JP2006153757A - Route guide system and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a route guide system or the like capable of conduct a guide for a driver to specify easily an outgoing road-way, when an outgoing passage extended from a rotary space is a road constituted of the plurality of same-advancing-directional road-ways separated by a passing-impossible separation zone. <P>SOLUTION: The roadways are discriminatedly guided (S150), when the outgoing passage extended from the rotary space of a guide object is the road constituted of the plurality of same-advancing-directional roadways separated by the passing-impossible separation zone (S140:YES). Saying concretely, this route guide system outputs a guide voice of "Please advance to a right-directional slow roadway, soon", or displays an arrow mark for indicating the roadway to be selected, superposing it on an intersection guide diagram for discriminating the roadways. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a route guidance device that guides an exit of a rotary.

As a guidance method for guiding the exit of a rotary, the technique described in Patent Document 1 is known. This technology guides the exit number corresponding to the exit road of the rotary if it exists in the map data, and there is no exit number corresponding to the exit road of the rotary instead of name information (for example, road name or direction). If the name is in the map data, the name information is guided, and if there is none, the number of the exit road to be guided is indicated from the entrance (see FIG. 2 of Patent Document 1).
JP 2001-317956 A

  By the way, the exit road (exit road) extending from the roundabout may be a general road (a road with one lane or a road in which lanes can be freely changed even with a road with multiple lanes). In some cases, the road is composed of a plurality of roadways in the same traveling direction separated by an inaccessible separation zone. In the case of roads like the latter, if the driver makes a mistake in the roadway to leave the roundabout, you will not be able to make a right or left turn at the intersection immediately after leaving the rotary, or enter the destination immediately after leaving the rotary. You may not be able to. Therefore, when the exit road extending from the rotary is a road composed of a plurality of roadways in the same traveling direction separated by an inaccessible separation zone, it is necessary to guide these roadways so as not to make a mistake.

  However, since the roads of such roads are adjacent to each other, in the guidance method described in Patent Document 1 described above, the driver does not know which roadway to select, and is inappropriate. There is a risk of entering. When entering an inappropriate roadway, the above-mentioned problems will be caused.

  The present invention is considered in view of such a problem, and when the exit road extending from the rotary is a road composed of a plurality of roadways in the same traveling direction separated by an inaccessible separation zone, the present invention exits. It is an object of the present invention to provide a route guidance device or the like that provides guidance so that a driver can easily identify a roadway to be driven.

  The route guidance device according to claim 1, which has been made to solve the above-described problem, is a rotary device at a predetermined timing when the guidance unit for guiding the user and the set guidance route is a route passing through the rotary. Information for inputting guidance information in which the roadway is differentiated with respect to a road composed of a plurality of roadways in the same traveling direction separated by a non-passable separation zone and guidance control means for guiding the exit route of the vehicle to the guidance means It is a route guidance apparatus provided with an input means. The guidance control means, when the exit path to be guided by the guidance means is a road composed of a plurality of roadways in the same traveling direction separated by an inaccessible separation zone, the guidance information input by the guidance information input means Based on the above, the guidance unit is caused to execute guidance that distinguishes the roadway.

The “guidance information” mentioned here is information used by the guidance means at the time of guidance, and specifically means image information and voice information for guidance.
In the conventional route guidance device, even if the rotary road to be exited is a road composed of a plurality of roadways in the same traveling direction separated by an inaccessible separation zone, the roadway having such a characteristic is divided. I did not give guidance. Therefore, it is necessary for the driver himself to select a roadway to leave in consideration of the course after the driver leaves the rotary. However, the route guidance device of the present invention performs guidance by distinguishing these roads when the exit road extending from the rotary is a road composed of such a roadway. Therefore, the driver does not need to consider which roadway to select, and only needs to select the roadway as guided, and can concentrate more on driving operation.

  By the way, the timing for performing such guidance with distinction of the roadway may be performed after the vehicle enters the rotary (claim 2). Of course, you may be guided before entering the roundabout, but if you go after entering the roundabout, the driver will clearly tell you that the guidance is for leaving the rotary, It is possible to reduce the risk of mistakenly leaving the road.

