JP2004053951A - Navigation system, method for creating map for display and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To display a more recommended route through which a car will drive from now on. <P>SOLUTION: Points 61-70 are taken in the order of nearer position to a place 60 where one is now on a recommended route 50, and in the relation between coordinates P<SB>0</SB>(x<SB>0</SB>, y<SB>0</SB>) of the place 60 and coordinates P<SB>n</SB>(x<SB>n</SB>, y<SB>n</SB>) (n=1-10) of the points 61-70, it is confirmed that the range from the place 60 to which point P<SB>n</SB>(n≥1) can be displayed in the display area of a monitoring screen. In accordance with the confirmed result, the place 60 is displayed apart from the center of the monitoring screen. A more recommended route 50 can be therefore displayed on the monitoring screen while maintaining continuity. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a navigation device or the like that displays a recommended route on a monitor together with a map, and more particularly to a navigation device or the like that improves the display of a recommended route.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a navigation device that can obtain a current position and a moving speed in real time using a GPS (Global Positioning System) satellite orbiting in the sky has been widely used for mounting on a mobile body such as an automobile or for portable use. It is starting to spread.
The navigation device displays a map on a monitor based on the digitized map data. In particular, a navigation device mounted on a moving object has a function of guiding a course direction based on a route set by a user.
[0003]
When a user sets a route, at least a departure place (start point) and a destination (end point) are designated. Then, the navigation device searches for and generates an optimal route connecting the two points of the designated departure point and destination, and presents it to the user as a recommended route. In addition, the user can arbitrarily designate a point that the user wants to drop in before arriving at the destination, or a point that is a landmark during traveling, such as an intersection, an interchange, or a ramp, as a waypoint.
Even when the user does not particularly specify a waypoint, when the navigation device presents the recommended route to the user, a point located between the departure place and the destination can be presented to the user as a waypoint. . Thereby, the user can grasp the image of the directions and the guide points before departure.
[0004]
Further, in this type of navigation device, when traveling along the presented recommended route, a map in which a recommended route including the current position is superimposed is displayed on a monitor. The current position is displayed at the center of the map displayed on the monitor by using, for example, an arrow-shaped icon, so that the user can simultaneously grasp the current position and the traveling direction.
As a method of displaying the map on the monitor, for example, a method of displaying the upper side of the monitor and the north side of the map in agreement (hereinafter, referred to as north-up display), a method of displaying the upper side of the monitor and the traveling direction from the current location, (Hereinafter, referred to as head-up display) and the like are known.
[0005]
By the way, in the navigation device described above, a map is displayed so that the current position is located at the center of the screen of the monitor. When the vehicle is traveling on the displayed linear recommended route, the recommended route that has already been traveled and the recommended route that is to be traveled from now on are displayed on the monitor by the same distance. Here, considering the original purpose of the navigation device, it is not necessary to display much about the recommended route which has already been traveled, but it is easy to show more about the recommended route to be traveled in the future. Will be understood.
[0006]
Therefore, in recent navigation devices, in order to display more recommended routes to be driven in the future, for example, in the case of north-up display, a map in which the current position is offset by a predetermined amount in a direction opposite to the traveling direction in the east-west direction or the north-south direction is displayed. For example, in a head-up display, a method of displaying a map in which a current position is offset by a predetermined amount in a direction opposite to a traveling direction, that is, a downward direction of a monitor is widely used.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, even if the above-described method is used, for example, if the vehicle travels on a recommended route that makes a U-turn immediately after traveling a little from the current location, the current location is moved in a direction in which the recommended route after the U-turn becomes invisible. Since an offset map is displayed, there has been a technical problem that recommended routes displayed on a monitor are reduced. Such a technical problem occurs regardless of the north-up display and the head-up display.
[0008]
The present invention has been made to solve the above technical problem, and an object of the present invention is to display more recommended routes to be traveled.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
With such a purpose, the navigation device of the present invention acquires a recommended route search means for searching for a recommended route from a departure point to a destination, a positioning means for positioning a current position, and map data including a measured current position. Map data acquisition means, and a display map for creating a display map in which the current position is offset based on the searched recommended route and the acquired map data so that the continuity of the recommended route to travel is maintained. It is characterized by comprising a creating means and a display means for displaying the created display map. In this navigation device, the continuity of the recommended route to be traveled from now on is maintained, that is, it is first checked how far the recommended route can be displayed on the display means, and based on this, the current position displayed on the display means is confirmed. Since the offset amount is determined, more recommended routes to be driven are displayed.
