JP2009257796A - Route guidance device, route guidance method, and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a structure for giving intelligible information on a direction in which an escape road runs from an intersection, etc. by eliminating a discrepancy in information recognition caused by the direction of a visually-recognized road marking and by the direction of an aurally-recognized guidance sound. <P>SOLUTION: This device 10 includes an intersection information storage part F2 for therein storing prescribed node information existing on a guidance route found through a route search process, entry link information for entering this node, escape link information for escaping from each entry link, and road marking information provided correspondingly to the escape link information, displayed on an actual road surface, and indicated by arrows, with these pieces of information related to each other. The distance between a vehicle and a node is monitored. By referring to the storage part when the distance approaches a previously set/prescribed distance, road marking information can be specified which is provided correspondingly to entry link information for entering a node and escape link information for escaping from the node. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a route guidance technique that guides the direction of a vehicle's route, and more specifically, an arrow displayed on a road surface (hereinafter referred to as “road marking”) regardless of the angle of a road shape at an intersection or the like. ) In accordance with the route guidance device, the route guidance method, and the route guidance program.

  Conventionally, a navigation system is known as a means for supporting the arrival of a moving body at a destination. This navigation system measures the position of a moving body by GPS (Global Positioning System), and performs automatic guidance based on the current position information of the moving body and road map information. For example, in a vehicle equipped with a car navigation device, road map information and current position information of the vehicle are displayed on a display device (monitor), and a recommended travel route to a destination is searched and displayed on the display device. To display the directions visually. Some car navigation devices have a function of notifying a route by hearing by outputting a guidance voice.

Further, in a car navigation apparatus that guides the direction of an escape road at an intersection or the like by outputting a guidance voice, in general, guidance is performed based on the “road shape angle” in route guidance along the route obtained in the route search process. Is. The definition of the guidance direction based on the angle of the road shape can be shown, for example, in FIG. FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram for explaining the definition of the guide direction in the conventional route guidance.
As shown in FIG. 17, when the angle of the direction to travel at an intersection or the like is in the area of symbol A, it is “straight forward”; In the case of "right direction", the area of D is also "right diagonally backward", the area of E is also "U-turn", the area of F is also "left diagonally backward", and the area of G is also “Left direction”, similarly, the region of the symbol H is defined to perform guidance such as “oblique left direction”.

Therefore, an example of guidance in the case of a road shape can be shown in FIG. 18, for example. FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a relationship between a guided intersection (node) and a road (link).
In FIG. 18, a predetermined intersection (node) on the guidance route that needs guidance in the traveling direction is indicated by N1. Further, it is shown that four route links such as a link L1, a link L2, a link L3, and a link L4 are in contact with the node N1. Reference symbol P in the figure is a mark indicating the vehicle position.
Here, assuming that the vehicle is located on the link L1, the link L1 is an entry link to the node N1, and the exit link exits the link L2, the road shape angle in this case is defined as the above-described guide direction definition. Since it corresponds to the area of the symbol H based on “It is diagonally left. The guidance voice is output. Similarly, if the link L1 is an ingress link and the link L3 is an exit link, the road shape angle corresponds to the area of symbol A, so “straight. The guidance voice is output. Similarly, if the link L1 is an ingress link and the link L4 is an exit link, the road shape angle corresponds to the area of the symbol D. The guidance voice is output.
Therefore, in the case of voice guidance according to the angle of the road shape, very detailed guidance is performed.

However, the road markings displayed on the actual road surface are generally indicated by a right-right arrow and a right-left arrow. The road marking displayed on the actual road surface can be shown, for example, in FIG. FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a road marking displayed at an intersection.
In FIG. 19, an arrow road marking indicating a straight turn and a left turn is displayed on the left lane of the link L1, and an arrow road marking indicating a right turn is displayed on the right lane. Therefore, when the link L1 is used as the entry link and the link L2 is escaped, the road marking is an arrow indicating a left turn.

  Then, there may be a discrepancy in information recognition between the direction of the guidance voice recognized from the auditory sense by the voice guidance and the direction of the road marking recognized from the visual sense by the road marking. For this reason, the direction of the escape road by guidance is difficult to understand, and the user is confused by the steering wheel operation.

In view of this, several means have been proposed in which the guidance of escape roads at intersections and the like is made easy to understand.
For example, by calculating the angle of the approach road and the exit road at the roundabout as the vehicle rotation angle, and calculating and displaying the remaining rotation angle according to the actual rotational travel of the vehicle, it is possible to escape from the roundabout correctly. There is a technology. (See Patent Document 1).
In addition, the arrow display indicating the direction of the route from the approach road to the exit road at the roundabout is divided and displayed, and the display of the arrow display is controlled based on the own vehicle position, so that the vehicle position at the roundabout can be confirmed. There is a technology that makes it easy to guide the escape road. (See Patent Document 2).
Also, a technology that refers to the guidance table based on the relationship between the road link where the vehicle is currently located and the branch road link that is the target of route guidance, and based on this, the guidance on the direction and direction to travel is output as voice guidance. There is. (See Patent Document 3).

