JP2006317190A - Route presenting device, method, and program thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To present a route capable of carefully coping with the desire of a user in the vicinity of a desired point such as a through point. <P>SOLUTION: A navigation system 1 for presenting the route from a start point assigned on a map displayed on a display part 2 up to a destination is provided with a point recognition part 31 for recognizing that a point PV is assigned as the start point, the destination or the through point passed through in a midway to the destination on the map, a candidate setting part 32 positioned on a node serving as a unit for forming the route in the map or a link therefor, and for setting a plurality of candidates PC corresponding to the point PV, a mark display part 33 for displaying candidate marks MC in positions on the map corresponding respectively to the plurality of candidates PC, and a route search part 36 for searching the route for guiding the point PV, in response to a passing-through point or a non-passing-through point selected optionally and set by a user, out of the plurality of candidates PC displayed with the candidate marks MC on the map, in the vicinity of the point PV. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a route presentation device, a route presentation method, and a route presentation program, and is suitable for application to, for example, a navigation device mounted on an automobile.

  In recent years, navigation devices that are mainly installed in automobiles and that display a map on a display screen and search for a route to a destination set by a user and present it on the map are widely used. is doing.

  In this navigation device, in addition to the destination that the user wants to reach in the end, the user can specify a waypoint to stop by on the way to the destination, and search for a route to the destination via the waypoint Is also widely used.

Also, some navigation devices allow a user to select a genre of a store or facility when the user designates a destination or waypoint, and displays the list of stores or facilities of the selected genre in a tabular format so that the user can There has been proposed one that allows a destination, a waypoint, and the like to be easily specified (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-233056 (page 15, FIG. 6)

  By the way, such a transit point is either displayed when a place where the user wants to drop in is selected from a list displayed in a table format or when a point on the map is specified by a user's scrolling operation or the like. Even so, there is a high possibility that a place other than a road on a map such as a building is designated.

  For this reason, in the navigation device, when a stopover is designated, for example, a point on the road closest to the stopover that does not exist on the road is selected as a passing point, or the closest intersection from the stopover is selected. Some of them search for a route to a destination so that they pass through the passing point after being selected as a passing point.

  At this time, depending on the selected passing point, the navigation device may not always be able to set a route that satisfies the user's request, such as the searched route becomes a detour or it is difficult to stop at the waypoint. There was a problem.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and intends to propose a route presentation device, a route presentation method, and a route presentation program for presenting a route that closely corresponds to a user's request in the vicinity of a desired point such as a transit point. To do.

  In order to solve this problem, in the present invention, when presenting a route from a specified starting point to a destination on the map displayed on the display means, the starting point, the destination, or the way from the starting point to the destination Recognizing that a desired point on the map is designated as a transit point to be routed to, it is located on a route constituent unit that is a unit for forming a route on the map, and sets a plurality of candidate points corresponding to the desired point A predetermined mark is displayed at each position on the map corresponding to each of the plurality of candidate points, and a selection candidate point arbitrarily selected by the user from the plurality of candidate points displayed on the map in the vicinity of the desired point Accordingly, the route leading to the desired point is searched and presented.

  Thereby, in the vicinity of the desired point, it is possible to present a route that leads to the desired point so as to follow the intention of the user who has selected the selection candidate point from among the plurality of candidate points.

  According to the present invention, in the vicinity of a desired point, it is possible to present a route that leads to the desired point in accordance with the intention of the user who has selected the selected candidate point from among a plurality of candidate points. It is possible to realize a route presentation device, a route presentation method, and a route presentation program for presenting a route that closely corresponds to a user's request in the vicinity of the desired point.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(1) Configuration of Navigation Device (1-1) Overall Configuration In FIG. 1, the navigation device 1 displays a map around the current position on the display unit 2 and superimposes the map on a route to a desired destination. Is displayed, the route to be traveled is presented to the user.

  The navigation device 1 is configured to perform overall control by the control unit 3. The control unit 3 is configured around a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 10, and based on the control of the CPU 10, a basic program and various kinds of data are read from a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12 and a nonvolatile memory 13 via a bus 11. A set value and the like are read out, and various programs read out from the storage unit 4 are loaded into a RAM (Random Access Memory) 14 and executed.

  The control unit 3 transmits / receives data to / from a storage unit 4 including a hard disk drive (HDD), a communication interface (I / F) 6, and the like via an interface (I / F) unit 15.

  The storage unit 4 stores various programs such as an OS (Operating System) and a route presentation program. In addition to map data for configuring a map screen, facility data that is information on buildings, stores, and the like is stored in advance. Based on the control of the control unit 3, various programs, the map data, the facility data, and the like are read out.

  A GPS (Global Positioning System) receiving unit 5 receives a GPS signal transmitted from a GPS satellite, generates a GPS reception data DG by performing a predetermined demodulation process and the like, and sends it to the control unit 3.

  The control unit 3 calculates the latitude and longitude representing the current position of the navigation device 1 on the earth by executing a position calculation process based on the GPS reception data DG supplied from the GPS reception unit 5.

  Further, the control unit 3 reads out a predetermined range of map data centered on the current position from the storage unit 4 and generates display data DV by superimposing a predetermined current position mark on the current position on the map data. This is sent to the display unit 2.

  The display unit 2 displays information such as a map and a current position to the user by displaying the display data DV supplied from the control unit 3 on the screen.