  However, if you leave immediately after entering the roundabout, the guidance will not be in time, and the driver may not have recognized the exit route before reaching the entrance of the exit route. For this reason, when it is predicted that the time from when the vehicle enters the rotary to the exit is less than a predetermined time, guidance may be started before entering the rotary (claim 3). . The “predetermined time” mentioned here should be determined according to the content of the guidance, guidance method, size of the rotary, etc. For example, it takes 10 seconds for the guidance to be started and understood by the driver. If necessary, the “predetermined time” may be set to a time of 10 seconds or more. In order to predict the time from when the vehicle enters the rotary until it exits, it may be calculated from the distance from the entrance to the exit and the expected speed of the vehicle. By using such a calculation method, it is possible to relatively accurately calculate the predicted time from when the vehicle enters the rotary to when it leaves.

  Further, when the distance traveled from the time when the vehicle enters the rotary to the time when it exits is expected to be equal to or less than a predetermined distance, guidance may be started before entering the rotary. ). The "predetermined distance" here is to be determined by the content of the guidance, guidance method, size of the rotary, etc. For example, the point in time when guidance is started and the content is understood by the driver is the exit route. It is good to set so that it may become the time of starting driving operation toward.

  In addition, when the angle formed between the approach path and the exit path to the rotary is predicted to be equal to or less than a predetermined angle, guidance may be started before entering the rotary (Claim 5). In other words, if the angle between the approach path and the exit path, such as exiting immediately after entering the roundabout, is shallow (for example, 45 degrees or less), the guidance may not end before reaching the exit path. The intention is to avoid such things. The “predetermined angle” should be determined according to the content of the guidance, the guidance method, the size of the rotary, and the like.

  With these (Claim 3 to Claim 5), the driver recognizes the exit path before reaching the exit path and heads for the exit path even if the exit is immediately after entering the rotary. All driving operations can be performed appropriately.

  By the way, the guidance control means may be configured to cause the guidance means to guide the direction of the exit path based on the approach path to the rotary before entering the rotary, prior to guidance of the exit path distinguishing the roadway. (Claim 6). “Direction” here means a direction that the driver can intuitively recognize based on the driver himself, specifically, “right direction”, “left direction”, “straight direction”, “ "The direction of time (for example, 3 o'clock)" can be considered.

  In this way, the driver knows the approximate exit direction before entering the roundabout, and knows the specific exit path and the exiting road just before leaving. That is, by guiding the exit road in two stages, the driver can recognize the exit path and the exit road more smoothly.

  Further, as a specific configuration of the guide means, a display means for displaying an image may be provided, an audio output means for outputting sound may be provided, or both of the display means and the sound output means may be provided. May be provided. In the case where the guide means includes a display means, the guide control means only needs to execute guidance by causing the display means to display the above-described guide map in which the roadway is distinguished (claim 7). If it has become like this, the user can grasp | ascertain the content of guidance only by glances at a display means.

  Further, when the guidance means includes a voice output means, the guidance control means may be configured to execute guidance by causing the voice output means to output a guidance voice in which the above-described roadway is distinguished (claims). 8). If it becomes like this, the user can grasp | ascertain the guidance content in the state which continued looking at the scenery of the outside world.

  In addition, a program that functions as a guidance control unit in the route guidance device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 as described in claim 9 is caused to be executed by a computer built in the route guidance device. It may be. In this case, for example, the program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a hard disk, a ROM, and a RAM, and the program is stored in the computer as necessary. When loaded and activated, the computer can function as guidance control means of the route guidance device. Further, since the program can be distributed using a network or the like, it is easy to improve the function of the route guidance device.

  Embodiments to which the present invention is applied will be described below with reference to the drawings. The embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the following embodiments, and various forms can be adopted as long as they belong to the technical scope of the present invention.

[Description of configuration and operation]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a navigation device 20 in which the function of the route guidance device of the present invention is incorporated.

  The navigation device 20 is mounted on a vehicle, and a position detector 21 that detects the current position of the vehicle, an operation switch group 22 for inputting various instructions from a user, and various instructions as with the operation switch group 22 are input. A remote control terminal (hereinafter referred to as a remote control) 23a that is possible and separate from the navigation device 20, a remote control sensor 23b that inputs a signal from the remote control 23a, a packet communication network, etc. An external communication device 24 that performs communication, a map data input device 25 that inputs data from a map storage medium in which map data, audio data, and the like are recorded, a display unit 26 that displays a map and various types of information, A voice output unit 27 for outputting a guide voice or the like, a microphone 28 for outputting an electrical signal based on a voice spoken by the user, The position detector 21, the operation switch group 22, the remote control sensor 23 b, the external communication device 24, the map data input device 25, and various processes are executed according to the input from the microphone 28, and the external communication device 24, the display unit 26, and the voice And a control unit 29 that controls the output unit 27.

