JP2005156231A - Vehicle mounted navigation system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicle mounted navigation systems capable of indicating a map of real sense compared with conventional ones. <P>SOLUTION: A controller 18 of the vehicle-mounted navigation system draws images of railway vehicles (train, street car and monorail) of which the railway is laid in an indication range by controlling a railway vehicle drawing part 22 when a map is indicated on a screen of a display 7, and indicates on a map and moves the image of the railway cars along the rail on a map in accordance with a timetable. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an in-vehicle navigation device that displays a map image on a screen of a display device and guides a vehicle to a destination.

  The vehicle-mounted navigation device includes a map data storage device such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) or hard disk on which map data is recorded, a display device such as a liquid crystal panel, and a GPS (for detecting the current position of the vehicle and the direction of the vehicle. Global Positioning System) It has a receiver and a self-contained navigation sensor (such as a gyro and a vehicle speed sensor). Then, map data including the current position of the vehicle is read from the map data storage device, a map image around the current position of the vehicle is drawn based on the map data and displayed on the display device, and a vehicle position mark (location) Is displayed superimposed on the map image, the map image is scrolled according to the movement of the vehicle, the map image is fixed on the screen and the vehicle position mark is moved, and where the vehicle is currently traveling Can be seen at a glance.

  In general, the in-vehicle navigation device is equipped with a route guidance function that allows the user to easily travel to a desired destination without making a mistake on the road. According to this route guidance function, the lowest cost route connecting from the starting point to the destination using map data is automatically searched by performing simulation calculation such as horizontal search method or Dijkstra method, and the searched route is guided. It is memorized as a route, and while driving, the guide route is displayed on the map with a different color from other roads and drawn thickly, or at the intersection where the vehicle should change the course (turn right or left) on the guide route When approaching, the user is guided to the destination by drawing an arrow indicating a course at an intersection on the map.

Cost is based on distance, road width, road type (general road or highway, etc.), a value multiplied by a constant according to right turn and left turn, etc., estimated travel time of vehicle, etc. The degree of appropriateness as a numerical value. Even if there are two routes having the same distance, the cost differs depending on whether the user uses a toll road or whether to give priority to distance or time.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-5100

  However, in the conventional vehicle-mounted navigation device, the map image is displayed based on the map data stored in the map data storage unit, but the vehicle position mark indicating the current position of the host vehicle moves on the map. However, it has the disadvantage of lacking realism.

  In addition, since the conventional navigation system does not consider the waiting time due to a level crossing, it takes time to cross the guidance route but loses time at the level crossing and arrives at the destination in a shorter time. Sometimes it was possible.

  In JP-A-5-5100, a timetable is used to calculate the number of passing trains per unit time, and based on the result, a waiting time at a level crossing is estimated to search for an optimum route (guidance route). A navigation device for performing is disclosed. However, since this technology calculates the average waiting time at a railroad crossing based on the number of trains passing per unit time, depending on the time when the vehicle reaches the railroad crossing, it may be waited longer than the waiting time determined by calculation. There is.

  As described above, a first object of the present invention is to provide an in-vehicle navigation device capable of displaying a map having a realistic feeling as compared with the prior art.

  A second object of the present invention is to provide an in-vehicle navigation device that searches for an optimum route to a destination in consideration of time lost at a railroad crossing and guides a vehicle to the destination.

  The above-described problems include a map data storage unit that stores map data, a display device, a position detection unit that detects the current position of the host vehicle, a map image drawing unit that draws a map image based on the map data, and a trajectory A track vehicle drawing unit that draws an image of the vehicle, and map data of the current position of the host vehicle detected by the position detection unit is read from the map data storage unit, and the map image drawn by the map image drawing unit is displayed on the display device And a control unit that guides the host vehicle to the destination, and the control unit draws an image of the track vehicle in which the track is laid within the range displayed on the display unit by the track vehicle drawing unit. Thus, the vehicle-mounted navigation device is characterized in that the image of the track vehicle is moved along the track on the map based on the timetable of the track vehicle.

  In the present invention, an image of a track car (a train, a tram, a monorail, etc.) is displayed on a map, and the image of the track car is moved based on an actual timetable. Thereby, for example, when a person is picked up and picked up at a station, the position of the track vehicle can be confirmed on the map, and the real feeling increases.

  In addition, the above-described problems include a map data storage unit that stores map data, a display device, a position detection unit that detects a current position of the host vehicle, and a map image that is drawn based on map data and displayed on the display unit. A map drawing unit, and a control unit that searches for a guidance route to the destination using the map data stored in the map data storage unit, and the control unit uses the map data to reach the destination. This is solved by an in-vehicle navigation device characterized in that whether or not there is a crossing between them, the time when the crossing is closed is checked, and a guidance route is searched based on the result.