  The communication interface unit 6 is connected to an external communication device such as a mobile phone (not shown), acquires Web content from a predetermined server on the Internet, for example, via the mobile phone, This is sent to the control unit 3. In response to this, the control unit 3 displays the acquired Web content on the display unit 2.

  The operation input unit 7 includes a direction key, a determination key, a cancel key, and the like (not shown) used for menu operations in addition to an enlargement key and a reduction key that change the scale of the map. When an operation instruction from the user is received via the operation key, an operation signal SC is generated and sent to the control unit 3.

  When the operation signal SC is supplied, the control unit 3 executes various processes such as changing the scale of the map and scrolling in accordance with the operation signal SC, and causes the display unit 2 to display display contents corresponding to the execution result. It is made like that.

  The control unit 3 can search for facilities such as buildings and stores. For example, the control unit 3 allows the user to input a telephone number via the operation input unit 7, and the facility data stored in the storage unit 4 Search for a phone number. Subsequently, the control unit 3 reads the store name and location data associated with the telephone number, and causes the display unit 2 to display a map near the location of the store corresponding to the telephone number. The location of the store corresponding to the telephone number is presented together with the surrounding map.

  Incidentally, the navigation device 1 can be electrically connected to the cradle 100 via the cradle interface (I / F) unit 8.

  In practice, the cradle 100 is mounted and fixed in advance in a vehicle interior of a vehicle (not shown), and is connected in advance to a signal line on the vehicle side such as a vehicle speed pulse signal line. When the navigation device 1 is placed, the cradle 100 is integrated with the navigation device 1 to fix the navigation device 1 in the vehicle interior, and various signals supplied from the vehicle such as a vehicle speed pulse signal. Is sent to the navigation device 1.

  The navigation device 1 is easily attached to or detached from the cradle 100. For example, even when the navigation device 1 is removed from the cradle 100 and carried in the home, map display and route setting are performed. (Details will be described later).

  The attachment / detachment detection unit 9 mechanically detects the attachment / detachment state of the navigation device 1 and the cradle 100 by a sensor (not shown), generates an attachment / detachment signal ST according to the detection result, and sends it to the control unit 3. Yes. When the control unit 3 detects that the attachment / detachment signal ST is supplied and attached to the cradle 100, the control unit 3 considers that the attachment / detachment signal ST is no longer supplied. When it is detected that it has been removed from the home, it is assumed that the home state is brought into the home.

  In response to this, the navigation device 1 is configured to switch menu items to be displayed between the in-vehicle state and the home state, thereby improving usability in accordance with the usage state of the navigation device 1. Yes.

(1-2) Functional Block Configuration of Control Unit By the way, when the control unit 3 is functionally classified, as shown in FIG. 2, the user interface is based on the operation signal SC with the information processing unit 21 performing various processes as a center. A user interface (UI) processing unit 22 that controls processing related to (UI), an attachment / detachment state storage unit 23 that stores an attachment / detachment state based on the attachment / detachment signal ST, a menu processing unit 24 that displays a menu window on a screen, From a predetermined departure point to a predetermined destination, a character input processing unit 25 that receives character input from the user, a character display processing unit 26 that displays characters on the screen, a display screen generation unit 27 that generates a display screen The route can be divided into a route presentation unit 28 (details will be described later) for searching and presenting the route.

  Further, the menu processing unit 24, the character input processing unit 25, and the character display processing unit 26 are respectively an in-vehicle menu processing unit 24A and a home menu processing unit 24B corresponding to an in-vehicle state and a home state, and in-vehicle characters. It is divided into an input processing unit 25A and a home character input processing unit 25B, and an in-car character display processing unit 26A and a home character display processing unit 26B. It is made to change.

(2) Presentation of a route By the way, the navigation device 1 allows a user to specify a starting point, a waypoint, and a destination (hereinafter collectively referred to as a landmark) on the map, and from the starting point to the waypoint. The route to the destination is searched, and the route is displayed on the map so that the route to the destination is presented to the user.

  Here, for example, in a map as shown in FIG. 3, a case will be described in which a point PS, a point PV, and a point PG are assumed to be a departure point, a transit point, and a destination, respectively, and the route is searched.

(2-1) Passage point selection near route point The navigation device 1 searches for a store located at the point PV based on a telephone number, for example, by a user operation. At this time, as shown in FIG. 4, the point recognition unit 31 (FIG. 2) of the control unit 3 displays the area AR1 (FIG. 3) centered on the point PV with the cursor CUR aligned with the point PV. Part 2 is displayed.

  Further, the point recognizing unit 31 displays the sub-window W1 (FIG. 4) in which selection items such as “destination”, “route”, and “departure point” are arranged, thereby indicating the point PV as the destination, waypoint, Alternatively, the user is allowed to specify which of the departure points is to be made. When the item “route point” is selected here, the point recognizing unit 31 supplies the latitude and longitude indicating the position of the route point to the candidate point setting unit 32 (FIG. 2), the mark display unit 33, and the route search unit 36. To do.

  In response to this, the mark display unit 33 of the control unit 3 displays the waypoint mark MV at the point PV as shown in FIG. 5 so that the user can visually recognize the position of the waypoint on the map.

(2-1-1) Display of Candidate Points By the way, in this case, the point PV as a transit point is a place where the user wants to drop in, that is, an intermediate destination. That is, the navigation apparatus 1 does not necessarily have to create a route so as to pass through the point PV, and may create the route so as to pass in the vicinity of the point PV.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, the candidate point setting unit 32 of the control unit 3 sets a plurality of candidate points PC1 to PC5 in the vicinity of the point PV as points (points) that are candidates for passing points in the vicinity of the point PV. The position (ie, latitude and longitude) is set and supplied to the mark display unit 33 (FIG. 2) and the candidate point selection receiving unit 35.

