JP2004170359A - Car navigation system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To more understandably notify a driver of the approach to a prescribed guidance point, in the course of route guidance. <P>SOLUTION: A control circuit 2 searches for a recommended route to the destination, according to the setting of a user and shows the route by a screen or the like of a display device 7. When the position of the vehicle approaches the prescribed guidance point, such as intersection point where turning to the right or the left is to be made, the screen of the display device 7 is changed to the display of an enlarged view near the intersection point, and voice guidance by a voice output device 8 is performed. A vibration pad 15, for notifying the driver of the guidance point by the vibration, is provided to part of a steering wheel. The control circuit 2 activates the vibration pad 15, when the position of the vehicle approaches the guidance point, in the course of the route guidance. At this time, the intensity of the vibration at the start of the vibrational notification is made minimal and is then gradually increased, as it approaches the guidance point. When the user operates a cancel key, the vibrational notification operation is stopped. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a car navigation device having a route guidance function for guiding a route to a destination.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In general, a car navigation device has a route guidance function. When the route guidance is executed, the position of the own vehicle is set at a predetermined guide point such as an intersection to be turned right and left, a junction, an entrance and an exit of an expressway. When approaching (approaching), the screen display of the display device is switched to an enlarged view near the intersection, and voice guidance such as "〇〇 m ahead to the left" is provided. In this case, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-83518 discloses that, in order to provide guidance that is easier for the driver to understand, when displaying an enlarged view near the intersection, the map of the guidance point portion is further enlarged in the horizontal direction, A technology for deforming and displaying a shape is disclosed.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in spite of providing guidance at the guide points as described above, for example, at an intersection that is difficult for the driver to understand, such as a small (narrow road) intersection, the vehicle often passes through the intersection. In such a case, there arises a problem that a detour has to be performed and a route must be searched again. For this reason, it is desired that the guidance at the guidance point be made more understandable to the driver.
[0004]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a car navigation device that can inform a driver more easily when approaching a predetermined guide point during route guidance.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the car navigation device of the present invention transmits vibration to the driver's body by vibration notification means when the vehicle approaches a predetermined guide point during route guidance, and notifies the driver of the fact. (Invention of claim 1). According to this, the driver can know that he has approached the guidance point by feeling the vibration himself. In this case, the driver is notified in a more recognizable form that the vibration is transmitted directly to the body rather than through sight or hearing, so that even if the driver is not very careful, it is automatically notified that the driver has approached the guidance point. And the effect of the notification is high.
[0006]
At this time, more specifically, a vibration pad can be attached to the steering wheel to constitute the vibration notifying means (the invention of claim 2). According to this, since the vibration is transmitted to the hand holding the steering wheel by the driver, it is possible to easily and surely notify that the driver is approaching the guide point.
[0007]
Further, it is also possible to configure so that the intensity of the vibration by the vibration notifying means is changed between when it is far from the guide point and when it is close to it (the invention of claim 3). This makes it possible to notify the driver of the distance to the guide point, depending on the strength of the vibration felt by the driver, and to determine whether the guide point still has enough distance or is close to the guide point. Can be easily understood.
[0008]
By the way, guidance when approaching a guide point is generally performed continuously (intermittently) from a place relatively far from the guide point (for example, 300 m before) to the guide point. For example, a user (driver) Is a well-known intersection, or if the driver has already recognized the guide point, it is expected that the driver will feel annoying if the notification by the vibration is continuously performed. Therefore, if a vibration stop switch for stopping vibration by a user's operation is provided (the invention according to claim 4), the driver can stop vibration arbitrarily on the way, which is more convenient.
[0009]
Further, it is possible to configure so as to be able to set whether or not to execute the notification operation by the vibration notification means in the initial setting of the system (the invention of claim 5), so that, for example, the user (driver) knows well. It is possible to cope with a case where it is desired to stop the notification by vibration when traveling on an existing road or a case where the driver does not like the notification by vibration itself, and the convenience can be further improved.
