JP2007212972A - Map information survey device, map information survey method, and map information survey program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a map information survey device capable of reducing misacquisition of information by properly assisting a surveyor in collecting map information. <P>SOLUTION: The map information survey device is mounted on a vehicle and suitably used to assist the surveyor in surveying roads having predetermined properties. A road property decision means decides whether the vehicle begins to pass through a road having the predetermined properties and whether the vehicle has passed through the road having the predetermined properties on the basis of the present position of the vehicle and the map information. An alarm means gives an alarm to the surveyor based upon the decision of the road property decision means. Namely, the alarm means gives notice of a state wherein the acquisition of information on the predetermined road should be started and a state wherein the acquisition of information on the predetermined road should be ended. Consequently, misacquisition of information on the predetermined road by the surveyor and overacquisition of information can be suppressed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a map information investigation device that is mounted on a vehicle and supports investigation of map information by an investigator.

  Conventionally, in order to create and update map information, vehicle surveys have been conducted by investigators. For example, Patent Literature 1 describes a technique for investigating constituent elements of map information frequently used in daily life. Patent Document 2 describes a technique for analyzing the operation state of a vehicle based on the stop time or the traveling speed of the vehicle. Patent Document 3 describes a map information survey support device that travels traffic regulation information.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-77751 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-161685 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-332391

  However, in the techniques described in Patent Documents 1 to 3, the investigator is basically conducting a visual inspection, so that information to be acquired may be missed. In addition, the investigator who was traveling had to decide whether or not the information was to be obtained, which put a burden on the investigator.

  Examples of the problem to be solved by the present invention are as described above. This invention makes it a subject to reduce the omission of acquisition of information by assisting the investigation of the map information by the investigator appropriately.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the map information investigation device mounted on the vehicle and supporting the investigation of the road having the predetermined attribute by the investigator includes the current position obtaining unit for obtaining the current position of the vehicle, and the storage unit. Map data acquisition means for acquiring the map data stored in the table, whether or not the vehicle has started to pass the road having the predetermined attribute, and whether or not the vehicle has finished passing the road having the predetermined attribute When the road attribute determining means and the road attribute determining means determine that the vehicle has started to pass the road having the predetermined attribute, and that the vehicle has finished passing the road having the predetermined attribute And a warning means for issuing a warning to the investigator in the case of being performed.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a map information investigation method that is executed in a vehicle and that assists an investigator to investigate a road having a predetermined attribute, a current position acquisition step of acquiring a current position of the vehicle, and a storage unit A map data acquisition step for acquiring the map data stored in the table, whether or not the vehicle has started to pass through the road having the predetermined attribute, and whether or not the vehicle has passed the road having the predetermined attribute. In the road attribute determination step for determining and the road attribute determination step, it is determined that the vehicle has started to pass the road having the predetermined attribute, and that the vehicle has finished passing the road having the predetermined attribute And a warning process for issuing a warning to the investigator when it is done.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a map information survey program that is mounted on a vehicle and that is executed by a computer that supports a survey of a road having a predetermined attribute by a researcher, and obtains a current location of the vehicle Means, map data acquisition means for acquiring map data stored in the storage means, whether or not the vehicle has started to pass the road having the predetermined attribute, and whether or not the vehicle has passed the road having the predetermined attribute Road attribute determining means for determining whether or not the vehicle has started to pass the road with the predetermined attribute, and when the vehicle has finished passing the road with the predetermined attribute. The computer is caused to function as a warning means for issuing a warning to the investigator when it is determined that the check has been made.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, a map information investigation device that is mounted on a vehicle and that supports an investigation of a road with a predetermined attribute by an investigator includes a current position acquisition unit that acquires the current position of the vehicle, and a storage unit Map data acquisition means for acquiring the map data stored in the table, whether or not the vehicle has started to pass the road having the predetermined attribute, and whether or not the vehicle has finished passing the road having the predetermined attribute When the road attribute determining means and the road attribute determining means determine that the vehicle has started to pass the road having the predetermined attribute, and that the vehicle has finished passing the road having the predetermined attribute And a warning means for issuing a warning to the investigator in the event of a failure.

  The above map information investigation device is mounted on a vehicle and is preferably used to support investigation of a road having a predetermined attribute by an investigator. The current position acquisition unit acquires the current position of the vehicle, and the map data acquisition unit acquires map data from a storage unit such as a database. The road attribute determining means determines whether or not the vehicle has started to pass through a road having a predetermined attribute and whether or not the vehicle has finished passing through a road having a predetermined attribute, based on the current position of the vehicle and map data. . The warning means issues a warning to the investigator when it is determined that the vehicle has started to pass the road having the predetermined attribute and when it is determined that the vehicle has finished passing the road having the predetermined attribute. . That is, the warning means notifies the investigator that it is a situation where the acquisition of information on the predetermined road should be started and that the acquisition of information on the predetermined road should be terminated. As a result, it is possible to reduce the omission of information acquisition on the predetermined road by the investigator, and to suppress erroneous acquisition and excessive acquisition of information.

