JPH09304089A - Navigation device to be mounted on automobile - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a navigation device to be mounted on an automobile wherein an altitude value of a current automobile position can be acquired highly accurately. SOLUTION: An arithmetic means 14 calculates an altitude value of a current automobile position from map information stored in a map information storage 11 and the current automobile position obtained from an automobile position detection means 13. A control means 16 displays the altitude value on a display means 17 and further outputs the altitude value as a voice to a voice output means 18, thereby allowing a user to acquire the altitude value of the current automobile position. A map displayed on the display means 17 is generated by a map generation means 12 from the map information stored in the map information storage means 11. An instruction from the user is applied by an operation means 15.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle-mounted navigation device mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile and presenting map information to a user.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, it is mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile,
Global Positioning System
There is known a vehicle-mounted navigation device that presents a user with a three-dimensional position of a vehicle using a three-dimensional position measuring device called (GPS).

However, if the vehicle moves to a place where the radio waves of the four positioning satellites cannot be received, the elevation value cannot be measured. In addition, since the positioning satellites that accurately determine the two-dimensional position of the vehicle and the positioning satellites that accurately determine the altitude value are different, the altitude value of the vehicle determined by GPS is different from the two-dimensional position. Was great.

[0004]

As described above, the conventional vehicle-mounted navigation device that obtains the altitude value of the current position of the vehicle using only GPS has a problem that the error of the altitude value is large.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above problems, and by using the map data stored in the map information storage means, the elevation value of the current vehicle position can be accurately measured. The purpose is to obtain a vehicle-mounted navigation device for displaying.

At the same time, it is an object of the present invention to obtain a vehicle-mounted navigation device which allows a user to easily recognize the altitude value of the current vehicle position.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle-mounted navigation device, a map information storage means for storing map information such as road information, background information, character / symbol information and altitude information, and a current vehicle. GP to detect position
The vehicle position detecting means such as S, the operating means such as a keyboard for inputting an instruction from the user, the calculating means for calculating the altitude value of the current position of the vehicle, and the altitude value calculated by the calculating means by the user. Control means for controlling information to be output so as to be recognizable and generating a video signal and an audio signal, a display means for displaying a screen according to the video signal from the control means, and an audio signal from the control means. Therefore, it has a voice output means for outputting a voice.

A vehicle-mounted navigation device according to a second aspect of the present invention is the vehicle-mounted navigation device according to the first aspect of the present invention, which has control means for displaying an altitude value as a numerical value.

A vehicle-mounted navigation device according to a third aspect of the present invention is the vehicle-mounted navigation device according to the first aspect of the present invention, which has control means for displaying an altitude value as a graphic.

A vehicle-mounted navigation device according to a fourth aspect of the invention is the vehicle-mounted navigation device according to the second or third aspect of the invention, which has a control means for changing and displaying the display color of the altitude value. .

An on-vehicle navigation device according to a fifth aspect of the invention is the vehicle-mounted navigation device according to the first aspect of the invention, which has a control means for outputting the altitude value as a voice.

An on-vehicle navigation device according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the vehicle-mounted navigation device according to the second or third or fourth aspect of the present invention, which has control means for superimposing and displaying an altitude value on a map. is there.

A vehicle-mounted navigation device according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the vehicle-mounted navigation device according to the first aspect of the present invention, which has arithmetic means for quantizing an altitude value.

An on-vehicle navigation device according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the vehicle-mounted navigation device according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, which has arithmetic means for changing the quantization width depending on the altitude value.

A vehicle-mounted navigation device according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is the vehicle-mounted navigation device according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, which has arithmetic means having a hysteresis characteristic.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle-mounted navigation device according to the first aspect, wherein the current vehicle is in a tunnel or on a bridge based on the road information stored in the map information storage means. If it is presumed that there is an elevation value, the elevation means is not updated.

[0017]

The calculating means in the invention according to claim 1 calculates the altitude value from the map information storing means and the vehicle position detecting means,
Further, the control means enables the user to recognize this, and the user can accurately recognize the altitude value around the current vehicle position.

