JP2007263708A - Navigation apparatus and method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a navigation apparatus enabling a user to grasp a distance between the own vehicle and a guidance point without fixing his/her eyes on a display screen. <P>SOLUTION: The navigation apparatus is composed of a route searching means, a display means and a control means. The route searching means searches a route reaching a destination. The display means displays map information of the guidance point on the route at which the user should turn right or left, on the display screen, and further displays a bar graph which represents a distance between a position of a movable object and the guidance point, on the display screen. The control means varies the length of the bar graph based on the distance between the position of the movable object and the guidance point, and changes a display color of the bar graph in the case the distance between the position of the movable object and the guidance point is equal to or less than a prescribed distance. Therefore, the user can grasp a rough distance between the position of the movable object and the guidance point only by viewing the display color of the bar graph. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a navigation device that indicates a route to a destination for a user.

  In general, a navigation device displays a predetermined range of map information on a display device around the current position of a moving body such as a vehicle. The user can know the current position of the host vehicle by looking at the displayed map information.

  In Patent Document 1 below, when the own vehicle approaches an intersection where a vehicle should make a right turn or a left turn (hereinafter simply referred to as a “guide intersection”), an enlarged display of the guide intersection is performed on the display screen. A technique for displaying a bar graph indicating the distance from the position of the vehicle to the guidance intersection is described.

JP 2005-326333 A

  However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, the user gazes at the display screen of the navigation device to grasp the distance from the position of the vehicle to the guidance intersection, and displays a bar graph whose length changes. I need to keep watching. For this reason, there is a problem that the user is distracted and cannot concentrate on driving.

  Examples of problems to be solved by the present invention include the above. An object of the present invention is to provide a navigation device that allows a user to grasp a distance from a vehicle to a guidance point such as a guidance intersection without staring at a display screen.

  The invention according to claim 1 is a mobile navigation device, a route search means for searching for a route to a destination, and map information of a guide point where the user should make a right turn or a left turn on the route. Display means for displaying on the display screen a bar graph indicating the distance from the position of the mobile object to the guide point, and the bar graph based on the distance from the position of the mobile object to the guide point. Control means for changing the display color of the bar graph when the distance from the position of the moving body to the guide point is within a predetermined distance.

  The invention according to claim 3 is a navigation method of a mobile object, a route search step for searching for a route to a destination, and map information of a guide point where the user should make a right turn or a left turn on the route. A display step of displaying on the display screen a bar graph indicating the distance from the position of the mobile body to the guide point, and the bar graph based on the distance from the position of the mobile body to the guide point. And a control step of changing the display color of the bar graph when the distance from the position of the moving body to the guide point is within a predetermined distance.

  The invention according to claim 4 is a navigation program executed by a mobile navigation device including a computer, wherein the route search means searches for a route to the destination, and the user should make a right turn or a left turn on the route. Map information of the guide point is displayed on the display screen, and a display means for displaying a bar graph indicating the distance from the position of the moving body to the guide point on the display screen, the position from the position of the moving body to the guide point The computer as the control means for changing the display color of the bar graph when the length of the bar graph is changed based on the distance and the distance from the position of the moving body to the guide point is within a predetermined distance. To work.

  In one aspect of the present invention, a mobile navigation device displays on a display screen route search means for searching for a route to a destination and map information of a guide point where a user should make a right or left turn on the route. And a display means for displaying on the display screen a bar graph indicating the distance from the position of the mobile object to the guide point, and the length of the bar graph based on the distance from the position of the mobile object to the guide point. And control means for changing the display color of the bar graph when the distance from the position of the moving body to the guide point is within a predetermined distance.

  The navigation device described above is preferably applied to a navigation device for a moving body such as a vehicle, and includes a route search unit, a display unit, and a control unit. The route search means searches for a route to the destination. The display means displays on the display screen map information of a guide point where the user should make a right turn or a left turn on the route, and displays a bar graph indicating the distance from the position of the moving body to the guide point on the display screen. To do. A typical example of the guide point here is a guide intersection that should make a right or left turn on the route, and also changes the traveling direction of the vehicle, such as an expressway or toll road entrance, interchange, etc. Includes points that need it. The control means changes the length of the bar graph based on the distance from the position of the moving body to the guidance point, and when the distance from the position of the moving body to the guidance point is within a predetermined distance. The display color of the bar graph is changed. Thereby, the user can grasp the rough distance from the position of the moving body to the guide point only by looking at the display color of the bar graph, and does not need to stare at the display screen.

