JP3961361B2 - Navigation device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a navigation device that provides route guidance to a user.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a route guidance technique in a navigation device mounted on an automobile, a technique for displaying a navigation screen showing a guidance route set between a current position and a destination on a map has been widely used. .
In addition, in a navigation device that performs such route guidance, when approaching an intersection that will turn left or right when following a guidance route, a traveling that exists between the intersection that is scheduled to turn right and left and the current position There is also known a technique for notifying the user of the position of an intersection scheduled to turn right or left by notifying the number of roads intersecting with a middle road by voice.
[0003]
According to such a technique for notifying the number of roads in front of an intersection scheduled to turn left or right as viewed from the current position, the user can easily recognize the intersection to be turned right or left.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
According to the technique of notifying the number of roads in front of an intersection scheduled to turn right and left when viewed from the current position, all the roads that intersect the running road existing between the intersection planned to turn right and left and the current position Is calculated and notified to the user.
However, even if the road intersects with the traveling road before the intersection, there may be a road that the user does not necessarily count as the number of roads before the intersection. For example, exit roads of expressways that connect to a running road are often not recognized as the number of valid roads, and when multiple roads intersect the running road at the same intersection, these multiple roads Are often recognized as one.
[0005]
Therefore, according to the conventional technique for notifying the number of roads before the intersection scheduled to turn left or right, there may be a discrepancy between the notified number of roads and the number of roads recognized by the user. For this reason, if an intersection scheduled to turn left or right is mistaken, traveling along the guidance route cannot be performed.
[0006]
Therefore, the present invention has an object to calculate and notify the user of the number of roads estimated to be recognized by the user, instead of the actual number of roads, in the navigation device, before the intersection to be guided. To do.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides, for example, a navigation device for guiding traveling along a guidance route, route search means for searching a guidance route to a destination based on road map data necessary for the navigation, and Road number counting means for counting the number of roads connected to the guide route based on the road map data between the current position and the guide point set on the guide route at a predetermined timing; and the road Road number notifying means for notifying the user of the number of roads counted by the number counting means is provided, and the number of roads is counted as follows in the road number counting means.
[0008]
That is, according to the present invention, in the road number counting means, the same intersection on the guide route is used to count the number of roads connected to the guide route between the current position and the guide point set on the guide route. Thus, the number of roads 1 is counted for a plurality of roads connected to the guidance route.
[0009]
Here, for example, at a crossing where a plurality of roads intersect the traveling road at the same intersection, such as a five-way intersection, the user collects a plurality of roads that intersect the traveling road at the intersection. Often recognized as a book. Therefore, as described above, for a plurality of roads connected to the guidance route at the same intersection, the number of roads is counted as 1, so that it matches the number of roads that the user will recognize more. The number of roads can be notified to the user.
[0010]
Alternatively, the road map data includes information on a road in which a single road is expressed as a plurality of roads on the road map data, and the road number counting means is configured to provide a guide point set on the current position and the guidance route. In the counting of the number of roads connected to the guide route, the number of roads 1 is counted for a plurality of roads expressing a single road.
[0011]
By doing in this way, even when there is a single road in reality that is expressed as a plurality of roads in the road map data, the roads can be counted correctly.
Alternatively, according to the present invention, the road map data includes information on a median strip provided on the road, and the road count counting unit counts roads that cannot be directly entered from the guide route due to the presence of the median strip. The number of roads connected to the guide route is counted between the current position and the guide points set on the guide route, excluding the target.
[0012]
Here, when there is a median strip on the road, the user often does not count as the number of roads because the road that is blocked by the median strip is obviously a road that cannot be advanced. A difficult road may be blocked from view by the median and cannot be recognized. Therefore, as described above, by excluding roads that cannot be directly entered from the guide route due to the presence of the median strip from the count target, the number of roads that matches the number of roads that the user will recognize more is determined. You can be notified.
[0013]
Alternatively, in the present invention, the road map data includes road traffic regulation information, and the road number counting means excludes roads that cannot be directly entered from the guide route for traffic regulation from the subject of counting, The number of roads connected to the guide route is counted between the position and the guide points set on the guide route.