  In practice, the navigation device 1 stores search data for performing a route search described later in the storage unit 4 in addition to the map data to be displayed on the display unit 2. This search data is composed of “nodes” corresponding to intersections on the map and “links” connecting the “nodes” and corresponding to roads on the map. The positions of both end points of “link” are represented by latitude and longitude.

  Incidentally, when searching for a route, the navigation device 1 uses “nodes” and “links” as the constituent units of the route, and appropriately selects and combines the “nodes” and “links” to route from the departure point to the destination. Has been made to form.

  Specifically, the candidate point setting unit 32 of the control unit 3 uses the latitude and longitude of the point PV and the latitude and longitude of the “node” and “link” of the search data, from the point PV to the vicinity of the point PV ( For example, the intersections of the virtual perpendicular drawn down to a link (road) within a radius of 20 m) and the link are set as candidate points PC1 to PC3, and exist in the vicinity of the point PV (for example, within a radius of 30 m). Let nodes (intersections) be candidate points PC4 and PC5.

  Subsequently, the mark display unit 33 of the control unit 3 sends predetermined mark image data to the display screen generation unit 28, and as shown in FIG. 5, the mark display unit 33 is located at positions corresponding to the candidate points PC1 to PC5 on the map. Candidate point marks MC1 to MC5 are displayed respectively.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the related information display unit 34 of the control unit 3 correlates with each of the candidate point marks MC1 to MC5, and names and roads of shops existing in the vicinity of the candidate points PC1 to PC5. Sub-windows WC1 to WC5 in which information related to the candidate point PC, such as width, are displayed in a superimposed manner on the map.

  Each of the sub-windows WC1 to WC5 is provided with a “net search” button in association with the store name. When the “net search” button is clicked, the navigation device 1 connects to the Internet via the communication interface unit 6 (FIG. 1), acquires information about the clicked store, and displays the subwindow on the display unit 2. It has been made to display as.

(2-1-2) Setting of Passing Point and Non-Passing Point The candidate point selection receiving unit 35 of the control unit 3 cooperates with the UI processing unit 22 on the display screen shown in FIG. 5 by the user's cursor operation. Any one of the candidate points PC1 to PC5 or the transit point PV is selected.

  When any one of the candidate points PC1 to PC5 is selected, the candidate point selection receiving unit 35 is associated with the selected candidate point (hereinafter referred to as a selection candidate point) as shown in FIG. By displaying the sub-window W2, the user is instructed whether to set the selection candidate point as a passing point or a non-passing point, or not to set it either.

  Here, the passing point represents a point that should be passed when determining the route from the starting point to the destination, and the non-passing point was prohibited from passing when determining the route. Represents a point.

  When the selection candidate point (for example, candidate point PC2) is set as the passing point, the candidate point selection receiving unit 35 displays the latitude and longitude of the selected candidate point PC as the position of the passing point by the mark display unit 33 and the route search. To the unit 36.

  In response to this, as shown in FIG. 7, the mark display unit 33 changes the candidate point mark MC2 of the selected candidate point PC (for example, candidate point PC2) to the passing point mark MA2.

  Furthermore, when a plurality of candidate points PC are set as passing points by repeating the cursor operation by the user, the candidate point selection receiving unit 35 recognizes the order in which the candidate points PC set as passing points are selected, and The order is also supplied to the route search unit 36.

  On the other hand, when the selected candidate point is set as a non-passing point, the candidate point selection receiving unit 35 supplies the latitude and longitude of the selected candidate point to the mark display unit 33 and the route search unit 36 as the position of the non-passing point. To do.

  In response to this, the mark display unit 33 changes the candidate point mark MC of the selection candidate point to the non-passing point mark MN (details will be described later).

  Incidentally, the candidate point selection accepting unit 35 does not particularly process the selected candidate point when the selection candidate point is not set as either a passing point or a non-passing point.

  In addition, when the transit point PV is selected, the candidate point selection receiving unit 35 recognizes that the setting of the passing point and the non-passing point has been completed for the candidate points PC1 to PC5, and the vicinity of the transit point PV The mark display unit 33 and the route search unit 36 are notified that the setting of the passing point and the non-passing point is completed.

  At this time, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, the mark display unit 33 deletes the candidate point marks MC3 and MC5 of the candidate points PC3 and PC5 that are not set as either the passing point or the non-passing point, thereby passing the mark. The passing point marks MA1, MA2, and MA4 are displayed on the candidate points PC1, PC2, and PC4 set as points.

  As a result, in the route search to be described later, the control unit 3 does not pass the point PV itself designated as the waypoint by the user, but passes the candidate point PC set as a passing point in the vicinity of the point PV. Although determined, the position of the passing point on this route can be visually recognized by the user by the passing point mark MA on the map.

  Thus, the navigation apparatus 1 can make a user specify in detail the passing point and the non-passing point in the vicinity of the waypoint PV.

  Incidentally, when all candidate points PC1 to PC5 are not set as passing points, the navigation apparatus 1 regards that the setting of passing points is left to the user, and candidate points PC appropriately selected from the candidate points PC1 to PC5. Is set as a passing point, and a candidate point mark MC is displayed at the position of the candidate point PC set as the passing point on the map.

