JP2003130656A - Display device for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a display device for a vehicle, when a vehicle travels along a new road which is not included in an existing map database, which updates road data without traveling along it many times repeatedly, if positional information is reliable only by traveling along it just one time. SOLUTION: In the display device for a vehicle, when the vehicle travels along a new road which is not included in the map database, the reliability of an own vehicle's positional information is judged. If the positional accuracy is reliable, the road is recognized and registered as road data, and will be an object of being displayed and route search from then on.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicular display device, and more particularly, to a positioning system for detecting the position of the own vehicle by the positioning system and displaying the position of the own vehicle on a map screen of the display device. The present invention relates to a vehicle display device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In order to inform a driver of a current position of a traveling vehicle, a vehicular display device including a car navigation device is widely used. The car navigation system receives radio waves from satellites via an antenna and detects the position of the vehicle using a positioning system. On the other hand, CD (Comp
act Disc) drive or DVD (Digital)
The map information written on the CD or DVD is read by the tal Versatile Disc) drive, and this map information is displayed on the display. In addition, the position of the vehicle obtained by the positioning system is also displayed so that the position of the vehicle is displayed on the map.

[0003]

In such a vehicle display device, the map information is recorded in advance on a CD or DVD, and the recorded contents are displayed. That is, the map data uses a fixed database recorded on a CD or a DVD.

On the other hand, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-88595, the traveling frequency is simultaneously recorded for new locus data, and when the traveling frequency exceeds a predetermined reference value, the locus data is recorded as new road data. I am trying to memorize it as. Therefore, there is a problem that a road that is a new road that is passed for the first time and is not on the map data is not recognized as a road only by one pass, and is not treated as a road unless it is run several times.

In addition, when there is a winding road that has existed for a long time and a newly created straight road that is widened, or a detour road that is created near a regular road due to construction or the like is a regular road. If they exist in parallel, the map database is created as is.

However, in such a case, the winding road may be abandoned. When the construction is completed, the road for construction will be lost. Therefore, the roads on the map database will not match the actual roads. However, since road information could not be deleted in principle, there was a problem that roads that were abandoned or roads that had ceased to exist after construction was displayed.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and even a new road that does not exist in the map database can be recognized as a road by only passing once, or Another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicular display device capable of erasing road information that has been abolished due to construction or the like.

[0008]

The main invention of the present application comprises a positioning system for detecting the own vehicle position by the positioning system and displaying the own vehicle position on a map screen of a display device. In the display device for a vehicle, when the vehicle passes through a road which is not on the map database, it is determined as road data based on the certainty of the own vehicle position information at that time, and the determination means determines the road data. The present invention relates to a vehicle display device including: a registration unit that registers the above data on a map database.

Here, the judgment means may judge based on the number of satellites of the positioning system used for receiving the certainty of the own vehicle position information or calculating the own vehicle position. Further, it may be determined that the probability is certain when the number of satellites used for reception or calculation of the own vehicle position is four or more. Further, the determination means may make the determination based on the value of the degree of accuracy deterioration of the positioning system.

If the data is not judged as road data by the judging means, the data is registered as a new road data candidate in the map database, and if the road registered as the new road data candidate is passed a predetermined number of times. Data of new road data candidates may be registered as road data on the map base. Further, data determined to be road data may be registered in the user layer on the map database.

Further, another main invention of the present application is for a vehicle comprising a positioning system for detecting the position of the own vehicle by the positioning system and displaying the position of the own vehicle on a map screen of a display device. In the display device, when road data of a plurality of routes exist between a certain node and road data that does not pass at all exist in the display device, means for deleting the road data that does not pass at all is provided. The present invention relates to a display device for a vehicle.

[0012] Here, when there is road data that travels a certain number of times between the nodes and does not travel at all, the road data that does not travel at all may be deleted. Further, the user may confirm when deleting the road data that does not pass at all.

A preferred embodiment of the invention included in the present application is a vehicle display device having a navigation function, which is based on the certainty of the own vehicle position information when the vehicle first goes through a newly opened road which is not on the map database. It is recognized as road data, and the new road is displayed on the display or searched for a route thereafter. Here, as a criterion for determining that the data is new data, it is determined based on the number of GPS satellites used for reception or calculation of the own vehicle position. Alternatively, as a criterion for determining new road data, the value of DOP is used for determination. Here, DOP (Dilution of
Precision) is a value indicating the degree of accuracy deterioration and is a parameter indicating an error due to the position or arrangement of GPS satellites. In the case of GPS satellites located at a short distance, accurate triangulation cannot be performed, so the value of DOP becomes high. The DOP has a range from 1 to infinity, and when it is 1, the most accurate measurement can be performed. Normally, the DOP is about 1.0 to 5.0, but it has the characteristic that this value becomes high at the bottom of a valley or between buildings.

