JP2008120280A - Navigation device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a navigation device capable of confirming safety by picking up images around a vehicle in response to a travelling state. <P>SOLUTION: A discrimination means (a discrimination program 19b4 in CPU 11) in the device determines whether or not a vehicle 100 approaches within a prescribed distance before an intersection on the basis of a present position detected by a detection means (a detection program 19b1 in the CPU 11) and a map information stored in a map information storage means (a map information database 19a1). When the vehicle is determined to reach the prescribed distance before the intersection, the device changes a camera for imaging the outside of the vehicle to a prescribed imaging direction by a moving mechanism control means (a moving mechanism control program 19b6 in the CPU 11) and displays on a display part 16 by a display control means (a display control program 19b7 in the CPU 11) an image in the prescribed imaging direction changed by the moving mechanism control means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a navigation device.

Conventionally, a navigation device that detects the current position of a vehicle by GPS (Global Positioning System) or autonomous navigation and displays the detected current position of the vehicle on a display screen together with map information is known. .

  In addition, a navigation device that can display not only information necessary for navigation of a vehicle but also information related to safety around the host vehicle is known as the navigation device (see Patent Document 1).

There is also known a vehicle surrounding confirmation device in which a camera is installed at the front of the vehicle, and an image captured by the camera is processed and displayed on a monitor installed in the vehicle (see Patent Document 2).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-114048 JP 2003-284056 A

However, the navigation device disclosed in Patent Document 1 does not have a means for switching the shooting direction of the camera, and it is necessary to install a plurality of cameras according to each shooting direction. is there. Moreover, although the said navigation apparatus has a function which displays the image | video of the own vehicle periphery, it does not function in conjunction with the navigation function in a navigation apparatus.
In addition, the vehicle periphery confirmation device disclosed in Patent Document 2 includes a camera viewpoint moving mechanism, and thus it is not necessary to install a plurality of cameras according to each shooting direction. It is controlled by the driver operating the viewpoint movement switch, and does not function in conjunction with the navigation function in the navigation device, as in Patent Document 1.

  The subject of this invention is providing the navigation apparatus which can image | photograph the image | video around a vehicle suitably according to a driving | running | working condition, and can confirm safety | security.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention described in claim 1 is directed to detecting means for detecting the current position, map information storing means for storing the map information, and the current position detected by the detecting means. In a navigation device comprising a display means for displaying together with the map information stored in the storage means, and navigating to a set destination,
A camera for photographing outside the vehicle mounted on the front side of the vehicle on which the navigation device is mounted;
A moving mechanism for switching a shooting direction by the camera for shooting outside the vehicle;
When the destination is set, search means for searching for an intersection through which the vehicle passes on the route to the destination based on the map information stored in the map information storage means;
Calculation means for calculating the intersection angle of the road at the intersection searched by the search means based on the map information stored in the map information storage means;
Based on the current position detected by the detection means, a determination means for determining whether or not the vehicle has reached a predetermined distance before the intersection searched by the search means;
Detecting means for detecting a direction indicating operation by a direction indicator provided in the vehicle;
When it is determined by the determining means that the vehicle has reached a predetermined distance before the intersection searched by the searching means, the outside-camera shooting camera is connected to the road at the intersection calculated by the calculating means. Based on the intersection angle, the photographing direction is switched so as to be substantially parallel to the intersecting road, the direction indicating operation is detected by the detecting means, and the vehicle is a predetermined distance before the intersection searched by the searching means. If it is not determined that the vehicle has been approached, a moving mechanism control means for switching the camera for photographing outside the vehicle to a state in which the rear can be photographed, and
Display control means for causing the display means to display two screens of the video in the predetermined shooting direction switched by the moving mechanism control means and the map information near the current position;
It is characterized by providing.

The invention according to claim 2 is a map stored in the map information storage means, the detection means for detecting the current position, the map information storage means for storing the map information, and the current position detected by the detection means. In a navigation device comprising a display means for displaying together with information and performing navigation to a set destination,
A camera for photographing outside the vehicle mounted on the front side of the vehicle on which the navigation device is mounted;
A moving mechanism for switching a shooting direction by the camera for shooting outside the vehicle;
Discrimination means for discriminating whether or not the vehicle has reached a predetermined distance before the intersection based on the current position detected by the detection means and the map information stored in the map information storage means;
A moving mechanism control unit that switches the outside-camera camera to a state in which a predetermined direction can be photographed when the determination unit determines that the vehicle has reached a predetermined distance before an intersection;
Display control means for causing the display means to display an image taken by the camera for photographing outside the vehicle switched by the moving mechanism control means;
It is characterized by providing.

