JP2003148972A - Navigation system, method of displaying condition of congestion, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a navigation system that can properly display a condition of congestion outside a displaying range. SOLUTION: A processing control part updates in order a congestion list stored in a memory part, according to VICS (vehicle information communication system) information acquired from a VICS module. The processing control part generates an indicator image 70 shown in (a), according to the updated congestion list. The indicator image 70 is an image for showing simply the condition of the congestion on a guide route, wherein a route from a start point (symbol 74) to a destination (symbol 75) is shown by a rectangular shape or the like, as one example, and wherein the condition of the congestion is displayed using a symbol 71 for indicating a congestion site and a symbol 72 for indicating a jam site. The processing control part generates a navigation image, and the generated navigation image and the indicator image are composed to display an image shown in (c) on a display part 9.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a navigation system, a traffic jam condition display method and a program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional navigation system is, for example, a vehicle equipped with a navigation system (hereinafter referred to as
It is called "own vehicle". ) Search for a guide route from the starting point to the destination from the predetermined road information. Then, the current position of the own vehicle is sequentially acquired by a predetermined GPS (Global Positioning System) unit or the like, and a navigation image in which the symbol indicating the current position and the guide route are combined is generated.
The navigation system displays the generated navigation image on a predetermined display unit or the like. Thereby, the user can advance the vehicle to the destination to which he / she should go according to the displayed navigation image without getting lost.

In recent years, VICS (Vehicle Information Communication Syst) that provides users with traffic congestion information, traffic regulation information, etc. via optical / radio wave beacons and FM multiplex broadcasting.
em) The system has been put to practical use. Such VICS
A conventional navigation system compatible with the system will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a conventional navigation system 100.

As shown in the figure, the navigation system 100 includes an optical / radio wave beacon receiving unit 110 and an F / F beacon receiving unit 110.
It is composed of an M multiplex broadcast receiving unit 120, a navigation processing unit 130, a CD-ROM 140, and a monitor 150.

The optical / radio wave beacon receiving unit 110 is
An optical beacon or a radio wave beacon transmitted from a predetermined VICS information transmitting device provided along the road is received. Also, F
The M multiplex broadcast receiving unit 120 may be, for example, a V station of a broadcasting station.
The FM multiplex signal transmitted from the ICS information transmitting device is received. The light / radio wave beacon receiving unit 110 and the like generate VICS information from the received light beacon or the like and supply it to the navigation processing unit 130.

The navigation processing unit 130 is a ROM
(Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memor
y) and a one-chip microcomputer including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like, and controls the entire navigation system 100.

The CD-ROM 140 stores map information and road information. The map information and the like stored in the CD-ROM 140 is read out through a predetermined driver unit,
It is supplied to the navigation processing unit 130.

The monitor 150 is an LCD (Liquid Crystal).
Display) or CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) and the like, and displays the navigation image generated by the navigation processing unit 130.

When the navigation processing unit 130 acquires the VICS information (congestion information, etc.) from the light / radio wave beacon receiving unit 110, etc., the navigation processing unit 130 specifies the position, distance, etc. of the congestion place according to the acquired congestion information. Then, the navigation processing unit 130 displays the navigation image on the monitor 150 as shown in FIG. In the navigation image shown in FIG. 16A, the symbol 151 indicating the own vehicle position and the symbol 152 indicating the traffic jam location.
Therefore, the user can drive the vehicle to the destination along the guide route while confirming the traffic jam condition.

[0010]

When the navigation system 100 corresponding to the above-mentioned VICS system receives an optical beacon or a radio wave beacon during guidance, it re-searches for a guidance route. At that time, there may be a case where the guide route is searched again so that the destination can be reached in the shortest time in consideration of the traffic congestion information.

However, when the wide area traffic information is received by the FM multiplex signal, the navigation system 1
00 and the like do not re-search the guide route. Therefore, the user or the like appropriately scrolls the navigation image displayed on the monitor 150 when the vehicle is stopped by waiting for a signal,
I was checking traffic conditions on the guide route.

More specifically, since a traffic jam outside the display range cannot be confirmed from the navigation image as shown in FIG. 16A, the user or the like operates a predetermined operation unit to display the traffic condition shown in FIG. As shown in b), the navigation image is scrolled in the traveling direction to display the icon 152 indicating the congestion point on the guide route to confirm the congestion status.

That is, in order to confirm the traffic jam situation outside the display range of the navigation image, the user or the like needs to scroll the navigation image as appropriate within a limited time such as when the vehicle is stopped. Such a scroll operation is very complicated for the user and the like.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a navigation system, a traffic jam status display method and a program capable of appropriately displaying a traffic jam status outside the display range.

[0015]

In order to achieve the above object, a navigation system according to a first aspect of the present invention is a gauge for generating a gauge that simply indicates a travel of a guide route which is a route for a vehicle to travel. Generating means and traffic information acquiring means for acquiring traffic information including at least traffic congestion information;
Symbol generation means for specifying a traffic jam on the guide route according to the traffic information acquired by the traffic information acquisition means, and for generating a symbol indicating the distance and degree of the specified traffic jam,
Indicator image generation means for synthesizing the symbol generated by the symbol generation means at a corresponding position on the gauge generated by the gauge generation means, and generating an indicator image indicating the degree of traffic congestion on the guide route, and the indicator. Characteristic information synthesizing means for further synthesizing characteristic information to be notified to the indicator image generated by the image generating means,
Display means for displaying the indicator image in which the characteristic information is synthesized by the characteristic information synthesizing means.

