JP2006138792A - Navigation system and information presentation method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a navigation system for presenting an approach method from the present position via a distant area. <P>SOLUTION: The navigation system is provided with a current position detecting means 10; a storage means 20 for storing map information; an information generating means 30; and a display means 40 for displaying generated guidance information. The information generation means 30 has a region setting part 31 for setting prescribed regions in the periphery of the current position; a marker point specifying part 32 for specifying prescribed points selected from among points present within set regions as marker points; an approach retrieval part 33 for retrieving a tree-like approach tree from the current position to the marker points; an approach information generation part 34 for generating approach information with approach tree information superimposed on map information; and a guidance information generating part 35 for generating guidance information including generated approach information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention is installed in a vehicle and supports smooth driving by providing map information and other information. The present invention is optimal for reaching from the current location to another region without requiring a user to perform a special operation. The present invention relates to a navigation apparatus that presents an approach method and an information presentation method.

  Conventionally, there is a “link information distribution method and distributed link information processing method” described in Patent Document 1 as a method for creating optimum route information in a state where a destination is not particularly defined. In the traffic information center, the present invention creates an optimum route tree rooted at a certain link, distributes the created tree to the in-vehicle terminal via the roadside antenna in the order from the root link to the terminal branch link, The in-vehicle terminal restores the original recommended route tree and displays it.

  In other words, if the in-vehicle terminal transmits its current position to the center in advance, the center creates an optimum route tree using this as a root link and sends it back to the in-vehicle terminal, so that the terminal moves from the current position to an arbitrary position. In this case, the optimum route information can be obtained.

  However, if the terminal side sets any destination again, the route to the set destination is obtained by following the created optimum route tree, so all the ranges according to the range where the destination may be set It is necessary to include all the paths leading to the link in the optimum route tree, and there is a problem that the amount of data becomes enormous.

  Taking the road network where multiple links intersect at many points as an example, the conventional calculation method of the optimal route will be described. When a route search is performed in all directions from the node K closest to the current position A group of paths (trees) branched into a tree shape with the node K as a root is obtained, and the cost information required for the passage associated with the information of each link is referred to, and the other nodes from the node K close to the current position The optimum route with the lowest cost is required. In this way, if the optimum route tree leading to all the detailed links is created, the optimum route can be quickly obtained when an arbitrary destination point is designated within the range.

However, the tree of the road network thus obtained becomes extremely complicated, so simply restoring the entire tree on the terminal side and displaying it as it is will result in too much information and complicated display. There has been a problem that the readability of information is significantly impaired.
JP 2003-121178 A

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a quick and easy-to-understand approach method from the current location to another region (another direction) without a user performing a special operation.
According to the present invention, the current position of the user is detected, map information stored so as to be accessible in advance is acquired, a predetermined area is set around the detected current position, and the predetermined area is set within the set area. Approach information that identifies a predetermined point selected from existing points as a sign point, searches for a tree-shaped approach tree from the current position to the sign point, and superimposes the information of the searched approach tree on map information Can be provided, and a navigation apparatus or an information presentation method for presenting information including at least the approach information to the user can be provided.

  The navigation device or the information presenting method of the present invention is capable of presenting highly convenient guidance information in an easy-to-understand manner by identifying a point suitable for direction guidance as a sign point and indicating an approach tree leading to the sign point. it can.

  Hereinafter, two embodiments according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The navigation device 100 according to the present invention is mounted on a vehicle on which a user is boarded, and presents various information to the user. The navigation device of the present invention is not limited to a device mounted on a vehicle, and may be a device such as a PDA, a mobile phone, or a personal computer that can be carried by a moving user.

<First Embodiment>
A block configuration of the navigation device 100 of the first embodiment is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the navigation apparatus 100 includes a current position detection unit 10, a storage unit 20, an information generation unit 30, and a display unit 40. Specifically, at least a ROM (Read Only Memory) storing a program for generating guide information including approach information and a program stored in the ROM function as the information generating means 30. A CPU (Central Processing Unit) or the like and a RAM (Random Access Memory) functioning as storage means 20 for storing the map information 21 in an accessible manner are provided. The storage means 20 may be a readable DVD, memory stick or other portable storage medium.

Hereinafter, each structure of the navigation apparatus 100 is demonstrated.
“The current position detection means 10 includes a navigation device such as a GPS function (Global Positioning System) and a gyro sensor, measures the current position of a user whose current position changes every moment by movement, and detects the detected current position information. The data is sent to the generation unit 30.

  The “storage means 20” is a large-capacity storage medium such as a DVD or a hard disk memory that has an input / output function and stores map information so as to be accessible.

