JP2005077346A - Information display device for vehicle, and navigation device for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent occurrence of a traffic accident by arousing attention at a crossing where a flashing type traffic signal device is provided. <P>SOLUTION: This information display device for a vehicle includes a detection means for detecting the vehicle position, a map information storage means for storing map information, a display means for displaying the present position of the vehicle on the map information, a signal device information storage means for storing information of the flashing signal device correlatively with the map information, and a flashing signal device passing information output means for outputting information corresponding to passing through the flashing signal device such as attention arousing information, when the vehicle passes through the flashing signal device in the flashing state specified by the signal device information storage means on the map information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle information display device and a vehicle navigation device.

  As the vehicle travels, the current position is detected by GPS (Global Positioning System), etc., and the current position is displayed on the display device together with the road map, and an appropriate route from the current position to the destination is displayed. A vehicle navigation device that is set and guided by a display device, an audio output device, or the like contributes to efficient and safe driving for the driver.

  In these route displays, traffic signals (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as traffic lights) are displayed to make the route display easier to understand. However, the traffic light has a normal operation state and a blinking state that is performed in a state where traffic is low, such as at night, and it is considered that safer traffic is possible by notifying the driver of these. In other words, in the case of a flashing traffic signal (hereinafter also referred to as a flashing traffic signal), crossing is permitted even if the flashing red signal is flashing, so there is a high possibility of a jump-out accident. By informing the operator, safer driving becomes possible.

  Based on the above idea, a vehicle navigation device has been devised that displays on a map and informs the driver of this when there is an intersection with a flashing traffic light on the guide route (see Patent Document 1). ).

  Also, an external transmitter that is provided in a lane facing the intersection traffic signal and transmits signal information based on the signal control pattern of the intersection traffic signal toward the lane, and is mounted on the vehicle and receives signal information from the external transmitter. In addition, an in-vehicle device for notifying the driver of the signal change of the intersection traffic signal is provided, and when approaching the intersection, the signal information received from the external transmitter is notified to the driver to help the driver's judgment. For this reason, a driving support system has been devised that provides information for preventing an intersection accident caused by unreasonable driving or signal oversight (see Patent Document 2).

JP 2000-241174 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-77093

  In the vehicle navigation device of Patent Document 1, only the blinking traffic signal is stored as information on the traffic light. This is advantageous in terms of storage capacity compared to storing information on all traffic lights, but adding information when existing traffic lights are changed to blinking traffic lights (or vice versa) There is a drawback that it is difficult to do. Further, the notification process regarding the flashing traffic signal is performed only at the time of route guidance, and when the current position of the vehicle is simply displayed on the map displayed on the display device, the notification process is not performed. It is inconvenient for the driver.

  In the driving support system of Patent Document 2, the data to be transmitted to the vehicle is only the state of the traffic light (blue, yellow, red) and does not consider the flashing traffic light. Moreover, it is not the structure which displays the data received with the vehicle on the map of the display apparatus of the navigation apparatus for vehicles.

  Against the background of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an information display device for a vehicle and a vehicle for informing a driver of accurate information about a blinking traffic signal in order to prevent an accident at an intersection with the blinking traffic signal. An object of the present invention is to provide a navigation device for a vehicle.

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention

The present invention provides a vehicle information display device for solving the above-described problems. That is, detection means for detecting the current position of the vehicle;
Map information storage means for storing map information;
Display means for displaying the current position of the vehicle on the map information;
In association with the map information, traffic light information storage means for storing information of the blinking traffic light,
Blinking traffic light passing information output means for outputting predetermined information corresponding to passing the flashing traffic light when the vehicle passes the blinking flashing traffic light specified by the traffic light information storage means on the map information;
It is comprised as an information display apparatus for vehicles containing.

According to claim 2, detection means for detecting the current position of the vehicle;
Map information storage means for storing map information;
Display means for displaying the current position of the vehicle on the map information;
A blinking signal information storage means for storing at least position information and time condition information on map information of a blinking signal that can be switched between a normal signal and a blinking signal according to a time condition;
The vehicle reads out the time condition information of the blinking signal specified by the blinking signal information storage means on the map information and compares it with the current time information. Blinking state determination means for determining whether or not
When it is determined by the blinking state determination means that the blinking signal that the vehicle is about to pass is in the blinking state, when the vehicle passes the blinking signal, predetermined information corresponding to passing the blinking signal is obtained. Blinking traffic light passing information output means for outputting,
It is comprised as an information display apparatus for vehicles containing.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the vehicle information display device displays the blinking signal on the electronic map displayed on the display when the blinking signal is not in the blinking state, as determined by the blinking state determining means. Is displayed as a normal traffic light, and when the flashing traffic light is in a flashing state, a flashing traffic light display control means for performing a display capable of determining that the flashing traffic light is in a flashing state is provided.