  In one aspect of the map information investigation device, the road having the predetermined attribute is at least one of a one-way road, an unacquired road that is not stored in the storage unit, and an unpaved road that is not paved. It is.

  In another aspect of the map information investigation device, the road attribute determination means is configured to allow the vehicle to be one-way when the vehicle approaches an intersection that satisfies a predetermined condition based on the current position and the map data. It is determined that the vehicle has started to pass the road. Thereby, the investigator can appropriately start acquisition of information on the one-way road.

  In another aspect of the above map information investigation device, the road attribute determination means, based on the current position and the map data, when the current position is no longer located on the road that the map data has, After determining that the vehicle has started to pass through an unacquired road and the current position is no longer located on the road of the map data, the current position of the vehicle is located on the road indicated by the map data. When it becomes, it determines with the said vehicle having finished passing the unacquired road. Thereby, the investigator can appropriately start and end the acquisition of information on the unacquired road.

  In another aspect of the map information survey device, the vehicle further includes vibration detection means for detecting vibration generated in the vehicle, and the road attribute determination means is configured to detect when the vibration detection means detects continuous vibration. The vehicle finishes passing through the unpaved road when it is determined that the vehicle has started passing through the unpaved road, and the vibration detecting means detects a decrease in the vibration after detecting the continuous vibration. It is determined that Thereby, the investigator can appropriately start and end the acquisition of information on the unpaved road.

  In another aspect of the present invention, a map information investigation method that is executed in a vehicle and that supports a survey of a road with a predetermined attribute by an investigator includes a current position acquisition step of acquiring the current position of the vehicle, and a storage means A map data acquisition step for acquiring stored map data, whether or not the vehicle has started to pass the road having the predetermined attribute, and whether or not the vehicle has finished passing the road having the predetermined attribute In the road attribute determining step and the road attribute determining step, it is determined that the vehicle has started to pass the road having the predetermined attribute, and that the vehicle has finished passing the road having the predetermined attribute. A warning process for issuing a warning to the investigator. Even with such a map information investigation method, it is possible to reduce information acquisition omission on a predetermined road by an investigator and to suppress erroneous acquisition or excessive acquisition of information.

  In another aspect of the present invention, a map information investigation program mounted on a vehicle and executed by a computer that supports investigation of a road having a predetermined attribute by an investigator is a current position acquisition unit that acquires a current position of the vehicle. Map data acquisition means for acquiring map data stored in the storage means, whether the vehicle has started to pass through the road having the predetermined attribute, and whether the vehicle has finished passing through the road having the predetermined attribute Road attribute determining means for determining whether the vehicle has started to pass the road with the predetermined attribute, and when the vehicle has finished passing the road with the predetermined attribute. When it is determined, the computer is caused to function as warning means for issuing a warning to the investigator. Such a map information survey program can also reduce the omission of information acquisition by a researcher on a predetermined road, and can suppress erroneous acquisition and excessive acquisition of information. In addition, said map information investigation program can be memorize | stored and memorize | stored in a storage medium.

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

[Device configuration]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a map information investigation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The map information survey device 50 is mounted on a survey vehicle (hereinafter also simply referred to as “vehicle”), and is a device used by a surveyor when surveying map information. Specifically, the investigator searches for a road having a predetermined attribute while the vehicle is traveling, and operates the map information investigation device 50 when such a road is found, thereby information on the road having the predetermined attribute. Is acquired by the map information survey device 50. The information acquired in this way is used later when creating / updating map information.

  The map information investigation device 50 includes a vehicle position specifying device 1, a front CCD camera 2, a rear CCD camera 3, a gyro sensor 4, an input device 5, a device control device 10, and a storage medium 11. The device control apparatus 10 includes a central processing unit (CPU), an image display unit (display), a database, and the like, and executes various controls and processes in the map information research apparatus 50.

  The vehicle position specifying device 1 is composed of, for example, a GPS device, and specifies the current position of the vehicle. Specifically, the vehicle position specifying device 1 acquires position information such as a geographical position of the vehicle (specifically, latitude and longitude) and a traveling direction. The vehicle position specifying device 1 supplies such position information S <b> 1 to the device control device 10. Thus, the vehicle position specifying device 1 operates as a current position acquisition unit. Note that a general navigation device can also be used as the vehicle position specifying device 1.

  The front CCD camera 2 is arranged with the front of the vehicle facing forward, and captures a scene in front of the vehicle. In addition, the rear CCD camera 3 is arranged with the rear of the vehicle facing to shoot a scene behind the vehicle. The front CCD camera 2 supplies the photographed image data S2 to the device control device 10, and the rear CCD camera 3 supplies the photographed image data S3 to the device control device 10.

  The gyro sensor 4 operates as vibration detection means and detects vibration generated in the vehicle. The gyro sensor 4 supplies the detection signal S4 to the device control apparatus 10. Note that when a navigation device is used as the vehicle position specifying device 1 as described above, vibration can be detected using a gyro sensor built in the navigation device instead of separately providing the gyro sensor 4.

