JP2008267878A - Navigator - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a navigator capable of surely informing required information to a driver even when recognition degree of the driver to a guidance reduces corresponding to environmental change around a vehicle. <P>SOLUTION: A navigation device 100, guiding a route to a destination by image information or voice guidance, includes: a circumstance environment detecting means 3 for detecting environment around a vehicle; information recognition degree reducing determination means 11, 12 for determining whether the recognition degree of the driver reduces based on the environment around the vehicle which is detected by the environment detecting means 3; a guidance method changing means changing a guidance method with image information or voice guidance when the recognition of the driver is determined to reduce by the information recognition degree reducing determination means 11, 12. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a navigation device that guides a route to a destination using image information or audio information, and in particular, when a driver's recognition level for guidance provided by the navigation device is reduced according to a change in the environment around the vehicle. The present invention also relates to a navigation device that ensures that necessary information is transmitted to the driver.

  Conventionally, a technique for adjusting the brightness of the display screen based on the output of the brightness sensor is known, and the brightness of the display screen is adjusted based on the brightness around the driver's seat and the speed of the vehicle while applying the technique. An in-vehicle display device is also known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

This in-vehicle display device takes into account the speed of the vehicle, and the brightness sensor is used when the vehicle passes alternately between the sun and the shade while moving at high speed like a conventional display device having a brightness sensor. When the vehicle is stopped at an intersection or parking lot while reacting sensitively and preventing the screen from blinking repeatedly, the screen brightness is quickly changed according to the external brightness. The information displayed on is made easier for the driver to visually recognize.
JP 2005-326159 A

  However, the in-vehicle display device described in Patent Document 1 can make the information displayed on the display screen relatively easy to visually recognize, but the visibility is high when the sunlight incident on the display screen is strong. There is a limit to the improvement of the vehicle, and it may happen that necessary information cannot be transmitted to the driver.

  In view of the above, the present invention provides a navigation device that ensures that necessary information can be conveyed to a driver even when the driver's recognition level for guidance decreases in accordance with changes in the environment around the vehicle. The purpose is to do.

  In order to achieve the above object, a navigation device according to a first invention is a navigation device that guides a route to a destination by using image information or audio information, and is a surrounding environment detection unit that detects an environment around a vehicle. Driving by the information recognition level decrease determination unit that determines whether or not the driver's recognition level for the guidance has decreased based on the environment around the vehicle detected by the surrounding environment detection unit, and the information recognition level decrease determination unit Guidance method changing means for changing a guidance method based on image information or audio information when it is determined that the recognition level of the person has decreased.

  As a result, the current guidance method using image information and audio information with respect to environmental changes around the vehicle is clear (whether it is easy to understand), transferability (whether it is easy to communicate to the driver), immediacy ( Recognize that it is inappropriate in terms of whether it is timely) or foresight (appropriate for future predictions), etc., so that the guidance method using image information or audio information is appropriate Since the guidance method is automatically changed, necessary information can be reliably transmitted to the driver even when the environment around the vehicle changes.

  In addition, since the guidance method using image information or audio information is changed only when the guidance method becomes inappropriate, the guidance is too detailed using more information than necessary even though the guidance method is appropriate. It is possible to prevent the driver from feeling troublesome.

  Further, the second invention is the navigation device according to the first invention, wherein the surrounding environment detecting means detects the intensity of light incident on the display screen, and the information recognition degree decrease determining means is the peripheral Based on the intensity of light detected by the environment detection means, it is determined whether or not the visibility of the display screen has decreased, and the guidance method change means has the visibility of the display screen determined by the information recognition level decrease determination means. When it is determined that the information has decreased, the guidance method based on image information or audio information is changed.

  As a result, even when sunlight or headlights of the following vehicles enter the display screen and it becomes difficult to see the information displayed on the display screen, more detailed voice guidance is provided to supplement the information conveyed by the image. By outputting it, it is possible to reliably convey necessary information to the driver.

