
A distance determination process for determining whether the current position calculated by the current position calculation process is within a predetermined distance from a predetermined point on a preset map;
Image presence / absence determination processing for confirming the presence / absence of image data associated with the predetermined point from the database;
When the distance determination process determines that the current position is within the predetermined distance, and the image presence determination process confirms that the image data at the predetermined point is in the database, the image data is Image display processing acquired from a database and displayed on the display;
When the distance determination process determines that the current position is within the predetermined distance, and the image presence / absence determination process confirms that the image data at the predetermined point is not in the database, the scenery at the predetermined point And a photographing control process for causing the photographing device to photograph the image and storing it in the database.   In the image presence / absence determination process, when the image data at the predetermined point is in the database but the update date / time of the image data has passed a predetermined period, the image data is not in the database. The navigation method according to claim 8, wherein the determination is performed.   When it is determined by the image presence / absence determination process that the update date and time of the image data at the predetermined point has passed a predetermined period, the control unit performs display on the display or output of synthesized speech, The navigation method according to claim 9, wherein a process of notifying that the image data has been passed for a predetermined period is executed.   The control unit performs processing to display that there is image data in the vicinity of the predetermined point on the map displayed on the display for a predetermined point where it is confirmed that there is image data by the image presence / absence determination processing. The navigation method according to claim 8, wherein the navigation method is executed.   When the image capturing device captures the scenery at the predetermined point by the image capturing control process, the control unit performs a process of notifying that effect by displaying on the display or outputting synthesized sound. The navigation method according to claim 8, wherein the navigation method is characterized.   13. The control unit according to claim 8, wherein the control unit executes a simulation process in which guidance guidance on an optimum route to a destination is performed by virtually moving a current position. Navigation method. The control unit, during the execution of the simulation process,
When the virtual current position is determined by the distance determination process to be within the predetermined distance, and the image presence determination process confirms that the image data at the predetermined point is in the database And processing for displaying on the display that there is image data at the predetermined point;
The navigation method according to claim 13, wherein a process of accepting a user's selection operation of whether or not to display image data at the predetermined point on the display by a predetermined input device is executed. A display for displaying information including image data provided from a database provided inside or outside the apparatus, a photographing device for photographing a landscape, and guidance for an optimum route to a destination, and the display with respect to the display In a navigation program that causes a control unit to control display of information including image data and to execute a predetermined process,
The program is stored in the control unit.
Execute the current position calculation process to calculate the current position based on the navigation data obtained from the sensor group,
A distance determination process for determining whether the current position calculated by the current position calculation process is within a predetermined distance from a predetermined point on a preset map;
An image presence / absence determination process for confirming the presence / absence of image data associated with the predetermined point from the database is executed,
When the distance determination process determines that the current position is within the predetermined distance, and the image presence determination process confirms that the image data at the predetermined point is in the database, the image data is Image display processing acquired from the database and displayed on the display,
When the distance determination process determines that the current position is within the predetermined distance, and the image presence / absence determination process confirms that the image data at the predetermined point is not in the database, the scenery at the predetermined point A navigation program that causes the photographing device to photograph and to execute an image photographing control process for storing the photographing in the database.   When the image data at the predetermined point is in the database, but the update date / time of the image data has passed a predetermined period, the process for determining the presence / absence of the image is stored in the database. The navigation program according to claim 15, wherein the navigation program is determined to be absent.   When the program determines that the update date and time of the image data at the predetermined point has passed a predetermined period by the control unit, the program displays or synthesizes audio on the display unit. 17. The navigation program according to claim 16, wherein a process for notifying that the image data has passed for a predetermined period is executed by the output of.   In the program, the control unit confirms that there is image data in the vicinity of the predetermined point on the map displayed on the display for a predetermined point where it is confirmed that there is image data by the image presence / absence determination process. The navigation program according to any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein a display process is executed.   The program is a process of notifying the control unit by displaying on the display or outputting a synthesized sound when the photographing device has photographed the scenery at the predetermined point by the image photographing control processing. The navigation program according to any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein the navigation program is executed.   The said program makes the said control part perform the simulation process which performs guidance guidance of the optimal route | route to the destination by moving a present position virtually, The one of Claims 15 thru | or 19 characterized by the above-mentioned. The navigation program according to item. When the program causes the control unit to execute the simulation process,
When the virtual current position is determined by the distance determination process to be within the predetermined distance, and the image presence determination process confirms that the image data at the predetermined point is in the database To execute processing for displaying on the display that there is image data at the predetermined point,
21. The navigation program according to claim 20, wherein a process of accepting a user's selection operation as to whether or not to display image data at the predetermined point on the display by a predetermined input device is executed.

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