  The input device 5 is operated by an investigator who has boarded the vehicle, and includes, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a joystick, operation buttons, and the like. The input device 5 is operated when the investigator determines that the acquisition of information on the travel route should be started and when it is determined that the acquisition of information on the travel route should be terminated. That is, the investigator operates the input device 5 to start the acquisition of information to the device control device 10 and end the acquisition of information in the device control device 10. Specifically, the investigator operates the input device 5 when the vehicle starts to pass through a road with a predetermined attribute and when the vehicle has finished passing through a road with a predetermined attribute. This is to cause the device control apparatus 10 to acquire only information on a road having a predetermined attribute.

  Specifically, the road having a predetermined attribute is a one-way road, an unacquired road that is not yet stored in the device control apparatus 10 (that is, a road that does not exist as map data in the database), and is not paved. Means one of the unpaved roads. In the following, a road that does not belong to any attribute among a one-way road, an unacquired road, and an unpaved road is referred to as a “normal road”. This normal road is not an object of information acquisition in the map information survey device 50. Basically, when the investigator determines that the traveling road changes from a normal road to a road having a predetermined attribute, and when it determines that the road changes from a road having a predetermined attribute to a normal road, the input device 5 is used. Manipulate.

  Further, the investigator operates the input device 5 so that the input signal S5 corresponding to the road attribute is supplied to the device control device 10. For example, when the input device 5 is provided with buttons corresponding to road attributes, the investigator presses the corresponding button. In another example, an item corresponding to the above-described attribute is displayed on the image display unit of the device control apparatus 10, and information is acquired by placing a pointer on the item and clicking the item. If configured, the investigator operates the input device 5 to place the pointer on the item and click. In this case, a mouse or the like can be used as the input device 5. Although details will be described later, since the image display unit of the device control device 10 is configured by a touch panel, the investigator can also press the touch panel instead of operating the input device 5.

  The device control apparatus 10 is configured by a personal computer (PC) or the like, and includes a system bus, a CPU, a memory, a keyboard, an image display unit, a database, a speaker, and the like. When receiving the signal S5 from the input device 5, the device control apparatus 10 starts to acquire travel path information. Then, the device control apparatus 10 stores the acquired information in the storage medium 11 by supplying the signal S11 to the storage medium 11. Furthermore, when the device control apparatus 10 receives the signal S5 again from the input device 5 during the acquisition of road information, the apparatus control apparatus 10 ends the acquisition of information and ends the storage in the storage medium 11. The storage medium 11 is configured by an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) having a large amount of storage capacity.

  As described above, since the input device 5 is operated when the road corresponds to any one of the one-way road, the unacquired road, and the unpaved road, the storage medium 11 has a predetermined attribute. Information on the road is stored. In addition, the device control apparatus 10 acquires road information for each section such as an intersection to the next intersection (hereinafter, this information is referred to as “section information”). That is, the device control apparatus 10 causes the storage medium 11 to store section information on a road having a predetermined attribute. More specifically, the section information indicates the position information S1 supplied from the vehicle position specifying device 1, the image data S2, S3 supplied from the front CCD camera 2 and the rear CCD camera 3, time, and attributes of the travel path. It consists of information. The section information stored in this way is used later when creating / updating map information.

  The database in the device control apparatus 10 stores, for example, map data in which map information for all of Japan is converted into electronic data. The database functions as storage means in the present invention. The CPU in the device control apparatus 10 operates as map data acquisition means, reads the map data stored in the database, and displays it on the image display unit of the device control apparatus 10. As a result, the investigator can conduct an investigation while observing the map data displayed on the image display unit. In addition, items corresponding to road attributes are displayed on the image display unit. Specifically, three items of a one-way road, an unacquired road, and an unpaved road are displayed on the image display unit. These items are started and ended by acquiring the section information when the pointer is set and clicked by the operation of the input device 5 by the investigator. In addition, an image indicating an item is blinked when section information corresponding to each item is being acquired. As a result, the investigator can easily confirm the item currently being acquired. Furthermore, the image display unit is configured by a touch panel. Specifically, the section information corresponding to each item is acquired by the investigator pressing the part of the item corresponding to the one-way road, the unacquired road, and the unpaved road displayed on the image display unit. Start and end are executed. In this case, the image display unit functions as an input device by the investigator together with the input device 5 described above.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, the device control apparatus 10 determines whether or not the vehicle has started to pass through a road having a predetermined attribute, and whether or not the vehicle has finished passing through a road having a predetermined attribute. That is, the device control apparatus 10 determines whether the normal road may change to any one of a one-way road, an unacquired road, and an unpaved road, and any one of the one-way road, the unacquired road, and the unpaved road. The possibility of changing from one road to a normal road is determined. In this case, the device control device 10 is based on at least one of the position information S1 supplied from the vehicle position specifying device 1, the map data read from the database, and the detection signal S4 supplied from the gyro sensor 4. The possibility that the attribute of the travel path changes is determined.

