JP2008249355A - Navigation device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To configure a navigation device causing a driver to accurately recognize a guidance point while suppressing vibration excessive in terms of strength and time of a vibrator. <P>SOLUTION: When a vehicle body has reached a prescribed position on a near side of a guidance point on a travel route, a guidance processing means 26 drives either a left vibratory body VL or a right vibratory body VR provided at a driving seat, which corresponds to a guidance direction at the guidance point. Where it is determined by a vibration sensor 18 that the vibrating state of the vehicle body exceeds a reference value, a corrective processing means 25 performs control for enhancing the strength of the vibratory body. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention acquires the current position of the vehicle body based on the positioning information, and recognizes the guide point to the driver by driving the vibrator when it is determined that the current position has approached the guide point on the travel route. The present invention relates to a navigation device including guidance processing means.

  As a navigation device configured as described above, there is one described in Patent Document 1. In this Patent Document 1, a travel route (travel route) on which an automobile should travel is set from the positioning information acquired based on GPS radio waves and displayed on the display, and before the vehicle body reaches a guidance point such as an intersection or a branch point. In addition, the distance to the guide point is notified by voice, and processing for operating the one corresponding to the guide direction among the right vibrating body and the left vibrating body provided in the driver's seat is performed.

  In this patent document 1, the right vibration body and the left vibration body corresponding to the direction guided by the guide point are set as the operation target, and the closer the vehicle body is to the guide point, the voice notification interval and the vibration body The processing mode is set so as to shorten the operation interval and increase the drive gain of the vibrating body.

JP 2000-221051 A (paragraph numbers [0027] to [0062], FIGS. 1 to 11)

  In this way, the vibration of the vibrator is transmitted to the driver's body so that the driver can recognize the guidance point. For example, when compared with a navigation device that provides voice notification, Patent Document 1 also describes. As mentioned above, it is not affected by music from car radio or car audio, noise outside the car, etc., and even a deaf driver can recognize guidance points such as intersections based on vibration of the vibrator. is there.

  However, in a situation where the vehicle body vibrates, such as when traveling on a rough road, there is also a face that makes it difficult for the driver to recognize the vibration from the vibrator. In particular, when the period and amplitude of vibration transmitted to the vehicle body are approximate, there is a room for improvement because it is difficult to recognize vibration. In order to eliminate such inconvenience, it is conceivable to vibrate the vibrator strongly. However, when the vibrator is vibrated strongly in this way, the driver's recognition is improved, but the road surface condition is good and vibration is generated. Even when traveling on a road that does not invite, it is assumed that the vibrator vibrates more strongly than necessary, causing the driver to feel bothered.

  Further, as described in Patent Document 1, in the case where the vibrator is repeatedly operated when the vehicle body approaches the guide point, the driver sets the guide point at the initial vibration stage among a plurality of vibrations. Even in the situation of correctly recognizing, there is a case where the vibrator continues to be operated after this, so that it may be bothersome, and there is room for improvement in this respect as well. In particular, when the driver visually recognizes the guidance point before the vibrator vibrates, the driver feels annoyed that the vibrator operates more than necessary even after the driver recognizes the guidance point. There is also.

  In order to eliminate this inconvenience, it may be possible to provide a switch for stopping the vibrator, but there is room for improvement in that the switch operation is cumbersome and the cost of parts increases due to the provision of the switch. .

  An object of the present invention is to rationally configure a navigation device that allows a driver to properly recognize a guide point while suppressing excessive vibration in terms of strength and time of a vibrator.

A feature of the present invention is that the current position of the vehicle body is acquired based on the positioning information, and when it is determined that the current position has approached the guide point on the travel route, the vibrator is driven to guide the driver to the guide point. And a guidance processing means for recognizing
There is provided a vibration state determination means for determining the vibration state of the vehicle body, and a correction processing means for correcting and controlling the vibration of the vibrator when the vibration state determination means determines a vibration state exceeding a reference value. .

  With this configuration, when the vibration state determination means determines that the vibration state of the vehicle body exceeds the reference value, the correction processing means controls the vibration of the vibrator so that the vibration is stronger than the vibration acting from the vehicle body. In addition, the vibrator can be vibrated to such an extent that the strength does not become excessive. As a result, a navigation device has been rationally configured that suppresses excessive vibrations of the vibrator and allows the driver to recognize the guide points by vibrations of appropriate strength. In particular, as compared with a switch provided with switches for stopping the vibration of the vibrator, it is not necessary to perform a switch operation, the number of parts is not increased, and a failure is unlikely to occur.

  A feature of the present invention is that when the vibration state determination means determines that the vibration state acting from the vehicle body exceeds the reference value, the correction processing means strengthens the vibration of the vibrator.

  With this configuration, when the vibration state from the vehicle body acts beyond the reference value, the correction processing unit increases the vibration intensity of the vibrator.