  In one aspect of the navigation device, the predetermined distance is a first predetermined distance and a second predetermined distance that is longer than the first predetermined distance, and the control unit is configured to perform the operation from the position of the moving body. When the distance to the guide point is longer than the second predetermined distance, the display color of the bar graph is displayed in green, and the distance from the position of the moving body to the guide point is the second predetermined distance. When the distance is longer than the first predetermined distance, the display color of the bar graph is displayed in yellow, and the distance from the position of the moving body to the guide point is within the first predetermined distance. The bar graph is displayed in red. For example, the first predetermined distance is set to 100 m, and the second predetermined distance is set to 200 m. In this way, by changing the display color of the bar graph from green to yellow and from yellow to red as it gets closer to the guide point, it is easy to alert the user about how close the guide point is. can do.

  In another aspect of the present invention, a mobile body navigation method displays a route search step for searching for a route to a destination and map information of a guide point on which the user should make a right or left turn on a display screen. And a display step of displaying a bar graph indicating the distance from the position of the mobile body to the guide point on the display screen, and the length of the bar graph based on the distance from the position of the mobile body to the guide point. And a control step of changing the display color of the bar graph when the distance from the position of the moving body to the guide point is within a predetermined distance. Also by this method, the user can grasp the rough distance from the own vehicle to the guidance point without staring at the display screen only by looking at the display color of the bar graph.

  In still another aspect of the present invention, a navigation program executed by a mobile navigation device including a computer includes route search means for searching for a route to a destination, and guidance for a user to turn right or left on the route. Display means for displaying the map information of the point on the display screen, and displaying a bar graph indicating the distance from the position of the moving body to the guide point on the display screen, the distance from the position of the moving body to the guide point And changing the length of the bar graph based on the above, and when the distance from the position of the moving body to the guide point is within a predetermined distance, the computer is used as control means for changing the display color of the bar graph. Make it work. The above navigation device can be realized by causing the computer in the navigation device to execute the navigation program. The navigation program can be handled in a state stored in a storage medium.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The following description shows an example in which the present invention is applied to a vehicle navigation apparatus.

(Navigation device)
FIG. 1 shows the configuration of the navigation device 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the navigation device 1 includes a self-supporting positioning device 10, a GPS receiver 18, a system controller 20, a disk drive 31, a data storage unit 36, a communication interface 37, a communication device 38, a display unit 40, a voice output. A unit 50 and an input device 60 are provided.

  The autonomous positioning device 10 includes an acceleration sensor 11, an angular velocity sensor 12, and a distance sensor 13. The acceleration sensor 11 is made of, for example, a piezoelectric element, detects vehicle acceleration, and outputs acceleration data. The angular velocity sensor 12 is composed of, for example, a vibrating gyroscope, detects the angular velocity of the vehicle when the direction of the vehicle is changed, and outputs angular velocity data and relative azimuth data. The distance sensor 13 measures a vehicle speed pulse composed of a pulse signal generated with the rotation of the vehicle wheel.

  The GPS receiver 18 receives radio waves 19 carrying downlink data including positioning data from a plurality of GPS satellites. The positioning data is used to detect the absolute position of the vehicle from latitude and longitude information.

  The system controller 20 includes an interface 21, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 22, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 23, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 24, and controls the entire navigation device 1.

  The interface 21 performs an interface operation with the acceleration sensor 11, the angular velocity sensor 12, the distance sensor 13, and the GPS receiver 18. From these, vehicle speed pulses, acceleration data, relative azimuth data, angular velocity data, GPS positioning data, absolute azimuth data, and the like are input to the system controller 20. The CPU 22 controls the entire system controller 20. The ROM 23 includes a nonvolatile memory (not shown) in which a control program for controlling the system controller 20 is stored. The RAM 24 stores various data such as route data preset by the user via the input device 60 so as to be readable, and provides a working area to the CPU 22.

  A system controller 20, a disk drive 31 such as a CD-ROM drive or a DVD-ROM drive, a data storage unit 36, a communication interface 37, a display unit 40, an audio output unit 50, and an input device 60 are mutually connected via a bus line 30. It is connected to the.

