JP2008298613A - Navigation device and route guidance control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform route guidance, until reaching a predetermined distance from a guidance point in performing route guidance. <P>SOLUTION: The navigation device is provided with a route search means for searching a route from a starting point to a destination, a map data storage means for storing a guidance point on the route searched by the route search means, a guidance data storage means for storing guidance data, corresponding to the guidance point so as to associate them with each other, a present position detection means for detecting the present position, and a route guidance means for starting route guidance, in correspondence with the guidance point by referring to the guidance data storage means, when the present position detected by the present position detection means reaches a first predetermined distance, in front of the advancing direction from the guidance point stored in the map data storage means. When performing the route guidance, the route guidance means performs route guidance corresponding to the guidance point, until the present position reaches a second predetermined distance before the advancing direction from the guidance point. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication type or in-vehicle type navigation device that sets a route to a destination and performs route guidance for each predetermined guidance point, particularly when the current position reaches a predetermined distance from the guidance point. The present invention relates to a navigation apparatus and a route guidance control method for performing route guidance.

  In recent years, the performance of in-vehicle navigation devices has been dramatically improved, and the number of functions has been increasing. In particular, as a function useful for the user, there is provided a route search function for automatically searching a route from a departure place to a destination and displaying the searched route as a guide route on a map. If this function is used, it is possible to automatically search for a guidance route connecting the starting point and the destination with the optimum route by inputting the starting point and the destination from the input unit, and display it on the display unit. .

  A navigation service that guides the user to the destination in real time by displaying the guidance route on the map displayed on the display means and displaying the current position when the user travels according to the retrieved guidance route. Has also been realized. In addition, in order to improve the convenience of guidance, for example, when approaching an intersection while traveling, various information related to the route being traveled is displayed in real time, such as displaying guidance information about the branch destination of the intersection. Various navigation services have been proposed.

  For example, the following Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-156281) discloses a technique that can present direction guidance information including a place name of a branch destination of a traveling road at a branch point of the traveling road on which the host vehicle travels. It is disclosed.

  The technology disclosed in Patent Literature 1 is a navigation device that presents direction guidance information including a place name of a branch destination of a traveling road at a branching point of a traveling road on which the host vehicle travels. Among them, guidance point selection means for selecting a guidance point related to the direction guidance information, direction guidance information creation means for creating direction guidance information of the guidance point selected by this guidance point selection means, and this direction guidance information creation means Output control means for controlling the output of the direction guidance information created by the above, and output means for presenting the direction guidance information according to the control of the output control means. The direction guidance information creation means comprises a guidance point and the guidance point. The direction guidance information associated with the display of the place name of the branch destination in is created.

  By configuring in this way, it is possible to present direction guidance information in which a guidance point and a display of a place name of a branch destination of the guidance point are associated with each other at a predetermined guidance point.

In addition, in order to present the direction guidance information at the timing when the distance between the position of the host vehicle and the guide point becomes equal to or less than the predetermined value, that is, the timing at which the host vehicle approaches the guide point, the information necessary for the user is required. Is also disclosed.
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-156281 (paragraphs [0003] and [0055], FIG. 1)

  By the way, when presenting information corresponding to a guidance point, it is common to start presenting the guidance information at a timing approaching the guidance point to some extent, and end the presentation of the guidance information just before reaching the guidance point. It is. However, some users have a desire to check the guidance information again when it arrives at the guidance point. For example, there is a problem that the guide information may be missed or missed before arriving at the guide point. In this case, the guide information cannot be confirmed.

  In the navigation technique disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, since the guidance information that associates the branch point or road that the user needs with the direction guidance is provided at a necessary position, the recognition rate of the guidance content of the user is improved. Although it is possible to provide guidance information as described above, there is no particular consideration for how long the guidance information is provided, which is not always convenient for the user.

  The inventor of the present application has conducted various studies in order to solve the above-described problems. As a result, when performing route guidance in the navigation device, route guidance is performed until the current position reaches a predetermined distance in front of the traveling direction from the guidance point. As a result, the inventors have conceived that the above-described problems can be solved and have completed the present invention.

