JP2004108874A - Navigation device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent from being bored by arriving at a destination sufficiently earlier than the desired time of a user in a navigation device provided with a route guidance function. <P>SOLUTION: When the destination and the desired arrival time are inputted by the user (S1), a control circuit retrieves a plurality of routes, calculates expected arrival times regarding those routes (S2) and indicate it on an indicator (S3). When the route is selected by the user (S4; Y), whether or not the expected arrival time of the route is earlier than the desired arrival time by a predetermined time or more is determined and when the arrival expectation time is earlier than that (S5; Y), a treatment for adding and setting passing points to the destination is carried out (S6). In the additional treatment of this passing point, a plurality of passing point candidates around the route are automatically extracted and the user can select among those passing point candidates. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a navigation device having a route guidance function for searching for and guiding a route to a designated destination.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A navigation device, for example, a car navigation system generally includes a main body including a microcomputer and the like, a display device including a full-color LCD, a position detector including a GPS receiver, a drive device for reading road map data from a map data recording medium such as a DVD, and the like. It is configured with. A location function for detecting the current position of the vehicle based on GPS or the like and displaying the current position on a display device by superimposing the map on a display device, and calculating a recommended route from the current position (departure point) to the destination designated by the user. And a route guidance function for guiding the route by screen display or voice.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the car navigation system as described above, when performing a route search from the current position (departure point) to the destination, conditions (for example, “recommended”, “general road priority”, “toll road priority”, “distance priority”, It is possible to search for a plurality of different routes according to the “five conditions of“ another route ”), and the user can specify conditions in advance or select one of the plurality of searched routes. Route guidance along the route is performed. In addition, the user can also set one or more passing points (pass-through points) in addition to the setting of the above-mentioned destination, and if there are setting of passing points, the user passes through these passing points in order to reach the destination. A route search is performed so as to reach the route.
[0004]
By the way, a user using such a route guidance function drives with a certain amount of intention at the time when he should arrive at the destination, but the required time varies depending on the route to be passed, and the user is scheduled (desired). There is a case where the user arrives at the destination at a time sufficiently earlier than the time when he / she has left, leaving more free time. For example, when traveling (driving) to a tourist spot or the like, the user gives priority to arrival at a destination (for example, a hotel or the like). It is also conceivable that you may skip the facilities and facilities and feel frustrated later.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a route guidance function, so that the user arrives at the destination at a time sufficiently earlier than desired by the user so as to spare time. It is an object of the present invention to provide a navigation device capable of preventing such a problem.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a navigation device according to the present invention includes a route guidance function, in which an estimated time of arrival at a destination when the vehicle travels along a searched route is calculated by a calculating unit, and the arrival time is calculated. When the expected time is earlier than the desired arrival time at the destination entered by the input means, the passing point to the destination can be additionally set by the passing point addition setting means. 1 invention).
[0007]
According to this, the passing point to the destination is additionally set by the passing point addition setting means, so that the route becomes longer or takes a longer time to the destination, and the arrival time at the destination is delayed. Become. Thus, while effectively spending time at the added transit point, the arrival at the actual destination will be closer to the time desired by the user, and as a result, the target will arrive at a time sufficiently earlier than desired by the user. It is possible to prevent beforehand from arriving at the ground and having extra time.
[0008]
At this time, the passing point addition setting means may be configured to automatically extract a plurality of passing point candidates around the searched route and allow the user to freely select from the passing point candidates. Thus, the operation of setting the passing point by the user can be simplified, and the convenience for the user can be improved.
[0009]
Also, a plurality of different routes to the destination are searched by the route searching means, the estimated time of arrival is calculated by the calculating means for each of the routes, the estimated time of arrival of each of the routes is displayed, and one of the routes is displayed by the user. (Invention of claim 3). Thus, the user can select a route in consideration of the expected arrival time on each route, and can additionally set a passing point by the passing point addition setting means.
[0010]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, FIG. 1 schematically shows the entire electrical configuration of a car navigation system 1 as a navigation device according to the present embodiment.
[0011]
The navigation device 1 includes a control circuit 2 mainly composed of a microcomputer including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an I / O, etc., a position detector 3, a map data input device 4, an operation switch group 5, for example, A transceiver 7 for transmitting and receiving data to and from an infrastructure such as a VICS system 6, an external memory 8, a display device 9 composed of a full-color liquid crystal display, a remote control sensor 11 for detecting a signal from a remote control 10, and the like are connected to each other. Have been.
[0012]
The position detector 3 includes a geomagnetic sensor 12, a gyroscope 13, a distance sensor 14, and a GPS receiver 15 for a GPS (Global Positioning System) that detects the position of the vehicle based on radio waves from satellites. have.
