JP2004138427A - On-vehicle device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To precisely display the present position of a vehicle on a map even if the vehicle stops in an access point out of a road. <P>SOLUTION: This device has a position correction part for correcting the present position of the vehicle by map matching, a communication zone determination part for determining whether the vehicle is within the communication zone of the access point or not, and a position correction control part for controlling the operation of the position correction part based on whether the vehicle is within the communication zone of the access point or not. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an in-vehicle device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a navigation device as an in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile, when a user such as a driver operates a predetermined input unit to set a destination, the destination and a vehicle position information output unit are set. A route from the current position to the destination is searched based on the current position of the vehicle detected by the vehicle, and the searched route is guided. In this case, the current position is determined by comparing the current position obtained based on sensor signals from various sensors such as a gyro sensor and a GPS (Global Positioning System) sensor with a road shape and the like obtained from map information. It has become so.
[0003]
However, the accuracy of the current position obtained based on the sensor signal is not sufficiently high and includes a certain error. For this reason, when displaying the current position on the map displayed on the screen of the display unit, it is displayed at a position off the road, or in a place where a plurality of roads are dense such as an urban area, an incorrect road It may be displayed at the top. Therefore, a technique called map matching is generally adopted.
[0004]
The map matching assumes that the vehicle normally travels on a road, specifies the most appropriate position on the road corresponding to the current position based on the measured current position, and determines the current position at the position. This is a technique that corrects the image so that it exists and displays it on a map displayed on a screen of a display unit. Therefore, the current position of the vehicle displayed on the screen of the display unit is always present on the road, so that it is possible to avoid a display that the vehicle is moving to a place other than the road.
[0005]
However, when the vehicle is traveling in a place such as an underground parking lot, if map matching is performed, the current position of the vehicle is displayed as existing on a nearby road, which gives the user a sense of discomfort. . Therefore, a technique has been proposed in which map matching is not performed when a vehicle is traveling in a place where GPS signals cannot be received, such as an underground parking lot (for example, see Patent Document 1). . Thus, when the vehicle is traveling in the underground parking lot, the current position of the vehicle is displayed as if it is present in the underground parking lot, so that the user does not feel uncomfortable.
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-330455 A
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional navigation device, the navigation device includes a communication device for a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) system, and an unspecified number of hot spots (R) can be connected to the Internet via the wireless LAN system. ) Is not considered. Therefore, even if the vehicle deviates from the road on which the vehicle is traveling to connect the navigation device to the access point, map matching is performed and the current position of the vehicle is displayed as being on the road. This gives the user a sense of incompatibility.
[0008]
In general, in a navigation device, if a vehicle deviates from a route during route guidance, map matching is performed strongly. Further, the route is searched again, that is, reroute is performed, and the current position is displayed on the reroute route. For this reason, in the conventional navigation device, when the route guidance is being performed, the current position of the vehicle that has deviated from the road on which the route is set and stopped at the access point cannot be accurately displayed on a map. This gives the user a sense of incompatibility.
[0009]
The present invention solves the problem of the conventional navigation device, and provides an in-vehicle device in which the current position of the vehicle is accurately displayed on a map even when the vehicle goes off the road and stops at an access point. With the goal.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
Therefore, in the vehicle-mounted device of the present invention, a position correction unit that performs map matching to correct the current position of the vehicle, a communication range determination unit that determines whether the vehicle is within a communication range of an access point, And a position correction control unit that controls the operation of the position correction unit based on whether or not is within the communication range of the access point.
[0011]
In another in-vehicle device according to the present invention, the position correction control unit controls the operation of the position correction unit so as not to perform map matching when the vehicle is in a communication range of an access point.
[0012]
In still another in-vehicle device according to the present invention, the vehicle further includes a display unit for displaying a situation where the vehicle stops at an access point.
[0013]
In still another in-vehicle device according to the present invention, the display unit displays the current position corrected when the position correction unit performs map matching, and displays the current position that is not corrected when map matching is not performed. indicate.
