JP4344901B2 - Navigation device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a navigation device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In general, an in-vehicle navigation device reads map data from a DVD-ROM or the like, displays a map on the display using this map data, displays the position of the vehicle on the map, and indicates a road to be driven from now on. Like to do.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, even if the vehicle is equipped with a navigation device, for example, when the road on the highway continues for a long time or when it is a familiar road, the map display function and navigation function of the navigation device are Often unnecessary. Therefore, in that case, the navigation device is substantially equivalent to not operating, and the user does not benefit from the cost of the device.
[0004]
The present invention is intended to solve such problems by providing entertainment properties to the navigation device.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In the present invention, for example,
A reading means for reading data displayed as a map;
Detecting means for detecting the traveling position of the vehicle;
Reading means for reading out the image data and the data table from a recording medium containing predetermined image data and a data table;
Control means for controlling the operation by selecting the first operation mode and the second operation mode,
The image data is image data related to each of the starting point, the waypoint, and the destination point on a predetermined route.
The data table is a correspondence table of a pointer indicating the storage position of the image data in the recording medium and data related to the distance from the departure point to each point,
The control means includes
In the case of the first operation mode,
According to the detection result of the detection means, the data displayed as the map is extracted,
A map containing the vehicle's position is displayed on the display based on the retrieved data.
In the case of the second operation mode,
Search the data table by at least the travel distance of the own vehicle and take out the pointer corresponding to the travel distance of the own vehicle from the pointers.
From the storage position indicated by the extracted pointer, the image data stored therein is extracted,
The navigation apparatus is configured to display a corresponding image on the display based on the extracted image data.
Therefore, when not used as a navigation device, a display as if a virtual driving route is virtually driven is displayed.
[0006]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 shows an example of a navigation apparatus according to the present invention, in which the control means is constituted by a microcomputer.
[0007]
In other words, reference numeral 11 denotes a CPU of the microcomputer, and a program ROM 12 and a work area RAM 13 are connected to the CPU 11 via a system bus 19. In this case, in the ROM 12, a program for realizing a navigation function, a map display function, and the like is written, and a routine 100 shown in FIG. 2, for example, is also written. Although details of the routine 100 will be described later, in FIG. 2, portions related to the present invention are extracted and shown.
[0008]
Further, a non-volatile memory for storing various data, such as a flash memory 14, and a clock circuit 15 that measures the date and time are connected to the CPU 11 through a system bus 19. Also, various operation keys 16 configured by, for example, push switches are provided as input operation devices, and the operation keys 16 are connected to the system bus 19 through the key interface circuit 17.
[0009]
1 is a case where the DVD-ROM 30 is used as a recording medium having map data. Therefore, the DVD-ROM 30 displays various map data necessary for navigation, for example, a map. Data and road data for map matching.
[0010]
Further, a DVD-ROM drive device 21 for reading the above-described data from the DVD-ROM 30 is provided, and this drive device 21 is connected to the system bus 19.
[0011]
Further, a GPS unit (reception circuit) 22 that receives radio waves from a navigation satellite, for example, a GPS satellite, is provided. Data indicating the position of the vehicle is taken out from the GPS unit 22, and this data is sent to the system bus 19. Supplied. A vehicle speed sensor 23 that detects the traveling speed of the host vehicle is provided, and an output signal thereof is supplied to the system bus 19. Further, an autonomous navigation unit, for example, a gyro 24 is provided, and data indicating the moving direction of the own vehicle is taken out from the gyro 24, and this data is supplied to the system bus 19.
[0012]
A display device such as a color LCD 26 is connected to the system bus 19 through the LCD controller circuit 25. Further, a sound circuit 27 is connected to the system bus 19 to extract an audio signal, and this audio signal is supplied to a speaker 29 through an amplifier 28.
[0013]
In the present invention, the actual travel of the vehicle is regarded as a virtual travel on a virtual travel route, and various guidance is provided for the virtual travel route as the vehicle travels.
[0014]
For this reason, for example, information on a travel route in a virtual drive trip and data such as a landscape that can be seen on the travel route are prepared in the DVD-ROM 30.
[0015]
In other words, the DVD-ROM 30 has image data for displaying images relating to the starting point, the waypoint, and the destination point for travel routes when driving around the world, for example, by car, and information relating to each point. Text data and voice data are provided for explaining the above by characters and voice. Note that the travel route is not limited to an actual route, and may be a route in which the vehicle cannot actually travel.
[0016]
In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, for example, a plurality of travel tables TBL1 to TBLn are also prepared in the DVD-ROM 30. The travel table TBLi (i = 1 to n) has information on the travel route. For example, in the first travel table TBL1, the travel route is “Africa”, the route from the departure point “Egypt” to the destination point “Ivory Coast”, and the waypoints along the way are “Gaza”, “ Sahara Desert "...