  In the present invention, the vibration state determination unit is configured by a vibration sensor that measures the vibration of the vehicle body, and the correction processing unit intensifies the vibration of the vibrator based on the intensity of vibration measured by the vibration state determination unit. Also good.

  With this configuration, the correction processing means increases the vibration intensity of the vibrator based on the vibration intensity measured by the vibration state determination means functioning as a vibration sensor.

  According to the present invention, when the vibration state determination unit determines a vibration state based on a buffer characteristic set in a suspension part of a wheel in the vehicle body, the correction processing unit is configured to detect the vibration when the buffer characteristic is in a predetermined state. The vibration of the may be strengthened.

  With this configuration, when the shock-absorbing characteristic is changed by setting the preload of the suspension spring or adjusting the shock absorber, the vibration-state determining means determines the vibration state resulting from the change of the shock-absorbing characteristic. Based on the result, the vibration intensity of the vibrator is increased.

  In the present invention, the vibrator includes a left vibrating body that transmits vibration to the left side of the driver and a right vibrating body that transmits vibration to the right side of the driver, and the guidance processing means includes the guide point and the vehicle body. When the distance approaches the set distance, the left vibrating body and the right vibrating body corresponding to the guidance direction of the vehicle body at the guidance point may be driven.

  With this configuration, when the vehicle body approaches the set point with respect to the guide point, the left vibrating body and the right vibrating body constituting the vibrator are driven corresponding to the guidance direction of the vehicle body at the guide point. Thus, the guidance direction can be notified based on the vibration.

The present invention acquires the current position of the vehicle body based on the positioning information, and recognizes the guide point to the driver by driving the vibrator when it is determined that the current position has approached the guide point on the travel route. And a guidance processing means for causing
It is provided with a recognition operation determining means for determining an operation normally performed by the driver when the guide point is recognized, and when the operation by the driver is determined by the recognition operation determining means, the vibration of the vibrator is reduced or Correction processing means for stopping may be provided.

  With this configuration, when the driver recognizes the guidance point from the vibration of the vibrator and the recognition operation determining unit determines that the driver has performed an operation normally performed based on the recognition, the correction processing unit is connected to the vibrator. The vibration is weakened or stopped, so that even if the vibrator repeatedly vibrates, it is possible to prevent excessive vibration from acting on the driver in time. As a result, a navigation device that can suppress excessive vibration of the vibrator over time and can make the driver recognize the guide point by appropriate vibration has been rationally configured.

  In the present invention, the recognition operation determining means is constituted by a brake sensor for determining the brake operation of the vehicle body, and when the recognition operation determining means determines the brake operation, the correction processing means weakens the vibration of the vibrator or You may stop.

  With this configuration, when the recognition operation determination unit that functions as a brake sensor determines that a brake operation has been performed, the correction unit weakens or stops the vibration of the vibrator, and continues to vibrate the vibrator to the driver. The inconvenience of acting automatically can be suppressed.

  In the present invention, the vibrator is composed of a left vibrating body provided on the left side of the driver seat and a right vibrating body provided on the right side, and the guidance processing means has a distance between the guide point and the vehicle body up to a set distance. When approaching, of the left vibrating body and the right vibrating body, one corresponding to the guide direction in which the vehicle body is directed at the guide point may be driven.

  With this configuration, when the vehicle body approaches the set point with respect to the guide point, the left vibrating body and the right vibrating body constituting the vibrator are driven corresponding to the guidance direction of the vehicle body at the guide point. Thus, the guidance direction can be notified based on the vibration.

In the present invention, the vibrator includes a left vibrating body that transmits vibration to the left side of the driver and a right vibrating body that transmits vibration to the right side of the driver, and the guidance processing means includes the guide point and the vehicle body. When the distance approaches the set distance, it is configured to drive the left vibrating body and the right vibrating body corresponding to the guidance direction of the vehicle body at the guide point,
The recognition operation determining means is configured to determine the operating direction of the winker, and when the recognizing operation determining means determines the operation of the winker corresponding to the guidance direction of the vehicle body at the guide point, the correction processing means May weaken or stop the vibration of the vibrator.

