JP2003254773A - Navigation apparatus, system and method therefor, server, navigation program for client, and navigation program for server - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a navigation technology for off-board navigation capable of appropriately giving route guide information even in an area where radio communication such as communication by a cellphone is not available. <P>SOLUTION: In the off-board navigation for requesting route search from an on-vehicle device to a server via radio communication, in addition to original guide route, one or more alternative guide route data are downloaded from the server in advance in case the vehicle goes out of the route in an area where radio communication such as by a cellphone or a PHS is not available. When the vehicle goes out of the route in the uncommunicable area, without communicating with an external server, the guide is changed to an alterative route corresponding to specific guide points. Thereby, the smooth and appropriate guide is made continuable a problem of being lost is prevented, and a sense of security of user can be enhanced. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a navigation technique, that is, a navigation device, a system and a method, a server device, and a client navigation for off-board navigation, which enables proper route guidance even in a wireless communication non-communication area such as a mobile phone. The present invention relates to a program and a server navigation program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the spread of automobiles and digital technology, car navigation technology is advancing. Car navigation is also called navigation, and it searches for and sets the optimum guide route to the specified destination, that is, the route based on the road map data prepared in advance, and displays the vehicle position and surrounding map that are detected in real time. While displaying, route guidance such as turning left or right is provided by screen output or voice synthesis. The road map data includes data representing the network structure of the road for route search and map data for screen display.

Such car navigation can be roughly classified into "onboard" and "offboard".
Reads the road map data from the CD-ROM or the like, and completes the processing including the route search in the vehicle-mounted device.

On the other hand, "off-board" navigation is
Relying on an external server for road map data retention and route search, necessary road map data and guide route data representing the calculated route are downloaded via a communication line such as the Internet line for guidance. . Such off-board navigation has an advantage over the on-board navigation in that necessary information can be obtained from the server with the latest information when needed.

In such off-board navigation, map data for screen display, for example, is generally stored in a memory in the vehicle-mounted device, and thus repeated download is usually unnecessary.

[0006]

However, even in the off-board navigation as described above, since the route search is performed by the server, it is necessary to connect to the server by using the communication line whenever necessary. As a communication line in this case, since a car is a moving body, a wireless line such as a mobile phone or PHS is indispensable, but it is inconvenient and anxious because route search cannot be performed in a so-called non-communication area outside the call area. There was a problem and a potential solution to it.

[0007] In particular, if the user deviates from a predetermined guide route by mistake, a reroute (resetting of the guide route) will be performed, but at that time, a new route can be obtained because the server cannot be connected in the non-communication area. However, there was a problem that the correct route guidance could not be continued smoothly.

The present invention has been proposed in order to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and its object is to provide appropriate route guidance even in an area where wireless communication such as a mobile phone is out of reach in off-board navigation. It is an object of the present invention to provide a navigation technology capable of performing the above, that is, a navigation device, a system and a method, a server device, a client navigation program, and a server navigation program.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 obtains guide route data representing a guide route for guiding a vehicle to a destination from outside by wireless communication. In the navigation device that performs the guidance, a means for acquiring and storing preliminary guidance route data for guiding a vehicle from a guidance point existing in a non-communication area of the wireless communication in the guidance route, together with the guidance route data, and the guidance. Means for detecting a deviation from the route in the non-communication area and switching to the preliminary guidance route data.

A fifth aspect of the present invention captures the first aspect of the invention as a method, and obtains guide route data representing a guide route for guiding a vehicle to a destination from outside by wireless communication. In the navigation method of performing the guidance, the preliminary guidance route data for guiding the vehicle from the guidance point existing in the wireless communication non-communication area in the guidance route is acquired and stored together with the guidance route data, and the guidance route is stored. The route deviation in the non-communication area is detected and the preliminary guidance route data is switched to.