  According to claim 4, the vehicle information display device according to claims 1 to 3 adjusts the speed of the vehicle in response to the blinking state of the blinking signal when the vehicle passes the blinking blinking signal. It is possible to adopt a configuration having the speed adjusting means. With this configuration, for example, when passing through a yellow blinking traffic light, it is possible to adjust the speed so that it can pass after confirming safety, and when passing through a red blinking traffic light, it can be adjusted to a speed that can be temporarily stopped.

  If information on traffic lights is registered in advance in the map data of the vehicle information display device as in the present invention, a traffic light that always flashes, or an intersection where the state of the signal changes depending on the date and time (for example, a normal traffic light in the daytime) However, it is possible to perform warning guidance at the time of passing through the intersection by referring to the travel date and time at an intersection that operates as a blinking traffic light at night. In addition, when the time condition that the blinking signal is in the blinking state is met, information corresponding to passing the blinking signal device such as alert information is output, or it is obvious that the blinking signal device is in the blinking state. By displaying the corresponding blinking display, the driver is alerted and the safety is confirmed, thereby preventing the occurrence of a traffic accident.

Moreover, this invention provides the navigation apparatus for vehicles for solving the said subject. That is, according to claim 5, the electronic map is displayed on the display device, the current position of the vehicle is indicated on the electronic map, the recommended route to the set destination is indicated on the electronic map, and the electronic map is displayed. In a vehicle navigation apparatus for guiding a vehicle to a destination,
Map information storage means for storing map information;
In association with the map information, traffic light information storage means for storing information of the blinking traffic light,
A recommended route search means for executing a search for selecting a route that minimizes the number of times of passing a certain point of a blinking traffic light based on the stored contents of the traffic light information storage means when searching for a recommended route, and outputting the recommended route; ,
It is comprised as a vehicle navigation apparatus characterized by including.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, when the recommended route search means searches for a recommended route that cannot avoid the blinking traffic light, the vehicle navigation device is identified by the traffic signal information storage means on the map information. When passing through the blinking signal in the blinking state, there is provided blinking signal device passage information output means for outputting predetermined information corresponding to passing through the blinking signal device.

According to claim 7, the electronic map is displayed on the display, the current position of the vehicle is indicated on the electronic map, the recommended route to the set destination is indicated on the electronic map, and the vehicle is displayed. In a vehicle navigation device that guides to a destination,
Map information storage means for storing map information;
A blinking signal information storage means for storing at least position information and time condition information on map information of a blinking signal that can be switched between a normal signal and a blinking signal according to a time condition;
With respect to the blinking traffic light specified by the blinking traffic light information storage means on the map information, the time condition information is read and compared with the current time information to determine whether the blinking light signal meets the time condition at present or within a predetermined time. Blinking state determining means for
When searching for a recommended route, execute a search to select the route that minimizes the number of times that the vehicle passes through a point with a traffic light that meets the blinking time condition in the expected time zone that the vehicle will pass, and output the recommended route Recommended route search means,
It is comprised as a vehicle navigation apparatus characterized by including.

According to claim 8, the electronic map is displayed on the display, the current position of the vehicle is indicated on the electronic map, the recommended route to the set destination is indicated on the electronic map, and the vehicle is displayed. In a vehicle navigation device that guides to a destination,
Map information storage means for storing map information;
A blinking signal information storage means for storing at least position information and time condition information on map information of a blinking signal that can be switched between a normal signal and a blinking signal according to a time condition;
A recommended route search means for searching a recommended route on map information;
A blinking signal searching means for searching whether or not there is a blinking signal on the searched recommended route;
When it is determined that there is a flashing traffic light on the recommended route, based on the stored contents of the flashing traffic light information storage means, it is determined whether the time condition of the flashing state is met in the expected time zone when the vehicle passes through the flashing traffic light If not, route guidance based on the recommended route, and if applicable, search for another route and recommend the route that minimizes the number of passes through a point with a traffic light that meets the blinking time condition. A recommended route determination means as a route;
It is comprised as a vehicle navigation apparatus characterized by including.

  According to claim 9, the vehicle navigation apparatus according to claim 7 or 8 avoids the blinking traffic light corresponding to the blinking time condition in the expected time zone through which the vehicle passes by the recommended route search means or the recommended route determination means. When the recommended route is determined to be impossible, when the vehicle passes the blinking blinking signal specified by the traffic signal information storage means on the map information, predetermined information corresponding to passing the blinking signal is displayed. A blinking signal device passage information output means for outputting is provided.

