JP2008014673A - Vehicle navigation apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicle navigation apparatus which enables a user to recognize information on an updated section, when the updated section which influences a predetermined driving is identified at updating of map data. <P>SOLUTION: ECU8 identifies an updated section showing a newly-built road or a change in traffic rules as the updated section which influences the driving of a vehicle at the time of updating map data, and stores the updated section data in an internal memory. Route guidance is provided, when a vehicle travels in the updated section, where the updated section data shows the newly-built road or the change in traffic rules. This enables a user to properly recognize information on an updated section, when the updated section, which influences predetermined driving, is identified at the updating of map data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle navigation apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a vehicle navigation apparatus that guides information related to a new facility is known. For example, in the apparatus of Patent Document 1, when updating facility data, information on a new facility is retrieved from the facility data and stored in a temporary storage area of a hard disk. When the vehicle approaches the new facility, the conventional apparatus reads the information on the new facility stored in the temporary storage area, generates a guidance image of the facility, and displays the guidance image on the map image.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-69967

  However, the conventional apparatus only provides guidance for new facilities, and does not provide guidance for update information other than for new facilities. If a new road is established or traffic regulations are changed, it may affect the driving of the vehicle. If the user does not know the new roads or traffic regulation changes, You may be confused.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problem, and when an update location that affects preset travel is identified during map data update, the user can grasp information regarding the update location. An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle navigation device that can perform the above-described operation.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the vehicle navigation apparatus according to claim 1, position detection means for detecting the current position of the vehicle, storage means for storing map data, and data relating to map information are acquired from the outside. Update means for updating the map data stored in the storage means, and control means for performing a navigation operation using the current position of the vehicle detected by the position detection means and the map data stored in the storage means. When the update means updates the map data, based on the map data before update stored in the storage means and the data related to the map information acquired from the outside by the update means when the update means updates the map data, An update management means for identifying and storing an update location that affects preset travel is provided, and the control means includes a current position of the vehicle detected by the position detection means, And a update location stored in the new management means, when the vehicle is estimated to travel update location, and performing guidance related to the update location.

  Thus, in the vehicle navigation apparatus of the present invention, when the update unit updates the map data, the update management unit maps the map data before update stored in the storage unit and the map acquired from the outside by the update unit. Based on the information-related data, an update location that affects a preset travel is identified and stored. When it is estimated that the vehicle travels through the update location from the current position of the vehicle detected by the location detection device and the update location stored in the update management device, the control device provides guidance regarding the update location. Thus, when the map data is updated, if it is estimated that the vehicle travels at an update location that affects preset travel, the control means provides guidance regarding the update location. Therefore, it is possible to make the user grasp information regarding the update location.

  As described in claim 2, the data related to the map information acquired from the outside by the updating unit is map data that is newer than the map data stored by the storage unit, and the updating unit stores the data before update stored in the storage unit. It is desirable to compare the map data with new map data acquired from the outside by the updating means, and to identify and store an update location that affects preset travel. Thereby, it is possible to more reliably identify the update location that affects the above-described preset travel.

  As described in claim 3, it is desirable that a newly established road is included as an update location that the update management means identifies and stores. This is because the newly established road affects the running of the vehicle.

  As described in claim 4, roads whose traffic regulations have been changed may be included as update locations that the update management means identifies and stores. This is because, as in the case described above, the road on which the traffic regulation is changed also affects the traveling of the vehicle.

  As described in claim 5, it is desirable that the control means estimates that the vehicle travels through the update location when the distance between the vehicle and the update location is equal to or less than a predetermined distance. This is because when the distance between the vehicle and the update location is equal to or less than the predetermined distance, the vehicle is likely to travel through the update location.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the control means also sets the guide route of the vehicle, and it is desirable to estimate that the vehicle travels through the update location when there is an update location on the guide route. This is because even when there is an update location on the guide route, the vehicle is likely to travel through the update location.

  The road storage means for storing the road on which the vehicle has traveled in the past, the current position of the vehicle detected by the position detection means, and the road on which the vehicle stored in the road storage means has traveled in the past Therefore, it is desirable to provide a predicting means for predicting the travel route of the vehicle, and the control means preferably performs the guidance operation when there is an update location on the travel route of the vehicle predicted by the predicting means. This is because even when there is an update location on the travel route of the vehicle predicted by the prediction means, the vehicle is likely to travel the update location.