According to such an aspect, when a new new road which is not on the existing map database is traveled, the map data is updated only once, without passing repeatedly, and next time, the map data is updated. When the vehicle is running, it can be used for display on the display together with the road data registered from the beginning, and can also be used as a route search target. By repeating this operation, the map database is updated one after another, and the latest map can be obtained without purchasing a new map.

Another preferred mode of the invention included in the present application is when a plurality of road data exist between a node and a node, and the user is instructed to delete data other than roads that always pass. The question is asked, and if it is not necessary, it is not displayed on the display. Actually, the information to be deleted is written in the user layer prepared in advance in the hierarchical structure of the memory for registering the map data so that the road display is not performed. By doing so, the existing data can be left as it is, and when the road is created, it can be displayed again.

According to this aspect, when a plurality of road data exist between a certain node and the road data that does not pass is erased, data on a road temporarily created by construction or the like is deleted. Can be deleted after the construction is completed, which prevents the display of roads that do not actually exist.

[0017]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention will be described below with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a vehicular display device having a car navigation function according to an embodiment of the present invention, and this display device is a CPU constituting a calculation means.
Equipped with 10. Then, the CPU 10 has a GPS (Gl
A positioning system 11 including an global positioning system) is connected. The positioning system 11 includes an antenna 12, and the antenna 12 receives radio waves from a plurality of artificial satellites 13 to detect the position of the own vehicle.

The CPU 10 also includes an HD driver 15 for reading and writing information from and to a hard disk, and a DV.
D-ROM (Digital Versatile D
A DVD driver 16 for reading and writing information is connected to the isc Read Only Memory). Here, the DVD driver 16 is adapted to read information from the DVD constituting the map software. Also, an LCD driver 17 is connected to the CPU 10, and this L
The CD driver 17 further includes an LCD (Liquid C
A liquid crystal display device 18 made of a vertical display is connected.

In the above structure, the antenna 12
The positioning system 1 receives radio waves from the satellite 13 by
1 detects the current position of the vehicle. On the other hand, DVD driver 1
6 reads the map information from the DVD and uses this map information as a CP
This is supplied to the LCD driver 17 via U10, and this LC
A map is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 18 by the D driver 17. Then, the CPU 10 displays the position of the vehicle detected by the positioning system 11 on the liquid crystal display device 18 via the LCD driver 17 in an overlapping manner. This achieves the function of car navigation.

In particular, the map information read by the DVD driver 16 has a hierarchical storage structure as shown in FIG. That is, a service layer that stores store information and the like, a character / symbol layer that stores characters and symbols, a road layer that stores road information, and a background layer that stores a background are provided. Further, this storage structure has a user layer, which enables registration of new road data.

Next, a description will be given of the change of the map data using the user layer in the above-mentioned storage hierarchical structure. This change of map data is performed based on the flowchart shown in FIG. The car navigation system is C
The map data is stored in a disk-shaped recording medium such as a D-ROM or a DVD-ROM. CD-R here
Since both OM and DVD-ROM are read-only recording media, it is not possible to add or delete position data of newly opened roads. Therefore, when adding or deleting new information to the map database, a memory for accumulating the new information is required separately.

However, for CDs and DVDs as well, a readable / writable DVD-R (Digital Versatile) is available.
A disc such as a disc recordable disc has been developed, or an attempt has been made to use a hard disk drive (HDD) or a semiconductor memory drive capable of writing / erasing data as a car navigation device. Here, by using the DVR drive or the HDD, the newly opened road can be added to the database.

When adding such road data, the problem is how to determine a new road. The method disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-88595 records the locus data and the traveling frequency at the same time when it is determined that the vehicle has passed a road without a road database, and when the traveling frequency exceeds a predetermined reference value. The locus data is stored as new road data. Therefore, a new road that is passed for the first time and is not on the road database is not recognized as a road by running only once, and is not treated as road information unless it is repeatedly run several times.

Therefore, in the embodiment of the present invention, even if the data is new road information that has passed through for the first time, if the data has certainty, it is immediately added to the database and is displayed on the display or the target of route search. It can be used for.

The operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the vehicle travels for the first time on a road that seems to be a new road using the navigation device, the CPU 10 first determines whether or not the road information exists in the existing road database. CPU here
If the power of 10 is sufficient, it is possible to always check whether the road at that time exists in the database while traveling. If road information exists, the process ends.

On the other hand, when the road information does not exist, it is checked whether or not the road information exists in the new road database accumulated so far. If the road information exists, the process ends. In the new road database accumulated so far, no road data naturally exists when the navigation is first used.

If the road information does not exist in the new road database, the accuracy of the own vehicle position at that time is determined. In the system shown in FIG. 3, if the number of satellites 13 with which the positioning system 11 communicates and four or more GPS satellites 13 can be received, accurate positioning is performed. Is determined to have certainty. That is, the number of GPS satellites 13 is 4
If more than one vehicle is received, it is determined that the vehicle position accuracy is high, the road is regarded as a new road, and the road is registered in the new road database.

On the other hand, when the positioning system 11 receives three or less satellites, the road information is registered as a new road data candidate. The data registered as such a new road data candidate is registered as new road data when the road corresponding to this road data candidate passes a plurality of times.

Therefore, according to the flow chart shown in FIG. 3, a new road which has run for the first time is added to the map database based on the certainty of the vehicle position accuracy, and is thereafter subjected to display and route search.

Therefore, when traveling on a new road which is not on the existing map database, the map data can be communicated only by traveling once without repeatedly passing through the road. Similar to the road data, it can be used for display on the liquid crystal display device 18 or can be used as a target for route search. By repeating this operation, the map database is updated one after another, and the map becomes the latest without purchasing a new map.

Next, another embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, the probability of the position information is determined based on the value of DOP instead of certifying the accuracy of the position information by the number of GPS satellites.

Here, the DOP is the Direction o
Abbreviation of f Precision, which is a numerical value that serves as an index of deterioration in accuracy of GPS positioning. The positioning accuracy by GPS is greatly influenced by the arrangement of the satellites 13. GPS positioning is usually performed using three or more satellites 13, and the DOP value is determined by the arrangement state of the satellites 13 used for the positioning.

A solid formed by connecting three or more satellites used for GPS positioning and a GPS positioning point with a straight line. For example, if the volume of a triangular pyramid-shaped solid formed when there are three satellites is large, it is large. The smaller the DOP value, the better the GPS positioning accuracy at that time. If the volume of the solid is small, the DOP value becomes large and the accuracy deteriorates. That is, the fact that the volume of the solid is large indicates that the satellites used for positioning are scattered in the sky, and the accuracy of GPS positioning is better when the satellites are arranged in such disjointed states. Can be raised. On the contrary, the fact that the volume of the solid is small means that the satellite used for positioning is biased to one side, and such a satellite arrangement is a factor that reduces the accuracy of GPS positioning.

Therefore, when the DOP value is equal to or less than a predetermined value set in advance, it is determined that the own vehicle position accuracy is likely, and a new road passing at this time is added to the road database. . Therefore, even with such a configuration, the same operational effect as that of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

Next, still another embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, when a plurality of road data exist between a certain node, road data which does not pass under a predetermined condition is deleted, and thereafter, this road is not displayed on the display device. It is a thing.

Between a certain node and 2
If a plurality of road data exist in a section where no other node exists between the points, there may be a road that does not travel at all even if the vehicle travels between the two points a predetermined number of times. For example, if there are old winding roads and newly created straight and wide roads, or detour roads and new roads created near new roads due to construction, etc. is there.

When passing a road in such a state,
The former will often pass through new roads, and the latter will pass through new roads after construction is completed.
As a result, there is a road that does not run at all. In such a case, the remaining road is likely to be abolished. Therefore, it is easier for the user to understand the abolished road information than to make it remain on the map database and to be displayed on the display.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, when a plurality of road data exist between a certain node, when the vehicle travels between the same nodes for a predetermined number of times, the road is completely passed through a plurality of roads. If there is a road that does not
Ask the user to delete the data of roads other than the roads that always pass, and do not display it on the display unless necessary. In this operation, the information to be deleted is actually written on the user layer of the hierarchy shown in FIG. 2 prepared in advance so that the road is not displayed. By doing so, it is possible to retain the original data as it is and to redisplay it when the road is completed.

Although the operations shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 are performed by the CPU 10 of the vehicular display device shown in FIG. 1, a personal computer may be used instead of using the CPU 10 of the vehicular display device. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, the semiconductor memory drive device 25 is connected to the vehicle display device, and the semiconductor memory 26 is detachably attached to the drive device.
To be able to wear. The semiconductor memory 26 may be a recording medium called a memory stick, for example.