  With this configuration, by driving one of the left vibrating body and the right vibrating body that constitute the vibrator corresponding to the guidance direction of the vehicle body at the guide point, the guidance direction can be notified based on the vibration, and the blinker When the recognition operation discriminating means having the function of detecting the operating direction discriminates the operation of the winker corresponding to the guidance direction of the guide point, the vibration of the vibrator is weakened or stopped, and the vibration of the vibrator is given to the driver. The inconvenience of continuously acting can be suppressed.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[Overall configuration / first embodiment]
FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show a position in the vicinity of the driver's seat 1 of the passenger car. A steering wheel 2 and a meter panel 3 are disposed in front of the driver's seat 1. A navigation device N is provided above the console 4. An accelerator pedal 5 and a brake pedal 6 are disposed in front of the driver seat 1, and a winker lever 7 is provided in the vicinity of the steering wheel 2.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the navigation device N includes a GPS receiver 11 having an antenna 11A (GPS is an abbreviation for Global Positioning System), a VICS receiver 12 having an antenna 12A, and VICS (Vehicle Information). and Communication System (abbreviation: registered trademark), a navigation information acquisition system for inputting information acquired by the direction sensor 13 and the vehicle speed sensor 14 to the navigation controller 20 is provided. A vibration sensor 18 (an example of a vibration state determination unit) that measures the amount of vibration and a characteristic sensor 19 (as shown in FIG. 3) that acquires a buffer characteristic of the suspension part SU of a wheel (a superordinate concept of the front wheel FW and the rear wheel RW). A signal acquisition system from an example of a vibration state determination means.

  The navigation controller 20 further includes a navigation information output system for outputting information from the navigation controller 20 to the display 15, the speaker 16, and the vibrator V composed of the left vibrating body VL and the right vibrating body VR. A plurality of input switches 17 and a human operation information acquisition system from a touch panel 15T formed on the display surface of the display 15, and an information access system between the hard disk HD and the media drive MD.

  The display 15 is a liquid crystal display capable of color display, and displays guidance information when the vehicle is traveling along a route. The speaker 16 outputs audio information. Although the liquid crystal type is used as the display 15, a CRT or a plasma display may be used. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the speaker 16 is provided on the inner surface side of the left and right doors of the vehicle body, but may be provided on the main body of the navigation device N.

  The vibration sensor 18 is configured to digitize and output the vibration of the vehicle body. For example, if the direction sensor 13 uses a gyro sensor, the direction sensor 13 is used as the vibration sensor 18. You may also use it. The characteristic sensor 19 is configured to digitize and obtain the buffer characteristic from the setting of the spring preload of the suspension part SU of the front wheel FW and the rear wheel RW and the setting of the shock absorber of the suspension part SU.

  The left vibrating body VL and the right vibrating body VR have a structure in which an eccentric weight is connected to the output shaft of the electric motor and vibration is generated by the rotation of the output shaft. You may use the thing of the structure which generate | occur | produces a vibration by supplying electric power or supplying alternating current power to a coil.

  The navigation device N receives signals from a plurality of GPS satellites by the GPS receiver 11 to acquire position information (positioning information indicated by longitude and latitude) where the vehicle body (own vehicle) exists in real time, Based on the position information, the traveling direction information of the vehicle body acquired by the direction sensor 13, and the vehicle speed information acquired by the vehicle speed sensor 14, the position of the vehicle body (own vehicle) and the traveling direction are displayed on a map displayed on the display 15. A position display process for display is realized.

  The navigation device N designates a destination by operating the plurality of input switches 17 or the touch panel 15T in the target location setting mode, so that a travel route R (recommended travel route) to travel to reach the destination. (Refer to FIG. 6) is obtained by the processing in the navigation device N. The destination is an operation such as inputting a personal address, a specific lot number, or a postal code, or displaying a map including the destination on the display 15 and directly specifying the destination on the map. Can be specified by. The travel route R (recommended travel route) is obtained by searching for the shortest travel distance, the shortest travel time selected by the driver, or the one including the route specified by the driver. In this way, the processing form is set.

  When the vehicle body travels, a map is displayed on the display 15, and the travel route R and the position of the vehicle body are displayed on the map. Further, before the vehicle body reaches the guidance point GP (see FIG. 6) such as an intersection or a branch point existing on the travel route, information related to the guidance point is displayed on the display 15 and output to the speaker 16. By driving either the left vibrating body VL or the right vibrating body VR, the driver is made aware that the vehicle is approaching the guide point GP and informs the guide direction at the guide point GP (the direction of left turn or right turn). The route guidance process is realized.

  The navigation device N receives a VICS radio wave beacon (which may correspond to an optical beacon) or a VICS signal multiplexed in FM broadcast by the VICS receiver 12 during travel, thereby causing congestion on the travel route R. A peripheral information output process for acquiring various traffic information such as information, current position information, and parking lot information and outputting the information to the display 15 and the speaker 16 is realized.

  The azimuth sensor 13 includes a geomagnetic sensor, a gyro sensor, and the like to output information on the traveling direction of the vehicle body. The vehicle speed sensor 14 outputs information on the traveling speed of the vehicle body from the number of rotations of the wheel within a unit time.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the driver's seat 1 is composed of a seat cushion portion 1A, a seat back portion 1B, and a headrest portion 1C, and the left vibrating body VL and the right vibrating body are mounted on the seat cushion portion 1A. The VR is arranged in the left and right direction. By providing the left vibrating body VL and the right vibrating body VR in this way, when the guide direction at the guide point GP is, for example, a right turn, the right vibrating body VR is driven and the vibration is driven by the driver. By telling the right leg, the driver can recognize the guidance direction.