(2-2) Selection of passing point in the vicinity of the departure point When the point PS (FIG. 3) is designated as the departure point by the user's operation, the control unit 3 of the navigation device 1 uses the point recognition unit 31 to determine the latitude of the point PS. And the longitude are supplied to the mark display unit 33 and the route search unit 36, and as shown in FIG. 8, the area AR2 (FIG. 3) centered on the point PS is displayed on the display unit 2, and the mark display unit 33 The departure point mark MS is displayed at the point PS on the map.

  Further, the control unit 3 sets the candidate points PC11 to PC16 in the vicinity of the point PS by the candidate point setting unit 32 and the mark display unit 33 as in the case of the transit point described above, and on the map as shown in FIG. Candidate point marks MC11 to MC16 are displayed at positions corresponding to the respective candidate points PC11 to PC16, and a sub window (not shown) is associated with each candidate point mark MC11 to MC16 on the display screen of the display unit 2. Display.

  In this state, the candidate point selection receiving unit 35 of the control unit 3 causes the user to select the candidate points PC11 to PC16 or the starting point PS, and when any one of the candidate points PC11 to PC16 is selected, the above-described case is described. As in the case of a transit point, the user is instructed whether the selection candidate point is set as a passing point, a non-passing point, or neither, and the instruction result is displayed in the mark display unit 33 and the route. It supplies to the search part 36.

  The mark display unit 33 of the control unit 3 displays the passing point mark MA instead of the candidate point mark MC for the candidate point set as the passing point, and the non-passing point for the candidate point set as the non-passing point. The mark MN is displayed.

  Furthermore, when a plurality of candidate points PC21 to PC25 are set as passing points by the user repeating the cursor operation, the candidate point selection receiving unit 35 of the control unit 3 sets the candidate points PC21 to PC25 set as the passing points. The selected order is supplied to the route search unit 36, and the setting of the passing point and the non-passing point is completed when the starting point PS is selected by the user.

  For example, when the candidate point PC13 is set as a passing point and the candidate point PC12 is set as a non-passing point, the mark display unit 33 of the control unit 3 passes at the position of the candidate point PC13 on the map as shown in FIG. The point mark MA13 is displayed, and the non-passing point mark MN12 is displayed at the position of the candidate point PC12.

  As described above, when the starting point PS is designated, the control unit 3 uses the candidate point setting unit 32, the candidate point selection receiving unit 35, and the like on the road in the vicinity of the point PS as in the case of the waypoint. The points PC11 to PC16 are set, the candidate point PC selected by the user among the candidate points PC11 to PC16 is set as a passing point or a non-passing point, the setting result is supplied to the route search unit 36, and a mark is displayed. A passing point mark and a non-passing point mark are displayed on the map by the unit 33.

  As a result, in the route search to be described later, the control unit 3 uses the candidate point set as the passing point in the vicinity of the point PS instead of the point PS designated as the departure point by the user as the starting point of the route. However, the position of the starting point of this route can be visually recognized by the user by the passing point mark MA on the map.

(2-3) Selection of passing point near destination When the point PG (FIG. 3) is designated as the destination by the user's operation, the control unit 3 of the navigation device 1 uses the point recognition unit 31 to determine the latitude of the point PG. And the longitude are supplied to the mark display unit 33 and the route search unit 36, and the area AR3 (FIG. 3) centered on the point PG is displayed on the display unit 2 as shown in FIG. A destination mark MG is displayed at the point PG on the map.

  Further, the control unit 3 sets the candidate points PC21 to PC25 in the vicinity of the point PG by the candidate point setting unit 32 and the mark display unit 33 as in the case of the above-described waypoint, and on the map as shown in FIG. Candidate point marks MC21 to MC25 are displayed at positions corresponding to the candidate points PC21 to PC25, and subwindows (not shown) are displayed on the screen in association with the candidate point marks MC21 to MC25. Then, the user is allowed to select the candidate points PC21 to PC25 or the destination point PG.

  When any one of the candidate points PC21 to PC25 is selected in this state, the candidate point selection accepting unit 35 of the control unit 3 sets the selected candidate point as a passing point or a non-passing point as in the case of the waypoint described above. The setting result is supplied to the mark display unit 33 and the route search unit 36.

  The mark display unit 33 of the control unit 3 displays the passing point mark MA instead of the candidate point mark MC for the candidate point set as the passing point, and the non-passing point for the candidate point set as the non-passing point. The mark MN is displayed.

  Furthermore, when a plurality of candidate points PC21 to PC25 are set as passing points by the user repeating the cursor operation, the candidate point selection receiving unit 35 of the control unit 3 sets the candidate points PC21 to PC25 set as the passing points. The selected order is supplied to the route search unit 36, and then the setting of the passing point and the non-passing point is completed when the destination PG is selected by the user.

  As described above, when the destination PG is designated, the control unit 3 uses the candidate point setting unit 32, the candidate point selection receiving unit 35, and the like on the road in the vicinity of the destination PG as in the case of the waypoint PV. The user sets the passing point and the non-passing point from the points PC21 to PC25, supplies the setting result to the route search unit 36, and displays the passing point mark MA and the non-passing point mark MN on the map by the mark display unit 33. It is made to do.

  As a result, in the route search described later, the control unit 3 uses the candidate point set as the passing point in the vicinity of the point PG instead of the point PG designated as the destination by the user as the end point of the route. However, the position of the end point of this route can be visually recognized by the user by the passing point mark MA on the map.