In order to achieve the above object, a navigation system according to a second aspect of the present invention includes guide route information storage means for storing guide route information defining a guide route which is a route along which a vehicle should travel, and According to the guide route information stored in the guide route information storage unit, a gauge generating unit that generates a gauge that simply indicates the travel of the guide route, a VICS information acquisition unit that acquires VICS information including at least traffic congestion information, and the VICS information. VI acquired by the acquisition means
Symbol generation means for specifying a traffic jam on the guide route according to the CS information and the guide route information stored in the guide route information storage means, and for generating a symbol indicating the distance and degree of the specified traffic congestion; Indicator image generation means for synthesizing the symbol generated by the generation means at a corresponding position on the gauge generated by the gauge generation means to generate an indicator image indicating the degree of traffic jam generated on the guide route, and the indicator image generation The feature information synthesizing means for further synthesizing feature information including any of an intersection name, a place name, a facility name, a road number, and distance information to be notified to the indicator image generated by the means, and the feature information synthesizing means. Display means for displaying an indicator image on which the characteristic information is combined.

The gauge generating means may generate a gauge in which a symbol indicating a specific point in the course of the guide route is combined at both ends.

The gauge generating means may generate a gauge in which symbols indicating facilities existing within a predetermined distance from the guide route are combined at both ends.

[0019] The gauge generating means may generate a gauge in which a symbol indicating a corresponding facility is combined at both ends when the guide route exists within a predetermined distance predetermined corresponding to each facility.

In the above navigation system, the indicator image generating means generates the own vehicle symbol indicating the own vehicle in accordance with the current position acquiring means for acquiring the current position of the own vehicle and the current position acquired by the current position acquiring means. The vehicle position synthesizing means for synthesizing at the corresponding position of the indicator image may further be provided.

The navigation system specifies an area selecting means for selecting an arbitrary area in the indicator image displayed on the display means, and a position on the guide route corresponding to the area selected by the area selecting means. A position specifying unit may be further included, and the display unit may display a map image corresponding to the position specified by the position specifying unit.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a traffic jam condition display method according to a third aspect of the present invention includes a gauge generation step for generating a gauge that simply indicates a course of a guide route which is a route along which a vehicle should travel, A traffic information acquisition step of acquiring traffic information including at least traffic congestion information, and according to the traffic information acquired in the traffic information acquisition step, identifies the traffic congestion on the guide route, and displays a symbol indicating the distance and degree of the traffic congestion identified. An indicator image showing the degree of traffic jam generated on the guide route by synthesizing the generated symbol generation step and the symbol generated in the symbol generation step at a corresponding position on the gauge generated in the gauge generation step. Generating an indicator image, and the indicator image generated in the indicator image generating step, A feature information combining step further synthesize should do feature information, characterized by comprising a display step of displaying an indicator image feature information is combined in a predetermined display unit in the feature information combining step.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the traffic jam condition display method according to the fourth aspect of the present invention simplifies the travel of the guide route according to the guide route information defining the guide route which is the route along which the vehicle should travel. In accordance with the gauge generation step of generating the gauge shown, the VICS information acquisition step of acquiring VICS information including at least traffic congestion information, the VICS information acquired in the VICS information acquisition step, and the guide route information defining the guide route, On the gauge generated by the gauge generation means, the symbol generation step of specifying the congestion generated on the guide route and generating the symbol indicating the distance and the degree of the specified congestion and the symbol generated in the symbol generation step An indicator image that is combined with the corresponding position of the vehicle to generate an indicator image showing the degree of traffic congestion on the guide route. A feature of further combining the image generation step and the characteristic information including any of an intersection name, a place name, a facility name, a road number, and distance information to be notified to the indicator image generated in the indicator image generation step. It is characterized by comprising an information synthesizing step and a display step of displaying an indicator image on which the characteristic information is synthesized in the characteristic information synthesizing step on a predetermined display unit.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a program according to a fifth aspect of the present invention allows a computer to easily guide a travel of a guide route in accordance with guide route information that defines a guide route along which a vehicle should travel. A gauge generation step for generating the gauge shown, and a VICS including at least traffic congestion information
A VICS information acquisition step of acquiring information;
A symbol generation step of specifying traffic congestion on the guide route according to the VICS information acquired in the CS information acquisition step and the guide route information defining the guide route and generating a symbol indicating the distance and degree of the specified traffic congestion When,
The symbol generated in the symbol generating step is
An indicator image generating step of generating an indicator image indicating the degree of traffic jam generated on the guide route by combining the gauges at corresponding positions on the gauge generated by the gauge generating means,
In the indicator image generated in the indicator image generation step, intersection name to be notified, place name, facility name,
A characteristic information synthesizing step of further synthesizing characteristic information including any one of a road number and distance information, and a display step of displaying an indicator image on which the characteristic information is synthesized in the characteristic information synthesizing step on a predetermined display unit. It is characterized by executing and.