  As described in claim 8, the update management means stores the date and time when the update location is stored as the update date and time, and the control means does not execute the guidance operation after a predetermined period has elapsed from the update date and time. It is desirable. This is because, after a predetermined period of time has passed since the update date and time, the user often already knows the update location.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided instruction means for instructing the control means to prohibit the execution of the guidance operation, and the control means provides guidance when the instruction means prohibits execution of the guidance operation. It is desirable not to perform the operation. As a result, it is possible to prevent many guidance operations from being performed when there are many update locations, and to prevent the user from feeling bothered.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a vehicle navigation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, a position detector 1 includes a geomagnetic sensor 1A, a gyroscope 1B, a distance sensor 1C, and a GPS receiver 1D, and detects a current position and a traveling direction of a vehicle.

  The geomagnetic sensor 1A has a configuration in which an exciting winding for exciting the annular ferromagnetic material such as permalloy, for example, and two orthogonal detection windings for direction detection are wound. And the voltage which generate | occur | produces in two detection windings by applying an alternating voltage to an excitation winding is measured, and the advancing direction of a vehicle is detected as an absolute direction based on this.

  The gyroscope 1B includes, for example, a crystal resonator, and detects the yaw angular velocity (yaw rate) of the vehicle from vibration based on Coriolis force generated when the resonator is vibrated.

  The distance sensor 1C detects the moving distance of the vehicle based on, for example, rotation signals of wheels and axles (not shown) mounted on the vehicle.

  The GPS receiver 1D receives a GPS signal for position measurement transmitted from a GPS satellite (not shown), which is an artificial satellite, and detects the latitude, longitude, and altitude of the point where the vehicle is currently traveling.

  The position detector 1 detects the current position and traveling direction of the vehicle with high accuracy by interpolating the detection results of the four devices described above. Of course, depending on the required detection accuracy, it is not necessary to provide all the four devices described above. Note that the current position and the traveling direction of the vehicle may be detected based on the detection result by detecting the acceleration in the left-right direction and the height direction of the vehicle using, for example, a three-dimensional gyro. Moreover, it is good also as performing based on the detection signal by other sensors, such as a steering sensor. The position detector 1 includes position detecting means.

  The map data storage device 2 has, for example, a hard disk as a storage medium, and displays map data including road information, traffic regulation information, building information, regional address information and zip code information, and a map image. Stores map image data. The map data and map image data described above can be updated. Map data and map image data may be stored in a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or the like. This map data storage device 2 constitutes a storage means.

  The display 3 is a small vehicle-mounted display, and performs various navigation displays including display of map images. For the various navigation displays described above, an in-vehicle head-up display or the like may be used.

  The operation switch 4 includes a plurality of mechanical switches, and instructs the vehicle navigation device to start and end various navigation operations. The various navigation instructions described above may be configured by a touch switch including a display panel that displays operation keys and a touch panel that detects that the operation keys displayed on the display panel are pressed. Further, it may be performed using voice recognition.

  The remote controller 5 is, for example, a multi-function remote controller provided with various function switches, and can perform almost the same operation as the operation switch 4 described above via the remote control sensor 6.

  The communication device 7 is a small vehicle-mounted communication device, and receives the latest map data and map image data transmitted from an information center (not shown). This communication device 7 constitutes a part of the updating means.

  ECU8 is comprised from a well-known computer and performs various navigation operations including a map image display. Specifically, the ECU 8 reads map image data around the current position of the vehicle from the map data storage 2 based on the current position and the traveling direction of the vehicle detected by the position detector 1, and indicates the current position of the vehicle. A map image on which the mark is superimposed is displayed on the display 3 and various voice guidance is performed from the speaker 9. In addition, the ECU 8 sets a guide route to the destination input from the operation switch 4 or the remote controller 5 using the map data stored in the map data storage 2 and displays the map image displayed on the display 3 on the map image. The display color of the guidance route at is changed. Then, a route guidance sound is output from the speaker 9 so that the vehicle travels along the guidance route.

  Furthermore, when updating the map data and the map image data, the ECU 8 identifies an update location that affects the travel of the vehicle and stores it as update location data. Specifically, when the communication device 7 receives the latest map data and map image data (data related to map information) transmitted from the information center, the ECU 8 communicates with the map data stored in the map data storage 2. The latest map data received by the aircraft 7 is compared, and the newly installed road or the location where the traffic regulation is changed is identified as an updated location that affects the travel of the vehicle. And the information regarding the identified update location is memorize | stored in the internal memory which is not shown in figure as update location data. At this time, the date and time when the update location data is stored is also stored in the internal memory as update date and time data. After performing the above-described operation, the ECU 8 overwrites the map data and map image data stored in the map data storage 2 with the latest map data and map image data received by the communication device 7, and the map data and Update map image data.

