JPS59231411A - Navigation system with function of simplifying initial setting - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To simplify an initial operation and thus to improve the operability by a construction wherein an operating switch for setting and modifying informations required for the running of an automobile is provided with switches for taking a desired starting point out of a plurality of those points set beforehand. CONSTITUTION:In an operating switch unit 5 for inputting various running conditions of an automobile to a microcomputer unit 1, the conditions are set by inputting them as digital signals to a navigation system by a plurality of switches. The operating switch unit 5 is provided with a switch 11 for setting a running starting point and a running destination point at the initial setting of the system, and a switch 12 for operating the registration of the running starting point of the automobile. A position switch 13 is employed for compensating a current position of the automobile, in combination with a compensation switch 19. an azimuth switch 14, which is also used in combination with the compensation switch 19, is operated when azimuth sensors 2 and 3 detecting the running direction of the automobile are compensated. According to this constitution, the initial setting of a navigation system, the initial setting of the starting point in particular, can be performed in a one-touch manner, and thus the operability of the navigation system can be improved to a large extent.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Application of the Invention] The present invention relates to a navigator that displays road map information on a display device and superimposes the current position of a vehicle on the information.

[Background of the invention]

When a navigator device starts its operation, in order to correctly display the current location, at least a starting point, such as the current location of the vehicle, must be correctly set on the display map. However, even in general driving, the navigator is not always used, and it is difficult for ordinary drivers to set a starting point each time they drive on a familiar road, such as when driving short distances. It's very unfortunate. My father found it difficult to operate, requiring him to use various switches several times.

[Purpose of the invention]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a navigation system with a simplified initial setting function for automobiles, which simplifies initial operations and improves operability, in order to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art as described above.

[Summary of the invention]

The above-mentioned object of the present invention is to provide a navigation system that calculates the current position of a car while detecting the traveling direction and distance of the car, and simultaneously displays the current position of the car and a corresponding road map on a display means. This has been achieved by providing an operating switch for setting and modifying information necessary for driving the vehicle, and providing a switch for calling an arbitrary point from among a plurality of preset departure points on this operating switch. Ru.

[Embodiments of the invention]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a microcomputer section having a function of controlling the operation of the entire navigator system, and is the core section of this system. The detailed internal configuration is shown in FIG. 3, and the content will be explained later.

Reference numeral 2 denotes a direction sensor that detects the absolute direction in which the vehicle is traveling, and uses the earth's magnetism to amplify and output the analog amounts of the X and Y components.

Third, like the direction sensor 2, it is a direction sensor that indicates the direction of travel of the automobile and generates a relative direction output.

4 is a means for inputting the distance traveled by the automobile into the microcomputer section 1 of the navigator system, and generates ON/OFF pulses according to the vehicle speed.

5 is a microcomputer unit 1 that stores various driving conditions of the car.
The above-mentioned conditions are manually input into the system as digital signals using a plurality of switches set on the operating section.

Reference numeral 6 denotes an external storage device for storing road map information and various driving conditions, which is controlled by the microcomputer section 1.

Reference numeral 7 denotes a color CRT serving as a means for displaying road map information etc. stored in an external storage device 6, etc., and is controlled by the output of a color CRT control circuit within the microcomputer section 1.

Next, FIG. 2 specifically shows details of the operation switch section 5 shown in FIG. 1. The first switch is a switch that sets the travel start point and travel destination point when the navigator system is initially set. Reference numeral 12 denotes a switch for registering the start point of the vehicle.

The position switch 13 is used in combination with the correction switch 19, and is used to correct the current position of the vehicle. The azimuth switch 14 is also used in combination with the correction switch 19, and is used when correcting the azimuth sensor 1 and the azimuth sensor 2 that detect the traveling direction of the automobile. Switches 15 to 18 are switches used to set and move a cursor indicating the current position of the car displayed on the color CRT 7, and the cursor moves in the direction indicated on each switch. For example, when the north switch 15 is pressed, the cursor moves north from the current location. Switch 16 points west, 17
The switch moves the cursor south, and the switch 18 moves the cursor north. 20 and 21 are color 〇R, T
These are YES and NO switches used when determining whether or not the content displayed at 7 is correct. 22-24 are
The registration switch 12 is a switch for selecting a plurality of registered starting points, and is a starting point switch used during an initial setting operation at the start of operation of the navigator.

FIG. 3 shows a detailed internal configuration diagram of the microcomputer section 1 shown in FIG. A microprocessor 31 is the core of the microcomputer section 1, and controls the operation of the microcomputer section 1. 32 is R, AM (volatile memory) used for temporary data storage during the process of calculation and control operations by the microprocessor sensor 1, and the power supply for this RAM is in a separate system from the system power supply. Even when the system power is off, power is always supplied from the vehicle's on-board battery, and its memory contents are guaranteed (power backup memory).