  Further, the third invention is the navigation device according to the first invention, wherein the surrounding environment detection means detects a weather condition around the vehicle, and the information recognition degree decrease determination means is the surrounding environment detection means. It is determined whether or not the visibility around the vehicle has decreased based on the weather condition around the vehicle detected by the vehicle, and the guidance method changing means is determined by the information recognition degree reduction determining means that the visibility around the vehicle has decreased. In this case, the guidance method using image information or audio information is changed.

  Thereby, the visibility of the surroundings of the vehicle is lowered due to rain, snowfall, dense fog, etc., and the correspondence between the image information displayed on the display screen and the actual scenery around the vehicle (for example, there are traffic lights, road signs, buildings, etc.). Even when it becomes difficult to understand, it is possible to reliably convey necessary information to the driver by outputting more detailed voice guidance to supplement the explanation of the correspondence.

  With the above-described means, the present invention provides a navigation device that ensures that necessary information can be conveyed to the driver even when the driver's recognition level for guidance is lowered in accordance with changes in the environment around the vehicle. be able to.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a navigation device according to the present invention. A navigation device 100 is a device that guides a route to a destination using image information or audio information, and includes a control unit 1 and an input unit. 2, a surrounding environment detection unit 3, a positioning unit 4, a storage unit 5, a communication unit 6, a display unit 7, and an audio output unit 8.

  The control unit 1 is a computer including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and the like. While storing programs corresponding to each of the lowering determination means 12 and the guidance method changing means 13 in the ROM, the CPU is caused to execute processing corresponding to each means. Details of each means will be described later.

  The input unit 2 is a device for inputting various types of information to the navigation device 100. For example, the input unit 2 is a touch panel, joystick, remote controller, or the like that can be operated and input while viewing the display screen of the display unit 7, and includes a destination, a transit point, and the like. Alternatively, it is used for setting route search conditions (for example, there are toll road priority and general road priority) or enlargement / reduction of an electronic map.

  The surrounding environment detection unit 3 is a device for detecting the environment around the vehicle. For example, the brightness for detecting the brightness of sunlight, room lights, headlights of the following vehicles, or the like incident on the display screen of the display unit 7. It is a height sensor, and outputs information related to the detected light intensity to the control unit 1. Note that the brightness sensor may be a dedicated sensor newly attached to the front panel of the display unit 7, or may be an existing sensor such as a brightness sensor for conlite.

  In addition, the surrounding environment detection unit 3 detects a raindrop sensor that detects rain or a fog light switch that detects fog (detected that fog has occurred when the operator operates the fog light switch to be turned on). Or the like.

  The positioning unit 4 is a device for measuring the position of the vehicle. For example, a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver receives a GPS signal output from a GPS satellite via a GPS antenna, and based on the received signal. Measure vehicle position (latitude, longitude, altitude). The measurement by the positioning unit 4 may be any method such as independent positioning or relative positioning (including interference positioning), but preferably relative positioning with high accuracy is used. At this time, the vehicle position may be corrected based on outputs of various sensors such as a steering angle sensor, a vehicle speed sensor, and a gyro sensor, and various information received via a beacon receiver or an FM multiplex receiver.

  The storage unit 5 is a device for storing various types of information. For example, the storage unit 5 is a storage medium such as a hard disk or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), and stores a map information database and the like.

  The communication unit 6 is a device for controlling communication with the outside. For example, the communication unit 6 receives weather information or the like by wireless communication using a mobile phone frequency or a specific low power radio frequency.

  The display unit 7 is a device for displaying various types of information. For example, the display unit 7 is a liquid crystal display or the like, and superimposes and displays a recommended route searched by the route guidance unit 10 described later on the electronic map data. It displays a setting screen and software buttons for setting route search conditions.