  The map information of this embodiment includes point data regarding points. The point data includes point data registered for search called POI (Point Of Interest). The map information 21 may store in advance, for each region, candidates for “marking points” selected by the sign point specifying unit 32 described later. Candidates for “sign points” are likely to be set as destinations by the physical center of the area (area), or by a city ward office, town hall office, main terminal station, interchange, etc. in the area (area). POIs (Point Of Interest) such as various facilities, stores and resorts can be exemplified. In this way, by storing the sign points that may be selected in advance, the guide information generation process can be performed quickly.

  In the case where the “marker point” selection candidates are stored in advance, it is preferable that the information on the points included in the map information is stored hierarchically in association with the display scale of the map information. For example, a large-scale display, that is, a larger display scale is associated with a representative point or POI of a major (higher recognition) administrative division, and a reduced display, that is, a smaller administrative scale is more detailed (relative recognition is relatively low). Corresponding block representative points or POIs. For example, the map information display scale is divided in stages according to the scale ratio, and the point data is divided into "representative points of prefectures", "representative points of municipalities", "representative points of Machimura large letters", " It is classified into “Representative points of large-scale facilities”. Then, store “representative points of prefectures (for example, representative sightseeing spots, prefectural offices, etc.)” in the hierarchy with the maximum display scale (wide area display) and store “ “Representative points of county” are stored in association with each other, then “Representative points of large letters in town and village” are stored in correspondence with the lower display scale, and “Large facilities, etc.” are stored in the lowest display scale (reduced display). May be stored in association with each other.

  The “information generating unit 30” includes an area setting unit 31, a sign point specifying unit 32, an approach tree searching unit 33, an approach information generating unit 34, and a guidance information generating unit 35, and is stored in the storage unit 20. The guide information including the map information around the current position is generated with reference to the map information. Hereinafter, each part of the information generation means 30 is demonstrated.

  The “area setting unit 31” sets a predetermined area around the current position of the user detected by the current position detection unit 10, that is, in the present example, around the current position of the host vehicle. Although not particularly limited, the predetermined area is preferably set to an area other than the display area of the display unit 40. Normally, for an area (area) outside the display screen, information relating to the area cannot be displayed unless a map information scroll operation or a display scale change operation is performed. By setting the area other than the display area, it is possible to present to the user an approach method to an area (area) that is not displayed on the display 41. In addition, the user is not requested to perform a scroll operation or a scale change operation.

  From the same viewpoint, it is preferable that the area setting unit 31 of the present embodiment sets a predetermined area in an area that is a predetermined distance or more away from the current position of the host vehicle. The “predetermined distance” in this case is preferably set according to the display scale of the map information included in the displayed guidance information. An area that is more than a predetermined distance from the current position is likely to be an area outside the display area. Conventionally, for this region (region), the region outside the screen cannot be displayed unless the map information is scrolled or the display scale is changed. According to the present embodiment, information regarding an approach method (approach route) to an area (region) outside the display area can be presented to the user without causing the user to perform a special operation.

  An example of a predetermined area setting method performed by the area setting unit 31 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the region setting unit 31 of this embodiment is a region A sandwiched between two concentric circles having different sizes, a small circle (radius R1) and a large circle (radius R2). That is, the region A is a circle centered on the current position, and is a donut-shaped region having a radius R of R1 ≦ R ≦ R2. The area setting unit 31 of the present embodiment sets R1 (the lower limit value of the distance from the current position P to the search target area) from the viewpoint of setting a predetermined area other than the display area (map display range) of the display unit 40. ) Is set outside the current display area (map display range) S. Information of this display area (map display range) S can be acquired from the display means 40. Since the range of the displayed map information varies depending on the display scale, it is preferable to set the area predetermined distance R1 according to the display scale of the map information. In addition, R2 should just be a value larger than R1, and can be set arbitrarily. In this way, by setting a predetermined area in an area farther from the host vehicle than the display area, an approach method to a distant area that cannot be displayed on the display screen can be shown on the display screen.

  The area setting unit 31 according to the present embodiment sets a plurality of predetermined areas in two or more different directions based on the current position of the user. As shown in FIG. 2, an area A defined by two concentric circles having different sizes is divided into eight directions viewed from the user centering on the current position of the user, and each of the divided areas is a predetermined area. Set as. Specifically, with reference to the traveling direction V (0 degree), an area A4 of 0 degree or more and less than 45 degrees clockwise, an area A5 of 45 degree or more and less than 90 degrees clockwise, and 90 degrees or more and 135 clockwise. A region A6 of less than 15 degrees, a region A8 of 135 to 180 degrees clockwise, a region A3 of 0 to 45 degrees counterclockwise with reference to the traveling direction V (0 degrees), and a counterclockwise rotation In addition, eight areas including an area A2 of 45 degrees or more and less than 90 degrees, an area A1 of 90 degrees or more and less than 135 degrees counterclockwise, and an area A7 of 135 degrees or more and less than 180 degrees counterclockwise are set. The area setting unit 31 may not set a predetermined area in the backward direction (area A7 and area A8) with respect to the user's traveling direction. This is because the display of approach information to the rear area of the user who is less frequently used is omitted from the viewpoint of performing a simple display.