[0010]
Further, the display map creating means can create a display map in which a predetermined one corner (for example, northward) is always upward in the display means, or a display map in which the traveling direction is always upward in the display means. In such a navigation device, it is possible to provide a display map that is easy for the user to understand.
[0011]
Further, the display map creating means can create the display map so that the current location is displayed in a predetermined area except for the end of the display area of the display means. In such a navigation device, the current location is displayed in the display area. , It is possible to provide a display map that is easy for the user to see. On the other hand, the display map creating means can also create a display map so that the recommended route to be traveled in the display area of the display means is displayed as much as possible. Since more information is displayed, it is possible for the user to provide a display map including more information.
[0012]
The present invention also provides a computer with a function of searching for a recommended route from a departure point to a destination, a function of locating a current position, a function of obtaining map data including a located current position, Based on the route and the acquired map data, it can be grasped as a program for realizing a function of creating a display map in which the current position is offset so that the continuity of the recommended route to travel is maintained. it can.
[0013]
The program to be executed by these computers may be stored in a storage medium readable by the computer. Examples of the storage medium include a CD-ROM medium and the like. A program is read by a CD-ROM reading device in a computer, and the program is stored in various memories such as a hard disk in the computer and executed. Conceivable. In addition, for example, a form in which these programs are provided to a notebook PC or a portable terminal via a network by a program transmission device can be considered. It is sufficient for such a program transmission device to include a memory for storing the program and a program transmission means for providing the program via a network.
[0014]
The present invention can also be understood as an invention of a method in which each function in the invention of the above-described program is expressed in steps.
[0015]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining the overall configuration of a navigation device 1 according to one embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, a navigation device 1 according to the present embodiment includes a speaker 11 for outputting guidance voice, a keyboard, a mouse, an operation unit 12 such as a remote controller and a control panel, and a connection with the Internet or the like. A communication terminal 13, which is a communication means, and a disk on which a recording disk such as a CD (Compact Disc) -ROM (Read Only Memory) or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) -ROM storing map data of a predetermined wide area is stored. A drive 14, a display unit 15 having a monitor such as a liquid crystal display for displaying images such as maps, a positioning block 16 for positioning the own vehicle, a control block 17 for controlling the entire device, traffic jams, accidents, traffic regulations, Get traffic information such as parking lots It is configured to include a traffic information receiving block 18,.
[0016]
The recording disk stores a plurality of types of map data of different scales for the same area. Further, point data such as nodes (points) and search data such as facility names are also stored on the recording disk in association with map data.
The positioning block 16 detects a vehicle speed of a vehicle equipped with a GPS antenna 21 for receiving a signal transmitted from a GPS satellite, a GPS positioning unit 22 for performing positioning based on a signal obtained from the GPS antenna 21, and the navigation device 1. The vehicle includes a vehicle speed sensor 23, a gyro sensor 24 that detects rotational displacement of the vehicle, and a positioning correction unit 25 that corrects a positioning result in the GPS positioning unit 22 based on detection values obtained by the vehicle speed sensor 23 and the gyro sensor 24. .
[0017]
The control block 17 includes a CPU 30 for controlling the entire system and performing arithmetic processing, a RAM 31 as an internal storage device including a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) and the like, a ROM 32 storing a predetermined program for operating the navigation device 1, A voice control unit 33 that controls the voice output from the speaker 11, an input control unit 34 that controls an input signal from the operation unit 12, and calculates a recommended route based on a departure point, a transit point, and a destination set by the user. A path setting control unit 35; a communication unit 36 that communicates with the Internet or the like through a communication terminal 13 such as a detachable mobile phone terminal or a portable information terminal such as a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant); a disk drive 14; Control unit 3 for controlling , And a display control unit 38 that controls the other display the map on the display unit 15. The display control unit 38 has a graphic controller 38a for performing display control and a video RAM 38b.