A ninth aspect of the present invention captures the first and fifth aspects of the invention from the viewpoint of a computer program, and represents a guide route for guiding a vehicle to a destination by controlling the computer. Guide route data,
In a client navigation program that is obtained from an external server system by wireless communication to perform the guidance, the program is the computer,
Preliminary guidance route data for guiding a vehicle from a guidance point existing in the wireless communication non-communication area in the guidance route is acquired and stored together with the guidance route data, and the route deviates from the guidance route in the non-communication area. Is detected and the preliminary guidance route data is switched to.

According to the invention of claim 3, the wireless communication used in the server device for calculating and returning the guide route data representing the optimum guide route based on the starting point and the destination given from the outside via the wireless communication. Means for judging the non-communication area based on the information prepared in advance, and a reserve for guiding the vehicle from the guidance point in the non-communication area when it is judged that the non-communication area exists on the calculated guidance route. Means for calculating guide route data and returning together with the guide route data.

According to the invention of claim 7, the invention of claim 3 is grasped from the viewpoint of a method, and based on a starting point and a destination given from the outside via wireless communication, an optimum guide route in the server system. In the navigation method of calculating and returning the guide route data indicating the above, it is judged based on the information prepared in advance about the non-communication area of the wireless communication used, and the judgment is made that there is the non-conduction area on the calculated guide route. In this case, preliminary guide route data for guiding the vehicle from the guide point within the non-communication area is calculated, and the guide route data is returned together with the guide route data.

A tenth aspect of the present invention captures the third and seventh aspects of the present invention from the viewpoint of a computer program, and by controlling a computer, the starting point given from an external client system via wireless communication. In a server navigation program for calculating and returning guide route data representing an optimum guide route as a server system based on a destination, the program is prepared in advance in the computer for a wireless communication non-use area used. Make decisions based on information,
If the determination is made that there is a non-communication area on the calculated guidance route, preliminary guidance route data for guiding the vehicle from the guidance point within the non-communication area is calculated, and the guidance route data is returned together. Characterize.

A navigation system according to a fourth aspect includes the navigation device according to the first or second aspect and the server device according to the third aspect.

The invention of claim 8 is the method of claiming the invention of claim 4, wherein a navigation device mounted on a vehicle and a server device wirelessly communicate with each other, the navigation device comprising: , Obtaining guide route data representing a guide route for guiding a vehicle to a destination from the server device by the wireless communication, and performing the guide, and the server device is given from the navigation device via the wireless communication. Based on the starting point and the destination to be calculated, the guide route data representing the optimum guide route is calculated and returned to the navigation device, it is determined based on the information prepared in advance about the wireless communication non-use area to be used, and calculated. If it is determined that there is a non-communication area on the guidance route, the vehicle is moved from the guidance point in the non-communication area. In order to calculate preliminary guidance route data for guiding and return together with the guidance route data to the navigation device, the navigation device guides the vehicle from the guidance point existing in the wireless communication non-communication area in the guidance route. The preliminary guidance route data of No. 1 is acquired and stored together with the guidance route data, a route deviation from the guidance route in the non-communication area is detected, and the preliminary guidance route data is switched to.

In these modes, in the off-board navigation in which the route search is entrusted from the vehicle-mounted device to the server via wireless communication, in addition to the original guide route, a mobile phone or PH
In preparation for a route deviation in a wireless communication non-communication area such as S, one or more data of the preliminary guidance route is downloaded from the server in advance and prepared in the in-vehicle device. Each preliminary guidance route is from the guidance point in the non-communication area to the outside of the non-communication area or the destination, and each guidance point is an intersection or the like that is likely to pass when the route deviates.

Therefore, even when the route is deviated in the non-communication area and without communicating with an external server, a proper route can be smoothly guided by switching the route target to the corresponding spare route using such a route point as a guide. It is possible to continue to, prevent problems such as getting lost, and increase user security.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the navigation device according to the first aspect, in the case where it is outside a predetermined distance from the guide route of the guide route data or within a predetermined distance from any one of the guide points. It is characterized in that it is configured to judge that the route is off.

The invention of claim 6 is obtained by considering the invention of claim 2 as a method, and in the navigation method of claim 5, it is outside a predetermined distance from the guide route of the guide route data, or any one of the above. The route is determined to be off when it is at least one of the predetermined distances from the guide point.