  That is, an object of the present invention is to provide a navigation device that provides route guidance until a predetermined distance is reached from a guidance point forward in the direction of travel, with the object of solving the above problems. To do.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 1 of the present application provides a navigation device that sets a route to a destination and performs route guidance for each predetermined guidance point.
The navigation device includes: a current position detecting unit that detects a current position; a map data storage unit that stores map data; an input unit that inputs information about a departure point and a destination; and the input departure point and destination Route search means for searching for a route based on the information and the map data, guide point storage means for storing guide points existing on the route, and guide data storage means for storing guide data corresponding to the guide points And when the current position detected by the current position detection means reaches a first predetermined distance before the direction of travel from the guidance point stored in the guidance point storage means, the information stored in the guidance data storage means Route guidance means for starting route guidance using the guidance data corresponding to the guidance point, and
The route guidance means, when performing the route guidance, performs route guidance using guidance data corresponding to the guidance point until the current position reaches a second predetermined distance ahead of the guidance point in the traveling direction. It is characterized by.

  The first and second predetermined distances are set via the input means.

  Further, the guide point is a branch point on the route, and the guide data is branch guide data.

In addition, in order to set a route to the destination and perform route guidance for each predetermined guidance point, a current position detecting means for detecting the current position, a map data storage means for storing map data, a departure place and a destination An input means for inputting information on the location, a route search means for searching for a route based on the input information of the departure place and destination, and the map data, and a guide point for storing guide points existing on the route Storage means; guidance data storage means for storing guidance data corresponding to the guide points; and a current position detected by the current position detection means before the guide point stored in the guidance point storage means A route plan for starting route guidance using the guidance data corresponding to the guidance point stored in the guidance data storage means when the first predetermined distance is reached In the route guidance control method of a navigation apparatus having a means,,
A current position detecting step for detecting the current position;
A route search step for performing a route search;
When the current position detected by the current position detecting step reaches a first predetermined distance before the direction of travel from the guide point stored in the guide point storage means, the guide point stored in the guide data storage means A route guidance process for starting route guidance using corresponding guidance data,
When performing the route guidance, the route guidance step performs route guidance using guidance data corresponding to the guidance point until the current position reaches a second predetermined distance that is ahead of the guidance point in the traveling direction. It is characterized by.

  In addition, the navigation device includes a step of setting the first and second predetermined distances based on a value input by the input unit.

  Further, the guide point is a branch point on the route, and the guide data is branch guide data.

In the first and fourth aspects of the invention, the navigation device includes a current position detecting means for detecting the current position, a map data storing means for storing the map data, and an input for inputting information on the departure place and the destination. Means, route search means for searching for a route based on the input starting point and destination information, and the map data, guide point storage means for storing guide points existing on the route, and the guide point Guidance data storage means for storing guidance data corresponding to the current position detected by the current position detection means has reached a first predetermined distance before the traveling direction from the guidance point stored in the guidance point storage means Route guidance means for starting route guidance using the guidance data corresponding to the guidance point stored in the guidance data storage means, For example,
When performing the route guidance, the route guidance means performs route guidance using the guidance data corresponding to the guidance point until the current position reaches a second predetermined distance that is ahead of the guidance point in the traveling direction.

  According to such a configuration, when performing route guidance, route guidance is performed for a while from the guidance point to the second predetermined distance after passing through the guidance point. It is possible to avoid missing or listening to the guidance, and it is easy to accurately grasp the route guidance.

  In the inventions according to claims 2 and 5, the navigation device according to claims 1 and 2 further comprises an input means for setting the second predetermined distance.

  According to such a configuration, when the route guidance is performed, the user can set the second predetermined distance at which the route guidance is performed by displaying the guidance screen even after passing the guidance point. Appropriate route guidance is possible, and it is possible to avoid missing or listening to route guidance, and it is easy to accurately grasp route guidance.

  In the inventions according to claims 3 and 6, in the navigation device according to claims 1 and 2, or the route guidance control method according to claims 4 and 5, the guide point is a route. It is an upper branch point, and the guide data is branch guide data.