  According to claim 10, the vehicle navigation device according to claims 5 to 9 is for adjusting the speed of the vehicle corresponding to the blinking state of the blinking signal when the vehicle passes the blinking blinking signal. A configuration having speed adjusting means can be adopted. With this configuration, for example, when passing through a yellow blinking traffic light, it is possible to adjust the speed so that it can pass after confirming safety, and when passing through a red blinking traffic light, it can be adjusted to a speed that can be temporarily stopped.

  By the way, when setting the route guidance, the Dijkstra method or a method based thereon is generally used. Specifically, link information for links between nodes is used using map data recorded in a static information source such as a CD-ROM or DVD.

  The link information includes a link ID, which is a unique number for identifying a link, a road type (link class) for identifying an expressway, a toll road, a general road, or an attachment road, and the width / lane of the road. There is information related to the link itself such as road width information indicating the number or presence / absence of a median, link start and end coordinates, and road length (link length) indicating the link length. On the other hand, the node information includes information such as a node ID, which is a unique number of nodes connecting the links, right / left turn prohibition at intersections, and presence / absence of traffic lights. In addition, data indicating whether or not traffic is possible is set in the inter-link connection information.

  In the Dijkstra method, using these link information, node information, and link connection information, the route evaluation value (route calculation cost) from the current location to each node is calculated, and all the route evaluation values to the destination are calculated. When the calculation is completed, a link to the smallest total evaluation value is connected and a route to the destination is set. The evaluation value in this case is set according to the road length, road type, road width, number of lanes, right / left turn at the intersection, presence / absence of traffic lights, and the like. For example, the evaluation value is lower as the road width is wider, and the evaluation value is lower as the number of lanes is larger.

  When passing through an intersection with flashing traffic lights, more care is required than when passing through an intersection with normal traffic lights. Vehicles traveling on the road on the yellow flashing traffic light side rarely slow down near the intersection, and it may be difficult to enter from the road on the red flashing traffic signal side. In addition, there are many cases where a vehicle entering from the road on the red flashing signal side does not stop. For this reason, many drivers want to avoid an intersection with flashing traffic lights.

  Therefore, it takes more time to pass an intersection with a flashing traffic light than to pass an intersection with a normal traffic light. Also, the danger level is higher at the intersection with flashing traffic lights. Therefore, if information on the type of the traffic light whether it is a flashing traffic light is stored in information such as the presence or absence of a traffic light in the node information, and the evaluation value for the flashing traffic light is set higher than the evaluation value for a normal traffic light, When searching for a route, it is possible to perform a route search that does not pass the blinking traffic light.

  In addition, some traffic lights are blinking only at night, so the traffic light blinking time zone is stored in the node information, and the flashing time zone evaluation value is set higher than the non-flashing time zone evaluation value and stored. By doing so, it is possible to perform a detailed route search according to the traveling time zone.

  Furthermore, if information related to the blinking colors of yellow blinking and red blinking is also stored in the node information, it is possible to perform a route search including a condition such as “avoid only the intersection of red blinking” in the search condition.

  As described above, by using the route search method of the present invention, it is possible to perform a route search that does not pass through an intersection with a flashing traffic signal or minimizes the number of passages. By not passing through intersections with flashing traffic signals, which are often accident-prone places, the probability of encountering an accident is reduced, the burden on the driver is reduced, and the time required to reach the destination is shortened. In addition, even when the recommended route that cannot avoid the blinking traffic light corresponding to the blinking time condition in the expected time zone when the vehicle passes is determined when the vehicle passes the blinking blinking signal on the map information It is effective in preventing traffic accidents by outputting warning information to the driver to alert the driver and confirming safety.

  By using the navigation device, information on the blinking traffic signal on the display map was accurately conveyed to the driver, and a route search capable of avoiding a point where the blinking traffic signal was present was realized.

Hereinafter, a vehicle navigation apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a vehicle navigation apparatus (hereinafter also referred to as a navigation apparatus) 100 as an embodiment of the present invention. The navigation device 100 includes a position detector 1, a map data input device 6, an operation switch group 7, a remote control (hereinafter referred to as remote control) sensor 11, a speaker 15 for voice guidance, an external memory 9, a display device 10, and the like. Are connected to a control circuit 8 and a remote control terminal 12.

  The position detector 1 has a known geomagnetic sensor 2, a gyroscope 3, a distance sensor 4, and a GPS receiver 5 for GPS that detects the position of the vehicle based on radio waves from a satellite. Since these sensors 2, 3, 4, and 5 have errors of different properties, they are configured to be used while being complemented by a plurality of sensors. Depending on the accuracy, a part of the sensors described above may be used, and further, a steering rotation sensor, a wheel sensor of each rolling wheel, or the like may be used.