The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 2,
A detecting means for detecting a direction indicating operation by a direction indicator provided in the vehicle;
The moving mechanism control means is based on the current position detected by the detection means by the detection means and the map information stored in the map information storage means by the detection means. If it is not determined that a predetermined distance has been reached before the intersection, the outside-camera camera is switched to a state in which the rear side can be photographed.

The invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to claim 3,
When the destination is set, search means for searching for an intersection through which the vehicle passes on the route to the destination based on the map information stored in the map information storage means,
The discriminating unit discriminates whether or not the vehicle has reached a predetermined distance before the intersection searched by the searching unit based on the current position detected by the detecting unit.

The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to claim 4,
Based on the map information stored in the map information storage means, comprising calculating means for calculating the intersection angle of the road at the intersection searched by the search means,
The moving mechanism control means calculates the outside-camera camera by the calculating means when the determining means determines that the vehicle has reached a predetermined distance before the intersection searched by the searching means. On the basis of the intersection angle of the road at the intersection, the shooting direction is switched so as to be substantially parallel to the intersecting road.

The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to claim 4 or 5,
In the case where the moving mechanism control means detects a direction indicating operation by the detecting means, and the determining means does not determine that the vehicle has reached a predetermined distance before the intersection searched by the searching means. The outside camera is switched to a state in which the rear side can be photographed.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the destination is set by the search means, the vehicle passes along the route to the destination based on the map information stored in the map information storage means. The intersection can be searched, and the calculation means can calculate the intersection angle of the road at the intersection searched by the search means based on the map information stored in the map information storage means. Based on the detected current position, it can be determined whether or not the vehicle has reached a predetermined distance before the intersection searched by the search means, and the detection means uses a direction indicator provided on the vehicle. The direction indicating operation can be detected, and the determining means determines that the vehicle has reached a predetermined distance before the intersection searched by the searching means. In this case, the moving mechanism control means switches the camera for shooting outside the vehicle based on the intersection angle of the road at the intersection calculated by the calculation means so that the shooting direction is substantially parallel to the road intersecting the road, and the direction indication is given by the detection means. If the movement is detected and it is not determined that the vehicle has reached a predetermined distance before the intersection searched by the search means, the outside-camera camera can be switched to a state in which the rear can be photographed, and display control is performed. By the means, the image in the predetermined photographing direction switched by the movement mechanism control means and the map information in the vicinity of the current location can be displayed on the display means in two screens.
Therefore, when a vehicle approaches the intersection, the shooting direction of the outside-camera camera attached to the front side of the vehicle is switched so as to be substantially parallel to the intersecting road, thereby photographing a spot that becomes a blind spot at the intersection. Therefore, it is possible to suitably shoot a video around the vehicle according to the driving situation and confirm safety.
In addition, by setting the destination in the navigation device and activating the navigation function, the driver recognizes that the vehicle will approach the intersection in advance even if it is an unfamiliar road, and at the intersection It is possible to confirm a spot that becomes a blind spot, and to more suitably confirm safety around the vehicle.
Further, when changing the lane, the shooting direction of the outside-camera shooting camera is switched to the rear of the vehicle, so that other vehicles in the subsequent traveling can be confirmed, and the lane change can be performed safely.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, whether the determination unit has reached a predetermined distance before the intersection based on the current position detected by the detection unit and the map information stored in the map information storage unit. When the vehicle has reached a predetermined distance before the intersection by the determination unit, the moving mechanism control unit can shoot the camera for photographing outside the vehicle in the predetermined direction. The video in the predetermined shooting direction switched by the moving mechanism control means can be displayed on the display means by the display control means.
Therefore, when the vehicle approaches the intersection, the outside shooting camera attached to the front side of the vehicle is switched to a state in which a predetermined direction can be photographed, so that a spot that becomes a blind spot at the intersection can be photographed. It is possible to suitably take a video around the vehicle according to the driving situation and confirm safety. The predetermined direction refers to the side of the vehicle, the rear of the vehicle, etc., and by shooting the side of the vehicle, confirm the situation of the intersecting road that cannot be seen from the driver's seat when approaching the intersection. You can also check for pedestrians, bicycles, motorcycles, etc. coming from the left rear of the vehicle, especially when trying to make a left turn when you approach the intersection by shooting the back Can be suitably prevented.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the same effect as the second aspect of the invention can be obtained, and the direction indicating operation by the direction indicator provided in the vehicle is detected by the detecting means. The direction indicating operation is detected by the detecting means, and the predetermined position is determined before the intersection based on the current position detected by the detecting means by the detecting means and the map information stored in the map information storing means. When it is not determined that the distance has been reached, the camera for photographing outside the vehicle can be switched to a state in which the rear can be photographed by the moving mechanism control means.
Therefore, when the direction indicator is operated to change the lane while the vehicle is traveling, the shooting direction of the camera for shooting outside the vehicle is switched to the rear of the vehicle, so that it is possible to check the other vehicle in the subsequent driving, You can safely change lanes.