  The device control apparatus 10 issues a warning to the investigator when it is determined that the vehicle has started to pass through a road having a predetermined attribute, and when it is determined that the vehicle has finished passing through a road having a predetermined attribute. . As a result, the device control apparatus 10 notifies the investigator that it is a situation where the acquisition of section information should be started and that the acquisition of section information should be terminated. For example, the device control apparatus 10 issues a warning to the investigator by emitting a warning sound from a speaker or displaying a dialog on the image display unit. In this case, the device control apparatus 10 can issue a different warning for each item. For example, the device control apparatus 10 can announce an item name from a speaker or display a corresponding item name on a dialog. Thus, the investigator can appropriately and immediately operate the input device 5 in a situation where the acquisition of the section information should be started and a situation where the acquisition of the section information should be ended. Therefore, it is possible to suppress omission of section information acquisition by an investigator, erroneous acquisition or excessive acquisition of section information, and the like. As described above, the device control apparatus 10 operates as the road attribute determination unit and the warning unit in the present invention.

  When the device control device 10 is configured by a personal computer or other computer devices, the computer functions as the device control device 10 by executing a program prepared in advance.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the display image 10a displayed on the image display unit. In the image display unit, a map data image 25 corresponding to the current position of the vehicle (indicated by an arrow) 100 and item images 21 to 23 indicating items corresponding to attributes of the traveling road are displayed. Specifically, the item image 21 indicates a one-way road, the item image 22 indicates an unacquired road, and the item image 23 indicates an unpaved road. These item images 21 to 23 are blinked when section information corresponding to each item is being acquired. In addition, the investigator can start the acquisition of the section information and end the acquisition by operating the input device 5 and placing the pointer on the item images 21 to 23 and clicking. Furthermore, the investigator can start the acquisition of the section information and end the acquisition by pressing the part on the image display unit on which the item images 21 to 23 are displayed.

[Section information acquisition processing]
Next, the process performed in order to acquire area information is demonstrated. As described above, the investigator travels while determining whether the travel road corresponds to one of the attributes of a one-way road, an unacquired road, and an unpaved road, and the travel road has a predetermined attribute. The input device 5 is operated when it is determined that the road corresponds to the road. Thereby, the input signal S5 corresponding to the attribute of the travel route is supplied to the device control device 10, and the device control device 10 starts acquiring information corresponding to the travel route. After the normal road changes to the road with the predetermined attribute in this way, the investigator travels while determining whether the road changes from the road with the predetermined attribute to the normal road. When it is determined that the input has changed, the input device 5 is operated. Thereby, the input signal S5 is supplied to the device control apparatus 10, and the device control apparatus 10 ends the acquisition of information corresponding to the travel route.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the section information acquisition process.

  First, in step S101, the investigator visually confirms a change in the situation. In other words, the investigator determines whether or not the traveling road changes from a normal road to a road with any attribute of a one-way road, an unacquired road, and an unpaved road by looking at the scenery while traveling. to decide. When the investigator determines that the traveling road has changed from a normal road to a road having a predetermined attribute, the investigator presses a corresponding button on the input device 5 (step S102). In this case, the device control apparatus 10 acquires the signal S5 corresponding to the road attribute from the input device 5 (step S103). Next, in step S104, the device control apparatus 10 starts acquiring section information. Then, the device control apparatus 10 stores position information, image data, time, information indicating road attributes, and the like in the storage medium 11 as section information.

  Next, when the device control apparatus 10 acquires section information as described above, the investigator visually confirms a change in the situation (step S105). That is, the investigator determines whether or not the road that currently corresponds to the predetermined attribute changes to a normal road by looking at the scenery while traveling. When the investigator determines that the traveling road has changed from a road having a predetermined attribute to a normal road, the investigator presses the corresponding button on the input device 5 (step S106). In this case, the device control apparatus 10 acquires the corresponding signal S5 from the input device 5 (step S107). In step S108, the device control apparatus 10 ends the acquisition of section information. In this case, the device control apparatus 10 ends the storage of the section information in the storage medium 11. When the above process ends, the process exits the flow.

[Warning trigger processing]
Next, a warning activation process performed by the device control apparatus 10 will be described. The device control apparatus 10 determines whether or not the vehicle has started to pass a road having a predetermined attribute and whether or not the vehicle has finished passing a road having a predetermined attribute. The device control apparatus 10 issues a warning to the investigator when it is determined that the vehicle has started to pass through a road having a predetermined attribute, and when it is determined that the vehicle has finished passing through a road having a predetermined attribute. . By issuing such a warning, the device control apparatus 10 notifies the investigator that it is a situation where the acquisition of section information should be started and that the acquisition of section information should be ended. Note that the warning activation process is executed independently of the section information acquisition process described above.

  Hereinafter, the warning activation process performed by the device control apparatus 10 will be specifically described.