[0014]
Here, depending on the user, a road that cannot be entered due to one-way traffic or the like may not be counted as the number of roads. Therefore, for such users, roads that cannot be directly entered from the guidance route due to traffic restrictions as described above are excluded from the count target, so that the number of roads that the user will recognize more is matched. The number of roads can be notified to the user.
[0015]
Alternatively, according to the present invention, the road map data includes information on a road type, and in the road number counting means, the road type is an approach from the road to a connection point on the road and the guidance route. The number of roads connected to the guide route is counted between the current position and the guide point set on the guide route, excluding the roads that are designed for exclusive use from the count target. It is what you do. In this case, the type of road indicating that the road is designed exclusively for entry into the guidance route is derived from a road that is an exit route from an automobile-only road or another road that is connected to the guidance route. It may be a dedicated road for turning right or left on the route.
[0016]
Here, the user clearly moves forward on a road that is an exit road from such a vehicle-dedicated road or a right-turn or left-turn dedicated road from the guide route to another road connected to the guide route. In many cases, it is not counted as the number of roads because it is impossible. Therefore, roads that indicate that the type of the road is a road designed exclusively for entry from the road to the connection point on the guidance route, such as these roads, are excluded from the count target. This makes it possible to notify the user of the number of roads that matches the number of roads that the user will recognize more.
[0017]
By the way, in each of the above navigation devices, based on the road map data, a map image displaying the road counted by the road number counting means and the road not counted by the road number counting means is identifiable. It is also preferable to provide it.
By doing in this way, it becomes possible to confirm on the map which road the road number notifying means has notified of the road number.
In each of the above navigation devices, the number of roads counted by the road number counting means is displayed, and the current position passes through a connection point between the road and the guide road where the road number counting means counts the number of roads. In addition, road number display means for reducing the number of roads to be displayed by 1 may be provided.
[0018]
By doing so, it becomes possible to identify the guide points while confirming the display of the number of roads.
Now, in order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a navigation device for guiding travel along a guide route, and guide points set on the guide route at a predetermined timing based on the road map data necessary for the navigation. Is guided by a notification of the number of roads between the current position and the guide point, and a right turn or a left turn of the guide point indicated by the guide route is on the guide route between the current position and the guide point. For each road connected to the same side as the guidance direction, the connection relationship between the guidance route indicated by the road map data and the road, or a mode of restriction of travel between the guidance route and the road, or Based on the type of the road, a step of determining whether or not the road is counted as a road before the guidance point, and the number of roads A step of counting a road determined to number, also provides a guiding method and a step of presenting a road number of counted road.
According to such a guidance method, for each road connected to the same side as the guidance direction of the right turn or left turn of the guidance point indicated by the guidance route, further, the connection between the guidance route indicated by the road map data and the road Since it is determined whether to count the road based on the relationship, the mode of restriction of travel between the guidance route and the road, or the type of the road, the road is determined for each road. The user can count the number of roads while estimating more precisely whether the user counts the roads as the number of roads. Therefore, the user can be notified of the number of roads that matches the number of roads that the user will recognize more.
[0019]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 1 shows the configuration of the navigation apparatus according to the first embodiment.
As shown in the figure, this navigation device includes a control device 1, a recording medium drive 2 for accessing a storage medium 21 such as a DVD-ROM or hard disk storing map data, a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver 3, A traveling state sensor 4 that detects the traveling state of the vehicle, such as an angular acceleration sensor or a vehicle speed sensor, a remote controller 5 (remote controller) that receives input from the user, a display device 6, and a speaker 7 are provided.
[0020]
Further, the control device 1 includes a map data buffer 101, a map data read processing unit 102, a current position calculation unit 103, a route search unit 104, a navigation image generation unit 105, a parameter memory 106, a main control unit 107, and a GUI control unit 108. The audio output unit 109 is provided. Here, a dotted line 121 inside the control device 1 in FIG. 1 indicates an access path of each part to the map data stored in the map data buffer 101, and a thick line 122 indicates a path of control information between the main control part 107 and each part. A white line 123 indicates an access path of each part to various data stored in the parameter memory 106.
