JP2008151754A - Route guidance device, route guidance technique, route guidance program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a route guidance device capable of making a user, who is migrating along a guiding route, to hold always the direction of destination. <P>SOLUTION: The route guidance device 100 is an onboard device of a mobile object, which displays guidance imageries indicating the route from the mobile object concerned to a destination on a display screen to implement route guidance. Moreover, the direct distance direction is detected from the mobile object to the destination displayed on guidance imageries from a detecting section 101. Then, a display controlling section 102 displays guidance imageries on a display screen 110 in a display mode so as to make always the direct distance direction detected to upward of the display screen. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a route guidance device, a route guidance method, a route guidance program, and a recording medium that are mounted on a mobile body and perform a route guidance by displaying a guidance image showing a route from the mobile body to a destination on a display screen. . However, the use of the present invention is not limited to the above-described route guidance device, route guidance method, route guidance program, and recording medium.

  Conventionally, various techniques have been provided for route guidance that is easy for the user to understand. For example, as a technique for generating a guidance image showing the route to the destination, whether the target is on the left or right of the direction of travel along the route, or the order of the target and the right / left turn timing arrives A trackside target display device and a trackside target display program that can grasp information such as whether to do at a glance are disclosed (for example, refer to Patent Document 1 below).

  Specifically, the target information existing along the route is acquired, and the left-right relation of each target and the perspective relation from the current position are determined. Then, target identification marks present on the left and right sides of the route are displayed in the left display area and the right display area, respectively. Further, the identification marks in each display area are arranged and displayed from the inside to the outside in the horizontal direction in the order of proximity from the current position. When the moving body passes the target, the corresponding identification mark is erased from the display area, and the other identification marks are sequentially moved inward. With such a display, it is possible to grasp at a glance information such as the order in which the target objects arrive. Furthermore, even when the target object is displayed on a three-dimensional map by using the horizontally long display area efficiently. Detailed information can be displayed easily.

JP 2006-242810 A

  However, in the case of the conventional technology such as the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, it is possible to provide a guidance image that does not make a mistake in the branch point on the route, such as a display that makes it easy to recognize the target of the branch point. As an example, there is a problem that it is impossible to provide a guidance image that makes the user feel as if they are moving toward the destination because the entire guidance route to the destination is not always displayed.

  In addition, when moving along the guidance route, even if the destination is a north direction at a straight distance from the current location of the moving body, the destination is not necessarily moved only in the north direction. When the traveling direction is the east direction or the west direction, the traveling direction may be the south direction opposite to the destination. In this way, if the direction of the linear distance to the destination and the actual direction of travel are significantly different, for example, the user may be worried whether the guidance route is the correct route to the destination. Can be mentioned.

  A route guidance device according to a first aspect of the present invention is a route guidance device that is mounted on a mobile body and performs route guidance by displaying a guidance image showing a route from the mobile body to a destination on a display screen, Detection means for detecting a linear distance direction from the position of the moving body to the destination shown in the guidance image, and a display in which the linear distance direction detected by the detection means is always upward on the display screen Display control means for displaying the guidance image in an aspect.

  The route guidance method according to the invention of claim 5 is a route guidance method of a route guidance device that is mounted on a mobile body and displays a guidance image showing a route from the mobile body to a destination to perform route guidance. A detecting step for detecting a linear distance direction from the position of the moving body to the destination shown in the guidance image, and a linear distance direction detected by the detecting step is always an upward direction of the display screen. And a display step of displaying the guide image in such a display mode.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, a route guidance program causes a computer to execute the route guidance method according to the fifth aspect.

  A recording medium according to a seventh aspect of the invention is characterized in that the route guidance program according to the sixth aspect is recorded in a computer-readable manner.

  Exemplary embodiments of a route guidance device, a route guidance method, a route guidance program, and a recording medium according to the present invention will be explained below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(Functional configuration of the route guidance device)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the route guidance device according to the present embodiment. The route guidance device 100 according to the present embodiment is a device that is mounted on a moving body and performs route guidance by displaying a guidance image showing a route from the moving body to a destination on a display screen. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the route guidance device 100 includes a detection unit 101, a display control unit 102, and a calculation unit 103. A display screen 110 is connected to the route guidance device 100.