  The disk drive 31 reads and outputs content data such as music data and video data from a disk 33 such as a CD or DVD under the control of the system controller 20. The disk drive 31 may be either a CD-ROM drive or a DVD-ROM drive, or may be a CD and DVD compatible drive.

  The data storage unit 36 is configured by, for example, an HDD and stores various data used for navigation processing such as map data and facility data. Details of the map data will be described later.

  The communication device 38 includes, for example, an FM tuner, a beacon receiver, a mobile phone, a dedicated communication card, and the like, and traffic congestion and traffic information distributed from a VICS (Vehicle Information Communication System) center via the communication interface 37. Receive road traffic information and other information.

  The display unit 40 displays various display data on a display device such as a display under the control of the system controller 20. Specifically, the system controller 20 reads map data from the data storage unit 36. The display unit 40 displays the map data read from the data storage unit 36 by the system controller 20 on a display screen such as a display. The display unit 40 includes a graphic controller 41 that controls the entire display unit 40 based on control data sent from the CPU 22 via the bus line 30 and image information that can be displayed immediately, such as a VRAM (Video RAM). A buffer memory 42 that temporarily stores, a display control unit 43 that controls display of a display 44 such as a liquid crystal display or a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) based on image data output from the graphic controller 41, and a display 44 are provided. . The display 44 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display device having a diagonal of about 5 to 10 inches, and is mounted near the front panel in the vehicle.

  The audio output unit 50 performs D / A (Digital to Analog) conversion of audio digital data sent from the CD-ROM drive 31, DVD-ROM 32, RAM 24, or the like via the bus line 30 under the control of the system controller 20. A D / A converter 51 to perform, an amplifier (AMP) 52 that amplifies the audio analog signal output from the D / A converter 51, and a speaker 53 that converts the amplified audio analog signal into sound and outputs the sound into the vehicle. It is prepared for.

  The input device 60 includes keys, switches, buttons, a remote controller, a voice input device, and the like for inputting various commands and data. The input device 60 is disposed around the front panel and the display 44 of the main body of the in-vehicle electronic system mounted in the vehicle. When the display 44 is a touch panel system, the touch panel provided on the display screen of the display 44 also functions as the input device 60.

  In the navigation apparatus of the present invention, the display 44 functions as display means. The navigation device of the present invention is realized by the CPU 22 of the navigation device 1 executing a program stored in advance in the ROM 23 or the like. Therefore, the CPU 22 functions as control means in the present invention.

[Navigation process]
The navigation processing method performed by the navigation device of the present invention will be specifically described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the navigation process, and FIG. 3 shows an example of map information displayed on the display screen of the display 44 in each step of the navigation process.

  First, the CPU 22 determines whether or not a route is set, that is, a destination is set by the user and a route to the destination is set (step S11). The CPU 22 continues this operation until it is determined that the route is set (step S11: No).

  Here, a specific method for setting a route will be briefly described. When performing the route setting, the user sets the destination by operating the input device 60 and issues a route search instruction to the navigation device 1. The CPU 22 fetches necessary link and node information from the data storage unit 36 and performs route calculation. The CPU 22 stores route information together with necessary map information in the buffer memory 42, and displays a map and a route to the destination on the display screen of the display 44. Therefore, the CPU 22 also functions as route search means in the present invention.

  If the CPU 22 determines that the route to the destination has been set (step S11: Yes), the CPU 22 determines whether or not the vehicle has approached a guidance intersection to be turned right or left on the route (step S12). ). Specifically, the CPU 22 determines whether or not the distance from the position of the own vehicle to the guidance intersection is within a predetermined distance (for example, within 300 m), and the distance from the position of the own vehicle to the guidance intersection is predetermined. If it is determined that the distance is within the distance, it is determined that the vehicle is approaching the guidance intersection. CPU22 continues this operation | movement until it determines with the own vehicle approaching a guidance intersection (step S12: No). The value of the predetermined distance is stored in advance in a memory such as the RAM 24.

  When the CPU 22 determines that the vehicle is approaching the guidance intersection (step S12: Yes), the CPU 22 displays an enlarged map of the guidance intersection and a bar graph indicating the distance from the position of the vehicle to the guidance intersection. (Step S13).