[0025]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A navigation system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a navigation system applied to the embodiment of the present invention.
This system includes a GPS antenna 1, a GPS module 2, a VICS antenna 3, and a VICS module 4
A CD-ROM 5, a storage unit 6, a processing control unit 7,
It is composed of an operation unit 8 and a display unit 9.

This navigation system is, for example,
It is installed in a vehicle such as an automobile and displays a guide route indicating a route to take from the present location to the destination together with map information and the like, thereby appropriately guiding the user to the destination. Hereinafter, a vehicle equipped with a navigation system is referred to as "own vehicle".

The GPS (Global Positioning System) antenna 1 is composed of a helical antenna, a dielectric antenna, a patch type planar antenna, etc., and receives spread spectrum modulated satellite radio waves transmitted from a predetermined GPS satellite.

The GPS module 2 is synchronized with the satellite radio waves transmitted from a plurality of GPS satellites and received by the GPS antenna 1, and despreads and demodulates each satellite radio wave to obtain a plurality of satellite reception signals. The GPS module 2 generates position information including latitude, longitude, altitude, etc. based on the difference in arrival time of each satellite radio wave calculated according to each acquired satellite reception signal. The GPS module 2 supplies the generated position information to the processing control unit 7 at every predetermined timing.

VICS (Vehicle Information Communic)
ation System) antenna 3 is composed of a predetermined rod antenna or the like, and receives, for example, an FM multiplex signal or the like transmitted from the VICS information transmitter of the broadcasting station about every 5 minutes.

The VICS module 4 demodulates the FM multiplex signal or the like received by the VICS antenna 3 and acquires a plurality of VICS information 41 as shown in FIG. VI shown in FIG.
The CS information 41 includes VICS link information, type information, position, and information such as a distance such as a traffic jam section. VI
The CS module 4 sequentially supplies the acquired VICS information 41 to the processing control unit 7.

Returning to FIG. 1, the CD-ROM 5 stores map information for display and also road information 51 as shown in FIG. The road information 51 shown in FIG. 3 includes information such as road link information, road length, road link / VICS link correspondence table, road start point position, and road end point position. The road link / VICS link correspondence table associates the road link information with the VICS link information in the VICS information 41. And
The road information 51 and the like are appropriately read from the CD-ROM 5 by a driver unit (not shown), and the processing control unit 7
Is supplied to. The CD-ROM 5 that stores map information, road information 51, etc. is an example, and in addition, a DVD-R.
It may be an OM, a hard disk, or the like.

Returning to FIG. 1, the storage unit 6 includes a RAM (Rand
om Access Memory) and stores the taxiway data supplied from the process controller 7. This taxiway data is
Road information 5 stored in the CD-ROM 5 by the processing control unit 7
It is composed of information defining a route to be taken from the present location or the like to the destination obtained by searching for 1. In addition, the storage unit 6
Stores section setting information for setting a target section of an indicator image, which will be described later, generated by the processing control unit 7.
The section setting information is information set by the user and indicating a predetermined section for indicating a traffic jam condition or the like during the entire course of the guide route (guide route data).

Further, the storage unit 6 stores the congestion list 61 generated by the processing control unit 7 as shown in FIG.
The traffic congestion list 61 shown in FIG. 4 is composed of a plurality of traffic congestion data. These traffic congestion data are obtained from each VICS information 41.
Among the traffic congestion information included in, the data is related to the traffic congestion generated on the guide route (guide route data). Then, each piece of traffic congestion data includes information such as traffic congestion type, distance, traffic congestion starting point position, traffic congestion ending point position, and the like. The traffic congestion type includes, for example, traffic congestion, congestion, smooth, unknown, and no data. Such a congestion list 61 is divided into areas for a plurality of generations so that generation management can be performed, and the storage unit 6 is divided.
Memorized in.

Returning to FIG. 1, the processing control section 7 is, for example,
ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM, and CPU
It consists of a one-chip microcomputer equipped with (Central Processing Unit) and controls the entire navigation system. The ROM stores in advance a program for causing the CPU to execute navigation processing, indicator image generation processing, and the like, which will be described later. A predetermined work area is secured in the RAM. That is, the processing control unit 5 executes the navigation processing, which will be described later, by executing the program stored in the ROM by the CPU. Specifically, the processing control unit 7 controls the VIC
When the VICS information 41 is acquired from the S module 4, the congestion list 61 stored in the storage unit 6 is updated according to the acquired VICS information 41. Then, the processing control unit 7
According to the updated traffic jam list 61, the indicator image 70 as shown in FIG. 5A is generated.

The indicator image 70 is an image showing a traffic jam condition on the guide route. For example, a straight line or a rectangle (gauge) indicates a journey from a starting point to a destination, and a traffic congestion point is shown. Symbol 71 and
A traffic congestion situation is represented by a symbol 72 that indicates a congestion location. The symbols 71 and 72 are represented by different colors or the like so that the user can visually recognize the degree of traffic jam and the like. The symbol 73 in the figure indicates the position of the vehicle on the guide route, the symbol 74 indicates the point of departure, and
The symbol 75 indicates the destination.