[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 illustrates the entire electrical configuration of a car navigation device 1 according to the present embodiment.
[0011]
Here, the car navigation device 1 is provided with a position detector 3 for detecting the position of the vehicle and a map data input to a control circuit 2 mainly composed of a microcomputer including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an I / O and the like. It is configured by connecting a device 4, an operation switch group 5, an external memory 6, a display device 7 composed of, for example, a color liquid crystal display, an audio output device 8, a remote control sensor 10 for detecting a signal from a remote control 9, and the like.
[0012]
The position detector 3 includes a geomagnetic sensor 11, a gyroscope 12, a distance sensor 13, and a GPS (Global Positioning System) 14 for detecting the position of a vehicle based on radio waves from satellites. have. Since the sensors 11 to 14 of the position detector 3 have errors having different properties, the control circuit 2 is configured to use the sensors while interpolating them, and based on the inputs from these sensors 11 to 14. 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 11 to 14 described above, and in addition to the above, 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 facility data (destination 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 signal, a railroad crossing, a building, various facilities, a place name, a terrain, and the like, and also reproduces the road map on the screen of the display device 5. Contains data.
[0014]
In addition, the facility data includes information on facilities such as transportation such as stations, leisure facilities, accommodation facilities, public facilities, and various stores such as retail stores, department stores, restaurants, residences, condominiums, and place names. The 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 5 so as to be superimposed on a road map. It is configured.
[0015]
Although not shown in detail, the operation switch group 5 includes a mechanical switch provided near a screen of the display device 7 and a touch panel provided on the screen of the display device 7. By using the operation switches 5, various inputs such as an instruction to execute various functions, designation of a destination, and selection of a scale of a road map displayed on the display device 7 can be performed. I have. In this case, the remote controller 9 also has a function equivalent to that of the operation switch group 5.
[0016]
On the screen of the display device 7, a map around the current position of the vehicle is normally displayed at various scales, 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. Has become. When the route guidance to the destination is executed, a screen for route guidance is displayed on the display device 7. The display device 7 also displays an input screen for the user to perform various inputs and settings (selection) such as a destination, various messages, and the like.
[0017]
The control circuit 2 realizes a location function for knowing a current position (own vehicle position) of the vehicle by a software configuration (execution of a program), and searches for a route to a designated destination and guides the route. A guidance function is realized.
[0018]
Among them, the location function displays the road map on the display device 7 based on the map data from the map data input device 4 and indicates the current position and the traveling direction of the vehicle based on the detection of the position detector 3 as described above. The present location 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 placing the current position of the vehicle on the road is performed.
[0019]
In addition, the route guidance function automatically calculates a recommended traveling route (route) from the departure point (current location) of the vehicle to the destination designated by the user using, for example, a well-known Dijkstra method. This is to guide the route to the destination. In this route guidance, the route to be traveled is displayed in a conspicuous color together with the current location (current location mark) of the vehicle on the screen of the display device 7 in superimposition with the road map.
[0020]
At the time of execution of this route guidance, when the own vehicle position approaches a predetermined guidance point such as an intersection to be turned right and left, a junction, an entrance of an expressway, and an exit, the vehicle is approached. Then, the screen display of the display device 7 is switched to an enlarged view near the intersection (two-screen display), and the voice output device 8 provides voice guidance, for example, "the intersection at 200 m ahead is on the left." I have. It should be noted that guidance on a lane to be driven on a road with two or more lanes on each side, and advance guidance such as railroad crossings and curves are also provided.
[0021]
By the way, in this embodiment, during route guidance, in order to further inform the driver of the fact that the position of the vehicle has approached a predetermined guidance point by transmitting vibration to the driver's body, a vibration for configuring vibration notification means is provided. A pad 15 is provided. At this time, although not shown, in the present embodiment, the vibration pad 15 is attached to a steering wheel portion (for example, a steering column), and is freely controlled by the control circuit 2. ing. At this time, the intensity of vibration can be freely changed (adjusted).