[0014]
In still another in-vehicle device according to the present invention, the communication area determination unit determines that the vehicle is within the communication area of the access point when detecting a state in which communication with the access point is enabled.
[0015]
In still another in-vehicle device according to the present invention, the communication range determination unit determines that the vehicle is within the communication range of the access point when the vehicle approaches within a predetermined distance from the registered access point.
[0016]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0017]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a communication system between the navigation device and the home access point according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0018]
In the figure, reference numeral 14 denotes a navigation device as an in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle such as a car, truck, bus, or motorcycle, and a wireless LAN device 58 is connected to an interface 63 of the navigation device 14. Here, the wireless LAN device 58 is, for example, a wireless LAN card, and the interface 63 is a card slot into which the wireless LAN card is inserted and loaded.
[0019]
FIG. 2 shows a state in which a vehicle (not shown) is parked in an operator such as a driver, a passenger, an owner, or the like of the vehicle, that is, in a user parking lot 62 which is a parking lot used by the user. I have. Reference numeral 61 denotes a user residence where the user resides, and an access point 65 which is a wireless base station for communicating with the wireless LAN device 58 by a wireless LAN system is provided.
[0020]
Here, the access point 65 is, for example, a wireless LAN adapter, and uses a 2.4 GHz ISM band, 5.2 GHz band, 19 GHz band quasi-millimeter wave, or infrared rays. Thus, communication with the navigation device 14 is performed by a wireless LAN system. As the wireless LAN system in this case, for example, IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11e, IEEE 802.11g, or the like, or Bluetooth adopted as a home wireless system is used.
[0021]
Here, when communication between the wireless LAN device 58 and the access point 65 is performed by a normal wireless LAN system, the communicable range is a radius of about 10 to 100 [m] around the access point 65. It is assumed that the vehicle is parked within the range.
[0022]
Reference numeral 55 denotes an operation terminal operated by the user, which includes arithmetic means such as a CPU and an MPU, storage means such as a semiconductor memory and a magnetic disk, display means such as a CRT, a liquid crystal display, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) display, a keyboard, It is a kind of computer provided with input means such as a joystick, a touch panel, a tablet, a push button, a rotary dial, a remote controller, and an input / output interface. The operation terminal 55 may be any type of personal computer, a mobile phone, a PHS (Personal Handy-Phone System) phone, a stationary phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), an electronic organizer, a portable information terminal, a game machine, a digital television, and the like. It may be something. The operation terminal 55 is connected to the access point 65 by wire or wirelessly, and can communicate with the navigation device 14 via the access point 65.
[0023]
Further, the operation terminal 55 is connected to the network 51. The network 51 is, for example, the Internet, but may be of any type such as a wired or wireless public communication network, a dedicated communication network, an intranet, a LAN, and a WAN (Wide Area Network). Any type of communication network may be appropriately combined. In addition, it is desirable that an information providing device such as a web server that provides various data such as map data, music data, image data, and character data can be accessed via the network 51. In this case, it is desirable that the network 51 be capable of high-speed communication with a large capacity. For example, when the network 51 is the Internet, it is a broadband capable of high-speed communication of several Mbps (Mega bit per second) or more. Any communication method may be used. In this case, the access point 65 is a relay device between the operation terminal 55 and the navigation device 14, and connects the navigation device 14 to the network 51.
[0024]
Reference numeral 52 denotes an application server connected to the network 51, which includes calculation means such as a CPU and an MPU, storage means such as a semiconductor memory and a magnetic disk, display means such as a CRT, a liquid crystal display, and an LED display, a keyboard, a touch panel, and a tablet. , A push button, a mouse and other input means, an input / output interface, and the like. The application server 52 is, for example, a web server connected to the Internet, but may be of any type such as a personal computer and a workstation. The application server 52 may be configured independently, may be a distributed server in which a plurality of servers are organically combined, or may be built in a large computer. It may be one of the systems. The application server 52 includes map data, road data, photograph data, and facility information data in which information on facilities such as hotels, gas stations, and tourist information centers in each region is recorded. Via the network 51, data for the navigation device, a program for updating the navigation device 14, software for personal information management that can be used in the navigation device 14, application programs such as software for games, and software for entertainment such as music and video data are transmitted via the network 51. To deliver.