The control means in the second aspect of the invention is
The altitude value is output as a numerical value to the display means, and the altitude value can be easily recognized.

The control means in the invention according to claim 3 is
Since the altitude value is output as a graphic to the display means, the altitude value can be easily recognized.

The control means in the invention of claim 4 is
Since the display color of the altitude value is changed according to the altitude value and is output to the display means, the altitude value can be easily recognized.

The control means in the invention of claim 5 is
The altitude value is output as a voice to the audio output means, and the altitude value can be easily recognized.

The control means in the invention according to claim 6 is:
The altitude value is superimposed on the map and output to the display means, and the map and the altitude value can be easily associated with each other.

The calculating means in the invention of claim 7 is,
The altitude value is quantized and output, and the altitude value can be obtained with accuracy according to the value.

The calculating means in the invention of claim 8 is
The altitude value is output by changing the quantization width, and the altitude value can be obtained with accuracy according to the value.

The calculating means in the invention according to claim 9 is
Since it has a hysteresis characteristic, it is possible to suppress unnecessary fluctuations in the output altitude value.

The arithmetic means in the tenth aspect of the present invention does not update the altitude value if it is presumed that the vehicle is currently in the tunnel or on the bridge from the road information stored in the map information storage means. Therefore, it is possible to suppress unnecessary fluctuations in the output altitude value.

[0027]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Embodiment 1. 1 is a block diagram showing a vehicle-mounted navigation device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
In FIG. 11, 11 is map information storage means for storing map information including road information, background information, elevation information, etc., 12 is map information in a predetermined area extracted from the map information included in the map information storage means 11, and the road and Map generating means for generating a map composed of a background and the like, 13 is a vehicle position detecting means for detecting the current vehicle position by various sensors, 1
Reference numeral 4 is a calculation means for calculating the elevation value of the current vehicle position from the map information included in the map information storage means 11 and vehicle position information obtained from the vehicle position detection means 13, and 15 is an operation means for inputting an instruction from the user. Reference numeral 16 is a control means for controlling the information to be output to generate a video signal and an audio signal, 17 is a display means for displaying a map and an altitude value according to the video signal from the control means 16, and 18 is a voice from the control means 16. It is a voice output means for outputting an altitude value or the like according to the signal.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the structure of the vehicle-mounted navigation device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 21 is a control unit for performing various calculations and control of the entire apparatus, and 22 is a CD storing map information.
-ROM and CD-ROM drivers, 23 is a GPS receiver for measuring the current vehicle position, 24 is an input panel for inputting instructions given by the user to the device, and 25 is a liquid crystal display for displaying an image sent from the control unit, Reference numeral 26 is a speaker that outputs the sound sent from the control unit. Control unit 21
Is a CPU 21A, a ROM 21B in which a program and information essential to the operation of the program are stored, a CPU
RAM 21C used when 21A performs calculation, I / O2 for inputting / outputting between the control unit 21 and the outside
1D, a liquid crystal display 25, and a control unit 21E that generates a signal to be sent to the speaker 26.

FIG. 3 is an example of a storage form of altitude information in the map storage means 11. FIG. 3A shows an expression form of altitude information. The map information is stored in units called meshes that are separated by straight lines parallel to the latitude and longitude lines. Furthermore, each mesh is
, N in the meridian direction, for a total of m × n small regions. Then, the small region R at the i-th latitude direction and the j-th meridian direction
The altitude information of i, j is h (Ri, j).

FIG. 3B shows the storage form of the altitude information in the map information storage means 11. h (Ri,
j) are arranged in ascending order in the latitude direction i, and those having the same i are arranged in ascending order in the meridian direction j.

FIG. 4 shows another example of the storage form of the altitude information in the map storage means 11. FIG. 4A shows a representation form of altitude information. For roads included in each mesh, intersections n0 to n4 and dead ends n4
Are called nodes, and roads 10 to 15 are called links. The start point and the end point of each link are always some nodes.
Further, the points s0 to s2 provided for convenience of expressing the shape and attributes of the road are called interpolation points.