According to the invention described in claim 4, it is possible to obtain the same effect as that of the invention described in claim 3, and when the destination is set by the search means, the map information storage means Based on the stored map information, an intersection through which the vehicle passes can be searched in the route to the destination, and the vehicle is searched based on the current position detected by the detecting unit by the determining unit. It is possible to determine whether a predetermined distance has been reached before the intersection searched by the means.
Therefore, by setting the destination in the navigation device and operating the navigation function, the driver recognizes that the vehicle will approach the intersection in advance even if it is an unfamiliar road, and at the intersection It is possible to confirm a spot that becomes a blind spot, and to more suitably confirm safety around the vehicle.

According to the fifth aspect of the invention, it is possible to obtain the same effect as that of the fourth aspect of the invention, and the calculation means calculates the search means based on the map information stored in the map information storage means. The intersection angle of the road at the intersection searched by the above can be calculated, and when the determining means determines that the vehicle has reached a predetermined distance before the intersection searched by the searching means, the moving mechanism control means The camera for photographing outside the vehicle can be switched so as to be substantially parallel to the road intersecting the photographing direction based on the intersection angle of the road at the intersection calculated by the calculating means.
Therefore, it is possible to confirm a location that is preferably a blind spot in accordance with the intersection angle of the road at the intersection where the vehicle passes, and it is possible to more suitably confirm the safety around the vehicle.

According to the invention described in claim 6, it is needless to say that the same effect as that of the invention described in claim 4 or 5 can be obtained, the direction indicating operation is detected by the detecting means, and the vehicle is detected by the determining means. If it is not determined that the vehicle has reached a predetermined distance before the intersection searched by the search means, the moving direction of the camera for shooting outside the vehicle can be switched to the rear of the vehicle by the moving mechanism control means.
Therefore, when the lane change is performed, the shooting direction of the outside-camera shooting camera is switched to the rear of the vehicle, so that it is possible to check the other vehicle in the subsequent traveling, and to safely change the lane.

  Hereinafter, the best mode of a navigation device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The scope of the invention is not limited to the illustrated example.

First, the configuration of the navigation device 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the navigation device 1 switches a shooting direction by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a GPS antenna 12, a power supply unit 13, a camera 14 for shooting outside the vehicle, and a camera 14 for shooting outside the vehicle. A moving mechanism 15, a display unit 16, a direction indicator 17, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 18, a storage unit 19, and the like are provided. Each unit is connected by a bus 20.

  The CPU 11 performs various control operations according to various processing programs for the navigation device 1 stored in the storage unit 19.

  The GPS antenna 12 receives, for example, GPS signals transmitted from a plurality of GPS satellites launched in a low earth orbit. For example, the GPS antenna 12 receives GPS signals transmitted from at least three GPS satellites, and outputs the received GPS signals to the CPU 11.

  The power supply unit 13 is connected to, for example, a cigarette power supply installed in the vehicle and operates in conjunction with engine start and stop.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the outside camera 14 is configured by a left front camera 14 a attached to the left side of the front light 30 of the vehicle 100 and a right front camera 14 b attached to the right side of the front light 30. , Connected to a moving mechanism 15 to be described later.

The moving mechanism 15 includes, for example, a stepping motor and the like, swings the left front camera 14a and the right front camera 14b, and positions at a predetermined angle based on a control signal obtained by executing a moving mechanism control program 19b6 described later. I do.
The moving mechanism 15 can move 180 degrees from the front to the rear of the vehicle 100.

