JP2001147122A - Navigation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve operability for preserving locus data, and to thereby execute operation support effectively. SOLUTION: When a command of erasing processing is imputed, present position data are obtained and the present position at that time is stored in the first area of a ring buffer as a collection starting spot, and place name data are obtained as information of the starting spot, and the name of the starting spot is decided and set in a prescribed memory region. Collection of the locus data from the present position is newly stated by this erasing processing, and the locus data is stored in the ring buffer in company with running of a car.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a navigation apparatus which displays map information and a mark indicating the current position information in the map information to assist driving of a moving body such as an automobile. The present invention relates to a navigation device that stores track data of a route and displays the data.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional car navigation system,
GPS (Global Positioning Sy)
The current position is measured by a positioning means such as an air conditioner, and a map of the measured point is displayed, and the self-position that moves every moment is displayed on the map. Along with the display of the position, the trajectory of the passing route to the current position is displayed.

The track data is obtained by sequentially storing and collecting the measured current position data in a ring buffer memory having a fixed storage capacity at every fixed time or every movement of a certain distance. When the storage capacity of the buffer memory is exceeded, oldest track data is overwritten on new data in order, so that a fixed amount of track data is constantly collected. In the conventional display of the trajectory, the trajectory is displayed based on the trajectory data stored in the ring buffer memory. Therefore,
The trajectory of a certain area determined by the storage capacity of the ring buffer memory is displayed immediately before the current position of the traveling route.

[0004]

In the conventional display of a trajectory, only the trajectory of the traveled route is displayed. However, when using a car, the user frequently moves to various destinations, and often goes back to the destination where he or she once went. Normally, once you have traveled to a destination, even once you have been there, it is not easy to remember the path, and you need to travel several times before you can go to the destination without hesitation It is.

[0005] Also, in places where you only go occasionally, the memory of the route to the destination is lost, and even though you have been once, refer to the map before or during the destination. Therefore, it is necessary to check the route to the destination.

Accordingly, the present invention saves the travel route traveled in the past as trajectory data, and makes it possible to refer to the same destination again, for example, easily, so that the driving support is made effective. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a navigation device with improved operability for storing trajectory data.

[0007]

According to the present invention, there is provided a navigation apparatus for locating a current position of a moving body, a map information storing means for storing map information, A navigation device including a mark indicating a current position and a display unit that displays the map information, further including a trajectory collection unit that collects data of the current position and sets the trajectory data, wherein the trajectory collection unit includes:
It is characterized in that, in response to an input of an instruction to delete the collected track data, collection of track data of a new collection area is started.

[0008]

The navigation apparatus according to the present invention can start collection of the trajectory data of a new collection area by inputting an instruction to delete the currently collected trajectory data when collecting the trajectory data.

[0009] With this, even when the area of the locus data to be saved is designated, the number of operations can be reduced and the convenience can be improved, so that the driving of the moving body can be effectively supported.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a configuration diagram of an in-vehicle navigation device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the navigation apparatus according to the present embodiment receives a positioning radio wave to detect its own current position and detects the traveling direction of the vehicle by geomagnetism or a gyro. An azimuth sensor 21 as azimuth detecting means, a traveling sensor 22 for detecting a traveling state such as a vehicle speed and a traveling distance, a CD-ROM 23 as a database of map information, and a CD-ROM driver 24 for reading information from the CD-ROM 23 And a CRT (CathodeRay T) that displays a map and other information
ube) 25 and an operation switch 26 for inputting an operation
And a controller 27 for controlling the entire apparatus.

The GPS receiver 20 receives a radio signal from a satellite (GPS).
ng System) to generate current position data indicating latitude and longitude. Also, the direction sensor 2
1 and the travel sensor 22 constitute self-contained positioning means, and current position data indicating latitude and longitude is calculated from the detection signals by arithmetic means provided in the controller 27. These positioning means are configured to be used properly depending on the situation, or to be used together to increase the accuracy of the current position to be measured.

The controller 27 is an MPU (Microprocessor) for performing data processing and other various controls.
Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory) for storing MPU programs and other data, and RA
M (Random Access Memory), non-volatile RAM with battery backup, year / month /
The system is provided with a calendar clock as time measuring means for generating date / time data, an RS232C interface as data communication means with the outside, and various interfaces (not shown). The non-volatile RAM has a ring buffer for storing track data to be collected, a plurality of reference track data buffers for storing reference track data as track storage means, and an area of a track management table for managing the reference track buffer. Used.