FIG. 4B shows the storage form of the altitude information in the map information storage means 11. The link information is composed of link information 41, component element information 42, and structure information 43. The link information 41 includes a link number uniquely assigned to the link, a road type indicating a road type such as a national road, a prefectural road, a road number indicating a route number of the road,
Width, number of lanes, traffic regulation such as one-way traffic, number of components indicating the total number of interpolation points for expressing the shape of the nodes and links forming the link, and component information indicating the address of the component information 42. A pointer, a structure number indicating the number of structures when a structure such as a tunnel or a bridge exists in the link, and a structure information pointer indicating the address of the structure information 43.

The component element information 42 is XY at the start point of the link.
It is composed of each Z coordinate, each XYZ coordinate of the interpolation point, and each XYZ coordinate of the end point of the link.

The structure information 43 indicates the structure type indicating the type of structure and the number of nodes or interpolation points from the start point of the link in which the section in which the structure exists begins and ends at which node or interpolation point. It consists of a start point number and an end point number.

FIG. 5A is a display example on the display means 17 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. On screen 51,
The altitude value of the current vehicle position is displayed as a numerical value 52.

FIG. 5B is a display example on the display means 17 according to another embodiment of the present invention. On the screen 53, the altitude value of the current vehicle position is displayed as a bar graph-shaped graphic 54. The upper end of the graphic 54 represents the altitude value of the current vehicle position.

Next, the operation will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the vehicle-mounted navigation device according to the present invention. In step 61, the vehicle position detecting means 13
At, the current vehicle position is specified. In step 62, the calculating means 14 calculates the elevation value of the current vehicle position from the map information extracted from the map information storage means 11 and the current vehicle position specified in step 61. In step 63, the control means 16 generates a video signal as shown in FIG. 5A or 5B from the altitude value of the current vehicle position calculated in step 62,
Output to the display means 17. The display means 17 displays this on the screen. In step 64, it is determined whether or not the operation of this device is to be ended. If the user gives an instruction to end the operation through the operating means 15, the operation is ended. If not, the process returns to step 61.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the operation for calculating the altitude value of the current vehicle position. In step 71, the elevation information of the mesh including the current vehicle position and the meshes of the eight neighboring meshes is extracted from the map information storage means 11. In step 72, several pieces close to the current vehicle position are selected from the altitude information extracted in step 71. In step 73, the altitude value of the current vehicle position is calculated from the altitude information selected in step 72.

FIG. 8 shows an example of calculation of the altitude value when the altitude information is expressed and stored in the map storage means 11 in the form as shown in FIG. 3 (a). Elevation information of a small area Ri, j including the current vehicle position C and three small areas in the vicinity thereof is selected. At this time, the method of selecting the three small areas in the vicinity is to set the center point of Ri, j to ri, j and to determine the current vehicle position C.
Is at the lower left when viewed from ri, j, Ri-1, j-
1, Ri, j-1, Ri-1, j, R when at the bottom right
i, j-1, Ri + 1, j-1, Ri + 1, j, and Ri-1, j, Ri-1, j + 1, Ri, j when at the upper left
+1 and Ri + 1, j, Ri, j + 1 when in the upper right,
Ri + 1 and j + 1.

For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the length of the small area around the current vehicle position C in the meridian direction is X and the length in the latitude direction is Y, and the current vehicle position C is viewed from ri, j. And in the upper right, the meridian direction x (> 0) and the latitude direction y (> 0). At this time, the altitude value H at the current vehicle position is calculated as follows.

[0041]

[Equation 1]

FIG. 9 shows an example of calculating the altitude value when the altitude information is expressed and stored in the map storage means 11 in the form shown in FIG. 4 (a). In the vehicle position detecting means 13, the link li estimated that the vehicle is currently traveling.
To identify. Then, the two interpolation points sj and sj + 1 closest to the current vehicle position C are selected, and the altitude values zj and zj + 1 at these points are extracted. At this time, sj and sj
Assuming that the distance of +1 is D and the distance between C and sj is d, the altitude value H at the current vehicle position C is calculated as follows. H = (dzj + (D-d) zj + 1) / D

Embodiment 2 When displaying the altitude value of the current vehicle position on the display means 17, it may be difficult for the user to recognize the value at first glance when driving the vehicle. Therefore, it is possible to change the display color depending on the altitude value.