  The voice output unit 8 is a device for outputting various types of information by voice, and is, for example, an in-vehicle speaker, and outputs voice guidance related to a recommended route searched by the route guidance unit 10 described later.

  Next, various units included in the control unit 1 will be described.

  The route guidance means 10 is stored in the storage unit 5 and the vehicle position (latitude, longitude, altitude) measured by the positioning unit 4 and the destination position information (latitude, longitude, altitude) input via the input unit 2. A means for deriving a recommended route from a predetermined position (for example, the current position of the vehicle) to a destination based on the map information database and guiding the vehicle along the derived recommended route. For example, the shortest route is searched using the Dijkstra method as the shortest route search algorithm, and the searched shortest route is displayed on the display screen of the display unit 7 so that it can be distinguished from other routes, and along the shortest route The vehicle is guided to the destination while outputting the voice guidance from the voice output unit 8.

  The route guidance means 10 searches for the fastest route that can reach the destination earliest, the route that does not use the expressway, etc. in addition to the shortest route according to the route search condition set via the input unit 2. It may be.

  Further, the route guidance means 10 has a plurality of guidance modes with different degrees of detail of route guidance. For example, the voice guidance message “700 m, 300 m, and 100 m before the intersection where a left or right turn is planned, respectively. Make a right turn (left turn) at the intersection ahead of ○○ ”from the audio output unit 8 and pop up a detailed view of the intersection 300 meters in front of the intersection on the display screen of the display unit 7. "Standard mode" that provides standard guidance, or repeat the voice guidance message in increments of 50 meters from the point 700 meters before the intersection where a left or right turn is planned. "Detail mode" etc. that provides more detailed guidance than the standard guidance, such as outputting "Please" from the voice output unit 8

  The “detail mode” is, for example, a guidance mode used when the visibility of the display screen on the display unit 7 is determined to be decreased by the influence of direct sunlight or the like by the below-described screen visibility decrease determination unit 11.

  Note that the route guidance means 10 does not display an intersection detail map in the “detail mode” because the visibility of the display unit 7 is poor, but it does not necessarily prohibit the display of the intersection detail map or other images. Instead, the images may be displayed so that the operator can more easily see the images while adjusting the brightness and contrast of the display screen.

  Further, the route guidance means 10 separately prepares the voice guidance message in the “standard mode” and the voice guidance message in the “detail mode”, and displays the voice guidance message suitable for the situation where the display screen is difficult to visually recognize in the “detail mode”. You may make it use in.

  Further, the route guidance means 10 may change the “operation sequence” for each guidance mode. The “operation sequence” is a relationship between an operation input to the input unit 2 and a response to the operation input, and refers to, for example, an operation of touching a software button on the touch panel (for example, touching a finger for 2 seconds or more). ) Or twice (for example, an act of touching a finger twice within 3 seconds) corresponds to a function of confirming the pressing of the software button, or a short press of the software button on the touch panel (for example, 2 Corresponds to the function of reading the button name of the software button.

  For example, in the “detail mode”, the route guidance unit 10 recognizes that pressing of the software button is confirmed only when the software button is pressed for a long time, while in the “standard mode”, the software button is not displayed. Recognize that pressing the software button is confirmed only by a short press. This is because if the screen is difficult to see, an unintended software button may be pressed.

  As described above, the route guidance unit 10 determines the output timing of the voice guidance message, the detail level of the voice guidance message, the layout of the image to be displayed on the display unit 7, the display method, the operation sequence, etc. for each guidance mode. A plurality of guidance modes can be switched while being set separately.

  The screen visibility lowering determination means 11 is a means for determining whether or not the screen visibility has decreased, for example, based on the output of a brightness sensor attached to the front panel of the display unit 7. When the intensity of light incident on the display screen 7 (for example, sunlight, room light, or headlight of a succeeding vehicle) is detected and the detected intensity is equal to or greater than a threshold value, It is determined that the visibility has deteriorated.