The display unit 16 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display device, and performs predetermined display processing according to a display signal input from the CPU 11.
Specifically, for example, the display unit 16 displays the current position detected by the CPU 11 executing a detection program 19b1 described later together with map information stored in a map information database 19a1 described later, An image around the vehicle 100 photographed by the photographing camera 14 is displayed. Thereby, the display part 16 functions as a display means.

  The direction indicator 17 includes, for example, a lamp (not shown) that is attached to the outside of the vehicle and displays a blinking signal, an operation unit (not shown) that is attached to the inside of the vehicle and gives a signal to the driver, and the vehicle 100 turns right and left. When changing the lane, the driver blinks the lamp by operating the operation unit, and notifies the surroundings of the movement of the vehicle 100.

  The RAM 18 includes, for example, a program area for expanding a processing program executed by the CPU 11, a data storage area for storing input data, a processing result generated when the processing program is executed, and the like.

  The storage unit 19 is, for example, a system program that can be executed by the navigation device 1, various processing programs that can be executed by the system program, data that is used when these various processing programs are executed, and processing results that are arithmetically processed by the CPU 11. The data etc. are memorized. The program is stored in the storage unit 19 in the form of a computer readable program code.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, for example, the storage unit 19 includes a map information database 19a1, a detection program 19b1, a search program 19b2, a calculation program 19b3, a determination program 19b4, and a detection program 19b5. A moving mechanism control program 19b6, a display control program 19b7, and the like are stored.

  The map information database 19a1 stores, for example, map information relating to a road map for car navigation that expresses a predetermined area (for example, all over Japan) as a map information storage unit.

The detection program 19b1 is a program that causes the CPU 11 to realize a function of detecting the current position.
Specifically, by executing the detection program 19b1, the CPU 11 performs, for example, an absolute two-dimensional current of the vehicle 100 in which the navigation device 1 is installed based on the GPS signal output from the GPS antenna 12. A position P (latitude, longitude) is detected.
The CPU 11 functions as a detection unit by executing the detection program 19b1.

When the destination is set in the CPU 11, the search program 19b2 has a function of searching for an intersection through which the vehicle 100 passes on the route to the destination based on the map information stored in the map information database 19a1. This is a program to be realized.
The CPU 11 functions as a search unit by executing the search program 19b2.

The calculation program 19b3 is a program that causes the CPU 11 to realize a function of calculating the intersection angle of the road at the intersection searched by the CPU 11 executing the search program 19b2 based on the map information stored in the map information database 19a1.
The CPU 11 functions as a calculation unit by executing the calculation program 19b3.

The determination program 19b4 is a program that causes the CPU 11 to realize a function of determining whether or not the vehicle 100 has reached a predetermined distance before the intersection.
Specifically, if the destination is not set by the CPU 11 executing the discrimination program 19b4, the current position detected by the CPU 11 executing the detection program 19b1 and the map information database a1 Based on the stored map information, the vehicle 100 determines whether or not the vehicle 100 has reached a predetermined distance before the intersection. On the other hand, when the destination is set, the CPU 11 executes the detection program 19b1. Based on the current position detected by the execution, it is determined whether or not the vehicle 100 has reached a predetermined distance before the intersection searched by the execution of the search program 19b2.
The CPU 11 functions as a determination unit by executing the determination program 19b4.

The detection program 19b5 is a program that causes the CPU 11 to realize a function of detecting a direction indication operation by the direction indicator 17 provided in the vehicle 100.
Specifically, when the CPU 11 executes the detection program 19b5, for example, when changing the lane of the vehicle 100, the CPU 11 detects an operation by the driver of the operation unit that performs a signal.
The CPU 11 functions as a detection unit by executing the detection program 19b5.