  The map data input device 6 is a device for inputting various data including so-called map matching data for improving the accuracy of position detection and road data representing road connections from the storage medium 20. As a type of storage medium, a CD-ROM, DVD, or hard disk drive (hereinafter referred to as HDD) is generally used based on the amount of data, but another medium such as a memory card may be used.

  The storage medium 20 is incorporated in the map data input device 6, and data is read or written by a control signal from the control circuit 8. In addition to the data for map display and route search, the storage medium 20 has a traffic signal position (traveling direction) and structure (three-lamp type, necessary for realizing the present invention) as shown in FIG. Signal information such as a one-lamp type), a blinking time zone, and a blinking type for each traveling direction (yellow blinking, red blinking) is recorded. The storage medium 20 corresponds to the map information storage means, the traffic light information storage means, and the blinking traffic light information storage means in the present invention.

  As the operation switch group 7, for example, a touch switch or a mechanical switch integrated with the display device 10 is used. The touch switch is composed of infrared sensors that are finely arranged vertically and horizontally on the screen of the display device 10. For example, when the infrared ray is cut off with a finger, a touch pen, or the like, the cut-off position becomes a two-dimensional coordinate value (X, Y). A pointing device such as a mouse or a cursor may be used. Various instructions can be input by the operation switch group 7 and the remote control terminal 12.

  In addition to the operation switch group 7 and the remote control terminal 12, it is also possible to input various instructions using the voice recognition unit 21. In this case, by inputting voice from a microphone (not shown) included in the voice recognition unit 21, the voice signal is voice-recognized and converted into an operation command corresponding to the result.

  The display device 10 is composed of a color liquid crystal display. On the screen of the display device 10, a vehicle current position mark input from the position detector 1, map data input from the map data input device 6, and a map are displayed. The additional data such as the guidance route to be displayed is superimposed and displayed, and a menu button for setting route guidance, guidance during route guidance, and a screen switching operation is displayed on this screen.

  The transceiver 13 is a device for receiving information provided from the outside, for example, a VICS (Vehicle Information and Communication System) center 14 and transmitting the information to the outside. Information received from the outside via the transceiver 13 is processed by the control circuit 8.

  Further, it is also possible to connect to an external network by connecting a mobile communication device such as a mobile phone 17 or a car phone to the communication unit 19. Furthermore, by communicating with an ETC (Automatic Toll Collection System, ETC: Electronic Toll Collection) vehicle-mounted device 16, the fee information received by the ETC vehicle-mounted device 16 from the ETC road device can be taken into the navigation device 100. It is also possible to connect to an external network by the ETC on-vehicle device 16.

  The control circuit 8 is configured as a normal computer, and includes a well-known CPU 81, ROM 82, RAM 83, I / O 84, and a bus line 85 for connecting these configurations. The CPU 81 controls the program and data stored in the ROM 82 and RAM 83. The ROM 81 has a program storage area 82a and a data storage area 82b. A navigation program (hereinafter referred to as a navigation program) 82p is stored in the program storage area 82a. Data necessary for the operation of the navigation program 82p is stored in the data storage area 82b. The navigation program 82p operates on the RAM 83 in such a manner that the navigation program work memory 83w is used as a work area. When an HDD is used for the map data input device 6, the functions of the ROM 82 and the RAM 83 may be implemented by the HDD.

  Further, the external memory 9 stores information and data necessary for the operation of the navigation device. The external memory 9 is configured to retain the stored contents even when the accessory switch of the vehicle is turned off (that is, the navigation device 100 is turned off).

  The control circuit 8 corresponds to a blinking state determination means, a blinking signal display control means, a recommended route search means, a blinking signal search means, a recommended route determination means, and a speed adjustment means. The control circuit 8, the display device 10, and the speaker Reference numeral 15 corresponds to a blinking traffic light passage information output means.

  With this configuration, when the navigation program 82p is activated by the CPU 81 of the control circuit 8, the navigation device 82 is operated by the driver using the operation switch group 7, the remote control terminal 12, or the voice recognition unit 21. When the route guidance process for displaying the destination route on the display device 10 is selected from the menu displayed above, the following process is performed. That is, when the driver inputs the destination based on the map on the display device 10, the current location of the vehicle is obtained based on the satellite data obtained from the GPS receiver 5, and the optimum route from the current location to the destination is obtained. Processing is performed. Then, the guidance route is displayed on the road map on the display device 10 so as to guide the driver to the appropriate route. In addition, the display device 10 and the speaker 15 transmit a message according to the guidance during operation and the operating state.

  The flow of the traffic light display process of the navigation program 82p executed in the CPU 81 will be described using the flowchart of FIG. This process is repeatedly performed together with other processes of the navigation program 82p while the navigation device 100 is operating. First, when a map is displayed on the screen of the display device 10, it is checked whether there is a traffic light on the map. If there is no traffic light on the map (S1: No), the process is terminated.