[0022]
During the route guidance, a cancel key as a vibration stop switch for stopping the operation of the vibration pad 15 is provided (set) on the touch panel (the operation switch group 5). . Furthermore, in the present embodiment, on the initial setting screen for performing the initial setting of the system (setting of various functions), the user sets whether or not to execute the above-described vibration notification operation, that is, the notification of the guide point by the vibration. Is configured to be enabled or disabled.
[0023]
As will be described later in the description of the operation, the control circuit 2 uses the software configuration (execution of a program) to execute the initial operation when the own vehicle position approaches a predetermined guide point during the route guidance. When the vibration notification is valid (ON) in the setting, the vibration pad 15 is operated (ON) in addition to the display of the enlarged view near the intersection and the voice guidance described above. Therefore, the control circuit 2, the vibration pad 15, and the like constitute a vibration notification unit.
[0024]
At this time, the control circuit 2 operates the vibrating pad 15 continuously (or intermittently) from a point before a predetermined distance (for example, 300 m) before the guide point until the control point passes through the guide point. The strength of the vibration is changed between when it is far from the guide point and when it is near.In other words, at the beginning of the vibration notification, the strength of the vibration is set to the weakest, and gradually increases as you approach the guide point from there. Has become. When the user operates the cancel key during the execution of the vibration notifying operation, the vibration pad 15 is turned off to stop the vibration notifying operation.
[0025]
Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. The flowchart of FIG. 2 schematically shows a processing procedure executed by the control circuit 2 when performing route guidance. The user (driver) operates the operation switch group 5 (or the remote controller 9) to give the route guidance, instructs execution of the route guidance function, and subsequently sets the destination.
[0026]
Note that, here, it is assumed that the vibration notification is enabled in the initial setting. However, for example, when the user wants to stop the notification due to the vibration when driving on a road that the user (driver) knows well, or If the driver does not like the notification by vibration itself, the vibration notification can be invalidated in advance in the initial setting.
[0027]
First, in step S1, a search (route calculation) of a recommended route (route) from the departure place (current location) to the set destination is executed. Note that this route calculation is performed simultaneously on, for example, five routes with different conditions, and the user can select a desired route from them. When the route is determined by the user's selection, route guidance is started in step S2. Normally (when the position of the vehicle is other than the vicinity of the guidance point), this route guidance is superimposed on the road map on the screen of the display device 7, and the route to be traveled together with the current position (current position mark) of the vehicle stands out. This is done by displaying in color.
[0028]
Then, during the route guidance, when the vehicle position approaches a predetermined guidance point (an intersection where a right or left turn should be made) (Yes in step S3), in the next step S4, the guidance point is set as described above. Display of an enlarged view near (intersection) and voice guidance are performed. At the same time, the validity / invalidity of the vibration notification in the initial setting is determined in step S5, and if it is valid (Yes), the vibration pad 15 is operated (turned on) in step S6 to start the vibration notification. Is done. At the start of the vibration notification, the vibration strength of the vibration pad 15 is set to “weakest”.
[0029]
As a result, the steering wheel is vibrated by the vibration pad 15, and the vibration is transmitted to the driver, and the driver can feel the vibration by himself and know that the vehicle is approaching the guide point. In this case, in addition to the enlarged view of the screen of the display device 7 and the voice guidance, it is possible to reliably notify the driver that the vehicle is approaching the guidance point. When the vibration notification is invalid (No in step S5), the vibration notification is not performed, and the guidance point is notified by the enlarged map display and the voice guidance.
[0030]
Further, during execution of the vibration notifying operation, the presence or absence of the operation of the cancel key is constantly monitored in step S7, and when the user operates the cancel key (Yes in step S7), the vibration is performed at that time. The pad 15 is turned off to stop the vibration notification operation (step S10). As a result, if the driver has already recognized the guide point, it is possible to arbitrarily stop further vibration notification from being performed by operating the driver.
