JP2007256196A - Car navigation system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a car navigation system capable of obtaining accurately the optimum route when searching a route. <P>SOLUTION: This car navigation system is provided with a position detector 3 for detecting a current position of own vehicle, an input device for inputting a destination, a road map database 1 for storing a road map data, a signal state information acquiring means 8 for acquiring signal state information expressing a state of a signal, a route search device 6 for searching the route from the current position detected by the position detector up to the destination input by the input device, based on the road map data read out of the road map database, and based on the signal state information acquired by the signal state information acquiring means, and an output device 7 for outputting the route searched by the route search device. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a car navigation device that performs route search and route guidance in consideration of the state of a traffic light, and in particular, updates the traffic signal state information that represents the state of the traffic signal while taking the route search and traffic into consideration. The present invention relates to a route guidance technology.

  A route search device provided in a conventional car navigation device searches for an optimum route from the current position of the host vehicle to a destination. When searching for the optimum route, a plurality of search conditions, for example, “recommended”, “general road priority”, “toll road priority”, “distance priority”, and “alternative route” are presented. Can search for an optimum route by selecting a desired search condition. Items considered during route search generally include road type, road width, distance, and the like.

  As such a route search device, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a route search device that can execute cost calculation according to the state of a traffic signal on the route between the vehicle position and a desired destination. Yes. This route search device is used to calculate the optimal route between the vehicle position and the desired destination, in addition to the road type, road width, and distance, and between the vehicle position and the desired destination. The cost corresponding to the red lighting time and the yellow lighting time of the traffic lights existing on the route at is added.

  Further, in route guidance before an intersection, it is common to guide a left or right turn. In order to provide convenience for such route guidance, Patent Document 2 discloses a traffic light confirmation device that allows a driver of a vehicle to confirm the display content of a traffic light signal with a feeling other than vision. The traffic light confirmation device includes detection means capable of detecting a lighting color of a traffic signal, and means for allowing a vehicle driver to check a signal representing the lighting color detected by the detection means based on a sense other than visual sense. Yes. More specifically, the traffic signal confirmation device provides voice guidance on the lighting state of the traffic signal by receiving radio waves from a transmitter installed in the traffic signal.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-239081 JP-A-4-213199

  In the route search device disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above, when the route is searched, the time when the traffic light stops in red is considered. However, the time when the traffic light stops in red is fixed data registered in advance in the road map database. is there. Therefore, when the red lighting time of the traffic light is finely adjusted, there is a problem that an accurate optimum route cannot be obtained.

  Moreover, such a problem is solved by performing a route search in consideration of the time when the vehicle stops at a traffic light. The time for the vehicle to stop at the traffic light can be obtained, for example, by the traffic light confirmation device disclosed in Patent Document 2. However, this signal confirmation device is premised on the fact that a signal transmitter is provided on the signal device, and it is almost impossible to install a signal transmitter on all the signal devices in view of cost.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a car navigation device that can obtain an accurate optimum route when searching for a route.

  In order to solve the above problems, a car navigation device according to the present invention detects a current position of the host vehicle, an input device that inputs a destination, a road map database that stores road map data, Road map data obtained by reading from the road map database the signal state information acquisition means for acquiring the signal state information indicating the state of the signal and the route from the current position detected by the position detection device to the destination input by the input device And a route search device that searches based on the traffic signal status information acquired by the traffic signal status information acquisition means, and an output device that outputs the route searched by the route search device.

  According to the present invention, since the route search is performed in consideration of the traffic signal status information acquired by the traffic signal status information acquisition means, an accurate optimal route can be obtained during the route search.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
Embodiment 1 FIG.
1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a car navigation apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. This car navigation device includes a road map database 1, a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiving device 2, a position detecting device 3, an input device 4, a time detecting device 5, a route searching device 6, an output device 7, a video photographing device 8, an image. The processing device 9, the speech conversion device 10, the speech output device 11, the timer device 12, the time determination device 13, and the road map database update device 14 are configured.

  The road map database 1 is formed on a recording medium such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), and stores road map data. The road map data stored in the road map database 1 is read by the route search device 6 and the time determination device 13 and updated by the road map database update device 14.

  The GPS receiver 2 receives a radio wave transmitted from a GPS satellite, generates a GPS signal based on the received radio wave, and sends the GPS signal to the position detection device 3. The position detection device 3 detects the current position of the host vehicle based on the GPS signal sent from the GPS reception device 2 and sends it to the route search device 6.