FIG. 10 shows a display example on the display means 17 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. On the screen 101, the altitude value of the current vehicle position is a bar graph-shaped figure 102, 1
They are displayed as 03 and 104 and are expressed in different colors. The upper end of the graphic 104 represents the altitude value of the current vehicle position.

Next, the operation will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 11 and 13. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the vehicle-mounted navigation device according to the present invention. In step 111, an elevation value-display color correspondence table for determining the display color corresponding to the elevation value is created. In step 61, the vehicle position detecting means 13 identifies the current vehicle position. In step 62, the calculating means 14 calculates the elevation value of the current vehicle position from the map information extracted from the map information storage means 11 and the current vehicle position specified in step 61. In step 112, the control means 16 executes step 62.
A video signal as shown in FIG. 10 is generated from the elevation value of the current vehicle position calculated in step 111 and the elevation value-display color correspondence table created in step 111, and output to the display means 17. The display means 17 displays this on the screen. In step 64, it is determined whether or not the operation of this device is to be ended. If the user gives an instruction to end the operation through the operating means 15, the operation is ended. If not, the process returns to step 61.

FIG. 12 is an example of an elevation value-display color correspondence table. Altitude value H is less than H0, H0-H1, H1-H
2, ..., Hn−1 or more, the display color code numbers CC are CC0, CC1, CC2 ,.
Cn.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of displaying the altitude value of the current vehicle position. Step 131
Then, the magnitudes of H and H0 are compared. If H is larger than H0, the process proceeds to step 132a. Otherwise, in step 132b, a bar graph-like figure corresponding to 0 to H is generated in the display color with the code number CC0 and is output to the display means 17. The display means 17 displays this on the screen. Then, the operation ends. In step 132a, 0
To the bar graph shape corresponding to H0 to code number C
It is generated in the display color C0 and is output to the display means 17.
The display means 17 outputs this to the screen.

At step 133, the magnitudes of H and Hi are compared. If H is larger than Hi, the process proceeds to step 134a, and if not, Hi-1 in step 134b.
To bar-shaped figures corresponding to code numbers CC
It is generated in the display color i and is output to the display means 17. The display means 17 displays this on the screen. Then, the operation ends. In step 134a, bar-graph-shaped figures corresponding to Hi-1 to Hi are generated in the display color with the code number CCi and output to the display means 17. Display means 17
Will output this to the screen. In step 135, steps 133 and 134a are performed with i = 1, 2, ...
., Repeat for n-1. If i = n−1, the process proceeds to step 136, and if i = n−1, the process returns to step 133.

At step 136, a bar-graph-shaped figure corresponding to Hn-1 to Hn is generated in the display color having the code number CCn and is output to the display means 17. Display means 1
7 outputs this to the screen. Then, the operation ends.

Embodiment 3 In a vehicle-mounted navigation device, it is generally considered that the user is often driving a vehicle. Therefore, it is useful not only to display the altitude value of the current vehicle position but also to output the altitude value as a voice.

The operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the operation of the vehicle-mounted navigation device according to the present invention. In step 61, the vehicle position detecting means 13 identifies the current vehicle position. In step 62, the calculating means 14 calculates the elevation value of the current vehicle position from the map information extracted from the map information storage means 11 and the current vehicle position specified in step 61. In step 141, the control means 16 executes step 62.
A voice signal is generated from the altitude value of the current vehicle position calculated in step S1, and is output to the voice output means 18. The voice output means 18 outputs this to the speaker. In step 64, it is determined whether or not the operation of this device is to be ended. If the user gives an instruction to end the operation through the operating means 15, the operation is ended. If not, the process returns to step 61.