  Further, the screen visibility deterioration determining means 11 determines the presence or absence of incident sunlight or the incident angle from the traveling direction of the vehicle and the current time based on the vehicle position (latitude, longitude, altitude) measured by the positioning unit 4. The intensity of sunlight incident on the display unit 7 may be estimated while calculating, and when the estimated intensity is equal to or greater than a threshold value, it may be determined that the visibility of the display unit 7 has decreased. Accordingly, the navigation device 100 can determine whether or not the visibility of the display unit 7 has deteriorated even when the brightness sensor is not attached to the front panel of the display unit 7.

  In addition, the screen visibility fall determination means 11 estimates the future vehicle position from the traveling direction of the vehicle, calculates the presence / absence or incident angle of sunlight in the future, and the amount of sunlight incident on the display unit 7. The strength may be predicted in advance, and it may be determined whether or not the visibility of the display unit 7 will decrease in the future. Thereby, the navigation apparatus 100 can determine in advance whether the visibility of the display part 7 falls and can change the method of route guidance in advance.

  The visibility reduction determination means 12 is a means for determining whether or not the visibility around the vehicle has declined. For example, the rainfall around the vehicle is detected based on the output of the raindrop sensor, and the rainfall has exceeded a threshold value. In this case, it is determined that the field of view around the vehicle has decreased.

  Further, the visibility reduction determination means 12 may determine that the visibility around the vehicle has deteriorated when a fog is generated around the vehicle when the fog light switch is turned on. When the switch is turned on, or when the brightness sensor detects brightness less than the threshold value, it may be determined that the field of view around the vehicle has deteriorated because the vehicle periphery has become dark.

  Further, the visibility reduction determination unit 12 calculates the future from the traveling direction of the vehicle and the current time based on the vehicle position (latitude, longitude, altitude) measured by the positioning unit 4 and the weather information acquired via the communication unit 6. It is also possible to estimate a change in weather conditions and determine in advance whether or not the field of view will drop in the future. Thereby, the navigation apparatus 100 can determine in advance whether or not the field of view around the vehicle is lowered, and can change the route guidance method and the like in advance.

  The guidance method changing unit 13 is a unit for switching the configuration of the user interface set separately for each guidance mode. For example, the visibility of the display unit 7 is affected by the influence of sunlight by the screen visibility degradation determining unit 11. When it is determined that the information has decreased, the guidance mode is switched from “standard mode” to “detailed mode”, and the level of detail of the voice guidance message regarding the intersection on the recommended route is further detailed (for example, the name of the intersection, The name of the building near the intersection, or straight guidance, etc., in the “standard mode”, voice guidance messages etc. that are not output are output so as not to feel annoying.) The change is made so that the driver can reliably recognize the intersection to be turned right and left without depending on the image information on the display unit 7.

  The guidance method changing means 13 also switches the guidance mode from the “standard mode” to the “detailed mode” when the visibility reduction judging means 12 judges that the visibility around the vehicle has been lowered due to heavy rain, and the road on which the vehicle runs The driver turns right and left without relying on the image information on the display unit 7 while outputting more detailed voice guidance messages about surrounding landmarks, road signs, road markings, road inclination, curvature, pavement condition, etc. Make sure that the intersection should be recognized.

  Further, the guidance method changing means 13 determines whether the visibility of the display unit 7 will be reduced in the future by the screen visibility reduction determining means 11 or the visibility of the surroundings of the vehicle in the future by the visibility reduction determining means 12. If it is determined that the information will be reduced, the guidance mode is switched from “standard mode” to “detailed mode” in advance, and the image information, etc. that is to be output at a point where the visibility of the screen and the field of view are expected to be reduced are advanced. Or may be displayed on the display unit 7.