[0018]
The traffic information receiving block 18 includes an FM multiplex receiver 41, a beacon receiver 42, and a traffic information processing control unit 43.
The FM multiplex receiver 41 receives the FM multiplex broadcast wave including the traffic information data by the FM antenna, and outputs the multiplexed traffic information data by demodulating the FM multiplex broadcast wave.
The beacon receiver 42 receives a signal including traffic information data from a radio wave (or light) beacon transmitter using a beacon antenna, and obtains and outputs traffic information data by demodulating the signal.
The traffic information processing control unit 43 processes traffic information data such as traffic congestion information received by the FM multiplex receiver 41 and the beacon receiver 42, so-called VICS information, and the FM multiplex receiver 41 and the beacon receiver 42 The data of the received traffic information is stored in the RAM 31.
[0019]
In the navigation device 1, after the route setting control unit 35 searches for a recommended route based on the departure point, waypoint, and destination input from the operation unit 12, the searched recommended route is displayed on the display unit 38 by the display control unit 38. 15 is displayed.
[0020]
FIG. 2 shows a basic process flow until the display unit 15 displays the recommended route and the map corresponding to the current location.
In the navigation device 1, first, data of the current location is acquired by the positioning correction unit 25 of the positioning block 16. If the data of the current position is acquired twice or more by the positioning by the positioning correction unit 25 which is repeated every predetermined time, the traveling direction of the own vehicle can be acquired (step S11). Subsequently, map data corresponding to the current location is obtained from the recording disk (step S12). The map data includes data on the scale of the map. Then, the recommended route data is acquired from the route setting control unit 35 (step S13), a display map is created based on the acquired map data and the recommended route data (step S14), and the created display map is displayed on the display unit 15. (Step S15). It should be noted that the map data may be read from the recording disk described above, or information supplied via an external network may be read from the communication terminal 13.
[0021]
FIG. 3 shows the details of step S14, that is, the flow of processing for creating a display map based on map data and recommended route data. FIG. 4 shows an example of the searched recommended route 50. In this example, the recommended route 50 from the current location 60 to the destination (not shown) is shown. The coordinate _P 0 location 60 _{(x 0, y} 0) and recommended coordinates _P n of the route points 61 through 70 which are set at regular intervals in order of proximity to the current location 60 in _{50 (x n, y n)} (n = 1 to 10) are XY coordinates taken with respect to an arbitrary origin. However, for example, when the user designates the north-up display, the Yn direction (north direction) shown in the drawing is set as the Y axis. On the other hand, when the user designates the head-up display, the drawing shows The coordinates P _n (x _n , y _n ) are set with the Yh direction (the traveling direction from the current position 60) shown in FIG. Therefore, the coordinates P _n (x _n , y _n ) of the same point are different between the north-up display and the head-up display except for the case where the traveling direction is the north direction. Moreover, even with the same recommended route 50, different scale of the corresponding map, even with the same position coordinates P _n of the position _(x n, _{y n)} are different. FIG. 5 shows a monitor screen 100 of the display unit 15. The monitor screen 100 has a display area _{S D} of the width _{W D} and the height _{H D,} the center is the center position C. The maximum allowable width W is a width of the monitor screen 100 excluding the left and right ends 1 cm from the width W _D , and the maximum allowable height H is a height of the monitor screen 100 excluding the upper and lower ends 1 cm each. is there.
[0022]
In this process, first, all the variables Xmax, Xmin, Ymax, and Ymin are set to 0 (step S101). Here, Xmax coordinates _{P 0 (x 0, y 0} ) of the current position 60 and an arbitrary point _{P n (x n, y n} ) on the recommended route 50 X-direction (east-west direction in the north-up display during head-up In the display, the maximum value of the difference in the direction perpendicular to the traveling direction), Xmin is between the coordinates P ₀ (x ₀ , y ₀ ) of the current position 60 and an arbitrary point P _n (x _n , y _n ) on the recommended route 50. the minimum value of the X-direction of the difference, Ymax coordinates _{P 0 (x 0, y 0} ) of the current position 60 and an arbitrary point _{P n (x n, y n} ) on the recommended route 50 in Y direction between (north-up display The maximum value of the difference in the north-south direction and the heading-up display in the traveling direction), Xmin is between the coordinates P ₀ (x ₀ , y ₀ ) of the current position 60 and an arbitrary point P _n (x _n , y _n ) on the recommended route 50. Of the difference in the Y direction of A.