The GPS receiver 15 also receives data of the current time. Since the sensors 12 to 15 of the position detector 3 have errors having different properties, the control circuit 2 is configured to use the sensors while interpolating them. Thus, the current position, traveling direction, speed, traveling distance, and the like of the vehicle are detected with high accuracy. Note that, depending on the accuracy, a position detector may be configured from a part of the sensors 12 to 15 described above. In addition, a rotation sensor for steering, a wheel sensor for rolling wheels, or the like may be used. It is possible.
[0013]
The map data input device 4 comprises a drive device for reading out various data such as road map data and associated data such as destination data (facility data) from a map data recording medium. As the medium, for example, a large-capacity storage medium such as a DVD or a CD-ROM is used. The road map data includes data of a road shape, a road width, a road name, a building, various facilities, a place name, topography, and the like, and also includes data for reproducing the road map on the screen of the display device 9. I have.
[0014]
In addition, the destination data, transportation facilities such as stations, leisure facilities, accommodation facilities, facilities such as public facilities, and various stores such as retail stores, department stores, restaurants, residences and condominiums, information on place names and the like, This data includes data such as telephone numbers, addresses, latitudes and longitudes, and data for displaying landmarks indicating facilities and the like on the screen of the display device 9 by superimposing them on a road map. It is composed of
[0015]
Although not shown in detail, the operation switch group 5 includes a mechanical switch provided near a screen of the display device 9 and a touch panel provided on the screen of the display device 9. Using the operation switch group 5, it is possible to input various commands such as designation of a destination and a passing point (intermediate point) on the way, selection of a scale of a road map displayed on the display device 9, and the like. It has become. The remote controller 10 also has a function equivalent to the operation switch group 5. Incidentally, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which a voice can be input for designating the destination or the like.
[0016]
On the screen of the display device 9, a map around the current position of the vehicle is displayed at various scales at normal times, and a current position mark indicating the current position and the traveling direction of the vehicle is displayed so as to be superimposed on the display. It has become. The display device 9 also displays an input screen for the user to perform various inputs and settings (selection) such as destinations, various messages, and the like.
[0017]
At this time, as described later, in performing the route search and the route guidance to the destination, the user specifies on the screen of the display device 9 the destination, the passing point, and the availability of the expressway, and further, the destination. An input screen for inputting a desired arrival time to the vehicle, a selection screen for selecting a route, an additional setting screen for setting a passing point to be added, and the like are displayed. Although not shown, when the route guidance to the destination is executed, the route to be superimposed on the map is displayed in a different color from the other roads (in a conspicuous color). A destination mark indicating a destination, a landmark around a route, characters, and the like are also displayed.
[0018]
The control circuit 2 realizes a location function for knowing the current position of the vehicle and a route guidance function for searching for and guiding a route to a designated destination by its software configuration (execution of a program). It is supposed to.
Among them, the location function displays the road map on the display device 9 based on the map data from the map data input device 4 as described above, and determines the current position and the traveling direction of the vehicle based on the detection of the position detector 3. The current position mark is displayed. In this case, the display of the current position moves on the map as the vehicle travels, and the map is scroll-displayed according to the position of the vehicle. At this time, map matching for putting the current position of the vehicle on the road is performed.
[0019]
The control circuit 2 functions as route searching means for searching for a recommended route to a designated destination based on a user's operation of the operation switch group 5 (or the remote controller 10). In this route search, a recommended traveling route from the departure point (current position) of the vehicle to the destination designated by the user is automatically calculated, and the well-known Dijkstra method is used as a method thereof. .
At this time, if the user has specified in advance that the use of the expressway is not allowed, a route that does not pass through the expressway is searched for. Further, the user can also specify one or more passing points (pass-through points) in conjunction with the designation of the destination, and when the passing points are specified, the user passes through the passing points in order to reach the destination. The route search is performed as described above.
[0020]
Further, the control circuit 2 functions as route guidance means for guiding the traveling route to the destination determined by the route search (route calculation). As described above, this route guidance superimposes a road map on the screen of the display device 9 and displays the route to be traveled in a conspicuous color together with the current position (current position mark) of the vehicle to guide the user to the destination. Thus, the route guidance function is realized. During the route guidance, when the vehicle comes near the intersection, an enlarged view of the vicinity of the intersection is automatically displayed on the display device 9, and in addition to this, the voice synthesizing function is used to display, for example, “the intersection 200 m ahead”. Left. "
[0021]
As will be described later in the description of the operation, in this embodiment, in realizing the above-described route guidance function, the user inputs the desired arrival time for the destination together with the designation of the destination (and the passing point). You can do it. The user inputs the desired arrival time by operating the operation switch group 5 (or the remote control 10) while the input screen for inputting the destination or the like is displayed on the display device 9. Thus, the input means is configured.