  Next, a process in which the navigation device 100 switches the guidance mode (hereinafter referred to as “guidance mode switching process”) will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the flow of the guidance mode switching process. The navigation device 100 determines the distance between a predetermined point on a recommended route such as an intersection where a right or left turn is planned or an entrance of an expressway and a vehicle. When the distance becomes less than a predetermined distance (for example, 1 kilometer), this guidance mode switching process is executed. This is to avoid unnecessary processing, but it may be repeatedly executed at a predetermined cycle during traveling.

  First, the control unit 1 of the navigation device 100 is based on the output of the brightness sensor attached to the front panel of the display unit 7, which is one of the surrounding environment detection units 3, by the screen visibility deterioration determination unit 11. The intensity of sunlight incident on the display screen of the display unit 7 is detected, and it is determined whether or not the visibility of the display unit 7 is reduced (step S1).

  When it is determined that the intensity of the incident sunlight is high and the visibility of the display unit 7 is lowered (YES in step S1), the control unit 1 sets the guidance mode to the “standard mode” by the guidance method changing unit 13. Is switched to “detail mode” (step S2), and the driver can be surely recognized the recommended route without relying on the image information on the display unit 7 while enhancing the voice guidance message.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the intensity of incident sunlight is small and the visibility of the display unit 7 is not lowered (NO in step S1), the control unit 1 changes the guidance mode to “details” by the guidance method changing unit 13. The mode is switched from “mode” to “standard mode” (step S3), and the driver can surely recognize the recommended route from the image information on the display unit 7 while suppressing an excessive voice guidance message.

  As described above, the navigation device 100 appropriately switches the guidance mode according to whether or not the visibility of the display unit 7 is lowered. Therefore, even when the environment around the vehicle changes, the driver can surely recommend the recommended route. Make it recognizable.

  The navigation device 100 switches the guidance mode every time the intensity of sunlight incident on the display unit 7 rises and falls below the threshold. However, the guidance mode is used when the vehicle travels in a section where the sun and the shade alternate. In order to prevent frequent switching, the guidance mode is changed from “standard mode” to “details” after the distance between the predetermined point on the recommended route and the vehicle is less than a predetermined distance (for example, 1 km). When the mode is switched, the guidance mode may not be returned to the “standard mode” until the vehicle passes through the predetermined point.

  Further, the navigation device 100 may prohibit the switching of the guidance mode again when a series of operation inputs requiring a plurality of button operations is performed, such as when changing the route search condition. Once the guidance mode is changed, it may be prohibited to switch the guidance mode again for a predetermined period (for example, 5 minutes). This is to prevent the operator from being confused by changing the operation sequence in the middle of a series of operation inputs.

  Further, when the guidance mode is switched, the navigation device 100 may provide voice guidance to that effect. This is in order not to confuse the operator.

  Next, referring to FIG. 3, a process for realizing the change of the route search condition according to the guidance mode set by the navigation device 100 and the operation input by the operator (hereinafter referred to as “route search condition change process”). Will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of the route search condition change process. The route search condition change process is performed when an operation input (touch input) by the operator via the input unit 2 (touch panel) is detected. Shall be executed.

  First, the control unit 1 of the navigation device 100 determines whether or not the setting of the guidance mode is “detail mode” (step S11).

  When it is determined that the guidance mode is set to the “detail mode” (YES in step S11), the control unit 1 determines the button name of the software button corresponding to the coordinates on the touch panel with which the operator's finger touches (for example, Voice route guidance from the voice output unit 8 (step S12). If there is no software button corresponding to the coordinate, the fact is notified.

  Since the guidance mode is set to the “detail mode”, it is estimated that the visibility of the display unit 7 or the field of view around the vehicle is lowered, and it is difficult for the operator to recognize the image information on the display unit 7. This is because it is not possible to cause the operator to perform an appropriate operation input only by outputting image information.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the guidance mode is set to “standard mode” (NO in step S11), the control unit 1 immediately performs the function of the software button corresponding to the coordinates on the touch panel touched by the operator's finger. In this case, the route search condition setting screen is displayed immediately.