  According to such a configuration, when performing route guidance, branch guidance by displaying a guidance screen or the like is performed for a while after passing through a branch point on the route until reaching the second predetermined distance from the branch point. Therefore, it is possible for the user to avoid missing or listening to the branch guidance, and to easily grasp the branch guidance accurately.

  Hereinafter, specific examples of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to examples and drawings. However, the embodiments shown below exemplify a navigation device for embodying the technical idea of the present invention, and are not intended to specify the present invention for this navigation device. The present invention is equally applicable to navigation devices of other embodiments included in the scope.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a navigation apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The in-vehicle navigation device 10 includes a control circuit 11, a current position detection unit 12, a map data storage unit 13, a guidance data storage unit 14, a route search unit 15, a route guidance unit 16, an input unit 17, a display unit 18, and the like. It is configured.

  Although the present embodiment shows the vehicle-mounted navigation device 10, it may be a communication type navigation system composed of a navigation server and a navigation terminal device. It may be a navigation system that guides routes using transportation.

  The control circuit 11 is mainly composed of a microprocessor, and includes a memory such as a RAM and a ROM as in a general computer device, and controls the operation of each unit by a control program stored in these memories.

  The current position detecting unit 12 receives various sensor outputs such as GPS receiving means for receiving signals from a plurality of GPS satellites at a fixed period and positioning the current position, and an acceleration sensor and a steering angle sensor provided in the vehicle. Thus, a self-contained navigation means for calculating the current position and performing dead reckoning navigation is provided. Since each of these position detection means has an error of a different nature, it is generally configured to be used while interpolating each. However, depending on accuracy, it may be configured as a part thereof. . In the case where the navigation terminal device is a portable terminal device that does not have an in-vehicle function, it is not necessary to provide a self-contained navigation means.

  The map data storage unit 13 stores map data downloaded in advance from a route search server by communication or preinstalled from an external storage medium such as a CD-ROM. This map data consists of data representing each road as a node and link, each link type (general road, expressway, etc.), node type (existence of intersection signal, whether it is a guidance point, etc.), cost data, etc. Has been.

  In addition, the map data storage unit 13 displays the map image in an easy-to-read manner in addition to background data including facility data including water system data such as coastline, lakes, and river shapes, administrative boundary data, facility position, shape, and name. May include map image data stored in vector format.

  When the navigation device 1 is used, the road data, background data, and map image data are extracted from the map storage unit 13 by the display unit 18 to be described later, overlapped, and displayed on the display unit 18.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of map data. The end points and waypoints of the roads are nodes, and the roads connecting the nodes are represented by links. As shown in FIG. 2, in the case of roads X and Y, the links on the road X are indicated by solid lines, the links on the road Y are indicated by dotted lines, and the circles indicate the nodes N0 to N4 of the road X or the road Y. Nodes N5 to N6 are shown, and ◎ denotes a node N7 at a branch point of the roads X and Y.

  The guidance data storage unit 14 stores route guidance data provided from a VICS system or the like and downloaded in advance by communication or preinstalled from an external storage medium such as a CD-ROM. The guidance data includes various names, attributes, types (locations), locations, etc. of intersections, roads, place names, facilities (landmarks), etc., which are various guidance points in the road data stored in the map data storage unit 13. It consists of detailed information such as an address, a telephone number or business hours of the facility, etc., and this guidance data is configured to be obtained and updated from an external information providing means via a communication means.

  In addition, the guidance data includes route guidance, for example, multiple indications of boilerplate phrases such as “This is a left turn” when a vehicle approaches an intersection or branch point, which is a guidance point, voice guidance messages, A direction signboard image representing a direction signboard or the like installed on an actual road is included, and the control circuit 11 guides the current position detected by the current position detection unit 12 in the map data storage unit 13. When reaching a predetermined distance before the traveling direction from the point, guidance data corresponding to the guidance point can be extracted from the guidance data storage unit 14 and displayed on the display unit 18 and can be guided via a speaker (not shown). .