[0025]
If the application server 52 has a function of searching for a route and a function of searching for a point or a facility as in a normal navigation device, the operation terminal 55 is operated to operate the departure point and the destination. , Search conditions, search conditions, etc., can be transmitted to the application server 52 to search for a route or to search for a point or facility. Then, data relating to the searched route, the searched points, facilities, and the like are returned to the operation terminal 55.
[0026]
In the present embodiment, the navigation device 14 includes an application server 52 connected to the operation terminal 55 or the network 51 by the wireless LAN system via the access point 65 while the vehicle is parked in the user parking lot 62. You can communicate with.
[0027]
In this case, the user can operate the operation terminal 55 to download data to the navigation device 14. Here, the data includes the navigation device data, an update program for the navigation device 14, an application program, a game software, an entertainment software, a searched route, data on a searched point, a facility, and the like. It is a thing.
[0028]
For example, when the application server 52 provides the latest version of map data as data for a navigation device, the user operates an operation terminal 55 to transmit desired map data from the application server 52 to the network 51. Downloaded to the operation terminal 55 via the operation terminal 55. Then, the map data can be transferred to the navigation device 14 via the access point 65 and downloaded, and the map data stored in the navigation device 14 can be upgraded. Note that the map data may be directly downloaded from the application server 52 to the navigation device 14 without temporarily downloading to the operation terminal 55.
[0029]
When the navigation device 14 is a device capable of rewriting a driving program, a user may download a driving program for updating from the application server 52 to the navigation device 14. Further, when the navigation device 14 has a function as a vehicle audio device, the user operates the operation terminal 55 to edit the music, transfers the music to the navigation device 14, and stores the music in the navigation device 14. be able to. When the application server 52 distributes music, the user operates the operation terminal 55 to download a desired music from the application server 52, transfer the music to the navigation device 14, and store the music in the navigation device 14. be able to. Note that the music may be directly downloaded from the application server 52 to the navigation device 14.
[0030]
When the navigation device 14 has a function as a still image or video image reproducing device, image data of a movie or the like can be stored in the navigation device 14 in the same manner as music. Further, image data such as a still image and a video image photographed by a user himself / herself by operating a digital camera or a video camera can be transferred from the operation terminal 55 to the navigation device 14 and stored in the navigation device 14. .
[0031]
Further, when the navigation device 14 has a function of managing and displaying a schedule and a schedule, the user operates the operation terminal 55 to operate personal information management software such as a PIM (Personal Information Management). The data, such as a schedule and a schedule, created by using the above can be transferred to the navigation device 14 and stored in the navigation device 14.
[0032]
Note that even when the vehicle is parked in a place other than the user parking lot 62, the data can be downloaded to the navigation device 14. For example, on-the-go parking lots (for example, parking lots of commercial facilities such as department stores, supermarkets and convenience stores, parking lots of recreational facilities such as theme parks and game centers, and restaurants such as fast food restaurants and coffee shops). An access point called a hot spot (R) in which an unspecified number of people can connect to the Internet via a wireless LAN system in a parking lot, a parking lot around a transportation facility such as a train station, an airfield, etc. It is assumed that the access point 65 is connected to the network 51 and a vehicle is parked in the parking lot. In this case, by performing communication between the wireless LAN device 58 and the access point 65 by the wireless LAN system, map data and map data are transmitted from the application server 52 in the same manner as when the vehicle is parked in the user parking lot 62. Songs, video data, and the like can be downloaded to the navigation device 14 by the wireless LAN system. Thus, the user can download desired data to the navigation device 14 even when going out. In the case where the parking lot is a toll parking lot, the access point 65 is connected to a computer that manages the toll parking lot, and provides data on the parking time and the parking fee of the vehicle that is managed by the computer. Alternatively, the data may be downloaded from the access point 65 to the navigation device 14.