  The “sign point specifying unit 32” selects a point representing a region such as a municipality that is administratively divided from the points existing in the region set by the region setting unit 31, and selects the selected point. Identified as “signpost point”. The “sign point” in the present embodiment is a point that represents a certain area, and is a point (marked) from the viewpoint of providing appropriate direction guidance to the user, and is a rough (rough outline) of a predetermined area. ) A place where a place can be expressed.

  The sign point specifying unit 32 according to the present embodiment specifies an approximate center point of the area (area) as a sign point as a point representing an administratively divided area such as a municipality. Of course, it is not limited to this, but as a representative point of the area, for example, a municipal office or a town hall in the area. A POI (Point Of Interest) such as a facility, a store, or a resort that a user such as a main terminal station or an interchange is likely to set as a destination may be used as a sign point. Even if the POI indicates a place having a certain size such as an airport, a main station, a park, a scenic spot, etc., the POI corresponds to certain point data for convenience, and therefore the region (or more limited “ It can be treated as a sign point representing the area ")".

  Moreover, when the information on the points included in the map information is hierarchically stored in association with the display scale of the map information, the sign point specifying unit 32 can select from the points existing in the set area. It is preferable to specify a point belonging to a hierarchy corresponding to the display scale of the displayed map information as a sign point. When the display scale of the map information being displayed is large, the sign point specifying unit 32 specifies a sign point from the main (highly recognized) point data stored in the large display scale hierarchy. On the other hand, when the display scale of the map information being displayed is small, the sign point specifying unit 32 specifies the sign point from the detailed (relatively low recognition) point data stored in the small display scale hierarchy. . As a result, the sign point specifying unit 32 specifies a major (highly recognized) point as a representative point of a wide area as a sign point when the map display is a wide scale, and is generally used when the map display is a reduced display. Specifically, even if the degree of recognition is low, it is possible to specify a specific and easy-to-understand sign point for a user who uses a detailed map. Thereby, the sign point according to a reduced scale can be specified, and the approach method to the other area | region easy to understand for the user can be shown. The sign point specifying unit 32 may specify the sign point according to the size of the area of the predetermined region. That is, when the area of the predetermined area is large, the sign point may be specified from the main point data, and when the area of the predetermined area is small, the detailed mark point may be specified.

  Since the identification of the sign point is performed from the viewpoint of showing the approach method to another area to the user, the sign point identification unit 32 of the present embodiment is an area set in the backward direction with respect to the traveling direction of the user (for example, FIG. (2) A7 area, A8 area) are not specified. Thereby, only information useful for the user can be presented succinctly.

  By the way, the sign point of this embodiment is the same as the “destination” in the route guidance in that it functions as the end point of the approach tree, but the sign point is not set according to the user's intention, It is different in that it is specified from point data within a predetermined area set according to the current position and multiple points are specified according to the number of directions for guiding the approach method, and its technical significance Are different.

  The “approach tree search unit 33” searches for an approach tree that configures a group of optimal paths from the current position to the sign point in a tree shape. As in the present embodiment, the calculation method when searching for an optimal route in a tree shape without a destination set and the calculation method of the optimal route when the destination is fixed at one point are basically Common. Here, a calculation method based on the Dijkstra method will be described as an example of an optimal route calculation method. In the Dijkstra method, starting from a starting node, adjacent nodes are determined as expandable nodes, and among these expandable nodes, a node having the lowest cost from the starting point is determined as an optimum route determination node. A node adjacent to the optimum route decision node is added to the expandable node, and the node with the lowest cost is set as the optimum route decision node again, and such a series of processes is repeated.

  3A, the node K is a starting point, and the nodes F, J, L, and P adjacent to the node K are expandable nodes. The cost given to each node is the cost from K, ie 6, 3, 8, 2. Here, the node P given the minimum cost 2 is determined as the optimum route, and the optimum route decision node K → P is decided. As long as the starting point is K, in order to reach P, one of the above four nodes must be passed. However, when passing through a node other than P, the cost at that time is higher than the cost 2 of K → P. It gets bigger. Therefore, as long as the cost given to each link takes a positive value, the cost for reaching P cannot be made smaller than 2 by any other route. P determined as the optimum route determination node is removed from the expandable node, and nodes adjacent to this P (those whose minimum cost is already determined, ie, excluding K) O, Q, and T are added to the expandable node. . The cost of each node is the cost from K plus the minimum cost of P, ie 6, 11, 8. Subsequently, among these 6 nodes F, J, L, O, Q, and T, J (cost 3) has the lowest cost, and this is set as the next optimum route determination node.

  In the normal optimum route search, only one node corresponding to the destination is given, so the processing is repeated until this node becomes the optimum route decision node, and then the adjacent nodes are sequentially expanded from the departure node to the destination node. The optimum route can be obtained by following the path of the node. The termination condition of the search calculation of the optimum route is “a given destination node must be an element of the optimum route determination node set”.