The moving mechanism control program 19b6 is a program that causes the CPU 11 to realize a function of switching the camera 14 for shooting outside the vehicle to a state in which a predetermined direction can be shot.
Specifically, for example, when the CPU 11 executes the determination program 19b4 and determines that the vehicle 100 has reached a predetermined distance before the intersection searched by the execution of the search program 19b2, the moving mechanism control is performed. By executing the program 19b6, the outside-camera shooting camera 14 is switched to a state in which a direction substantially parallel to the intersecting road can be photographed based on the intersection angle of the road at the intersection calculated by the execution of the calculation program 19b3. More specifically, for example, when the vehicle 100 approaches a substantially T-shaped intersection, as shown in FIG. 3, the outside camera 14 can be photographed in a direction that is substantially parallel to the intersecting road. Switch. In addition, when the vehicle 100 reaches a substantially “I” -shaped intersection, as shown in FIG. 4, the outside-camera shooting camera 14 is switched to a state in which a direction substantially parallel to the intersecting road can be photographed.
On the other hand, when the CPU 11 executes the detection program 19b5 to detect the direction indicating operation and it is not determined that the vehicle has reached a predetermined distance before the intersection searched by the execution of the search program 19b2, the CPU 11 By executing the moving mechanism control program 19b6, as shown in FIG. 5, the outside-camera camera 14 is switched to a state in which the rear side can be photographed.
The CPU 11 functions as a moving mechanism control unit by executing the moving mechanism control program 19b6.

The display control program 19b7 is a program that causes the CPU 11 to realize a function of displaying an image captured by the camera 14 for shooting outside the vehicle on the display unit 16.
Specifically, the CPU 11 divides the screen by executing the display control program 19b7, for example, the video in the predetermined shooting direction switched by the execution of the movement mechanism control program 19b6, the map information near the current location, Are displayed on two screens.
The CPU 11 functions as a display control unit by executing the display control program 19b7.

<Vehicle surrounding shooting process>
Next, the vehicle periphery photographing process in the navigation device 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, in step S1, the destination is set by a user operation while the navigation apparatus 1 is powered on, and the CPU 11 executes the search program 19b2 when the destination is set. Thus, on the route to the destination based on the map information stored in the map information database 19a1, a passing intersection is searched and navigation is started.

  Next, in step S2, when the vehicle 100 is traveling, the CPU 11 executes the determination program 19b4 so that the vehicle 100 is detected in step S1 based on the current position detected by the execution of the detection program 19b1. It is determined whether or not a predetermined distance has been reached before the intersection searched by executing the search program 19b2, and if it is determined that the predetermined distance has been reached (step S2; Yes), the process proceeds to step S3.

  Next, in step S3, the CPU 11 executes the movement mechanism control program 19b6 to cause the outside-camera shooting camera 14 to cross the shooting direction based on the intersection angle of the road at the intersection calculated by the calculation program 19b3. And switch to be approximately parallel.

  Next, in step S4, the CPU 11 executes the display control program 19b7 to display the video image taken by the outside camera 14 and the map information near the current location on the display unit 16 in a two-screen display.

  Next, in step S5, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the vehicle has passed the intersection. If the CPU 11 determines that the vehicle has passed the intersection (step S5; Yes), the CPU 11 executes the display control program 19b7 to execute a camera for photographing outside the vehicle. The display is switched from the two-screen display of the video imaged at 14 and the map information near the current location to the one-screen display of only the map information near the current location, and the process proceeds to step S6. On the other hand, when it is determined that the vehicle has not passed through the intersection (step S5; No), the process returns to step S4, and shooting with the outside-camera shooting camera 14 and display of the shot video are continued.

  Next, in step S6, the CPU 11 determines whether or not it has arrived at the set destination. If it is determined that it has arrived at the destination (step S6; Yes), the CPU 11 ends this processing and arrives at the destination. If it is determined that it has not been performed (step S6; No), the process returns to step S2, and the operations after step S2 are repeated.

  On the other hand, by executing the discrimination program 19b4, the CPU 11 is based on the current position detected by the execution of the detection program 19b1, so that the vehicle 100 is in front of the intersection searched by the execution of the search program 19b2 in step S1. When it is determined that the predetermined distance has not been reached (step S2; No), the process proceeds to step S7.

  Next, in step S7, the CPU 11 executes the detection program 19b5 to detect a direction indicating operation by the direction indicator 17 provided in the vehicle 100, and when the direction indicating operation is detected (step S7; Yes). The process proceeds to step S8. On the other hand, when the direction indicating operation is not detected (step S7; No), the process returns to step S2, and the operations after step S2 are repeated.

  Next, in step S <b> 8, the CPU 11 executes the movement mechanism control program 19 b 6 to switch the outside-camera shooting camera 14 to a state in which the rear of the vehicle 100 can be photographed.

  Next, in step S9, the CPU 11 executes the display control program 19b7 to display the video imaged by the outside camera 14 on the display unit 16 along with the map information in the vicinity of the current location.