[0031]
If there is no operation of the cancel key during the execution of the vibration notification operation (No in step S7), the intensity of the vibration by the vibration pad 15 is gradually increased in step S8. . This change in the vibration intensity is continuously performed until the own vehicle position passes through the guide point (step S9). Therefore, the strongest vibration occurs at the time of passing the guide point. During the continuation of the vibration notification, the user can stop the vibration notification at any time by operating the cancel key.
[0032]
Thus, depending on the strength of the vibration felt by the driver, it is also possible to notify whether there is still enough room in the distance to the guide point or whether the driver has approached the guide point immediately, for example, without noticing the intersection to turn left or right Passing by can be effectively prevented. If the vehicle position has passed the guidance point (Yes in step S9), the vibration notification operation is stopped in step S10. Thereafter, the process returns to the normal route guidance. When the vehicle approaches the guidance point again (Yes in step S3), the same processing from step S4 is executed.
[0033]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, in addition to the enlarged map display and the voice guidance during route guidance, the means for notifying the driver of the approach to the guidance point by vibration is provided, so that the driver can directly touch the driver's body. The notification can be performed in a more easily understandable form in which the vibration is transmitted in a more specific manner. Therefore, for example, even at an intersection that is difficult for the driver to understand, such as a small (narrow road) intersection, the driver is automatically notified that the driver has approached the guidance point without being very careful, and the effect of the notification is reduced. It will be expensive.
[0034]
In particular, in this embodiment, since the vibration pad 15 is attached to the steering wheel portion to constitute the vibration notifying means, the vibration is transmitted to the hand holding the steering wheel by the driver, and it can be understood that the driver is approaching the guide point. It can be easily and surely notified. Further, the strength of the vibration is changed between when the vehicle is far from the guide point and when the vehicle is close to the guide point, so that it is also possible to inform the user of the distance to the guide point.
[0035]
And, since the continuation of the vibration notification is stopped by the user's operation of the cancel key, the vibration can be arbitrarily stopped by the driver in the middle, and the driver can be prevented from feeling annoying. Furthermore, since the user can arbitrarily set whether or not to execute the notification operation by the vibration in the initial setting of the system, the convenience for the user (driver) can be further improved.
[0036]
In the above embodiment, the intensity of the vibration at the time of the vibration notification is gradually increased as the guide point approaches. However, for example, the vibration intensity may be changed to two levels of strong and weak. The initial objective of providing easy-to-understand information can be achieved without changing the strength of the information. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the vibration notification operation is performed continuously until the vehicle passes the guide point. However, the notification may be performed by intermittently executing a short-time vibration.
[0037]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the vibration pad 15 is configured to be attached to the steering wheel portion. However, the vibration pad (vibration notification means) may be provided at a position where the driver can feel vibration such as a seat portion. I just want it. In addition, the present invention can be appropriately modified and implemented without departing from the gist, for example, the hardware configuration of the car navigation device can be variously modified.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing an electric configuration of a car navigation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure related to route guidance executed by a control circuit. Description]
In the drawings, 1 is a car navigation device, 2 is a control circuit (vibration notification means), 3 is a position detector, 4 is a map data input device, 5 is an operation switch group, 7 is a display device, and 15 is a vibration pad (vibration notification device). Means).

Claims (5)

A car navigation device having a route guidance function for guiding a route to a destination,
A vibration notification means for notifying the driver by transmitting vibration to a driver's body when the position of the vehicle approaches a predetermined guidance point such as an intersection where the vehicle should make a right or left turn during the route guidance; Navigation device. 2. The car navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the vibration notifying unit is configured by attaching a vibration pad to a steering wheel portion. 3. The car navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the vibration notifying unit changes the strength of the vibration when the vehicle is far from the guide point and when the vehicle is near the guide point. 4. 4. The car navigation device according to claim 1, further comprising a vibration stop switch for stopping vibration by a user operation. The car navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein it is possible to set whether or not to execute the notification operation by the vibration notification unit in an initial setting of the system.

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