[0021]
However, the above control device 1 may be a CPU circuit having a general configuration including peripheral devices such as a microprocessor, a memory, and other graphic processors and geometric processors in terms of hardware. In this case, each unit of the control device 1 described above may be realized as a process embodied by a microprocessor executing a program prepared in advance. In this case, such a program may be provided to the control device 1 via the storage medium 21 or the communication path.
[0022]
Next, the structure of the map data stored in the storage medium 21 is shown.
Here, the map data is managed in units called leaflets for each predetermined geographical area, and each leaf is composed of a plurality of levels according to the degree of detail of the map. Each level map of each leaf consists of one or more units, and each unit corresponds to the geographical area of the leaf to which it belongs or a divided area, and maps the corresponding area. , Expressed at the level to which it belongs.
[0023]
As shown in FIG. 2, the map data includes management data that describes the relationship between each unit and a map leaf, corresponding area, and level, basic map data that represents a map, the name and type of each road, and each road and basic data. Route data for managing correspondence with the map represented by the map data.
[0024]
The basic map data includes unit data for each unit as described above, and unit management data describing the relationship between each unit data and a leaf, corresponding area, and level. Each unit data stores a road unit representing a road network, a drawing unit representing a background map image, which is a map image including display of topographical figures, facility figures, area names, facility names, etc., and intersection information. And an intersection unit.
[0025]
Next, the road unit has a node list, a link table, and connection data describing connections and correspondences of nodes and links with other units.
Here, in the road unit, the road is expressed as a set of links that are straight lines, and the end point of each link is a node. Such a node is always provided at a connection point of a road such as an intersection, and is always provided at a boundary between adjacent units. In addition, each link has a direction, and if the road is one-way between two adjacent nodes via the link, only one link in the direction of traffic is provided. In principle, two links in opposite directions are provided. However, there are exceptions such as the multilink described later.
[0026]
Now, the node list includes a node record for each node. Each node record is connected to a node attribute, a node coordinate, a node attribute indicating whether the node corresponds to an intersection or an interchange, and the like. Connection link number list that is a list of link numbers of links, adjacent node number list that is a list of node numbers of nodes that are adjacent to a node via a link, and intersection number of the corresponding intersection when the node is an intersection are stored Corresponding traffic number, and a traffic regulation information record indicating the traffic regulation of the node.
[0027]
The traffic regulation information record has node traffic regulation information provided for each route passing through the node, and each node traffic regulation information is a link of a link that becomes an entry path to the node in the corresponding route. It has an entrance link that represents a number, an exit link that represents the link number of a link that is an exit route from the node, and traffic regulation information that represents information such as traffic closure, day of the road closure, time zone, and the like related to traveling on the corresponding route.
[0028]
Next, the link table includes a link record for each link, and each link record includes the link number, the node number 1 of the node that is the start point of the link, the node number 2 of the node that is the end point of the link, and the link. Type of road, road information, multilink information, link distance, link direction, link cost that is the cost for route search given to the link, the route to which the link belongs The route number, the traffic regulation information in the uplink direction (direction from node 1 to node 2), the traffic regulation information in the downlink direction (direction from node 2 to node 2), and the like are described.
[0029]
In the road information, information on the road width, the number of lanes, and the median of the link portion of the road including the link is stored. As information of the median strip, information on the presence / absence of the median strip of the road portion corresponding to the link, information on the existence section of the median strip on the link, and the like are stored.
[0030]
In the multi-link information, the link does not share at least one of the nodes at both ends with the link, and the road is the same or partially overlapping with the road portion corresponding to the link except for the lane. An identification is stored of whether there is a multilink in which there are other links representing the part. When the link is a multi-link, the link number of another link representing the road portion corresponding to the link is stored. Here, in the road unit, as shown in FIG. 3a2, each of the up lane and the down lane of one road 301 as shown in FIG. 3a1 may be represented by nodes 302 and 303 of different series. In such a case, the multilink information is information that associates two links representing the same road except for the lane.
[0031]
In the up direction traffic regulation information and the down direction traffic regulation information, information such as the road closure, the day of the week of the road closure, and the time zone for the travel in the direction in the direction are stored.
Next, the intersection unit has an intersection data record provided for each intersection, and each intersection data record includes an intersection number that is an identification number of the intersection, a corresponding node number that represents a node number of the node corresponding to the intersection, The intersection information indicating the presence or absence of traffic lights, the intersection name indicating the name of the intersection, and intersection direction information are stored.