[0033]
Further, the computer for managing the toll parking lot provides information on various facilities such as department stores and theme parks around the toll parking lot, for example, data on maps and special sales, prizes, business hours, entertainments and the like in the facility. In the case of such a device, data on various facilities may be downloaded from the access point 65 to the navigation device 14. Thereby, the user can grasp information on various facilities around the toll parking lot.
[0034]
Further, it is assumed that the access point 65 is provided in a parking meter and the vehicle is parked in a parking space on a road. In this case, as in the case where the vehicle is parked in the user parking lot 62, map data, music, video data, and the like are downloaded from the application server 52 to the navigation device 14 via the access point 65 by the wireless LAN system. Can be done. Thus, the user can download desired data to the navigation device 14 even when going out.
[0035]
Then, it is assumed that the access point 65 is provided in the parking lot at the work place of the user, and the vehicle is parked in the parking lot at the work place. In this case, as in the case where the vehicle is parked in the user parking lot 62, map data, music, video data, and the like are downloaded from the application server 52 to the navigation device 14 via the access point 65 by the wireless LAN system. Can be done. Thus, the user can download desired data to the navigation device 14 even during work.
[0036]
Next, the configuration of the navigation device 14 according to the present embodiment will be described.
[0037]
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the navigation device according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating functions of the navigation device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0038]
In the present embodiment, the navigation device 14 is a kind of computer, and from a functional viewpoint, as shown in FIG. 3, a vehicle position information output unit 15 that detects a current position and outputs vehicle position information, A data recording unit 16 as a recording medium on which data and the like are recorded; a navigation processing unit 17 for performing various arithmetic processes such as a navigation process based on the input information; an input unit 34; a display unit 35; , An audio output unit 37 and a communication unit 38. A vehicle speed sensor 27 is connected to the navigation processing unit 17.
[0039]
The vehicle position information output unit 15 includes a GPS sensor 21, a geomagnetic sensor 22, a distance sensor 23, a steering sensor 24, a beacon sensor 25, a gyro sensor 26, an altimeter (not shown), and the like. Some of the GPS sensor 21, the geomagnetic sensor 22, the distance sensor 23, the steering sensor 24, the beacon sensor 25, the gyro sensor 26, the altimeter, and the like can be appropriately omitted from the viewpoint of manufacturing costs and the like.
[0040]
The GPS sensor 21 detects a current position on the earth by receiving a radio wave generated by an artificial satellite, and the geomagnetic sensor 22 detects a direction in which the vehicle is facing by measuring geomagnetism. The distance sensor 23 detects a distance between predetermined positions on a road. As the distance sensor 23, for example, a sensor that measures the number of rotations of a wheel and detects a distance based on the number of rotations, a sensor that measures acceleration, and detects a distance by integrating the acceleration twice, and the like are used. can do.
[0041]
The steering sensor 24 detects a rudder angle. As the steering sensor 24, for example, an optical rotation sensor, a rotation resistance sensor, or a wheel mounted on a rotating portion of a steering wheel (not shown) is mounted on a wheel. The used angle sensor and the like are used.
[0042]
The beacon sensor 25 receives the position information from the beacon disposed along the road and detects the current position. The gyro sensor 26 detects a rotational angular velocity of the vehicle, that is, a turning angle. As the gyro sensor 26, for example, a gas rate gyro, a vibration gyro, or the like is used. Then, by integrating the turning angle detected by the gyro sensor 26, the direction in which the vehicle is facing can be detected.
[0043]
The GPS sensor 21 and the beacon sensor 25 can each independently detect the current position. The current position can also be detected by combining the distance detected by the distance sensor 23 and the azimuth detected by the geomagnetic sensor 22 and the gyro sensor 26. Further, the current position can be detected by combining the distance detected by the distance sensor 23 and the steering angle detected by the steering sensor 24.