Then, the DVD driver 1 for the vehicle display device
6, the map information is read out, and the semiconductor memory 26 in which this map information is recorded via the semiconductor memory drive device 25 is removed to remove the semiconductor data from the personal computer 30 as shown in FIG.
Connect to. Then, the contents of the semiconductor memory 26 are opened and edited on the personal computer 30, and the added or deleted map information is written in the semiconductor memory 26 again, and the semiconductor memory drive device 25 of the vehicle display device is displayed as shown in FIG. You may make it connect and use it. With such a configuration, it is possible to add or delete map information using a personal computer at home.

[0041]

The main invention of the present application is provided with a positioning system, the vehicle position is detected by the positioning system, and the vehicle position is displayed on the map screen of the display device. In the device, when the vehicle passes through a road that is not on the map database, the determination means determines the road data based on the certainty of the vehicle position information at that time, and the data determined by the determination means to be the road data. The registration means to be registered above is provided.

Therefore, according to such a vehicle display device, when the determining means determines that the position information is likely, it becomes possible to add a road which is not on the map database which has passed to the road data. Even a road that passes only once will be registered in the road database.

Another main invention of the present application is a vehicle display comprising a positioning system for detecting the own vehicle position by the positioning system and displaying the own vehicle position on a map screen of a display device. The device is provided with means for deleting road data which does not pass at all when road data of a plurality of routes exist between a certain node and road data which does not pass at all exist therein. Is.

Therefore, according to such a vehicle display device, when road data of a plurality of routes exist between a certain node and road data which does not pass at all exists in the road data, the road data is obtained. It becomes possible to delete and not display, and it is possible to provide a vehicle display device having a better navigation function.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of a vehicle display device.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a hierarchical structure of map information in the vehicle display device.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for registering new road data.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for registering new road data according to another embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for deleting unused road data.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of a vehicle display device according to a modification.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a personal computer that edits map information.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ... CPU, 11 ... Positioning system (GPS), 1
2 ... Antenna, 13 ... Satellite, 15 ... HD driver, 16 ... DVD driver, 17 ... LCD driver, 18 ... Liquid crystal display device (LCD), 25 ... Semiconductor memory drive device (MS driver) , 26 ... semiconductor memory, 30 ... personal computer

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) // G01S 5/14 G01S 5/14 (72) Inventor Hideyuki Uemura 6-7 Kitashinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo No. 35 Sony Corporation F-term (reference) 2C032 HB22 HC08 HD03 HD26 HD30 2F029 AA02 AB07 AC02 AC08 AC14 AC20 5H180 AA01 BB13 CC12 FF05 FF10 FF22 FF27 FF33 5J062 AA05 BB01 CC07 DD24 HH05

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A vehicle display device comprising a positioning system for detecting the position of the own vehicle by the positioning system and displaying the position of the own vehicle on a map screen of a display device in a map database. Judging means for judging the road data based on the certainty of the vehicle position information at that time when passing through a road which is not present, and registration means for registering the data judged as the road data by the judging means on the map database. A display device for a vehicle, comprising: 2. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the determination means makes a determination based on the number of satellites of the positioning system used for receiving the certainty of the vehicle position information or calculating the vehicle position. Display device. 3. The vehicular display device according to claim 2, wherein the vehicle display device according to claim 2, wherein when the number of satellites used for reception or calculation of the position of the vehicle is four or more, the probability is judged to be certain. 4. The vehicular display device according to claim 1, wherein the judging means judges based on a value of the degree of accuracy deterioration of the positioning system. 5. If the data is not judged as road data by the judging means, the data is registered as a new road data candidate in the map database, and the road registered as the new road data candidate is passed a predetermined number of times. The vehicle display device according to claim 1, wherein the data of the new road data candidates is registered as road data on a map base. 6. The vehicle display device according to claim 1, wherein data determined as road data is registered in a user layer on a map database. 7. A vehicular display device comprising a positioning system for detecting the position of the own vehicle by the positioning system and displaying the position of the own vehicle on a map screen of a display device. When there is road data of a plurality of routes between and, and there is road data that does not pass at all, a means for deleting the road data that does not pass at all is provided. apparatus. 8. The road data which does not pass at all is deleted when there is road data which travels a certain number of times between the certain nodes and does not travel at all. Vehicle display device. 9. The vehicle display device according to claim 7, wherein a user confirms when deleting the road data that does not pass at all.