  Further, the ECU 8 provides guidance regarding the update location indicated by the update location data stored in the internal memory while the vehicle is traveling. Specifically, the ECU 8 stores information related to the road on which the vehicle has traveled in the internal memory as past traffic information, and based on the detection result of the position detector 1 and the past traffic information stored in the internal memory. , Predict the travel route of the vehicle. When there is an update location indicated by the update location data on the predicted travel route and the distance between the update location and the vehicle is equal to or less than a predetermined distance, the ECU 8 provides guidance regarding the update location. In addition, guidance regarding the update location indicated by the update location data is also performed when the guide route is set. Specifically, when the ECU 8 sets a guide route to the destination input from the operation switch 4 or the remote controller 5, if the update location indicated by the update location data is on the guide route, the update is performed. Guidance about the location.

  As described above, the ECU 8 provides guidance regarding the update location indicated by the update location data while the vehicle is traveling and when the guide route is set. The guidance is stored in the internal memory. This is limited to the period from the update date and time indicated by the update date and time until the predetermined period elapses. That is, after a predetermined period has elapsed from the update date and time indicated by the update date and time data, the ECU 8 does not provide guidance regarding the update location even during travel of the vehicle and when setting the guide route. Further, the ECU 8 does not perform guidance when the operation switch 4 or the remote controller 5 is instructed to prohibit guidance related to the update location indicated by the update location data while the vehicle is traveling and when the guidance route is set. The ECU 8 constitutes a part of update means, update management means, and control means.

  In the present embodiment, the update location data, the update date / time data, and the past traffic information are stored in the internal memory of the ECU 8. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a large-capacity storage such as an external HDD is used. It may be stored in the device.

  The memory 10 is used as a temporary storage area when the ECU 8 performs various navigation operations. For the storage area described above, for example, a memory card or the like may be used.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart relating to processing in which the ECU 8 identifies an update location that affects the travel of the vehicle and stores the update location data in the vehicle navigation device of the present embodiment. The process of this flowchart is executed each time the communication device 7 receives new map data and map image data.

  In step 201, the ECU 8 acquires new map data received by the communication device 7. In step 202, map data is read from the map data memory 2. In step 203, the new map data acquired from the communication device 7 in step 201 is compared with the map data acquired from the map data storage 2 in step 202. Thereby, the update location which influences driving | running | working of a vehicle can be identified more reliably.

  In step 204, it is determined whether or not a newly established road or an updated part in which traffic regulation is changed is identified by the comparison operation performed in step 203. This is because the newly installed road or the updated part where the traffic regulation is changed affects the running of the vehicle. If a newly established road or an updated location with changed traffic regulations is identified, the process proceeds to step 205. If not identified, the process proceeds to step 207.

  In step 205, the information regarding the newly installed road or the updated location where the traffic regulation is changed, identified by the comparison operation performed in step 203, is stored in the internal memory as updated location data. In step 206, update date / time data indicating the date / time when the update location data is stored in step 205 is stored in the internal memory.

  In step 207, the new map data and map image data received by the communication device 7 are overwritten on the map data and map image data stored in the map data storage 2, and the map data and map image data are updated.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart relating to a process in which the ECU 8 provides guidance regarding the update location indicated by the update location data when the guidance route is set in the vehicle navigation apparatus of the present embodiment. The process of this flowchart is executed when the ECU 8 sets a guide route.

  In step 301, the ECU 8 determines whether or not there is a newly established road indicated by the updated location data stored in the internal memory or an updated location in which traffic regulation is changed on the set guidance route. If there is a newly established road indicated by the updated location data or an updated location where traffic regulations have been changed, the routine proceeds to step 302. If not, the process ends. This is because when there is a newly established road on the guide route or an updated location where traffic regulations have been changed, the vehicle is likely to travel on that location.

  In step 302, it is determined whether or not a predetermined period has elapsed from the date and time indicated by the update date and time data stored in the internal memory. If it is before the predetermined period has elapsed, the process proceeds to step 303. If the predetermined period has elapsed, the process is terminated. This is because the user already knows about the road indicated by the update location data after a predetermined period has elapsed since the update date and time.

