JP2002243475A - Navigation system and method of designating avoidance region - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a navigation system by which an avoidance region can be set accurately and easily, and to provide a method of designating the avoidance region. SOLUTION: The navigation system 1 is constituted in such a way that, when a region to be avoided in the search of a route is set, the avoidance region can be designated not only by designating the avoidance region by a one-dimensionally indicated point but also by a two-dimensionally spread plane (an area) or a line connecting two points.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to the detection and a navigation device and avoidance area designation method for performing route guidance to the destination from the current location to location.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a navigation device has a GPS.
(Global Positioning Systems) Based on information detected by an autonomous navigation sensor included in a navigation device and map data recorded in a recording device of the navigation device, a current position is detected by receiving a signal transmitted from a satellite. The current position of the vehicle is displayed on the map on the navigation screen by matching the current position of the vehicle with the road shape of the map data. Then, when the user inputs a destination, a route search is performed based on the detected current position and the input destination, and the searched route is displayed on a map on the navigation screen to guide the user to the destination. Is going.

Some of such navigation devices can acquire various types of road traffic information using a VICS (road traffic information communication system) or the like. Alternatively, the user can acquire various road traffic information from a radio, a traffic sign, or the like. Therefore, when performing a route search from the current location to the destination, the user can set a traffic congestion point as an avoidance area in advance and perform a route search that does not pass through the traffic congestion point based on the obtained various road traffic information. .

FIG. 8 shows a conventional avoidance area setting method.
It is a figure showing the example of a display screen in which the avoidance area was set. FIG.
As shown in (2), the area to be avoided is set for each point with a cross. The route indicated by a broken line is a route searched when avoidance is not set, and the route indicated by a thick line is a route searched around the avoidance area. in this way,
The navigation device recognizes the set point as an avoidance area, performs a route search while avoiding the point, and displays a guidance route.

[0005]

However, in such a conventional navigation device, the area to be avoided can be set only for each point. Therefore, when the avoidance area is set over a wide range, There is a problem that it is necessary to set a plurality of points, which is very troublesome. In addition, there is an upper limit to the number of avoidance points that can be set, and usually only a few avoidance points can be set. Therefore, the range that can be set as the avoidance area is limited.

Further, since the setting method is point-by-point, even if a plurality of points are set, the avoidance area cannot be completely covered, and there is a problem that a bypass that passes through the area to be avoided is created as a guidance route.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a navigation apparatus and an avoidance area designating method which can set an avoidance area accurately and easily.

[0008]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
In a navigation device (for example, the navigation device 1 shown in FIG. 1) that searches for a route from a current position to a destination and displays the route on a map screen to guide the route, an object to be avoided when searching for the route Avoidance area designating means (for example, the input unit 13 shown in FIG. 1) for designating an area to be represented by an area indicated by a two-dimensional plane, and recognizing an area designated by the avoidance area designating means as an avoidance area, Route searching means for searching for a route that does not include the avoidance area (for example, the CPU 11 executing the processing shown in step S304 in FIG. 4).

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a navigation device that searches for a route from a current position to a destination, displays the route on a map screen, and performs route guidance.
The avoidance area designating means designates an area to be avoided when searching for a route as an area indicated by a two-dimensional plane,
The route searching means recognizes a specified area by avoiding the area specifying unit as the avoidance area, for searching for a route that does not include the avoidance area, even when the user is to set an avoidance region in a wide range, the avoidance area by area Because it can be specified, it takes less time and effort. Further, by specifying the area, not completely cover want to avoid area, without creating a loophole through the region as a navigation route to be avoided during the route search, it searches for a guide route which avoids the accurately avoidance area.