In these modes, the vehicle position obtained from the GPS or gyro is located within a predetermined distance from each element of the regular route or the guidance intersection or within a predetermined distance from any of the guidance points of the preliminary route. Alternatively, if both of them are satisfied, it is determined that the route is out of the route, so that efficient and reliable processing is realized by a simple criterion.

[0022]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Next, an embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as "the present embodiment") will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the present embodiment is realized by controlling a computer with software. However, in this case, the implementation modes of hardware and software can be changed in various ways. Therefore, in the following description, the present invention and the embodiment will be described. Virtual circuit blocks that realize each function are used.

[1. Configuration] [1-1. Overall Configuration] As shown in the functional block diagram of FIG. 1, the present embodiment is a navigation system in which a navigation device CN mounted in each vehicle, that is, an in-vehicle device and a server S communicate with each other. This includes the Internet N and a mobile phone network that is wireless communication. Further, the present embodiment can be understood as a single navigation device, a server device, a navigation method, or a client or server navigation program.

[1-2. Configuration of Navigation Device] Of these, the navigation device CN is installed in each vehicle and acquires guide route data indicating an optimum guide route for guiding the vehicle to a destination from the external server S by wireless communication and It is a navigation device for guiding.

The navigation device CN has, as its constituent elements, an absolute position / direction detecting unit 1 for detecting the absolute position / direction of the vehicle on the earth using GPS,
A relative azimuth detecting unit 2 that detects the relative azimuth of the vehicle using a gyro, a vehicle speed detecting unit 3 that detects the vehicle speed from a vehicle speed pulse, a main processing unit 4 that uses the memory 10, the main CPU 15, peripheral circuits, and the like. An input / output unit 9 for displaying a liquid crystal screen and inputting button operations, and a communication control unit 22 for controlling communication via the mobile phone terminal device, that is, the mobile terminal 5 are provided.

Of these, the main processing section 4 plays the role of each of the following sections shown in FIG. 1 by the action of a program (a server navigation program) not shown. First, the current position calculation unit 41 detects the absolute position / direction of the own vehicle on the earth obtained by the absolute position / direction detection unit 1, the relative direction of the own vehicle obtained by the relative direction detection unit 2, and the vehicle speed detection. This is a part for calculating the current position of the vehicle in real time based on the vehicle speed obtained by the section 3.

The destination determining unit 42 is a unit for determining a departure place or a destination which is a condition for route search. For example, the present place is set as the departure place, or the destination is designated from the search result of the facility such as a store. Is performed. Further, the search entrusting unit 43 requests the route search by transmitting the departure place and the destination to the predetermined server S,
The guide route received in this way is a means for acquiring from the server S preliminary guide route data for guiding a vehicle from a guide point existing in a wireless communication non-communication area on the guide route together with the guide route data for the guide route data. The data and the preliminary guidance route data are stored in the multiple route storage unit 44.

The guide drawing unit 45 is means for guiding the route based on the received guide route data, and also performs processing such as voice output and graphic drawing. In addition, the route switching unit 46 detects a route deviation from the guidance route in the non-communication area, and, when detecting such a route deviation, switches the guidance route data used for route guidance to the preliminary guidance route data. is there.

The route switching unit 46 deviates from the route when the position of the vehicle is outside a predetermined distance from the guide route of the guide route data or within a predetermined distance from any one of the guide points. It is configured to judge that.

[1-3. Configuration of Server] In addition, the server S
Is a server device that calculates and returns guide route data that represents an optimum guide route based on a starting point and a destination that are given from an external navigation device CN via wireless communication. It is composed of the above-mentioned server group, network equipment, etc., and plays the role of each of the following parts shown in FIG. 1 by the action of a program (a server navigation program) not shown.