[0022]
The control circuit 2 calculates the time required to reach the destination from the current location of the vehicle through the route when performing the above route search, and adds the required time to the current time to estimate the arrival time. The time is calculated, and functions as a calculating means. The calculation of the required time can be performed, for example, by obtaining a distance (a road) from the current position of the vehicle to the destination and dividing the distance by an average vehicle speed according to the type of the road. And other road traffic information.
[0023]
At this time, in the present embodiment, the control circuit 2 performs, for example, “recommended” through a route with the smallest evaluation value (cost) and “recommended route through non-toll road” when performing the route search. Priority "," Toll road priority "for finding a route that passes over toll roads such as expressways," Distance priority "for finding the shortest route, and" Alternate route "for finding a different route. A route is searched for each condition, and the calculation of the estimated arrival time is performed for each of the five different routes. When the condition that the use of the expressway is unavailable is specified, the route of “toll road priority” among the above is not obtained.
[0024]
After the route search and the calculation of the estimated arrival time, a selection screen for the user to select one of the plurality of searched routes is displayed on the display device 9. , The calculated estimated arrival time for each route is displayed. When the user looks at this selection screen and selects and operates any one of the routes, route guidance along the route is performed.
[0025]
Then, if the estimated arrival time on the selected route is earlier than the input desired arrival time by a predetermined time (for example, 15 minutes), the control circuit 2 additionally sets a passing point to the destination. Is executed. The additional setting of the passing point is performed by the user operating the operation switch group 5 (or the remote controller 10) while the additional setting screen (see FIG. 3) for additionally setting the passing point is displayed on the display device 9. In the present embodiment, the control circuit 2 automatically extracts a plurality of passing point candidates around the selected route and displays them on the additional setting screen. You can freely choose from among them. It is needless to say that the user can select not to perform the additional setting of the passing point as described above.
[0026]
Thus, the control circuit 2, the display device 9, the operation switch group 5, and the like constitute a passing point additional setting means. Further, when the additional setting of the passing point is performed in this way, the control circuit 2 searches again for a route that passes through the added passing point, and at the same time, predicts the arrival of the recalculated route. The time is calculated.
If the estimated arrival time is still earlier than the desired arrival time by a predetermined time or more, the process of additionally setting a passing point is repeated.
[0027]
Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the flowchart of FIG. 2 shows an outline of a processing procedure executed by the control circuit 2 when performing route guidance (route search and guidance). Here, when the user operates the operation switch group 5 to instruct the execution of the route guidance, an input screen is displayed on the display device 9, and the user sets a destination (a passing point on the input screen). In this case, a passing point is input (step S1).
[0028]
Then, in step S2, a plurality of (five) different routes from the current location to the destination are searched, and the estimated arrival time for each route is calculated. In the next step S3, the display device 9 displays a selection screen for allowing the user to select a route, that is, a plurality of searched routes and estimated arrival times for the calculated routes. The user looks at this selection screen and selects one of the routes by operating the operation switch group 5 (step S4).
[0029]
At this time, for the above five types of routes, the required time to the destination, that is, the estimated time of arrival varies, but the user refers to the estimated time of arrival of each route, and, for example, arrives at the destination in a short time. A desired route can be selected, for example, by selecting a route that uses an expressway that can be reached, or by selecting a route that gives priority to a general road because there is enough time without rushing.
[0030]
When the route is selected by the user (Yes in step S4), in the next step S5, the expected arrival time of the selected route is compared with the desired arrival time input in step S1, and the arrival time is determined. It is determined whether the expected time is earlier than the desired arrival time by a predetermined time (for example, 15 minutes). If the estimated arrival time is earlier than the desired arrival time by a predetermined time or more (Yes in step S5), in step S6, a pass point addition setting process is performed. The details of the pass point addition setting process in step S6 will be described later with reference to FIG.
[0031]
When the process of adding a passing point is performed, or when the estimated arrival time is equal to (for example, about ± 15 minutes) or later than the desired arrival time (No in step S5), in the next step S7, Route guidance is started. Although not shown, if the estimated arrival time is later than the desired arrival time by a predetermined time or more, a screen notifying the fact is displayed on the display device 9 and the user is changed to another route (or passed). (Correction such as deletion of a point) may be selected.