(One way road)
First, a warning activation process for a one-way road will be described. The device control apparatus 10 determines whether or not the vehicle has started to pass through the one-way road, and whether or not the vehicle has finished passing through the one-way road, and issues a warning based on the determination result. Specifically, the device control apparatus 10 determines that the vehicle has started passing through a one-way road when the vehicle reaches a predetermined intersection. The predetermined intersection corresponds to, for example, an intersection where a main road (such as a national road) and a secondary road are connected. In this case, the types of roads such as main roads and secondary roads are stored in advance as map data, and the device control apparatus 10 determines whether or not an intersection corresponds to a predetermined intersection based on such map data. To do. Furthermore, the apparatus control apparatus 10 determines that the vehicle has finished passing the one-way road when the vehicle starts to pass the one-way road and then reaches the next intersection. This is because when the vehicle reaches the next intersection, the vehicle has passed a section of road.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a warning activation process for a one-way road. FIG. 4 is a diagram corresponding to the map data image displayed on the image display unit of the device control apparatus 10. Moreover, in FIG. 4, the arrow shown with the code | symbol 100 shows an investigation vehicle, and the point shown with code | symbol A1-A3 has shown the intersection. In this case, the road from intersection A2 to intersection A3 corresponds to a one-way road. It is not stored in the database that the road from intersection A2 to intersection A3 is a one-way road.

  FIG. 4A shows the start of the survey. FIG. 4B shows a state when the vehicle 100 reaches the intersection A1. In this case, the device control apparatus 10 does not determine that the vehicle has started to pass the one-way road because the intersection A1 does not correspond to the predetermined intersection. Therefore, the device control apparatus 10 does not issue a warning. FIG. 4C shows a state when the vehicle 100 reaches the intersection A2. In this case, since the intersection A2 corresponds to the predetermined intersection, the device control apparatus 10 determines that the vehicle has started passing through the one-way road. Therefore, the device control apparatus 10 issues a warning. For example, the device control apparatus 10 emits a warning sound or displays a dialog indicating a one-way road on the image display unit. As a result, the device control apparatus 10 notifies the investigator that it is in a situation where acquisition of section information on the one-way road should be started. FIG. 4D shows a state when the vehicle 100 reaches the intersection A3. In this case, the device control apparatus 10 determines that the vehicle has finished passing through the one-way road because the intersection A3 is the next intersection that comes after the attribute of the traveling road has changed to a one-way road. Therefore, the device control apparatus 10 issues a warning. As a result, the device control apparatus 10 notifies the investigator that the section information acquisition is to be terminated.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a warning activation process for a one-way road. This process is repeatedly executed by the device control apparatus 10.

  First, in step S201, the device control apparatus 10 determines whether or not the vehicle has reached a predetermined intersection. In this case, the device control apparatus 10 determines whether or not the intersection where the vehicle is currently passing corresponds to a predetermined intersection based on the stored map data.

  When it is determined that the vehicle has reached a predetermined intersection (step S201; Yes), the process proceeds to step S202. In this case, the device control apparatus 10 determines that the vehicle has started passing through the one-way street. Therefore, in step S202, the device control apparatus 10 issues a warning. For example, the device control apparatus 10 emits a warning sound or displays a dialog on the image display unit. When the investigator has not started the acquisition of the section information, such a warning triggers the investigator to know that the situation is to start the acquisition of the section information. Thereby, it becomes possible for the investigator to start acquiring section information of the one-way road. When the process in step S202 is completed, the process proceeds to step S203.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the vehicle has not reached the predetermined intersection (step S201; No), the process returns to step S201. That is, the device control apparatus 10 repeatedly executes the process of step S201 until it is determined that the vehicle has reached a predetermined intersection.

  In step S203, the device control apparatus 10 determines whether or not the vehicle has reached the next intersection. In this case, the device control apparatus 10 determines whether or not the vehicle has reached the next intersection based on the position information of the vehicle and the map data.

  When it is determined that the vehicle has reached the next intersection (step S203; Yes), the process proceeds to step S204. In this case, the device control apparatus 10 determines that the vehicle has passed the one-way road. Therefore, in step S204, the device control apparatus 10 issues a warning. If the investigator has not finished acquiring the section information, the warning is triggered so that the researcher notices that the section information should be acquired. Thereby, it becomes possible for the investigator to finish obtaining the section information of the one-way road. When the process of step S204 above ends, the process exits the flow.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the vehicle has not reached the next intersection (step S203; No), the process returns to step S203. That is, the device control apparatus 10 repeatedly executes the process of step S203 until it is determined that the vehicle has reached the next intersection. As described above, when the process of step S203 is repeatedly performed, the device control apparatus 10 continuously acquires the section information of the one-way road.

  According to the above warning activation process, the investigator can appropriately start and end the acquisition of the section information on the one-way road. Therefore, the acquisition omission of the section information of the one-way road can be suppressed, and the erroneous acquisition and the excessive acquisition of the section information of the one-way road can be suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the quality deterioration of the acquired section information.

  In the above description, the one-way road is determined by determining whether the main road and the secondary road are approaching the intersection where the main road and the secondary road are connected. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In another example, a one-way road can be determined by recognizing a one-way road restriction sign, a start / end point of a section, or the like based on images taken by the front CCD camera 2 and the rear CCD camera 3. it can.