  In the present invention, the left vibrating body VL and the right vibrating body VR may not be provided in the seat cushion portion 1A of the driver seat 1, for example, provided on the left and right of the steering wheel 2 in a straight traveling posture, It is also possible to provide for a device that is in direct contact with the driver's body.

  The touch panel 15T is formed on the display surface of the display 15, and outputs information on the contact position when the driver touches a finger or the like. The plurality of input switches 17 can be selected and set by a human operation.

  The hard disk HD functions as information storage means, and stores in advance a database of map information, a database of road information, and the like. These databases are taken in from a CD-R or DVD set in the media drive MD, and stored in the hard disk HD by the navigation controller 20.

  The media drive MD is not limited to a disc-type media such as a CD-R or a DVD, but is also a compact flash (registered trademark), smart media (registered trademark), memory stick (registered trademark), SD memory card (SanDisk , Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., Toshiba, etc., a memory card standard jointly developed by the three companies, etc.

[Configuration of navigation controller]
Although not shown in the drawing, the navigation controller 20 includes hardware such as a CPU (central processing unit) that performs information processing, a semiconductor memory that stores information, an input / output interface, and the like, and is developed in the semiconductor memory. And software such as an OS (operating system) for managing the program.

  An outline of a processing system for realizing the processing in the navigation controller 20 can be shown as shown in FIG. That is, the navigation controller 20 includes current position acquisition means 21 that acquires the current position of the vehicle body based on the positioning information from the GPS receiver 11, the direction information from the direction sensor 13, and the vehicle speed information from the vehicle speed sensor 14. The matching processing means 22 for extracting the map information corresponding to the current position and the travel route R, and the display processing means for generating information that can be displayed on the display 15 from the map information extracted by the matching processing means 22 and the travel route R. 23 is provided.

  As described above, the information on the travel route R (recommended travel route) displayed on the map when performing processing in this position display processing system includes the target location and the target location specified in the target location setting mode. Based on the conditions selected by the driver, the current position of the vehicle body, and the road information database, the travel route setting means 24 obtains the search process and stores it in the hard disk HD or semiconductor memory.

  The navigation controller 20 includes correction processing means 25 for inputting signals from the vibration sensor 18 and the characteristic sensor 19, and guidance for receiving signals from the correction processing means 25 and the current position acquisition means 21. A route guidance processing system comprising processing means 26 is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 7, in the travel route R, a notification area F is formed on the troublesome side from the guide point GP. In the notification area F, a plurality of notification points T (Ta to Td · T are a plurality of notification points). A superordinate concept) is set. In this route guidance processing system, when the vehicle body travels in the direction of the guidance point GP from the front side of the guidance point GP such as an intersection, a notification is made every time the notification point T is reached. This notification output will be described later.

  The navigation controller 20 includes a peripheral information output processing system including information acquisition means 27 for acquiring various traffic information such as traffic jam information, current position information, and parking lot information from the VICS receiver 12.

  The navigation controller 20 includes an image output circuit 31 that outputs image information to the display 15, an audio output circuit 32 that outputs audio information to the speaker 16, and a vibration that drives the left vibrating body VL and the right vibrating body VR. Each of the body drive circuits 33 is provided. The vibrating body drive circuit 33 is configured to be able to adjust the voltage supplied to the left vibrating body VL and the right vibrating body VR by duty control.

  In the navigation controller 20, a program in which each of the current position acquisition means 21, matching processing means 22, display processing means 23, travel route setting means 24, correction processing means 25, and guidance processing means 26 is developed in a semiconductor memory as described above. (Software), it may be configured by hardware such as logic, or may be configured by combination with hardware.

[Control form / Main routine]
A basic processing form by the navigation apparatus N of the present invention is shown in the flowchart of FIG. That is, a guide point and a guide direction are set based on the travel route R (step # 01).

  When executing this process, by specifying the destination as described above, based on the current position of the vehicle body acquired by the current position acquisition means 21 and the road information database stored in the hard disk HD. Thus, it is necessary for the travel route setting means 24 to obtain a travel route R (recommended travel route) by a search process and to store it in the hard disk HD or semiconductor memory in advance.

  After the travel route R is stored in the hard disk HD in this way, the guidance processing means 26 obtains the travel route R from the hard disk HD, and the guidance processing means 26 detects intersections and branch points existing in the travel route R. The guidance point GP is set, and the traveling direction (left turn or right turn) at the guidance point GP is set and stored in the hard disk HD or memory.

  Next, based on the positioning information from the GPS receiver 11, the direction information from the direction sensor 13, and the vehicle speed information from the vehicle speed sensor 14, the current position acquisition unit 21 acquires the current position of the vehicle body. Based on this, the current position of the vehicle body and the travel route R are displayed on the display 15 in a state of being superimposed on the map information of the corresponding position, and a notification process is performed when approaching the guide point GP, and these processes are repeated. (Steps # 02, # 100, and # 03).