The indicator image 70 shown in FIG.
Represents the entire process on the guide route, but in addition to this, the processing control unit 7 represents a predetermined section on the guide route according to the above-mentioned section setting information stored in the storage unit 6 and the like. The indicator image 70 is generated. For example, when the user selects arbitrary stopover points, guidance points, etc., and the section setting information using these points is stored in the storage section 6, the processing control section 7 follows the section setting information and the like. , Indicator images 70 in various sections such as from a departure place to a stop, from a stop to a stop, from a stop to a guide point, and from a guide point to a destination are generated. At this time, in order to clarify the stop-by place, the guide point, and the like, an indicator image 70 is generated by combining the stop-by symbol 76 and the guide point symbol 77 as shown in FIG. As an example, the processing control unit 7 generates the indicator image 70 as shown in FIG. 5C when representing the section from the second stop-off point to the guide point.

In addition to this, the processing control section 7 follows the section setting information, position information, etc., from the vehicle position to the stop-off point, from the vehicle position to the guidance point, and from the vehicle position to the destination. To generate the indicator image 70 at. Indicator image 7 generated in this way
0 is displayed on the display unit 9 after being combined with the navigation image including the map image. That is, when the processing control unit 7 generates the navigation image according to the map information stored in the CD-ROM 5, the processing control unit 7 combines the generated navigation image with the above-described indicator image 70 to generate an image as shown in FIG. It is displayed on the display unit 9.

The processing control section 7 considers the intermittent traffic when the indicator image 70 is generated and the symbol 71 is generated.
And so on. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6A, when traffic jams A to C occur intermittently on the guide route, the distances between the traffic jams (the distance between the traffic jams A and B and , Traffic jam B-C) to determine whether there is an intermittent traffic jam. For example, when the distance between each traffic jam is less than several% (for example, less than 2%) of the start / end point distance, the processing control unit 7 determines that the traffic jam is intermittent.

That is, in the traffic jams A to C shown in FIG. 6A, the distance between the traffic jams A and B is less than 2% of the start / end point distance, and therefore the traffic jams A and B are intermittent traffic jams. As a result of the determination, the indicator image 70 including the symbol 71 indicating the congestion point where the congestion A and the congestion B are integrated as shown in FIG. 6B is generated. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 6C, when congestion X, congestion Y, and congestion Z occur on the guide route, the processing control unit 7 causes the congestion X as shown in FIG. And the indicator image 70 including the symbols 71 and 72 connected with the traffic jam Y is generated.

Returning to FIG. 1, the operation section 8 is composed of a predetermined operation panel or the like, and supplies various information to the processing control section 7 according to the input operation by the user. For example, the operation unit 8
In accordance with the user's operation, the coordinate information indicating the destination is input and supplied to the processing control unit 7.

The display unit 9 is an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display).
play) or CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) or the like, and displays a navigation image or the like in which the indicator image 70 is combined.

The operation of the navigation system according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, the program that defines each process shown below is
As described above, it is assumed that it is stored in advance in the ROM of the processing control unit 5. First, the congestion list update process will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the congestion list update process executed by the process control unit 7. The congestion list update process shown in FIG. 7 is started each time the VICS module 4 receives, for example, an FM multiplex signal or the like transmitted from the VICS information transmitter of the broadcasting station at intervals of about 5 minutes.

First, the processing control section 7 acquires a plurality of VICS information 41 from the VICS module 4 (step S11). That is, the processing control unit 7 acquires a plurality of pieces of VICS information 41 generated by the VICS module 4 demodulating the FM multiplex signal or the like.

The processing control unit 7 uses the predetermined VICS information 41.
It is determined whether or not the content of is traffic congestion information (step S
12). For example, the processing control unit 7 identifies one VICS information 41 in a predetermined order from the plurality of VICS information 41 acquired in step S11, and identifies the identified VICS information 41.
According to the type information included in the information 41, it is determined whether or not the information is congestion information.

When it is determined that the traffic information is not the traffic congestion information, the processing control section 7 advances the processing to step S16 described later. On the other hand, when it is determined that the information is traffic congestion information, the processing control unit 7
Identifies the corresponding road link based on the VICS link information included in the VICS information 41 (step S1).
3). That is, the process control unit 7 controls the road link / road included in the road information 51 (FIG. 3) stored in the CD-ROM 5.
The VICS link correspondence table is used to identify the road link corresponding to the VICS link information.

The processing control unit 7 determines whether or not the specified road link is on the guide route (step S14).
That is, the processing control unit 7 compares the identified road link with the guide route data stored in the storage unit 6 to determine whether the road link is on the guide route.

When it is determined that the vehicle is not on the guidance route, the processing control section 7 advances the processing to step S16 described later. On the other hand, when it is determined that the route is on the guide route, the processing control unit 7
Generates traffic congestion data and adds it to the traffic congestion list 61 (step S15). Since the traffic jam list 61 is generation-managed, the traffic jam data generated is stored in the area of the storage unit 6 that is the storage target in the current traffic jam list update processing.