  Since the guidance mode is set to “standard mode”, the visibility of the display unit 7 or the field of view around the vehicle is not lowered, and the operator can easily recognize the image information on the display unit 7. This is because it can be estimated and voice guidance of the button names of the software buttons will make the operator feel bothersome.

  After the button name is read out, the control unit 1 determines whether or not the software button that voice-guided the button name has been pressed for a long time (for example, for 2 seconds or more after the voice guidance, the operator's finger It is determined whether or not the coordinate position is maintained.) (Step S13).

  When a long press is detected (YES in step S13), the control unit 1 executes a function corresponding to the software button (step S14), and in this case, displays a route search condition setting screen.

  When the long press is not detected (NO in step S13), the control unit 1 ends the route search condition change process without executing the function corresponding to the software button. This is because it can be assumed that the operator noticed that the wrong software button was selected and that the selection was interrupted.

  With the above configuration, the navigation device 100 can reliably transmit necessary information to the driver even when the degree of recognition of the driver with respect to guidance is reduced according to a change in the environment around the vehicle.

  In addition, the navigation device 100 is necessary to output more detailed voice guidance even when sunlight or a headlight of a succeeding vehicle enters the display screen and information displayed on the display screen becomes difficult to see. Information can be transmitted to the driver without fail.

  The navigation device 100 also has information displayed on the display screen due to rain, snowfall, heavy fog, etc. and information displayed on the display screen and actual scenery around the vehicle (for example, traffic lights, road signs, buildings, etc.). Even when it becomes difficult to understand the relationship, it is possible to reliably convey necessary information to the driver by outputting more detailed voice guidance.

  Note that the information recognition degree decrease determination unit described in the claims is a concept including the screen visibility decrease determination unit and the visibility reduction determination unit described in the embodiments.

  Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and substitutions can be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. Can be added.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the navigation device 100 switches the guidance mode from the “standard mode” to the “detailed mode”, but there are three or more guidance modes according to a decrease in the visibility of the display unit 7 and a decrease in the field of view. May be switched.

  In the above-described embodiment, the navigation device 100 switches the operation sequence when setting the route search condition based on whether the visibility and the visibility of the display unit 7 are lowered. You may make it change the operation sequence at the time of operating audio.

It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the navigation apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a guidance mode switching process. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a route search condition change process.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Control part 2 Input part 3 Surrounding environment detection part 4 Positioning part 5 Memory | storage part 6 Communication part 7 Display part 8 Audio | voice output part 10 Route guidance means 11 Screen visibility fall determination means 12 Visibility drop judgment means 13 Guidance method change means 100 Navigation apparatus

Claims (3)

A navigation device for guiding information by image information or audio information,
A surrounding environment detection means for detecting the environment around the vehicle;
Information recognition level decrease determination means for determining whether or not the driver's recognition level for guidance has decreased based on the environment around the vehicle detected by the surrounding environment detection unit;
A guidance method changing means for changing a guidance method based on image information or voice information when it is determined by the information recognition level reduction determination means that the driver's recognition level has decreased;
A navigation device comprising: The surrounding environment detection means detects the intensity of light incident on the display screen,
The information recognition level decrease determination means determines whether or not the visibility of the display screen has decreased based on the intensity of light detected by the surrounding environment detection means,
The guidance method changing means changes the guidance method based on image information or audio information when the visibility of the display screen is determined to be reduced by the information recognition level reduction determination means.
The navigation device according to claim 1. The surrounding environment detection means detects a weather condition around the vehicle,
The information recognition degree decrease determination means determines whether or not the visibility around the vehicle has decreased based on the weather condition around the vehicle detected by the surrounding environment detection means,
The guidance method changing means changes the guidance method based on image information or audio information when it is determined by the information recognition degree decrease determining means that the field of view around the vehicle has decreased.
The navigation device according to claim 1.

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