The voice is output through the operating means 15 when the user requests an altitude value, and is also output at fixed time intervals or at fixed distances. Further, it is possible to output when the altitude value of the current vehicle position matches some preset values.

Embodiment 4 If only the elevation value of the current vehicle position is displayed on the display means 17 for a long time, the user may not be able to recognize the current vehicle position. Therefore, if the current altitude value of the vehicle is displayed so as to be superimposed on the map generated by the map generating means 12, it becomes possible to associate the altitude value with the map while recognizing the current vehicle position.

FIG. 15 is a display example on the display means 17 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. On the screen 151, a map around the current vehicle position C is displayed. further,
The elevation value of the current vehicle position is displayed superimposed on the map.

Next, the operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the operation of the vehicle-mounted navigation device according to the present invention. In step 61, the vehicle position detecting means 13 identifies the current vehicle position. In step 62, the calculating means 14 calculates the elevation value of the current vehicle position from the map information extracted from the map information storage means 11 and the current vehicle position specified in step 61. In step 161, a map around the current vehicle position is generated from the map information extracted from the map information storage means 11 and the current vehicle position specified in step 61. In step 162, the control means 16 sets the altitude value of the current vehicle position calculated in step 62 to step 16
A video signal as shown in FIG. 15 superimposed on the map generated in 1 is generated and output to the display means 17. Display means 17
Will display this on the screen. In step 64, it is determined whether or not the operation of this device is to be ended. If the user gives an instruction to end the operation through the operating means 15, the operation is ended. If not, the process returns to step 61.

Embodiment 5 When displaying the altitude value of the current vehicle position on the display means 17, the altitude value changes as the vehicle moves, but it may be difficult for the user to recognize the value at first glance while driving the vehicle. . When it is desired to know the approximate value of the altitude value, such a fine change of the value is unnecessary. Therefore, when displaying the altitude value, the value is quantized and then displayed.

Further, by changing the quantization width, for example, when the altitude is low, the density is relatively dense, and when the altitude is high, it is relatively sparse. It becomes possible to do.

Further, when the altitude value is quantized and displayed,
Hunting may occur near the threshold value, making it impossible to recognize the altitude value. Therefore, the occurrence of hunting is prevented by providing a hysteresis characteristic when quantizing.

FIG. 17 is a display example on the display means 17 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. On the screen 171, the altitude value of the current vehicle position is displayed as a bar graph figure 172. The upper end of the graphic 172 represents the altitude value of the current vehicle position. On the screen 171, unlike the screen 101, the scale 173 of the altitude value is not linear. Also, figure 15
The upper end of 2 does not take a continuous value from 0 to 3000, but
Only the values shown on the scale 173 are taken.

Next, the operation will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 18 and 20. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the operation of the vehicle-mounted navigation device according to the present invention. In step 181, a quantization table for determining the quantization width of the altitude value and its threshold value is created. In step 61, the vehicle position detecting means 13 identifies the current vehicle position. In step 182, the calculation means 14
At, the elevation value of the current vehicle position is calculated from the map information extracted from the map information storage means 11, the quantization table created in step 181, and the current vehicle position specified in step 61. In step 63, the control means 16 generates a video signal as shown in FIG. 17 from the elevation value of the current vehicle position calculated in step 62 and outputs it to the display means 17. The display means 17 displays this on the screen. In step 64, it is determined whether or not the operation of this device is to be ended. If the user gives an instruction to end the operation through the operating means 15, the operation is ended. If not, the process returns to step 61.

FIG. 19 is an example of the quantization table. When the altitude value H increases due to the movement of the vehicle, FIG.
, And Hn-1u, the altitude values to be displayed are H0, ...
・ Change to Hn. When the altitude value H decreases, as shown in FIG. 19B, h0d, h1d, ..., Hn
At the threshold value of −1d, the altitude value to be displayed is changed to 0, H0, ..., Hn−1.