(2-4) Route Search The route search unit 36 of the control unit 3 sets a departure point, a waypoint, and a destination, and further specifies a passing point and a non-passing point as shown in FIG. A route from the departure place to the destination is searched according to a predetermined route search process.

  At this time, the route search unit 36 determines a route that passes through each passing point designated by the user in the vicinity of the starting point, the waypoints, and the destination, and does not pass through each non-passing point. Yes.

  For example, based on the fact that the candidate points PC1, PC2, and PC4 are set as passing points in the order of candidate points PC1-PC4-PC2 in the vicinity of the point PV at the waypoint, the route search unit 36 selects the candidate points PC1, PC2 And a route is determined so as to pass through PC4 in the order of the candidate points PC1-PC4-PC2.

  Further, the route search unit 36 passes through the candidate point PC13 and passes through the candidate point PC13 based on the fact that the candidate point PC13 is set as a passing point and the candidate point PC12 is set as a non-passing point in the vicinity of the departure point PS. A route is determined so as not to pass through the PC 12.

  Further, the route search unit 36 sets the candidate points PC22 and PC23 as candidate points PC22 based on the fact that the candidate points PC22 and PC23 are set as passing points in the order of candidate points PC22 to PC23 in the vicinity of the destination point PG. -A route is determined so as to pass in the order of PC23, and the route is displayed on the display unit 2 so as to overlap the map, and the route is presented to the user.

  Incidentally, the route search unit 36 searches for a route without particularly considering candidate points that are not set as either passing points or non-passing points.

  As a result, the route search unit 36 passes through the passing points (candidate points PC1, PC2, and PC4) set in the vicinity of the waypoint instead of the waypoint PV, and passes instead of the starting point PS. A route that passes through the point (candidate point PC13) and passes through the passing points (candidate points PC22 and PC23) instead of the destination point PG is determined.

  In this way, the route search unit 36 searches for a route that passes through each passing point specified by the user and does not pass through each non-passing point. It is possible to present a route that leads the route near the ground and the destination.

  The route search unit 36 does not necessarily need to set a waypoint when searching for a route. If the route point is not set, the route search unit 36 searches and determines a route from the departure point to the destination. Has been made. The route search unit 36 is configured to set the current location as the departure location when the departure location is not set when searching for the route.

(3) Route Presentation Processing Procedure Next, the route presentation processing procedure RT1 when the navigation device 1 searches for the route from the departure place to the destination and presents it to the user will be described using the flowchart shown in FIG.

  The control unit 3 (FIG. 1) of the navigation device 1 calculates the current position based on the GPS reception data DG from the GPS reception unit 5 and displays a map around the current position on the display unit 2 based on the calculated current position. The route search processing procedure RT1 is started by reading the route presentation program from the storage unit 4 and developing it in the RAM 14, and the process proceeds to step SP1.

  In step SP1, the control unit 3 determines whether or not a point on the map is designated by the user via the operation input unit 7. If a negative result is obtained here, the control unit 3 repeats step SP1 and waits for a point on the map to be designated by the user.

  On the other hand, if a positive result is obtained in step SP1, this indicates that the user has designated the point to set the point on the map as either the departure point, the waypoint, or the destination, At this time, the control unit 3 moves to the next step SP2.

  In step SP2, the control unit 3 displays the sub-window W1 (FIG. 4) on the display screen to set the designated point as one of the departure point, the waypoint, and the destination (that is, the landmark point). The process proceeds to step SP3.

  In step SP3, as shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 3 displays a mark (for example, a waypoint mark MV) at the position of a mark point (for example, a waypoint point PV) on the display screen, and proceeds to the next step SP4. Move.

  In step SP4, the control unit 3 selects a candidate point PC from the intersection of the virtual perpendicular drawn down from the mark point to the road existing in the vicinity of the mark point and the road, or in the vicinity of the mark point. And the process proceeds to the next step SP5.

  In step SP5, as shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 3 displays candidate point marks MC (for example, candidate point marks MC1 to MC5) at the positions of the candidate points PC (for example, candidate points PC1 to PC5) on the display screen. Then, the process proceeds to the next step SP6.

  In step SP6, as shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 3 displays related information (for example, sub-windows WC1 to WC5) such as the name of a nearby store and the width of a road in association with each candidate point PC. Control goes to step SP7.

  In step SP7, the control unit 3 causes the user to select any one of the landmark point or the candidate point PC (for example, the transit point PV or the candidate points PC1 to PC5), and proceeds to the next step SP8.

  In step SP8, the control unit 3 determines whether or not the candidate point PC is selected by the user. If a positive result is obtained here, this means that the candidate point PC has been selected, and thus the selected candidate point PC needs to be further set as either a passing point or a non-passing point. At this time, the controller 3 proceeds to the next step SP9.

  In step SP9, as shown in FIG. 6, the control unit 3 displays the subwindow W2 having selection items such as “passing point” and “non-passing point” in the vicinity of the selected candidate point PC. The selected candidate point PC is set as either a passing point or a non-passing point, and the process proceeds to the next step SP10.

  In step SP10, as shown in FIG. 7, the control unit 3 displays the passing point mark MA or the non-passing point mark MN instead of the candidate point mark MC at the position of the selected candidate point PC, and returns to step SP7 again. Return.

