JP2000039330A - Navigation device for vehicle and its guide device of continuous crossings - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To indicate the destination direction at the second crossing with an arrow at a prior position of the first crossing in the case where crossings continuously exist in a short distance, provide guide information at the continuous crossing and support safe driving. SOLUTION: After a vehicle 51 progresses a road 52 and turns to the right at a prior crossing A and continuously to the left at the next crossing B in 150 to 300 m distance for reaching the path to a destined place 55, the vehicle 51 progresses the road 52 to come to a certain distance at the prior crossing A, a guide arrow 58 indicating to turn at the next continuous crossing B is shown at the corner of a crossing magnified figure.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention provides guidance by displaying the next traveling direction with a guide arrow on an enlarged view of an intersection when the intersection is continuous, thereby facilitating guidance at a continuous intersection. The present invention relates to a vehicle navigation device and a guidance device for a continuous intersection.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Guidance on continuous intersections in a conventional vehicle navigation system has already been proposed by the present applicant and is configured as follows (for example, see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-101167). FIG. 11 is a diagram (part 1) illustrating a screen transition of a navigation system that performs route guidance using a section diagram and an intersection diagram.

As shown in FIG. 11A, when a vehicle 101 is traveling on a road 102 and a predetermined distance from the intersection M, for example, the distance from the vehicle 101 to the intersection M is 300 m, the intersection becomes an enlarged view. A first remaining distance display (not shown) is performed. That is, the traveling direction is displayed at the intersection M by the guide arrow. When the distance to the intersection M of the vehicle 101 becomes a second predetermined distance, for example, 150 m (point X), the remaining distance is displayed (not shown) by the guide arrow 110 as shown in FIG. 11B. . That is, the vehicle 101
As the vehicle travels, the position display mark 105 of the vehicle 101 moves, and the base of the guide arrow 110 is gradually erased and shortened so as to indicate the remaining distance to the intersection M, and the appearance of approaching the intersection M is accurately displayed. I do.

[0004]

However, guidance of a continuous intersection by the above-mentioned conventional enlarged view of an intersection is not sufficient. That is, as shown in FIG. 11A, the distance between the intersection M and the intersection N is 150 m to 30 m.
In the case of 0 m, the vehicle turns right at the intersection M by the guidance of the intersection M in the enlarged view of the intersection. When the route is a left turn at the intersection N, the display of FIG. ) (Y point display), but the driver turns left as soon as the display in the enlarged view of the intersection changes to the display of FIG. 11C, and must take the lane corresponding to it. However, at the X point of the intersection M, since there is no information on the traveling direction of the intersection N, there is a problem that it is impossible to move to an appropriate course. Here, 103 and 104 are roads serving as routes.

[0005] As described above, when the intersection is continuous over a short distance, after passing through the preceding intersection M (first intersection), the lane at the next intersection N (second intersection) is quickly changed. In some cases, the driver may not be able to take a lane in the desired course direction at the second intersection if the driver does not take the necessary steps. The present invention eliminates the above problems, and when intersections are continuous,
In front of the first intersection, the navigation direction at the second intersection is indicated by a guide arrow, guidance information at successive intersections is provided, and safe navigation is supported. It is intended to provide a device.

[0006]

To achieve the above object, the present invention provides: (1) a guide device for a continuous intersection in a vehicular navigation system, a means for determining whether or not an intersection is continuous; Are displayed, the traveling direction of the next intersection is indicated by a guide arrow on the enlarged view of the previous intersection.

[2] In the guidance device for a continuous intersection in the vehicle navigation device according to the above [1], the determination whether or not the intersection is continuous is based on a distance from the next intersection to the next intersection. It is characterized by. [3] The guidance device for a continuous intersection in the vehicle navigation device according to the above [2], wherein the distance is changed between an expressway and a general road.