(Unacquired road)
Next, a warning activation process for an unacquired road will be described. The device control device 10 determines whether or not the vehicle has started to pass through the non-acquired road, and whether or not the vehicle has finished passing through the non-acquired road, and issues a warning based on the determination result. Specifically, when the current position of the vehicle is no longer located on the road in the map data (hereinafter, such a state is referred to as “matching lost”), the device control apparatus 10 determines that the vehicle has not acquired the road. It is determined that it has started to pass. Furthermore, the device control apparatus 10 is configured such that when the current position of the vehicle comes to be on the road in the map data after the occurrence of the matching lost (hereinafter, this state is referred to as “matching”). It is determined that the vehicle has passed the unacquired road.

  In addition, when the current position of the vehicle deviates from the road in the map data, the device control apparatus 10 determines that the matching lost is present when a road along the traveling direction of the vehicle exists in the immediate vicinity of the current position of the vehicle. Not determined to have occurred. This is because there is a high possibility that the current position of the vehicle and the position in the map data are shifted due to an error. That is, it is highly likely that the vehicle is not traveling on an unacquired road, but is traveling on a road (a road existing as map data) located in the immediate vicinity.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a warning activation process for an unacquired road. FIG. 6 is a diagram corresponding to the map data image displayed on the image display unit of the device control apparatus 10. Moreover, in FIG. 6, the arrow shown with the code | symbol 100 shows an investigation vehicle, and the point shown with code | symbol B1-B4 has shown the intersection. In this case, the road X1 (road indicated by a broken line) from the intersection B2 to the intersection B4 corresponds to an unacquired road. The road X1 and the intersection B4 are not stored in the database. Therefore, these are not actually displayed on the image display unit.

  FIG. 6A shows the start of the survey. FIG. 6B shows a state when the vehicle 100 reaches the intersection B1. In this case, the device control apparatus 10 determines that the current position of the vehicle has lost matching with the map data, and does not issue a warning. In this case, the device control apparatus 10 does not determine that the vehicle has started to pass through the unacquired road. FIG. 6C shows a state in which the vehicle 100 makes a right turn at the intersection B2 and starts traveling on the road X1. In this case, the device control apparatus 10 determines that the vehicle has started to pass through the unacquired road because the current position of the vehicle has lost matching with the map data. Therefore, the device control apparatus 10 issues a warning. For example, the device control apparatus 10 emits a warning sound or displays a dialog indicating an unacquired road on the image display unit. As a result, the device control apparatus 10 notifies the investigator that it is a situation in which the acquisition of section information on an unacquired road should be started. FIG. 6D shows a state when the vehicle 100 finishes traveling on the road X1 and turns right at the intersection B4. In this case, the device control apparatus 10 determines that the vehicle has finished passing the unacquired road because the current position of the vehicle matches the map data after the matching lost. Therefore, the device control apparatus 10 issues a warning. As a result, the device control apparatus 10 notifies the investigator that the section information acquisition is to be terminated.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a warning activation process for an unacquired road. This process is repeatedly executed by the device control apparatus 10.

  First, in step S301, the device control apparatus 10 determines whether or not the current position of the vehicle has lost matching with the map data. In this case, the device control apparatus 10 performs determination based on the position information S1 supplied from the vehicle position specifying apparatus 1 and the map data read from the database.

  If it is determined that the matching is lost (step S301; Yes), the process proceeds to step S302. In this case, the device control apparatus 10 determines that the vehicle has started to pass through the unacquired road. Therefore, in step S302, the device control apparatus 10 issues a warning. For example, the device control apparatus 10 emits a warning sound or displays a dialog on the image display unit. When the investigator has not started the acquisition of the section information, such a warning triggers the investigator to know that the situation is to start the acquisition of the section information. Thereby, it becomes possible for the investigator to start acquiring section information of the unacquired road. When the process of step S302 above ends, the process proceeds to step S303.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the matching is not lost (step S301; No), the process returns to step S301. That is, the device control apparatus 10 repeatedly executes the process of step S301 until it is determined that the current position of the vehicle has lost matching with the map data.

  In step S303, the device control apparatus 10 determines whether or not the current position of the vehicle matches the map data. When it is determined that the current position of the vehicle matches the map data (step S303; Yes), the process proceeds to step S304. In this case, the device control apparatus 10 determines that the vehicle has passed the unacquired road. Therefore, in step S304, the device control apparatus 10 issues a warning. If the investigator has not finished acquiring the section information, the warning is triggered so that the researcher notices that the section information should be acquired. Thereby, it becomes possible for the investigator to finish obtaining the section information of the unacquired road. When the process in step S304 is completed, the process exits the flow.

  On the other hand, when it determines with the present position of a vehicle not matching map data (step S303; No), a process returns to step S303. That is, the device control apparatus 10 repeatedly executes the process of step S303 until it is determined that the current position of the vehicle matches the map data. As described above, when the process of step S303 is repeatedly executed, the device control apparatus 10 continuously acquires the section information of the unacquired road.

  According to the above warning activation process, the investigator can appropriately start and end the acquisition of the section information on the unacquired road. Therefore, it is possible to suppress omission of section information on unacquired roads, and it is possible to suppress erroneous acquisition and excessive acquisition of section information on unacquired roads. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the quality deterioration of the acquired section information.