  The input device 4 is composed of, for example, a touch panel placed on the display screen of the output device 7, and is used by a user to input a destination and to initially set a route search condition. Data such as a destination and route search conditions input from the input device 4 are sent to the route search device 6. The time detection device 5 acquires the current time from a clock mechanism (not shown) and sends it to the route search device 6.

  The route search device 6 is input by the input device 4 from the current position detected by the position detection device 3 when the input device 4 is not instructed to consider the state of the traffic light (details will be described later). A route to the destination is searched based on the road map data read from the road map database 1. On the other hand, when it is instructed from the input device 4 to consider the state of the traffic light, the route from the current position to the destination is based on the road map data read from the road map database 1 and is stored in the road map data. The search is performed in consideration of the traffic signal state information contained therein (in consideration of the red signal and the time when the red signal stops blinking). The route searched by the route search device 6 is sent to the output device 7.

  In addition, the route search device 6 calculates the number of traffic lights present on the searched route and sends it to the output device 7. Further, the route search device 6 adds the time required for passage of the searched route to the current time detected by the time detection device 5 to calculate the estimated arrival time at the destination and arrives at the output device 7. send. Further, the route search device 6 calculates the distance of the searched route and sends it to the output device 7. Furthermore, the route search device 6 controls the start and stop of shooting by the video shooting device 8.

  The output device 7 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display device, and the route from the current position sent from the route search device 6 to the destination, the number of traffic lights existing on the route, the distance of the route, the destination In addition to displaying the estimated arrival time, an enlarged image of the traffic signal photographed by the video photographing device 8, an initial setting screen related to route search and route guidance, and other various information are displayed.

  The video imaging device 8 is composed of, for example, a CCD (Charge Coupled Devices) camera, and is set so as to capture the front of the host vehicle. The video imaging device 8 is activated by the route search device 6 in conjunction with the current position of the host vehicle detected by the position detection device 3 and the traffic signal position information read from the road map database 1, and is forward of the host vehicle. Take a picture of the traffic lights (blue, yellow, red, flashing). The video obtained by shooting by the video shooting device 8 is sent to the image processing device 9.

  The image processing device 9 performs image processing on the video image sent from the video image capturing device 8 to detect a change in the lighting color of the traffic light, activates the audio conversion device 10 based on the detection result, and also uses a timer device. 12 starts and stops. In addition, the image processing device 9 enlarges the video signal indicating the lighting state of the traffic light sent from the video image capturing device 8 and sends it to the output device 7. Further, the image processing device 9 instructs the road map database update device 14 to change the road map data in the road map database 1. Furthermore, the image processing device 9 instructs the video shooting device 8 to stop camera shooting.

  The voice conversion device 10 is composed of, for example, a voice synthesizer. When the voice conversion device 10 is activated by the image processing device 9, the voice conversion device 10 generates a voice signal representing the state of the traffic light and sends it to the voice output device 11. The audio output device 11 includes, for example, a speaker, and outputs audio based on the audio signal transmitted from the audio conversion device 10.

  The timer device 12 starts timing by being activated from the image processing device 9, and stops timing in response to an instruction from the image processing device 9. This timer device 12 is used to measure the time taken to change from red to blue when the video of the traffic light imaged by the video imaging device 8 changes from another lighting color to red. The time measured by the timer device 12 is sent to the time determination device 13 as “time to stop at a red signal” which is a part of the traffic light state information.

  The time determination device 13 is “stopped at red signal” indicated by the “time when stopped at red signal” measured by the timer device 12 and the lighting information of the traffic light included in the node data of the road map data read from the road map database 1. Time ”is compared, and the comparison result is sent to the road map database update device 14.