[4] In a navigation device that calculates a route to a destination and provides route guidance based on a section map and an intersection guide map, an intersection guide map based on data of a first guide intersection to be provided next. And display means for displaying the intersection guide map created by the display control means a predetermined distance before the intersection, and the display control means further comprises: Then, a traveling direction at a second guidance intersection is calculated, and information on the traveling direction at the second guidance intersection is added to a part of the guidance intersection to create an intersection guide map.

[5] In the vehicle navigation device according to the above [4], the display control means further searches for route information to determine whether the first guidance intersection and the second guidance intersection are continuous. Then, only when it is determined that they are continuous, information on the traveling direction of the second guidance intersection is superimposed.

[0010]

[Operation and Effect of the Invention] As described above in detail,
According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained. When the intersection is continuous over a short distance, that is, it is possible to recognize that the next intersection is near, and to check in advance the traveling direction of the continuous intersection.

On a road having a different vehicle speed, such as an expressway and a general road, the distance for determining a continuous intersection is changed and a continuous guidance arrow is displayed to provide guidance in an accurate traveling direction in accordance with the vehicle speed. be able to. The guidance arrow in the enlarged intersection view allows the user to confirm the traveling direction at the next intersection while the enlarged intersection view is displayed, and is thus effective even when the voice guidance is missed.

Also, it is very effective in an area where intersections are continuous over a short distance such as in Europe.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 5 is an overall configuration diagram of a vehicle navigation device showing an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a vehicle navigation device according to the present invention includes an input / output device 1 for inputting and outputting information relating to route guidance, a current position detection device 2 for detecting or receiving information relating to the current position of the own vehicle, a route, Information storage device 3 in which navigation data necessary for calculation of information, display / voice guidance data necessary for route guidance, and programs (OS and / or applications) are stored, and display required for route search processing and route guidance. / Perform voice guidance processing,
It comprises a central processing controller 4 for controlling the entire system. First, each configuration will be described.

The input / output device 1 performs a navigation process according to the user's will so that the user can input a destination or output guidance information from at least one of a voice and / or a screen when necessary. It has a function of instructing the central processing controller 4 and printing out the processed data and the like. As means for realizing the function, the input unit includes a touch switch 11 and an operation switch for inputting a destination as a telephone number or coordinates on a map, and for requesting route guidance. Of course, an input device such as a remote controller may be used.

The output unit displays input data on a screen or automatically displays route guidance on a screen in response to a user's request, and stores data and information processed by the central processing control unit 4. A printer 13 for printing out data stored in the device 3 and a speaker 16 for outputting route guidance by voice are provided. Here, a voice recognition device for enabling voice input and a recording card reader for reading data recorded on an IC card or a magnetic card can be added. Further, a data communication device for exchanging data with an information source such as a personal computer in which user-specific data such as map data and destination data are stored in advance can be added.

The display 12 is composed of a color CRT or a color liquid crystal display, and is used for navigation such as a route setting screen, a section map screen, an intersection guide map screen based on map data and guidance data processed by the central processing controller 4. In addition to outputting all necessary screens in color display, buttons for setting route guidance, guiding during route guidance, and performing screen switching operations are displayed on this screen. In particular, the passing intersection information such as the passing intersection name is displayed in color in a pop-up on the section map screen at any time.

The display 12 is provided in the instrument panel near the driver's seat, and the user can confirm the current position of the vehicle by looking at the displayed map.
In addition, it is possible to obtain information on a route from now on. Further, the display 12 is provided with a touch switch (input device) 11 corresponding to the display of the function button, and is configured such that the above operation is executed based on a signal input by touching the button. Have been.
The input signal generating means including the button and the touch switch constitutes an input unit, but a detailed description thereof is omitted here.