[0032]
The intersection direction information has a direction information record provided corresponding to each link connected to the intersection, and each direction information record enters from the corresponding link and exits to another link connected to the intersection. Information related to traveling is described as direction information. The direction information is provided for each other link connected to the intersection, where the link number of the corresponding link is the incoming link number and the link number of the other link connected to the intersection is the exit link number.
[0033]
And this direction information stores the traveling directions such as going straight, turning right, turning left, etc. when going from the entry link to the exit link. In addition, the direction information includes whether the entry link can enter the exit link, whether the exit link is a link that forms an entrance road to a motorway such as an expressway or a toll road, and the exit link is an automobile road. Stored is a roadway for exclusive use of an automobile that represents information such as whether the link forms an exit road from the road. In the direction information, the identification of whether or not the escape link is a link (FIGS. 3B2 and 312) forming a dedicated lane 311 provided for left turn as shown in FIG. 3B1 is stored as a crossover flag. . In the direction information, the display device 6 displays voice data for guiding the user's travel from the entry link to the exit link by voice, and a mark for traveling from the user's entry link to the exit link at the intersection. Display information for this purpose is stored as guide information.
[0034]
Next, parameters stored in the parameter memory 106 of the control device 1 in FIG. 1 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 4, the parameter memory 106 stores current state information 401, destination data 402, and guide route data 403.
The current state information 401 includes current position data 4011, current traveling direction data 4012, and traveling link data 4013. The current position data 4011 is data representing the current position coordinates of the vehicle. The traveling link data 4013 is data indicating the link number of the currently traveling link.
[0035]
The destination data 402 represents the coordinates of the destination on the link.
The guide route data 403 is data representing the guide route, and describes a route link list 4031 describing the link numbers of the links through which the guide route passes, and the node numbers of the nodes through which the guide route passes. A root node list 4032. For each node number stored in the route node list 4032, a guidance necessity flag indicating whether or not the node with the node number is an intersection where travel guidance should be performed is set.
[0036]
The contents of the parameter memory 106 have been described above.
Now, returning to FIG. 1, in such a configuration, the map data reading processing unit 102 reads the required range of the map data from the storage medium 21 via the recording medium drive 2 under the control of the main control unit 107, and the map data Store in the buffer 101.
In addition, the current position calculation unit 103 maps the current position estimated from the output of the traveling state sensor 4 and the GPS receiver 3 with a map around the current position previously determined read from the map data buffer 101. The position on the most likely link as the current position, the most likely link direction as the current traveling direction, and the most likely link as the current traveling link are respectively represented by the current position coordinates and the current The travel direction and the link during travel are determined, and the process of updating the current position data 4011, the current travel direction data 4012 and the travel link data 4013 in the parameter memory 106 is repeated.
[0037]
On the other hand, when receiving a destination setting from the user via the remote controller 5 and the GUI control unit 108, the main control unit 107 sets the destination setting in the destination data 402, and causes the route search unit 104 to search for a guidance route. The route search unit 104 reads the road data of the road unit in the necessary geographical area from the map data buffer 101, and from the current position coordinates indicated by the current position data 4011 of the parameter memory 106 to the destination coordinates indicated by the destination data 402. The guide route that first follows the link indicated by the running link data 4013 is calculated based on a predetermined cost model using the link cost of the link record, and the calculated route data of the guide route is used as the route link of the guide route data 403. They are stored in the list 4031 and the root node list 4032, respectively. At this time, the route search unit 104 selects an intersection on the guidance route for performing the travel guidance, and for the intersection for performing the travel guidance, whether or not the node number corresponding to the intersection in the route node list 4032 needs to be guided. A value indicating guidance is set in the flag. In the present embodiment, the link immediately after the intersection on the guidance route of the direction information record in which the link immediately before the intersection on the guidance route is the entry link in the intersection direction information of the intersection data record having the node number in the route node list 4032 An intersection where a right turn and a left turn are set as the traveling direction in the direction information having the exit link as an exit link is set as an intersection where travel guidance is performed. In other words, when traveling according to the guidance route, an intersection at which the user should make a right turn or a left turn is set as an intersection where travel guidance is provided.