  In the present invention, information on the time when the railroad crossing is closed is obtained from an information center outside the vehicle, for example. And based on the information, the optimal route to the destination is searched and the host vehicle is guided. As described above, in the in-vehicle navigation device of the present invention, the guidance route is searched in consideration of the time lost at the railroad crossing, so that it is possible to move to the destination in the shortest time.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the in-vehicle navigation device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a DVD in which map data is stored. The map data stored on DVD1 is divided into longitude and latitude widths of appropriate size according to the scale level such as 1/12500, 1/25000, 1/50000 and 1/100000. It is stored as a coordinate set of vertices (nodes) expressed by longitude and latitude. A road is formed by connecting two or more nodes, and a portion connecting two nodes is called a link. The map data includes (1) a road layer including a road list, a node table, an intersection configuration node list, and the like. (2) a background layer for displaying roads, buildings, parks, rivers, and the like on the map screen. 3) It consists of character / symbol layers for displaying administrative division names such as city names, road names, intersection names, map symbols, and the like. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the DVD 1 also stores a timetable of track vehicles (trains, trams, monorails, etc.).

  Reference numeral 4 denotes an operation unit provided with various operation buttons and the like for operating the navigation apparatus body 10 to be described later. A GPS receiver 5 receives a GPS signal sent from a GPS satellite and detects the current position (latitude / longitude) of the host vehicle. Reference numeral 6 denotes a self-contained navigation sensor, and the self-contained navigation sensor 6 includes an angle sensor 6a such as a gyro that detects a vehicle rotation angle, and a travel distance sensor 6b that generates a pulse every certain travel distance.

  Reference numeral 7 denotes a display device such as a liquid crystal panel capable of displaying an image. The navigation device body 10 displays a map around the current position of the host vehicle on the display device 7 or a guidance route from the departure point to the destination. And vehicle position marks and other guidance information are displayed. 8 is a speaker for providing guidance information to the driver by voice.

  The navigation device body 10 is composed of the following. Reference numeral 11 denotes a DVD controller that reads data from the DVD 1. Reference numeral 14 denotes an interface connected to the operation unit 4, 15 denotes an interface connected to the GPS receiver 5, and 16 denotes an interface connected to the self-contained navigation sensor 6.

  Reference numeral 17 denotes a buffer memory for temporarily storing map data read from the DVD 1, and 18 denotes a control unit constituted by a microcomputer. The control unit 18 detects the current position of the host vehicle based on signals input from the interfaces 15 and 16, controls the DVD controller 11 to read out a predetermined range of map data from the DVD 1 to the buffer memory 17, Various processes such as searching for a guidance route from the departure place to the destination are performed under the search conditions set using the map data read out to the buffer memory 17.

  Reference numeral 19 denotes a map drawing unit that draws a map image using the map data read to the buffer memory 17, and 21 denotes various menu screens (operation screens) and various marks such as a vehicle position mark and a cursor according to the operation status. An operation screen / mark drawing unit 22 and a track vehicle drawing unit 22 for drawing an image of the track vehicle.

  Reference numeral 23 denotes a guidance route storage unit that stores the guidance route searched by the control unit 18, and reference numeral 24 denotes a guidance route drawing unit that draws the guidance route. In the guide route storage unit 23, all nodes of the guide route searched by the control unit 18 are stored from the departure point to the destination. The guide route drawing unit 24 reads the guide route information (node sequence) from the guide route storage unit 23 and draws it with a color and thickness different from those of other roads.

  Reference numeral 25 denotes an image composition unit, various marks and operation screens drawn by the operation screen / mark drawing unit 21 on the map image drawn by the map drawing unit 19, an image of the track vehicle drawn by the track vehicle drawing unit 22, The guidance routes drawn by the guidance route drawing unit 24 are superimposed and output to the display device 7. An audio output unit 26 supplies an audio signal to the speaker 8 based on a signal from the control unit 18.

  In the in-vehicle navigation device configured as described above, the control unit 18 detects the current position of the vehicle and the direction of the vehicle from the GPS signal received by the GPS receiver 5 and the signal input from the autonomous navigation sensor 6. Then, map data around the current position of the vehicle is read from the DVD 1 and stored in the buffer memory 17. The map drawing unit 19 generates a map image based on the map data read out to the buffer memory 17, displays a map image around the current position of the vehicle on the display device 7, and displays the current vehicle state on the map image. A vehicle position mark indicating the position is displayed. Thereafter, the control unit 18 moves the vehicle position mark on the map image or scrolls the map image as the vehicle moves.