  When there is a traffic light on the map (S1: Yes), it is checked whether or not the setting for guiding the blinking traffic light is performed. When the setting is not performed (S2: No), the process is terminated. Whether or not to provide guidance for the blinking traffic light is set on a function setting screen (not shown) of the navigation device, and the setting contents are stored in a predetermined area of the external memory 9.

  It is checked whether or not the setting for guiding the blinking traffic light is made. If the setting is made (S2: Yes), the individual traffic light on the display screen is examined to determine whether or not the type is the blinking traffic light. If is a blinking traffic light (S3: Yes), the process proceeds to S5 (described later). If the traffic light is not a flashing traffic light (that is, it is a normal traffic light) (S3: No), it is checked whether the traffic light becomes a flashing traffic light depending on the time zone. (S4: No), a normal traffic light symbol is displayed at the position of the traffic light on the screen of the display device 10 (S8).

  If the traffic light is a blinking traffic light or a normal traffic light but is in the blinking time zone (S3: Yes or S4: Yes), it is checked whether the blinking color is yellow. If it is a yellow blinking traffic light (S5: Yes) Then, a yellow blinking display is performed at the position of the traffic light on the screen of the display device 10 (S6). Similarly, in the case of a red flashing traffic light (S5: No), the red flashing display is performed at the position of the traffic light on the screen of the display device 10 (S7).

  When the processing between S3 and S8 is performed for all the traffic lights displayed on the screen of the display device 10, the traffic light display process is ended (S9: Yes).

  Next, the flow of the route guidance process of the navigation program 82p executed by the CPU 81 will be described using the flowchart of FIG. This process is repeatedly performed together with the processes of other navigation devices while the navigation device is operating. When performing a route search, it is checked whether or not a setting for avoiding an intersection with a flashing signal is made. If the setting is not made (S21: No), a normal route search process is performed (S25). ). Whether or not to avoid an intersection with a blinking traffic signal when searching for a route is set on a function setting screen (not shown) of the navigation device, and the setting contents are stored in a predetermined area of the external memory 9. .

  When the setting for avoiding an intersection with a flashing traffic light is made (S21: Yes), it is checked whether or not the setting for avoiding only an intersection with a red flashing traffic light is performed, and the setting is not performed. In (S22: No), route search processing is performed so as to avoid an intersection with all blinking traffic lights regardless of the blinking color (S24). On the other hand, when the setting is made to avoid only the intersection with the red blinking signal (S22: Yes), the route search process is performed so as to avoid only the intersection with the red blinking signal (S23). It should be noted that the setting for avoiding only the intersection with the red flashing traffic light at the time of the route search is performed on the function setting screen (not shown) of the navigation device, and the setting contents are stored in a predetermined area of the external memory 9.

  When a route search is performed under the condition of avoiding an intersection with a flashing traffic signal, the destination may not be reached unless the intersection with the flashing traffic signal is passed. In this case, in this case, a route search that minimizes the number of intersections with flashing traffic lights that pass through, or a route search that travels on roads with yellow flashing traffic lights that have priority traffic rights is performed. Do.

  It is also possible to perform a route search on condition that the vehicle passes through the blinking traffic light. The setting in this case is performed in the same manner as described above, and the setting contents are stored in a predetermined area of the external memory 9.

  When approaching an intersection with a flashing traffic signal while the vehicle is traveling (S26: Yes), the flashing color of the traffic signal at the intersection stored in the storage medium 20 is checked, and in the case of a yellow flashing traffic signal (S27: Yes) Then, a guidance message “Please pass carefully” is notified by the display device 10 or the speaker 15 (S28). Further, gear change assist (details will be described later) for switching the vehicle transmission device to a low-speed gear is performed (S29).

  On the other hand, in the case of a red flashing traffic light (S27: No), the display device 10 or the speaker 15 informs the user that “Please stop and pass carefully” (S30). In addition, gear change assist (S31: details will be described later) for switching the transmission of the vehicle to a low speed gear and brake assist (S32: details will be described later) for suppressing the speed of the vehicle are performed. These gear change assist and brake assist correspond to the speed adjusting means in the present invention.

  The gear change assist will be described with reference to FIG. The navigation device 100 is configured to allow data communication with an AT (Automatic Transmission) control device 101, an accelerator control device 102, and a brake control device 103 via an in-vehicle network. When approaching an intersection with a yellow flashing traffic light while the vehicle is traveling, the navigation device 100 makes a low-speed operation from the control circuit 8 to the AT control device 101 based on information from a vehicle speed sensor that measures the vehicle speed (not shown). Send a command to switch to gear. Receiving this command, the AT control device 101 switches (shifts down) the gear to a lower speed than the current gear based on the vehicle speed and other information.