In the above configuration, when the switch is turned on, the controller 27 serves as the current position display means.
The current position data is obtained by the receiver 20 or the azimuth sensor 21 and the travel sensor 22, and map information corresponding to the current position is stored in the CD-RO through the CD-ROM driver 24.
The information is read from M23, and the read map information and the current position mark are displayed on the CRT 25. Further, the current position data is periodically obtained, and the display of the current position mark and the current position map accompanying the movement of the own position is updated. Further, in response to an input instruction from the operation switch 26, various information other than the map is read from the CD-ROM 23 or the ROM and displayed on the CRT 25. Also, the controller 27
Performs a process related to a trajectory as a trajectory collection unit, a trajectory display unit, a trajectory management unit, and a trajectory storage unit. Hereinafter, the processing regarding the trajectory will be described.

In the processing as the trajectory collecting means, the controller 27 obtains the current position data from the positioning means at regular time intervals or at regular distances during traveling, as in the prior art, and stores the current position data in the ring buffer as trajectory data. The trajectory data is collected and stored in a state where feature points such as curved intersections are extracted from the current position data and compressed. As a result, long-distance trajectory data can be stored. The trajectory data stored in the ring buffer is used in processing as trajectory display means as in the related art. That is, in the process as the trajectory display means, the trajectory data stored in the ring buffer is used to display the current position and the trajectory of the passing route immediately before the current position on the screen. In the present embodiment, the trajectory display when displaying the current position is distinguished as “normal display”, and the trajectory display irrelevant to the current position is distinguished as “reference display” of the trajectory. In the process as the trajectory display means, the trajectory display pointer is managed, and the trajectory of the "normal display" and the "reference display" are displayed by the trajectory data indicated by the trajectory display pointer.

Next, the processing as the trajectory management means will be described. FIG. 2 shows a processing flowchart in which the controller 27 operates as a trajectory management unit. Various processes of the trajectory are started by inputting an instruction from the operation switch 26. As shown in the flowchart, when there is an instruction input of the trajectory processing, the controller 27 displays a menu and prompts the user to select each processing (step S1).
0). The controller 27 checks the input after the menu display, switches the reference display to the normal display according to the input instruction (step S11), the reference display processing of the trajectory (step S12), and internally stores the trajectory data (step S12). One of the following processes is performed: Step S13), trajectory data erasing process (Steps S14 and S15), and reference trajectory place name editing process (Step S16). In addition, the controller 27 performs external storage processing of the reference trajectory data via the RS232C interface and externally inputs the reference trajectory data.

First, the trajectory data erasing process will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, when an erasing process instruction is input, the trajectory data erasing process stored in the ring buffer is performed.
That is, a process of setting the trajectory data collection start flag and initializing the start pointer and the current position pointer of the ring buffer is performed (step S14). Next, while obtaining the current position data and storing the current position at that time as the collection start point in the first area of the ring buffer,
The place name data is obtained as the information of the start point, the name of the start point is determined, and set in a predetermined storage area (step S15). A method for obtaining the place name data will be described later.
By this erasing process, the collection of the locus data from the current position is newly started, and the locus data is stored in the ring buffer as the vehicle travels.

Next, the internal storage processing of the locus data will be described. FIG. 3A shows a flowchart of the internal storage processing of the locus data. As shown in the flowchart, when there is an instruction input for the internal storage processing of the trajectory data, the controller 27 sets the current position at that time as the collection end point, obtains the place name data of the collection end point as information of the end point, and obtains the name. The name of the point is used (step S20). Further, date information and time information are obtained from the calendar clock (steps S21 and S22). Then, the obtained information is stored in the reference trajectory buffer designated as the trajectory data collection area information, and the trajectory data stored in the ring buffer is transferred to a predetermined area of the reference trajectory buffer and stored. Then, management information such as the management number and the storage location of the stored reference trajectory data is recorded in the trajectory management table. The trajectory data stored in the reference trajectory buffer is shown in FIG.
As shown in (b), it is composed of a trajectory management table and a reference trajectory data buffer. The trajectory management table stores an ID indicating a storage number, a length (data amount) of trajectory data, a collection time and a collection date, collection area information including a start place name and an end place name, and stored in a reference trajectory data buffer. The address pointer of the trajectory data is stored for each collection area. Reference trajectory data is stored in the reference trajectory data buffer for each collection area.

For obtaining the above-mentioned start place name and end place name
To explain, the acquired place name data is CD-RO
Municipality name in map information recorded in M23
Uses the figure name. In FIG. 4A, the municipal name is used.
FIG. 4 (b) is an explanatory diagram of the method when using
An explanatory diagram in the case of use is shown. Place to use city name
In this case, for example, as shown in FIG.
At the end of the track data collection end point (x)
And the coordinates of the collection end point (x),
Display position of each municipal name (y, z) displayed on the map
Distance to coordinates (l ₁, L_Two), And the collection end point
The name of the municipalities closest to (x) (Tokorozawa
City) is selected. Also recorded on the CD-ROM 23
Map information, data is formed in display image units (figure leaves)
Each of the displayed images has a leaf name (FIG. 4B).
In the example shown in (1), northern Kawagoe and southern Kawagoe are added. So
For example, in the case of using the leaf name of
As shown in (b), the collection end point of the locus data
The leaf name of the displayed image (South Kawagoe in the example shown) was selected.
You.