  The position detector 21 receives a radio wave from a GPS (Global Positioning System) artificial satellite via a GPS antenna (not shown) and outputs a received signal, and a magnitude of rotational motion applied to the vehicle. A gyroscope 21b for detecting the distance and a distance sensor 21c for detecting a distance traveled from the longitudinal acceleration or the like of the vehicle are provided. And the control part 29 calculates the position, direction, speed, etc. of a vehicle based on the output signal from these sensors 21a-21c. Although there are various methods for obtaining the current position based on the output signal from the GPS receiver 21a, either a single positioning method or a relative positioning method may be used.

  The operation switch group 22 includes a touch panel configured integrally with the display surface of the display unit 26, mechanical key switches provided around the display unit 26, and the like. The touch panel and the display unit 26 are laminated and integrated. There are various types of touch panels such as a pressure-sensitive method, an electromagnetic induction method, a capacitance method, or a combination of these methods. It may be used.

The external communication device 24 acquires accident information, traffic jam information, and the like from the VICS information center via an optical beacon or a radio beacon installed on the roadside.
The map data input device 25 is a device for inputting various data stored in a map data storage medium (not shown) (for example, a hard disk or a DVD-ROM). Map data storage media include map data (node data, link data, cost data, background data, road data, name data, mark data, intersection data, facility data, etc.), voice data for guidance, voice recognition data, etc. Is remembered. Note that for roads composed of a plurality of roadways in the same traveling direction separated by a non-passable separation zone, link data and guidance voice data are assigned to each roadway.

  The display unit 26 is a color display device such as a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or a CRT, and any of them may be used. The display screen of the display unit 26 includes a mark indicating the current location identified from the current position of the vehicle detected by the position detector 21 and the map data input from the map data input device 25, a guidance route to the destination, and a name. Additional data such as landmarks and various facility marks can be displayed in an overlapping manner. Also, facility guides can be displayed.

The voice output unit 27 can output facility guides and various guidance voices input from the map data input device 25.
The microphone 28 outputs an electric signal (voice signal) based on the inputted voice to the control unit 29 when the user inputs (speaks) voice. The user can operate the navigation device 20 by inputting various sounds to the microphone 28.

  The control unit 29 is configured around a well-known microcomputer including a CPU, ROM, RAM, SRAM, I / O, and a bus line connecting these components, and is based on a program stored in the ROM and RAM. Various processes. For example, the current position of the vehicle is calculated as a set of coordinates and traveling directions based on each detection signal from the position detector 21, and a map or the like near the current position read via the map data input device 25 is displayed on the display unit 26. The optimal route from the current position to the destination is calculated based on the processing to be performed, the map data stored in the map data input device 25, and the destination set according to the operation of the operation switch group 22 or the remote controller 23a. A route calculation process, a route guidance process for guiding the route by displaying the calculated route on the display unit 26 or outputting it as a voice to the voice output unit 27, and the like are executed.

  Next, out of the processes executed by the control unit 29, the exit route guidance process (1), which is a characteristic process of the navigation device 20 of this embodiment, will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This exit route guidance process (1) is a distance required for at least 10 seconds for the vehicle to reach a rotary at a predetermined distance (for example, 500 m to the rotary, for example) during execution of the route guidance process described above. ) Is executed in the control unit 29 when Further, description of the above-described route calculation processing, route guidance processing, and the like executed by the conventional navigation device will be omitted.

  When the control unit 29 starts the execution of the exit route guidance process (1), first, in the rotary, the vehicle speed predicted when traveling in the target rotary and the predicted moving distance in the target rotary are determined. It is determined whether or not the estimated stay time is 10 seconds or more (S110). As the “predicted vehicle speed” here, for example, a fixed vehicle speed such as 20 km / h, a vehicle speed stored in the control unit 29 or the like when passing through the target rotary in the past, The average vehicle speed from the present to the tens of seconds before is used. As the “predicted travel distance”, map data stored in a map data storage medium (not shown) is read via the map data input device 25, and data included in the map data (specifically, the link data). The value obtained by integrating the link distance data indicating the length) is used.

  If it is determined in S110 that the estimated stay time in the rotary is 10 seconds or more (S110: YES), it is determined whether or not there is a vehicle at a position that reaches the entrance to the rotary in 10 seconds. (S125). This determination is made by predicting from the current position of the vehicle and the moving speed. If it is determined that the vehicle is at a position that can reach the rotary entrance in just 10 seconds (S125: YES), the exit direction of the rotary is guided (S130), and it takes 10 seconds or more to reach the rotary entrance. When it is determined that there is no vehicle at the position (S125: NO), this step (S125) is repeated.