The processing control unit 7 controls all target VICs.
It is determined whether the S information 41 has been processed (step S1).
6). When the processing control unit 7 determines that the processing of all the VICS information 41 has not been completed, the processing control unit 7 returns the processing to step S12, and repeatedly executes the processing of steps S12 to S16 described above. On the other hand, if it is determined that the processing of all the VICS information 41 has been completed, the processing control unit 7 ends the congestion list update processing. In this way, the congestion list updating process updates the congestion list 61 by reflecting the latest VICS information.

Next, the navigation processing will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a flow chart for explaining the navigation processing executed by the processing control unit 7. The navigation process shown in FIG. 8 is started after the guide route from the departure point to the destination is selected and the guide route data defining the guide route is stored in the storage unit 6.

First, the processing control section 7 acquires the current position of the vehicle in accordance with the position information sent from the GPS module 2 (step S21).

The processing control section 7 carries out an indicator image generation process (step S22). This indicator image generation process is a process of generating an indicator image according to the taxiway data, the traffic jam list 61, and the like stored in the storage unit 6. The details of the indicator image generation processing will be described later.

The processing control section 7 generates a navigation image (step S23). That is, the processing control unit 7
Reads the map information including the current position of the vehicle acquired in step S21 from the CD-ROM 5, and generates a navigation image in which the read map information is combined with a symbol indicating the current position, a guide route, and the like.

The processing control unit 7 synthesizes the indicator image with the navigation image and displays it on the display unit 9 (step S24). That is, the process control unit 7 performs step S
Superimposing an indicator image indicating a congestion position, a congestion distance and a congestion degree in a predetermined section (entire section or partial section) on the guide route generated in 22 on the navigation image,
It is displayed on the display unit 9.

The processing control section 7 determines whether or not the vehicle has arrived at the destination (step S25). When the process control unit 7 determines that the destination has not arrived, the process control unit 7 returns the process to step S21 and repeats the processes of steps S21 to S25 described above. On the other hand, when it is determined that the vehicle has arrived at the destination, the processing control unit 7 ends the navigation processing.

Next, the indicator image generating process in step S22 will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, the processing control section 7 specifies the target section, the scale of the indicator, etc. according to the taxiway data, section setting information, the current position of the vehicle, etc. (step S31). That is, the processing control unit 7 identifies the target section set in the section setting information from the relationship between the current taxiway data stored in the storage unit 6 and the current position of the vehicle, and the indicator ( Calculate the scale ratio of the gauge. Then, the processing control unit 7 identifies symbols (symbols 74 to 77, etc. as shown in FIG. 5) to be combined with both ends of the indicator (gauge) that is the target section.

The processing control section 7 acquires the traffic jam data from the traffic jam list 61 (step S32). That is, the processing control unit 7 follows the traffic congestion list 61 in a predetermined order.
Acquires one piece of traffic congestion data.

The processing control section 7 obtains the position and size of the indicator of congestion (congestion) according to the obtained congestion data (step S33). That is, the processing control unit 7 identifies the congestion distance and the congestion degree from the congestion data, and indicates the identified congestion distance and the congestion degree (either the symbol 71 indicating the congestion point or the symbol 72 indicating the congestion point, and , Its size, etc.). Further, the processing control unit 7 obtains the corresponding traffic jam position in the indicator.

The processing control section 7 determines whether or not all traffic congestion data has been processed (step S34). That is,
The processing control unit 7 determines whether or not the position of the congestion (congestion) display in the indicator has been obtained from all the congestion data included in the congestion list 61. When the processing control unit 7 determines that all traffic congestion data has not been processed, the processing control unit 7 returns the processing to step S32, and repeatedly executes the processing of steps S32 to S34 described above.

On the other hand, when it is determined that all traffic congestion data has been processed, the processing control section 7 obtains the position in the indicator of the own vehicle according to the current position of the own vehicle (step S35). That is, the processing control unit 7 obtains the position of the symbol 73 indicating the vehicle position in the indicator.

The processing control section 7 generates the indicator image 70 (step S36). That is, the processing control unit 7
Is a symbol 71 indicating a congestion point, a symbol 72 indicating a congestion point, a symbol 73 indicating a vehicle position, and a symbol for clarifying a section on the guide route (symbol 7
4 to symbol 77, etc.) is generated.

By this indicator image generation processing, an indicator image showing the congestion position, the congestion distance and the congestion degree on the guide route is generated. Then, in the navigation processing shown in FIG. 8 described above, the indicator image is sequentially displayed on the display unit 9 together with the navigation image. At this time, as the vehicle moves, the symbol 73 indicating the vehicle position moves in the indicator image 70 as shown in FIG. 10, so that it becomes clear that the vehicle approaches the traffic jam position.
As a result, the user can easily visually recognize the traffic jam situation outside the display range of the navigation image by the indicator image showing the traffic jam position, the traffic jam distance and the traffic jam degree on the guide route.