[0038]
The main control unit 107 repeats the following navigation image generation process. That is, the main control unit 107 determines the direction according to the travel direction indicated by the travel direction data as the display direction, determines the scale according to the user setting or initial setting made in advance, and reads out from the current position data 4011 A predetermined range determined according to the determined display orientation, the determined scale, and the operation mode around the current position is determined as the display range. Here, for example, the display orientation is calculated so that the traveling orientation is always upward. Then, the navigation image generation unit 105 sets the road of the road network represented by the road unit on the background map image represented by the drawing unit with the direction indicated by the display direction data based on the road unit and the drawing unit in the display range. A map image in which a figure is drawn is generated.
[0039]
Further, if the guidance route data 403 is set, the navigation image generation unit 105 displays a guidance route graphic that represents on the map image the guidance route on the destination side from the current position indicated by the guidance route data 403 in the display range. And a current position mark facing the direction corresponding to the direction indicated by the current travel direction data 4012 at the position corresponding to the current position indicated by the current position data 4011 is drawn on the map image to generate a navigation image, The information is displayed on the display device 6 via the GUI control unit 108. When the guide route data 403 is not set, only the current position mark is drawn on the map image to generate a navigation image and is displayed on the display device 6 via the GUI control unit 108.
[0040]
When the route search unit 104 sets the guidance route data 403, the main control unit 107 determines that an intersection (hereinafter referred to as “guide target intersection”) is a node whose node number is the guidance number set in the guidance necessity flag. If the vehicle approaches a predetermined distance or a distance determined according to the road condition or road configuration before the intersection to be guided, the user is notified of the number of roads between the current position and the intersection to be guided. To do.
[0041]
The number of roads is calculated according to the following rules.
That is, as shown in FIG. 5, with respect to the traveling road 500, the direction opposite to the passing direction (right turn / left turn: right turn in the figure) according to the guidance route 510 of the guidance target intersection (left side if right turn) If it is a left turn, the links 501 to 507 on the right side are not counted.
In general, for example, when the user is instructed to turn right such as what number is on the right, only the road on the right side when viewed from the running road is counted and the intersection to be turned to the right is selected. This is because it is often searched.
[0042]
Even if the link is in front of the guide target intersection on the passing direction side of the guide target intersection with respect to the traveling road 500, there is a link 512 that forms the exit path of the automobile exclusive road 511 and the central divider 518. The link 513 that cannot be performed and the link that forms the exclusive lane 514 in which the traveling road provided for the left turn is the exit side are not counted.
This is because the user often does not count the number of roads that cannot be clearly reached as the number of roads.
[0043]
In addition, when the link before the guidance target intersection on the passing direction side of the guidance target intersection with respect to the traveling road is a multilink 515, it is counted as one along with another multilink representing the same road. To do.
In addition, a plurality of links 516 that are connected to the same node on the traveling road and are in front of the guidance target intersection on the traveling direction side of the traveling road are counted as one in total.
This is because, at an intersection where a plurality of roads intersect at the same intersection, such as a five-way intersection, the user may recognize a plurality of roads that intersect the traveling road at the intersection as one. This is because there are many.
Other links 531 to 534 in front of the guidance target intersection on the traveling direction side with respect to the traveling road include the one-way link 531 that cannot directly enter the guide route 510, Each counts as one.
[0044]
In other words, a link that can be entered, a link that forms an entrance road for an automobile, a link that cannot be entered other than the links that are not counted as described above (such as a one-way street in the direction toward the running road), and the running road is the entrance side. The links that form the dedicated lanes are counted as one if they are on the passing direction side of the guidance target intersection with respect to the traveling road and before the guidance target intersection.
[0045]
More specifically, the main control unit 107 calculates the number of roads according to the above rules and notifies the user as follows.
That is, when the route search unit 104 sets the guide route data 403, the main control unit 107 starts the intersection guidance process.
FIG. 6 shows the procedure of the intersection guidance process.