[0023]
Next, n = 1 is set (step S102), and the coordinates P ₀ (x ₀ , y ₀ ) of the current location 60 and the next coordinates P _n (x _n , y _n ) on the recommended route 50 on the destination side from the current location 60 are set. The difference between the X coordinate value Dx and the Y coordinate difference Dy with P ₁ (x ₁ , y ₁ ) is calculated (step S103).
[0024]
Then, it is determined whether or not the obtained difference Dx between the X coordinate values is equal to or greater than 0 and greater than Xmax (step S104). If this condition is satisfied, Dx is substituted for Xmax (step S105). The process proceeds to step S108 described below. On the other hand, when this condition is not satisfied, it is next determined whether or not the obtained difference Dx of the X coordinate value is less than 0 and smaller than Xmin (step S106). Substitutes Dx for Xmin (step S107), and proceeds to the next step S108. If this condition is not satisfied, the routine proceeds to the next step S108.
[0025]
Next, it is determined whether the obtained difference Dy of the Y coordinate value is equal to or greater than 0 and greater than Ymax (step S108). If this condition is satisfied, Dy is substituted for Ymax (step S109). The process proceeds to step S112 described below. On the other hand, if this condition is not satisfied, it is next determined whether or not the obtained difference Dy of the Y coordinate value is less than 0 and smaller than Ymin (step S110). Substitutes Dy for Ymin (step S111), and proceeds to the next step S112. If this condition is not satisfied, the routine proceeds to the next step S112.
[0026]
Next, it is determined whether or not the difference between Xmax and Xmin is equal to or greater than the maximum allowable width W (step S112). If this condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S115 described later. If this condition is not satisfied, it is next determined whether or not the difference between Ymax and Ymin is greater than or equal to the maximum allowable height H (step S113). advances to S115, if not meet this condition is set to n = n + 1 returns to (step S114) step S103, the point _{P 1 (x 1, y 1} ) further destination side of the recommended route 50 above the The above-described processing is performed on the coordinates P ₂ (x ₂ , y ₂ ). Therefore, until the difference between Xmax and Xmin is equal to or greater than the maximum allowable width W, or until the difference between Ymax and Ymin is equal to or greater than the maximum allowable height H, the coordinates P _n sequentially acquired from the points on the recommended route 50. (x _{n, y n)} while moving to the destination side, so that the above-mentioned processing will continue.
[0027]
If this condition is not satisfied, n = n-1 is set (step S115), and then offset coordinates are set based on Xmax, Xmin, Ymax, and Ymin when n = n-1. P _c (x _c , y _c ) is obtained (step S116), and the series of processes ends.
[0028]
In this embodiment, the above-described processing, check the current position P ₀ to any point Pn (n ≧ 1) can be displayed in the display area S of the monitor screen 100 (maximum allowable width W and the maximum allowable height H) That is, the length of the recommended route 50 that can be displayed while maintaining continuity on the monitor screen 100 can be obtained. Then, a map including the recommended route 50 and the current location 60 is displayed on the monitor screen 100 so that the obtained offset coordinates P _c (x _c , y _c ) coincide with the center position C of the monitor screen 100, so that the vehicle can travel from now on. More recommended routes 60 can be displayed. In this embodiment, the maximum allowable width W smaller than the width W _D of the monitor screen 100, and, what smaller than the height H _D of the monitor screen 100 the maximum allowable height H, This is to prevent the current location 60 from being displayed at the edge of the monitor screen 100.
[0029]
FIG. 6 shows a recommended route 50 in the display map created by the processing shown in FIG. 3 and displayed on the monitor screen 100 in the north-up display. In this example, the recommended route 50 to the point 69 shown in FIG. 4 is displayed. An icon 80 indicating an arrow-shaped current position is displayed at a position corresponding to the current position 60 on the monitor screen 100, and an icon 90 indicating an azimuth is displayed on the upper left of the monitor screen 100. On the other hand, FIG. 7 shows a recommended route 50 created by a conventional process and displayed on the monitor screen 100 in a north-up display. In this example, the current position 60 is not offset.