  If the target node is not given, after calculating to an appropriate state, the optimal route tree is constructed by configuring the route to reach all the nodes that have become the optimum route decision nodes in a tree shape. Obtainable. In FIG. 3B, as a result of calculating to a certain state, all 21 nodes A to U have become optimum route determination nodes. Indicated. As described above, when the target node is not given, the paths that reach all the nodes are included in the optimum route tree. If this is displayed as it is, a large amount of information is displayed and is difficult for the user to use. In the present embodiment, unnecessary paths other than the path (approach tree) leading to the specified marker point are cut off, and only the subtree consisting only of the path leading to the specified marker point is left. In other words, the approach tree search process excludes all the nodes other than the node corresponding to the specific marker point and the node appearing as the midpoint of the path reaching them from the calculated optimum route determination nodes. It corresponds to that. The approach tree in the present embodiment, which is narrowed down to the subtree that reaches such a sign point, has a technical significance different from that of the entire optimum route tree.

  The “approach information generation unit 34” generates approach information in which the information of the approach tree searched by the approach tree search unit 33 is superimposed on the map information.

  The “guide information generating unit 35” generates guide information including at least the approach information generated by the approach information generating unit 34. In addition to approach information, the guide information can include map information around the host vehicle and POI information around the host vehicle. That is, the guidance information generation unit 35 generates information that combines approach information, map information around the destination, POI information around the destination, and other information that can be displayed by a general navigation device.

  The “display unit 40” includes a display 41 such as a CRT or a liquid crystal display that displays guidance information including at least approach information obtained by superimposing information on a tree-shaped approach tree from the current position to the sign point on map information. It is. The display 41 visually presents the image data drawn by the information generating means 30 to the user.

  The display unit 40 includes a display control unit 42 that performs control related to display mode, display switching, and other displays. Although not particularly limited, when the entire approach tree of the approach information cannot be displayed by the display area of the display 41, the display control unit 42 of the display unit 40 displays the name or place name of the marker point located at the end of the approach tree by the display unit. It is displayed in the vicinity of the position where the displayed approach tree and the displayable area boundary intersect. Note that the above-described approach information generation unit 34 performs the extraction process of the marker point located at the end of the approach tree.

  FIG. 4 shows a display example of guidance information including approach information. FIG. 4 is a display example when four marker points are identified by the marker point identifying unit 32. In this example, a tree-shaped approach tree from the current position P to each of the four sign points is searched, and guidance information including approach information obtained by superimposing the searched approach tree information on map information is displayed. It is. In FIG. 4, the description about the map display in which the information of the approach tree is superimposed is omitted in order to avoid complicated illustrations. As shown in FIG. 4, the display control unit 42, near the position where the approach tree and the boundary of the displayable region S intersect, is the place name (AA city, BB city, CC city, DD city). Although the place name of the administrative division to which the sign point belongs is displayed here, the name of the POI may be displayed. As described above, since the place name and name of the destination of the approach tree are displayed on the peripheral portion of the display area S intersecting with the approach tree, the user can reach the optimum approach to the sign point located outside the display area. The method can be shown on the current display screen without special operations such as scrolling or changing the scale.

  In this example, the place name or name of all the identified sign points is shown in the vicinity of the display area boundary, but the place name or name of the sign point is not necessarily displayed. If the place name or name of the sign point is not displayed, only the approach information leading to the sign point will be displayed, but the sign point is a point that serves as a landmark that is specified from the viewpoint of providing appropriate direction guidance. Based on the premise, the user can predict that there is a major point beyond the approach tree. In particular, a user who is familiar with the area can often predict a sign point simply by looking at the approach tree.

  According to the approach information of the present embodiment, the user can check the relative positional relationship between the current position of the host vehicle and another area. On the other hand, a user who is not familiar with the area only has to follow the approach tree and scroll the map information only in the direction of interest, and the operation burden on the user can be reduced. Of course, the display control unit 42 may display the place names or names of a predetermined number of marker points among the identified marker points. For example, the place name or name of one sign point may be displayed for one side of the rectangular display area.

  Furthermore, when the sign point specifying unit 32 specifies a plurality of sign points within one area, the display control unit 42 of the present embodiment differs in the guide information including approach information generated according to each sign point. Display to the user at the timing. For example, the display control unit 42 sequentially displays approach information generated according to each marker point for several seconds. This is because, if the approach trees that reach the sign points included in the same area are displayed at the same time, the display becomes complicated and the visibility of the user may be reduced.