A second aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first aspect of the present invention, the avoidance area designating means designates an area on the map screen.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the avoidance area designating means designates an area on the map screen, the user can accurately set the avoidance area while viewing the map screen.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the avoiding area designating means designates an area by a place name.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the avoidance area designating means designates an area by a place name.
For example, when traffic congestion information is transmitted by a place name in radio congestion information or the like, an avoidance area can be accurately set even if the location is not known.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a navigation device for searching for a route from a current position to a destination, displaying the route on a map screen, and performing route guidance, wherein at least two areas to be avoided are defined. The avoidance line designating means (for example, the input unit 13 shown in FIG. 1) which designates a line connected by a point, the line designated by the avoidance line designating means and the map data are compared, and the designated line is determined. If there is a corresponding road, a route search unit that recognizes the specified line as an avoidance area and searches for a route that does not include the avoidance area (for example, step S30 in FIG. 4)
And a CPU 11) for executing the processing shown in FIG.

According to the invention as claimed in claim 4, searches for a route from the current position to the destination, the navigation apparatus for performing route guidance by displaying the route on a map screen,
The avoidance line designating means designates the area to be avoided by a line connecting at least two points, and the route search means compares the line designated by the avoidance line designating means with the map data and designates the designated area. If there is a road corresponding to the line, the specified line is recognized as an avoidance area, and a route that does not include the avoidance area is searched. Set the road you want to avoid as an avoidance area,
A guidance route that does not include the avoidance area can be searched.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. 1 to 7 are diagrams showing an embodiment of a navigation device 1 to which the present invention is applied.

First, the configuration will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of a navigation device 1 according to the present embodiment. In FIG 1, the navigation device 1, CPU 11, the position detection unit 12, input unit 13, display unit 14, a memory 15, the traffic information reception unit 16 is configured to include a storage device 17 such as these units by a bus It is connected.

The CPU 11 reads and executes various system programs stored in the storage device 17, and controls the driving of each section of the navigation device 1. Further, based on data input via the position detection unit 12, the input unit 13, and the like, various application programs for navigation stored in the storage device 17 are read, and the current position recognition processing, the route search processing, the avoidance area, and the like. Various processes such as a setting process, an avoidance line setting process, and an avoidance route search process are executed, and the processing result is displayed on the display unit 14.

More specifically, the CPU 11 has a storage device 17
Based on the avoidance area setting processing program, the avoidance line setting processing program, and the avoidance route search processing program stored in
An avoidance line setting process (FIG. 3) and an avoidance route search process (FIG. 4) are executed.

In this avoidance area setting process, the CPU
When an instruction to set an avoidance area is input from the user, the user 11 inputs whether or not to designate an avoidance area in an area. Here, the area refers to a two-dimensionally extending plane, the line refers to a two-dimensional line connected by two points, and the point refers to a point indicated in one dimension.

Subsequently, when the avoidance area is specified by the area, the user is asked to specify whether to specify the area on the map or the place name. When specifying an area on the map, CPU1
1 allows a user to input a point that is the center of an area on a map of a navigation screen displayed on the display unit 14 to be described later, and to input a predetermined distance from the input point. Then, using the input distance as the radius,
Setting the area surrounded by the circle around the point as avoidance area.

[0022] On the other hand, if you want to specify the area in the place name, C
The PU 11 displays the place name on the display unit 14 and prompts the user to input the place name of the target area. And
The set map or the area set by the place name is stored in the memory 16 described later as the avoidance area.

The avoidance line setting process is executed when the avoidance area is not specified by the area in the avoidance area setting process. In this avoidance line setting process, the CPU 11 prompts the user to specify whether or not to designate the avoidance area by a line. Next, when the avoidance area is designated by a line, the avoidance start point and the avoidance end point are input on the map of the navigation screen displayed on the display unit 14.

Then, map matching is performed by comparing a line connecting two points with an actual road stored in the map data. If there is a road corresponding to the line, this line is stored in the memory 16 as an avoidance area. Note that, when the user inputs an instruction not to specify the avoidance area by a line, the CPU 11 causes the user to designate the avoidance area using a normal point.

Further, in the avoidance route search processing, the CP
When a user inputs a route search instruction, U11 determines whether or not an avoidance setting has been made. If the avoidance setting has been made, data of the avoidance area is acquired from the memory 16 and a route search not including the set avoidance area is executed. Then, the searched guidance route is displayed on the navigation screen of the display unit 14. Incidentally, if not avoidance setting, CPU 11 displays the guide route which is searched on the navigation screen of the display unit 14 performs the ordinary route search.