[0017]
Further, the travel table TBLi has a “point ID” and a “point name” for each point on the travel route corresponding to the table TBLi. In this case, the “point ID” is for identifying each point and indicating the order from the departure point. The “point name” is the name of the point indicated by the point ID.
[0018]
Further, the table TBLi has “pointer to image data”, “pointer to text data”, and “pointer to audio data” for each point. In this case, the “pointer to image data” indicates the head address of the image data storage area in the DVD-ROM 30. Similarly, “pointer to text data” and “pointer to audio data” indicate the head addresses of the storage areas for text data and audio data in the DVD-ROM 30, respectively.
[0019]
For example, in the case of “point ID = 3” in the table TBL1, the image data, text data, and audio data of the corresponding point “Sahara Desert” are addressed “03:11:11” and “03:03” of the DVD-ROM 30. 22:22 ”and“ 03:33:33 ”respectively.
[0020]
The table TBLi also has data of “distance from the departure point” indicating the distance from the departure point to the corresponding point in the corresponding travel route for each point.
[0021]
Further, the table TBLi includes a “route name” attached to the corresponding travel route, a “travel table ID” for identifying the table TBLi, and a “number of points” indicating the number of points included in the corresponding travel route. Have the data.
According to such a configuration, the apparatus of FIG. 1 performs the following operation.
[0022]
[Normal mode]
This is a case of operating as a normal navigation device. In this case, the output signals of the GPS unit 22, the vehicle speed sensor 23 and the gyro 24 are processed by the CPU 11 to determine the vehicle position, and map data including the vehicle position is read from the DVD-ROM 30.
[0023]
In accordance with the read map data, the LCD 26 displays an electronic map centered around the vehicle position, for example, as shown in FIG. 4A, and a mark indicating the vehicle at the vehicle position. Is displayed. In this way, the apparatus of FIG. 1 operates as a normal navigation apparatus, and a map display function or a navigation function is realized.
[0024]
[Virtual travel mode]
This is a mode in which actual traveling is regarded as traveling on a virtual traveling route and guidance is performed on the virtual traveling route.
[0025]
That is, it is assumed that “Africa” (table TBL1) is selected in advance from the travel routes prepared in the DVD-ROM 30. Then, when a predetermined key of the keys 16 is operated to switch the display to the virtual travel mode, the processing of the CPU 11 starts from step 101 of the virtual travel routine 100, and then in step 102, the travel tables TBL1 to TBLn are stored. Among them, the travel table TBL1 corresponding to “Africa” is selected. Further, the total travel distance DVT when the travel table TBL1 is selected and traveled before is read from the flash memory 14.
[0026]
Subsequently, in step 111, the variable ΔD is cleared to zero. This variable ΔD indicates the travel distance of the vehicle after step 111 is executed, and is updated as the vehicle travels by a routine or means (not shown). The travel distance ΔD can be obtained from the time indicated by the timepiece circuit 15 and the speed indicated by the vehicle speed sensor 23, for example.
[0027]
Next, in step 112, the travel table TBL1 selected in step 102 is searched based on the total travel distance DVT, and the current position on the virtual travel route is determined. That is, the “distance from the departure point” in the travel table TBL1 is compared with the total travel distance DVT, and “distance from the departure point” <DVT, and “distance from the departure point” is the largest in the total travel distance DVT. The closest “point ID” is selected. For example, if DVT = 350 km, “Spot ID = 3” satisfies the above condition, so “3” is selected as “Spot ID”.
[0028]
Subsequently, in step 113, the “point ID” selected in step 112 is selected from “pointer to image data”, “pointer to text data”, and “pointer to audio data” in the table TBL 1. The “pointer to image data”, “pointer to text data”, and “pointer to audio data” are extracted. For example, if “point ID = 3”, “03:11:11”, “03:22:22”, and “03:33:33” are extracted as the pointers.
[0029]
In the next step 114, image data and text data are read from the address indicated by the pointer extracted in step 113 in the DVD-ROM 30, and the read image data and text data are read from the LCD controller circuit 25. To be supplied.
[0030]
Accordingly, the image and the text related to the spot “Sahara Desert” of “Spot ID = 3” are displayed on the LCD 26 by the read image data and text data as shown in FIG. 4B, for example. That is, FIG. 4B is a case of a two-screen display. In the right half of the display screen of the LCD 26, an image relating to the “Sahara Desert” that is currently running virtually is displayed and its explanatory text is displayed. . In the left half, a map of the area where the vehicle is actually traveling is displayed by the same processing as in [normal mode].
