JP2006349408A - Navigation device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform travel guidance so as to reach a destination through a travelable area between a place of departure and a destination even if such an area exists in the area although there is no information on a road that connects with peripheral roads in a map database. <P>SOLUTION: If an area exists between a place of departure and a destination which is travelable although there is no information on a road that connects with peripheral roads in the map database, a guidance route reaching the destination is set from a first point existing on the periphery of this area (S107). In this area, the first point is used as a guidance point to report information for performing guidance on the direction of the guidance point, and route guidance is performed in accordance with the guidance route set by a first route setting means from the first point to the destination (S109). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a navigation device that provides route guidance to a destination.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, navigation devices that have been widely used are designed to search for a guidance route to a destination based on road information stored in a map database, and perform route guidance according to the searched route. In this route guidance, for example, a guidance route to a destination is displayed on a map, and when approaching the guidance intersection, an enlarged view of the guidance intersection is displayed, and voice guidance such as turning left and right at the intersection is performed.

  Some navigation devices provide travel guidance for traveling in areas such as deserts and plains where there are no roads or areas where map data is not maintained. Unlike such a navigation device that performs route guidance according to the guidance route set based on the road information as described above, information such as the direction of the destination and the traveling direction is guided using an electronic compass. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

The former is called an on-road navigation device, and the latter is called an off-road navigation device.
JP 2001-91270 A

  However, the conventional navigation device is not designed to guide driving by combining the function as an on-road navigation device and the function as an off-road navigation device. If there is an area that can be accessed, such as an unsupported area, where the road information that connects the surrounding roads is not in the map database, a guidance route to reach the destination via these areas is set and route guidance is provided. There was a problem that could not be made.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and even if there is a passable area between the departure point and the destination, where there is no road information connecting the surrounding roads in the map database, such an area is not included. The purpose is to provide travel guidance to reach the destination via.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an area on the outer periphery of the area where there is a passable area between the starting point and the destination, but the road information connecting the surrounding roads is not in the map database. A guidance route from the first existing point to the destination is set, and when the current position is within the area, the guidance means uses the first point as a guidance point and guides the direction of the guidance point. Information is notified and route guidance is performed from the first point to the destination according to the guidance route set by the first route setting means.

  In this way, even if there is a passable area between the departure point and the destination, but there is no road information connecting the surrounding roads in the map database, the first point existing on the outer periphery of the area A guidance route from the destination to the destination is set, and when the current position is within the area, the guidance means uses the first point as a guidance point and informs information for guiding the direction of the guidance point. From one point to the destination, route guidance can be performed according to the guidance route set by the first route setting means.

  In addition, the present invention provides, when there is a passable area between the departure place and the destination where there is no road information connecting the surrounding roads in the map database, the second information that exists on the outer periphery of the area from the departure place. A second route setting unit that sets a guide route to the second point, and the guide unit performs route guidance according to the guide route set by the second route setting unit until reaching the area. Yes.

  As described above, even if there is a passable area between the departure point and the destination, but there is no road information connecting the surrounding roads in the map database, the second existing on the outer periphery of the area from the departure point. A guidance route to the point is set, and the guidance unit can perform route guidance according to the guidance route set by the second route setting unit until reaching this area.

  In addition, when it is determined by the route search determination means that the guide route to the destination is not searched, the first and second route setting means can set the first and second guide routes, respectively. .

  In addition, the first and second route setting means, when it is determined that the area where the road is accessible although the road information connecting the surrounding roads is not in the map database is the area where the vehicle can pass, Since the first and second guidance routes are set, for example, it is possible to prevent travel guidance from being performed in an area where the vehicle cannot pass, such as the sea.

  Further, the first route setting means can set a point on the outer periphery of the region forming the optimum route from the region to the destination as the first point.

  Further, the second route setting means can set a point on the outer periphery of the region forming the optimum route from the departure point to the region as the second point.

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a navigation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The navigation device 1 includes a map database (denoted as map DB in the figure) 10, a display device 11, and a CPU 12.

  The map database 10 stores so-called map matching data, map data including road information such as node information and link information, and the like. The map database 10 is stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, DVD, or hard disk drive.