  Next, in step S10, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the direction indicating operation has ended by executing the detection program 19b5. If the CPU 11 determines that the direction indicating operation has ended (step S10; Yes), the CPU 11 displays By executing the control program 19b7, the display is switched from the two-screen display of the video captured by the camera 14 for shooting outside the vehicle and the map information near the current location to the one-screen display only of the map information near the current location, and the process proceeds to step S11. On the other hand, when it is determined that the direction indicating operation has not been completed (step S10; No), the process returns to step S9, and shooting with the outside-camera shooting camera 14 and display of the shot video are continued.

  Next, in step S11, the CPU 11 determines whether or not it has arrived at the set destination. If it is determined that it has arrived at the destination (step S11; Yes), this processing is terminated and the destination is reached. If it is determined that it has not been performed (step S11; No), the process returns to step S2, and the operations after step S2 are repeated.

According to the navigation device 1 according to the present invention described above, when the destination is set by the CPU 11 executing the search program 19b2, based on the map information stored in the map information database 19a1, In the route to the destination, an intersection through which the vehicle 100 passes can be searched. By executing the calculation program 19b3, the intersection is searched by executing the search program 19b2 based on the map information stored in the map information database 19a1. The intersection angle of the road at the intersection can be calculated, and the vehicle 100 is searched by executing the search program 19b2 based on the current position detected by executing the detection program 19b1 by executing the discrimination program 19b4. Predetermined distance before the intersection It is possible to determine whether or not the vehicle has reached the vehicle, and by executing the detection program 19b5, it is possible to detect the direction indicating operation by the direction indicator 17 provided in the vehicle 100. By executing the determination program 19b4, the vehicle When 100 is determined to have reached a predetermined distance before the intersection searched by the execution of the search program 19b2, by executing the moving mechanism control program 19b6, the vehicle 14 for shooting outside the vehicle is executed by the calculation program 19b3. Based on the intersection angle of the road at the intersection calculated by the above, the shooting direction is switched so as to be substantially parallel to the intersecting road, the direction indicating operation is detected by executing the detection program 19b5, and the vehicle executes the search program 19b2. Predetermined distance before the intersection searched by If it is not determined that the vehicle has arrived, the moving mechanism control program 19b6 can be executed to switch the camera 14 for shooting outside the vehicle to a state in which the rear side can be photographed, and the moving control program 19b7 can be used to execute the moving mechanism control program The image in the predetermined shooting direction switched by the execution of 19b6 and the map information near the current location can be displayed on the display unit 16 in two screens.
Therefore, when a vehicle approaches the intersection, the shooting direction of the outside-camera camera attached to the front side of the vehicle is switched so as to be substantially parallel to the intersecting road, thereby photographing a spot that becomes a blind spot at the intersection. Therefore, it is possible to suitably shoot a video around the vehicle according to the driving situation and confirm safety.
In addition, by setting the destination in the navigation device and activating the navigation function, the driver recognizes that the vehicle will approach the intersection in advance even if it is an unfamiliar road, and at the intersection It is possible to confirm a spot that becomes a blind spot, and to more suitably confirm safety around the vehicle.
Further, when changing the lane, the shooting direction of the outside-camera shooting camera is switched to the rear of the vehicle, so that other vehicles in the subsequent traveling can be confirmed, and the lane change can be performed safely.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various improvements and design changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
For example, in the above embodiment, the navigation apparatus 1 first sets a destination and then performs a photographing operation around the vehicle. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and even when the navigation apparatus 1 does not set a destination, the CPU 11 Determines whether the vehicle 100 has reached a predetermined distance before the intersection based on the current position detected by executing the detection program 19b1 and the map information stored in the map information database 19a1. It may be a design.
In addition, the predetermined distance before the intersection, which is the determination condition in the determination program 19b4, may be designed so that the setting can be changed.