  When the road map data needs to be updated based on the comparison result sent from the time determination device 13, specifically, the road map database update device 14 uses the “red signal” measured by the timer device 12. When the “time to stop” and the “time to stop at red light” read from the road map database 1 are different, the “time to stop at red light” stored in the road map database 1 is updated. The road map database update device 14 also updates the flashing signal presence / absence flag stored in the road map database 1 in response to an instruction from the image processing device 9.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of an initial setting screen related to route search and route guidance displayed on the output device 7. In this initial setting screen, when “Yes” is selected for the item “Considering traffic lights during route search”, the route search device 6 is in a traffic light state, that is, a time when it stops with a red signal or a time when it stops with a red flashing signal A route search that considers the traffic light is performed, and when “No” is selected, a normal route search that does not consider the traffic light state is performed. On the initial setting screen, when “Yes” is selected for the item “camera shooting”, the video shooting device 8 takes a traffic light in front of the host vehicle. When “No” is selected, the video shooting device 8 Do not shoot.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of node data included in the road map data stored in the road map database 1. The node data is a list of all nodes constituting the road. In this list, traffic signal position information, traffic light lighting information, and pointers are stored for each node assigned a node number. The traffic signal position information is based on the coordinates (latitude and longitude) and a traffic signal identification flag (“1” if there is a traffic signal, “O” if there is no traffic signal) indicating whether there is a traffic signal at the node. It is configured. The traffic light lighting information is valid only when the traffic signal identification flag is “1”, the time for stopping at a red signal for each time zone (1 hour), and the presence or absence of a flashing signal (“1” for a flashing signal, flashing signal) Otherwise, “0”). The pointer indicates a road link or an intersection link to which the node belongs.

  Next, the operation of the car navigation device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention configured as described above will be described separately for route search processing and traffic signal information update processing. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing route search processing of the car navigation device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  In the route search processing, first, setting for considering traffic signals at the time of route search is performed (step ST11). That is, the user uses the input device 4 to set whether or not to consider traffic signals when searching for a route on the initial setting screen (see FIG. 2) displayed on the output device 7. The data set using the input device 4 is sent to the route search device 6. Next, the destination is input (step ST12). That is, the user inputs a destination using the input device 4. The destination input by the input device 4 is sent to the route search device 6.

  Next, the current position of the host vehicle is acquired (step ST13). That is, the route search device 6 acquires the current position of the host vehicle from the position detection device 3. Next, the current time is acquired (step ST14). That is, the route search device 6 acquires the current time from the time detection device 5. Next, it is checked whether or not to consider traffic signals when searching for a route (step ST15). That is, the route search device 6 determines whether or not to consider a traffic signal when searching for a route by examining the data set in step ST11 (data sent from the input device 4).

  If it is determined in step ST15 that the traffic light is not taken into consideration when searching for a route, road map data that does not include traffic light lighting information (see FIG. 3) is then read (step ST16). That is, the route search device 6 reads road map data that does not include lighting information of traffic lights from the road map database 1. Next, route search processing that does not consider traffic lights is executed (step ST17). In other words, the route search device 6 does not consider the lighting information of the traffic lights, and based on the road map data read from the road map database 1, the current position of the host vehicle acquired in step ST13 is used by the input device 4 in step ST12. The route to the input destination is searched. Thereafter, the sequence proceeds to step ST21.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step ST15 that the traffic light is considered in the route search, the road map data including the lighting information of the traffic light is read (step ST18). That is, the route search device 6 acquires from the road map database 1 road map data from the current position of the host vehicle to the destination, including road signal lighting information. Next, a route search process considering the traffic light is performed (step ST19). That is, the route search device 6 takes into account the lighting information of the traffic lights, based on the road map data read from the road map database 1, and from the current position of the host vehicle acquired in step ST13, the input device 4 in step ST12. The route to the input destination is searched. Next, the number of traffic lights to the destination is calculated (step ST20). That is, the route search device 6 calculates the number of traffic lights present on the route obtained by the route search process. Thereafter, the sequence proceeds to step ST21.

  In step ST21, a recommended route is displayed. That is, when the route search process is completed, the route search device 6 sends a recommended route (for example, “recommended”, “general road priority”, “paid road priority”, “distance priority”, “different route”) to the output device 7. Etc.) are displayed. In this state, recommended route selection is performed (step ST22). That is, the user uses the input device 4 to select a favorite route from the displayed recommended routes. The route selected by the input device 4 is sent to the route search device 6. Next, the selected route is displayed (step ST23). That is, the route search device 6 sends the signal to the output device 7 together with the number of traffic lights present on the selected route. Although not shown in the figure, the route search device 6 calculates the distance to the destination and the estimated arrival time at the destination in addition to the number of routes and traffic lights, and sends them to the output device 7. As a result, the route search result is displayed on the output device 7.

  5 and 6 are diagrams showing routes displayed on the output device 7 by the process of step ST23. FIG. 5 shows a route search result when the traffic light is considered, and FIG. 6 shows a route search result when the traffic light is not considered. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the destination arrival prediction time is slightly delayed when the traffic light is taken into consideration. In addition, when the traffic light is taken into consideration, the traffic signal mark on the route is displayed and the number of traffic signals to the destination is displayed.