Next, the congestion point display processing will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the traffic jam location display processing executed by the processing control unit 7. The congestion point display processing shown in FIG. 11 is started after the above-mentioned navigation processing is started, and is executed in parallel with the navigation processing.

First, the processing control section 7 waits for the processing until the traffic jam (congestion) display area is selected (step S4).
1). For example, in the state where the image in which the indicator image 70 is combined with the navigation image including the vehicle position 91 shown in FIG.
Until the arbitrary traffic congestion display area in the indicator image 70 is selected by the selection cursor 78, the processing control unit 7
Wait for processing.

When the traffic jam display area or the like is selected, the processing control section 7 obtains the target section of the indicator image 70 and the scale (scale reduction rate) of the indicator according to the taxiway data and section setting information. (Step S42).

The processing control section 7 obtains a traffic jam location on the map corresponding to the traffic jam display area selected from the obtained target section and scale (step S43). That is, the position corresponding to the selected traffic jam display area is specified according to the scale of the indicator or the like, and the traffic jam location on the corresponding map is obtained.

The processing control section 7 generates a navigation image centering on the congestion area (step S44). That is, the processing control unit 7 generates a navigation image including a traffic jam location according to the map information stored in the CD-ROM 5. At that time, the processing control unit 7 generates a navigation image including a symbol indicating the target congestion point according to the congestion data of the congestion list 61.

The processing control unit 7 synthesizes the indicator image with the navigation image and displays it on the display unit 9 (step S45). For example, the processing control unit 7 displays a navigation image including an arrow symbol 92 indicating the selected congestion point as shown in FIG. 12B, instead of the image shown in FIG. When an arbitrary traffic congestion display area in the indicator image 70 is selected by the traffic congestion point display processing, a navigation image including traffic congestion points corresponding to the traffic congestion display is displayed. As a result, the user can display the congestion area outside the display range by an easy operation.

In the above embodiment, the traffic jam information included in the VICS information is used to display the traffic jam condition on the indicator. However, the restriction information included in the VICS information is also used to display the traffic jam condition. Good. For example, the navigation system includes the traffic jam list 61 and the traffic congestion list 61 shown in FIG.
The regulation list 62 as shown in (a) is stored in the storage unit 6. The regulation list 62 is also sequentially updated by the processing control unit 7 like the traffic congestion list 61.

Then, the processing control section 7 also uses the regulation list 62 in the above-mentioned indicator image generation processing, and, for example, the indicator image including the symbol 79 indicating the speed regulation as shown in FIG. 13B. 70 is generated. It should be noted that such a symbol 79 indicating the speed regulation is an example, and in addition, the processing control unit 7 further includes the indicator image 70 including the symbol 80 indicating the road closure as shown in FIG. To generate. FIG.
With the indicator images as shown in (b) and (c), the user can easily visually recognize the regulation position and the regulation contents on the guide route outside the display range of the navigation image.

In the above-described embodiment, the indicator image 70 has a symbol 71 indicating a traffic jam location, a symbol 72 indicating a congestion location, a symbol 73 indicating the vehicle position, and a symbol for clarifying the section on the guide route. (Symbol 7
4 to 77, etc.) and symbols indicating traffic regulations (symbols 79, 80, etc.) are displayed, but the indicator image 7
Other information may be displayed together in order to further clarify the place, sense of distance, etc. at 0. For example, FIG. 14 (a)
As shown in, the indicator image 70 may be generated in which the symbol 81 (for example, the name of the intersection is also shown) indicating the main intersection on the guide route is arranged at the target position.

Further, as shown in FIG. 14B, a symbol 82 (for example, the name of the facility etc. is also written) indicating the main facility or landmark adjacent to the guide route is arranged at the target position. The indicator image 70 may be generated. The facilities adjacent to the guide route are discriminated by the following method, for example. As a first method, an adjacent range (adjacent distance) is determined from the scale of the indicator image 70 and the like, and a facility existing within the range (within the distance) is determined as an adjacent facility or the like. As a second method, different fixed distances are set in advance according to the facilities (type, etc.), and if the guide route is within the fixed distance of each facility, the facility is adjacent to the facility. To determine. Thus, by setting a large fixed distance to a well-known facility or landmark (for example, Tokyo Tower or Mt. Fuji), even if it is separated from the adjacent range, it becomes a display target. Conversely, if a small fixed distance is set for a facility such as a small theater, it will not be displayed if it is a little far from the guide route.

Further, as shown in FIG. 14C, an indicator image 7 in which a symbol 83 (as an example, a character) representing a main place name (address) or the like is arranged at a target position
0 may be generated. The place name specifies a main place name from the place names on the guide route (guide data) when the indicator image 70 is generated. At that time, in accordance with the scale of the indicator image 70 and the like, a well-balanced specification such as a prefecture name unit or a municipality unit is specified. Then, a process of arbitrarily thinning out predetermined place names is performed so that the symbols 83 are not overlapped and arranged, and the specified place names are arranged as the symbols 83.