  For example, when an area is set as shown in FIG. 2, the sign point specifying unit 32 specifies the sign point for each area in accordance with a first sign point, a second sign point, the nth sign point, and a predetermined priority. The approach tree search unit 32 searches for the approach trees that reach the nth labeled point with the n-th priority in each of the areas A1 to A6 in FIG. 2, and the approach information generation unit 34 groups the searched approach trees. The first approach information group, the second approach information group,... Nth approach information group superimposed on the map information are obtained. And the display control part 42 of the display means 40 displays the nth guidance information containing an nth approach information group at a different timing. That is, after the first approach information group is displayed, the second approach information group is displayed, and the approach information groups are sequentially displayed in time division according to the priority order.

  Next, the control procedure of the navigation apparatus 100 of this embodiment is demonstrated based on the flowchart figure of FIG.

  In step S201, the current position detection means 10 detects the position of the host vehicle. The information generating means 30 accesses the storage means 20 and reads out map information of a required range based on the own vehicle position (step S202).

  The area setting unit 31 sets a predetermined area around the acquired current position (S203). In the present embodiment, a predetermined area is set in an area other than the display area that can be displayed on the display 41. In this example, information for specifying the display area of the display 41 is acquired from the display means 40, and a predetermined area is set in an area that is not displayed. The method for obtaining an area other than the display area is not limited to this, and a predetermined area may be set in an area separated from the current position of the host vehicle by a predetermined distance or more. In this case, it is preferable that the predetermined distance is set in consideration of the display scale of the currently displayed map information. In this way, by setting the predetermined area as the sign point search range as a predetermined area other than the display area, it is possible to generate approach information that reaches an area that the user cannot see in a normal state.

  Moreover, it is preferable to set the predetermined area | region where a marker point is selected to the various direction on the basis of the present position from a viewpoint of showing the approach information which goes to various directions around to the user. In the present embodiment, predetermined areas are set in two or more different directions based on the current position of the user. In this example, as shown in FIG. 2, a region A <b> 1 to a region A <b> 6 that are radially divided around the current position of the host vehicle are set as predetermined regions. By identifying one or more sign points from each of the areas set in this way, the sign points can be identified evenly distributed around the host vehicle. Thereby, regardless of the direction in which the user proceeds, the approach method in that direction can be shown. In this example, the areas A7 and A8 set rearward with respect to the direction of travel of the user are excluded from the search targets of the sign point specifying unit 32. This is because the necessity of generating approach information in the direction opposite to the traveling direction is low.

  Next, the processing of the sign point specifying unit 32 is performed. The sign point specifying unit 32 specifies one or more points as mark points from points existing in the region set by the region setting unit 31. The marker point is preferably a point that represents the region. From the viewpoint of presenting approach information in various directions, it is preferable to identify one marker point in one region. However, if point data satisfying a predetermined condition does not exist in the region, the marker point in that region Need not be specified. In addition, it is not necessary to specify a sign point for a region set in a predetermined direction behind the traveling direction of the host vehicle (diagonal left and right rear).

  The method for identifying the sign point is not particularly limited, and a point at the center position of the predetermined area may be used as the sign point, or a point where the administrative district of the administrative district (prefecture office, city hall, etc.) is located may be used as the sign point. A high-recognition tourist spot in the area may be used as a sign point. Further, the sign point specifying unit 32 may specify a sign point from pre-registered spot data (POI).

  The sign point specifying unit 32 of the present embodiment specifies a sign point according to the display scale of the map information. First, the sign point specifying unit 32 acquires the display scale of the currently displayed map information (S204). Subsequently, the sign point specifying unit 32 searches for points belonging to the hierarchy corresponding to the display scale of the acquired map information from points existing within the set predetermined area (205). When this process is performed, the point data (POI data) is stored in advance in a hierarchical manner in association with the display scale. Thereby, when the map display is a wide scale, it is possible to search for a rough sign point (representative point of a relatively widely known area), and when it is a detailed scale, it is possible to search for a finer sign point. it can. Classification is made according to the scale of the facility indicated by the POI or the recognition degree of the facility indicated by the POI, and this is related to the display scale of the map, whereby the sign point corresponding to the display scale is searched.

  The point (POI) searched in S205 is specified as a marker point (S206).

  Subsequently, the approach tree search unit 33 acquires the sign point specified in S206, and searches for the tree-shaped approach tree from the current position to each sign point for all the acquired sign points (S207). The searched approach tree is sent to the approach information generation unit 34.

  The approach information generation unit 34 electronically draws a map based on the map information around the host vehicle, and generates approach information by superimposing the approach tree information searched in S207 on the map information (S208). .

  Subsequently, the guide information generating unit 35 generates guide information including at least the approach information generated in S208. In addition to approach information, the guidance information includes general route guidance information that guides the user to the destination, POI information of facilities that exist near the user's travel route, information about events that occur near the user's travel route, etc. Various information presented to the user by the navigation device 100 can be included.

  The display means 40 displays the generated guidance information on the display 41 (S209).