(off road)
Next, a warning activation process for an unpaved road will be described. The device control apparatus 10 determines whether or not the vehicle has started to pass through the unpaved road, and whether or not the vehicle has finished passing through the unpaved road, and issues a warning based on the determination result. Specifically, the device control apparatus 10 determines that the vehicle has started to pass through an unpaved road when the gyro sensor 4 detects continuous vibration. The determination is made based on continuous vibration in order to distinguish it from vibration caused by steps on the road. That is, in order to prevent erroneous determination that this road is an unpaved road when there is a step on the road. Furthermore, the apparatus control apparatus 10 determines that the vehicle has passed the unpaved road when the gyro sensor 4 detects a decrease in vibration after continuous vibration is detected.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a warning activation process for an unpaved road. FIG. 8 is a diagram corresponding to the map data image displayed on the image display unit of the device control apparatus 10. Moreover, in FIG. 8, the arrow shown with the code | symbol 100 shows an investigation vehicle, and the point shown with code | symbol C1-C3 has shown the intersection. In this case, the road Y3 from the point Y1 to the point Y2 (each indicated by a star) corresponds to an unpaved road. The fact that the road Y3 is an unpaved road is not stored in the database.

  FIG. 8A shows the start of the survey. FIG. 8B shows a state when the vehicle 100 approaches the intersection C1. In this case, the device control apparatus 10 does not issue a warning because the gyro sensor 4 does not detect continuous vibration. That is, the device control apparatus 10 does not determine that the vehicle has started passing through the unpaved road. FIG. 8C shows a state when the vehicle 100 starts to pass through the point Y1. In this case, the device control apparatus 10 determines that the vehicle has started to pass through the unpaved road because the gyro sensor 4 has detected continuous vibration. Therefore, the device control apparatus 10 issues a warning. For example, the device control apparatus 10 emits a warning sound or displays a dialog indicating an unpaved road on the image display unit. Thereby, the device control apparatus 10 notifies the investigator that it is a situation in which the acquisition of the section information on the unpaved road should be started. FIG. 8D shows a state when the vehicle 100 starts to pass through the point Y2. In this case, the device control apparatus 10 determines that the vehicle has finished passing through the unpaved road because the gyro sensor 4 has detected a decrease in vibration. Therefore, the device control apparatus 10 issues a warning. As a result, the device control apparatus 10 notifies the investigator that the section information acquisition is to be terminated.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a warning activation process for an unpaved road. This process is repeatedly executed by the device control apparatus 10.

  First, in step S401, the device control apparatus 10 determines whether or not the gyro sensor 4 has detected continuous vibration. In this case, the device control apparatus 10 makes a determination based on the detection signal S4 supplied from the gyro sensor 4.

  When continuous vibration is detected (step S401; Yes), the process proceeds to step S402. In this case, the device control apparatus 10 determines that the vehicle has started to pass through the unpaved road. Therefore, in step S402, the device control apparatus 10 issues a warning. For example, the device control apparatus 10 emits a warning sound or displays a dialog on the image display unit. When the investigator has not started the acquisition of the section information, such a warning triggers the investigator to know that the situation is to start the acquisition of the section information. Thereby, it becomes possible for the investigator to start acquiring section information of the unpaved road. When the process in step S402 is completed, the process proceeds to step S403.

  On the other hand, when a continuous vibration is not detected (step S401; No), a process returns to step S401. That is, the device control apparatus 10 repeatedly executes the process of step S401 until continuous vibration is detected.

  In step S403, the device control apparatus 10 determines whether the gyro sensor 4 has detected a decrease in vibration. If a decrease in vibration is detected (step S403; Yes), the process proceeds to step S404. In this case, the device control apparatus 10 determines that the vehicle has finished passing through the unpaved road. Therefore, in step S404, the device control apparatus 10 issues a warning. If the investigator has not finished acquiring the section information, the warning is triggered so that the researcher notices that the section information should be acquired. Thereby, it becomes possible for the investigator to finish obtaining the section information of the unpaved road. When the process in step S404 above ends, the process exits the flow.

  On the other hand, when the gyro sensor 4 has not detected a decrease in vibration (step S403; No), the process returns to step S403. That is, the device control apparatus 10 repeatedly executes the process of step S403 until the gyro sensor 4 detects a decrease in vibration. As described above, when the process of step S403 is repeatedly performed, the device control apparatus 10 continuously acquires the section information of the unpaved road.

  According to the above warning activation process, the investigator can appropriately start and end acquisition of section information on an unpaved road. Therefore, the acquisition omission of the section information of the unpaved road can be suppressed, and the erroneous acquisition and excessive acquisition of the section information of the unpaved road can be suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the quality deterioration of the acquired section information.

[Modification]
In the above-described embodiment, the one-way road, the non-acquired road, and the unpaved road are shown as roads for which section information is acquired, in other words, roads with a predetermined attribute. However, the present invention is not limited to these. In another example, the device control apparatus 10 acquires not only one-way roads, unacquired roads, and unpaved roads, but also roads having a plurality of lanes (roads having two or more lanes on one side) as acquisition targets of section information. be able to. In this case, the device control apparatus 10 can issue a warning to the investigator when the vehicle starts to pass through a road having a plurality of lanes and when the vehicle has finished passing through a road having a plurality of lanes. .