The current position detecting device 2 is a device for detecting or receiving information relating to the current position of the vehicle, and an absolute direction sensor 24 composed of a geomagnetic sensor, etc., a relative direction sensor 2 composed of a steering sensor, a gyro, etc.
5. Distance sensor 2 for detecting running distance from the number of rotations of wheels
6. Consisting of a GPS receiving device 21 using a satellite navigation system (GPS) and a VICS receiving device 22 or a data transmitting / receiving device 23 as traffic information acquiring means, the VICS receiving device 22 multiplexes road traffic information by FM. The data transmission / reception device 23 is, for example, a mobile phone or a personal computer, and exchanges information necessary for navigation with a traffic information center (for example, ATIS) at the request of the user. Is what you do.

The information storage device 3 is an external storage device that stores a navigation program and data in an external storage medium such as a CD-ROM (hereinafter, simply referred to as a CD), an optical CD, an IC card, or the like. The navigation program includes a map drawing unit, a route search unit, a route guidance unit, a current position calculation unit,
It is composed of a destination setting operation control section, etc., and is composed of an application section that performs signal processing for navigation, an OS section, and the like. Here, a program for performing processing such as route search, display output control necessary for route guidance, and voice are provided. A program for performing voice output control necessary for guidance and data necessary for the program, and display information data necessary for route guidance and map display are stored. Data includes map data, intersection data, road data, various guidance data, etc.
All data necessary for navigation are stored.

More specifically, a program for setting a destination and a passing point based on position information from the current position detecting device 2 and an input signal from the input device 11 and executing a route search using searched road data, A program that converts the searched road data and executes the route search again when it deviates from, or a program for determining map drawing, map matching, audio output timing along the route and the content of the voice phrase, and A program that converts a traveling road into return data and stores the data, and when the departure point was previously selected as the destination, reads out the stored return data and changes the search cost to execute a route search. Are stored, and by driving the programs stored in the information storage device 3, each function of the navigation in the present invention is executed. That. That is, in the present embodiment, a program for realizing the functions of the present invention is stored in the information storage device 3 which is an external storage medium.

The central processing controller 4 includes a CPU 40 for executing various arithmetic processing, and a flash memory 41 for reading and storing programs from a CD of the information storage device 3. The flash memory 41 is for erasing an existing program at a time even if there is a change in the CD program. The ROM 42 stores a program (program reading means) for performing a program check and update process of the flash memory 41, and stores display information data necessary for route guidance and map display, and set point coordinates of a destination. , Road code No. A RAM 43 for temporarily storing the searched route guidance information and data being subjected to arithmetic processing is provided. Note that a program for performing the above-described update processing may be stored in an external storage device.

The program according to the present invention and other programs for executing navigation may all be stored in a CD-ROM which is an external storage medium, or a part or all of these programs may be stored in the ROM 42 of the main body. It may be stored. Various navigation functions are realized by inputting data and programs stored in the external storage medium as external signals to the central processing unit of the navigation apparatus main body and performing arithmetic processing.

Further, an image memory 44 in which image data used for displaying a screen on the display 12 is stored.
The image processor 45 extracts image data from the image memory 44 based on the display control signal from the U 40, performs image processing and outputs the image data to the display 12, the voice read from the RAM 43 based on the voice output control signal from the CPU 40, the phrase, An audio processor 46 that synthesizes a single sentence, sound, etc., converts it into an analog signal and outputs it to the speaker 16, a communication interface 47 that exchanges input / output data with a communication device, and a sensor signal of the current position detection device 2. And a clock 49 for writing the date and time in the internal diagnostic information.

In the central processing controller 4, when data acquired by each sensor of the current position detecting device 2 is fetched from the sensor input interface 48, the CPU 40 calculates the current position coordinates at regular intervals based on the data. , Is temporarily written into the RAM 43. The current position coordinates are obtained by performing a map matching process in consideration of detection errors of various data. The output values of the various sensors are constantly corrected. Here, route guidance is performed by screen display and voice output, and the user is able to select the presence or absence of voice output.