  Next, in the car navigation device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, traffic light information update processing performed before the traffic light will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

  In the traffic signal information update process, first, the presence / absence of camera shooting is set (step ST31). That is, on the initial setting screen (see FIG. 2) displayed on the output device 7, the user uses the input device 4 to set whether to “shoot” or “do not” the traffic light ahead of the host vehicle. The data set using the input device 4 is sent to the route search device 6. Next, it is checked whether or not to take a picture with the camera (step ST32). That is, the route search device 6 determines whether or not to take a camera image by examining the data sent from the input device 4 in step ST31.

  If it is determined in this step ST32 that the camera shooting is not performed, the processing after step ST33 is not executed, and the traffic light information update processing is ended. On the other hand, if it is determined in step ST32 that camera shooting is to be performed, the current position of the host vehicle is acquired (step ST13). That is, the route search device 6 acquires the current position of the host vehicle from the position detection device 3. Next, the current time is acquired (step ST14). That is, the route search device 6 acquires the current time from the time detection device 5.

  Next, road map data including lighting information of traffic lights is read (step ST35). In other words, the route search device 6 acquires from the road map database 1 road map data that is road map data around the host vehicle and that includes traffic light lighting information (see FIG. 3). Next, it is checked whether or not it is a traffic signal photographing start position (step ST36). That is, the route search device 6 checks whether or not the current position of the host vehicle acquired from the position detection device 3 has reached several meters before the preset traffic signal position.

  If it is determined in step ST36 that the signal shooting start position is not reached, the sequence returns to step ST33, and the above-described steps ST33 to ST36 are repeated until the signal shooting start position is reached. In the middle of this repetition, if it is determined in step ST36 that it is the traffic signal shooting start position, camera shooting is started (step ST37). That is, the route search device 6 instructs the video shooting device 8 to start camera shooting. As a result, the video imaging device 8 is activated to capture the lighting state of the traffic light in front of the host vehicle and send it to the image processing device 9.

  Next, an enlarged display of the traffic light state is performed (step ST38). In other words, the image processing device 9 enlarges the video signal indicating the lighting state of the traffic light sent from the video image capturing device 8 and sends it to the output device 7. As a result, an enlarged image of the traffic light as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the screen of the output device 7. In this case, as shown in FIG. 9, a message indicating the currently lit color, for example, a message such as “the front signal is red” can be displayed.

  Subsequently, a traffic light state sound output is performed (step ST39). That is, the image processing device 9 instructs the audio conversion device 10 to start audio output. The voice conversion device 10 generates a voice signal of a message indicating the lighting state of the traffic light sent from the image processing device 9 and sends it to the voice output device 11. As a result, the sound output device 11 outputs a sound indicating the lighting state of the traffic light, for example, a sound such as “the front signal is displayed in red”.

  Next, it is checked whether or not the lighting color of the traffic light has changed to red (step ST40). That is, the image processing device 9 checks whether or not the video of the traffic light sent from the video photographing device 8 has changed from another lighting color to red. If it is determined in step ST40 that the traffic light has changed to red, a timer is started (step ST41). That is, the image processing device 9 instructs the timer device 12 to start timing. As a result, the timer device 12 starts measuring the red lighting time. On the other hand, if it is determined in step ST40 that the lighting color of the traffic light has not changed to red, the process of step ST41 is skipped.

  Next, it is checked whether or not the lighting color of the traffic light has changed from red to another color (step ST42). That is, the image processing device 9 checks whether the video of the traffic light sent from the video photographing device 8 has changed from red to another color. If it is determined in step ST42 that the lighting color of the traffic light has not changed from red to another color, the sequence returns to step ST40, and the processes of steps ST40 to ST42 described above are repeated.

  If it is determined in step ST42 that the lighting color of the traffic light has changed from red to blue during the repetition process, the timer is stopped (step ST43). That is, the image processing device 9 instructs the timer device 12 to stop timing. As a result, the operation of the timer device 12 is stopped, and the measured time value is held therein. Next, the timer measurement time A is acquired (step ST44). That is, the time determination device 13 acquires the time value held in the timer device 12, that is, the time until the lighting color of the traffic light changes from red to blue, and sets it as the timer measurement time A.