[0032]
FIG. 3 shows a flow of the above-mentioned passing point addition setting process by giving a specific example of a screen display (addition setting screen) of the display device 9. First, on the screen V1, how soon the vehicle arrives before the desired arrival time (one hour earlier in the figure) is displayed, and the user selects whether or not to perform additional setting of a passing point on this screen V1.
If “No” is selected, the additional setting of the passing point is not performed, and the process ends as it is.
[0033]
When the additional setting of the passing point is performed (“Yes” is selected), the user selects and specifies the passing point on the screens V2 to V4. In this case, the control circuit 2 automatically extracts a plurality of pass point candidates from the map around the selected route, displays the plurality of pass point candidates, and allows the user to select the pass point candidates. Selects place names in stages (hierarchy), such as selecting "city" on screen V2, selecting "ward" on next screen V3, and selecting "town" on next screen V4. The waypoint is adopted by selecting.
[0034]
When the selection of a passing point (additional setting) is performed in this manner, a new route is calculated by adding the selected passing point, and at the same time, an estimated arrival time for the new route is calculated. At this time, it is conceivable that the estimated arrival time is still earlier than the desired arrival time or, conversely, later on the new route to which the passing point is added.
[0035]
If the estimated arrival time is still earlier than the desired arrival time, a message to that effect is displayed on the screen V5, and the user is allowed to select whether or not to add a passing point. When a pass point is further added ("Yes" is selected), the processing from screen V2 is repeated. If no more passing points are added ("No" is selected), the result of the route search is displayed on the screen V7, and this process is terminated (route guidance is started).
[0036]
On the other hand, if the estimated arrival time is later than the desired arrival time as a result of adding the passing point, a message to that effect is displayed on the screen V6 to allow the user to select whether or not to make correction. ing. When the correction is made, the processing from the screen V2 is redone. When the correction is not made, the result of the route search is displayed on the screen V7 and the processing is terminated (the route guidance is started). .
[0037]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, when performing route guidance, when the estimated arrival time at the destination when the vehicle travels along the searched route is earlier than the desired arrival time of the user, the passing point to the destination is determined. Can be set additionally. Therefore, while effectively spending time at the added transit point, the arrival at the actual destination can be made closer to the time desired by the user, and as a result, it is much more than the user desires. It is possible to prevent the user from having extra time because he arrived at the destination at an early time.
[0038]
Particularly, in the present embodiment, when additionally setting a passing point, a plurality of passing point candidates are automatically extracted, and the user is allowed to freely select from among the passing point candidates. The operation of the additional setting is simplified, and the convenience for the user can be improved. In addition, since a plurality of different routes to the destination are searched, estimated arrival times for each of the routes are displayed, and one of the routes is selected by the user, the user considers the estimated arrival times for each route. The advantage is that the route can be selected by the user.
[0039]
In the above-described embodiment, the user is allowed to select a place name when additionally setting a passing point. For example, the control circuit may select a tourist attraction, a scenic spot, a famous facility or a rest area around the route selected. For example, a suitable plurality of passing point candidates such as the above may be automatically extracted, and the user may be allowed to select a passing point from among them. A configuration in which the user directly designates (inputs) a passing point (in the same manner as the usual setting of a passing point (destination)) may be adopted.
[0040]
In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, in the above embodiment, a plurality of (five types) different routes are obtained in the route search. It may search for a route. Also, various modifications can be considered for the hardware configuration of the entire car navigation system, the screen display form of the display device 9, and the like. The present invention can be appropriately modified and implemented without departing from the gist, for example, it can be applied to the entire apparatus.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing an electric configuration of a car navigation system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a route search processing procedure. FIG. For explaining the flow of the processing using an example of the screen display of the display device
In the drawings, 1 is a car navigation system (navigation device), 2 is a control circuit (route search means, route guidance means, calculation means, passing point addition setting means), 5 is an operation switch group (input means), and 9 is a display device Is shown.

Claims (3)

A navigation device having a route guidance function including a route search unit that searches for a route to a designated destination and a route guidance unit that guides the route to the searched destination by a screen or voice,
Input means for inputting a desired arrival time for the destination,
Calculating means for calculating an estimated time of arrival at the destination when passing through the searched route;
A navigation device, further comprising a passing point addition setting means for additionally setting a passing point to the destination when the expected arrival time is earlier than the desired arrival time. The passing point addition setting means is configured to automatically extract a plurality of passing point candidates around the searched route and to allow the user to freely select from among the passing point candidates. The navigation device according to claim 1. The route searching means searches for a plurality of different routes to a destination, and the calculating means is configured to calculate an expected arrival time for each of the routes, and calculate the expected arrival time for each of the routes. 3. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the navigation device is configured to allow the user to select one of the routes in the displayed state.

Images