[0044]
The data recording unit 16 records a map data file, an intersection data file, a node data file, a road data file, a photograph data file, and information on facilities such as hotels, gas stations, and tourist information centers in each region. It has a database consisting of facility information data files. In addition to the data for searching the route, the data recording unit 16 displays a guide map along the searched route on the screen of the display unit 35, or displays a characteristic photograph at the intersection or the route. , And various data for displaying the distance to the next intersection, the traveling direction at the next intersection, and other guidance information are recorded. The data recording unit 16 also records various data for outputting predetermined information by the audio output unit 37.
[0045]
By the way, intersection data is recorded in the intersection data file, node data is recorded in the node data file, and road data is recorded in the road data file. The road condition is displayed on the screen by the intersection data, the node data and the road data. Is displayed. The intersection data includes the type of the intersection, that is, whether the intersection is an intersection where a traffic light is installed or an intersection where no traffic light is installed. The node data constitutes at least a position and a shape of a road in the map data recorded in the map data file, and includes an actual road junction (including an intersection, a T-shaped road, etc.) and a node point. , And data indicating links connecting the respective node points. Further, the node point indicates at least the position of a turning point on the road.
[0046]
The road data includes, for the road itself, a width, a gradient, a cant, an altitude, a bank, a road surface condition, the number of lanes of the road, a point where the number of lanes decreases, a point where the width decreases, and the like. Contains data. In the case of an expressway or a highway, each of the lanes in the opposite direction is stored as separate road data, and is processed as a two-way road. For example, in the case of an arterial road having two or more lanes on one side, it is processed as a two-way road, and the upward lane and the downward lane are stored in the road data as independent roads. The corner includes data such as a radius of curvature, an intersection, a T-junction, and a corner entrance. Further, the road attributes include data such as railroad crossings, expressway entrance rampways, tollgates on expressways, downhills, uphills, road types (national roads, major local roads, general roads, expressways, etc.).
[0047]
Further, the navigation processing unit 17 includes a CPU 31 for controlling the entire navigation device 14, a processor 31 as arithmetic means such as an MPU, a RAM 32 used as a working memory when the processor 31 performs various arithmetic processes, And a ROM 33 as a recording medium on which various programs for searching for a route to the destination, traveling guidance in the route, determining a specific section, searching for points, facilities, and the like are recorded in addition to the control program. . The input unit 34, the display unit 35, the audio input unit 36, the audio output unit 37, and the communication unit 38 are connected to the navigation processing unit 17. Then, various processes such as route search, travel guidance on the route, determination of a specific section, search of points, facilities, and the like are executed. Note that some of the audio input unit 36 and the audio output unit 37 can be omitted as appropriate from the viewpoint of manufacturing costs and the like.
[0048]
The computer-readable recording medium on which the navigation program is recorded is not only a semiconductor memory but also a magnetic tape, a magnetic disk, a magnetic drum, a CD-R / W, an MD, a DVD-RAM, a DVD-R / W, an optical disk. , MO, IC card, optical card, memory card, etc.
[0049]
The data recording section 16 and the ROM 33 are composed of a magnetic core, a semiconductor memory, and the like (not shown). The data recording unit 16 and the ROM 33 include a magnetic tape, a magnetic disk, a magnetic drum, a CD-R / W, an MD, a DVD-RAM, a DVD-R / W, an optical disk, an MO, an IC card, an optical card, and a memory card. And various other storage media. The storage medium may be preinstalled in the navigation device 14 or may be replaced as appropriate by the user.
[0050]
In the present embodiment, various programs are recorded in the ROM 33, and various data are recorded in the data recording unit 16. However, the programs and data are similarly recorded on an external storage medium. You can also. In this case, for example, a storage medium such as a flash memory (not shown) may be provided in the navigation processing unit 17, and the program and data may be read from the external storage medium and written to the storage medium. Therefore, the program and data can be updated by exchanging the external storage medium. As described above, it is possible to activate programs recorded on various storage media and perform various processes based on data. The external storage medium may be any type of magnetic tape, magnetic disk, magnetic drum, CD-R / W, MD, DVD-RAM, DVD-R / W, optical disk, MO, IC card, optical card, memory card, etc. It may be.