  The detection unit 101 detects the linear distance direction from the position of the moving body (that is, the current location) shown in the guidance image to the destination. A guidance image is an image showing a route from a moving object to a destination as described above. In addition, the guide image shows a mark indicating the current location of the moving body (hereinafter referred to as “current location mark”). The current location mark is displayed so as to move along the guidance route of the guidance image in accordance with the traveling of the moving body.

  In order for the detection unit 101 to detect the direction of the linear distance from the position of the moving object to the destination from the guidance image, first, the current location mark and the destination displayed in the guidance image are extracted. Then, a straight line is connected between the extracted current location mark and the destination. A direction from the current position mark of the straight line toward the destination is detected as a straight line distance direction.

  In addition, the display control unit 102 displays the guidance image in a display mode in which the linear distance direction detected by the detection unit 101 is always the upper direction of the display screen 110. The display mode is the adjustment content of the state of the guidance image displayed on the display screen 110. Since the moving body moves along the guide route, the linear distance direction to the destination changes depending on the position on the guide route. Therefore, the display control unit 102 appropriately rotates the guidance image in order to adjust the display mode so that the linear distance direction detected by the detection unit 101 is always displayed upward.

  The display screen 110 displays a guide image having a display mode according to a display control instruction from the display control unit 102. Therefore, the display screen 110 displays a guidance image in a display mode in which the linear distance direction to the destination is always upward. Specifically, the display screen 110 is realized by an image display device such as a display or a projector. Further, the display screen 110 may be an integral type built in the route guidance device 100 or an external type connected to the route guidance device 100 regardless of wired wireless.

  The upward direction of the display screen 110 is usually the vertical direction of the installation surface of the display screen 110, but any direction can be set by the user as the upward direction. This is because the readability of the guidance image differs depending on the angle at which the user is viewing the display screen 110. As described above, the display screen 110 displays the guidance image in the display mode in which the angle is adjusted so that the direction of the straight line distance from the current location to the destination is directed upward of the display screen 110.

  As described above, the route guidance device 100 can always move along the guidance route while being conscious of the destination direction. However, depending on the guidance route, the traveling direction of the moving object and the linear distance direction to the destination may be different. There may be a large deviation. For example, when the traveling direction is set to 0 °, if the linear distance direction has an angle difference of 10 ° or 20 °, it can be felt that the vehicle is traveling toward the destination. However, for example, if an angle difference of 45 ° or more occurs, the direction of the destination is greatly deviated. Therefore, the user is not sure that the traveling route is really correct or that he / she has deviated from the route. I have anxiety.

  Therefore, the route guidance device 100 further uses the calculation unit 103 to change the display content of the guidance image so that the user does not feel uneasy about the guidance route even in the above case. be able to.

  The calculation unit 103 obtains an angle formed by the traveling direction of the moving object displayed in the guidance image and the linear distance direction. When the angle formed by the calculation unit 103 is equal to or greater than a predetermined angle (for example, the angle formed is 45 ° or greater), the display control unit 102 displays the linear distance direction as the upward direction of the display screen. The guide image can be displayed in another display mode in which the display mode is changed while maintaining the mode. That is, the calculation result by the calculation unit 103 is triggered to display other display modes with different display contents.

  As another display mode, specifically, for example, when the angle formed by the calculation unit 103 is larger than a predetermined angle, the guidance image is displayed so that the entire route to the destination can be displayed on the display screen 110. There is a display mode for changing the scale of the. Further, a display mode may be used in which an auxiliary image showing all routes to the destination is added to the guide image and displayed. In any display mode, since all routes from the current location to the destination are displayed, the user can confirm that the guidance route has correctly reached the destination.