  The matching processing means 22 acquires the map information corresponding to the current position acquired by the current position acquisition means 21 and the travel route information from the hard disk HD, and the display processing means 23 displays the map information and the route information. Image data that can be displayed on 15 screens is generated, and the image data generated in this way is output to the display 15 via the image output circuit 31.

  When the vehicle body is run in a situation where the processing of the position display processing system is performed, the map information displayed on the display 15 is scrolled while the display position of the vehicle body is fixed.

[Control form / Timing chart]
A timing chart for performing notification in the notification area F can be shown as shown in FIG. As an example, on a general road, the first notification start point Ts is set 300 m before the guide point GP, and a plurality of notification points Ta to Td are set in the notification region F. The first of the three initial notification points Ta coincides with the notification start point Ts. In addition, the vibration intensity corresponding to the drive signals output at a plurality of notification points T is represented as a vibration intensity Q in a graph.

  The relative notification interval W1 of the first three notification points Ta is set to 33 m, and the subsequent relative notification interval W2 of the four notification points Tb is set to 25 m. The relative notification interval W3 of the following three notification points Tc is set to 17 m. The distance between the final notification point Td and the guide point GP is 50 m.

  At the first three notification points Ta, the vibrator V is driven with the intensity set at the set drive time P1. At the next four notification points Tb, the vibrator V is driven more strongly than these at the drive time P1 equal to the immediately preceding notification point Ta. Further, at the next three notification points Tc, the vibrator V is driven more strongly than these at a driving time P2 that is twice the previous notification points Ta and Tb. At the last notification point Td, the vibrator V is driven most strongly at the last notification point Tc and the longer drive time P3.

  Note that the voltage supplied to the left vibrating body VL and the right vibrating body VR at the first three notification points Ta is set to 5 V, and at the next four notification points Tb, the voltage is applied to the left vibrating body VL and the right vibrating body VR. The supplied voltage is set to 6V, the voltage supplied to the left vibrating body VL and the right vibrating body VR at the next three notification points Tc is set to 7V, and at the last notification point Td, the left vibrating body VL and The voltage supplied to the right vibrating body VR is set to 8V. As a result, the vibration intensity of the left vibrating body VL and the right vibrating body VR increases as the vehicle body approaches the guide point GP.

[Control mode, subroutine, basic output mode]
As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 10, the notification processing routine (step # 100) is performed when the correction processing means 25 acquires signals from the vibration sensor 18 and the characteristic sensor 19 and the vibration state exceeds a reference value. Only, a drive coefficient corresponding to (directly proportional to) the signal value is set (steps # 101 to # 103). The vibration is expressed by a vibration period, a vibration strength (acceleration), and a vibration amplitude. The vibration state is at least of the vibration strength and amplitude measured by the vibration sensor 18. On the other hand, it indicates one including each, and indicates at least one of the intensity and amplitude of vibration induced by the suppression of the buffer when the characteristic sensor 19 determines that the buffer is suppressed. .

  Next, the first notification output is performed only when it is determined that the notification start point Ts has been reached, except when the notification output has already started (the notification start point Ts has already been passed). (Steps # 104 to # 106). In this process, description will be made on the assumption that the vehicle body is guided to the right side (right turn direction) toward the guidance point GP.

  In this first notification output (step # 106), as shown in FIG. 7, a message “approx. 300m ahead, right direction” is output by voice, and an enlarged map is displayed on the display 15, corresponding to the guidance direction. Then, the right vibrating body VR is driven at the set intensity for the set time (P1). In particular, when the drive coefficient is set when the right vibrating body VR is driven, the power supplied to the right vibrating body VR is increased based on the drive coefficient, thereby increasing the vibration intensity. Will increase the awareness of the person.

  After this (when the vehicle body has already passed the notification start point Ts), a notification output is performed every time the vehicle body reaches the notification point T (steps # 107 and # 108).

  In this notification output (step # 108), the right vibrating body VR on the right side is driven at the set intensity for the set time every time each notification point T is reached, and at the notification point T existing in the middle among the plurality of notification points T. , A message “soon to the right” is output by voice, and the right vibrating body VR on the side at the last notification point Td is driven at a set intensity for a set time (P3), and at the same time an electronic sound ( Chime) is output.

  In particular, when the right vibrating body VR is driven in the processing of the notification output (# 108 step), if the driving coefficient is set in step # 103, the right vibrating body VR is supplied based on the driving coefficient. By increasing the power to be generated, the vibration intensity is increased and the driver's recognition is increased.

