JP2005016954A - Method for displaying map at simulated travel, and navigation system using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To display a map according to the travel time of a car at simulated travel. <P>SOLUTION: The method for displaying the map for simulated travel in a route to a destination comprises both a step of setting the starting point of the simulated travel as a reference time and of computing the travel time at the position of the car in the simulated travel, on the basis of the reference time and a step for changing a map display according to the travel time, when a map of the periphery of the location of the car in the simulated travel is displayed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a map display method during simulation running and a navigation apparatus using the map display method.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The navigation device detects the current position of the vehicle, reads out map data around the vehicle position from a map storage medium such as a DVD or HDD, draws the map data on the map screen and overlays the vehicle mark on the map. draw. When the current position changes due to the movement of the vehicle, the map is scrolled or the vehicle mark on the map is moved accordingly, and the map information around the vehicle position is presented to the user in an easy-to-understand manner.
[0003]
The route search function that searches for the optimal route to the destination uses the Dijkstra method to search for a low-cost route connecting the current vehicle position to the destination, and stores the searched route in the memory as guidance route data. The route is displayed on the display while driving and guidance is provided.
[0004]
A general navigation apparatus or navigation system is equipped with a route scroll function for scrolling and displaying a map along a route, and a travel demonstration function for presenting various functions by pseudo travel. The user can use these functions as prior knowledge before traveling, and can grasp the status of a route to be traveled from now on and understand various functions.
[0005]
With regard to such a function, for example, Patent Document 1 changes the scroll speed of the screen according to the distance to the destination, or changes the scroll speed according to the attribute of the road such as a highway or a narrow street, thereby improving the efficiency. Disclosed is a technique for performing good screen display. Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for controlling the speed of virtual travel according to the scale of a map and scrolling at an appropriate speed.
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-11-295085
[Patent Document 2]
JP 2000-230839 A
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the conventional navigation device has the following problems. The scroll screen at the time of route scrolling and driving demonstrations lacks expressions and actions corresponding to changes in the vehicle situation, and could not express more realistic simulated driving. For this reason, the user has not always been able to experience the simulated driving with satisfaction.
[0008]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a map display method and a navigation apparatus using the map display method, which can solve the above-described conventional problems and can perform map display in accordance with a change in the situation of the vehicle during simulation running.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a map display method and a navigation device that allow a user to experience a more realistic simulated driving.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The map display method at the time of simulation traveling according to the present invention includes a step of calculating a traveling time of a simulated vehicle position based on the simulation traveling start point as a reference time, and a vehicle subjected to the simulation traveling Changing the map display according to the travel time when displaying a map around the position. Thereby, the exciting map display according to the situation of the vehicle traveled by the simulation, that is, the travel time can be performed, and the user can experience a more realistic simulated travel. Here, for example, the simulation travel is a function of scrolling the map along the searched route to the destination before traveling, route scrolling for guiding the route in advance, and various functions while performing pseudo travel. This is a demonstration run that introduces
[0010]
Preferably, the traveling time of the vehicle is also displayed on the map. As a result, the user can recognize the relationship between the travel position of the vehicle and the travel time on the map screen, and can roughly predict the time to the destination or halfway point. Will increase. The map display can be changed, for example, by changing the display color or the brightness according to the traveling time. For example, when the running time is nighttime, the display color is darkened or the display brightness is changed to be darker. On the other hand, when the running time is daytime, the display color is brightened. Or the display can be brightened. Preferably, the situation of the travel point may be determined by comparing the travel time with the sunrise / sunset time. It is possible to express a background color such as sunrise or sunset at the driving time near sunrise or sunset. Such a change in the map display can give the user the same feeling as when actually driving, and whether or not it is possible to reach the destination before sunset, etc. Can be easily grasped. Furthermore, if the screen scroll speed is increased, dynamic scene changes can be enjoyed.
[0011]
Furthermore, the reference time for starting the simulation run can be set to an arbitrary time. The time when the user executes the simulation run can be set as the reference time, or the desired time input by the user can be set as the reference time. The travel time can be calculated, for example, from the distance from the travel start position to the travel position (link distance) and a preset travel speed. The travel speed is preferably variable according to the type of road. For example, it is 40 km / h for a general road and 80 km / h for a highway. Of course, the traveling speed can be appropriately changed by the user. Apart from this, the travel time may be calculated using the travel time provided by VICS.