  Similarly, the brake assist will be described with reference to FIG. When approaching an intersection with a red flashing traffic light while the vehicle is running, the navigation device 100 determines whether the accelerator control device 102 and the brake control device 103 are based on information from a vehicle speed sensor that measures the speed of the vehicle (not shown). A command for decelerating the vehicle is sent from the control circuit 8. The accelerator control device 102 that has received this command suppresses acceleration so that the accelerator opening does not exceed a certain value even when the accelerator pedal is depressed. Further, the brake control device 103 operates the brake to decelerate to a predetermined speed.

  Next, screen display of the display device 10 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 5, there are four intersections A, B, C and D based on the traffic signal information content of FIG. At the intersection A, normal (blue, yellow and red three-lamp type) traffic lights 31 to 34 are installed. Normal type traffic lights 35 to 38 that normally display a three-lamp signal when an approach of a vehicle in the north-south direction is sensed at intersection B (east-west direction: yellow flashing, north-south direction: red flashing). Is installed. At the intersection C, normal type traffic lights 39 to 42 that are blinking only at night (east-west direction: yellow blinking, north-south direction: red blinking) are installed. At the intersection D, one-lamp flashing traffic lights 43 to 46 (east-west direction: yellow flashing, north-south direction: red flashing) are installed.

  In the screen display of FIG. 5, a normal traffic light symbol is displayed at the intersection A, and the lighting portion of the traffic light symbol is in a lighting state (blue, yellow, red three-color lighting display). At intersection B, a normal traffic light symbol is displayed. In the traffic lights 35 and 36, the blue light portion and the red light portion of the traffic light symbol are turned off, and the yellow light portion blinks (alternate display of yellow and black). Is displayed such that the blue light portion and the yellow light portion of the traffic light symbol are turned off and the red light portion blinks (alternate display of red and black). When an approach of a vehicle in the north-south direction is detected, a normal traffic signal symbol is displayed, and the lighting portion of the traffic light symbol is in a lighting state (blue, yellow, red three-color lighting display). At intersection C, a normal traffic light symbol is displayed, and when it is not in the blinking time zone, it is displayed in three colors as in intersection A. In the blinking time zone, as in intersection B, traffic lights 39 and 40 have yellow light portions blinking, The traffic lights 41 and 42 are displayed with the red light portion blinking. At intersection D, a one-lamp blinking traffic light symbol is displayed. The traffic lights 43 and 44 blink yellow (alternate display of yellow and black), and traffic lights 45 and 46 flash red (alternate red and black). Display).

  FIG. 6 is an example of a screen display on the display device 10 when the vehicle approaches the blinking traffic light. FIG. 6A shows a case where the yellow blinking signal intersection is entered, and FIG. 6B shows a red blinking signal intersection. In the screen display when entering, the intersection is enlarged and displayed. 6A and 6B correspond to S28 and S30 in FIG. 3, respectively. The enlarged display screen of the intersection portion on the screen of the display device 10 may be either a full screen display or a display using a part of the screen. At this time, voice guidance is also provided from the speaker 15. When route guidance is being performed, an arrow indicating the traveling direction of the vehicle is displayed as shown in FIG. 6 (a) or (b).

  Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The vehicle navigation apparatus according to the second embodiment has the same configuration as that of the vehicle navigation apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIG. 1 to 6 and FIG. 8 used in the description of the first embodiment will be used for the description.

  The traffic light 51 is a communication device 52 that communicates with the navigation device 100 mounted on the vehicle 53, a storage unit (not shown) that stores traffic signal information such as position or type (corresponding to traffic light information storage means and blinking traffic light information storage means), And a control unit (not shown) for controlling the overall operation of the traffic light 51. In the navigation apparatus 100, communication with the communication device 52 is performed using the transceiver 13 (see FIG. 1). The communication method between the traffic light 51 and the navigation device 100 may be any of wireless, near infrared, or other methods. Further, the ETC in-vehicle device 16 may be used as a receiver using a narrow-range digital communication technology such as DSRC (Dedicated Short Range Communication). Or you may take the method of communicating with the signal apparatus 51 using the mobile telephone 17 connected to the communication unit 19. FIG.

  When the vehicle 53 enters the range of the reception zone 54 that is a communicable range with the traffic light 51, the navigation device 100 receives the traffic signal information from the traffic light 51. The received traffic signal information is added or updated in comparison with the corresponding traffic signal information in the storage medium 20 (corresponding to the traffic signal information storage means and the blinking traffic signal information storage means). The data structure of the traffic signal information is the same as that shown in FIG. When the storage medium 20 is a read-only medium such as a CD-ROM, it is stored in the external memory 9 as traffic signal information. In this case, the external memory 9 also corresponds to the traffic light information storage means and the blinking traffic light information storage means in the present invention.