[0031]
Next, in step 115, audio data is read from the address indicated by the pointer extracted in step 113 in the DVD-ROM 30, and the read audio data is supplied to the sound circuit 27. Accordingly, the speaker 29 outputs a sound for explaining the point “Sahara Desert” with the “point ID = 3” based on the read sound data. That is, “Sahara Desert” is also guided by voice.
[0032]
When the explanation of the voice is finished, the process proceeds to step 116, where, for example, a waiting time of 3 minutes is performed, and during this period, for example, the display of FIG. 4B is continued, and then, in step 117, Once switched to [normal mode], for example, a normal display as shown in FIG. 4A is obtained.
[0033]
Subsequently, in step 121, a timer for a predetermined period, for example, 1 hour is started. Next, in step 122, it is determined whether or not the user has performed a predetermined key operation. The process proceeds from step 122 to step 123 to determine whether or not the timer started in step 121 has reached the end time. When the end time has not been reached, the process returns from step 123 to step 122.
[0034]
Therefore, if the user does not perform a predetermined key operation, steps 122 and 123 are repeated for one hour until the timer set in step 121 ends. Further, during this period, the [normal mode] display is performed.
[0035]
Then, when the timer set in step 121 ends during the period in which steps 122 and 123 are repeated, this is detected by step 123 and the process proceeds from step 123 to step 124.
[0036]
Then, at this time, the travel distance ΔD cleared in step 111 changes as the vehicle travels while steps 112 to 123 are executed. Therefore, in step 124, the travel distance ΔD is added to the total travel distance DVT, and the total travel distance DVT is updated to a value at the time when this step 124 is executed. Then, the updated total travel distance DVT is written into the flash memory 14 in step 125. The written total travel distance DVT is used the next time step 102 is executed.
[0037]
Subsequently, in step 126, it is determined whether or not a key operation for switching the apparatus to the [normal mode] has been performed. If not, the process returns from step 126 to step 111.
[0038]
Therefore, since steps 111 to 126 are repeated thereafter, the total travel distance DVT is updated by the variable ΔD about every hour as the vehicle travels. For each update, image data, text data, and audio data corresponding to the total travel distance DVT are read from the DVD-ROM 30, and an image and a description of the location corresponding to the total travel distance DVT are displayed. At the same time, voice guidance is provided.
[0039]
For example, in the case of “Africa”, at the time of departure (point ID = 1), an image of Egypt, a landscape image, and an explanation about Egypt are displayed on the LCD 26 and voice guidance is also provided. . When the total travel distance DVT exceeds 100 km (point ID = 2), an image of the Gaza pyramid and an explanatory note are displayed, and voice guidance is also provided.
[0040]
Thereafter, every time the total travel distance DVT exceeds the distance to each point (and about every hour), the image, the description, and the voice guidance are changed to those at that point. When the total travel distance DVT exceeds 5300 km (point ID = 54), an image of the ivory coast and an explanatory note are displayed, and voice guidance is also provided, and the African virtual drive is terminated.
[0041]
Thus, when [virtual travel mode] is selected, the actual travel position is regarded as the travel position on the travel route prepared in the travel table TBLi, and guidance about the virtual travel position is displayed with images, explanations and audio. It is realized by.
[0042]
When steps 122 and 123 are repeated, the display of [normal mode] is temporarily displayed at step 117. At this time, when the user operates a predetermined key of the keys 16, This is determined by step 122, and the process proceeds from step 122 to step 124. Therefore, in this case, since the process immediately proceeds from step 124 to step 114 through steps 125, 126, 111 to 113, guidance on the travel position at the time when the user performs the key operation is provided by an image, an explanation, and voice. Will be done.
[0043]
If a key operation for switching the device to the [normal mode] has been performed in step 126, the process proceeds from step 126 to step 131, and this routine 100 is terminated. Therefore, after that, the operation of the apparatus becomes [normal mode].
[0044]
[Summary]
1 does not require a map display function or a navigation function, the actual travel position is regarded as a travel position in a virtual travel route, and guidance about the virtual travel position includes images, explanations, and This is done by voice. Therefore, the navigation device can be provided with entertainment, and the navigation device can be used effectively even when the map display function or the navigation function is unnecessary.
[0045]
In addition, as table TBLi, images, explanations and audio data, for example, if you prepare a table and data for going to a sightseeing spot in Japan, you can know in advance the scenery on the way to that sightseeing spot. Can be a reference when actually going.
[0046]
Moreover, the [virtual travel mode] can be realized simply by adding software to the conventional navigation apparatus.
[0047]
[Others]
In the above description, the actual travel distance corresponds to the travel distance on the virtual route on a one-to-one basis. It is possible to correspond to the whole process from Tokyo to Nagoya, and to guide each point from "Egypt" to "Ivory Coast" as you go from Tokyo to Nagoya.