  The display device 11 has a display such as a liquid crystal and displays an image corresponding to an image signal input from the CPU 12 on the display.

  The CPU 12 has a memory such as a RAM and a ROM, constitutes a computer, and performs various processes for navigation in accordance with a program stored in the ROM. Various processes for navigation include a GPS signal input from a GPS antenna, a vehicle speed pulse input from a vehicle speed sensor, a signal input from a gyro sensor (not shown), etc. Vehicle position calculation processing for calculating the vehicle and processing for displaying various images on the display of the display device 11.

  When a destination and route search instruction is input from an operation unit (not shown) in response to a user operation, the CPU 12 of the navigation device 1 uses the Dijkstra method or the like based on road information contained in the map database 10. A guide route is formed by searching for the optimum route to the destination. In searching for the optimum route, conditions such as a route having the shortest required distance and a route having the shortest required time can be set in advance by the operation of the operation unit of the user. When a route guidance start instruction is input from the operation unit, route guidance is performed according to the guidance route.

In addition, when the CPU 12 of the navigation device 1 according to the present embodiment searches for a route from the current location to the destination and cannot set a guidance route, the CPU 12 exists between the current location A and the destination Z as shown in FIG. Travel guidance is provided so as to reach the destination via the “area without road” I.

Here, “area without road” I means “area where road information connecting surrounding roads is not in the map database”. Examples of the “area without roads” I include places such as deserts, plains, and seas. Also, in this “area without road” I, that is, “area where road information connecting surrounding roads is not in the map database”, “area where map data is not maintained” even if a road actually exists Is also included.

  Next, the route guidance process by the CPU 12 will be described with reference to FIG. When a route search instruction is input together with the destination from the operation unit, the CPU 12 performs this route guidance process in parallel with the various processes for navigation described above.

  First, the optimum route from the current location to the destination is searched. Specifically, based on the road information included in the map database 10, the optimum route from the current location to the destination is searched using the Dijkstra method or the like to form a guidance route (S100).

  Next, as a result of the route search, it is determined whether or not there is a road between the current location and the destination based on whether or not the optimum route has been searched. If the optimum route is found as a result of route search, it is determined that there is a road between the current location and the destination. If the optimum route is not found as a result of route search, a road is found between the current location and the destination. It is determined that there is not (S102).

  Here, when the optimum route is searched as a result of the route search, the determination in S102 is YES, and then when the route guidance start instruction is input from the operation unit in accordance with the user's operation, the formed guidance According to the route, route guidance (on-road guidance) as an on-road navigation device is performed (S103), and this process is terminated.

  The on-road guidance performs route guidance according to a guidance route set based on road information included in the map database 10, and is the same as route guidance performed by a navigation device that is generally popular. For example, the vehicle position mark is displayed on the display map of the display device 11 together with the guidance route, and when the vehicle approaches the guidance intersection, an enlarged view of the intersection is displayed on the display of the display device 11, A voice output device (not shown) is used to output voice guidance such as turning left or right at an intersection.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the “area without road” I between the current location A and the destination Z
Is present and the optimum route is not searched, the determination in S102 is NO, and it is next determined with reference to the map database 10 whether this "area without road" I is an area where vehicles can pass. To do. For example, when this “area without road” I is the sea, it is determined that the vehicle cannot pass, and when it is a desert or a plain, it is determined that the vehicle can pass ( S104).

Here, when the “area without road” I is an area where vehicles cannot pass, S104.
Is determined as NO, the fact that the route calculation is impossible is displayed on the display of the display device 11 (S110), and the process is terminated.

If the “area without road” I is an area where vehicles can pass, the determination in S104 is YES, and next, a guidance route is set in S106 to S108.

In S106, the shortest route from the current location A to "area without road" I is searched. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4A, a guide route from the current location A to each point (for example, point B) to which a road on the outer periphery of the “area without road” I is connected is searched. Using the Dijkstra method or the like, the shortest route (optimal route) is selected from the searched routes to form a guide route, and this guide route is stored in the memory. That is, a route from the current location A to each point to which a road on the outer periphery of the “area without road” I is connected is searched, and the optimum route is selected as the guide route from the searched routes, thereby obtaining the current location A To the second point where the road on the outer periphery of “area without road” I is connected. Here, it is assumed that the point B is the second point and that the guide route indicated by the bold line from the current location A to the second point is formed.