As described above, the navigation device is achieved by the above configuration, and reads the map information from the information storage device 3 based on the current position detected by the current position detection means and displays the map information on the display. Further, when a destination is input, a route from the current position to the destination is calculated by the central processing control device 4 and detected by the current position detecting device 2 (for example, a GPS receiving device, a relative direction sensor, a distance sensor). The route guidance is performed by tracking the current position.

For example, in the middle of a route having a long distance to the next intersection, in order to give the driver a sense of security that he / she is not deviating from the route, a photograph of the feature being passed is read from the photograph data file and displayed on the screen. Or projecting. Alternatively, the map data file is read, the guide map and the position of the vehicle are displayed, and the traveling position on the route is notified. Then, when the intersection is near, the intersection data file is read, and the intersection is drawn and output.

For example, if there is a road network consisting of intersection numbers I to VII and road numbers (1) to (14) as shown in FIG. 6, for example, as shown in FIG. Has the next road number (11) with the same start point, has the next road number (4) with the same end point, the intersection is the intersection number II, the end is the intersection number I, the node column pointer A000, the road Length 1
000m. In this way, the road number can be sequentially defined, and the road network can be defined.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing data related to intersections. As shown in FIG. 7, for each intersection, an intersection number, intersection coordinates (East / North latitude), connection road information, landmark (mark pattern) data address, The size etc. are attached. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a structure of road data according to the present invention. As shown in FIG.
For each road, for example, as shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 8, each of road numbers (1) to (14) has a length, road attribute data, shape data address, size, guidance data address, and size. I have.

Further, the above-mentioned road attribute data includes, for example, data on an overpass, an underpass, an underpass, an underpass, and the like on an overpass / underpass, and three or more lanes related to the number of lanes, two lanes, one lane, and center. It has data such as no line. The road name data includes, for example, a road type and a type number, and the road type includes an expressway, an urban highway,
Toll roads and general roads are divided into national roads, prefectural roads, and other roads. The expressway is "1" if it is a main line, and "2" if it is an attachment (branch road) connected to the next road. And The numbers are given below.

Furthermore, the above-mentioned cautionary data include railroad crossings, tunnel entrances, tunnel exits, width reduction points, none,
Etc. The travel guidance data includes, for example, from the right, from the left, from the center, and none. Next, a basic processing method of navigation will be described.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the basic processing of navigation according to the present invention. First, the current position detected by the current position detection device 2 is detected (step S1).
1). Next, a destination input process is performed (step S1).
2). The destination input process can be performed, for example, on a menu screen displayed from the input device. Alternatively, the input can be made by telephone number.

Next, a process for searching for a route to the destination is performed based on the current position detected by the current position detection process and the destination input by the destination input process (step S13). More specifically, a node on the road closest to the coordinates of the input destination is calculated. A route search process is performed on the route from the current position to the calculated node based on search conditions (for example, the shortest distance, the shortest time, the priority of a toll road, the ease of traveling, and the like). Next, according to the route searched by the route search processing, route guidance is executed based on the movement of the current position from the detection result of the current position detecting means (for example, GPS, gyro sensor, distance sensor, etc.) (step S14). ).

FIG. 1 is a diagram (part 1) showing guidance of a continuous intersection in a vehicle navigation system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1A, after the vehicle 51 travels on the road 52 and turns right at the intersection A in front, the vehicle continuously turns left at the next intersection B at a distance of, for example, 150 m to 300 m. , The route to the destination 55,
When the vehicle 51 travels on the road 52 and reaches a predetermined distance from the preceding intersection A, as shown in FIG. 1B, the traveling direction at the next continuous intersection B is provided at one corner on the intersection enlarged view,
Here, the left turn guidance is displayed by the guidance arrow 58. In addition, 53 and 54 are roads serving as routes, 56 is a position display mark of the vehicle 51, and 57 is a guide arrow accompanying the progress of the vehicle 51.