[0012]
Further, the travel start position and the travel end position by the simulation travel can be arbitrarily set. As a result, a simulation run can be executed only in a desired section, and the display time can be shortened and the demand for the user can be met. It is also possible to stop the scroll screen according to the user's instruction during the route scrolling and display the map and travel time on the stop screen for a desired time.
[0013]
A navigation apparatus according to the present invention includes a simulation travel execution unit that performs a simulation travel on a route to a destination, a display that can display a map around a vehicle position that has been simulated travel, and a simulation travel. Travel time calculation means for calculating the travel time of the vehicle position at the time, and map display control means for changing the map on the display according to the travel time.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a navigation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The navigation device 1 includes a GPS receiver 10, a self-contained navigation sensor 11, a VICS / FM multiplex receiver 12, an operation panel 20, a voice input unit 21, a remote control operation unit 22, an input interface 23, a storage device 30 that stores map data and the like. , An audio output unit 40, a speaker 41, a display control unit 50, a display 51, a program memory 60, a data memory 70, and a control unit 80 for controlling each unit.
[0015]
The GPS receiver 10 receives radio waves from an artificial satellite (GPS satellite) and measures the current position and current direction of the vehicle. The measured position information includes data about the latitude, longitude, and altitude of the vehicle. The self-contained navigation sensor 11 includes a vehicle speed sensor that detects a moving distance of the vehicle and an angle that detects a rotation angle of the vehicle. Output signals from the GPS receiver 10 and the self-contained navigation sensor 11 are supplied to the control unit 80, and the control unit 80 calculates the current position and direction of the vehicle based on these output signals.
[0016]
The VICS / FM multiple receiver 12 sequentially receives the current road traffic information outside the vehicle via the antenna 13. VICS (Vehicle Information & Communication System) provides road traffic information in real time, and transmits information by FM multiplexing (text broadcasting), radio wave beacon, and optical beacon.
[0017]
The operation panel 20, the voice input unit 21 and the remote control operation unit 22 constitute an input of the navigation device 1. Through these inputs, the user gives various instructions and settings such as a search to the destination, a search for a route to the destination, and a display screen setting change to the navigation apparatus 1. The operation panel 20 can use, for example, a plurality of operation keys 52 provided at the lower part of the display 51. The voice input unit 21 transmits a user's voice input from a voice input microphone (not shown) to the input interface 23, and converts the voice analog signal into a digital signal. The remote control operation unit 22 includes a plurality of input keys, and when the user operates the input keys, the input operation is transmitted to the input interface 23 via radio. The input interface 23 is connected to the operation panel 20, the voice input unit 21, and the remote control operation unit 22, and transmits input information input by the user to the control unit 80.
[0018]
The storage device 30 is a recording medium such as a hard disk drive (HDD), DVD, or CD-ROM, and stores map data, addresses, telephones, facilities, and other databases required for the navigation device. The map data includes drawing data for drawing facilities on the map, road data, and the like, and the road data includes link information and node information connected to the links. The link information includes information such as road width, distance, road type and the like including link position information. The node information includes the position and type of the intersection, the lane information of the intersection, and the like. Further, the storage device 30 can store programs for executing various functions of the navigation device, and can store music data and the like when the navigation device has an audio function.
[0019]
Furthermore, the storage device 30 stores information used when changing the map display on the display according to the travel time when performing a simulation travel such as a route scroll function or a travel demonstration as will be described later. This information includes time information regarding sunrise and sunset, and display control information for changing the display color of the map.
[0020]
As shown in FIG. 2, for example, the time information related to sunrise / sunset includes a table that represents the time of sunrise and sunset for each of a plurality of longitudes A, B,. By referring to the sunrise and sunset times at each longitude, it is possible to grasp the situation at the vehicle position where the simulation is run.
[0021]
As shown in FIG. 3, for example, the display control information includes a plurality of pattern data corresponding to sunrise, sunset, daytime, and nighttime. The pattern data constitutes a part of the drawing data drawn on the display. The background pattern data includes sky, clouds, sea, etc., and the land pattern data includes buildings, roads, etc. included. In these background and land pattern data, # 1 is pattern data representing the sunrise situation, # 2 is pattern data representing the daytime situation, # 3 is pattern data representing the sunset situation, and # 4. Is pattern data representing a night situation.
[0022]
The pattern data of the sky and clouds at sunrise or sunset is a reddish shade that reflects the sunrise or sunset, and the pattern data of the sky or clouds during the day is a relatively bright color. To do. Cloud and sky pattern data at night is a relatively dark color. The same color pattern data can be used for buildings and roads. However, it is not always necessary to prepare a plurality of building or road pattern data, and pattern data of a single color may be used. This is because the color and brightness of buildings and roads do not change so much depending on the situation as compared to the background, and it may be difficult to see by darkening the color and brightness.