FIG. 20 is a flow chart showing the operation for calculating the altitude value of the current vehicle position. In step 71, the elevation information of the mesh including the current vehicle position and the meshes of the eight neighboring meshes is extracted from the map information storage means 11. In step 72, several pieces close to the current vehicle position are selected from the altitude information extracted in step 71. In step 73, the altitude value of the current vehicle position is calculated from the altitude information selected in step 72. In step 201, the altitude value calculated in step 72 is quantized according to the quantization table created in step 181.

The quantization table created in step 181 is defined in advance in the control means 16,
It is also conceivable that the user inputs to the control means 16 through the operation means 15.

Embodiment 6 FIG. The altitude information stored in the map information storage means 11 is generally the altitude of the terrain itself. Therefore, it may not accurately represent the elevation value of the vehicle position on the road structure such as a tunnel or a bridge. The elevation of road structures often does not change, so the elevation value is not updated when the vehicle is currently suspected to be in a tunnel or on a bridge. As a result, it is possible to prevent the elevation value from rising and falling within a tunnel, for example.

The operation will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 21 and 22. FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the operation of the vehicle-mounted navigation device according to the present invention. In step 61, the vehicle position detecting means 1
At 3, the current vehicle position is specified. Step 21
In No. 1, in the calculation means 14, the map information storage means 11
Information on the road on which the vehicle is currently traveling is extracted from the map information extracted from the current vehicle position identified in step 61. At step 212, the map information extracted from the map information storage means 11 by the computing means 14,
The altitude value of the current vehicle position is calculated from the current vehicle position identified in step 61 and the information of the road on which the current vehicle is traveling extracted in step 211. In step 63, in the control means 16, step 21
5 from the elevation value of the current vehicle position calculated in FIG.
A video signal as shown in FIG. 5A or FIG. 5B is generated and output to the display means 17. The display means 17 displays this on the screen. In step 64, it is determined whether or not the operation of this device is to be ended. If the user gives an instruction to end the operation through the operating means 15, the operation is ended. If not, the process returns to step 61.

FIG. 22 is a flow chart showing the operation for calculating the altitude value of the current vehicle position. Step 221
Then, whether or not the road on which the vehicle is currently located is a tunnel or a bridge is determined by referring to the structure information 43. If it is a tunnel or a bridge, proceed to step 222, otherwise proceed to step 71. In step 222, the altitude value stored in the buffer provided in the calculating means 14 is used as the altitude value of the current vehicle position. Then, the operation ends. In step 71, the elevation information of the mesh including the current vehicle position and the meshes of the eight neighboring meshes is extracted from the map information storage means 11. In step 72, several pieces close to the current vehicle position are selected from the altitude information extracted in step 71. In step 73, the altitude value of the current vehicle position is calculated from the altitude information selected in step 72. In Step 223, Step 7
The altitude value calculated in 3 is stored in the buffer provided in the arithmetic unit 14. Then, the operation ends.

[0067]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the altitude value is calculated from the map information and the current vehicle position, so that the user can obtain the altitude value with high accuracy.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the altitude value of the current vehicle position is output as a numerical value, the user can obtain the altitude value easily.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the altitude value of the current vehicle position is output as a graphic, so that the user can obtain the altitude value easily.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, since the display color of the altitude value of the current vehicle position is changed according to the value, the user can easily obtain the approximate value of the altitude value.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the altitude value of the current vehicle position is output as a voice, the user can obtain the altitude value without diverting the line of sight from the front while driving the vehicle. is there.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the altitude value of the current vehicle position is superimposed and displayed on the map, so that the user can confirm the current vehicle position on the map and obtain the altitude value at the same time. There is.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, since the altitude value of the current vehicle position is quantized and displayed, the user can easily obtain the altitude value and the required accuracy according to the value. There is an effect that can be done.