  The route search unit 15 searches for an optimum recommended route based on the map data stored in the map data storage unit 13 when the departure point and the destination are input by the user via the input unit 17.

  Based on the current position detected by the current position detection unit 12 and the guidance point stored in the map data storage unit 13, the route guidance unit 16 has reached the first predetermined distance before the traveling direction from the guidance point. When the route guidance is started using the guidance data corresponding to the guidance point stored in the guidance data storage unit 14, the guidance is continued until the current position reaches a second predetermined distance ahead of the traveling direction from the guidance point. Continue route guidance corresponding to points.

  The first predetermined distance and the second predetermined distance can be set in advance by the user via the input unit 17, and the set distance value is stored in the map data storage unit 13.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, when the user (own vehicle) is moving on the road X from the node N0 to the node N1, if the node N7 which is a branch point is a guide point, the node N7 When the current position of the user (own vehicle) reaches the node N1 at the first predetermined distance L1 (for example, 200 m), the route guidance (branch guidance screen etc.) relating to the node N7 that is the guidance point is displayed. 18 and further provides voice guidance from the speaker. In FIG. 2, the user (own vehicle) position mark at this time is indicated by an arrow 20 or 21.

  Furthermore, when the user (own vehicle) continues to move and the current position of the user (own vehicle) reaches node N3 or node N5 at a point where the distance from node N7 is the second predetermined distance L2 (for example, 50 m), The route guidance for the node N7 that is the guidance point is terminated. In FIG. 2, the user (own vehicle) position mark when the user (own vehicle) makes a right turn at the node N7 that is a branch point is indicated by an arrow 22.

  The first predetermined distance L <b> 1 and the second predetermined distance L <b> 2 described above are set by displaying a setting screen on the display unit 18 and inputting arbitrary numerical values by the user via the input unit 17. In addition to the method for inputting numerical values as described above, various methods can be adopted as the setting method.

  For example, when setting the first predetermined distance L1, a plurality of icons indicating numerical values from the guidance point to the first predetermined distance L1 are displayed on the display unit 18, and the user displays a desired icon (first predetermined distance). Can be configured to select. When the display unit 18 has a touch panel function, an actual route (a map image near the intersection) is displayed on the display unit 18, and when the user touches a desired point on the image, the point closest to the touch point is displayed. It is also possible to configure so that (node) is set as the first predetermined distance. The same applies when setting the second predetermined distance L2.

  The input unit 17 is configured by an operation button, a resistive film type, a sensor type touch panel, or the like, and operates various functions of the navigation device 10 or inputs required numerical values or characters. The touch panel is provided on the LCD display surface of the display unit 18, generates a position detection signal by detecting pressure or contact of a finger or the like at an arbitrary position on the display surface, and operates the position detection signal on the control circuit 11. Output as a control signal.

  The display unit 18 is a display unit including a display panel such as an LCD or an organic ELD, and the images supplied from the map data storage unit 13 and the guide data storage unit 14 in accordance with a control signal from the control circuit 11. A predetermined image processing is performed on the signal to display a map image and a recommended route.

  In the navigation device 10, when a desired departure point and destination are set from the touch panel of the display unit 18, the route search unit 15 refers to the map data stored in the map data storage unit 13 and makes the shortest distance between the two points. Search for recommended routes to connect. In addition, the method of setting a desired starting point and destination as a registration point includes displaying a map image around the point on the display unit 18 and clicking a POI icon or intersection on the map with the cursor of the input unit 17, A method of inputting an address or a telephone number from the input unit 17 to the input box displayed on the display unit 18 may be used.

  When the destination name and its position information are input from the input unit 17, the control circuit 11 automatically searches for an optimum route from the current position to the destination by the route search unit 15 and creates a recommended route. In addition, the current position and the current direction of the vehicle are detected by the current position detector 12. This method of automatically selecting the optimum route is performed by a known method called a Dijkstra method, for example.