The position detecting section 12 is provided with a GPS antenna, an angle sensor, a distance sensor, and the like. The GPS antenna receives a GPS signal transmitted from a GPS satellite, and detects a vehicle based on the received GPS signal. Get absolute location information (latitude, longitude). The angle sensor detects the angular velocity of the vehicle (the angle of rotation in the horizontal direction per unit time) and calculates the amount of change in the moving azimuth.

The distance sensor detects a pulse signal output in accordance with the rotation of the wheel, and calculates the moving distance of the vehicle. Then, a relative position change of the vehicle is calculated based on the angular velocity signal and the vehicle speed pulse signal. Position detection unit 12 outputs the current position information indicating the accurate present position of the vehicle from absolute location information and the relative position change of the vehicle to the CPU 11.

The input unit 13 includes character keys, numeric keys, search keys, and various keys associated with various functions such as navigation, and outputs an operation signal for the operated key to the system controller 101. The input unit 13 may include a pointing device such as a touch panel and an input device such as a remote controller.

The display unit 14 is composed of a color liquid crystal display or the like.
The navigation display information input from the PU 11 is displayed.

The memory 15 includes a RAM, a ROM, and the like, and forms a work area for temporarily storing various programs executed by the CPU 11 and data relating to the various programs. For example, the avoidance area, the avoidance line, and the like set by the user in the avoidance area setting process and the avoidance line setting process executed by the CPU 11 are temporarily stored in the memory 15.

The traffic information receiving section 16 receives various types of road traffic information transmitted from a VICS (road traffic information communication system), such as traffic congestion, construction, regulations, and accidents, using FM multiplex broadcasting, information beacons, and the like.

The storage device 17, the program includes a recording medium and data are stored in advance (not shown), in the recording medium, the navigation device 1 of various applications executed by the CPU 11, and these programs storing data or the like related to. For example, the recording medium, the current position recognizing processing for performing the process,
Various programs, such as an avoidance area setting process, an avoidance line setting process, and an avoidance route search process, as well as setting data in which various setting contents related to the route searched in the past and the operation of the navigation device 1 are recorded.

The storage device 19 includes a map database and the like (not shown). For example, the map database stores map data used for displaying navigation, and various symbol data such as roads, facilities, seas, and lakes.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. A program for realizing each function described in the flowcharts of FIGS. 2 to 4 shown below is stored in the storage device 17 in the form of a readable program code. Are sequentially executed. Also, a CD-RO not shown
It is also possible to execute an operation specific to this embodiment using a program / data externally supplied from the M, DVD-ROM control unit or the like.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the avoidance area setting processing executed by the CPU 11 of the navigation device 1 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 2, CPU 1
When an instruction to set an avoidance area is input from the user via the input unit 13 (step S101), the user 1 determines whether or not to perform designation in an area by making the user input. When the avoidance area is not specified by the area (step S10
2; No), the process proceeds to avoid line setting processing.

On the other hand, when the avoidance area is specified by the area (step S102; Yes), the CPU 11 prompts the user to specify whether to specify the area on a map or a place name. Then, when the avoidance area is specified on the map (step S103; Yes), the user inputs a point that is the center of the avoidance area on the map displayed on the navigation screen of the display unit 14. Then, by inputting a predetermined distance from this point, the input distance as a radius,
It recognizes the area enclosed by a circle around the point as avoidance region (step S104).

On the other hand, when the avoidance area is designated by the place name (step S103; No), the CPU 11
The place name is displayed on the navigation screen of No. 4, the user is prompted to enter the place name of the target area, and the area indicated by the inputted place name is recognized as the avoidance area (step S105).