With this configuration, the driver can recognize the information of the traveling direction at the next continuous intersection B before reaching the intersection A, so that the driver has already turned to the next road 53 at the time of turning at the intersection A. It is possible to know exactly which course of the course you will be able to drive to your destination, and you can drive smoothly. FIG. 2 is a diagram (part 2) illustrating guidance of a continuous intersection in the vehicle navigation device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Here, as shown in FIG. 2A, after the vehicle 61 travels on the road 62 and turns left at the intersection C in front of the vehicle, the vehicle 61 continuously travels at a distance of, for example, 150 m to 300 m. In the case of turning right at the intersection D and reaching the destination 65, when the vehicle reaches a predetermined distance from the intersection C in front, FIG.
As shown in (b), a traveling direction at the next successive intersection D, here, a right-turn guidance arrow 68 is displayed at one corner of the enlarged intersection. 63, 64
Is a road serving as a route, 66 is a position display mark of the vehicle 61,
Reference numeral 67 denotes a guide arrow accompanying the progress of the vehicle 61.

FIG. 3 is a view (part 3) showing guidance of a continuous intersection in the vehicle navigation system according to the embodiment of the present invention. Here, as shown in FIG. 3 (a), after the vehicle 71 proceeds on the road 72 and turns right at the intersection E in front, the next intersection F is continuously, for example, at a distance of 150 m to 300 m. There is, but this intersection F goes straight,
In the case of the route to the destination 75, when a predetermined distance from the preceding intersection E is reached, as shown in FIG. 3B, the traveling direction at the next continuous intersection F Here, a straight guide arrow 78 is displayed. Reference numerals 73 and 74 denote roads serving as routes, reference numeral 76 denotes a position display mark of the vehicle 71, and reference numeral 77 denotes a guide arrow accompanying the progress of the vehicle 71.

FIG. 12 is a view (part 4) illustrating a guidance device for a continuous intersection in a vehicle navigation system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Here, as shown in FIG. 12A, the vehicle 101 travels on the road 102, turns right at the intersection G in front of the vehicle 101, and has no continuous intersection. That is, the distance to the next intersection N is considerably large. If at least the distance from the preceding intersection to the next intersection exceeds 300 m, no guide arrow is displayed at one corner of the enlarged view of the intersection as shown in FIG. Here, 103 and 104 are roads serving as routes, 10
5 is a position display mark of the vehicle 101, 110 is the vehicle 101
It is a guide arrow accompanying the progress of.

When the section distance is 150 m or less, two intersections may be displayed simultaneously.
It should be noted that the intersection guide map is not a simple road map, but is a diagram for clarifying the guidance at the intersection. Therefore, it is not suitable to simultaneously display a wide range of roads. However, at an intersection where guidance is required, it is necessary to accurately represent the traveling direction at the intersection. Therefore, control can be performed so that the size of the intersection guide map is changed and displayed as necessary.

The operation of guiding a continuous intersection in the vehicle navigation system will be described below with reference to FIG. (1) First, an enlarged view of an intersection is created (Step S)
1). (2) Next, guide information is acquired (step S2). (3) Next, it is determined whether or not the intersection to be guided is continuous. For example, the distance between intersections is 150m to 300m
m is determined (step S3).

(4) Next, in step S3, YE
In the case of S, the direction of the guide arrow is determined from the traveling direction at the next intersection (step S4). (5) Then, the traveling direction at the next intersection is overwritten on one corner on the enlarged view of the intersection (step S5). (6) Next, an enlarged view of the intersection is displayed (step S).
6). That is, FIG. 1 (b), FIG. 2 (b) or FIG. 3 (b) is created.

In the case of NO in step S3, that is, when the intersections to be guided are not continuous,
Of course, the direction of the guide arrow at the second intersection is not shown. In this way, in order to guide successive intersections in an easy-to-understand manner, it is determined that the intersections are continuous, and the traveling direction of the next intersection is displayed on the enlarged view of the intersection by a guide arrow.