[0023]
The data communication control unit 31 transmits and receives data wirelessly. The data communication control unit 31 may include a communication device that transmits and receives data in the navigation device, or may externally attach a mobile phone or an electronic device having a communication function to the navigation device. . The data communication control unit 31 communicates with an external server or the like via a network, and sequentially obtains real-time dynamic information by transmitting and receiving data related to road traffic information with a traffic information center such as ATIS. be able to. Furthermore, the latest road, map data, facility data, and latest music data can be downloaded from a predetermined server, and the contents of the storage device 30 can be updated. In addition, the data communication control unit 31 can give entertainment information such as facilities and restaurants owned by the navigation device 1 and road traffic information to a mobile phone or the like.
[0024]
The audio output unit 40 includes a speaker 41, and outputs sound from the speaker 41 under the control of the control unit 80. For example, as the information to reach the destination, output a voice alerting the direction of the course in front of the intersection, or input the operation to the user when the user inputs interactively to the navigation device Voice instructions are output. Furthermore, the audio output unit 40 outputs music when the navigation device performs an audio function.
[0025]
The display control unit 50 is connected to the display 51 and displays a map on the display 51 or on the map based on data read from the storage device 30 or the data memory 70 under the control of the control unit 80. A vehicle mark indicating the current position of the vehicle, a route to the destination, a guidance display at a branch point such as an intersection, and a landmark of the facility are combined. Furthermore, information regarding instructions and operations input by the user from the operation panel 20 or the like is displayed on a map or on a different screen. The display control unit 50 preferably includes a VRAM such as a FIFO, stores data related to maps, roads, and guidance displays read from the storage device 30 and the data memory 70 in the VRAM, and stores the map data read from the VRAM. Combine various data. The display 51 is a horizontally wide screen using, for example, liquid crystal or plasma, and can display two screens under the control of the display control unit 50.
[0026]
The program memory 60 stores various programs executed in the navigation device, and these programs are executed by the control unit 80. The program memory 60 may be configured by using a rewritable RAM, for example, and may read a program stored in the storage device 30. Alternatively, a ROM in which a program is stored in advance can be used. The contents of the program include, for example, a program 61 for searching for a route to the destination, a program 62 for setting / changing a map displayed on the display 51, and the like.
[0027]
Furthermore, in the present invention, when a route to the destination is searched by the search program 61, a program 63 for executing a route scroll function for displaying a map along the route and a function installed in the navigation device are introduced. However, a demonstration traveling program 64 for executing the demonstration traveling is stored.
[0028]
The data memory 70 stores processing results of various calculations processed by the control unit 80, map data 71 read from the storage device 30, and the like. Further, the data memory 70 stores the searched guidance route data 72 and the road traffic information 73 received from the VICS / FM multiplex receiver 12 when the route to the destination is searched. Further, when the route scroll function or the demonstration function is performed, the display control information 74 for displaying a map corresponding to the situation of the simulated vehicle and the time information 75 regarding sunrise / sunset are read from the storage device 30. And stored in the data memory 70. As the data memory 70, DRAM, SRAM, flash memory, or the like can be used. You may make it transfer the content of the data memory 70 to the memory | storage device 30 after use of a navigation apparatus. Further, the external memory 76 that can be attached to the navigation device 1 may be used in combination with the data memory 70.
[0029]
Next, a map display operation during simulation traveling according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation when the route scroll is performed on the route on which the route search to the destination is performed. When the route search to the destination is performed by the user (step S101), the searched route data is stored as the guide route data 72 of the data memory 70.
[0030]
Next, when an instruction for starting the route scroll is input from the operation panel 20 or the like from the user, the route scroll is started (step S102). For example, when a recommended route from the starting point S1 to the destination S5 as shown in FIG. 5 is obtained, the vehicle is simulated on the route by the route scroll function, and a map along the route is displayed. 51. The route scroll can automatically display a map from the starting point S1 to the destination S5 at a constant scrolling speed, or can scroll the map by a user's manual operation to stop the map at a desired point. .