  The traffic signal information from the traffic signal 51 stored in the storage medium 20 or the external memory 9 is displayed as a traffic signal when the map data is displayed on the display device 10 as in the case of the first embodiment of the present invention described above (see FIG. 5, refer to FIG. 6) and route search. In addition, when signal information is memorize | stored in both the storage medium 20 and the external memory 9, the newest thing is used among both information.

  A method of searching for a route by avoiding an intersection with a flashing traffic signal using the traffic signal information (see FIG. 3), a method of displaying a traffic signal on a map of the display device 10 (see FIG. 2, FIG. 5 and FIG. 6), Since the operation when the vehicle approaches the blinking traffic light (see FIGS. 3 and 8) is the same as that of the first embodiment of the present invention described above, the description thereof is omitted in this embodiment.

  For example, when a push button is pressed to cross a pedestrian crossing with a push button type traffic light, the type of traffic light on the roadway side is switched from a yellow flashing traffic light to a normal traffic light. In such a case, in the present embodiment, the traffic signal information stored in the storage unit (not shown) of the traffic signal 51 is also changed from the flashing traffic signal to the normal traffic signal. The changed information is sent from the communication device 52 to the navigation device 100. In the navigation apparatus 100, the signal information stored in the storage medium 20 or the external memory 9 is updated based on the received data. Then, the display symbol corresponding to the traffic light 51 displayed on the map of the screen of the display device 10 is also switched from the yellow blinking state to the three-color lighting display of blue, yellow, and red, and appropriate information can be displayed to the driver in real time. It becomes possible.

  In this embodiment, the traffic signal holds only the traffic signal information related to the traffic signal, but the traffic signal is installed at the same intersection as the traffic signal (32 to 34 in the case of the traffic signal 31 in the example of FIG. 5), or Signals installed at intersections adjacent to traffic lights (in the example of FIG. 5, traffic lights 35 to 38 and traffic lights 39 to 42) also communicate with each other, and traffic signal information including the type and status of other traffic signals received. You may take the method of memorize | storing and transmitting to a vehicle together with the traffic signal information of this traffic signal.

  In addition, the signal information from the traffic signal is sent to the information center that manages the traffic signal information by wired or wireless communication, and the information center stores the received traffic signal information as a database, from the transmitter installed on the traffic light or on the side of the road, etc. For example, you may take the method of always transmitting the information regarding the traffic signal installed within the radius of 1 km to a vehicle. Further, the user may connect to the information center from the navigation device via the network at a desired timing so as to be able to receive the traffic signal information in the desired area.

  As described above, by attaching a communication device to the traffic light and communicating with the navigation device, the navigation device can acquire information such as the type and state of the traffic light. As a result, the information on the traffic lights stored in the navigation device is automatically updated while the vehicle is running, and the information can be immediately used for route search and the like, saving the driver's trouble and increasing the accuracy of the route search. Become. In addition, by acquiring information such as the type and status of traffic signals in real time, if there is a flashing traffic signal that is not registered in the navigation device ahead of the direction of travel of the vehicle, the driver will be notified of this and the guidance route will be searched again. You can also ask if you want to do.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and the knowledge of those skilled in the art can be used without departing from the spirit of the claims. Various modifications based on this are possible.

The block diagram which shows the whole structure of the vehicle-mounted navigation apparatus as one Example of this invention. The flowchart for demonstrating the display method of the traffic signal on a map. The flowchart for demonstrating the route search method in consideration of the classification of a traffic signal. The figure which shows an example of the contents of traffic signal information The figure which shows an example of the screen display of a navigation apparatus. The figure which shows an example of the screen display of a navigation apparatus when approaching an intersection. The figure which shows the example which a navigation apparatus receives the information from a traffic light. The figure for demonstrating control of the speed of a vehicle.

Explanation of symbols

7 Operation switch group 8 Control circuit (blinking signal passing information output means, blinking state determination means, blinking signal display control means, recommended route search means, recommended route determination means, speed adjustment means)
9 External memory (signal information storage means, blinking signal information storage means)
10 Display device (flashing signal passing information output means)
12 Remote control terminal 15 Speaker (flashing signal passing information output means)
19 communication unit 20 storage medium (map information storage means, traffic light information storage means, blinking traffic light information storage means)
51 traffic light (signal information storage means, blinking signal information storage means)
52 Communication Device 100 Navigation Device

Claims (10)