As a result, the intersection is continuous over a short distance, and the driver can easily confirm in advance that the next intersection is near and the traveling direction of the successive intersection. FIGS. 11 and 12 are diagrams showing screen transitions of a navigation system that provides route guidance using a section map and an intersection guide map. First, FIG. 11A is a section diagram showing a route to a destination and a map of the section. In this figure, a vehicle 101 travels on a road 102, turns right at an intersection M, travels on a road 103, turns left at an intersection N, and
FIG. 14 is a road map showing that there is a destination at a place where the vehicle travels on the intersection 04 and turns right at an intersection O. In this figure, the section map is a road map, but a simplified diagram showing route information such as a turning direction and a distance may be displayed.

First, the vehicle 101 travels, and at a point X a predetermined distance before a guidance intersection M, which is an intersection requiring guidance,
The screen is switched to the intersection guide map as shown in FIG. Next, when the passage of the guide intersection M is confirmed, the display is switched to the intersection guide map of the guide intersection N (FIG. 11C). this is,
Since the distance between the guidance intersection M and the guidance intersection N is within a predetermined distance (for example, 300 m), the switching at the point Y that is a predetermined distance before the confirmation of the passage of the guidance intersection M is reached. It is. Therefore, the intersection guide map is displayed continuously.

Next, when it is confirmed that the vehicle has passed the guidance intersection N,
Since the distance to the next guidance intersection O is equal to or longer than the predetermined distance, the display returns to the section diagram display as shown in FIG.
This figure shows the vehicle 10 after passing through the guidance intersection N.
1 shows a road map in which the vehicle 1 travels on the road 104 on the route and travels toward the guidance intersection O. Next, at a point Z that is a predetermined distance before the guidance intersection O, the display is switched to the intersection guide map shown in FIG. Finally, after confirming the passage at the guidance intersection O, the vehicle returns to the road map display as a section map, tracks the position of the vehicle, and guides the vehicle to the destination.

As is apparent from the above-described drawing, the guide arrows 57, 67,
77 is displayed in bold, and the guide arrows 58, 68, 78 indicating the traveling direction of the continuous intersection are thinner than the guide arrows displayed at the preceding intersection, and are the guide arrows indicating the traveling direction of the next intersection. To be clear. With this configuration, it is possible to order the display of the traveling direction at the preceding intersection and the traveling direction of the next intersection,
It is possible to prevent the traveling direction at the preceding intersection from being confused with the traveling direction at the next intersection. That is, the recognition order of the display can be clarified.

In addition, on a road where the vehicle speed is different, such as a highway and a general road, a continuous guidance arrow is displayed by changing the distance for determining whether or not the vehicle is a continuous intersection, so that an accurate guidance in accordance with the actual operating speed can be obtained. Guidance of the traveling direction of a continuous intersection can be provided. For example, on a general road, the distance determined as a continuous intersection is about 300 m, but on a highway, the vehicle speed is large, and thus, for example, the determination distance is about 1 km.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, in a device that calculates a route to a destination and provides guidance, guidance is provided in front of the intersection only when it is determined that guidance is necessary instead of performing guidance at each intersection. Output. Here, the intersection requiring guidance includes, for example, a turning point, a branch point, or an intersection having a complicated shape. By performing such control, output of excessive information can be suppressed, and the driver can easily acquire only information that really needs attention.

Further, in the apparatus for performing such control, in order to indicate the shape and the traveling direction of the intersection at a predetermined distance before the guidance intersection, which is an intersection requiring guidance, based on the information of the intersection, An intersection guide map is created and displayed on the display device. The screen transition when such control is performed is as shown in FIG. That is, normally, the section map [FIG. 12 (a)] is displayed, the intersection guide map [FIG. 12 (b)] is displayed a predetermined distance before the guidance intersection, and when it is detected that the vehicle has passed this guidance intersection, Is displayed on the display screen of the section. Here, the section map corresponds to a road map, a simplified diagram of a route connecting between guidance intersections, and the like. By displaying the intersection guide map in this way,
The driver can accurately recognize the position of the guidance intersection where the course must be determined, and can recognize the next road to be driven at this guidance intersection.
By displaying the intersection guide map at the guidance intersection, it is possible to accurately guide the traveling direction at the next guidance intersection.