  Further, when the driver operates the operation unit 3 to set the destination, the control unit 18 uses the current position of the vehicle as the starting point, and maps the guidance route from the starting point to the destination under predetermined conditions. The guidance route obtained by the search is stored in the guidance route storage unit 23. And the control part 18 outputs guidance information suitably with a driving | running | working of a vehicle, and guides a vehicle to drive | work along a guidance route to the destination.

  Hereinafter, the operation | movement at the time of the map drawing of the vehicle-mounted navigation apparatus of this embodiment is demonstrated.

  When displaying a map on the display device 7, the control unit 18 reads map data of a region to be displayed from the DVD 1 to the buffer memory 17. The map drawing unit 19 draws a map image from the map data read into the buffer memory and outputs the map image to the image composition unit 25. On the other hand, the control unit 18 extracts the station of the track vehicle from the map data read to the buffer memory 17 and reads the timetable of each station from the DVD 11 to the buffer memory 17.

  Next, the control unit 18 calculates the position of the track vehicle at regular intervals based on the timetable. That is, the position of the train is calculated from the departure time and arrival time at each station of the track car, the distance between the station and the station, and the current time, thereby determining the display position of the image of the track car. Then, data indicating the type of the track vehicle (type of train, streetcar, monorail, etc.) and track vehicle image display position data are output to the track vehicle drawing unit 22. The track vehicle drawing unit 22 draws an image of the track vehicle in accordance with the data sent from the control unit 18 and outputs it to the image composition unit 25 together with the track vehicle image display position data.

  The image composition unit 25 superimposes the track vehicle image output from the track vehicle drawing unit 22 on the map image output from the map drawing unit 19 at a position indicated by the track vehicle image display position data, and generates a display signal. To the display device 7. As a result, as shown in FIG. 2, the display device 7 displays a map image, a vehicle position mark 41 indicating the current position of the vehicle, and an image 42 of the track vehicle moving on the map image. Since the position data of the tracked vehicle is updated at regular intervals, the tracked vehicle image 42 moves along the track in the direction indicated by the arrow in the figure, for example.

  In the present embodiment, since the position of the track vehicle is calculated based on the timetable, the position of the train can be known relatively accurately. In addition, the track vehicle is displayed on the map, and the train position is moved based on the actual timetable. For example, when sending a person to the station, the vehicle position and the train position are confirmed on the map. Can be more realistic.

  In the above embodiment, the timetable of the track vehicle is stored in the DVD 11, but the timetable is acquired from a server (information center) outside the vehicle via a communication device such as a mobile phone. May be. In addition, although FIG. 2 shows an example in which an image of a tracked vehicle is displayed on a planar map, an image of the tracked vehicle may be displayed on a three-dimensional map.

(Second Embodiment)
Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the navigation device 31 mounted on the vehicle 30 communicates with the server 36 of the information center 35 to acquire various information from the information center 35. Among these pieces of information, information on the time when the crossing is closed is included. The information center 35 is connected to, for example, a railway company server, acquires information on the time when the railroad crossing is closed, and stores the information in the server 36.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the in-vehicle navigation device 31 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 4, the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the in-vehicle navigation device 31 of the present embodiment includes an interface 13 to which a communication device 3 such as a mobile phone is connected, and an information center 35 outside the vehicle is connected via the communication device 3. Communication connection with the server 36 is possible. In the navigation device 31 of the present embodiment, an information storage unit 27 that stores information acquired from the information center 35 via the communication device 3 is provided.

  Hereafter, the operation | movement at the time of the guidance route guidance of the vehicle-mounted navigation apparatus 31 of this embodiment is demonstrated with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. Here, it is assumed that the guidance route to the destination has already been searched and the navigation device 31 is guiding the vehicle along the guidance route. In addition, the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 extracts and shows a part of process which the navigation apparatus 31 performs.

  In step S11, the control unit 18 of the vehicle-mounted navigation device 31 uses a map data stored in the DVD 1 while the vehicle 30 is moving along the guidance route, and uses a certain range from the current position of the vehicle ( For example, it is checked whether there is a level crossing on the guide route within 10 km). If it is determined that there is no level crossing on the guidance route within a certain range (in the case of NO), the process proceeds to step S16, and the vehicle is guided along the guidance route.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S11 that there is a railroad crossing on the guidance route within a certain range (in the case of YES), the process proceeds to step S12. In step S12, the control unit 18 calculates the time at which the vehicle reaches the level crossing from the speed of the vehicle and the distance to the level crossing.

  Next, in step S <b> 13, the control unit 18 transmits to the information center 35 via the communication device 3 data specifying the level crossing (for example, crossing position data) and the time when the vehicle reaches the level crossing.