Then, the CPU 11 stores the data of the area recognized as the avoidance area in the memory 16 (step S106), and ends the avoidance area setting processing.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an avoidance line setting process executed by the CPU 11 of the navigation device 1 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 3, the CPU 1
1 prompts the user to input whether or not to specify the avoidance area by a line. When the avoidance area is not specified by the line (Step S201; No), the avoidance area is designated by a normal point.

On the other hand, when the avoidance area is designated by a line (step S201; Yes), the avoidance start point is input on the map displayed on the navigation screen of the display unit 14 (step S202). A point is input (step S203). Subsequently, the CPU 11 compares the line connected by the designated two points with the actual road stored in the map data, performs map matching, and determines whether or not a road corresponding to the line exists. . By map matching,
Indeed there is a road that corresponds to the line, if the line is determined (step S204; Yes), confirmed this line as avoidance area, is stored in the memory 16.

On the other hand, if the line does not correspond to an actual road (step S204; No), it is determined that there is no road on the line connected by the two points, and
Returning to step S202, the point is designated again.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the avoidance route search processing executed by the CPU 11 of the navigation device 1 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 4, CPU 1
When a route search instruction is input by the user (step S301), 1 determines whether a circuit area has been set. If the avoidance area has not been set (step S302; No), a normal route search is performed (step S305).

On the other hand, when the avoidance region is set, CPU 11 includes an area data avoidance area from the memory 16, the line data or to obtain the point data, (step S202), the route search without the avoidance area Is performed (step S304). Then, the searched guidance route is displayed on the navigation screen of the display unit 14, and the avoidance route search process ends.

Referring to the diagrams shown in FIGS.
The avoidance area setting process and the avoidance line setting process will be described in more detail. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of an area designation screen that is executed in step S105 of the avoidance area setting process when an area is designated by a place name.

In FIG. 5, when an instruction to specify an area by a place name is given, various regions in Japan are displayed on the navigation screen. Here, for example,
When "Kanto" is selected, one prefecture and six prefectures in which Kanto is further divided by prefecture are displayed. Next, if “Tokyo” is selected from among them, Tokyo is further divided into 23 wards and 2
The display is divided into cities outside the three wards. And where
When "Chofu City" is selected, a town name which further divides Chofu City is displayed, and the user can designate "Sasu Town" as an area by selecting "Sasu Town".

Next, FIG. 6 is executed in step S104 of avoiding area setting processing is a diagram showing an example of area designation screen when performing area specification on the map. In FIG. 6, on the map in the navigation screen, a point which is the center point of the area is designated by × marks. And the radius that determines the size of the area is, for example,
Is input as "200m", around the × mark, a circle of radius 200m is displayed by a dotted line on the map, a range surrounded by the circle is designated as an area. Also, "200
m ”does not cover the area that will be the avoidance area,
For example, by inputting the radius as “400 m”, a wider range can be designated as the area.

[0047] FIG. 7, step S of avoidance line setting process
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a line designation screen when a line is designated by designating two points, which is executed in steps S202 to S204. In FIG. 7, when the avoidance start point is designated as “a” by the user and then the avoidance end point is designated as “b”, 2
A straight line connecting the two points is indicated by a dotted line. This line is compared with an actual road (solid line) stored in the map data to perform map matching. If a corresponding road exists, a line indicated by a dotted line is set as an avoidance area. .

As described above, according to the navigation apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, when setting an area to be avoided when performing a route search, not only is the avoidance area specified by a one-dimensional point, but also The configuration is such that the avoidance area can be specified by a two-dimensionally extending surface (area) or a line (line) connecting two points.

Therefore, even when it is desired to set the avoidance area in a wide range, the avoidance area can be easily set by designating the area, so that the user has the trouble of setting the avoidance area by individually specifying limited points. Saves time.
Furthermore, despite the specification of a plurality of points, without being completely cover the avoidance area, without creating a loophole through the area to be avoided as an inductive route, it can be set accurately avoidance area.

Further, since the area can be designated on the map on the navigation screen, the user can set the avoidance area accurately while looking at the navigation screen. Alternatively, since the area can be designated by the place name, for example, when the traffic congestion information is transmitted by the place name in radio congestion information or the like, the avoidance area can be accurately set even if the place is not known.