  When the driving power supplied to the left vibrating body VL and the right vibrating body VR is increased to increase the vibration intensity, the vibration intensity Q shown at each notification point T in the timing chart shown in FIG. The power increased is expressed in a form that extends upward by X.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, the vibration of the vibrating body VL and the right vibrating body VR is suppressed by the vibration of the vehicle body as in the case where the vehicle body vibrates like when traveling on a rough road (it is difficult to recognize). In the situation, when the vibration exceeds the reference value, the vibration intensity of the left vibrating body VL and the right vibrating body VR is increased based on the magnitude of the vibration, thereby improving the driver's recognition. At the same time, it is easy to transmit vibrations from the road surface to the vehicle body, such as when the preload setting of the spring of the wheel suspension and the shock absorber is in a situation where the shock absorption is suppressed (predetermined state) by adjusting the shock absorber. Even in the situation, when the degree of suppression of the buffer characteristic exceeds the reference value, the vibration intensity of the left vibrating body VL and the right vibrating body VR is increased to improve the driver's recognition.

[Another example of the first embodiment]
(A) In the situation where the vibration period of the vehicle body is acquired by the vibration sensor 18 and the vibration period is relatively large and the driver is greatly shaken up and down in the driver seat 1, the vibrator V is activated at the timing when the driver lifts upward. The vibration of the vibrator V can be properly recognized at the timing when the driver sinks downward. For this reason, an acceleration sensor for accurately obtaining the period and amplitude of the vertical vibration of the vehicle body is used, and the vibration of the vibrator V is increased at the timing when the driver lifts upward, so that the driver is pressed against the seat. The vibration intensity of the vibrator may be adjusted so as to weaken the vibration of the vibrator V at the timing.

(B) When vibration exceeding the reference value is acquired by the vibration sensor 18, for example, if the traveling speed of the vehicle body is high, the vibration of the vibrator V may be increased in consideration of the possibility that the vibration intensity may be further increased. May be set strongly.

[Second Embodiment]
In this 2nd Embodiment, what has the same function as 1st Embodiment is attached | subjected the number and code | symbol common to 1st Embodiment.

  In the second embodiment, the basic configuration of the navigation device N is almost the same as that of the first embodiment, but with the vehicle body approaching the guide point GP on the travel route R and recognizing the guide point GP. Recognizing operation discriminating means for discriminating an operation normally performed by the driver, and when the recognition operation discriminating means discriminates recognition by the driver, a correction processing means for weakening or stopping the vibration of the vibrator V is provided. Is different.

[Basic configuration of navigation device]
As shown in FIG. 11, the navigation apparatus N includes a GPS receiver 11 having an antenna 11A (GPS is an abbreviation for Global Positioning System), a VICS receiver 12 having an antenna 12A (VICS is Vehicle Information and Abbreviation for Communication System: a navigation information acquisition system for inputting information acquired by the direction sensor 13 and the vehicle speed sensor 14 to the navigation controller 20, and for the navigation controller 20, the brake pedal 6 A signal acquisition system from a brake sensor 6S (an example of a recognition operation determination unit) that determines an operation and a winker sensor 7S (an example of a recognition operation determination unit) that determines an operation direction of the winker lever 7 (an operation direction of the winker). I have.

  In this control system, a signal system is formed so that the navigation controller 20 directly acquires signals from the brake sensor 6S and the winker sensor 7S. For example, signals from the brake sensor 6S and the winker sensor 7S are ECU (Electric In the case of what is input to the Control Unit), the processing mode may be set so as to obtain the operation information of the brake and winker from this ECU.

  The navigation controller 20 further includes a navigation information output system for outputting information from the navigation controller 20 to the display 15, the speaker 16, and the vibrator V composed of the left vibrating body VL and the right vibrating body VR. A plurality of input switches 17 and a human operation information acquisition system from a touch panel 15T formed on the display surface of the display 15, and an information access system between the hard disk HD and the media drive MD.

[Configuration of navigation controller]
Although not shown in the drawing, the navigation controller 20 includes hardware such as a CPU (central processing unit) that performs information processing, a semiconductor memory that stores information, an input / output interface, and the like, and is developed in the semiconductor memory. And software such as an OS (operating system) for managing the program.

  An outline of a processing system for realizing the processing in the navigation controller 20 can be shown as shown in FIG. That is, the navigation controller 20 includes current position acquisition means 21 that acquires the current position of the vehicle body based on the positioning information from the GPS receiver 11, the direction information from the direction sensor 13, and the vehicle speed information from the vehicle speed sensor 14. The matching processing means 22 for extracting the map information corresponding to the current position and the travel route R, and the display processing means for generating information that can be displayed on the display 15 from the map information extracted by the matching processing means 22 and the travel route R. 23 is provided.

  As described above, the information on the travel route R (recommended travel route) displayed on the map when performing processing in this position display processing system includes the target location and the target location specified in the target location setting mode. Based on the conditions selected by the driver, the current position of the vehicle body, and the road information database, the travel route setting means 24 obtains the search process and stores it in the hard disk HD or semiconductor memory.