33 is a ROM (non-volatile memory) in which programs for each heel control operation and arithmetic processing operation of the microprocessor-1 are stored. 34 is an interface 36-3
Each piece of data input manually from 9 to microprocessor-1
This is a human output control LSi that uses human power. 36~
Reference numeral 39 denotes an interface unit that performs signal level conversion and waveform shaping. The first orientation sensor 2 is connected to the interface 36, the second orientation sensor 3 is connected to the interface 37, the vehicle speed pulse sensor 4 is connected to the interface 38, and the operation switch unit 5 is connected to the interface 39. 35 is a small magnetic tape device for controlling the input/output of control signals and data (road map information, various driving conditions, etc.) between the device and the microgross sensor 31 when the external storage device 6 is a small magnetic tape device. This is a tape device control LSi (hereinafter abbreviated as CMTC). The interface 40 is the CMTC 35 and a small magnetic tape device.

Reference numeral 41 denotes an LSi (hereinafter abbreviated as CRTC) which forms the core of a circuit unit that transmits various display data to the color CRT 7. The display data contents are all controlled by CR and TC.

42 generates a reference clock signal of the TC, a clock signal of a serial signal sent to the video controller 53, and a timing signal for controlling the gate opening/closing of the multiplexer 43.

43 is a microprocessor-1 (hereinafter abbreviated as MPU).

) and the address signal from CTC,
This is a multiplexer that has a function of switching p according to the timing signal of the timing signal generating section 47.

44 to 46 are graphic memories for display data of each color element of the color CRT 7, red, evening, and green;
Read/write operations are possible from 41 pixel elements,
By combining the above three primary colors, it is possible to display the color components of data for eight food categories.

47￥i color 〇 RT This is a memory dedicated to character data for displaying character information on 7, and multiplexer 43
This is a character memory that can be read and written from both the MPU 31 and the TC 41 via the MPU 31 and the TC 41.

48 is a character generator that stores character information such as alphanumeric characters, symbols, and katakana in patterns;
Based on the output of the TC 41 and the character memory 47, the character pattern of each accumulated character is selected and output. 49
52 is a graphic memory, and 44 to 46 are conversion units that convert parallel data output from the character generator 48 into serial data in synchronization with the timing signal generated from the timing signal generation unit 42. be.

53 is the conversion unit 4 that converts parallel data into serial data.
The outputs of 9 to 52 are subjected to level conversion and waveform shaping processing that meets the required specifications of color T7, and the video controller 53 is connected to a color CRT.
7 is connected and data transmission is performed.

In the circuit configuration described above, the operation of the present invention will be explained next. FIG. 4 shows a schematic flowchart of the present invention. Fifth
The details Mf of each function of the navigator according to the present invention are shown in the figure and Fig. 6.
U70-Chart is shown.

In FIG. 4, step 400 indicates the start of the process flow when the ignition switch of the automobile is turned on. Next, the processing flow moves to step 401, and when the registration switch 12 is ON, it is "1", or when it is 01"F, it is "0".
The content of the specific memory address that is `` is set as a registered switch flag, and the content is checked.If the content of the flag is ``1
”, the process moves to step 402 to perform a travel start point registration operation, and after the operation is completed, the process moves to step 404.
, and the processing flow ends. When the registration switch flag is '0' in step 401, the process proceeds to step 40.
3, perform the initial driving operation, and after completing the operation,
The process moves to step 404, and the series of process flows ends.

Next, FIG. 5 will be explained. FIG. 5 is a processing flowchart showing in more detail the contents of the travel start point registration operation 402 shown in FIG. 1.

Step 500 is a process indicating the start of the process flowchart, and then the process moves to step 501. Step 5
01 indicates the process of displaying the map code number on the dedicated map on the color C box T7. Next, the process moves to step 502, and in this step 502, the map code number to be set from the dedicated map is set using cursor switches 15 to 18. et 1 #l, '0' when 01i"F" on the other hand
The contents of a specific address in the memory where , is set as a map code number set flag, and the contents of that flag are checked.

When the content of the flag is 61#, the process moves to step 503, and when the content is 10'', the process is repeated until the map code number set flag becomes '1''. Step 503
displays vertical and horizontal cursor lines on the road map displayed on color ○R, T7. Next, the process moves to step 504, where the set point is moved to the cursor switch 15-1.
Set while using 8. After setting, set the corresponding starting point set flag as the contents of a specific address in the memory, which is "1" when the departure 1 to departure 3 switches are ON, and "0" when they are OFF, and check its contents.In particular, check this flag. When the content of is '0'', the process repeats step 504 until the corresponding starting point set flag becomes '1''. When the corresponding starting point set flag is 1'', the process moves to step 505, and the color "Setting complete" and rYE8 on CRT7J2
．． J.

The characters rNOJ are displayed to instruct the driver to determine whether the registration setting operation has been completed. In this state, the process moves to step 506 and waits for either the YES switch 20 or the No switch 21 to be pressed. In the processing of this system, the contents of a specific memory address, which is "'1" when the YES switch 20 is ON and "0#" when the NO switch 21 is ON, are set as the YES flag, and the
When the content of the ES flag becomes "1", the system completes the registration operation, and the process moves to step 507 to end the registration operation. When the content of this YES flag is '0#, the process returns to step 501 again, and the color CR,
The map code number will be displayed on 'I'7, and you can register other travel starting points using the process flow described above.
Do it again. In the above-described embodiment of the present invention, the maximum number of registered points for the travel start point is three points, but depending on the system, this number of registered points can be increased or decreased.