In S107, the shortest route from “area without road” I to destination Z is searched. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4B, a route from each point (for example, point C) to which the road on the outer periphery of the “area without road” I is connected to the destination Z is searched. Using the Dijkstra method or the like, the shortest route (optimal route) is selected from the searched routes to form a guide route, and this guide route is stored in the memory. That is, a route from each point (for example, point C) to which the road on the outer periphery of “area without road” I is connected to the destination Z is searched, and the optimum route is selected from the searched routes. Thus, a guide route from the first point where the road on the outer periphery of the “area without road” I is connected to the destination Z is set. Here, the point C is defined as a first point, and a route indicated by a thick line from the first point to the destination Z will be described as a guide route.

In S108, as shown in FIG. 4C, in the “area without road” I, the second point (point B) and the first point (point C) are connected, and the route search is terminated.

In this way, a guide route from the current location A to the point B of the “area without road” I and a guide route from the point C of the “area without road” I to the destination Z are set.

Next, when a route guidance start instruction is input from the operation unit, route guidance is performed according to the guidance route. Specifically, when traveling on the first and second guidance routes set based on the road information, route guidance (on-road guidance) is performed as an on-road navigation device, and the vehicle travels within the “area without road” I. When doing so, route guidance (off-road guidance) as an off-road navigation device is performed (S109), and this processing is terminated.

  Off-road guidance uses a compass display along with a map screen showing the route to the next guidance point or destination in a straight line, and the display device 11 displays the traveling direction of the vehicle and the direction of the next guidance point or destination. The travel guidance is performed by displaying on the screen. For example, a compass display screen is displayed in the lower right area of the display device 11 and a map screen is displayed in the remaining area.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of display on the display device 11 for compass display in off-road guidance. There are two types of compass display: north up with north facing up and heading up with vehicle orientation (traveling direction) up. (a) is a guide screen at the time of north-up, and (b) shows a display example of the guide screen at the time of heading-up. As shown in FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (b), the display indicating the east, west, south, and north (E, W, S, N), the display indicating the direction of the vehicle, and the next guidance point (denoted as the destination in the figure) A display indicating the direction is displayed on the guidance screen. Note that display switching between north-up and heading-up is performed by a user operation on the operation unit.

  In off-road guidance, a straight line distance between the current location and the next guidance point is calculated based on the coordinates (latitude and longitude) of the current location and the next guidance point, and the calculated distance is displayed on the display device 11.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, when the vehicle travels between the current location A and the guidance point B, on-road guidance that provides travel guidance with the second point (point B) as the next guidance point is provided. When the point B is reached, the vehicle automatically switches to off-road guidance that provides travel guidance using the first guidance point (point C) as the next guidance point. It automatically switches to travel guidance and performs travel guidance on the route to the destination Z.

  According to the configuration described above, when there is a passable area between the departure point and the destination that does not have road information connecting the surrounding roads in the map database, the second information that exists on the outer periphery of this area is present. When a guidance route from the point 1 to the destination is set and the current position is within the area, the first point is the guidance point, and information for guiding the direction of the guidance point is informed, Route guidance is performed from the first point to the destination according to the set guidance route.

  In this way, even if there is a passable area between the departure point and the destination, but there is no road information connecting the surrounding roads in the map database, the first point existing on the outer periphery of the area When the guide route from the destination to the destination is set and the current position is within the area, the first point is set as the guide point, information for guiding the direction of the guide point is notified, and the first point is Route guidance can be performed up to the destination according to the set guidance route.

  The correspondence relationship between the configuration in the above embodiment and the configuration of the claims will be described. S106 corresponds to the first route setting unit, S107 corresponds to the second route setting unit, and S103 and S109 include S100 corresponds to the route search means, S102 corresponds to the route search determination means, and S104 corresponds to the passage permission determination means.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, Based on the meaning of this invention, it can implement with a various form.