[0051]
Further, the communication section 38 has a card slot as an interface 63, and communicates with the access point 65 via a wireless LAN card as a wireless LAN device 58 inserted in the card slot. ing. The communication unit 38 receives various data such as road information such as traffic congestion and the like, traffic accident information, and D-GPS information for detecting a detection error of the GPS sensor 21, which are received by an information sensor (not shown). You can also. In the present embodiment, when data distributed from the application server 52 connected to the network 51 is received by the communication unit 38, the data is stored in a readable / writable memory, for example, the RAM 32, a flash memory, a hard disk, And the like. Further, the data distributed from the application server 52 may be temporarily downloaded to the operation terminal 55 using the operation terminal 55, and then downloaded to the recording medium of the navigation device 14 from the operation terminal 55.
[0052]
The input unit 34 is used to correct a position at the start of traveling and to input a destination. The input unit 34 includes an operation key, a push button, a jog dial, and a cross It consists of keys and the like, but may be a remote controller. When the display unit 35 is a touch panel, it is preferable that the display unit 35 includes operation keys and operation switches displayed on the screen of the display unit 35. In this case, the input can be performed by pressing (touching) the operation switch like a normal touch panel. The screen of the display unit 35 displays operation guidance, an operation menu, guidance of operation keys, a route from a current position to a destination, guidance information along the route, and the like. As the display unit 35, a CRT display, a liquid crystal display, an LED display, a plasma display, a hologram device that projects a hologram on a windshield, or the like can be used.
[0053]
The voice input unit 36 is configured by a microphone (not shown) or the like, and can input necessary information by voice. Further, the voice output unit 37 includes a voice synthesizer and a speaker (not shown), and outputs voice information, for example, guide information and speed change information composed of voice synthesized by the voice synthesizer from the speaker to notify the user. It should be noted that, in addition to the voice synthesized by the voice synthesizing device, various sounds and various kinds of guidance information recorded in advance on a tape, a memory, or the like can be output from a speaker.
[0054]
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, from the viewpoint of functions, the navigation device 14 includes a communication range determination unit 11 that determines whether or not the vehicle is within a communication range as a communication range of the access point 65. A position correction unit 12 that corrects the current position of the vehicle by performing map matching, and a position correction control unit 13 that controls the operation of the position correction unit 12.
[0055]
Here, the communication range determination unit 11 determines that the vehicle is in the communication range of the access point 65 when detecting a state in which the wireless LAN device 58 can communicate with the access point 65. Also, based on the coordinates of the access point 65 registered in advance and the current position of the vehicle, it can be determined that the vehicle is within the communication range when the vehicle approaches within a predetermined distance from the access point 65. In this case, since the communicable range of the wireless LAN system is generally in a range of about 10 to 100 [m] with the access point as the center, the predetermined distance is desirably 30 [m]. Can be changed.
[0056]
Note that coordinates (latitude and longitude indicating coordinates on a map) as position information of an access point 65 called a hot spot (R) which can be connected to the Internet via a wireless LAN system by an unspecified number of people are: It is stored and registered in the data recording unit 16 in advance. The access point 65 is, for example, a restaurant such as a fast food restaurant, a coffee shop, a convenience store, a supermarket, a shopping mall, or the like; Although it is arranged at a place where people and vehicles gather, such as a preceding parking lot, a station square, and a public parking lot, it may be arranged at any place. Further, the coordinates of the user's residence 61 as the user's home can also be registered. Here, the location information of the access point 65 may be transferred from the operation terminal 55 to the navigation device 14 after the user operates the operation terminal 55 disposed in the user residence 61 and downloads it from the application server 52. Alternatively, it may be downloaded directly from the application server 52 to the navigation device 14. In addition, the position information of the access point 65 is a magnetic tape, a magnetic disk, a magnetic drum, a CD-R / W, an MD, a DVD-RAM, a DVD-R / W, an optical disk, an MO, an IC card as the data recording unit 16. , An optical card, a memory card or the like.