  The navigation controller 20 includes a correction processing unit 25 that receives signals from the brake sensor 6S (an example of a recognition operation determination unit) and the winker sensor 7S (an example of a recognition operation determination unit). There is provided a route guidance processing system comprising guidance processing means 26 to which signals from means 25 and the current position acquisition means 21 are input.

[Control form / Timing chart]
The basic processing mode by the navigation apparatus N of the present invention is the same as the flowchart of FIG. 9 of the first embodiment, and the subroutine (# 100 step) is different from the first embodiment. The timing chart for performing notification in the notification area F is also the same as that shown in FIG.

〔subroutine〕
In the notification processing routine (# 100 step), as shown in FIG. 13, when the brake sensor 6S detects that the brake pedal 6 is operated, a preset driving coefficient is set, and the guidance point GP is set. When the winker sensor 7S detects that the winker lever 7 has been operated in the direction corresponding to the guidance direction at, a preset drive coefficient is set (steps # 101 to # 104). These drive coefficients are given values that reduce the vibration intensity of the vibrator V.

  Next, the first notification output is performed only when it is determined that the notification start point Ts has been reached, except when the notification output has already started (the notification start point Ts has already been passed). (Steps # 105 to # 107). In this process, description will be made assuming that the vehicle body is guided to the right side (right turn direction) at the guidance point GP.

  In this first notification output (step # 107), a message “approx. 300 m ahead, right direction” is output by voice, an enlarged map is displayed on the display 15, and the right vibrating body VR is displayed corresponding to the guidance direction. Drive at the set intensity for the set time (P1). In particular, when the drive coefficient is set when driving the right vibration body VR, the power supplied to the right vibration body VR is reduced based on the drive coefficient, thereby reducing the vibration intensity. The annoyance to the person is eliminated.

  In this way, when the strength of the vibration is weakened, it is possible to set the control mode so as to stop the vibration in addition to the weakening of the vibration, and the vibration becomes weaker as the vehicle body approaches the guide point GP. The control form may be set so as to.

  After this (when the vehicle body has already passed the notification start point Ts), a notification output is performed every time the vehicle body reaches the notification point T (steps # 108 and # 109).

  In this notification output (step # 109), each time the notification point T is reached, the right vibrating body VR is driven at the set intensity for a set time, and at the notification point T existing in the middle among the plurality of notification points T, the voice is output. To output the message “Soon to the right”, and at the last notification point Td, the right vibrator VR is driven at the set intensity for the set time (P2), and at the same time, an electronic sound (chime) is output from the speaker 16. To do.

  In particular, also in this notification output (step # 108), when the drive coefficient is set when driving the right vibrator VR, the power supplied to the right vibrator VR is reduced based on the drive coefficient. By doing so, the intensity of vibration is weakened to eliminate the troublesomeness for the driver.

  When the power supplied to the left vibrating body VL and the right vibrating body VR is reduced to weaken the vibration intensity, the vibration intensity Q shown at each notification point T in the timing chart shown in FIG. About the thing which reduced electric power, it represents with the form which shrink | contracts only Y below.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, in a situation where the vehicle travels on the travel route R and the vehicle body approaches the guide point GP, when the driver decelerates by operating the brake pedal 6, the driver operates the guide point GP. It can be determined that the brake pedal 6 has been operated by recognizing the position of the left vibration body VL and the right vibration body VR before the vehicle body reaches the notification area F or within the notification area F. The vibration annoyance of the left vibrating body VL and the right vibrating body VR can be eliminated with respect to the driver.

  Further, in a situation where the vehicle travels along the travel route R and the vehicle body approaches the guide point GP, when the driver operates the winker lever 7 corresponding to (coincides with) the guide direction of the guide point GP, Since it can be determined that the turn signal lever 7 has been operated by recognizing the guide direction of the guide point GP, the left vibrating body VL and the vehicle body VL before the vehicle body reaches the notification region F or within the notification region F By reducing the vibration with the right vibrating body VR or stopping the vibration, the troublesome vibration of the left vibrating body VL and the right vibrating body VR can be eliminated for the driver.

  In particular, in a situation where the vehicle body approaches the guide point GP, if the winker lever 7 is erroneously operated in the direction opposite to the guide direction of the guide point GP, the corresponding vibrating body vibrates without being weakened. Therefore, the driver can also grasp the erroneous operation of the winker lever 7 from the vibration state.

[Another example of the second embodiment]
(A) When traffic information is acquired by the VICS receiver 12 when the brake operation is determined, it is impossible to accelerate the vehicle body, so the vibration intensity of the vibrator V is further reduced, or vibration The processing mode is set so as to stop.

(B) In particular, a camera and an image processing system that performs image processing from the camera to grasp the situation in front of the vehicle body, and when the image processing system determines that the front is congested, or When the front signal is red, the processing mode is set so that the vibration intensity of the vibrator V is further reduced or the vibration is stopped even when it is determined that the brake operation has been performed.