  For example, the device control apparatus 10 can recognize the image data obtained from the front CCD camera 2 to extract a white line, and determine a road having a plurality of lanes based on the number of extracted white lines. . In another example, the device control apparatus 10 can determine a road having a plurality of lanes by recognizing an image of a speed limit signboard, a road surface paint, or the like. In still another example, the device control apparatus 10 can discriminate roads having a plurality of lanes by recognizing images of road line types, colors, and regulation signs.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the map information investigation device mounted on the vehicle and supporting the investigation of the road with the predetermined attribute by the investigator is obtained by the device control device 10 acquiring the current position of the vehicle. The map data stored in the database is acquired. Then, the device control apparatus 10 determines whether or not the vehicle has started to pass through a road having a predetermined attribute, and whether or not the vehicle has finished passing through a road having a predetermined attribute. When it is determined that the vehicle has started to pass, and when it is determined that the vehicle has passed the road having a predetermined attribute, a warning is issued to the investigator. Therefore, it is possible to suppress information acquisition omission for a road having a predetermined attribute, erroneous acquisition of information, excessive acquisition, and the like.

It is the schematic which shows the structure of the map information investigation apparatus which concerns on the Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the display image displayed on an image display part. It is a flowchart which shows an area information acquisition process. It is a figure for demonstrating the warning dispatch process with respect to a one-way road. It is a flowchart which shows the warning dispatch process with respect to a one-way road. It is a figure for demonstrating the warning dispatch process with respect to an unacquired road. It is a flowchart which shows the warning dispatch process with respect to an unacquired road. It is a figure for demonstrating the warning dispatch process with respect to an unpaved road. It is a flowchart which shows the warning dispatch process with respect to an unpaved road.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vehicle position identification apparatus 2 Front CCD camera 3 Rear CCD camera 4 Gyro sensor 4
5 Input Device 10 Device Control Device 11 Storage Medium 50 Map Information Survey Device

Claims (7)

A map information survey device that is mounted on a vehicle and that supports a survey of a road with a predetermined attribute by an investigator,
Current position acquisition means for acquiring the current position of the vehicle;
Map data acquisition means for acquiring map data stored in the storage means;
Road attribute determining means for determining whether or not the vehicle has started to pass through the road with the predetermined attribute, and whether or not the vehicle has finished passing through the road with the predetermined attribute;
When the road attribute determining means determines that the vehicle has started to pass through the road having the predetermined attribute, and when it is determined that the vehicle has passed the road having the predetermined attribute, And a warning means for issuing a warning to the map information investigation device.   The road having the predetermined attribute is at least one of a one-way road, an unacquired road that is not stored in the storage unit, and an unpaved road that is not paved. The map information survey device described.   The road attribute determining means determines, based on the current position and the map data, that the vehicle starts to pass a one-way road when the vehicle reaches an intersection that satisfies a predetermined condition. The map information investigation device according to claim 2. The road attribute determining means is based on the current position and the map data.
When the current position is no longer located on the road that the map data has, it is determined that the vehicle has started to pass the unacquired road,
When the current position of the vehicle comes to be located on the road indicated by the map data after the current position is no longer located on the road of the map data, the vehicle passes the unacquired road. The map information investigation device according to claim 2, wherein the map information investigation device is determined to be finished. Vibration detecting means for detecting vibration generated in the vehicle,
The road attribute determination means
When the vibration detection means detects continuous vibration, it is determined that the vehicle has started to pass through an unpaved road,
5. The method according to claim 2, wherein when the vibration detection unit detects the decrease in the vibration after detecting the continuous vibration, it is determined that the vehicle has passed the unpaved road. The map information survey device according to claim 1. A map information survey method that is executed in a vehicle and supports a survey of a road with a predetermined attribute by an investigator,
A current position acquisition step of acquiring a current position of the vehicle;
A map data acquisition step of acquiring map data stored in the storage means;
A road attribute determination step for determining whether or not the vehicle has started to pass through the road having the predetermined attribute, and whether or not the vehicle has passed the road having the predetermined attribute;
In the road attribute determination step, when it is determined that the vehicle has started to pass the road with the predetermined attribute, and when it is determined that the vehicle has passed the road with the predetermined attribute, And a warning process for issuing a warning to the map information survey method. A map information survey program that is installed in a vehicle and is executed by a computer that supports a survey of a road with a predetermined attribute by an investigator,
Current position acquisition means for acquiring the current position of the vehicle;
Map data acquisition means for acquiring map data stored in the storage means;
Road attribute determination means for determining whether or not the vehicle has started to pass through the road having the predetermined attribute, and whether or not the vehicle has passed the road having the predetermined attribute;
When the road attribute determining means determines that the vehicle has started to pass through the road having the predetermined attribute, and when it is determined that the vehicle has passed the road having the predetermined attribute, A map information investigation program for causing the computer to function as warning means for issuing a warning to a computer.

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