It is a block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the navigation apparatus concerning this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the attachment position of the camera for vehicle exterior photography in this invention. It is a figure which shows the imaging | photography direction of the camera for imaging | photography outside a vehicle when a vehicle approaches a T-shaped intersection. It is a figure which shows the imaging | photography direction of the camera for a vehicle exterior photography when a vehicle approaches the substantially i-shaped intersection. It is a figure which shows the imaging | photography direction of the camera for imaging | photography outside a vehicle in case a vehicle changes lanes. It is a flowchart which shows the vehicle periphery imaging | photography process in this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 navigation device 11 CPU (detection means, search means, calculation means, discrimination means, detection means, movement mechanism control means, display control means)
12 GPS antenna 13 Power supply unit 14 Camera 15 for photographing outside the vehicle Moving mechanism (moving mechanism control means)
16 Display section (display means)
17 Direction indicator 18 RAM
19 memory | storage part 19a1 map information database (map information storage means)
19b1 detection program (detection means)
19b2 search program (search means)
19b3 calculation program (calculation means)
19b4 discrimination program (discrimination means)
19b5 detection program (detection means)
19b6 moving mechanism control program (moving mechanism control means)
19b7 display control program (display control means)
100 Vehicle S Camera field of view

Claims (6)

Detection means for detecting the current position, map information storage means for storing map information, and display means for displaying the current position detected by the detection means together with the map information stored in the map information storage means, In a navigation device that provides and navigates to a set destination,
A camera for photographing outside the vehicle mounted on the front side of the vehicle on which the navigation device is mounted;
A moving mechanism for switching a shooting direction by the camera for shooting outside the vehicle;
When the destination is set, search means for searching for an intersection through which the vehicle passes on the route to the destination based on the map information stored in the map information storage means;
Calculation means for calculating the intersection angle of the road at the intersection searched by the search means based on the map information stored in the map information storage means;
Based on the current position detected by the detection means, a determination means for determining whether or not the vehicle has reached a predetermined distance before the intersection searched by the search means;
Detecting means for detecting a direction indicating operation by a direction indicator provided in the vehicle;
When it is determined by the determining means that the vehicle has reached a predetermined distance before the intersection searched by the searching means, the outside-camera shooting camera is connected to the road at the intersection calculated by the calculating means. Based on the intersection angle, the photographing direction is switched so as to be substantially parallel to the intersecting road, the direction indicating operation is detected by the detecting means, and the vehicle is located at a predetermined distance before the intersection searched by the searching means. If it is not determined that the vehicle has been approached, a moving mechanism control means for switching the camera for photographing outside the vehicle to a state in which the rear can be photographed, and
Display control means for causing the display means to display two screens of the video in the predetermined shooting direction switched by the moving mechanism control means and the map information near the current position;
A navigation device comprising: Detection means for detecting the current position, map information storage means for storing map information, and display means for displaying the current position detected by the detection means together with the map information stored in the map information storage means, In a navigation device that provides and navigates to a set destination,
A camera for photographing outside the vehicle mounted on the front side of the vehicle on which the navigation device is mounted;
A moving mechanism for switching a shooting direction by the camera for shooting outside the vehicle;
Discrimination means for discriminating whether or not the vehicle has reached a predetermined distance before the intersection based on the current position detected by the detection means and the map information stored in the map information storage means;
A moving mechanism control unit that switches the outside-camera camera to a state in which a predetermined direction can be photographed when the determination unit determines that the vehicle has reached a predetermined distance before an intersection;
Display control means for causing the display means to display an image taken by the camera for photographing outside the vehicle switched by the moving mechanism control means;
A navigation device comprising: A detecting means for detecting a direction indicating operation by a direction indicator provided in the vehicle;
The moving mechanism control means is based on the current position detected by the detection means by the detection means and the map information stored in the map information storage means by the detection means. 3. The navigation device according to claim 2, wherein when it is not determined that the vehicle has reached a predetermined distance before the intersection, the outside-camera camera is switched to a state in which the rear side can be photographed. When the destination is set, search means for searching for an intersection through which the vehicle passes on the route to the destination based on the map information stored in the map information storage means,
The determination means determines whether or not the vehicle has reached a predetermined distance before the intersection searched by the search means based on the current position detected by the detection means. Item 4. The navigation device according to Item 3. Based on the map information stored in the map information storage means, comprising calculating means for calculating the intersection angle of the road at the intersection searched by the search means,
The moving mechanism control means calculates the outside-camera camera by the calculating means when the determining means determines that the vehicle has reached a predetermined distance before the intersection searched by the searching means. 5. The navigation apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the shooting direction is switched so as to be substantially parallel to a road intersecting with the intersection angle of the road at the intersection.   In the case where the moving mechanism control means detects a direction indicating operation by the detecting means, and the determining means does not determine that the vehicle has reached a predetermined distance before the intersection searched by the searching means. The navigation apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the camera for photographing outside the vehicle is switched to a state in which the rear can be photographed.

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