  In addition, when the angle calculated by the calculation unit 103 as described above is larger than a predetermined angle, even if the entire route to the destination is displayed, the guidance route is not a detour or a real-time traffic situation. If you feel anxiety, such as not complying, you may perform a re-search (reroute) of the guidance route using the calculation result that the angle formed by the calculation unit 103 is larger than a predetermined angle as a trigger. .

(Contents of route guidance device processing)
Next, the contents of processing performed by the route guidance device 100 having the above-described configuration will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the contents of processing of the route guidance device. In the flowchart of FIG. 2, first, it is determined whether or not a guidance image is provided to the detection unit 101 (step S201). Here, the process waits until the guidance image is provided (step S201: No loop). When the guidance image is provided (step S201: Yes), the moving body position and the destination are extracted from the provided guidance image. (Step S202).

  Next, the linear distance direction between the moving body position extracted in step S202 and the destination is detected (step S203). Then, the calculation unit 103 calculates an angle formed by the traveling direction at the moving body position extracted in step S202 and the linear distance direction detected in step S203 (step S204).

  Then, it is determined whether or not the angle formed by the traveling direction calculated in step S204 and the linear distance direction is equal to or greater than a predetermined angle (step S205). In this step S205, when the angle formed is equal to or greater than a predetermined angle (step S205: Yes), the difference between the traveling direction of the moving body and the direction of the linear distance to the destination is large, and the user is directed to the destination. The feeling of moving toward you will fade. Therefore, the scale of the guidance image is adjusted so that the entire route from the moving body to the destination is displayed on the display screen 110 (step S206). On the other hand, if the angle formed in step S205 is less than the predetermined angle (step S205: No), the process proceeds to step S207 as it is.

  In step S205, when it is determined that the angle formed is less than the predetermined angle (step S205: No), or when the process of step 206 is completed, the linear distance direction then becomes the upward direction of the display screen 110. The guide image is adjusted to such a display mode (step S207), the adjusted guide image is displayed on the display screen 110 (step S208), and the series of processes is terminated.

  As described above, the route guidance device 100 according to the present embodiment is controlled in such a display manner that the linear distance direction to the destination is always the upper direction of the display screen 110 when moving along the guidance route. . Therefore, regardless of the direction of travel along the guidance route, the user can recognize the direction of the destination and give the user a sense of traveling toward the destination. be able to.

  Examples of the above-described embodiment will be described below. Here, the case where the route guidance device 100 according to this embodiment is applied to a navigation device mounted on a moving body such as a vehicle (including a four-wheeled vehicle and a two-wheeled vehicle) will be described.

  Specifically, the navigation device is equipped with a route search function and a route guidance function. When moving to a destination using this navigation device, first, a route from the current location (or a predetermined starting point) to the destination is searched by the route search function. Then, using the searched route as a guidance route, processing for instructing the user of the guidance route by the route guidance function is performed. The route guidance device 100 described above is applied to this route guidance function part. Hereinafter, a specific hardware configuration of the navigation device of the present embodiment and a processing content of route guidance will be described.

(Hardware configuration of navigation device)
First, the hardware configuration of the navigation apparatus 300 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the navigation device according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 3, the navigation device 300 includes a CPU 301, a ROM 302, a RAM 303, a magnetic disk drive 304, a magnetic disk 305, an optical disk drive 306, an optical disk 307, an audio I / F (interface) 308, and a microphone 309. A speaker 310, an input device 311, a video I / F (interface) 312, a display 313, a camera 314, a communication I / F (interface) 315, a GPS unit 316, and various sensors 317. I have. Each component 301 to 317 is connected by a bus 320.

  The CPU 301 governs overall control of the navigation device 300. The ROM 302 stores various programs such as a boot program, a route search program, a route guidance program, a voice generation program, a map information display program, a communication program, a database creation program, and a data analysis program.

  The route search program searches for an optimum route from the departure point to the destination using map information recorded on the optical disk 307 to be described later. Here, the optimum route is the shortest (or fastest) route to the destination or the route that best meets the conditions specified by the user. The guidance route searched by executing this route search program is output to the audio I / F 308 and the video I / F 312 via the CPU 301, for example.