Detecting means for detecting the current position of the vehicle;
Map information storage means for storing map information;
Display means for displaying the current position of the vehicle on the map information;
Traffic light information storage means for storing information of blinking traffic lights in association with the map information;
When the vehicle passes the blinking blinking signal specified by the signal information storage means on the map information, blinking signal passing information output means for outputting predetermined information corresponding to passing the blinking signal,
A vehicle information display device including: Detecting means for detecting the current position of the vehicle;
Map information storage means for storing map information;
Display means for displaying the current position of the vehicle on the map information;
A blinking signal information storage means for storing at least position information on the map information and the time condition information of the blinking signal switched between a normal signal and a blinking signal according to a time condition in association with the map information;
The vehicle reads out the time condition information of the blinking signal specified by the blinking signal information storage means on the map information and compares it with the current time information, and the blinking signal blinks corresponding to the time condition of the blinking state. Blinking state determining means for determining whether or not the state is present;
When the blinking state determining means determines that the blinking signal that the vehicle is about to pass is in a blinking state, the vehicle corresponds to passing through the blinking signal when the vehicle passes through the blinking signal. Blinking traffic light passing information output means for outputting information;
A vehicle information display device including:   If the blinking signal is not in the blinking state as determined by the blinking state determining means, the display of the blinking signal on the electronic map displayed on the display is displayed as a normal signal, and the blinking signal is blinking. The vehicle information display device according to claim 2, further comprising: a blinking signal device display control unit that performs a display capable of determining that the blinking signal device is in a blinking state when in the state.   4. The vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising speed adjusting means for adjusting the speed of the vehicle in response to the blinking state of the blinking signal when the vehicle passes the blinking blinking signal. The vehicle information display device according to claim 1. For vehicles that display an electronic map on the display, indicate the current position of the vehicle on the electronic map, and show the recommended route to the set destination on the electronic map to guide the vehicle to the destination In navigation devices,
Map information storage means for storing map information;
In association with the map information, traffic light information storage means for storing information of the blinking traffic light,
When searching for a recommended route, a recommended route search unit that executes a search for selecting a route that minimizes the number of times that a blinking signal passes through a point on the basis of the content stored in the traffic signal information storage unit and outputs the recommended route When,
A vehicle navigation device comprising:   When the recommended route search means finds a recommended route that cannot avoid the blinking traffic light, the vehicle blinks when the vehicle passes the blinking blinking signal specified by the traffic signal information storage means on the map information. The vehicle navigation apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a blinking traffic light passage information output unit that outputs predetermined information corresponding to passing the traffic light. For vehicles that display an electronic map on the display, indicate the current position of the vehicle on the electronic map, and show the recommended route to the set destination on the electronic map to guide the vehicle to the destination In navigation devices,
Map information storage means for storing map information;
A blinking signal information storage means for storing at least position information on the map information and the time condition information of the blinking signal switched between a normal signal and a blinking signal according to a time condition in association with the map information;
With respect to the blinking signal specified by the blinking signal information storage means on the map information, the time condition information is read and compared with the current time information, and the blinking signal meets the time condition at present or within a predetermined time. Blinking state determination means for determining whether or not
When searching for a recommended route, a search is performed to select a route that minimizes the number of times that the vehicle passes through a point with a traffic signal that meets the blinking time condition in an expected time zone through which the vehicle passes. Recommended route search means to output,
A vehicle navigation device comprising: For vehicles that display an electronic map on the display, indicate the current position of the vehicle on the electronic map, and show the recommended route to the set destination on the electronic map to guide the vehicle to the destination In navigation devices,
Map information storage means for storing map information;
A blinking signal information storage means for storing at least position information on the map information and the time condition information of the blinking signal switched between a normal signal and a blinking signal according to a time condition in association with the map information;
A recommended route search means for searching for a recommended route on the map information;
Blinking traffic light searching means for searching whether the flashing traffic light exists on the searched recommended route;
When it is determined that there is a blinking traffic light on the recommended route, the time condition of the blinking state is met in the expected time zone in which the vehicle passes through the blinking traffic light based on the stored contents of the blinking traffic light information storage means. If not applicable, route guidance is performed based on the recommended route, and if applicable, another route is searched and the number of times passing through a certain point of the traffic light corresponding to the blinking time condition is determined. A recommended route determination means that uses the smallest route as a recommended route;
A vehicle navigation device comprising:   When the recommended route search means or the recommended route determination means determines a recommended route that cannot avoid a blinking traffic light corresponding to a blinking time condition in an expected time zone through which the vehicle passes, the vehicle is displayed on the map. 9. A flashing traffic light passage information output means for outputting predetermined information corresponding to passing through the flashing traffic light when passing through the flashing flashing light signal specified by the traffic light information storage means on information. The vehicle navigation device described in 1. 10. The vehicle according to claim 5, further comprising speed adjusting means for adjusting the speed of the vehicle in response to the blinking state of the blinking signal when the vehicle passes the blinking blinking signal. The vehicle navigation device according to claim 1.

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