Next, FIG. 6 will be explained. FIG. 6 is a process flowchart showing in detail the contents of the travel initial setting operation step 403 of FIG. 4.

600 indicates a process indicating the start of the process flowchart, and then the process moves to step 601.

In this step 601, "Departure switch selection" and "NO" characters are displayed on the color CRT 7, "Departure 1" switch 22, "Departure 2" switch 23, "Departure 3" switch 22, "Departure 3" switch 23, "Departure 3"
” switch 24 or the “NO” switch 21. In this state, the process moves to step 602 and waits for any of the above switches to be pressed. Specifically, the "departure 1" switch 22, the "departure 2" switch 23,
"0" when "Departure 3" switch 24 is ON, rNOJN
The content of a specific address in the memory that becomes "'1n" when the o switch 21 is turned on is set as a No-flag, and it is determined whether the content of the NO-flag is '0' or '1'.The current starting point is starting point 1~ 3, the driver selects the corresponding starting point switch, so the NO-flag becomes 60'', and the process moves to step 603 when the starting point switch is pressed, and the color CRT 7 displays the following information: Road map "Searching"
is displayed, and the search post-processing moves to step 604.
Finish the driving initial setting operation.

After the ignition switch of the car is turned on, the initial operation is completed by pressing the "Departure 1-3" switch with a single touch. However, step 602
When the l'-NOJ switch 21 is selected in the process of
The process moves to step 605, where the road map information currently backed up and the characters rYEsJ [NOJ] are displayed on the color CRT 7 screen, and the driver is prompted to determine whether or not the road map information is usable. Inform. Next, the process moves to step 606, and waits for either the "YES" switch 20 or the rNOJ switch 21 to be pressed. Specifically, l'-Y
When ESJ switch 20 is ON, ``'1'''', 1'-NO
When the j switch 21 is ON, the content of a specific address in the memory that becomes ``0'' is set as the YES switch flag, and it is determined whether the content is ``ON'' or 11''. When the YES switch flag is ``1'', The process moves to step 609.

The process in step 609 displays the current position and the characters "rYEsJrNO" on the color CR, T7 to notify the driver that a determination will be made as to whether the current position is correct.

Next, the process moves to step 610, and waits for either the "YES" switch 20 or the rNOJ switch 21 to be pressed. Specifically, when the rYEsJ switch 20 is ON, the content of the specific address in the memory is ``'1'', and when the ``NO'' switch 21 is ON, it is 60''.
When the S-flag is set and the YES-flag is 11″, the processing is as follows:
The process moves to step 604, and the travel initial setting operation is ended.

In the process of step 610, when the YES-flag switch is set to 0'', the process moves to step 611, where a cursor line is displayed on the color CRT 7, and then the process moves to step 612, where the \cursor switch 15 -18, the current location is selected, and it is determined whether the set switch 11 is turned on.

The system repeats the process of step 612 until the set switch 11 is pressed, and at the time the set switch 11 is pressed, the process moves to step 604 and ends the travel initial setting operation. Next, in the process of step 606, YES
- When the switch flag is "0", the process moves to step 607, the map code number is displayed on the color CRT 7, and the process moves to step 608. The process in step 608 is performed when the map code number is cursor switch 15 to 18.
The process continues in a loop until the set switch 11 is pressed, and when the set switch 11 is pressed, the process moves to step 613, displays "Searching" on the color CRT 7, and selects it by the above operation. The search post-processing proceeds to step 611, passes through step 612, and then proceeds to step 604, where a series of travel initial setting operations are completed.

〔Effect of the invention〕

According to the present invention, the initial setting of the navigator, especially the initial setting of the starting point, can be performed with one touch, and the operability of the navigation system can be greatly improved.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 shows an overall configuration diagram of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows the operation switches of the operation section. FIG. 3 shows the internal circuit of the microcomputer section. FIG. 4 shows a schematic 70-chart of the present invention. FIG. 5 shows a travel start point registration 70-chart. FIG. 6 shows a travel initial setting operation flowchart. l...Microcomputer section, 2. s...Direction sensor, 4...Vehicle speed pulse sensor, 5...Operation switch section, 1 mouth 12' high? Kasumi 3'Z Ji 60

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. Calculating the current position of the car while detecting the direction of travel and distance traveled by the car, and simultaneously displaying the current position of the car and a road map corresponding to the current position on a display means. The vehicle further includes an operation switch section for setting and modifying information necessary for driving the vehicle, and the operation switch section is provided with a switch section for calling an arbitrary point from among a plurality of preset starting points. A navigator system with a simple initial setting function. 2. In claim 1, a microcomputer unit is provided for controlling detection of the current position of the vehicle and selective display of a road map, and the microcomputer unit controls the plurality of preset starting points. A navigator system with a simplified initial setting function, characterized in that it is registered in a memory backed up by power, and any point can be called up from among the plurality of registered departure points when the navigator system starts operating. .