  The route guidance program includes the guidance route information searched by executing the route search program described above, the current location of the navigation device 300 acquired by the communication I / F 315, and the map information read from the optical disc 307. Based on this, real-time route guidance information is generated. The route guidance information generated by executing the route guidance program is output to the audio I / F 308 and the video I / F 312 via the CPU 301, for example.

  The voice generation program generates tone and voice information corresponding to the voice pattern. That is, based on the route guidance information generated by executing the route guidance program, the virtual sound source corresponding to the guidance point is set and the voice guidance information is generated. For example, the generated voice guidance information is stored in the CPU 301. To the audio I / F 308.

  Also, the map information display program determines the display format of the map information displayed on the display 313 by the video I / F 312 and displays the map information on the display 313 according to the determined display format.

  The RAM 303 is used as a work area for the CPU 301, for example. The magnetic disk drive 304 controls the reading / writing of the data with respect to the magnetic disk 305 according to control of CPU301. The magnetic disk 305 records data written under the control of the magnetic disk drive 304.

  The optical disk drive 306 controls the reading / writing of the data with respect to the optical disk 307 according to control of CPU301. The optical disk 307 is a detachable recording medium from which data is read according to the control of the optical disk drive 306. As the optical disk 307, a writable recording medium can be used. In addition to the optical disk 307, an MO, a memory card, or the like can be used as a removable recording medium.

  The audio I / F 308 is connected to a microphone 309 for audio input and a speaker 310 for audio output. The sound received by the microphone 309 is A / D converted in the sound I / F 308. Note that the speaker 310 may be provided not only inside the vehicle but also outside the vehicle. From the speaker 310, sound based on the sound signal from the sound I / F 308 is output. The sound input from the microphone 309 can be recorded on the magnetic disk 305 or the optical disk 307 as sound data, for example.

  Examples of the input device 311 include a remote controller having a plurality of keys for inputting characters, numerical values, various instructions, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, and the like.

  The video I / F 312 is connected to the display 313 and the camera 314. Specifically, the video I / F 312 includes, for example, a graphic controller that controls the entire display 313, a buffer memory such as a VRAM (Video RAM) that temporarily records image information that can be displayed immediately, and a graphic controller. And a control IC for controlling display of the display 313 on the basis of image data output from the image data. Further, the image pickup signal input from the camera 314 is controlled and processing for recording on the magnetic disk 305 or the optical disk 307 is performed.

  The display 313 displays icons, cursors, menus, windows, or various data such as characters and images. As the display 313, for example, a CRT, a TFT liquid crystal display, a plasma display, or the like can be adopted.

  The camera 314 is a photographing device provided in a vehicle on which the navigation device 300 is mounted. Specifically, an image for performing driving support by capturing a subsequent vehicle, a parking space in a parking lot, an adjacent vehicle, or the like is acquired. Moreover, you may use an infrared camera other than a normal visible light camera as a camera.

  In addition, the communication I / F 315 is connected to a network via wireless and functions as an interface between the navigation device 300 and the CPU 301. The communication I / F 315 is further connected to a communication network such as the Internet via wireless, and also functions as an interface between the communication network and the CPU 301.

  The network includes a LAN, a WAN, a public line network, a mobile phone network, and the like. Specifically, the communication I / F 315 includes, for example, an FM tuner, a VICS (Vehicle Information and Communication System) / beacon receiver, a radio navigation device, and other navigation devices, and is distributed from the VICS center. Get road traffic information such as traffic jams and traffic regulations.

  Further, the GPS unit 316 calculates position information indicating the current position of the vehicle (current position of the navigation device 300) using received waves from GPS satellites and output values from various sensors 317 described later. The position information indicating the current position is information specifying one point on map information such as latitude / longitude and altitude, for example. Further, the GPS unit 316 outputs an odometer, a speed change amount, an azimuth change amount, and the like using output values from the various sensors 317. Thereby, the dynamics of the vehicle such as a sudden brake and a sudden handle can be analyzed.