[0057]
Then, the position correction unit 12 compares the current position detected by the vehicle position information output unit 15 with various data on the road stored in the data recording unit 16 and determines that the current position is located on the road. Map matching is performed.
[0058]
In this case, since the accuracy of the current position detected by the vehicle position information output unit 15 includes a certain amount of error, the detected current position is considered not as a point on the map but as a region having a certain area. Can be Then, when the roads are densely packed to some extent, a plurality of roads exist in the area. Therefore, when map matching is performed, a plurality of roads are selected as candidates as roads at which the current position is located, that is, as matching candidates.
[0059]
Therefore, the position correction unit 12 calculates a point that is inappropriate as a road where the current position is located, that is, a penalty, for all matching candidates based on road data and the like, and determines a road with the lowest penalty. Select and decide to display the current location on that road. Then, the position correction unit 12 displays the current position on the road with the lowest penalty on the map displayed on the screen of the display unit 35. The penalty is calculated based on the distance between the detected current position and the road, the trajectory of the current position in the past, and the like. The lower the penalty is, the higher the possibility of the current position is.
[0060]
When the current position is corrected in this way, the navigation device 14 executes a navigation process based on the corrected current position. Therefore, the current position displayed on the map displayed on the screen of the display unit 35 is also corrected. If necessary, a route search to the destination is performed again.
[0061]
When the communication range determination unit 11 determines that the vehicle is within the communication range of the registered access point 65, the position correction control unit 13 controls the operation of the position correction unit 12 and does not perform map matching. So that Thereby, for example, even if the vehicle enters the parking lot of a commercial facility located beside the route when route guidance is being performed, if the access point 65 registered in the commercial facility is provided, Since no map matching is performed, the current position of the vehicle is displayed in the parking lot of the commercial facility. On the other hand, when map matching is performed by the position correction unit 12, the current position of the vehicle is displayed on the route at a position near the parking lot of the commercial facility.
[0062]
Next, the operation of the navigation device 14 having the above configuration will be described.
[0063]
FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing the operation of the navigation device when the vehicle deviates from the route and stops at the access point according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. It is a figure showing display of the present position at the time of a stop.
[0064]
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, a case will be described in which a vehicle travels on a road 41 on which a route 42 from a current position to a destination is set according to route guidance. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 43 denotes a parking lot located along the road 41, such as a fast food restaurant, a restaurant such as a coffee shop, a convenience store, a supermarket, a store such as a shopping mall, a game center, a cinema complex, and a theme park. Amusement facilities, gas stations, car shops, parking lots at work, station plazas, public parking lots, etc., are referred to as hot spots (R) where an unspecified number can be connected to the Internet via a wireless LAN system Access point 65 is provided. Reference numerals 45-1, 45-2, and 45-3 denote current position displays indicating the current position of the vehicle. Reference numeral 45-1 denotes a current position display when the vehicle is traveling along the route 42. -2 is a current position display when the vehicle is parked in the parking lot 43, and 45-3 is a current position display moved on the road 41 by map matching.
[0065]
First, when the vehicle is traveling on the road 41 on which the route 42 to the destination is set according to the route guidance, the vehicle position information output unit 15 of the navigation device 14 detects the current position of the vehicle. The vehicle position information output unit 15 repeats the operation of detecting the current position at predetermined time intervals (for example, 100 [msec]). The position correction unit 12 compares the current position detected by the vehicle position information output unit 15 with various data on the road stored in the data recording unit 16 to perform map matching, and determines that the current position is on the road. To decide. Thereby, the current position display 45-1 is displayed on the road 41 on the map displayed on the screen of the display unit 35.
[0066]
In addition, the communication area determination unit 11 determines whether the vehicle is in the communication area of the access point 65, that is, whether the wireless LAN device 58 can communicate with the access point 65 at the current position. The communication area determination unit 11 also repeats the determination at predetermined time intervals (for example, 100 [msec]). When the current position of the vehicle is at the position indicated by the current position display 45-1, it is determined that communication with the access point 65 is impossible because the vehicle is far from the access point 65.