First, the communication control unit 61 receives a search request for a guide route designating a departure place and a destination via wireless communication with an external navigation device CN, and is calculated as a search result for the guide route. This is a part for returning the guide route data. In addition, the non-communication area database 62
Is a means for pre-storing information about where and what kind of non-communication area there is in wireless communication of the mobile terminal 5 (referred to as non-communication area data), and the non-communication area determination unit 63 is non-communication on the calculated guide route. It is means for judging whether or not there is an area based on the non-communication area data stored in the non-communication area database 62.

The road map database 64 is a means for storing road network data such as where the road is located and what kind of road it is, and road map data including elements to be drawn on the map screen. Includes a so-called route search engine and includes a navigation device C
In the case where the guide route data of the optimum guide route from the designated start point to the destination is calculated from N, and further, the non-contact area determination unit 63 determines that there is a non-contact area on the calculated guide route. , Means for calculating preliminary guidance route data for guiding the vehicle from the guidance point in the non-communication area.

The guide route data and the preliminary guide route data calculated in this way are temporarily stored in the search route temporary storage unit 66 and then returned to the navigation device CN via the communication control unit 61. Each of these functions may be realized by a separate server or may be appropriately multiplexed.

[2. Operation] The present embodiment configured as described above operates as follows. [2-1. Outline of Action] The navigation device CN acquires the guide route data representing the guide route for guiding the vehicle to the destination from the server S by wireless communication via the portable terminal 5 and performs the guide. Corresponding to this, the server S
Calculates navigation route data representing an optimum navigation route based on the starting point and the destination given from the navigation device CN via the wireless communication and the navigation device CN.
Reply to.

At this time, the server S makes a judgment on the non-communication area of the wireless communication to be used based on the information prepared in advance, and when it is judged that there is a non-communication area on the calculated guide route, the non-communication area is established. Calculate preliminary guidance route data for guiding the vehicle from the guidance point in the area,
The guide route data is returned to the navigation device CN.

Then, the navigation device CN acquires and stores this preliminary guide route data together with the guide route data, detects a deviation from the guide route in the non-communication area on the basis of the guide point, and guides the route. The target is switched to the preliminary guidance route data.

[2-2. Specific Example] Next, as a specific example,
Fig. 2 shows a schematic road map including non-communication areas. In this example, the area inside the ellipse is the area where the mobile phone or PHS is not connected. In this case, the vehicle-mounted device downloads the route search result to the destination from the server for navigation. At this time, in addition to the original regular route rA, the spare routes rB and rC are also downloaded from the server. Therefore, when the vehicle deviates from the regular route rA, the spare route rB or rC is switched to even without communicating with the server. As a result, route guidance can be continued, and the driver can travel smoothly without feeling anxiety.

[2-2-1. Acquisition of Guided Route Data] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a route calculation processing procedure in the server S (FIG. 1) entrusted with route search from the navigation device CN. That is, in the server S, the route search unit 65 first performs a normal route search, and saves the resulting guide route data (also referred to as a search route) in the search route temporary storage unit 66 (step 11).

Next, the non-communication area judging unit 63 judges whether or not there is a non-communication area on the searched route by referring to the non-communication area database 62 (step 12). At each of the intersections, the positions (referred to as out-of-route guidance positions or out-of-route guidance points) pB and pC that are outside the route on the road that is not the original regular route are set as the new base points for route search ( In step 13), the control is passed to the route search unit 65.

The outside route guide points pB and pC are the positions marked with Δ in FIG. This position is, for example, a position 200 m away from the regular route, or a position of the vehicle when the vehicle is mistakenly traveling in the turning direction at the intersection and is a predetermined distance away from it, for example, several tens of m. It provides guidance, and this point is similar to conventional onboard navigation.

Then, the route search unit 65 conducts a search again from these respective base point positions and destinations, and uses it as a preliminary route, that is, a preliminary guidance route, and preliminary guidance route data representing the contents thereof is temporarily stored in the search route 66. Is temporarily stored (step 14) and is transmitted to the navigation device CN together with other guidance route data (step 15).

Here, if the number of base points is, for example, the number of all roads connected to an intersection other than the original regular route, it is possible to adapt to all errors no matter how or at which intersection the road is wrong. become. The backup route may extend to the original destination, or may extend up to the point of leaving the non-communication area in order to reduce the amount of data.