  The various sensors 317 are a vehicle speed sensor, an acceleration sensor, an angular velocity sensor, an azimuth sensor, an optical sensor, and the like, and output values thereof are used for calculation of position information by the GPS unit 316, measurement of changes in speed and azimuth, and the like. .

  Note that, in the navigation device 300 described above, the detection unit 101 and the calculation unit 103 of the route guidance device 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 specifically realize the functions of the CPU 301, the ROM 302, and the RAM 303, for example. Specifically, the display control unit 102 realizes its function by, for example, the CPU 301, the ROM 302, the RAM 303, and the video I / F 312. Further, specifically, the display screen 110 realizes its function by, for example, the video I / F 312 and the display 313.

(Contents of the guidance image)
Next, the contents of the guidance image displayed on the display 313 when the navigation device 300 performs route guidance will be described. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the contents of the guidance image. FIG. 4 exemplifies explanatory diagrams 410 to 460 illustrating processing contents for displaying a guidance image from the starting point of the vehicle on which the navigation device 300 is mounted to just before the destination. In the explanatory diagrams 410 to 460, a triangular mark 401 indicates the current location of the vehicle, and 402 indicates a guide image displayed on the display 313. The route R represents a guidance route to the destination searched by the navigation device 300, and the straight line L represents a straight distance direction from the current location of the vehicle to the destination.

  An explanatory diagram 410 of FIG. 4 shows the positional relationship between the guidance image 402 displayed on the display 313 and the destination G when the vehicle on which the navigation device 300 is mounted is located at the starting point. When the guide image 402 in the state of the explanatory diagram 410 is displayed on the display 313, the display mode is controlled such that the direction of the arrow (upper screen) shown in the guide image 402 is the upward direction of the display 313.

(Guidance image display processing procedure)
Next, the procedure of the guidance image display process will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the guide image display process. In the flowchart of FIG. 5, it is first determined whether or not guidance information has been acquired by executing a route guidance program (step S501). Here, the process waits until acquisition of guidance information (step S501: No loop). When guidance information is acquired (step S501: Yes), it is determined whether or not current location information has been acquired (step S502).

  In step S502, it waits until the current location information is acquired (step S502: No loop). When the current location information is acquired (step S502: Yes), the guidance information acquired in step S501 and the current location acquired in step S502 are then obtained. The traveling direction of the guidance route at the current location is detected from the information (step S503).

  Next, the linear distance direction from the current location to the destination is detected (step S504). Then, an angle θ1 formed by the traveling direction detected in step S503 and the linear distance direction to the destination detected in step S504 is detected (step S505).

  And it is judged whether (theta) 1 detected in step S505 is 45 degrees or more (step S506). In this step S506, the threshold is set to 45 ° and the determination is made, but this angle is only an example. Therefore, an angle at which the user feels that the traveling direction is greatly deviated from the linear distance direction can be arbitrarily set.

  In step S505, when θ1 is 45 ° or more (step S506: Yes), a guide route image in a display mode including the destination is displayed on the display 313 (step S507), and a series of processes is terminated. On the other hand, if θ1 is less than 45 ° (step S506: No), a guide route image having a normal display mode as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the display 313 (step S508), and a series of processes is terminated.

(Display when the angle θ1 between the traveling direction and the direction of the straight line distance to the destination is large)
Next, the process of step S507 in the flowchart of FIG. 5 will be specifically described. The processing in step S507 is display processing when the angle θ1 formed by the traveling direction and the direction of the straight line distance to the destination is large.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a display example when the angle θ1 formed by the traveling direction and the direction of the linear distance to the destination is large. Here, as shown in the explanatory diagram 600, the following three display examples (explanation) are provided so that the user can travel along the guide route with peace of mind even if the traveling direction and the linear distance direction to the destination are greatly deviated. Any one of FIGS. 610, 620, and 630) is set to be displayed.