  In step 303, it is determined whether or not prohibition of guidance regarding the newly installed road indicated by the updated location data or the updated location where the traffic regulation is changed is instructed when the guidance route is set. If prohibition is not instructed, the process proceeds to step 304. If prohibition is instructed, the process ends. This is to prevent many guidance operations from being performed and to prevent the user from feeling bothered.

  In step 304, guidance is provided regarding the newly established road indicated by the updated location data or the updated location where the traffic regulation has been changed, and the process ends.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart relating to the vehicle navigation apparatus according to the present embodiment relating to processing for providing guidance regarding the newly installed road indicated by the update location data or the update location where the traffic regulation is changed while the vehicle is traveling. The processing of this flowchart is executed every predetermined time when the vehicle travels or whenever the vehicle enters another link (another road) on the map data.

  In step 401, the ECU 8 predicts the travel route of the vehicle from the detection result of the position detector 1 and the past traffic information stored in the internal memory. In step 402, it is determined whether or not there is a newly established road indicated by the updated location data or an updated location in which traffic regulation is changed on the travel route predicted in step 401. If there is a newly established road indicated by the updated location data or an updated location where traffic regulations have been changed, the process proceeds to step 403. This is because when there is a newly established road indicated by the updated location data or an updated location where traffic regulations are changed, the vehicle is likely to travel on the road. If there is no newly installed road indicated by the update location data or an update location in which traffic regulations have been changed, the process is terminated.

  In step 403, it is determined whether or not the distance between the newly installed road indicated by the updated location data or the updated location where the traffic regulation has been changed and the vehicle is equal to or less than a predetermined distance. If the distance is less than the predetermined distance, the process proceeds to step 404. This is because, when the distance between the newly established road indicated by the update location data or the update location where the traffic regulation is changed and the vehicle is equal to or less than the predetermined distance, the vehicle is likely to travel on the road. If not, the process ends.

  In step 404, it is determined whether or not a predetermined period has elapsed from the date and time indicated by the update date and time data stored in the internal memory. If it is before the predetermined period has elapsed, the process proceeds to step 405. If the predetermined period has elapsed, the process is terminated.

  In step 405, it is determined whether or not prohibition of guidance regarding the newly installed road indicated by the updated location data or the updated location where the traffic regulation is changed is instructed while the vehicle is traveling. If prohibition is not instructed, the process proceeds to step 405. If prohibition is instructed, the process ends.

  In step 406, guidance is provided regarding the newly established road indicated by the updated location data or the updated location where the traffic regulation has been changed, and the process ends.

  Next, how the vehicle navigation device of the present embodiment operates will be specifically described.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a case where the apparatus performs guidance on a newly installed road indicated by update location data or an update location where traffic regulations are changed while the vehicle is traveling. Comparing the map before the update in FIG. 5 with the map after the update, there is a newly established road and a road for which traffic regulation (block) is set (changed). Information on these two is stored in the internal memory of the ECU 8 as update location data. In FIG. 5, a broken-line circle (not more than a predetermined distance) centered on the intersection where the newly established road indicated by the updated location data and another road meet is displayed, and when the vehicle approaches the dotted circle, The device provides guidance on the newly established road indicated by the updated location data (such as “There is a newly established road”). The above-mentioned broken-line circle is displayed for convenience, and the above-described broken-line circle is not displayed on the actual display 3. In addition, when the distance between the vehicle and the update location for which the traffic regulation (block) indicated by the update location data has been set is less than or equal to the predetermined distance, the guidance regarding the update location (“traffic regulation (block)” is set. Etc.) will be performed. In the example of FIG. 5, the above-described guidance allows the user to bypass the closed road and drive the vehicle to the destination using the newly established road.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a case where the present apparatus provides guidance regarding a newly established road indicated by updated location data or an updated location where traffic regulations have been changed when setting a guidance route. A thick line indicates the set guide route. Comparing the map before update in FIG. 6 with the map after update, it is understood that the position of the surveillance camera has been changed. Depending on the country, a mobile surveillance camera may be provided for road monitoring. This mobile surveillance camera is regarded as a kind of traffic regulation in this apparatus. That is, when the position of the monitoring camera is changed, the device regards that the traffic restriction has been canceled (changed) for the point before the movement of the monitoring camera, and the traffic restriction is not made at the point after the movement of the monitoring camera. It is considered that it has been set (changed). In the case of FIG. 6 described above, since the position of the surveillance camera has been moved, this apparatus provides guidance regarding the updated location when setting the guidance route. In addition, even when a guidance route is set, the present apparatus can provide guidance regarding a newly established road indicated by updated location data or an updated location where traffic regulations have been changed.