However, when a plurality of guidance intersections are present in succession, the intersection guidance map is displayed because the next guidance intersection exists within a predetermined distance even after passing the first guidance intersection. , And only the intersection guide map is displayed continuously without displaying the section map. For this reason, if the distance between the guidance intersections is short, the course cannot be changed and the vehicle may pass by. Therefore, based on the route information, the continuity of the guidance intersection is determined, and when the guidance intersection is continuous, at the same time as the creation of the intersection guide map, the next traveling direction is read out as a part of the intersection guide map. By displaying, even when the guidance intersections are continuous, the route can be grasped reliably.

Further, in the case where guidance intersections are continuous, information on the next guidance intersection can be displayed on the intersection guide map as described above, so that the next guidance information can be reliably recognized. Since it is possible to recognize that the next guide point is near, before the intersection guide map of the next guide intersection is output, for example, in the case of a right turn, move to the right turn lane, Can travel in preparation for the next travel, such as moving to a lane entering an expressway, so that the driver can drive with plenty of time.

Further, in the navigation of the type in which guidance is provided by a simplified diagram showing a route, it is not possible to visually confirm the overall outline of the route in advance. It is difficult to make a prediction because it cannot be considered. FIGS. 13 and 14 are diagrams showing screen transitions for guiding the route as shown in FIG. 12A as a section diagram with a simplified route diagram.

First, FIG. 13 (a) shows a state in which the vehicle 101 is traveling on the road 102, is traveling on XXX street, and turns right at the guidance intersection M 2 km ahead. ing. In addition, what is displayed on the left is
The current time, the required time to the destination, the direction of the destination, and the distance to the destination, which change according to traveling. Next, the vehicle 101 travels and switches to the intersection guide map as shown in FIG. 13B at a point X that is a predetermined distance before the guidance intersection M which is an intersection requiring guidance. In this figure, the guidance intersection M
And the guide intersection N exist within a predetermined distance, it is determined that they are continuous, and an arrow indicating the traveling direction at the guide intersection N is displayed on the upper left of the screen in the intersection guide map of the guide intersection M. . Then, the next intersection that has been guided is shown in FIG.
As shown in (c), the vehicle turns left.

Next, when the passage of the guidance intersection M is confirmed,
The display is switched to the intersection guide map of the guidance intersection N continuously. Next, when the passage of the guidance intersection N is confirmed, the distance to the next guidance intersection O is greater than or equal to the predetermined distance.
The display returns to the display of the section diagram as shown in FIG. Next, at a point Z that is a predetermined distance before the guidance intersection O, the display is switched to the intersection guide map shown in FIG. Finally, after confirming the passage at the guidance intersection O, the section map is displayed again, and FIG.
As shown in (c), the user is informed that he or she will arrive at the destination in 1 km.

In particular, when the guidance information is displayed using a small monitor such as a radio or a vehicle control panel in order to reduce the price of the navigation device, a road map is displayed because the display screen is small. It is difficult to do. Therefore, in order to guide the route, in a simplified section diagram showing the distance to the guidance intersection and the traveling direction there as the minimum necessary information, it is not possible to display the intersection guidance map a predetermined distance before the guidance intersection. This is very effective because the position of the guidance intersection can be easily recognized. Further, when the guidance intersections are continuous, the guidance information at the next guidance intersection is controlled so as to be superimposed and displayed on a part of the intersection guide map. Even if the guide map is switched, the previous guide intersection can be dealt with with a margin.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible based on the spirit of the present invention, and these are not excluded from the scope of the present invention.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram (part 1) illustrating a guidance device for a continuous intersection in a vehicle navigation device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram (part 2) illustrating a guidance device for a continuous intersection in the vehicle navigation device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram (part 3) illustrating a guidance device for a continuous intersection in the vehicle navigation device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of guidance for a continuous intersection in the vehicle navigation device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an overall configuration diagram of a vehicle navigation device showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a definition of a road network of the navigation device according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of intersection data of the navigation device according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a road network and a route search of the navigation device according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of road data of the navigation device according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a basic processing flow of navigation according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a screen transition of a navigation system that performs route guidance using a section map and an intersection guide map (part 1).