  The process of guiding the exit direction of the rotary executed in S130 is to determine whether the exit direction based on the approach direction to the rotary is approximately the right direction, the left direction, the straight direction, or the reverse direction. In this process, the direction of the obtained result is displayed on the display unit 26 as an image, and the direction of the obtained result is output to the voice output unit 27 as a guidance voice. This voice guidance is completed within 10 seconds.

  When the processing of S130 is completed, it is then determined whether or not there is a vehicle at a position that reaches the exit of the rotary in 10 seconds (S135). Similar to the determination in S125, this determination is also made by prediction from the current position of the vehicle and the moving speed. If it is determined that there is a vehicle at a position that reaches the rotary exit in just 10 seconds (S135: YES), the process proceeds to S140, and the vehicle is at a position that takes 10 seconds or longer to reach the rotary exit. If it is determined that there is (S135: NO), this step (S135) is repeated.

  On the other hand, in S110 described above, if it is determined that the predicted stay time in the rotary is not more than 10 seconds (S110: NO), it is determined whether or not there is a vehicle at a position that reaches the rotary exit in 20 seconds. Determination is made (S115). Similar to the determination in S125, this determination is also made by prediction from the current position of the vehicle and the moving speed. If it is determined that the vehicle is at a position that can reach the rotary exit in just 20 seconds (S115: YES), the rotary exit direction is guided (S120), and it takes 20 seconds or more to reach the rotary exit. If it is determined that there is a vehicle at such a position (S135: NO), this step (S135) is repeated.

  The process of guiding the exit direction of the rotary executed in S120 is the same as the process executed in S130, and the exit directions based on the approach direction to the rotary are approximately the right direction, the left direction, and the straight direction. The reverse direction is determined. Then, the direction of the obtained result is displayed on the display unit 26 as an image, and the direction of the obtained result is output to the voice output unit 27 as a guidance voice. This voice guidance is completed within 10 seconds.

  In subsequent S140, it is determined whether or not the exit route of the rotary is a road (compound road) composed of a plurality of roadways in the same traveling direction separated by an inaccessible separation zone. This determination is performed by reading map data stored in a map data storage medium (not shown) via the map data input device 25 and using data included in the map data. When it is determined that the exit route of the roundabout is a compound road (S140: YES), guidance that clearly indicates which of the roads constituting the compound road should be passed is performed (S150), and this process (exit route guidance process) (1)) is terminated. In addition, the guidance performed in S150 is to guide which exit route should be exited in the rotary including the roadway to be selected. For example, a guide image configured to make the roadway to be selected conspicuous by arrows and colors is displayed on the display unit 26 (a specific screen will be described later). Further, the voice output unit 27 is made to output a guidance voice so that the driver can grasp the roadway to be selected.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the exit route of the rotary is not a complex road (S140: NO), a guidance image indicating which exit exit should be exited in the rotary is displayed on the display unit 26, and from which exit exit The voice output unit 27 is made to output a guidance voice for guiding whether to leave (S145). Then, this process (exit route guidance process (1)) is terminated.

The exit route guidance process (1) has been described above, but a specific guidance example will be described here.
FIG. 3 is a schematic road diagram represented by nodes (black circles in the figure) and links (lines connecting the black circles in the figure). This road schematic diagram is used to explain separately when the exit road is not a compound road (FIG. 3A) and when the exit road is a compound road (FIG. 3B). In the following description, it is assumed that the estimated stay time in the rotary is determined to be 10 seconds or longer (see S110: YES in FIG. 2), and the description proceeds.

(1) When the Exiting Route is not a Compound Road A case where the route passing from the road A through the rotary R and exiting to the road B as shown by the dashed arrow L1 in FIG.

  First, when the vehicle arrives at the position of 10 seconds on the road A to the node 511 (the entrance to the rotary R), the voice output unit 27 outputs a voice saying “Now, the rotary is going straight ahead”. . At the same time, a display showing the same content as the voice is output to the display unit 26 so as to overlap the map image (a specific example is omitted). Prior guidance may be performed before such guidance. For example, in the case of voice, guidance may be performed such that “about XXm ahead, go straight on the roundabout, △△ road direction”.