  As described above, in the vehicle navigation apparatus of the present embodiment, the ECU 8 identifies the updated road or the updated location where the traffic regulation is changed when updating the map data as an updated location that affects the travel of the vehicle. Stored in the internal memory as update location data. When the vehicle travels on a newly established road indicated by the updated location data or an updated location where the traffic regulation is changed, guidance is provided. Thereby, when the update location which affects the preset driving | running | working is identified in the case of map data update, it becomes possible to make a user grasp | ascertain the information regarding the said update location reliably.

  In the above-described embodiment, the ECU 8 compares the latest map data received by the communication device 7 with the map data stored in the map data storage 2 and identifies an update location that affects the travel of the vehicle. . However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, data indicating the update location of the map data is received by the communication device 7, and the update location indicated by the data is immediately identified as an update location that affects the traveling of the vehicle. It is also good. Further, for example, the communication device 7 may receive the latest map data and data related to the update location of the map data, and identify the update location that affects the travel of the vehicle based on each of the data. .

1 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a vehicle navigation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the vehicle navigation apparatus of this embodiment, it is a flowchart regarding the process which ECU identifies the update location which influences driving | running | working of a vehicle, and memorize | stores update location data. In the vehicle navigation apparatus of this embodiment, it is a flowchart regarding the process which ECU performs guidance regarding the update location which update location data shows at the time of the setting of a guidance route. In the vehicle navigation device of the present embodiment, while the vehicle is traveling, the ECU is a flowchart relating to processing for providing guidance regarding a newly established road indicated by updated location data or an updated location where traffic regulations have been changed. It is a figure which shows an example when the navigation apparatus for vehicles of this embodiment performs the guidance regarding the update location where the newly installed road or traffic regulation which the update location data changed showed while driving | running | working a vehicle. It is a figure which shows an example in the case of the navigation apparatus for vehicles of this embodiment performing the guidance regarding the newly installed road which the update location data show, or the update location where traffic regulation was changed at the time of the setting of a guidance route.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Position detector, 1A ... Geomagnetic sensor, 1B ... Gyroscope, 1C ... Distance sensor, 1D ... GPS receiver, 2 ... Map data storage, 3 ... Display, 4 ... Operation switch, 5 ... Remote control 6 ... Remote control sensor 7 ... Communicator 8 ... ECU 9 ... Speaker 10 ... Memory

Claims (9)

Position detecting means for detecting the current position of the vehicle;
Storage means for storing map data;
Update means for obtaining data relating to map information from outside and updating the map data stored in the storage means;
A vehicle navigation apparatus comprising a control means for performing a navigation operation using the current position of the vehicle detected by the position detection means and the map data stored in the storage means,
When the update means updates the map data, it influences the preset travel based on the map data before update stored in the storage means and data related to the map information acquired from the outside by the update means. Provided with an update management means for identifying and storing the update location that gives
When the control means estimates that the vehicle travels the update location from the current position of the vehicle detected by the location detection means and the update location stored in the update management means, the update location A vehicle navigation apparatus characterized by performing guidance on the vehicle. The data relating to the map information acquired from the outside by the updating means is map data newer than the map data stored by the storage means,
The update means compares the map data before update stored in the storage means with the new map data acquired from the outside by the update means, and identifies an update location that affects preset travel. The vehicle navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle navigation device is stored. The vehicular navigation apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a new road is included as the update location identified and stored by the update management means. The vehicular navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the update location identified and stored by the update management means includes a road whose traffic regulation has been changed. 5. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit estimates that the vehicle travels through the update location when a distance between the vehicle and the update location is equal to or less than a predetermined distance. The vehicle navigation device described in 1. The control means also sets a guide route for the vehicle,
The vehicle navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the vehicle is estimated to travel along the update location when the update location is on the guide route. Route storage means for storing a route traveled by the vehicle in the past;
A prediction unit that predicts a travel route of the vehicle from a current position of the vehicle detected by the position detection unit and a route traveled by the vehicle stored in the route storage unit in the past;
The vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the control means performs the guidance operation when the update location is on a travel route of the vehicle predicted by the prediction means. Navigation device. The update management means stores the date and time when the update location is stored as an update date and time,
The vehicle navigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit does not execute the guidance operation after a predetermined period has elapsed from the update date and time. Providing an instruction means for instructing the control means to prohibit the execution of the guidance operation;
The vehicle navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the control unit does not execute the guide operation when the instruction unit instructs to prohibit the execution of the guide operation. .

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