As shown in the figure, in the intersection guidance process, the current position data 4011 indicates that the vehicle has approached the guidance target intersection at a predetermined distance or a distance determined according to the road condition or road configuration before the guidance target intersection (step 601). Then, the passing direction of the right turn / left turn of the guidance target intersection according to the guidance route is obtained, and the obtained passing direction is set as the target direction (step 603). The direction of the right turn / left turn of the guidance target intersection according to the guidance route is the intersection direction information of the intersection data record, immediately after the intersection on the guidance route of the direction information record that uses the link immediately before the intersection on the guidance route. It may be obtained from the passing direction of the direction information with the link as the exit link, and as shown in FIG. 3c, the link direction of the link record of the link 322 immediately after the guidance target intersection of the traveling road and the guidance route 321 The link 324 immediately after the guidance target intersection on the guidance route 321 based on the link direction of the link record of the link 324 immediately after the guidance target intersection and the link direction of the link record of the link 323 just before the guidance target intersection of the traveling road. Is in front of the guidance target intersection of the traveling road as viewed clockwise from the link 322 immediately after the guidance target intersection of the traveling road If it is between the links 323, the right direction, otherwise the left direction, and the passing direction may be obtained.
[0046]
Next, the main control unit 107 obtains a node between the current position and the guidance target intersection with reference to the guidance route data 403, and refers to the link table for all links connected to the obtained node. Extract (step 605).
Then, the number of extracted links is set to n, the variable i is set to 1, and the number of roads P is set to 1 (step 607), and the i-th link among the extracted links is connected to the determination link, and the determination link is connected to the determination route. Are set as decision nodes (step 609). Then, it is checked whether or not the determination link is set as an out-of-count link (step 611). If it is set as an out-of-count link, the process proceeds to step 625.
Further, it is checked whether or not the determination node is set to be counted (step 613). If it is set to be counted, the process proceeds to step 625.
On the other hand, if the determination link is not set as an out-of-count link and the determination node is not set as counted, the process proceeds to step 615. When the first steps 611 and 613 are executed, there is no link set as an out-of-count link or a node set as counted, so the process proceeds to step 615.
[0047]
In step 615, it is determined whether the determination link is connected to the guidance route in the target direction. The calculation of the direction in which the determination link is connected to the guidance route is the same as the calculation of the passing direction of the guidance intersection when entering the link immediately after the guidance target intersection on the guidance route described above. Do. If the determination link is not connected to the guidance route in the target direction, the process proceeds to step 625.
[0048]
On the other hand, when the judgment link is connected to the guidance route in the target direction, whether or not the judgment link on the guidance route can enter the judgment link from the link immediately before the judgment node is determined by the traffic in the node record of the judgment node. The determination is made with reference to the restriction information record (step 617).
[0049]
If it is possible to enter, the road number P is increased by 1 (step 619), the determination node is set to be counted (step 621), and the process proceeds to step 625. Note that the determination node is set to be counted here because this node is connected to the same node on the running road by not counting the number of roads anymore in step 613. This is because a plurality of links before the guidance target intersection on the passing direction side of the guidance target intersection with respect to the middle road are counted as one in total.
[0050]
Next, it is determined whether or not the determination link is a multilink by referring to the multilink information in the link record of the determination link (step 623). If it is not a multilink, the process proceeds to step 625 as it is. A link representing the same road as the determination link obtained from the multilink information is set as a non-countermeasurement link (step 627). This is because the link representing the same road as the determination link is excluded from the count of the number of roads by the processing of step 611, so that the road ahead of the guidance target intersection on the passing direction side of the guidance target intersection is displayed. This is because when the link is a multilink, it is counted as one along with another multilink representing the same road.
[0051]
In step 617, if it is determined that the determination link is connected to the guidance route in the target direction but cannot be entered from the link immediately before the determination node on the guidance route, first, the median strip is displayed. The median strip information of the road information in the link record of the link record before and after the judgment node on the traveling road, and the upstream traffic regulation information in the link table of the judgment link, indicating whether or not it is impossible to enter the judgment link because it cannot exist Alternatively, the determination is made with reference to the downlink traffic regulation information (step 629).
[0052]
If it is impossible to enter the judgment link because it cannot turn right due to the presence of the median strip, the judgment link is set as a weak display link (step 635), and the process proceeds to step 625. Otherwise, step 631 is entered. Proceed to
In step 631, it is determined whether or not the determination link is a link that forms an automobile-only road exit path with reference to the direction information of the intersection record corresponding to the determination node, and the link that forms the car-only road exit path. For example, the determination link is set as the weak display link (step 635), and the process proceeds to step 625. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step 633.