  Next, when the vehicle enters the roundabout R and reaches the node 513, which is the exit of the roundabout R, when the vehicle reaches the position of 10 seconds, the voice “Soon, right direction, Δ △ road direction” is output as a voice. Output from the unit 27. At the same time, a display showing the same content as the voice is output to the display unit 26 so as to overlap the map image (a specific example is omitted).

(2) When the exit route is a compound road When the route passing from the road A through the roundabout R and passing through the road C3 of the road C as shown by the broken line arrow L2 in FIG. explain. The road C is composed of a proud road C1 and a free road C2 as a road that advances in a direction approaching the rotary R, and is constituted of a low road C3 and a free road C4 as a road that travels away from the rotary R. (The expressway C2 and the expressway C4 share a link).

  First, when the vehicle reaches the node 511 (the entrance of the rotary R) on the road A at a position of 10 seconds, the voice output unit 27 outputs a voice saying “Soon, the rotary is left”. . At the same time, a display showing the same content as the voice is output to the display unit 26 so as to overlap the map image (a specific example is omitted). Prior guidance may be performed before such guidance. For example, in the case of a voice, guidance may be performed such that “about XXm ahead, turn left at the roundabout, □□ road direction”.

  Next, when the vehicle enters the roundabout R and reaches the node 515, which is the exit of the roundabout R, at the position of 10 seconds, the voice “Soon, go straight to the right side” will be heard. Output from the output unit 27. At the same time, a display showing the same content as the voice is output to the display unit 26 so as to overlap the map image. A specific example of this display will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the display screen 611 shown in FIG. 4A, a two-dimensional map is displayed on the left half, and a branching intersection is enlarged and drawn on the right side by a pseudo three-dimensional image. In the image shown on the right side, a separation zone between the proud road and the free road is drawn, and an arrow indicates whether to proceed to the free road or the free road. For this reason, the driver can clearly know whether to proceed to the proud road or the free road.

  On the other hand, the conventional display is displayed like a display screen 613 shown in FIG. That is, in the enlarged image of the intersection shown on the right side, the roadway to be traveled is not shown separately, so the driver did not know which roadway to travel to.

[Effect of the embodiment]
As mentioned above, although the structure and operation | movement of this embodiment were demonstrated, according to the navigation apparatus 20 of this embodiment, it is comprised from several roadways of the same advancing direction separated by the separation zone in which the exit path from a rotary cannot pass. If these roads are classified, these roads are distinguished and guided (S150 in FIG. 2), so the driver does not need to consider which roadway to select, and selects the roadway as guided Just do it. That is, the driver can concentrate on the driving operation.

  In addition, the exit direction of the rotary is guided before entering the roundabout (S130 in FIG. 2), and after entering the roundabout, the roadway is distinguished before leaving the rotary (S150 in FIG. 2). The person first knows the road to be taken in two steps, knowing the outline (the direction of the exit route) and then immediately knowing the details (the exit roadway). For this reason, the driver can perform the driving operation more smoothly.

  In addition, when the time spent in the roundabout is short and it is not possible to guide the exit road only within the roundabout (S110: NO in FIG. 2), guidance for the exit road is started before entering the rotary. Thus, the driver can drive the vehicle on an appropriate roadway without any problem.

[Other Embodiments]
Hereinafter, other embodiments will be described.
(B) In the above-described embodiment, whether or not guidance for leaving the roadway can be performed only in the rotary is made based on whether or not the estimated stay time in the rotary is 10 seconds or more. (S110 in FIG. 2). However, the determination of whether or not guidance for leaving the roadway can be performed only in the rotary is not limited to such a determination method, and it is performed depending on whether or not the predicted travel distance in the rotary is, for example, 50 m or more. It may be. Hereinafter, exit route guidance processing (2), which is an example of exit route guidance processing using such a determination method, will be described using the flowchart of FIG.

  The exit route guidance process (2) requires at least 10 seconds for the vehicle to reach the rotary at a predetermined distance (for example, 500 m to the rotary, for example) during the route guidance process for guiding the guidance route. This is a process in which execution is started in the control unit 29 when the distance is reached.

  When the control unit 29 starts executing the exit route guidance process (2), it is first determined whether or not the predicted travel distance within the target rotary is 50 m or more (S210). The predicted travel distance is obtained by reading map data stored in a map data storage medium (not shown) via the map data input device 25 and including data included in the map data (specifically, a link distance indicating a link length). The value obtained by integrating the data) is used.