(C) When the operation of the brake pedal 6 and the winker lever 7 is performed simultaneously (continuously), the control mode is set so as to stop the vibration of the vibrator V. By setting the processing mode in this way, the driver's troublesomeness due to vibration of the vibrator V can be eliminated.

(D) In the embodiment, the navigation controller 20 performs various processes such as the guidance process. However, the present invention is not particularly limited to this. For example, the guidance process is performed by a controller separate from the navigation controller 20. Also good.

The top view of the position near the driver's seat of the passenger car of a 1st embodiment. The perspective view of the vicinity position of the driver's seat of the passenger car of a 1st embodiment. The top view which shows typically the structure of the passenger car of 1st Embodiment Block circuit diagram of control system of first embodiment The block diagram which shows the structure of the navigation controller of 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows typically the driving | running route and guidance point of 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows the alerting | reporting form in the alerting | reporting area | region of 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows the change of the intensity | strength of the vibrator of 1st Embodiment. Flowchart of the navigation process of the first embodiment The flowchart which shows the alerting | reporting process routine of 1st Embodiment. Block circuit diagram of control system of second embodiment The block diagram which shows the structure of the navigation controller of 2nd Embodiment. The flowchart which shows the alerting | reporting process routine of 2nd Embodiment. The figure which shows the change of the intensity | strength of the vibrator of 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1 Driver's seat 6S Brake sensor / recognition operation discrimination means 7 Blinker 7S Recognition operation discrimination means (blinker sensor)
18 Vibration sensor / vibration state determination means 19 Vibration state determination means (characteristic sensor)
25 Correction processing means 26 Guide processing means GP Guide point FW / RW wheel (front wheel / rear wheel)
SU Suspension V Vibrator VL Left vibrator VR Right vibrator

Claims (9)

Guidance processing means for acquiring the current position of the vehicle body based on the positioning information and for allowing the driver to recognize the guidance point by driving the vibrator when it is determined that the current position has approached the guidance point on the travel route With
A navigation apparatus comprising vibration state determination means for determining a vibration state of the vehicle body, and correction processing means for correcting and controlling vibrations of the vibrator when the vibration state determination means determines a vibration state exceeding a reference value.   The navigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the vibration state determination means determines that a vibration state acting from a vehicle body exceeds the reference value, the correction processing means intensifies vibration of the vibrator.   3. The vibration state determination unit is configured by a vibration sensor that measures the vibration of the vehicle body, and the correction processing unit intensifies the vibration of the vibrator based on the vibration intensity measured by the vibration state determination unit. The navigation device described.   The vibration state determining means determines a vibration state based on a buffer characteristic set in a suspension part of a wheel in the vehicle body, and the correction processing means intensifies vibration of the vibrator when the buffer characteristic is in a predetermined state. The navigation device according to claim 1 or 2.   The vibrator is composed of a left vibrating body that transmits vibration to the left side of the driver and a right vibrating body that transmits vibration to the right side of the driver, and the guidance processing means is configured such that a distance between the guide point and the vehicle body is a set distance. The navigation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein when the vehicle approaches, a left vibration body or a right vibration body corresponding to a guidance direction of the vehicle body at a guide point is driven. Guidance processing means for acquiring the current position of the vehicle body based on the positioning information and for allowing the driver to recognize the guidance point by driving the vibrator when it is determined that the current position has approached the guidance point on the travel route With
It is provided with a recognition operation determining means for determining an operation normally performed by the driver when the guide point is recognized, and when the operation by the driver is determined by the recognition operation determining means, the vibration of the vibrator is reduced or A navigation device comprising correction processing means for stopping.   The recognition operation determining means is constituted by a brake sensor for determining a brake operation of the vehicle body, and the correction processing means attenuates or stops vibration of the vibrator when the recognition operation determining means determines a brake operation. 6. The navigation device according to 6.   The vibrator is composed of a left vibrating body provided on the left side of the driver's seat and a right vibrating body provided on the right side, and the guidance processing means is configured such that when the distance between the guidance point and the vehicle body approaches a set distance. The navigation device according to claim 6 or 7, wherein one of the left vibrating body and the right vibrating body corresponding to a guide direction in which a vehicle body is directed at a guide point is driven. The vibrator is composed of a left vibrating body that transmits vibration to the left side of the driver and a right vibrating body that transmits vibration to the right side of the driver, and the guidance processing means is configured such that a distance between the guide point and the vehicle body is a set distance. Is configured to drive the left vibrating body and the right vibrating body corresponding to the guidance direction of the vehicle body at the guide point,
The recognition operation determining means is configured to determine the operating direction of the winker, and when the recognizing operation determining means determines the operation of the winker corresponding to the guidance direction of the vehicle body at the guide point, the correction processing means The navigation apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the vibration of the vibrator is reduced or stopped.

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