  FIG. 3A shows an enlarged map 70 of the guidance intersection displayed in this way. An arrow 73 on the map indicates a route on the enlarged map 70. It can be seen from the arrow 73 shown in FIG. 3A that the user needs to make a right turn at the guidance intersection. On the right side of the enlarged map 70, a bar graph 71 indicating the distance from the position of the vehicle to the guidance intersection is displayed. On the upper side of the enlarged map 70, a number display unit 72 is provided, and the number display unit 72 displays the distance from the position of the vehicle to the guidance intersection in numbers. The CPU 22 changes the length of the bar graph 71 based on the distance from the position of the own vehicle to the guidance intersection during the period in which this process is being performed. For example, in the navigation device 1 of the present embodiment, the CPU 22 displays the bar graph 71 with a shorter length as the distance from the position of the vehicle to the guidance intersection becomes shorter. The user can grasp the distance from the position of the own vehicle to the guidance intersection by looking at the length of the bar graph 71. At this time, in the navigation device 1 of the present embodiment, the CPU 22 displays the display color of the bar graph 71 on the display screen, for example, in green.

  Next, the CPU 22 determines whether or not the distance from the position of the own vehicle to the guidance intersection is within 200 m (step S14). The CPU 22 continues this operation until it determines that the distance from the position of the own vehicle to the guidance intersection is within 200 m (step S14: No). When the CPU 22 determines that the distance from the position of the vehicle to the guidance intersection is within 200 m (step S14: Yes), as shown in FIG. 3B, on the display screen of the bar graph 71 Change the display color at. For example, in the navigation device 1 of the present embodiment, at this time, the CPU 22 displays the display color of the bar graph 71 on the display screen in yellow (step S15).

  Next, the CPU 22 determines whether or not the distance from the vehicle position to the guidance intersection is within 100 m (step S16). The CPU 22 continues this operation until it determines that the distance from the position of the own vehicle to the guidance intersection is within 100 m (step S16: No). When the CPU 22 determines that the distance from the position of the vehicle to the guidance intersection is within 100 m (step S16: Yes), as shown in FIG. 3C, on the display screen of the bar graph 71 Further change the display color at. For example, in the navigation device 1 of the present embodiment, at this time, the CPU 22 displays the display color of the bar graph 71 on the display screen in red (step S17). In FIG. 3C, a triangle mark 74 indicates the position of the own vehicle. Since the position of the own vehicle is approaching the guidance intersection, a triangle mark 74 is displayed on the enlarged map 70.

  Then, the CPU 22 determines whether or not the vehicle has made a right or left turn at the guidance intersection (step S18), and continues this operation until it determines that the vehicle has made a right or left turn at the guidance intersection (step S18: No). On the other hand, if the CPU 22 determines that the vehicle has made a right or left turn at the guidance intersection (step S18: Yes), the CPU 22 deletes the enlarged map and bar graph of the guidance intersection (step S19), and ends the process. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the CPU 22 continues the operation of step S <b> 18 until it determines that the host vehicle has made a right turn at the guidance intersection. After deleting the map 70 and the bar graph 71, the processing is terminated.

  In the navigation apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, as an example, when the distance from the position of the own vehicle to the guidance intersection is longer than 200 m, the CPU 22 displays the display color of the bar graph in green, and from the position of the own vehicle. When the distance to the guidance intersection is 200 or less and longer than 100 m, the display color of the bar graph is displayed in yellow, and when the distance from the position of the vehicle to the guidance intersection is within 100 m, the bar The display color of the graph is displayed in red. That is, the navigation device 1 of the present embodiment changes the display color of the bar graph from green to yellow and from yellow to red as it approaches the guidance intersection. It should be noted that a distance value serving as a reference for changing the display color of the bar graph such as 200 m or 100 m is stored in advance in a memory such as the RAM 24. By doing in this way, the user can recognize the rough distance from the position of the own vehicle to the guidance intersection only by looking at the display color of the bar graph, and it is not necessary to stare at the display screen.

  In addition, the change in the bar graph display color from green to yellow and from yellow to red is the same as the color change of the traffic light signal: green is "safe", yellow is "caution", red is It is thought that concepts such as “attention required” are included. Therefore, the navigation device 1 makes it easy to alert the user to how close the guidance intersection is by changing the display color of the bar graph from green to yellow and from yellow to red. Can do. Needless to say, the display color of the bar graph is not limited to that described above.

  Further, in this embodiment, the guidance intersection is merely an example of the guidance point, and instead of the guidance intersection, other guidance points such as entrances and exits of expressways and toll roads, interchanges, etc. Needless to say, the present invention can be similarly applied to a point where the traveling direction needs to be changed.