Display mode example 1: Display a submap screen including the destination on the screen In display mode example 1, when the angle θ1 formed as shown in the explanatory diagram 600 is 45 ° or more, the submap screen is newly displayed as shown in the explanatory diagram 610. A map image 611 is displayed on the guide image 402. The submap image 611 is an image scaled so that an image showing all the guidance routes from the current location to the destination can be displayed in a predetermined size. As described above, the display 313 displays the guidance route from the current location to the distance corresponding to the scale, and also displays the entire guidance route to the destination.

Display mode example 2: Scale automatically changed to include destination on screen In display mode example 2, when angle θ1 formed as shown in explanatory diagram 600 is 45 ° or more, as shown in explanatory diagram 620, the current location is changed. The scale of the guide image 402 is automatically changed so that an image showing all the guide routes to the destination can be displayed on the display 313.

  In this way, in the display mode examples 1 and 2, even if the traveling direction and the linear distance direction to the destination are greatly shifted, the user is made to recognize that the guide route has reached the destination correctly, The user's anxiety can be resolved.

  In addition, if all guidance routes are displayed as in Display Examples 1 and 2, but you feel uneasy about the guidance route where the direction of travel and the direction of the straight line to the destination are significantly different, The following display mode example 3 as shown in FIG. 630 may be executed.

Display mode example 3: Reroute so as to select a road in the destination direction In display mode example 3, when the angle θ1 formed as shown in the explanatory diagram 600 is 45 ° or more, as shown in the explanatory diagram 630, the user is prompted. We propose whether to search the guidance route again.

  As described above, according to the route guidance device, route guidance method, route guidance program, and recording medium according to the present invention, the user moving along the guidance route can always grasp the direction of the destination. . Therefore, the user's anxiety about the guidance route can be resolved.

  The route guidance method described in this embodiment can be realized by executing a program prepared in advance on a computer such as a personal computer or a workstation. This program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a hard disk, a flexible disk, a CD-ROM, an MO, and a DVD, and is executed by being read from the recording medium by the computer. The program may be a transmission medium that can be distributed via a network such as the Internet.

It is a block diagram which shows an example of a functional structure of the route guidance apparatus of this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the process of a route guidance apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of the navigation apparatus concerning a present Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the content of a guidance image. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the display process of a guidance image. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a display in case the angle | corner (theta) 1 which the eyes advancing direction and the linear distance direction to the destination make is large.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Route guidance apparatus 101 Detection part 102 Display control part 103 Calculation part 110 Display screen

Claims (7)

A route guidance device that is mounted on a mobile body and displays a guidance image showing a route from the mobile body to a destination on a display screen to perform route guidance,
Detecting means for detecting a linear distance direction from the position of the moving body shown in the guidance image to the destination;
Display control means for displaying the guide image in a display mode such that the linear distance direction detected by the detection means is always upward of the display screen;
A route guidance device comprising: A calculating means for obtaining an angle formed between the traveling direction of the moving body shown in the guide image and the linear distance direction;
The display control unit changes the display mode while maintaining the display mode in which the linear distance direction is the upper direction of the display screen when the angle formed by the calculation unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined angle. The route guidance device according to claim 1, wherein the guidance image is displayed in another display mode.   The display control unit is changed so that when the angle calculated by the calculation unit is equal to or larger than a predetermined angle, the scale of the guide image is adjusted and the entire route to the destination can be displayed on the display screen. The route guidance device according to claim 2, wherein the displayed state is the other display mode.   The display control unit displays a display state in which an auxiliary image showing all routes to the destination is added to the guidance image when the angle calculated by the calculation unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined angle. The route guidance device according to claim 2, wherein the route guidance device is in a display mode. A route guidance method for a route guidance device that is mounted on a mobile body and displays a guidance image showing a route from the mobile body to a destination, and performs route guidance,
A detection step of detecting a linear distance direction from the position of the moving body shown in the guidance image to the destination;
A display step of displaying the guidance image in a display mode such that the linear distance direction detected by the detection step is always the upper direction of the display screen;
A route guidance method comprising:   A route guidance program for causing a computer to execute the route guidance method according to claim 5.   A recording medium in which the route guidance program according to claim 6 is recorded in a computer-readable manner.

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