[0048]
In the above description, data necessary for the [virtual travel mode] (tables TBL1 to TBLn, image data, text data, voice data, etc.) is stored for the data necessary for the [normal mode]. Although stored in the DVD-ROM 30, it may be stored in a separate DVD-ROM or in another medium such as a semiconductor memory card.
[0049]
Furthermore, instead of preparing the routine 100 in the ROM 12, it can be prepared in the DVD-ROM 30 and loaded into the RAM 13 for execution. Further, data necessary for the [virtual travel mode] and [normal mode] can be prepared in a storage medium such as a hard disk device without preparing the data in the DVD-ROM 30.
[0050]
In the above description, in the case of [virtual travel mode], the guidance of the virtual travel position is performed about every hour by steps 121 to 123, but can be performed every predetermined travel distance. Further, when the total travel distance DVT exceeds the “distance from the departure point”, it is possible to immediately guide the corresponding point. In addition, “distance from the starting point” in the table TBLi can be set as the distance between the points, and the distance between the points can be obtained by integrating the distances between the points.
[0051]
Furthermore, in the above description, in the case of [virtual travel mode], two screens are displayed as shown in FIG. 4B. For example, a screen corresponding to the right half screen of FIG. It is possible to display only the area and route in the middle and not to display the map of the area where the vehicle is actually running.
[0052]
List of abbreviations used in this specification CPU: Central Processing Unit
DVD-ROM: Digital Versatile Disc ROM
GPS: Global Positioning System
LCD: Liquid Crystal Display; Liquid crystal display element RAM: Random Access Memory; Ram ROM: Read Only Memory; ROM
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, entertainment can be imparted to the navigation device simply by adding software to the conventional navigation device.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a system diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing one form of a data table that can be used in the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a display example in the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... CPU, 12 ... ROM, 13 ... RAM, 14 ... Flash memory, 15 ... Timer circuit, 16 ... Operation key, 17 ... Key interface circuit, 19 ... System bus, 21 ... DVD-ROM drive device, 22 ... GPS unit , 23 ... Vehicle speed sensor, 24 ... Gyro, 25 ... LCD controller circuit, 26 ... LCD, 27 ... Sound circuit, 28 ... Amplifier, 29 ... Speaker, 30 ... DVD-ROM, 100 ... Virtual travel routine, TBL1-TBLn ... Travel table

Claims (5)

A reading means for reading data displayed as a map;
Detecting means for detecting the traveling position of the vehicle;
Reading means for reading out the image data and the data table from a recording medium containing predetermined image data and a data table;
Control means for controlling the operation by selecting the first operation mode and the second operation mode,
The image data is image data related to each of the starting point, the waypoint, and the destination point on a predetermined route.
The data table is a correspondence table of a pointer indicating the storage position of the image data in the recording medium and data related to the distance from the departure point to each point,
The control means includes
In the case of the first operation mode,
According to the detection result of the detection means, the data displayed as the map is extracted,
A map containing the vehicle's position is displayed on the display based on the retrieved data.
In the case of the second operation mode,
Search the data table by at least the travel distance of the own vehicle and take out the pointer corresponding to the travel distance of the own vehicle from the pointers.
From the storage position indicated by the extracted pointer, the image data stored therein is extracted,
A navigation device that displays a corresponding image on a display based on the extracted image data. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein
The recording medium also has audio data paired with the image data,
The data table also has a pointer that indicates a storage position of the audio data in the recording medium,
In the case of the second operation mode,
Search the data table by the travel distance of the host vehicle, take out the pointer corresponding to the travel distance of the host vehicle from the pointers,
The image data and audio data stored therein are extracted from the storage position indicated by the extracted pointer,
The corresponding image is displayed on the display by the extracted image data,
A navigation device that outputs a corresponding voice by the extracted voice data. The navigation device according to claim 2, wherein
The recording medium also includes text data paired with the image data and the audio data,
The data table also has a pointer indicating the storage position of the text data in the recording medium,
In the case of the second operation mode,
Search the data table by the travel distance of the host vehicle, take out the pointer corresponding to the travel distance of the host vehicle from the pointers,
From the storage position indicated by the extracted pointer, the image data, audio data and text data stored therein are extracted,
A corresponding image or explanatory text is displayed on the display by the extracted image data and text data,
A navigation device that outputs a corresponding voice by the extracted voice data. In the navigation device according to claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3,
The navigation apparatus in which the data related to the distance from the departure point to each point is data indicating the distance from the departure point to the corresponding point. In the navigation device according to claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3,
The data related to the distance from the departure point to each point is data indicating the distance to the corresponding point starting from the departure point formed by adding the distances between the points. Navigation device.

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