Further, as shown in FIG. 14 (d), a symbol 8 indicating the place name is displayed at a place where congestion or congestion occurs.
You may generate the indicator image 70 which has arrange | positioned 3.
At this time, the place name at the beginning, the center, or the end of the congestion or congestion section is set as the display target.

Further, as shown in FIG. 14E, in order to make the scale and the like of the indicator image 70 easy to understand,
The indicator image 70 in which the symbols 84 (for example, character characters) representing the distances at equal intervals are arranged may be generated.

Further, as shown in FIG. 14 (f), a symbol 85 indicating the distance from the vehicle position to the congestion or congestion point.
The indicator image 70 in which (for example, a character) is arranged may be generated. At this time, the distance to the beginning, the center, or the end of the congestion or congestion section is displayed. Then, the value of the distance is sequentially changed as the vehicle moves.

Further, as shown in FIG. 14G, an indicator image 70 in which symbols 86 for identifying roads (for example, road number symbols) are arranged may be generated. It should be noted that, for example, national roads, prefectural roads, city roads, and the like are prioritized in order to prevent overlapping of the displays, and the roads to be displayed are specified. Furthermore, even for the same road type, the roads to be displayed may be specified by setting priorities in ascending order of road numbers or in the order of actual travel.

The symbol 8 indicating the above-mentioned intersection
1. When displaying a symbol 82 indicating a facility or the like and a symbol 86 for identifying a road, etc., an indicator image 70 in which only those within a predetermined range (distance) based on the congestion or congestion place are arranged May be generated. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the indicator image 70 (gauge) is shown as a rectangle or the like, but the shape of the indicator image is arbitrary.

The navigation system according to the embodiment of the present invention can be realized by using a normal computer system instead of a dedicated system. For example, a navigation system that executes the above processing by installing the program from a medium (flexible disk, CD-ROM, etc.) storing a program for executing any of the above in a computer having a GPS receiving function Can be configured.

The method for supplying the program to the computer is arbitrary. For example, it may be supplied via a communication line, a communication network, a communication system, or the like. For example, a bulletin board (BB of a communication network)
The program is posted in S) and distributed via the network. Then start this program and press O
Under the control of S, the above-mentioned processing can be executed by executing it in the same manner as other application programs.

[0082]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to properly display the traffic jam situation outside the display range.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of VICS information acquired by a VICS module.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of road information stored in a CD-ROM.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a traffic jam list stored in a storage unit.

FIG. 5A is a schematic diagram showing an example of an indicator image generated by the processing control unit, and FIG. 5B is a schematic diagram showing an example of another symbol that can be combined with the indicator image; FIG. 7C is a schematic diagram showing an example of another indicator image, and FIG. 9D is a schematic diagram showing an example of an indicator image displayed together with the navigation image.

FIG. 6A is a schematic view showing a traffic jam location on a guide route in a pseudo manner, FIG. 6B is a schematic view for explaining a symbol indicating a traffic jam location on an indicator image, and FIG. 6C is a schematic view. It is a schematic diagram which shows the congestion point and the congestion point on a guidance route in a pseudo manner, and (d) is a schematic diagram for explaining the symbols indicating the congestion point and the congestion point in the indicator image.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining a congestion list update process according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining navigation processing according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an indicator image generation process according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining how the symbol indicating the vehicle position in the indicator image moves by the navigation processing and the indicator image generation processing.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining a traffic jam location display process according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12A is a schematic diagram showing an example of an indicator image displayed together with a navigation image, and FIG.
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an image displaying a congestion area when an area in the indicator image is selected.

FIG. 13A is a schematic diagram showing an example of a regulation list stored in a storage unit, and FIGS. 13B and 13C are schematic diagrams showing an example of an indicator image including a symbol indicating a road regulation. .

14A and 14B are schematic diagrams showing an example of another indicator image, where FIG. 14A is a diagram arranging symbols indicating intersections, and FIG. 14B is a diagram arranging symbols indicating facilities and the like. c) is a diagram arranging symbols indicating place names, etc., (d) is a diagram arranging symbols indicating place names, etc. at a traffic jam location, and (e) is a diagram arranging symbols indicating equidistant distances. Yes, (f) is a diagram in which symbols representing the distance to the traffic jam place are arranged, and (g) is a diagram in which symbols of road numbers are arranged.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a conventional navigation system.

FIG. 16A is a schematic diagram showing an example of a navigation image including an arrow symbol indicating a traffic jam location,
(B) is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the image which scrolled the navigation image of (a) toward the advancing direction.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 GPS antenna 2 GPS module 3 VICS antenna 4 VICS module 5 CD-ROM 6 memory 7 Processing control unit 8 operation part 9 Display