  As described above, the navigation device of the present invention is a mobile navigation device, which displays route information on a display screen for route search means for searching for a route to a destination, Display means for displaying a bar graph indicating the distance from the position of the moving object to the guide point on the display screen; and changing the length of the bar graph based on the distance from the position of the moving object to the guide point. And control means for changing the display color of the bar graph when the distance is within a predetermined distance. In this way, the user can grasp the rough distance from the vehicle to the guide point only by looking at the display color of the bar graph, and does not need to stare at the display screen.

[Modification]
In the above-described embodiment, the CPU 22 displays an enlarged map and a bar graph assuming that the vehicle is approaching the guidance intersection when the distance from the position of the vehicle to the guidance intersection is within 300 m. The display color of the bar graph is changed every time the distance from the location of the vehicle to the guidance intersection is within 200 m and within 100 m after the map and the bar graph are displayed, that is, every time the vehicle advances 100 m. It is said. However, it goes without saying that the display timing of the enlarged map and the bar graph, the timing of changing the display color of the bar graph, and the number of times of changing the display color of the bar graph are not limited to this. For example, the CPU 22 may change the display color of the bar graph every time the host vehicle travels 50 meters, or, for example, approaches the guidance intersection in order to make the user recognize the distance to the guidance intersection more accurately. The number of times of changing the display color of the bar graph may be increased. Furthermore, the user himself / herself may be able to set the display timing of the enlarged map and the bar graph, and the timing for changing the display color of the bar graph.

  In the above-described embodiment, the CPU 22 displays an enlarged map of the guidance intersection when the vehicle approaches the guidance intersection. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Instead, the CPU 22 originally displays the map on the display screen. When the guidance intersection is already displayed on the displayed map, only the bar graph may be directly displayed without displaying the enlarged map of the guidance intersection.

  Furthermore, the navigation device of the present invention is not limited to a navigation device mounted on a vehicle. Instead, in a mobile phone or PDA (Personal Digital Assistants) having a GPS function and capable of displaying map information. It may be realized by executing a program.

It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of a navigation apparatus. It is a flowchart of the navigation process which concerns on a present Example. The example of the display of the map information in the navigation process which concerns on a present Example is shown.

Explanation of symbols

1 ... Navigation device 22 ... CPU
23 ... ROM
24 ... RAM
36: Data storage unit 44: Display

Claims (5)

A mobile navigation device,
A route search means for searching for a route to the destination;
Display means for displaying on the display screen map information of a guide point where the user should make a right turn or a left turn on the route, and displaying a bar graph indicating the distance from the position of the moving body to the guide point on the display screen; ,
When the length of the bar graph is changed based on the distance from the position of the mobile body to the guide point, and the distance from the position of the mobile body to the guide point is within a predetermined distance, the bar graph And a control means for changing the display color of the navigation device. The predetermined distance is a first predetermined distance and a second predetermined distance longer than the first predetermined distance;
The control means displays the display color of the bar graph in green when the distance from the position of the moving body to the guide point is longer than the second predetermined distance, and from the position of the moving body When the distance to the guide point is longer than the first predetermined distance within the second predetermined distance, the display color of the bar graph is displayed in yellow, and the position from the moving body to the guide point The navigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the distance is within a first predetermined distance, the display color of the bar graph is displayed in red. A mobile navigation method,
A route search process for searching for a route to the destination;
A display step of displaying, on the display screen, map information of a guide point where the user should make a right turn or a left turn on the route, and displaying a bar graph indicating the distance from the position of the moving body to the guide point on the display screen; ,
When the length of the bar graph is changed based on the distance from the position of the mobile body to the guide point, and the distance from the position of the mobile body to the guide point is within a predetermined distance, the bar graph And a control step of changing the display color of the navigation method. A navigation program executed by a mobile navigation device comprising a computer,
A route searching means for searching for a route to the destination, displaying map information of a guide point where the user should make a right turn or a left turn on the route, and indicating a distance from the position of the moving body to the guide point Display means for displaying a bar graph on the display screen, the length of the bar graph is changed based on the distance from the position of the moving body to the guide point, and the distance from the position of the moving body to the guide point is A navigation program for causing the computer to function as control means for changing a display color of the bar graph when the distance is within a predetermined distance.   A recording medium in which the navigation program according to claim 4 is recorded.

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