  When such information is sent from the in-vehicle navigation device 31, the information center 35 searches the server 36 to extract information on the closing time of the level crossing, and the time when the vehicle reaches the level crossing and the time before and after the time. Information indicating the closing time of the railroad crossing is transmitted to the vehicle-mounted navigation device 31.

  In step S <b> 14, when the control unit 18 of the navigation device 31 acquires information indicating the closing time of the railroad crossing from the information center 35 via the communication device 3, the control unit 18 stores the information in the information storage unit 27. And it transfers to step S15 and re-searches for a guidance route based on the information. That is, the control unit 18 calculates a time until the host vehicle 30 arrives at the destination when traveling on the current guidance route as it is, and further selects a route that can arrive at the destination in a shorter time than the current guidance route. Explore. If a route that can reach the destination in a shorter time than the current guide route is not searched, the current guide route is maintained as it is, and a route that can reach the destination in a shorter time than the current guide route is searched. If this is the case, it is used as a new guide route. Then, it transfers to step S16 and guides the vehicle 30 along a guidance route.

  In the present embodiment, information on the closing time of a railroad crossing through which the vehicle 30 passes is acquired from the information center 31, and a guidance route that can reach the destination in the shortest time is re-searched. Thereby, the user can move to the destination in the shortest time.

  It should be noted that another route may be searched as described above only when it is determined from the information acquired from the information center 35 that the loss time at the railroad crossing is a certain time (for example, 3 minutes) or more.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the vehicle 30 is traveling along the guidance route and the crossover on the guidance route is checked to search again for the guidance route has been described. When searching for a guidance route, a crossing between the departure point and the destination is examined, information on the closing time of each level crossing is obtained from the information center 35, and cost guidance is used to search for the guidance route. Good.

  Furthermore, in the above embodiment, information on the closing time of the level crossing is acquired from the information center 35, but a timetable is stored in the DVD 1 as in the first embodiment, and the level crossing is based on the timetable. You may obtain | require approximate time closed with calculation.

  Furthermore, in the above embodiment, it is assumed that the information center 35 acquires information on the closing time of a railroad crossing from a railway company. However, the information center 35 collects information on the closing times of crossings across the country via a navigation device having a communication function, accumulates data in the server 36, and creates information on the closing times of the crossings. Also good.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the in-vehicle navigation device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a map image by the vehicle-mounted navigation device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing communication connection between the in-vehicle navigation device and the information center according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the vehicle-mounted navigation device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation during guidance route guidance of the in-vehicle navigation device of the second embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1 ... DVD,
3 ... communication device,
4 ... operation part,
5 ... GPS receiver,
6 ... Self-contained navigation sensor,
7 ... display device,
8 ... Speakers
10 ... navigation device body,
11 ... DVD controller,
17 ... Buffer memory,
18 ... control unit,
19 ... Map drawing part,
21. Operation screen / mark drawing section,
22 ... orbital vehicle drawing unit,
23 ... Guidance route storage unit,
24. Guide route drawing unit,
25. Image composition unit,
26: Audio output unit,
27. Information storage unit,
30 ... vehicle,
31 ... In-vehicle navigation device,
35 ... Information Center,
36: Server.

Claims (5)

A map data storage unit for storing map data;
A display device;
A position detector for detecting the current position of the host vehicle;
A map image drawing unit for drawing a map image based on the map data;
An orbital vehicle drawing unit for drawing an image of the orbital vehicle;
Map data of the current position of the host vehicle detected by the position detection unit is read from the map data storage unit, and the map image drawn by the map image drawing unit is displayed on the display device to guide the host vehicle to the destination. A control unit,
The control unit causes the track vehicle drawing unit to draw an image of the track vehicle in which a track is laid within the range displayed on the display unit, and the image of the track vehicle is based on the timetable of the track vehicle. An in-vehicle navigation device that is moved along a trajectory on a map.   The in-vehicle navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the timetable is stored in the same storage medium as the storage medium storing the map data.   The in-vehicle navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the timetable is obtained from an external information center via a communication device. A map data storage unit for storing map data;
A display device;
A position detector for detecting the current position of the host vehicle;
A map drawing unit for drawing a map image based on map data and displaying the map image on the display unit;
A control unit that searches for a guidance route to the destination using the map data stored in the map data storage unit,
The control unit checks whether there is a level crossing to the destination using the map data. If there is a level crossing, the control unit checks the time when the level crossing is closed, and searches for a guidance route based on the result. A vehicle-mounted navigation device.   The in-vehicle navigation device according to claim 4, wherein the information on the time when the railroad crossing is closed is acquired from the outside using a communication device.

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