  On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP8, this means that a landmark point (for example, a stop point PV) is selected instead of the candidate point PC, and the user completes setting of a passing point or a non-passing point for the candidate point PC. At this time, the control unit 3 ends the setting of the passing point and the non-passing point in the vicinity of the mark point (for example, the point PV of the waypoint), and performs the next step to perform the next process. Move to SP11.

  In step SP11, the control unit 3 determines whether or not a destination is set. If a negative result is obtained here, the control unit 3 returns to step SP1 again and waits for the user to set a destination on the map.

  On the other hand, when a positive result is obtained in step SP11, this indicates that the destination has already been set, and at this time, the control unit 3 moves to the next step SP11.

  In step SP12, the control unit 3 searches for a route from the departure point to the destination so as to pass through the passing point and not through the non-passing point according to a predetermined route search processing procedure, and proceeds to the next step SP13.

  In step SP13, the control unit 3 presents the searched route to the user by causing the display unit 2 to display the searched route in a state of being overlaid on the map, and proceeds to the next step SP14 to end the route presentation processing procedure RT1. To do.

(4) Operation and Effect In the above configuration, when a point on the map is selected by the user's operation, the navigation device 1 sets the selected point as a departure point, a transit point, or a destination (that is, a landmark point). After being set to any one, a mark is displayed on the map, and a plurality of candidate points PC are set from points or intersections on the road in the vicinity of the selected point, and the candidate point mark MC is displayed.

  Here, the navigation device 1 allows the user to set an arbitrary number of candidate points PC as a passing point or a non-passing point, and the passing point mark MA and the non-passing point mark at the position of the passing point and the non-passing point on the map, respectively. After displaying the MN, a route that passes through the passing point and does not pass through the non-passing point is searched for and presented.

  Accordingly, the navigation device 1 can allow the user to select a passing point from the candidate points PC displayed in the vicinity of the landmark point such as the departure point, the waypoint, or the destination. It is possible to determine a route that leads along.

  At this time, the navigation device 1 determines the route so as to pass through the candidate points PC1, PC2, and PC4 set as passing points in the vicinity of the waypoint, not the point PV designated by the user. Since the marks MA1, MA2, and MA4 are displayed on the map, the user can visually recognize the position of the point that actually passes on the route.

  Similarly, the navigation apparatus 1 sets the candidate point PC13 set as a passing point in the vicinity of the starting point instead of the point PS designated by the user as the starting point of the substantial route. Since the passing point mark MA13 is displayed on the map, the user can visually recognize the position of the starting point in this route by the passing point mark MA13.

  Further, the navigation device 1 sets the candidate point PC23 last set as a passing point in the vicinity of the destination as well as the point PG designated by the user as the actual end point of the route. Since the passing point mark MA23 is displayed on the map, the position of the end point in this route can be visually recognized by the user by the passing point mark MA23.

  In addition, the navigation apparatus 1 uses the intersection of the virtual perpendicular drawn from the mark point to the road existing in the vicinity of the mark point and the road, or the intersection existing in the vicinity of the mark point as the candidate point PC. Therefore, by causing the user to perform a simple operation such as selecting the candidate point, it is possible to easily set a road or an intersection that the user wants to pass in the vicinity of the mark position as a passing point.

  In addition, when a plurality of candidate points PC are selected and set as passing points, the navigation device recognizes the set order as the order to pass, and sets a route so as to pass through each passing point in the set order. Since it is possible to search, it is possible to cope with the user's wishes in detail, and it is not necessary to perform a troublesome operation such as setting a passing order separately.

  For example, considering that the automobile is on the left side of the road, as shown in FIG. 7, in order to stop the automobile at the point PV on the road, Assume that the candidate points PC4 to PC2 are selected in order from the left to the right on the map. In this case, as shown in FIG. 11, the navigation device 1 can determine the route so that the road facing the point PV of the waypoint is directed from the left to the right in the drawing.

  On the other hand, when the candidate point PC is set as a non-passing point by the user's operation, the navigation device 1 can determine a route so as not to pass through the candidate point. By setting roads, intersections, and the like that you do not want to pass as the non-passing points, it is possible to determine a route that does not pass through the non-passing points.

  At this time, the navigation device 1 displays the non-passing point mark MN at the position of the non-passing point on the map, thereby allowing the user to visually recognize the position of the non-passing point on the map.

  Furthermore, the navigation apparatus 1 can present related information such as the name of a store and the width of a road existing near the candidate point PC by displaying the subwindow WC in association with each candidate point PC. The user can be referred to when setting the candidate point PC as a passing point or a non-passing point.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the navigation device 1 displays that there is a large store (△△ department store) in the vicinity in the sub-window WC4, so that the road adjacent to the large store is highly likely to be congested. Is presented indirectly. Thus, the user can dare to set the candidate point PC1 as a passing point so as to avoid a road adjacent to the large store.

  According to the above configuration, the navigation device 1 displays a mark at a landmark point such as a departure point, a transit point, or a destination selected by the user on the map, and a point on the road in the vicinity of the landmark point or In a state where the intersection is set as the candidate point PC and the candidate point mark MC is displayed, the user is allowed to set an arbitrary number of candidate points PC as a passing point or a non-passing point, and the passing point mark MA is respectively set to the passing point and the non-passing point. And a non-passing point mark MN is displayed and a route that passes through the passing point but does not pass through the non-passing point is searched and determined, so that it passes from the candidate points PC displayed in the vicinity of the landmark point. Since the user can select and visually recognize the point, it is possible to determine and present a route that leads to the user's wish in the vicinity of the landmark.