  In S210, when it is determined that the predicted travel distance in the rotary is 50 m or more (S210: YES), it is determined whether or not there is a vehicle at a position of 50 m until the entrance to the rotary (S225). This determination is made based on the current position of the vehicle calculated based on the signal acquired from the position detector 21 and the map data read from the map data storage medium via the map data input device 25. If it is determined that there is a vehicle at a position exactly 50m to the entrance of the rotary (S225: YES), the exit direction of the rotary is guided (S230), and there is no vehicle at the position of 50m until the entrance to the rotary is reached (S225: NO), this step (S225) is repeated.

  The process of guiding the exit direction of the rotary executed in S230 is to determine whether the exit direction based on the approach direction to the rotary is approximately the right direction, the left direction, the straight direction, or the reverse direction. In this process, the direction of the obtained result is displayed on the display unit 26 as an image, and the direction of the obtained result is output to the voice output unit 27 as a guidance voice. This voice guidance is completed within 10 seconds.

  When the processing of S230 is completed, it is subsequently determined whether or not there is a vehicle at a position of 50 m until the exit of the rotary (S235). Similar to the determination in S225, this determination is also based on the current position of the vehicle calculated based on the signal acquired from the position detector 21 and the map data read from the map data storage medium via the map data input device 25. judge. If it is determined that there is a vehicle at a position of exactly 50m until the exit of the rotary (S235: YES), the process proceeds to S240, and it is determined that there is a vehicle at a position of 50m or more until the exit of the rotary is reached. In this case (S235: NO), this step (S235) is repeated.

  On the other hand, in S210 described above, when it is determined that the predicted travel distance in the rotary is not more than 50 m (S210: NO), it is determined whether or not there is a vehicle at a position of 100 m until the exit of the rotary (S215). ). Similar to the determination in S225, this determination is also based on the current position of the vehicle calculated based on the signal acquired from the position detector 21 and the map data read from the map data storage medium via the map data input device 25. judge. If it is determined that there is a vehicle at a position exactly 100m until the exit of the rotary (S215: YES), the exit direction of the rotary is guided (S220), and the vehicle is at a position of 100m or more before reaching the exit of the rotary. If it is determined that there is (S235: NO), this step (S235) is repeated.

  The process of guiding the exit direction of the rotary executed in S220 is the same as the process executed in S230, and the exit directions based on the approach direction to the rotary are approximately the right direction, the left direction, and the straight direction. The reverse direction is determined. Then, the direction of the obtained result is displayed on the display unit 26 as an image, and the direction of the obtained result is output to the voice output unit 27 as a guidance voice. This voice guidance is completed within 10 seconds.

  In subsequent S240, it is determined whether or not the exit route of the rotary is a road (compound road) composed of a plurality of roadways in the same traveling direction separated by a non-passable separation zone. This determination is performed by reading map data stored in a map data storage medium (not shown) via the map data input device 25 and using data included in the map data. If it is determined that the exit route of the roundabout is a compound road (S240: YES), guidance is provided that clearly indicates which of the roadways that make up this compound road (S250), and this process (exit route guidance process) (2)) is terminated. In addition, the guidance performed in S250 is to guide which exit route should be exited in the rotary including the roadway to be selected. For example, the display unit 26 displays a guide image configured such that a roadway to be selected is easily noticeable by an arrow and a color. Further, the voice output unit 27 is made to output a guidance voice so that the driver can grasp the roadway to be selected.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the exit route of the rotary is not a compound road (S240: NO), a guidance image indicating which exit exit should be exited in the rotary is displayed on the display unit 26, and from which exit exit The voice output unit 27 is made to output a guidance voice for guiding whether to leave (S145). Then, this process (exit route guidance process (2)) is terminated.

  As described above, the case of determining whether or not the guidance of the exiting roadway can be performed only in the rotary has been described based on whether or not the predicted travel distance in the rotary is 50 m or more. The effect similar to embodiment mentioned above can be acquired also with a form.

  (B) Next, a description will be given of the case where the judgment of whether or not the exit roadway can be guided only within the rotary is made based on the angle formed by the approach path and the exit path to the rotary. . Exit route guidance processing (3), which is an example of exit route guidance processing using such a determination method, will be described using the flowchart of FIG.

  The exit route guidance process (3) is performed when the vehicle reaches a predetermined distance (for example, 500 m to the rotary, for example, at least until reaching the entrance of the rotary during the route guidance process for guiding the calculated guide route. This is a process to be executed in the control unit 29 when the necessary distance) is reached.