[2-2-2. Detection of Off-Route] Then, in order to detect the off-route within the non-communication area while guiding the route along the regular route returned from the server S as described above, conventional methods such as map matching and route matching are used. Using, the current position of the vehicle calculated from GPS, vehicle speed pulse, gyro, etc. is compared with the regular route and its elements.

Alternatively, simply, position information from GPS or the like and position coordinates of an intersection (referred to as a guidance intersection) or a non-route guidance point where guidance guidance such as each element point of the regular route or right / left turn is scheduled to be output. Compare and calculate the distance from the difference in latitude and longitude. And, for example, 20 from the regular route
If you are 0m away, or 2 outside the route guidance point
When it is approached by about 0 m, it is judged that the vehicle is out of the route, and guidance outside the route indicating that the vehicle is out of the route is performed or the guide route is switched to the preliminary route.

Here, FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a processing procedure in the case where it is determined that the vehicle is out of the route based on the fact that the vehicle is separated from the guidance intersection by a predetermined distance or more and the route is guided. Further, FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the case of determining that the vehicle is out of the route based on the fact that it is close to the position of the route outside guide point, and performing the route outside guide.

[2-2-3. Selection of Preliminary Route] When it is determined that the vehicle is out of the route as described above, as shown in FIG. 6, it is determined which of the route outside guide points the own vehicle position is closest to, and the corresponding preliminary guide route data is set. The target of guidance is switched.

[3. Effect] As described above, in the present embodiment, in the off-board navigation in which the route search is entrusted from the vehicle-mounted device to the server via the wireless communication, in addition to the original guide route, the wireless communication in an area where the wireless communication such as a mobile phone or PHS is not available. In preparation for the departure from the route, one or more data of the preliminary guidance route is downloaded from the server and prepared in advance in the in-vehicle device. Each preliminary guidance route is from the guidance point in the non-communication area to the outside of the non-communication area or the destination, and each guidance point is an intersection or the like that is likely to pass when the route deviates.

Therefore, even when the route is deviated in the non-communication area and without communicating with the external server, the guide target is switched to the corresponding spare route by using such guide point as a guide, so that the appropriate guide can be smoothly conducted. It is possible to continue to, prevent problems such as getting lost, and increase user security.

Further, in this embodiment, the vehicle position obtained from the GPS or the gyro is separated by a predetermined distance from each element of the regular route, the guidance intersection, or within a predetermined distance from any guidance point of the preliminary route. Since it is determined that the route is out of the way when both approaches or both of them are established, efficient and reliable processing is realized by a simple criterion.

[4. Other Embodiments] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and includes other embodiments as illustrated below. For example, the communication means between the navigation device CN and the server S is not limited to the Internet and mobile phones using IP (Internet Protocol), and other protocols such as HDLC and satellite phones can be appropriately adopted.

[0051]

As described above, according to the present invention, in off-board navigation, a navigation technique, that is, a navigation device, a system and a method, and a server, which can provide appropriate route guidance even in a wireless communication non-communication area such as a mobile phone, are provided. Since it is possible to provide a device, a client navigation program, and a server navigation program, a safe and comfortable car life is realized.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a guide route in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a server according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure for determining a route deviation in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure for determining a route deviation in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for selecting a preliminary route guidance data according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

S ... server CN ... Navigation device N ... Internet 1 ... Absolute position / direction detector 2… Relative direction detector 3 ... Vehicle speed detector 4 ... Main processing unit 41 ... Current position calculation unit 42 ... Destination determination unit 43 ... Search Commission Department 44 ... Multi-route storage 45 ... Guide drawing unit 46 ... Route switching unit 5 ... Mobile terminal 9 ... Input / output section 10 ... Memory 11, 12, 13 ... Intersection 15 ... CPU 22 ... Communication control unit pB, pC ... Guide points outside the route rA, rB, rC ... Route 61 ... Control unit for communication, etc. 62 ... Discontinued area database 63 ... Non-contact area determination unit 64 ... Road map database 65 ... Route search unit 66 ... Search route temporary storage unit S ~ ... Each step of the procedure