Further, since the avoidance area can be set by a line connecting two points, even if a specific road is congested due to road construction or the like, a road to be avoided by a simple operation is set as an avoidance area. Can be set.

Alternatively, by performing designation by area, designation by line, and designation by point together,
More detailed setting of the avoidance area can be performed.

The description in the present embodiment is an example of the navigation device according to the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in this embodiment, a line connecting two points has been described as a straight line. However, if there is a road that matches a curve connecting the two specified points, the road indicated by the curve is avoided. It can also be set as an area.

Alternatively, when an area is designated on the map on the navigation screen, the avoidance area is set by inputting a center point and a radius. However, for example, the area is navigated by a pointing device. It is also possible to specify by directly inputting on the map on the screen. Similarly, the line can be specified by directly inputting it on the map.

Further, the present invention is not limited to the in-vehicle navigation device, but may be, for example, a navigation device attached to a portable terminal or the like. In addition, the detailed configuration and detailed operation of the navigation device 1 according to the present embodiment can be appropriately changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0056]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, even if the user sets the avoidance area in a wide range, the user can specify the avoidance area by the area, so that the user can save time and effort.
In addition, by specifying the area, it is not possible to completely cover the area to be avoided, and it is possible to accurately search for a guidance route that avoids the avoidance area without creating a bypass that passes through the area to be avoided during route search.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the first aspect of the present invention, the user can accurately set the avoidance area while viewing the map screen.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the first aspect of the present invention, for example, when the traffic congestion information is transmitted by the place name in the radio congestion information or the like, the location is not known. However, the avoidance area can be set accurately.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, for example, even when a specific road is congested due to road construction or the like, a road to be avoided by a simple operation is set as an avoidance area, and a guidance route that does not include the avoidance area is set. Can be searched.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a navigation device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a flowchart showing an avoidance area setting processing executed by the CPU11 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an avoidance line setting process executed by a CPU 11 of FIG. 1;

4 is a flowchart showing an avoidance route search processing executed by the CPU11 of FIG.

5 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen in the area designation shown in step S105 of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen in the area designation shown in step S104 of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen in line designation shown in steps S202 to S204 of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen displaying the avoidance points set in the conventional avoidance area setting process and the searched route.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 navigation device 11 CPU 12 position detection unit 13 input unit 14 display unit 15 memory 16 traffic information reception unit 17 storage device

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on front page F term (reference) 2C032 HB02 HB05 HB22 HB23 HB24 HC08 HC14 HC15 HD16 HD30 2F029 AA02 AB01 AB05 AB07 AB13 AC02 AC04 AC09 AC14 AC19 5H180 AA01 BB02 BB04 BB13 CC12 EE02 EE18 FF04 FF13 FF12 FF12 FF12

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. Searching a route from a current location to a destination,
In a navigation device for displaying a route on a map screen and performing route guidance, avoidance area designating means for designating an area to be avoided when searching for the route by an area indicated by a two-dimensional plane; A navigation device comprising: a route search unit that recognizes an area designated by an area designation unit as an avoidance region and searches for a route that does not include the avoidance region. 2. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein said avoidance area designation means designates an area on said map screen. 3. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein said avoidance area designation means designates an area by a place name. 4. Searching a route from a current location to a destination,
In a navigation device that displays the route on a map screen and performs route guidance, an avoidance line designating unit that designates an area to be avoided by a line connecting at least two points; Comparing a line with the map data, and when there is a road corresponding to the specified line, recognizing the specified line as an avoidance area and searching for a route that does not include the avoidance area; A navigation device, comprising: 5. A search for a route from a current location to a destination,
A method of specifying an avoidance area in a navigation device that performs route guidance by displaying the route on a map screen, wherein an area to be avoided when the route is searched is designated by an area indicated by a two-dimensional plane. And a step of recognizing an area designated in the avoidance area designation step as an avoidance area and searching for a route that does not include the avoidance area.