  When displaying the approach information, the display control unit 42 determines whether or not the entire approach tree of the approach information generated in S208 can be displayed in the display area of the display 41 (S210). When the entire approach tree is not displayed on the display 41 (No in S210), the approach information generating unit 34 extracts the place name or name of the sign point located at the end of the approach tree from the map information, and this extracted sign point Is displayed near the position where the boundary of the displayable area and the approach tree intersect (S211). An example of this display is shown in FIG. When the entire approach tree can be displayed on the display 41 (Yes in S210), the process proceeds to S214.

  Subsequent S212 to S213 are processes when two or more marker points are specified in one predetermined area in S206. The sign point specifying unit 32 determines whether two or more sign points are specified in one predetermined area (S212). This determination may be performed after S206. The determination result is sent to the display means 40. When two or more sign points are specified in one predetermined area (S212), the display control unit 42 displays the guidance information generated based on the sign points in the one predetermined area at different timings. The display timing is controlled (S213).

  Specifically, in the present embodiment, when two or more marker points are searched in each predetermined region, the marker points specified for each region are designated as the first candidate marker point and the second candidate according to a predetermined priority. .., And the approach trees that reach the nth candidate label point in each predetermined region are grouped. Further, the guide information generating unit 35 generates first to nth approach information in which map information is superimposed on the grouped first to nth approach trees. The display control unit 42 displays the generated first approach information to n-th approach information sequentially for several seconds, thereby displaying them at different timings. Such display timing control may be executed after a user inputs a control command.

  In this way, by displaying approach information that reaches two or more marker points specified in one area at different timings, display complexity due to simultaneous display of a plurality of approach trees in the same area, that is, in the same direction. And deterioration of user visibility can be prevented.

  Every time a new current position is acquired along with the movement of the host vehicle, the processes of S201 to S213 are executed, and if an end instruction is input from the user, the process ends (S214). The process end trigger is not particularly limited, and when the user inputs a destination setting, the presentation of approach information is automatically ended and only the optimal route to the destination is displayed. Good. Thereby, when the destination is not set, the approach method to reach the area of each direction is shown, and after the destination is set, the guidance route to the destination can be shown.

  According to the navigation device 100 of the present embodiment, the approach method to the area around the user can be presented to the user based on the approach information to the specified sign point. Further, by selecting a sign point that is a representative point of a region from each predetermined region, it is possible to easily and easily present an optimum approach method to another region to the user.

  By showing such approach information to the user, when the destination is not set, the user can move while confirming the positional relationship between the surrounding area and the current position. In addition, when the destination is set, the user can refer to the positional relationship with the surrounding area to evaluate the guidance route, confirm and store the guidance route.

  It is possible to present the user with a method for approaching an area that is not displayed on the display 41 by specifying the sign point within a predetermined area set in an area other than the display area or an area that is a predetermined distance away from the current position. it can. In addition, an approach method for a region other than the display region can be presented without requiring the user to perform special operations such as a scroll operation and a display scale operation.

  By specifying the sign point in a predetermined area set in two or more different directions based on the current position of the user, approach methods in various directions can be specifically presented. By showing approach methods in various directions, it is possible to flexibly respond to the user's request and reliably provide an approach method required by the user.

  By specifying the sign point according to the display scale of the map information, an approach method to a rough area can be shown during wide area display, and a relatively detailed approach method can be shown during detailed display. That is, approach information desired by the user can be predicted based on the display scale of the map information, and approach information suitable for the user's request can be provided.

  By displaying the place name or name of the sign point in the vicinity of the position where the boundary of the displayable area and the approach tree intersect, the area to which the approach tree is directed can be easily displayed on one display screen.

  When a plurality of sign points are specified within one predetermined area, approach information based on each sign point is displayed to the user at different timings to prevent the display from becoming complex and highly visible. Approach information can be presented in an easy-to-use state.

Second Embodiment
Next, the second embodiment will be described. The present embodiment is characterized in that a “marking point” is selected based on the degree of familiarity with the land at the current position. A navigation device 200 of this embodiment is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the information generating means 30 of the navigation device 200 of this embodiment is characterized in that it has a land familiarity calculating unit 36. The navigation device 200 according to the present embodiment is common to the navigation device 100 according to the first embodiment except for the point that the sign point specifying unit 32 specifies the sign point based on the land familiarity of the current position. Here, different points will be mainly described, and description of overlapping parts will be omitted.

  The land familiarity calculation unit 36 of the present embodiment calculates the user's land familiarity for each point included in the map information or for each road link specified by each point. The degree of familiarity with the land is a degree indicating whether or not the land (region) is well known. Although not particularly limited, the familiarity with the land is calculated based on the current position detected by the current position detecting means 10 and referring to the map information 21 based on the number of times of passage at a certain point or the frequency of passage at a certain point. It is preferable. The land familiarity calculation unit 36 of the present embodiment, when the host vehicle passes a certain road, counts and records the passing frequency with respect to the road link of the map information corresponding to the road, A past degree of passage of a corresponding road link is read from the current vehicle position, and a degree of familiarity calculation unit that gives a higher degree of familiarity as the passage frequency is higher is calculated, and a land familiarity degree for an arbitrary road link is calculated. The land familiarity with respect to a road link is the land familiarity of a point existing on the road link. The land familiarity calculated by the land familiarity calculating unit 36 is stored in the storage unit 20 in association with the point data or road link data in the map information.