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A navigation device for guiding the vehicle by externally acquiring guide route data representing a guide route for guiding a vehicle to a destination in a non-communication area of the wireless communication on the guide route. A means for acquiring and storing preliminary guidance route data for guiding a vehicle from an existing guidance point together with the guidance route data, and detecting a route deviation from the guidance route in the non-communication area and the preliminary guidance route data. A navigation device comprising: means for switching to. 2. The route is configured to be determined to be out of the route when it is at least either within a predetermined distance from the guide route of the guide route data or within a predetermined distance from any of the guide points. Claim 1
The described navigation device. 3. A server device for calculating and returning guide route data representing an optimum guide route based on a starting point and a destination given from outside via wireless communication, and preparing in advance a non-communication area for wireless communication to be used. Based on the information obtained, and when it is determined that there is a non-communication area on the calculated guidance route, the preliminary guidance route data for guiding the vehicle from the guidance point in the non-communication area is calculated. And a means for returning together with the guide route data, the server device. 4. A navigation system comprising the navigation device according to claim 1 or 2 and the server device according to claim 3. 5. A navigation method in which guide route data representing a guide route for guiding a vehicle to a destination is acquired from the outside by wireless communication to perform the guide, in a non-communication area of the wireless communication on the guide route. Preliminary guidance route data for guiding a vehicle from an existing guidance point is acquired and stored together with the guidance route data, and a route deviation from the guidance route in the non-communication area is detected and switched to the preliminary guidance route data. A navigation method characterized by the following. 6. The route is judged to be out of the route when it is at least one of a predetermined distance from a guide route of the guide route data or a predetermined distance from any one of the guide points. The described navigation method. 7. A radio communication interruption used in a navigation method for calculating and returning guide route data representing an optimum guide route in a server system based on a starting point and a destination given from the outside via wireless communication. Preliminary guidance route data for guiding the vehicle from the guidance point in the non-communication area when it is determined that there is a non-communication area on the calculated guidance route based on the information prepared in advance for the area Is calculated and returned together with the guide route data. 8. A navigation device mounted on a vehicle,
In a navigation method in which a server device performs wireless communication, the navigation device obtains guide route data indicating a guide route for guiding a vehicle to a destination from the server device by the wireless communication and performs the guide. The server device calculates guide route data representing an optimum guide route based on a departure place and a destination given from the navigation device via the wireless communication and returns the guide route data to the navigation device to use the wireless communication. Preliminary guidance for guiding the vehicle from the guidance point in the non-communication area when it is judged that there is a non-communication area on the calculated guide route. The route data is calculated and returned together with the guide route data to the navigation device. The guidance device acquires and stores preliminary guidance route data for guiding a vehicle from a guidance point existing in the wireless communication non-communication area on the guidance route together with the guidance route data, and the communication from the guidance route is interrupted. A navigation method, comprising detecting a route deviation in an area and switching to the preliminary guidance route data. 9. A navigation program for a client, which controls a computer to obtain guide route data representing a guide route for guiding a vehicle to a destination by wireless communication from an external server system to perform the guide. In the program, the program causes the computer to acquire and store preliminary guidance route data for guiding a vehicle from a guidance point existing in a non-communication area of the wireless communication in the guidance route together with the guidance route data. A navigation program for a client, which detects an off-route in the non-communication area from the above and switches to the preliminary guidance route data. 10. By controlling a computer,
In a server navigation program for calculating and returning guide route data representing an optimum guide route as a server system based on a starting point and a destination given via wireless communication from an external client system, the program is stored in the computer. , Make a judgment based on the information prepared in advance about the non-communication area of wireless communication used, and if it is judged that there is a non-communication area on the calculated guidance route, guide the vehicle from the guidance point in the non-communication area. A navigation program for a server, characterized in that preliminary navigation route data for performing the navigation is calculated and returned together with the navigation route data.