  When the control unit 29 starts to execute the exit route guidance process (3), first, it is determined whether or not the angle formed by the approach route to the target rotary and the exit route is 90 degrees or more (S310). The “angle formed between the approach path and the exit path to the rotary” used for this determination is calculated based on the map data stored in the map data storage medium. Specifically, the calculation is performed by calculating an angle determined by a line segment connecting the coordinates of the entrance node and the center coordinates of the rotary and a line segment connecting the coordinates of the exit node and the center coordinates of the rotary. Is called. The angle of “90 degrees” may be specified by the user, or may be determined in advance for each rotary.

  If it is determined in S310 that the angle formed between the approach path and the exit path to the rotary is 90 degrees or more (S310: YES), is there a vehicle at a position that can reach the entrance to the rotary in 10 seconds? It is determined whether or not (S325). This determination is made by predicting from the current position of the vehicle and the moving speed. If it is determined that the vehicle is at a position that can reach the rotary entrance in just 10 seconds (S325: YES), the exit direction of the rotary is guided (S330), and it takes 10 seconds or more to reach the rotary entrance. When it is determined that there is no vehicle at the position (S325: NO), this step (S325) is repeated.

  The process of guiding the exit direction of the rotary executed in S330 is to determine whether the exit direction based on the approach direction to the rotary is approximately the right direction, the left direction, the straight direction, or the reverse direction. In this process, the direction of the obtained result is displayed on the display unit 26 as an image, and the direction of the obtained result is output to the voice output unit 27 as a guidance voice. This voice guidance is completed within 10 seconds.

  When the processing of S330 is completed, it is subsequently determined whether or not there is a vehicle at a position that reaches the rotary exit in 10 seconds (S335). Similar to the determination in S325, this determination is also made by predicting from the current position of the vehicle and the moving speed. If it is determined that there is a vehicle at a position that can reach the rotary exit in just 10 seconds (S335: YES), the process proceeds to S340, and the vehicle is at a position that takes 10 seconds or longer to reach the rotary exit. If it is determined that there is (S335: NO), this step (S335) is repeated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S310 described above that the angle formed by the approach path and the exit path to the rotary is less than 90 degrees (S310: NO), the vehicle reaches the position where the rotary exit is reached in 20 seconds. It is determined whether or not there is (S315). Similar to the determination in S325, this determination is also made by predicting from the current position of the vehicle and the moving speed. If it is determined that the vehicle is at a position that can reach the rotary exit in just 20 seconds (S315: YES), the rotary exit direction is guided (S320), and it takes 20 seconds or more to reach the rotary exit. If it is determined that there is a vehicle at such a position (S335: NO), this step (S335) is repeated.

  The process of guiding the exit direction of the rotary executed in S320 is the same as the process executed in S330, and the exit directions based on the approach direction to the rotary are approximately the right direction, the left direction, and the straight direction. The reverse direction is determined. Then, the direction of the obtained result is displayed on the display unit 26 as an image, and the direction of the obtained result is output to the voice output unit 27 as a guidance voice. This voice guidance is completed within 10 seconds.

  In subsequent S340, it is determined whether or not the exit route of the rotary is a road (compound road) composed of a plurality of roadways in the same traveling direction separated by an inaccessible separation zone. This determination is performed by reading map data stored in a map data storage medium (not shown) via the map data input device 25 and using data included in the map data. When it is determined that the exit route of the roundabout is a compound road (S340: YES), guidance that clearly indicates which of the roadways constituting the compound road should be passed (S350), and this process (exit route guidance process) (3)) is terminated. In addition, the guidance performed in S350 is to guide which exit road in the rotary should be exited including the roadway to be selected. For example, the display unit 26 displays a guide image configured such that a roadway to be selected is easily noticeable by an arrow and a color. Further, the voice output unit 27 is made to output a guidance voice so that the driver can grasp the roadway to be selected.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the exit route of the rotary is not a compound road (S340: NO), a guidance image indicating which exit exit should be exited in the rotary is displayed on the display unit 26, and from which exit exit The voice output unit 27 is made to output a guidance voice for guiding whether to leave (S345). Then, this process (exit route guidance process (3)) is terminated.

  As described above, the case where it is judged whether or not the guidance of the exiting roadway can be performed only in the rotary is based on whether or not the angle between the approach path and the exit path to the rotary is 90 degrees or more. However, the effect similar to that of the above-described embodiment can be obtained also by such an embodiment.