  Moreover, the memory | storage means 20 memorize | stores the information of the point contained in map information hierarchically matched with a land familiarity degree. In areas with low land familiarity, high-profile prefecture names and city names or high-profile POI are appropriate as user landmarks. In areas with high land familiarity, detailed town names and specific POI are appropriate as user landmarks. From this viewpoint, in this embodiment, the lower the level of land familiarity, the more representative points or POIs of the main (highly recognized) administrative divisions are associated, and the higher the level of land familiarity, the more detailed (specific) administration. Associate a representative point or POI of a section. Although not particularly limited, for example, the level of land familiarity is divided in stages, and the point data is divided into "representative points of prefectures", "representative points of municipalities", "representative points of Machimura large letters", And so on. Then, store “representative points of prefectures (for example, representative sightseeing spots, prefectural offices, etc.)” in the layer with the lowest level of land familiarity, and then store “ Store “representative points” in association with each other, store “representative points in Machimura Oji” in the next highest level of land familiarity, and store “representative points such as large-scale facilities” in the highest level of land familiarity. Store in association.

  The sign point specifying unit 32 refers to the information of the points stored hierarchically in association with the land familiarity, and the layer corresponding to the land familiarity at the current position from the points existing in the set area. The point which belongs to is selected, and the selected point is specified as a sign point. When the land familiarity at the current position is low, the sign point identifying unit 32 identifies the sign point from the main (highly recognized) point data stored in the low land familiarity hierarchy. On the other hand, when the land familiarity at the current position is high, the sign point identifying unit 32 identifies the sign point from the detailed (relatively low recognition) point data stored in the high land familiarity hierarchy. Thereby, the sign point specifying unit 32 specifies a main (highly recognized) point representing a wide area as a sign point when the user's land familiarity with the current position is low, and the user's land familiarity with respect to the current position. When the degree is high, generally, a point that is specific and easy to understand for a user who is familiar with the land even if the degree of recognition is low is specified as a sign point. Thereby, the sign point according to land familiarity can be specified, and the approach method to the other area which the user can understand easily can be shown.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of the present embodiment. The control procedure of this embodiment is basically the same as the control procedure of the first embodiment shown in FIG. The difference is the processes of S303 and S304 that follow after the predetermined area is set in S203. After the predetermined area is set in S203, the sign point specifying unit 32 acquires the land familiarity at the current position from the land familiarity calculating unit 36 (S304). Subsequently, the sign point specifying unit 32 refers to the information of the points stored in association with the degree of land familiarity, and the points belonging to the hierarchy corresponding to the degree of land familiarity at the current position from among the points existing in the predetermined area. Is selected (S305). The selected point is identified as a sign point (S206), and the subsequent processing (S207 to S214) is common to the first embodiment.

  This embodiment has the same effect as the first embodiment, and can identify a sign point according to the user's familiarity with the land and present approach information to the sign point, which is suitable for the user. Approach information can be provided. In other words, in places where the user is unfamiliar, we will show how to approach sign points with a relatively high degree of familiarity. The approach method can be shown.

  In the present specification, the navigation devices 100 and 200 have been described as examples. However, when the invention according to the information presentation method is implemented, the same operation is performed and the same effect is obtained.

  The embodiment described above is described for facilitating the understanding of the present invention, and is not described for limiting the present invention. Therefore, each element disclosed in the above embodiment is intended to include all design changes and equivalents belonging to the technical scope of the present invention.

It is a block block diagram of the navigation apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of a setting of a predetermined area | region. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of an approach tree search process. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of approach information. It is a figure which shows the control procedure of the navigation apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a block block diagram of the navigation apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the control procedure of the navigation apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100,200 ... Navigation apparatus 10 ... Current position detection means 20 ... Memory | storage means 30 ... Information generation means 31 ... Area | region setting part 32 ... Marking point specific | specification part 33 ... Approach tree search part 34 ... Approach information generation unit 35 ... Guidance information generation unit 36 ... Land familiarity calculation unit 40 ... Display means

Claims (22)