According to the eighth aspect of the invention, since the altitude value of the current vehicle position is quantized and then the quantization width is changed when the altitude value is displayed, the user can adjust the altitude value according to the value. There is an effect that can be obtained with the required accuracy.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, since the altitude value of the current vehicle position is quantized and then displayed, a hysteresis characteristic is provided, so that the user does not have unnecessary fluctuations in the altitude value. There is an effect that can be obtained.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the elevation value is not updated if it is presumed that the vehicle is currently in the tunnel or on the bridge, so that the user can avoid unnecessary fluctuations in the elevation. It has the effect of getting the value.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a vehicle-mounted navigation device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an example of a configuration of a vehicle-mounted navigation device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an example of a storage form of altitude information in a map storage means.

FIG. 4 is an example of a storage form of altitude information in a map storage means.

FIG. 5 is a display example on the display unit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation of calculating an altitude value of a current vehicle position.

FIG. 8 is an example of calculating an altitude value of a current vehicle position.

FIG. 9 is an example of calculating an altitude value of a current vehicle position.

FIG. 10 is a display example on the display means of the second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the second embodiment.

FIG. 12 is an example of an elevation value-display color correspondence table.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an operation of displaying an altitude value of a current vehicle position.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the operation of the third embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a display example on the display means of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the operation of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a display example on the display means of the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the operation of the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 19 is an example of a quantization table.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing an operation of calculating an altitude value of a current vehicle position.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the operation of the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the operation of calculating the altitude value of the current vehicle position.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 map information storage means 12 map generation means 13 intersection guide map generation means 14 calculation means 15 operation means 16 control means 17 display means 18 voice output means

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Keiki Kishigami 2-3-2 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Sanryo Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Masao Saga 5-33-8, Shiba, Minato-ku, Tokyo Mitsubishi (72) Inventor Shigeki Nakane 5-3-8, Shiba, Minato-ku, Tokyo Inside Mitsubishi Motors Corporation

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A map information storage means for storing map information, a map generation means for extracting map information in a predetermined area from the map information storage means to generate a map, and a vehicle position detection for detecting a current vehicle position. Means, an arithmetic means for calculating the altitude value of the current vehicle position, an operation means for inputting an instruction from a user, a control means for controlling the output information and generating a video signal and an audio signal, and the control means. A vehicle-mounted navigation device having a display means for displaying a screen according to a video signal from the vehicle and a voice output means for outputting a voice according to a voice signal from the control means, wherein the map information storage means and the vehicle position are provided. A calculating means for calculating the altitude value of the current vehicle position by the detecting means, and a control hand for allowing the user to recognize the altitude value calculated by the calculating means. Vehicle navigation apparatus characterized in that it comprises a. 2. The vehicle-mounted navigation device according to claim 1, further comprising control means for displaying the altitude value of the current vehicle position calculated by the calculation means as a numerical value. 3. The vehicle-mounted navigation device according to claim 1, further comprising control means for displaying the altitude value of the current vehicle position calculated by the calculation means as a graphic. 4. The vehicle-mounted navigation device according to claim 2, further comprising control means for changing the display color of the altitude value according to the altitude value of the current vehicle position calculated by the calculation means. 5. The vehicle-mounted navigation device according to claim 1, further comprising control means for outputting the elevation value of the current vehicle position calculated by the calculation means as voice. 6. The vehicle-mounted navigation device according to claim 2, further comprising control means for displaying the altitude value calculated by the calculation means by superimposing it on the map generated by the map generation means. . 7. The vehicle-mounted navigation device according to claim 1, further comprising arithmetic means for quantizing the altitude value when the altitude value of the current vehicle position is calculated and output to the control means. 8. An arithmetic means for changing the quantization width according to the altitude value when the altitude value of the current vehicle position is calculated, quantized and output to the control means.
The vehicle-mounted navigation device described. 9. The vehicle-mounted navigation device according to claim 7, further comprising a calculation unit having a hysteresis characteristic when calculating the altitude value of the current vehicle position. 10. When calculating the elevation value of the current vehicle position, the elevation value is updated if it is estimated that the vehicle is currently in the tunnel or on the bridge from the road information stored in the map information storage means. The vehicle-mounted navigation device according to claim 1, further comprising a calculation unit that does not perform the calculation.