  Then, a predetermined range of map data centered on the current position of the vehicle calculated by the current position detection unit 12 is read from the map data storage unit 13, and a map image around the vehicle position is displayed on the display unit 18 based on the map data. While drawing above, the user (vehicle) position mark (location) is displayed on the display screen of the display unit 18 so as to scroll the map image according to the movement of the user (vehicle), or display the map image on the screen. The vehicle position mark is moved to the position of the vehicle so that the vehicle is currently traveling at a glance.

  Furthermore, the navigation device 10 approaches the predetermined distance L1 of the guidance object such as a waypoint or destination set in advance based on the detection result of the current position by the current position detection unit 12, and performs the guidance. Then, the route guidance unit 16 retrieves the route guidance data in the guidance data storage unit 14 and extracts the corresponding route guidance data. Then, the display unit 18 displays a branch guidance screen using the extracted route guidance data. From the speaker, “Soon is XX intersection” or “Straight is in the direction of △△ and right turn is in the direction of XX”. Announces a voice message.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining the transition of map data and guidance data notified through the display unit 18. 3A is a state before the host vehicle reaches the guide point, FIG. 3B is a state when the host vehicle reaches the first predetermined distance, and FIG. 3C is a second predetermined distance. It is a figure which shows the state immediately before reaching | attaining.

  That is, FIG. 3A shows a state immediately before the current position of the user (own vehicle) arrives at the node N1 at a point where the distance from the node N7 shown in FIG. 2 is the first predetermined distance L1 (for example, 200 m). It is a map image displayed on the display unit 18. The display unit 18 displays a map image including the road X and the road Y, and an arrow 20 that is a user (own vehicle) position mark.

  3B shows that the current position of the user (own vehicle) has reached the node N1 at a point where the distance from the node N7 shown in FIG. 2 is the first predetermined distance L1 (for example, 200 m), and the display unit 18 A map image and route guidance displayed on the screen. The display unit 18 displays a map image including the road X and the road Y, and an arrow 21 that is a user (own vehicle) position mark. In addition, “turn right at the branch point toward xx, Route guidance to the effect of “△ direction” is reported on the branch guidance screen 30 and the voice message 31.

  Further, FIG. 3C shows that the distance from the node N7 shown in FIG. 2 is the second predetermined distance L2 (for example, 50 m) even after the user (own vehicle) keeps moving and turns right at the branch point. The map image and the route guidance are displayed on the display unit 18 until the current position of the user (own vehicle) reaches a certain node N5. The display unit 18 displays a map image including the road X and the road Y and an arrow 22 that is a user (own vehicle) position mark. Route guidance to the effect of “direction” is notified on the branch guidance screen 30 and the voice message 31.

  In the above embodiment, the branch guidance screen 30 is displayed as route guidance. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, a direction signboard representing a direction signboard or the like installed on an actual road. The image 40 may be displayed.

  Next, the operation of the navigation device according to the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the navigation device according to the present embodiment.

  Note that the operation shown in FIG. 5 is realized by executing a control program stored in a ROM provided in the control circuit 11.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 5, in step S <b> 40, when the user sets a desired departure point and destination from the touch panel of the display unit 18 and requests navigation, the route search unit 15 is stored in the map data storage unit 13. A recommended route that connects the two points in the shortest is searched with reference to the map data, and a map image and a user (vehicle) position mark as a search result are superimposed on the display screen of the display unit 18 and displayed. Further, when setting a desired departure place and destination, the first predetermined distance and the second predetermined distance are also set.

  In step S41, it is determined whether or not there is a guidance point such as a branch point in the recommended route. If there is a guidance point, the process proceeds to step S42. If there is no guidance point, the recommended route to the destination is displayed. To finish the process.

  In step S42, it is determined whether or not the current position of the user (own vehicle) has reached the first predetermined distance L1 from the shortest guidance point. If the first position has reached the first predetermined distance L1, the process proceeds to step S43. On the other hand, when the user (own vehicle) has not reached the first predetermined distance L1, the process returns to step S42.

  In step S43, a route guidance screen is displayed on the display unit 18 using the route guidance data corresponding to the guidance point extracted from the guidance data storage unit 14 by the route guidance unit 16, and a voice message is notified from the speaker.