[0031]
When the route scroll is started, the control unit 80 reads the route data 72 from the data memory 70 in accordance with the route scroll program 63 (step S103). Based on the route data 72, the control unit 80 causes the vehicle to virtually run along the route (step S104), and at the same time, calculates the travel time of the vehicle position that has been simulated travel (step S105). For example, as shown in FIG. 5, if the vehicle travels from the departure point S1 to the travel point S2, the required distance between the points S1 and S2 is obtained by dividing the link distance of the road therebetween by a predetermined travel speed. The time d1 can be obtained. If the departure time t1 of the departure point S1 is, for example, the time when the route scroll operation is started, the traveling time t2 of the point S2 is t2 = t1 + d1. The calculated travel time is sequentially stored in the data memory 70.
[0032]
Moreover, it is desirable to calculate the travel time according to the road type. For example, in FIG. 5, when the general road R1 is between the departure point S1 and the point S2, the highway R2 is between the point S2 and S3, and the road R3 between the point S3 and the point S4 is two or more lanes, More realistic by setting the traveling speed to 40 km / h, the traveling speed of the highway R2 to 80 km / h, the traveling speed of the road R3 with two or more lanes to 60 km / h, and changing the traveling speed according to the road type Simulation running. The traveling speed can be set to a value other than the above by input from the user. On the other hand, in the case of a route in which the link travel time can be acquired by VICS, the travel time may be calculated based on the link travel time, without being calculated as described above.
[0033]
Next, the control unit 80 displays a map around the simulated vehicle position on the display 51 (step S106). FIG. 6 is an example of a display screen during a simulation run. The display 51 displays a vehicle position mark M and a map around it. The map includes a terrestrial map 90 and its background 92, and the background 92 displays a travel time 94 corresponding to the travel point and road information 96 related to the vehicle position. The road information 96 includes the place name of the travel point, the type of road, and the like.
[0034]
In the present invention, in order to display a map in accordance with the traveling time, the time information relating to the sunrise / sunset shown in FIG. 2 described above is compared with the traveling time, thereby controlling the display color of the map to be changed. This operation flow is shown in FIG. The control unit 80 reads time information related to sunrise / sunset from the storage device 30 and stores it in the data memory 70 (step S201).
[0035]
Next, the sunrise / sunset time of the travel point is predicted (step S202). As shown in Fig. 2, the sunrise / sunset information includes sunrise / sunset times for multiple longitudes for each month, and the sunrise / sunset of the month corresponding to the date and time when the route scroll was executed. Data of sunset is extracted. The longitude of the travel point can be obtained from the road link information, and the sunrise / sunset time of the longitude closest to the longitude of the travel point can be set as the predicted time. Alternatively, the sunrise / sunset time of the travel point may be predicted proportionally from the sunrise / sunset times of multiple longitudes across the travel point (hereinafter, the predicted sunrise / sunset times are Expected sunrise time, estimated sunset time)
[0036]
When the predicted sunrise / sunset time of the travel point is calculated, the predicted time is compared with the travel time (step S203). When the running time is in the range of 1 hour before and after the expected sunrise time, the situation around the simulated vehicle position is determined to be sunrise, and when the running time is in the range of 1 hour before and after the expected sunset time, The situation around the simulated vehicle position is determined to be sunset. In addition, when the running time is one hour or more earlier than the expected sunrise time and one hour or more later than the expected sunset time, the surrounding situation is determined to be night, and it is determined to be daytime at other times. (Step S204).
[0037]
Next, the control unit 80 selects pattern data corresponding to the situation around the vehicle position from the pattern data shown in FIG. 3 (step S205), and changes the map display on the display 51. FIG. 6A is a display example when the vicinity of the vehicle position is daytime, and FIG. 6B is a display example when the vicinity of the vehicle position is nighttime. The sky 98a and the cloud 98b (hatched area in the figure) in the background 92 are displayed in a relatively darker color than in the daytime. Here, only the display of the background 92 is changed, and the display of the land system 90 such as a road or a building is not changed.
[0038]
Thus, the map display is controlled according to the traveling time at the vehicle position. In this control, every time the travel distance of the vehicle exceeds a predetermined value, the operation from Step S202 is repeated, and the map display corresponding to the travel time or the situation is changed (Steps S207 and S208).
[0039]
Returning to the operation flow of FIG. 4 again, the control of the map display on the display 51 is performed until the destination is reached (step S107).
[0040]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flow of FIG. In the second embodiment, the user can set the simulation start time, the travel start point, and the travel end point. The user searches for a route to the destination (step S301), and instructs to start route scrolling (step S302). Next, the display 51 displays a question screen as to whether or not to set the travel start time (step S303). When the user inputs a desired travel start time (step S304), This is the reference time for travel time. When there is no input, the root scroll disclosure time is set as the reference time.