(5) Other Embodiments In the above-described embodiment, the case where the user is allowed to set the candidate point PC as a passing point or a non-passing point or neither is set, but the present invention has been described. For example, the candidate point PC selected by the user without setting the non-passing point is set as the passing point, or the candidate point PC selected by the user without setting the passing point is set. You may make it set to a non-passing point.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the candidate point PC is set from the point on the road and the intersection within the predetermined range from the mark point in the vicinity of the mark point (that is, the departure point, the waypoint, or the destination). However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, candidate points PC are set only from points on the road that are within a predetermined range from the mark point, or from only intersections that are within the predetermined range from the mark point. You may make it do.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the candidate point mark MC is displayed as a circle at the position of the candidate point PC on the map has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a triangle, a quadrangle, etc. It may have any shape, and the color may be any color, or a photograph or the like may be displayed instead of the mark. Further, in addition to displaying the same candidate point mark MC on all candidate points PC, candidate points of candidate points PC that can be recommended to the user for reasons such as changing the mark between roads and intersections or wide roads, for example. The candidate point mark MC may be changed depending on each candidate point PC, such as increasing the size of the mark MC.

  Further, based on the history that the user has selected the passing point from the candidate points PC in the navigation device 1, the tendency of the candidate point PC that the user selects as the passing point is analyzed, and as a result of the analysis, for example, the user If the probability of selecting a wide road as a passing point is high, when the candidate point mark MC is displayed at the candidate point PC, the candidate point mark MC of the wide road is made larger than the others, or the cursor CUR is first displayed. May be combined.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, when a plurality of candidate points PC are set as passing points among a plurality of candidate points PC in the vicinity of the landmark point, a route is searched so as to pass through the passing points according to the set order. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the navigation apparatus 1 may automatically determine the order without specifying the order for the set passing points. Anyway.

  Further, in this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 13 in which the same reference numerals are assigned to corresponding parts to FIG. 7, the passing point mark MA2 is replaced with the passing point mark MA2 at the position of the point PC2 closest to the destination point MV. You may make it display the near passage point mark MB2 consisting of a larger mark. As a result, the user can visually recognize that the candidate point PC2 is a substantial waypoint. The proximity passing point mark MB2 may be made larger than the normal passing point mark MA2, or the mark type may be changed to a square or a star, or the color may be changed or blinked. Can be distinguished from the normal passing point mark MA.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where related information is displayed in the vicinity of the candidate site PC by the subwindow WC (FIG. 5) has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the related information is not displayed at all. The contents to be displayed may be selected in advance such as not to display or to display only the road width. Further, in this case, the “net search” button may not be displayed.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where a mobile phone is connected to the communication interface unit 6 and connected to the Internet or the like has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the communication interface unit 6 includes the communication interface unit 6. Instead, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) interface or the like conforming to the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11g standard or the like is provided, and a communication connection with the Internet or the like is established via the wireless LAN interface. A (Universal Serial Bus) interface may be provided, connected to a personal computer via a USB cable in a home state, and connected to the Internet or the like via the personal computer.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the storage unit 4 is configured by a hard disk drive has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory) drive, An optical disk drive such as a DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disc-Read Only Memory) drive, a semiconductor memory such as a Memory Stick (registered trademark), or a combination thereof may be used.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, regardless of whether the navigation device 1 is attached to or detached from the cradle 100, when the landmark point is set, the candidate point PC is unconditionally set to be set as a passing point or a non-passing point. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in the in-vehicle state in which the navigation device 1 is attached to the cradle 100, the distance from the landmark point, which is a condition for setting candidate points, is greater than the home state. Change the process according to the attachment / detachment state, such as selecting the candidate point closest to the mark point without passing through the candidate point mark MC without displaying the candidate point mark MC after setting the candidate point PC. You may make it carry out, and you may make it make a user set the change content beforehand.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the attachment / detachment state between the navigation device 1 and the cradle 100 is mechanically detected by the attachment / detachment detection unit 9 is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The attachment / detachment state is detected by various other methods such as detection of a change in power supply voltage, presence / absence of a vehicle speed pulse signal, vehicle alternator noise, and state detection based on a change in the current position based on GPS reception data DG. May be.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the navigation apparatus 1 detects the traveling state of the vehicle by acquiring the vehicle speed pulse signal via the cradle 100 has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto, For example, the navigation device 1 or the cradle 100 is equipped with various sensors such as an acceleration sensor, a vibration sensor, and a gyro sensor so as to detect the running state of the vehicle, or a parking brake signal indicating a parking brake state and a steering angle of the steering wheel. A steering rudder angle signal or the like corresponding to the vehicle may be acquired to detect the traveling state of the vehicle.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to the navigation device 1 on the premise that the vehicle is mounted on the vehicle is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a mobile phone or a PDA (Personal) The present invention may be applied to various electronic devices having a navigation function such as a digital assistant) or a personal computer.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the route presentation program is stored in the storage unit 4 in advance has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the route presentation program is stored in the ROM 12 or the nonvolatile memory. 13 or another storage medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory) or a memory stick (registered trademark) or a removable storage medium, Alternatively, it may be supplied from the outside via the communication interface unit 6. In this case, the route presentation program does not necessarily have to be supplied in an executable format, and may be executed after decompressing and installing precompressed data.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the point recognition unit 31 as a recognition unit, the candidate point setting unit 32 as a candidate point setting unit, the mark display unit 33 as a mark display unit, and the candidate point as a route search unit Although the case where the route presenting unit 28 as the route presenting device is configured by the selection receiving unit 35 and the route searching unit 36 has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and other recognition means including various circuit configurations and candidate points The route presentation device may be configured by setting means, mark display means, and route search means. Furthermore, in addition to realizing recognition means, candidate point setting means, mark display means, and route search means by executing software in the control unit 3, the recognition means and candidate point setting means are implemented by hardware. And mark display means and route search means.