  Next, a time B that stops at a red signal included in the road map data is acquired (step ST45). That is, the time determination device 13 acquires a time B that stops at a red signal from the lighting information of the traffic lights included in the road map data from the road map database 1. Next, the timer measurement time A is compared with the time B that stops at the red signal (step ST46). That is, the time determination device 13 compares the timer measurement time A acquired in step ST44 with the time B stopped at the red signal acquired in step ST45, and sends the comparison result to the road map database update device 14.

  If it is determined in step ST46 that the timer measurement time A is different from the red signal stop time B, the timer stop time A is replaced with the red signal stop time B included in the road map data (step ST47). . That is, the road map database update device 14 rewrites the time B stopped at the red signal in the road map data stored in the road map database 1 with the timer measurement time A. If it is determined in step ST46 that the timer measurement time A is equal to the time B that stops at the red signal, the process of step ST47 is skipped.

  Next, the current position of the host vehicle is acquired (step ST48). That is, the route search device 6 acquires the current position of the host vehicle from the position detection device 3. Next, it is checked whether or not the signal has passed (step ST49). That is, the route search device 6 checks whether or not the current position of the host vehicle acquired from the position detection device 3 has passed the position of the traffic signal indicated by the road map data acquired from the road map database 1. If it is determined in step ST49 that the vehicle has not passed the traffic light, the sequence returns to step ST38 and the above-described processing is repeated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step ST49 that the signal has passed through the traffic light, camera shooting is stopped (step ST50). That is, the route search device 6 instructs the video shooting device 8 to stop camera shooting. Thereby, the operation of the video photographing device 8 is stopped, and the operation of sending the lighting state of the traffic light ahead of the host vehicle to the image processing device 9 is stopped. Next, display is performed in which the number of traffic lights to the destination is reduced (step ST51). That is, the route search device 6 reduces the number of traffic lights existing on the currently selected route and sends the signal to the output device 7. As a result, as shown in FIG. 10, for example, when passing through the traffic light 1, the output device 7 displays the number of traffic lights to the destination reduced from “3” to “2”. Thereafter, the sequence returns to step ST33, and the above-described processing is repeated.

  If it is determined in step ST42 that the lighting color of the traffic light has changed from red to a color other than blue or from red to the same color blinking, it is then checked whether or not the same color blinks (step ST52). That is, the image processing device 9 checks whether the video of the traffic light sent from the video photographing device 8 has changed from red to blinking in the same color. If it is determined in step ST52 that there is no change from red to blinking of the same color, the sequence returns to step ST38 and the above-described processing is repeated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step ST52 that the color has changed from red to blinking, the presence / absence flag of the blinking signal in the road map data is turned on (step ST53). That is, when the image processing device 9 determines that the video of the traffic light sent from the video photographing device 8 has changed from red to blinking in the same color, it instructs the road map database update device 14 to update the road map data. To do. The road map database update device 14 sets the flashing signal presence / absence flag included in the traffic light lighting information in the road map database 1 to “1” in response to an instruction from the image processing device 9. Next, camera shooting is stopped (step ST54). That is, the image processing device 9 instructs the video shooting device 8 to stop camera shooting. Thereby, the operation of the video photographing device 8 is stopped, and the operation of sending the lighting state of the traffic light ahead of the host vehicle to the image processing device 9 is stopped.

  Next, the current position of the host vehicle is acquired (step ST55). The process in step ST55 is the same as the process in step ST48 described above. Next, it is checked whether or not the signal has passed (step ST56). The process in step ST56 is the same as the process in step ST49 described above. If it is determined in step ST56 that the vehicle has not passed the traffic light, the sequence returns to step ST55, and the processes of steps ST55 and ST56 described above are repeated. In the middle of this repetition, if it is determined in step ST56 that the signal has passed, the sequence proceeds to step ST51, and the above-described processing is performed.

  As described above, according to the car navigation device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, a route search can be performed in consideration of the state of the latest traffic light imaged by the video imaging device 8, so that an accurate route search is always performed. The result can be obtained. Further, in the route guidance before the intersection, since the image photographed by the video photographing device 8 provided in the host vehicle is used, the lighting information of the traffic light can be guided at low cost.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
In the car navigation device according to Embodiment 1 described above, when there is an obstacle in front of the host vehicle (when the height of the vehicle ahead of the host vehicle is high), when the visibility is poor due to bad weather (such as generation of dense fog) ), It may be difficult to capture the traffic light in front of the host vehicle. In order to deal with such a case, the car navigation apparatus according to Embodiment 2 receives traffic information including information on lighting of traffic lights within several kilometers ahead of the host vehicle from the information center, and is included in the traffic information. Based on the traffic signal information, the route search considering the traffic signal is made possible. This traffic signal information corresponds to the traffic signal status information of the present invention.

  FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the car navigation device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In this car navigation device, the video photographing device 8, the image processing device 9, the sound conversion device 10, the sound output device 11, and the timer device 12 are removed from the car navigation device according to the first embodiment, and the traffic information receiving device 15 is removed. Is added and configured. In the following, the same or corresponding parts as the components of the car navigation apparatus according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those used in the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted or simplified.

  The traffic information receiving device 15 receives traffic information from the information center and sends it to the route search device 6. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a format of traffic signal information included in traffic information received from the information center. The traffic signal information includes a node number, latitude / longitude, and a list in which lighting information of the traffic signal for each time zone (1 hour) is stored for each node. The lighting information of the traffic light is composed of the time when it stops with a red signal and the presence or absence of a blinking signal.

  The route search device 6 performs the same route search as that of the car navigation device according to the first embodiment described above, and the traffic signal information included in the traffic information sent from the traffic information reception device 15 is sent to the time determination device 13. send. The time determination device 13 is indicated by the time when it stops at a red signal in the traffic signal information sent from the route search device 6 and the lighting information of the traffic signal included in the node data of the road map data read from the road map database 1. The time for stopping at the red light is compared, and the comparison result is sent to the road map database update device 14.

  Next, the operation of the car navigation apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The route search process in this car navigation device is the same as that in the car navigation device according to the first embodiment.

  In the traffic signal information update process, first, traffic information is received (step ST61). That is, the traffic information receiving device 15 receives traffic information from the information center and sends it to the route search device 6. Next, the presence / absence of signal information is checked (step ST62). That is, the route search device 6 checks whether or not traffic information is included in the traffic information sent from the traffic information receiving device 15. If it is determined in step ST62 that there is no traffic signal information, the sequence returns to step ST61, and the processes of steps ST61 and ST62 are repeated thereafter.

  If it is determined in step ST62 that there is traffic signal information during the process of steps ST61 and ST62, the current position of the host vehicle is acquired (step ST63). That is, the route search device 6 acquires the current position of the host vehicle from the position detection device 3. Next, road map data including lighting information of traffic lights is read (step ST64). In other words, the route search device 6 acquires from the road map database 1 road map data that is road map data around the host vehicle and that includes traffic light lighting information (see FIG. 3).

  Next, the presence / absence of lighting information of the traffic light is checked (step ST65). In other words, the route search device 6 checks whether there is any remaining traffic light information included in the traffic signal information in the traffic information acquired in step ST61. In step ST65, when it is determined that there is lighting information of traffic lights, it is recognized that the processing has not been completed for the lighting information of all traffic lights, and a time A that stops at a red signal is acquired from the traffic light information ( Step ST66). That is, the route search device 6 acquires the time A that stops at a red signal from the traffic signal information included in the traffic information received in step ST61 and sends the time A to the time determination device 13. Next, a time B that stops at a red signal included in the road map data is acquired (step ST67). That is, the route search device 6 acquires the time B that stops at the red signal in the lighting information of the traffic lights included in the road map data from the road map database 1 and sends it to the time determination device 13.

  Next, the time A that stops at the red signal and the time B that stops at the red signal are compared (step ST46). That is, the time determination device 13 compares the time A that stops at the red signal acquired at step ST63 with the time B that stops at the red signal acquired at step ST64, and sends the comparison result to the road map database update device 14. If it is determined in step ST68 that the time A that stops at the red signal is different from the time B that stops at the red signal, the time B that stops at the red signal included in the road map data is replaced with the time A that stops at the red signal. (Step ST69). In other words, the road map database update device 14 stops the time B that stops at the red signal in the road map data stored in the road map database 1 based on the determination result sent from the time determination device 13 at the red signal. Rewrite at time A.

  Thereafter, the sequence returns to step ST65. If it is determined in step ST68 that the time A that stops at the red signal is equal to the time B that stops at the red signal, the process of step ST69 is skipped, and the sequence returns to step ST65. If it is determined in step ST65 that there is no traffic light lighting information, that is, it is determined that processing has been completed for all traffic light lighting information, the sequence returns to step ST62 in order to obtain new traffic signal information. The process described above is repeated.