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Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A gauge generation means for generating a gauge that simply indicates a travel of a guide route which is a route for a vehicle to travel, a traffic information acquisition means for acquiring traffic information including at least traffic congestion information, and the traffic information acquisition. According to the traffic information acquired by the means, a traffic jam generated on the guide route is specified, and a symbol generation means for generating a symbol indicating a distance and a degree of the specified traffic congestion; and a symbol generated by the symbol generation means for the gauge generation. The indicator image generating means for generating an indicator image indicating the degree of traffic jam generated on the guide route by combining at a corresponding position on the gauge generated by the means, and the indicator image generated by the indicator image generating means should be notified. Characteristic information synthesizing means for further synthesizing characteristic information, and an indicator in which the characteristic information is synthesized by the characteristic information synthesizing means. Navigation system, characterized in that it comprises display means for displaying an image. 2. A guide route process according to guide route information storage means for storing guide route information defining a guide route which is a route along which a vehicle should travel, and guide route information according to the guide route information stored in the guide route information storage means. And a VICS (Vehicle Informat) that includes at least traffic congestion information.
Ionic Communication System) VICS information acquisition means for acquiring information, VICS information acquired by the VICS information acquisition means, and guide route information stored in the guide route information storage means, to identify a traffic jam on the guide route. Then, the symbol generating means for generating the symbol indicating the distance and the degree of the identified traffic jam and the symbol generated by the symbol generating means are combined at the corresponding position on the gauge generated by the gauge generating means, and then on the guide route. Indicator image generating means for generating an indicator image indicating the degree of traffic congestion that has occurred in the indicator image, the indicator image generated by the indicator image generating means, intersection name to be notified, place name, facility name, road number, and distance information Characteristic information synthesizing means for further synthesizing characteristic information including And a display unit for displaying the indicator image that is combined with. 3. The navigation system according to claim 1, wherein the gauge generation means generates a gauge in which a symbol indicating a specific point in the course of the guide route is combined at both ends. 4. The gauge generation means generates a gauge in which a symbol indicating a facility existing within a predetermined distance from a guide route is combined at both ends to generate a gauge. Navigation system. 5. When the guide route exists within a predetermined distance predetermined corresponding to each facility, the gauge generating means generates a gauge in which symbols indicating the corresponding facility are combined at both ends. The navigation system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein. 6. A current position acquisition means for acquiring the current position of the vehicle, and an indicator image generated by the indicator image generation means for a vehicle symbol indicating the vehicle according to the current position acquired by the current position acquisition means. 6. The navigation system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising: a vehicle position synthesizing unit that synthesizes the vehicle position with a corresponding position. 7. An area selecting means for selecting an arbitrary area in the indicator image displayed on the display means, and a position specifying means for specifying a position on the guide route corresponding to the area selected by the area selecting means. The navigation system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the display unit displays a map image corresponding to the position specified by the position specifying unit. 8. A gauge generation step of generating a gauge that simply indicates a travel of a guide route which is a route on which the vehicle should travel, a traffic information acquisition step of acquiring traffic information including at least traffic congestion information, and the traffic information acquisition. According to the traffic information obtained in step, to identify the congestion on the guide route, the symbol generation step of generating a symbol indicating the distance and degree of the identified congestion, the symbol generated in the symbol generation step,
An indicator image generating step of generating an indicator image showing the degree of traffic jam generated on the guide route by combining at a corresponding position on the gauge generated in the gauge generating step, and generated in the indicator image generating step A characteristic information synthesizing step of further synthesizing characteristic information to be notified to the indicator image; and a display step of displaying the indicator image synthesizing the characteristic information in the characteristic information synthesizing step on a predetermined display unit. Characteristic traffic congestion status display method. 9. A gauge generation step of generating a gauge that simply indicates the travel of the guide route according to guide route information that defines a guide route that is a route for the vehicle to travel, and obtains VICS information including at least traffic congestion information. VI
CS information acquisition step, VICS acquired in the VICS information acquisition step
According to the information and guide route information that defines the guide route,
A symbol generation step of specifying a traffic jam generated on the guide route and generating a symbol indicating the distance and the degree of the specified traffic jam, and the symbol generated in the symbol generation step,
An indicator image generation step of synthesizing at a corresponding position on the gauge generated by the gauge generation means to generate an indicator image indicating the degree of traffic jam on the guide route, and the indicator image generated at the indicator image generation step , The intersection name, place name, facility name,
A characteristic information synthesizing step of further synthesizing characteristic information including any of a road number and distance information; and a display step of displaying an indicator image on which the characteristic information is synthesized in the characteristic information synthesizing step on a predetermined display unit. And a method of displaying a traffic jam condition, comprising: 10. A gauge generation step for generating, in a computer, a gauge that simply indicates the course of the guide route in accordance with guide route information that defines a guide route that the vehicle should follow, and VICS information including at least traffic congestion information. According to the VICS information acquisition step of acquiring the VICS information acquisition step, the VICS information acquired in the VICS information acquisition step, and the guide route information that defines the guide route, and identifies the congestion that has occurred on the guide route, and the identified congestion distance and A symbol generation step of generating a symbol indicating the degree and the symbol generated in the symbol generation step are combined at a corresponding position on the gauge generated by the gauge generation means, and the degree of traffic congestion on the guide route is reduced. An indicator image generating step for generating an indicator image shown by Characteristic information synthesizing step of further synthesizing characteristic information including any of an intersection name, a place name, a facility name, a road number, and distance information to be notified to the indicator image generated in And a display step of displaying an indicator image on which characteristic information is combined in step on a predetermined display unit.