[0041]
Further, the display 51 displays a question screen as to whether or not to set a travel start point (step S305). When a desired travel start point is input by the user (step S306), the point is used for simulation travel. This is the starting point. For example, a point S2 shown in FIG. If there is no input by the user, the current location is automatically taken as the departure point. Similarly, the travel end point can also be set by user input (steps S307 and S308), and when there is no input, the destination is automatically set as the end point. The subsequent processing is the same as in the first embodiment shown in FIG. When the travel start time is changed in this way, the travel time is changed accordingly, and the map display is also changed in response thereto. By making it possible to set the travel start time to any time, it is possible to easily grasp the travel time and the situation at the destination or halfway point under various time settings, and improve user convenience Can do.
[0042]
In the first and second embodiments, the example in which the route scroll is performed as the simulation traveling is shown. However, in addition to this, a map display according to the traveling time of the vehicle can be provided in the demonstration traveling.
[0043]
The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above. However, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims. Deformation / change is possible.
[0044]
In the above embodiment, the display color of the map can be changed in both the background and the land system, but only the background may be changed. In addition, a plurality of pattern data as shown in FIG. 3 is prepared for changing the map display. However, the color of the graphic data drawn on the display may be changed without necessarily using such a method. Good. For example, the color data included in the polygon data can be changed.
[0045]
Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the map display color can be changed at sunrise, sunset, daytime, and night. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the color may be changed in more colors. In this case, for example, it is possible to subdivide from morning to evening in the daytime into a plurality of colors, or to subdivide from evening to the night into a plurality of colors.
[0046]
Furthermore, in the said embodiment, although the color of the map display was changed, you may make it change the brightness, even if it is the same color besides this. Further, the background and terrestrial pattern data shown in FIG. 3 is an example, and it is of course possible to use other pattern data.
[0047]
Furthermore, in conjunction with the map display shown in FIG. 6, it is also possible to give voice guidance on the travel time and the situation around the vehicle position by the speaker 41.
[0048]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, the map at the time of the simulation travel is changed according to the situation of the simulated vehicle position, so that a more realistic travel scene can be provided to the user, and the destination In addition, it is possible to provide the user with a visual representation of the driving situation at the midpoint and the waypoints, and the comfort and convenience of the navigation device are further improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a navigation device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a table for storing time information regarding sunrise and sunset.
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining background and land pattern data;
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a map display operation during simulation traveling according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a route to a destination.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen during simulation running.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation for changing the map display.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a map display operation during simulation traveling according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1: navigation device, 10: GPS receiver, 11: autonomous navigation sensor,
12: VICS receiver, 20: operation panel, 21: voice input unit,
22: remote control, 23: input IF, 30: storage unit, 40: audio output unit,
41: speaker, 50: display control unit, 51: display,
60: Program memory, 70: Data memory, 80: Control unit,

Claims (11)

A map display method for simulating a route to a destination,
A step of calculating a travel time of a vehicle position that has been simulated travel based on the simulation travel start point as a reference time,
A map display method during simulation travel, the method comprising: changing the map display according to the travel time when displaying a map around the vehicle position that has been simulated travel. The map display method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of displaying the travel time together on the map. The map display method during simulation traveling according to claim 1, wherein the display color of the map display changes according to the traveling time. The map display method at the time of simulation traveling according to claim 1, wherein the change of the map display is performed by changing the brightness of the display according to the traveling time. The map display method at the time of simulation traveling according to claim 3, wherein the change in the map display is such that a color or brightness of a background color is changed according to the traveling time. The map display method during simulation traveling according to claim 3, 4 or 5, wherein the change in color or brightness is determined by comparing the traveling time with a sunrise / sunset time predicted at the vehicle position. . The map display method during simulation traveling according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6, wherein the reference time can be set to an arbitrary time. The map display method during simulation travel according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7, wherein the travel start position or travel end position by simulation can be arbitrarily set. A navigation device having a function of searching for a route to a destination,
A simulation travel execution means for simulating the route to the destination;
When the simulation travel is performed, a display capable of displaying a map around the vehicle position that has been simulated travel;
Travel time calculation means for calculating the travel time of the vehicle position when the simulation travels,
A navigation device comprising map display control means for changing a map on the display in accordance with the travel time. The navigation device further includes storage means for storing time information related to sunrise / sunset, and the map display control means compares the time information related to sunrise / sunset with the travel time, and displays the map display color or its The navigation device according to claim 9, wherein the brightness is changed. The navigation apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the map display control unit displays the travel time calculated by the travel time calculation unit on the display.

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