  (C) In the description of the above-described embodiment, as an example of the guidance voice clearly indicating which of the roads constituting the compound road should be passed, the guidance voice “Soon, go to the right direction and the proud road” is shown. However, for example, the guidance voice may be “Soon, it is in the right direction. The road in the direction of travel is composed of two roadways, and proceed to the roadway on the front side.” In other words, the overall structure of the roadway may be explained ("consisting of two roadways"), followed by which roadway should be selected ("Please proceed to the front roadway") . If there are more lanes, for example, “Soon, right direction. The road in the direction of travel is composed of two lanes and two lanes, and proceed along the lane on the front side of the inner lane. It may be a guidance voice such as "."

  Depending on the road, it may be difficult for the driver to understand from where to where the roadway is in the traveling direction and from where to where the roadway is in the opposite direction. In addition, there are too many roads in the same direction, and the driver may not be able to instantly know how many roads there are. Therefore, if the configuration of the roadway is described as described above and then the roadway to be selected is instructed, the driver can easily recognize the roadway to be selected.

[Correspondence with terms in claims]
Finally, correspondence between the terms of the above-described embodiment and the terms described in the claims is shown. The map data input device 25 corresponds to guidance information input means, the display unit 26 corresponds to display means included in the guidance means, the voice output unit 27 corresponds to voice output means included in the guidance means, and the control unit 29 includes It corresponds to the guidance control means.

It is a schematic block diagram of a navigation apparatus. It is a flowchart for demonstrating exit route guidance processing (1). It is a road schematic diagram for demonstrating the example of guidance. It is an example of a display screen. It is a flowchart for demonstrating exit route guidance processing (2). It is a flowchart for demonstrating exit route guidance processing (3).

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 ... Navigation apparatus, 21 ... Position detector, 21a ... GPS receiver, 21b ... Gyroscope, 21c ... Distance sensor, 22 ... Operation switch group, 23a ... Remote control, 23b ... Remote control sensor, 24 ... External communication device, 25 ... Map data input device, 26 ... display section, 27 ... voice output section, 28 ... microphone, 29 ... control section.

Claims (9)

Guidance means for guiding the user;
Guidance control means for guiding the exit route of the rotary to the guidance means at a predetermined timing when the set guidance route is a route passing through the rotary;
In the route guidance device used at the time of movement in vehicles provided with,
With respect to a road composed of a plurality of roadways in the same traveling direction separated by an inaccessible separation zone, the vehicle has guidance information input means for inputting guidance information in which the roadways are distinguished,
The guidance control means inputs the guidance information input means when the exit path to be guided by the guidance means is a road composed of a plurality of roadways in the same traveling direction separated by an inaccessible separation zone. Causing the guidance means to execute guidance that distinguishes the roadway based on the guidance information;
A route guidance device characterized by the above. The route guidance device according to claim 1,
The guidance control means causes the guidance means to start the guidance that distinguishes the roadway after the vehicle enters the rotary.
A route guidance device characterized by the above. In the route guidance device according to claim 2,
The guidance control means causes the guidance means to start the guidance before entering the rotary when it is predicted that the time from when the vehicle enters the rotary to the exit is less than a predetermined time. ,
A route guidance device characterized by the above. In the route guidance device according to claim 2,
The guidance control means starts the guidance to the guidance means before entering the rotary when it is expected that the distance traveled from the time when the vehicle enters the rotary to the time when it exits is less than a predetermined distance. Letting
A route guidance device characterized by the above. In the route guidance device according to claim 2,
The guidance control means, when the angle formed between the approach path and the exit path to the rotary is expected to be a predetermined angle or less, causes the guidance means to start the guidance before entering the rotary;
A route guidance device characterized by the above. In the route guidance apparatus in any one of Claims 1-5,
The guidance control means, prior to the guidance, causing the guidance means to guide the direction of the exit path based on the approach path to the rotary before entering the rotary;
A route guidance device characterized by the above. In the route guidance device according to claims 1 to 6,
The guide means includes at least display means for displaying an image,
The guidance control means causes the guidance to be executed by causing the display means to display a guidance map in which the roadway is distinguished,
A route guidance device characterized by the above. In the route guidance device according to claim 1,
The guide means has at least sound output means for outputting sound,
The guidance control means causes the voice output means to execute the guidance by outputting a guidance voice in which the roadway is distinguished,
A route guidance device characterized by the above.   The program for functioning a computer as the said guidance control means in the route guidance apparatus in any one of Claims 1-8.