[0053]
In step 633, it is determined whether or not the determination link is a dedicated left turn lane by referring to the direction information of the intersection record corresponding to the determination node. If the determination link is a dedicated lane, the determination link is set as a weak display link. After (step 635), the process proceeds to step 625.
[0054]
On the other hand, if it is not possible to enter by the median strip, it is not the entrance to the car road, and it is not the left turn lane, the process proceeds to step 619 and the number of roads P is increased by 1, and then the processing of steps 621 to 623 and 627 described above is performed. .
In step 625 performed after the above processing, it is checked whether i is equal to n. If i is not equal, i is incremented by 1 (step 637), and the process returns to step 609. Perform the above processing for the link.
On the other hand, if i becomes equal to n, in step 639, the voice processing device outputs a voice for guiding the number of roads P, for example, a voice such as “turn right at the front Pth intersection” from the speaker 7. Let In addition, the road number marking process is started and an intersection guidance screen is displayed.
[0055]
If the current position data 4011 indicates that the vehicle has passed the guidance target intersection (step 641), the number of roads display process is terminated, the display of the intersection guidance screen is terminated (step 643), the nodes have been counted, A variable such as setting of a link not to be counted is cleared (step 645), and the process returns to step 601 to monitor the approach of the next guidance target intersection.
[0056]
The road number display process started in step 639 displays the road number P and passes through the node to which the current position data 4011 is set to have been counted, that is, the node to which the link counting the road number is connected. Whenever it shows that it did, the process which reduces the road number P to display by 1 is performed.
[0057]
Here, it is displayed on the display device 6 by executing step 639 in FIG. A display screen is shown.
As shown in the figure, on this display screen, the road number P is displayed in the road number window 702 arranged on the navigation image 701 described above, and every time the link counting the road number passes through the connected nodes. The display of the road number P is updated so that the display number decreases by one.
[0058]
Further, as shown in the figure, on this display screen, an intersection guidance screen 703 is displayed on the above-described navigation image 701. This intersection guidance screen is an enlarged map of the vicinity of the guidance target intersection displayed from the navigation image, and the main control unit 107 displays a link 704 (link for the left turn-only lane in the figure) in which the weak display is set. Displayed in a lower tone than other links by using a gray display method. In addition, on this intersection guidance screen, a mark figure or the like is also displayed based on the guidance information in the intersection data record of the guidance target intersection.
[0059]
The embodiment of the present invention has been described above.
By the way, in the above description, the case where the left lane of the road is the driving lane when viewed from the traveling direction as in Japan is described, but the right lane of the road is the traveling lane when viewed from the traveling direction as in the United States. In some cases, the direction that is obstructed by the above-mentioned median strip turns left, and the above-mentioned dedicated lane is often provided for right turn.
Further, in the above embodiment, a link that cannot be entered from the guidance route due to one-way traffic, etc., the exit road from the automobile exclusive road, the right / left turn dedicated lane that cannot be entered directly from the guidance route, or the median strip The number of roads is counted except for the case where the links cannot be entered due to the presence. However, the links that cannot be entered from the guide route by one-way traffic or the like may not be counted as the number of roads. Or, if the vehicle is traveling on a narrow road, links that cannot be entered from the guidance route due to one-way traffic are not counted as the number of roads. If the vehicle is traveling on a thick road, For example, the number of roads that cannot be entered from the guidance route may be counted as the number of roads, and the count may be switched according to the traveling state of the vehicle.
In addition, the above embodiment can be similarly applied to a case where a user is notified of the number of roads in front of a point on an arbitrary guidance route other than an intersection.