  As described above, according to the car navigation device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, a route search can be performed in consideration of the state of the latest traffic light obtained from the information center, so that an accurate route search result is always obtained. be able to.

  In the car navigation device according to the second embodiment, the traffic signal state information is obtained from the traffic information received from the information center. However, in combination with the car navigation device according to the first embodiment, the information center The traffic light state information can be obtained from both the traffic information received from the video and the video shot by the video shooting device.

  In the car navigation device according to the second embodiment described above, the traffic information is received from the information center, and the road map database is updated based on the traffic signal information included in the received traffic information. When the device itself has a function of transmitting traffic signal information, the road map database can be updated based on the traffic signal information received from the traffic signal.

  According to the car navigation device of the present invention, since the route search can be performed in consideration of the state of the traffic light in the route search, a more accurate route can be provided to the user. In the route guidance, the state of the traffic light is determined. Since it can also be confirmed other than visually, the user can perform safe driving.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the car navigation apparatus concerning Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the initial setting screen relevant to route search and route guidance displayed on the output device of the car navigation apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the node data contained in the road map data stored in the road map database of the car navigation apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the route search process of the car navigation apparatus concerning Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the path | route of the result of having searched in the car navigation apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention in consideration of the traffic light. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the path | route of the result of having searched without considering a traffic signal with the car navigation apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart (the 1) which shows the traffic signal information update process in the car navigation apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart (the 2) which shows the traffic signal information update process in the car navigation apparatus concerning Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the traffic signal enlargedly displayed on an output device in the traffic signal information update process in the car navigation apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a display when the number of traffic lights is updated in the traffic signal information update process in the car navigation apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the car navigation apparatus concerning Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the format of the traffic signal information received from an information center with the car navigation apparatus concerning Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the traffic signal information update process in the car navigation apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Road map database 2 GPS receiving device 3 Position detection device 4 Input device 5 Time detection device 6 Route search device 7 Output device 8 Video imaging device 9 Image processing device 10 Voice conversion device 11 Voice Output device, 12 timer device, 13 time determination device, 14 road map database update device, 15 traffic information receiving device.

Claims (8)

A position detection device for detecting the current position of the host vehicle;
An input device for inputting a destination;
A road map database for storing road map data;
Traffic light state information acquisition means for acquiring traffic light state information representing the state of the traffic light;
The road map data read from the road map database and the traffic signal status information acquired by the traffic signal status information acquisition means, the route from the current position detected by the position detection device to the destination input by the input device; A route search device for searching based on
A car navigation device comprising: an output device that outputs a route searched by the route search device. The traffic light state information acquisition means comprises a video imaging device that captures the front of the host vehicle,
The car navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the route search device uses traffic signal state information created based on an image obtained by photographing with the video photographing device for route search. The traffic light state information acquisition means comprises a traffic information receiving device that receives traffic information from the outside,
The car navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the route search device uses the traffic signal state information included in the traffic information received by the traffic information receiving device for the route search. 2. The car navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the traffic signal status information acquired by the traffic signal status information acquisition means includes a lighting color of the traffic signal, presence / absence of blinking of the traffic signal, and a red lighting time of the traffic signal. The car navigation device according to claim 1, further comprising a road map database update device that updates the road map database based on the traffic light state information acquired by the traffic light state information acquisition means. It has a time detection device that detects the current time,
The route search device
The route from the current position detected by the position detection device to the arrival at the destination input by the input device is converted into the road map data read from the road map database and the traffic signal status information acquired by the traffic signal status information acquisition means. A search is performed based on the estimated time of arrival at the destination by adding the time required for passage of the searched route to the current time detected by the time detection device, and output to the output device. The car navigation device according to claim 1. The route search device
Based on the traffic signal position included in the road map data read from the road map database, the number of traffic signals present on the route from the current position of the host vehicle detected by the position detection means to the destination input by the input device is calculated. The car navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the car navigation device outputs to an output device. The input device instructs whether or not to consider the state of the traffic light,
The route search device
The road from the road map database read out the route from the current position detected by the position detection device to the destination input by the input device when the input device is instructed to consider the traffic light state The car navigation device according to claim 1, wherein a search is performed based on map data and traffic signal status information acquired by the traffic signal status information acquisition means.

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