From FIGS. 6 and 7, it is understood that the use of the technique described in the present embodiment allows a greater number of recommended routes 50 to be traveled to be displayed than in the case of using the conventional technique.
[0030]
FIG. 8 shows a recommended route 50 in the display map created by the processing shown in FIG. 3 and displayed on the monitor screen 100 in the head-up display. In this example, the recommended route 50 to the point 67 shown in FIG. 4 is displayed. The point where the icon 80 indicating the current position is displayed at the position corresponding to the current position 60 on the monitor screen 100 and the point 90 where the icon 90 indicating the azimuth is displayed on the upper left of the monitor screen 100 are the same as the above-described north-up display. However, the angle of the icon 90 indicating the direction is changed according to the traveling direction. On the other hand, FIG. 9 shows a recommended route 50 in the display map created by the conventional processing and displayed on the monitor screen 100 in the head-up display. In this example, the current position 60 is offset downward by a certain amount.
8 and 9, the use of the method described in the present embodiment displays more recommended routes 50 to be traveled in the head-up display than in the case of using the conventional method. It is understood that it is possible.
[0031]
Further, in the present embodiment, in both the north-up display and the head-up display, more recommended routes 50 can be displayed, so that more maps around the recommended route can be displayed. Therefore, there is also an advantage that even when searching for a detour around the recommended route due to sudden congestion or the like, it is easier to confirm the surrounding route.
[0032]
In the present embodiment, an example in which the display map and the recommended route 50 are displayed in two dimensions has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the same applies to a three-dimensional display. Can be.
[0033]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to display more recommended routes to be traveled.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a navigation device according to one embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a map display process in the navigation device according to the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a display map creation process in the navigation device according to the embodiment.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a searched recommended route.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a monitor screen of a display unit.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a recommended route in a display map displayed on a monitor screen in a north-up display using the method described in the embodiment.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a recommended route in a display map displayed on a monitor screen in a north-up display using a conventional method.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a recommended route in a display map displayed on a monitor screen by head-up display using the method described in the embodiment.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a recommended route in a display map displayed on a monitor screen by head-up display using a conventional method.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Navigation apparatus, 11 ... Speaker, 12 ... Operation part, 13 ... Communication terminal, 14 ... Disk drive, 15 ... Display part, 16 ... Positioning block, 17 ... Control block, 18 ... Traffic information receiving block, 21 ... GPS antenna , 22 GPS positioning unit, 23 vehicle speed sensor, 24 gyro sensor, 25 positioning correction unit, 30 CPU, 31 RAM, 32 ROM, 33 voice control unit, 34 input control unit, 35 path Setting control unit, 36 communication unit, 37 storage control unit, 38 display control unit, 41 FM multiplex receiver, 42 beacon receiver, 43 traffic information control unit, 50 recommended route, 60 current location .., 61 to 70... Point, 80... Current position icon, 90.

Claims (7)

A recommended route searching means for searching for a recommended route from the departure place to the destination;
Positioning means for positioning the current location;
Map data acquisition means for acquiring map data including the located current position,
Based on the searched recommended route and the acquired map data, a display map creating means for creating a display map in which the current position is offset so that continuity of the recommended route to travel is maintained,
Display means for displaying the created display map. 2. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the display map creating unit creates the display map such that a predetermined one corner is always upward in the display unit. 2. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the display map creating means creates the display map in which the traveling direction is always upward in the display means. 2. The navigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display map creating unit creates the display map such that the current location is displayed in a predetermined area except an end of a display area of the display unit. . The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the display map creating unit creates the display map such that a recommended route traveling in a display area of the display unit is displayed as much as possible. Searching for a recommended route from the origin to the destination;
Positioning the current location;
Obtaining map data including the measured current location;
Creating a display map in which the current location is offset so that continuity of the recommended route to be run is maintained based on the searched recommended route and the acquired map data. How to create a display map. On the computer,
The ability to find a recommended route from the origin to the destination,
A function to determine your location,
A function of acquiring map data including the measured current location;
A function of creating a display map in which the current position is offset so that continuity of the recommended route to be traveled is maintained based on the searched recommended route and the acquired map data. Features program.

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