[0060]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the navigation device calculates the number of roads estimated to be recognized by the user, not the actual number of roads, and notifies the user of the road before the intersection to be guided. can do.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a navigation device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the contents of map data according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a correspondence between a link represented by map data and a road according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the contents of a parameter memory of the navigation device according to the embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a road count rule according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure of intersection guidance processing performed by the main control unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a display screen for intersection guidance according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1: control device, 2: recording medium drive, 3: GPS receiver, 4: running state sensor, 5: remote control, 6: display device, 7: speaker, 21: storage medium, 101: map data buffer, 102: map Data read processing unit 103: Current position calculation unit 104: Route search unit 105: Navigate image generation unit 106: Parameter memory 107: Main control unit 108: GUI control unit

Claims (9)

A navigation device that guides traveling along a guide route,
Route search means for searching for a guide route to a destination based on road map data ;
Guidance point setting means for setting a point on the guidance route that guides a right turn or a left turn at the point according to the guidance route as a guidance point;
Road number counting means for counting the number of roads connected to the guide route based on the road map data between a current position and the guide point at a predetermined timing ;
Road number notifying means for notifying the user of the road number counted by the road number counting means;
The road number counting means is a point that is set as a guide point on the current position and the guide route, with only the road connected to the guide route from the same direction as the guide direction of the right or left turn of the guide point. A navigation device characterized in that the number of roads connected to the guide route between the two is counted . The navigation device according to claim 1,
The road number counting means counts the number of roads 1 for a plurality of counting target roads connected to the guidance route at the same intersection on the guidance route . A navigation device that guides traveling along a guide route,
Route search means for searching for a guide route to a destination based on road map data ;
Road number counting means for counting the number of roads connected to the guide route based on the road map data between the current position and the guide point set on the guide route at a predetermined timing;
Road number notifying means for notifying the user of the road number counted by the road number counting means;
The road map data includes information on the median strip provided on the road,
The road number counting means excludes roads that cannot be directly entered from the guidance route due to the presence of a median strip from the counting target and connects to the guidance route between the current position and the guide point set on the guidance route. A navigation apparatus characterized by counting the number of roads on the road. A navigation device that guides traveling along a guide route,
Route search means for searching for a guide route to a destination based on road map data ;
Road number counting means for counting the number of roads connected to the guide route based on the road map data between the current position and the guide point set on the guide route at a predetermined timing;
Road number notifying means for notifying the user of the road number counted by the road number counting means;
The road map data includes road traffic regulation information,
The road number counting means excludes roads that cannot be directly entered from the guidance route due to traffic restrictions, and is connected to the guidance route between the current position and the guide point set on the guidance route. A navigation device characterized by counting the number of roads. A navigation device that guides traveling along a guide route,
Route search means for searching for a guide route to a destination based on road map data ;
Road number counting means for counting the number of roads connected to the guide route based on the road map data between the current position and the guide point set on the guide route at a predetermined timing;
Road number notifying means for notifying the user of the road number counted by the road number counting means;
The road map data includes information about the type of road,
The road number counting means excludes a road indicating that the road type is a road designed exclusively for entry from the road to a connection point on the guide route with the road, A navigation device characterized by counting the number of roads connected to a guide route between a current position and a guide point set on the guide route. The navigation device according to claim 5,
The type of road indicating that the road is designed exclusively for entry into the guidance route is a road that is an exit route from an automobile-only road and a right turn or a left turn from another road connected to the guidance route to the guidance route. A navigation device comprising at least one of a dedicated road for use. The navigation device according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5,
Guide image display means for generating and displaying a map image displaying the roads counted by the road number counting means and the roads not counted by the road number counting means based on the road map data. A navigation device characterized by that. The navigation device according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5,
The number of roads counted by the road number counting means is displayed, and the number of roads to be displayed is decreased by 1 each time the current position passes through the connection point between the road and the road where the road number counting means has counted the number of roads. A navigation apparatus comprising road number display means. In a navigation device that guides traveling along a guidance route, based on road map data, a point on the guidance route that guides a right turn or a left turn at the point according to the guidance route is set as a guidance point, A guide method for guiding the guide point by a notification of the number of roads between a current position and the guide point at a predetermined timing ,
Only for roads connecting from the same direction side as the guidance direction of the right turn or left turn of the guidance point between the current position and the guidance point, the guidance route indicated by the road map data and the road Whether to count the road as the road before the guide point is determined based on the connection relationship of the road, the travel restriction between the guide route and the road, or the type of the road Steps,
Counting the roads determined to be counted as the number of roads;
And a step of presenting the counted number of roads.

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