[0067]
Here, when the vehicle travels on the road 41 according to the route guidance and approaches within a predetermined distance from the access point 65, for example, within 30 [m], the wireless LAN device 58 can communicate with the access point 65. The communication area determination unit 11 determines that the vehicle is in the communication area of the access point 65. Then, the position correction control unit 13 controls the operation of the position correction unit 12 so as not to perform the map matching, so that the position correction unit 12 stops the map matching. Therefore, the current position detected by the vehicle position information output unit 15 is directly displayed on the map displayed on the screen of the display unit 35. Therefore, when the vehicle stops at the parking lot 43 located along the road 41 where the access point 65 is located, the current position of the vehicle is displayed as indicated by the current position display 45-2.
[0068]
Here, if the position correction control unit 13 does not control the operation of the position correction unit 12, the position correction unit 12 performs map matching. The position is displayed at a position close to the parking lot 43 on the road 41 as indicated by the current position display 45-3. In this case, in the map displayed on the screen of the display unit 35 of the navigation device 14, the current position is indicated by the current position display 45-3, even though the vehicle exists in the parking lot 43. As described above, since the vehicle is on the road 41, the user feels strange.
[0069]
However, in the present embodiment, when the wireless LAN device 58 can communicate with the access point 65, the map matching is stopped, so that when the vehicle stops at the parking lot 43 located along the road 41, the current The position is displayed in the parking lot 43. Therefore, the fact that the vehicle has stopped at the location where the access point 65 is provided can be accurately displayed on the screen of the display unit 35 of the navigation device 14.
[0070]
Next, the flowchart will be described.
Step S1 The current position of the vehicle is detected.
Step S2: It is determined whether or not the wireless LAN device 58 can communicate with the access point 65 at the current position. If communication is possible, the process proceeds to step S3, and if communication is not possible, the process returns to step S1.
Step S3: Stop the map matching.
Step S4: The current position is displayed on the display unit 35 of the navigation device 14.
[0071]
As described above, in the present embodiment, when the vehicle is within the communication range of the access point 65, the operation of the position correction unit 12 is controlled by the position correction control unit 13 so as not to perform the map matching. Therefore, even when the access point 65 is disposed along the road 41 on which the route 42 is set, the display unit 35 can accurately display the situation where the vehicle stops at the access point 65. Therefore, the user does not feel discomfort.
[0072]
It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be variously modified based on the gist of the present invention, and they are not excluded from the scope of the present invention.
[0073]
【The invention's effect】
As described in detail above, according to the present invention, even when the vehicle deviates from the route and drops by the access point, the current position of the vehicle is accurately displayed on the map.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a navigation device when a vehicle deviates from a route and stops at an access point according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a communication system between a navigation device and a home access point according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a navigation device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing functions of the navigation device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display of a current position when a vehicle deviates from a route and stops at an access point in the embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
11 Communication area judgment unit
12 Position correction unit
13 Position correction control unit
14 Navigation device
35 Display
65 Access Point

Claims (6)

(A) a position correction unit that corrects the current position of the vehicle by performing map matching;
(B) a communication range determination unit that determines whether the vehicle is within a communication range of an access point;
(C) a position correction control unit that controls the operation of the position correction unit based on whether the vehicle is in a communication range of an access point. The in-vehicle device according to claim 1, wherein the position correction control unit controls the operation of the position correction unit so that map matching is not performed when the vehicle is within a communication range of an access point. The in-vehicle device according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit that displays a situation where the vehicle stops at an access point. The in-vehicle device according to claim 3, wherein the display unit displays the corrected current position when the position correction unit performs the map matching, and displays the uncorrected current position when the map correction is not performed. The in-vehicle device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the communication area determination unit determines that the vehicle is in a communication area of the access point when detecting a state in which communication with the access point is enabled. The vehicle-mounted device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the communication range determination unit determines that the vehicle is within a communication range of the access point when the vehicle approaches within a predetermined distance from a registered access point. apparatus.

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