  Next, in step S44, it is determined whether or not the current position of the user (own vehicle) has passed the guidance point and has reached the second predetermined distance L2 from the guidance point, and has reached or exceeded the second predetermined distance L2. If the route guidance is not completed, the process returns to step S41. On the other hand, if the user (own vehicle) does not exceed the second predetermined distance L2, the process returns to step S44 to continue the route guidance.

  As described above, according to the navigation device of the present invention, when performing route guidance, route guidance corresponding to the guidance point is performed until the current position reaches the second predetermined distance ahead of the traveling direction from the guidance point. Therefore, even after passing the guidance point, the route guidance is performed for a while by displaying the guidance screen, etc., so that the user can avoid missing or hearing the route guidance and accurately grasp the route guidance. Becomes easier.

  Further, the above description of the present invention is based on the route guidance at the branch point, but the present invention is not limited to the guidance point of the embodiment, and various intersections, roads, place names, and facilities existing in the map area. (Landmark) It is also possible to apply to a guide point having a position coordinate.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the navigation apparatus concerning the Example of this invention. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the structure of the map data concerning a present Example. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the transition of the map data and route guidance data alert | reported via the display part concerning a present Example, Fig.3 (a) is a state before the own vehicle approaches a guidance point, FIG. (B) A state when the host vehicle has reached the first predetermined distance, and FIG. 3C is a diagram showing a state immediately before reaching the second predetermined distance. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the direction signboard alert | reported via the display part concerning a present Example. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of the navigation apparatus concerning a present Example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Navigation device 11 ... Control circuit 12 ... Current position detection unit 13 ... Map data storage unit 14 ... Guide data storage unit 15 ... Route search unit 16 .... Route guidance part 17 ... Display part 18 ... Input part

Claims (6)

In a navigation device that sets a route to a destination and provides route guidance for each predetermined guidance point,
The navigation device includes: a current position detecting unit that detects a current position; a map data storage unit that stores map data; an input unit that inputs information about a starting point and a destination; and the input starting point and destination Route search means for searching for a route based on the information and the map data, guide point storage means for storing guide points existing on the route, and guide data storage means for storing guide data corresponding to the guide points; When the current position detected by the current position detection means reaches a first predetermined distance before the direction of travel from the guidance point stored in the guidance point storage means, the guidance stored in the guidance data storage means Route guidance means for starting route guidance using guidance data corresponding to points, and
The route guidance means, when performing the route guidance, performs route guidance using guidance data corresponding to the guidance point until the current position reaches a second predetermined distance ahead of the guidance point in the traveling direction. A navigation device characterized by the above.   2. The navigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first and second predetermined distances are set via the input means.   The navigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the guide point is a branch point on a route, and the guide data is branch guide data. In order to set a route to the destination and perform route guidance for each predetermined guidance point, a current position detecting means for detecting the current position, a map data storage means for storing map data, Input means for inputting information, route search means for searching for a route based on the input information of the departure place and destination, and the map data, and guide point storage means for storing guide points existing on the route Guidance data storage means for storing guidance data corresponding to the guidance point; and a current position detected by the current position detection means is a first position before the direction of travel from the guidance point stored in the guidance point storage means. Route guidance means for starting route guidance using guidance data corresponding to the guidance point stored in the guidance data storage means when a predetermined distance is reached. In the route guidance control method of a navigation apparatus provided with,
A current position detecting step for detecting the current position;
A route search step for performing a route search;
When the current position detected by the current position detecting step reaches a first predetermined distance before the direction of travel from the guide point stored in the guide point storage means, the guide point stored in the guide data storage means A route guidance process for starting route guidance using corresponding guidance data,
When performing the route guidance, the route guidance step performs route guidance using guidance data corresponding to the guide point until the current position reaches a second predetermined distance that is ahead of the guide point in the traveling direction. A route guidance control method characterized by the above.   5. The route guidance control method according to claim 4, wherein the navigation device includes a step of setting the first and second predetermined distances based on a value input by the input means.   6. The route guidance control method according to claim 4, wherein the guidance point is a branch point on the route, and the guidance data is branch guidance data.

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