FIG. 12 is a diagram (part 2) illustrating a screen transition of the navigation system that performs route guidance using the section map and the intersection guide map.

FIG. 13 is a diagram (part 1) illustrating a screen transition for providing guidance in a simplified diagram of a route as a section map.

FIG. 14 is a diagram (part 2) illustrating a screen transition for providing guidance in a simplified diagram of a route as a section diagram.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 1 input / output device 2 current position detecting device 3 information storage device 4 central processing control device 11 touch switch 12 display 13 printer 16 speaker 21 GPS receiving device 22 VICS receiving device 23 data transmitting / receiving device 24 absolute direction sensor 25 relative direction sensor 26 distance sensor 40 CPU 41 Flash memory 42 ROM 43 RAM 44 Image memory 45 Image processor 46 Audio processor 47 Communication interface 48 Sensor input interface 49 Clock 51, 61, 71, 81 Vehicle 52, 53, 54, 62, 63, 64, 72, 73 , 7
4 Roads (Routes) A, B, C, D, E, F Intersections 55, 65, 75 Destinations 56, 66, 76 Vehicle position indication marks 57, 67, 77 Guide arrows 58, 68, 78 Guide arrow showing the direction of travel at successive intersections

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Naokazu Ozaki 10 Takane, Fujii-machi, Anjo-shi, Aichi F-term in Aisin AW Co., Ltd. 2C032 HB22 HC08 HC21 HC24 HD04 HD16 HD17 2F029 AA02 AB01 AB07 AB13 AC01 AC02 AC04 AC09 AC11 AC13 AC14 AC16 AC18 AC19 AC20 AD01 AD07 5H180 AA01 BB04 BB05 BB12 BB13 CC01 CC12 EE18 FF05 FF13 FF14 FF22 FF24 FF25 FF32 FF33 FF35 FF38

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A guidance device for a continuous intersection in a vehicular navigation device, comprising: means for determining whether or not an intersection is continuous; and, if the intersection is continuous, advancing to the next intersection on an enlarged view of the preceding intersection. Means for displaying a direction with a guide arrow, and a guide device for a continuous intersection in a vehicle navigation device. 2. The guidance device for a continuous intersection in the vehicle navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the determination as to whether or not the intersection is continuous is based on a distance from the next intersection to the next intersection. A guidance device for a continuous intersection in a vehicle navigation device. 3. The guidance device for a continuous intersection in a vehicle navigation device according to claim 2, wherein the distance is changed between an expressway and a general road. 4. A navigation device that calculates a route to a destination and guides a route based on a section map and an intersection guide map, wherein an intersection guide map is generated based on data of a first guide intersection to be provided next. Display control means for creating, and display means for displaying the intersection guide map created by the display control means a predetermined distance before the intersection, the display control means further based on the route information, A vehicle navigation system comprising: calculating a traveling direction at a subsequent second guidance intersection; and adding information on the traveling direction at the second guidance intersection to a part of the guidance intersection to create an intersection guide map. apparatus. 5. The vehicle navigation device according to claim 4, wherein the display control means searches for route information and determines whether the first guidance intersection and the second guidance intersection are continuous. A vehicular navigation apparatus characterized in that information on the traveling direction of a second guidance intersection is superimposed only when it is determined that they are continuous.