  For example, in the above embodiment, when it is determined in S102 that the optimum route is not searched, a guide route to reach the destination via this area is set, and travel guidance to the destination is performed. Even when it is determined in S102 that the optimum route has been searched, a guidance route that reaches the destination via the above-described region may be set to provide travel guidance to the destination.

  In the above embodiment, an example is shown in which the next guidance point and the distance to the next guidance point are displayed on the display device 11 during off-road guidance. For example, the direction of the next guidance point and the next guidance point The distance to the guide point or the like may be output as audio from the audio output means.

Further, in the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the case where “area without road” I exists between the current location and the destination is shown as an example, but the current location is “area without road”. It can also be applied to the case of being located in I. In this case, S106 and S108 in FIG. 3 are omitted, and within the “area without road” I, off-road guidance is performed to the next guidance point according to the route searched in S108, and the “area without road” I is reached. Then, what is necessary is just to perform on-road guidance to the destination.

Further, in the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, an example is shown in which “area without road” I exists between the current location and the destination, but the destination is “area without road”. It can also be applied to the case of being in “I”. In this case, S107 and S108 in FIG. 3 are omitted, and on-road guidance is performed up to the next guidance point up to “area without road” I according to the route searched in S106, and “area without road” I is reached. Then, off-road guidance may be performed up to the destination.

  In the above embodiment, an example in which the on-road guidance and the off-road guidance are automatically switched according to the traveling position of the host vehicle has been described. It may be possible to provide off-road guidance according to the operation.

  In the above embodiment, an example in which the navigation device is mounted on a vehicle has been described. However, the present invention may be applied to, for example, a portable navigation device that can be carried by a person.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the navigation apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the action | operation of a navigation apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the guidance route search process of CPU. It is explanatory drawing about a route search in case "area without a road" I exists from the present location A to the destination Z. It is a figure which shows the example of the display display of the display apparatus of the compass display in off-road guidance.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Navigation apparatus, 10 ... Map database, 11 ... Display apparatus, 12 ... CPU.

Claims (10)

Route search means for searching for a guide route from a departure point to a destination based on road information stored in the map database; and guide means for performing route guidance according to the guide route searched by the route search means. A navigation device comprising:
If there is a road area between the departure point and the destination that does not have road information connecting the surrounding roads in the map database, the first point that exists on the outer periphery of the area can be Comprising a first route setting means for setting a guide route leading to
When the current position is within the area, the guide means uses the first point as a guide point, notifies information for guiding the direction of the guide point, and travels from the first point to the destination. Is a navigation apparatus that performs route guidance according to the guidance route set by the first route setting means. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the guidance unit acquires a direction of the host vehicle and displays the direction of the host vehicle together with the direction of the guide point on the display unit. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the guide unit calculates a distance from a current location to the guide point and displays the distance on the display unit. The navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the guide unit displays a direction of the guide point on the display unit with reference to a direction of the own vehicle. The navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the guide means displays the direction of the guide point on the display unit based on information indicating east, west, north, and south. A second route setting means for setting a guide route from the departure point to a second point existing on the outer periphery of the region when the region exists between the departure point and the destination;
The navigation according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the guidance unit performs route guidance according to the guidance route set by the second route setting unit until reaching the area. apparatus. Route search determination means for determining whether or not a guide route to the destination has been searched by the route search means,
The said 1st, 2nd route setting means sets the 1st, 2nd guidance route, respectively, when it determines with the said route search determination means not searching the said guidance route, The 1st, 2nd guidance route is set, respectively. The navigation device described in 1. A road passability determining means for determining whether or not an area that can be passed although road information connecting the surrounding roads is not in the map database is an area in which a vehicle can pass;
The first and second route setting means may set the first and second guide routes, respectively, when the area is determined to be an area through which the vehicle can pass by the passage permission / inhibition determining means. The navigation device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that The first route setting means searches for a route from each point where roads on the outer periphery of the region are connected to the destination, and selects an optimum route as a guide route from the searched routes. The navigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a guide route from the first point to the destination is set. The second route setting means searches for a route from the departure point to each point to which a road on the outer periphery of the region is connected, and selects an optimum route as a guide route from the searched routes. The navigation device according to claim 6, wherein a guide route from the departure place to the second point is set.

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