  The present invention can also be used in various electronic devices having a navigation function.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the navigation apparatus by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the functional block structure of a control part. It is a basic diagram which shows the positional relationship of a departure place, a waypoint, and the destination. It is an approximate line figure used for explanation of selection of a waypoint. It is an approximate line figure used for explanation of a display of a candidate point. It is a basic diagram with which it uses for description of the setting of a passing point or a non-passing point. It is an approximate line figure used for explanation of a display of a passing point. It is a basic diagram with which it uses for description of the display of the candidate point in the vicinity of a departure place. It is a basic diagram with which it uses for description of the display of the passing point and non-passing point in the vicinity of a departure place. It is a basic diagram with which it uses for description of the display of the candidate point in the destination vicinity. It is an approximate line figure used for explanation of determination of a route. It is a flowchart which shows a route presentation process procedure. It is a basic diagram with which it uses for description of the display of the passing point by other embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Navigation apparatus, 2 ... Display part, 3 ... Control part, 10 ... CPU, 27 ... Display screen production | generation part, 28 ... Route presentation part, 31 ... Point recognition part, 32 ... Candidate point Setting unit 33... Mark display unit 34. Related information display unit 35 35 Candidate point selection receiving unit 36. Route search unit PV, PS, PG... Point, PC 1 to PC 5, PC 11 to PC 16 , PC21 to PC25... Candidate points, MV .. waypoint mark, MS... Start point mark, MG... Destination mark, MC1 to MC5, MC11 to MC16, MC21 to MC25 ... candidate point marks, MA1 and MA2 , MA4, MA13, MA22, MA23... Passing point mark, MN12.

Claims (10)

A route presentation device for presenting a route from a specified starting point to a destination on a map displayed on a display means,
A point recognizing means for recognizing that a desired point on the map is designated as the departure point, the destination, or a transit point to be routed on the way from the departure point to the destination;
Candidate point setting means for setting a plurality of candidate points corresponding to the desired point, located on a route constituent unit which is a unit for forming the route in the map;
Mark display means for displaying predetermined marks at positions on the map respectively corresponding to the plurality of candidate points;
Route search means for searching for and presenting a route leading to the desired point according to a selected candidate point arbitrarily selected by the user from a plurality of candidate points displaying the mark on the map in the vicinity of the desired point A route presentation device characterized by comprising. The route search means
The route search apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the route is searched so as to pass through the selection candidate points selected as passing points to be included in the route. The route search means
3. The route according to claim 2, wherein when a plurality of selection candidate points are selected as passing points to be included in the route, the route is searched so as to pass through the plurality of selected selection candidate points according to a selection order. Route search device. The route search means
When a plurality of the selection candidate points are selected as passing points to be included in the route and the order is specified separately, the route is searched so as to pass through the selected candidate points according to the specified order. The route search device according to claim 2. The route search means
The route search apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the route is searched so as not to pass the selection candidate point selected as a non-passing point to be excluded from the route. The candidate point setting means includes:
Among the links corresponding to the roads on the map that are the unit of the route, a perpendicular line is virtually drawn from the desired point to a plurality of links located within a predetermined range from the desired point. The route search device according to claim 1, wherein each intersection point with a perpendicular line is set as the candidate point. The candidate point setting means includes:
2. The route according to claim 1, wherein among the nodes corresponding to the intersection on the map which is the unit of the route, a plurality of nodes located within a predetermined range from the desired point are set as the candidate points. Search device. The mark display means is
A predetermined mark is displayed at each of the locations corresponding to the plurality of candidate points on the map, and a related information presentation window for presenting information related to each candidate point is displayed in the vicinity of each candidate point. The route search device according to claim 1, wherein: A route presenting method for presenting a route from a specified starting point to a destination on a map displayed on a display means,
A point recognition step for recognizing that the desired point on the map is designated as the departure point, the destination, or a transit point to be routed from the departure point to the destination;
A candidate point setting step for setting a plurality of candidate points corresponding to the desired point located on a route constituent unit which is a unit for forming the route in the map;
A mark display step for displaying predetermined marks at positions on the map respectively corresponding to the plurality of candidate points;
In the vicinity of the desired point, a route search step for searching and presenting a route leading to the desired point according to a selected candidate point arbitrarily selected by the user from a plurality of candidate points displaying the mark on the map. A route presentation method characterized by comprising. For the route presentation device that presents the route from the specified starting point to the destination on the map displayed on the display means,
A point recognition step for recognizing that the desired point on the map is designated as the departure point, the destination, or a transit point to be routed from the departure point to the destination;
A candidate point setting step for setting a plurality of candidate points corresponding to the desired point located on a route constituent unit which is a unit for forming the route in the map;
A mark display step for displaying predetermined marks at positions on the map respectively corresponding to the plurality of candidate points;
In the vicinity of the desired point, a route search step for searching and presenting a route leading to the desired point according to a selected candidate point arbitrarily selected by the user from a plurality of candidate points displaying the mark on the map. A route presenting program characterized by being executed.

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