A navigation device for presenting information to a user,
Current position detecting means for detecting the current position of the user;
Storage means for storing map information so that it can be accessed;
Information generating means for generating guide information including map information around the current position based on the current position detected by the current position detecting means with reference to the map information stored in the storage means;
Display means for displaying the guidance information generated by the information generation means for the user,
The information generating means
An area setting unit for setting a predetermined area around the detected current position;
A sign point identifying unit that identifies a predetermined point selected from points existing in the region set by the region setting unit as a sign point;
An approach tree search unit for searching a tree-shaped approach tree from the current position to the sign point;
An approach information generation unit that generates approach information in which the information of the approach tree searched by the approach tree search unit is superimposed on the map information;
A navigation apparatus comprising: a guide information generating unit that generates guide information including approach information generated by the approach information generating unit.   The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the region setting unit sets the predetermined region to a region other than the display region that can be displayed by the display unit.   The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the region setting unit sets the predetermined region in a region separated by a predetermined distance or more from the current position of the host vehicle.   The navigation apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the predetermined distance is set according to a display scale of map information included in the displayed guidance information.   The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the region setting unit sets the predetermined region in two or more different directions with reference to the current position of the user.   The navigation device according to claim 5, wherein the region setting unit does not set the predetermined region in a backward direction of the user's traveling direction.   The navigation device according to claim 5, wherein the sign point specifying unit does not specify a sign point in an area set in a backward direction of the user's traveling direction. The storage means hierarchically stores the information of the points included in the map information in association with the display scale of the map information,
The sign point specifying unit selects a point belonging to a hierarchy corresponding to a display scale of the displayed map information from points existing in the set predetermined area, and specifies the selected point as a sign point. The navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 7. The information generation means further includes a land familiarity calculating unit that calculates a land familiarity at each point from the user's movement history,
The storage means hierarchically stores information on points included in the map information in association with the degree of familiarity with the land,
The said sign point specific | specification part selects the point which belongs to the hierarchy corresponding to the land familiarity of the present position from the points which exist in the said predetermined area, and specifies the selected point as a mark point. The navigation apparatus in any one of 1-7.   If the display means determines that the entire approach tree of the approach information cannot be displayed in the display area, the display information is used to indicate the place name or name of the sign point located at the end of the approach tree to the approach information generation unit. The navigation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the navigation device displays the place name or name of the extracted sign point in the vicinity of a position where the displayable region boundary and the approach tree intersect with each other. The display means, when the sign point identification unit identifies two or more sign points in one predetermined area,
The navigation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein approach information generated based on each approach tree searched for each identified sign point is displayed toward the user at different timings. An information presentation method for presenting information to a user,
Detecting the current position of the user;
Obtaining map information stored so as to be accessible in advance;
Setting a predetermined area around the detected current position;
Identifying a predetermined point selected from points existing in the set area as a sign point;
Searching a tree-shaped approach tree from the current position to the sign point;
Generating approach information in which the searched approach tree information is superimposed on the map information;
And displaying information including at least the generated approach information to a user using a display device.   The information presentation method according to claim 12, wherein the step of setting the predetermined area sets the predetermined area in an area other than a display area that can be displayed by the display device.   13. The information presentation method according to claim 12, wherein the step of setting the predetermined area sets the predetermined area in an area that is a predetermined distance or more away from a current position of the host vehicle.   The information presentation method according to claim 14, wherein the predetermined distance is set according to a display scale of map information included in the displayed information.   The information presentation method according to claim 12, wherein the step of setting the predetermined area sets the predetermined area in two or more different directions based on the current position of the user.   The information presentation method according to claim 16, wherein the step of setting the predetermined area does not set the predetermined area in a backward direction of the user's traveling direction.   The information presentation method according to claim 16, wherein the step of identifying the marker point does not identify a marker point in an area set in a backward direction of the user's traveling direction. The method further includes the step of acquiring the information of the points included in the map information stored hierarchically in association with the display scale of the map information,
The step of specifying the sign point selects a point belonging to a hierarchy corresponding to a display scale of the displayed map information from points existing in the set predetermined area, and selects the selected point as a sign point. The information display method according to claim 12, specified as: Further comprising the step of calculating land familiarity at each point from the user's movement history;
The method further includes the step of acquiring information on the points included in the map information, stored hierarchically in association with the degree of familiarity with the land,
The step of specifying the sign point selects a point belonging to a hierarchy corresponding to the land familiarity of the current position from the points existing in the set predetermined area, and specifies the selected point as a mark point. The information display method according to claim 12.   In the step of displaying the information, it is determined whether or not the entire approach tree of the approach information can be displayed by a display area that can be displayed, and when it is determined that the entire approach tree cannot be displayed, the end of the approach tree is displayed. 21. The place name or name of a sign point located is acquired, and the place name or name of the acquired sign point is displayed in the vicinity of a position where a displayable region boundary and an approach tree intersect. Information display method. In the step of displaying the information, in the step of specifying the marker point, if two or more marker points are specified in one predetermined area, the information is based on each approach tree searched for each of the specified marker points. The information display method according to any one of claims 12 to 21, wherein the approach information generated in this manner is displayed toward the user at different timings.

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