Next, the trajectory reference display processing will be described. FIG. 5A shows a flowchart of the trajectory reference display processing. As shown in the flowchart, when the reference display is input, the controller 27 displays a list table of the stored reference trajectories according to the management data stored in the trajectory management table, and displays the trajectory desired by the user. (Step S30). FIG. 5B shows a display example of a reference trajectory list table. Next, when there is an instruction input for selecting a trajectory to be displayed for reference, the address of the reference trajectory buffer storing the selected trajectory is obtained from the trajectory management table, and the trajectory display pointer is set (steps S31 and S32). ). Then, the processing as the trajectory display means is started (step S33). As a result, the controller 27 starts processing as a trajectory display means, and displays a map of the starting point of the reference trajectory and a trajectory from the starting point. Further, the display of the map and the locus is updated by inputting the instruction. In order to return to the normal display from the reference display state, as shown in FIG. 2, a menu is displayed, the normal display is selected, and an instruction is input, whereby the locus display pointer is set to the current position point of the ring buffer. (Step S11) Normal display is performed.

Next, the place name editing process will be described. In FIG.
4 shows a flowchart of a place name editing process. As shown in the flowchart, when an instruction to edit a place name is input, the controller 27 displays a list table of the stored reference trajectories according to the management data stored in the trajectory management table, and displays the list of the displayed reference trajectories. The user is prompted to select a place name to be changed from the start place name and the end place name (steps S40, S40).
1). When there is a selection input of a place name to be changed, the reference locus buffer to which the selected place name belongs and the storage address of the selected place name therein are obtained and stored (step S4).
2). Next, the user is prompted to input a changed place name and manages the input of the place name (step S43). Then, when the changed place name is inputted, the storage address of the selected place name is
The input place name is stored and rewritten (step S
44). This completes the change of one place name.

Next, the process of storing the locus data to the outside and the process of inputting from outside will be described. The process of storing the locus data to the outside and the process of inputting from the outside are started when a command is input from a personal computer or the like via the RS232C interface. That is, the controller 2
When a command to save the trajectory data to the outside is input via the RS232C interface, the data 7 sequentially outputs the data stored in the reference trajectory buffer via the RS232C interface. When an input command for reference trajectory data is input from the outside, reference trajectory data input via the RS232C interface is stored in a predetermined reference trajectory buffer for each reference trajectory.

As described above, in the navigation apparatus of the present embodiment, when there is an instruction to save, the trajectory data collected during traveling is saved as reference trajectory data, and when there is an instruction to display a reference, the designated reference trajectory is displayed. The data is being displayed. Thereby, for example, when frequently going to a new destination, it is possible to easily and repeatedly refer to the trajectory of the first time until the user gets used to the route, which is useful for quickly learning the route. In addition, even at destinations that occasionally go, the trajectory of the trip once is stored in a laptop personal computer or the like,
When the user goes again, the user can input the trajectory data from the personal computer, and can display and refer to the travel route at the time of the previous travel, which is very effective in supporting driving to the destination.

In the above embodiment, the reference data buffer may not be provided inside the navigation device, but the trajectory data may be directly outputted from the ring buffer to the outside and stored. The means for storing the locus data to the outside may be configured to include an external storage means such as a rewritable magneto-optical disk device or an IC card device.

[0025]

As described above, in the navigation device of the present invention, when collecting the trajectory data, by inputting an instruction to delete the currently collected trajectory data, the trajectory data of the new collection area is obtained. Since the collection can be started, the number of operations can be reduced to specify the area of the trajectory data to be saved, the convenience can be improved, and the driving of the moving object can be effectively supported.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an in-vehicle navigation device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a processing flowchart of trajectory management in the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of a trajectory storing process and a structure of stored data in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a point name acquisition in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a trajectory reference display process and a display example of a reference trajectory table according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a processing flowchart of place name editing in the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 20 GPS receiver 21 Direction sensor 22 Running sensor 23 CD-ROM 24 CD-ROM driver 25 CRT 26 Operation switch 27 Controller

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A navigation system comprising: a current position measuring means for measuring a current position of a moving object; a map information storing means for storing map information; and a display means for displaying the mark indicating the current position and the map information. The apparatus further includes a trajectory collection unit that collects the data of the current position and sets the trajectory data, wherein the trajectory collection unit is configured to generate a trajectory data of a new collection area in response to a deletion instruction input of the collected trajectory data. A navigation device for starting collection. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said trajectory collection means stores trajectory data in which an area from the erasure instruction input to said storage instruction input is a collection area in response to a storage instruction input of the collected trajectory data. The navigation device according to claim 1. 3. The navigation device according to claim 2, wherein a place name corresponding to the collection area is stored together.