However, since none of the techniques described in Patent Documents 1 to 3 is guidance for an escape road in consideration of road marking, the direction of road marking recognized visually and the direction of guidance voice recognized from hearing It is not possible to eliminate the discrepancy in information recognition caused by the above. Therefore, there is a possibility that the user is confused by the steering wheel operation and creates a dangerous state.
In this way, the recognition disagreement caused by the direction of the road marking recognized from the vision and the direction of the guidance voice recognized from the auditory sense is resolved, and the direction of the escape road at the intersection etc. is guided in an easy-to-understand manner. No such means has been proposed at present.
Japanese Patent No. 3798546 Japanese Patent No. 3898872 JP-A-11-344355

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and eliminates inconsistencies in information recognition caused by the direction of road markings recognized from vision and the direction of guidance voices recognized from hearing, intersections, etc. The purpose is to provide a mechanism that can provide easy-to-understand guidance on the direction of escape roads.

  The route guidance device of the present invention is a route guidance device that provides guidance in the traveling direction at a predetermined intersection existing on the guidance route obtained by the route search processing, and constitutes the guidance route obtained by the route search processing. Route link information indicating each road, position information (hereinafter referred to as “route link position information”), node information indicating a predetermined intersection existing on the guidance route, and position information (hereinafter “ Node position information ”), the node information, the entry link information indicating the road entering the intersection indicated by the node information, and the intersection for each entry link information. Exit link information indicating the road to escape through, and road marking information indicating an arrow displayed on the actual road surface provided corresponding to the exit link information Second storage means for storing the information in association with each other, third storage means for storing the road marking information and voice guidance specifying information for identifying voice guidance information corresponding to the road marking information in association with each other, Fourth storage means for storing the voice guidance specifying information and the voice specifying information for identifying the voice information according to the voice guidance information in association with each other, the voice specification information, and the voice information in association with each other. A fifth storage means for storing, a host vehicle position information receiving means for receiving the current position information of the vehicle, and a predetermined node information to be guided with reference to the first storage means according to the movement of the vehicle And the intersection shown in the vehicle and the node information from the current position information of the vehicle received by the vehicle position information receiving means, the route link position information, and the node position information. A guidance intersection monitoring means for monitoring the distance between the first storage means and the first storage means based on the node information when the distance monitored by the guidance intersection monitoring means approaches a predetermined distance. The first route link information entering the intersection indicated in the information and the second route link information exiting from the intersection are specified, and the specified first route link information is entered with reference to the second storage means Information, and the specified second route link information as exit link information, road marking information specifying means for specifying road marking information provided corresponding to the exit link information, and the road marking information specifying means Based on the specified road marking information, voice guidance specifying information is specified by referring to the third storage means, and based on the voice guidance specifying information, the same as the road marking information. A voice guidance information generating means for generating the voice guidance information and a voice identification information referring to the fourth storage means based on the voice guidance specifying information included in the voice guidance information generated by the voice guidance information generating means; Audio information extracting means for extracting voice information with reference to the fifth storage means based on the voice specifying information, and voice information output means for outputting the voice information extracted by the voice information extracting means, It is characterized by providing.

  The route guidance device of the present invention further includes sixth storage means for storing distance information and voice guidance specifying information for identifying voice guidance according to the distance information in association with each other, and the voice guidance information When the distance monitored by the guidance intersection monitoring means approaches a predetermined distance set in advance, the voice guidance specification associated with the distance information indicating the predetermined distance with reference to the sixth storage means Based on the voice guidance specifying information according to the distance and the voice guidance specifying information according to the road marking, the voice guidance information that matches the road marking information including the distance information to the intersection is determined. It is characterized by generating.

  In the route guidance device of the present invention, the second storage unit stores intersection map specifying information for identifying an intersection map in association with the node information, and corresponds to the exit link information for each of the entrance link information. The vehicle further stores lane information indicating the lanes that can be driven, and stores the intersection map specifying information and the enlarged intersection map information in association with each other, and the guidance intersection monitoring unit monitors the lane information. When the distance approaches a predetermined distance set in advance, the first storage means is referred to based on the node information, the first route link information entering the intersection indicated by the node information, and the second route exiting from the intersection The route link information is specified, and the second storage means is referred to, the specified first route link information is used as the ingress link information, and the specified first With the route link information as exit link information, the travelable lane information specifying means for specifying the travelable lane information corresponding to the exit link information, and according to the specification of the travelable lane information by the travelable lane information specifying means, Based on the node information specified by the guidance intersection monitoring means, the intersection map specifying information is specified by referring to the second storage means, and the intersection is enlarged by referring to the seventh storage means based on the intersection map specifying information. Image information generating means for extracting map information and generating image information for displaying an arrow that matches the road marking information based on the intersection enlarged map information and the travelable lane information; and the image information generation Image information output means for outputting the image information generated by the means.

  Further, the route guidance method of the present invention provides route link information indicating each road constituting the guidance route obtained by route search processing, its position information (hereinafter referred to as “route link position information”), and this guidance. Node information indicating a predetermined intersection existing on the route and its position information (hereinafter referred to as “node position information”) are stored in association with each other, the node information, and the node information Displayed on the actual road surface provided corresponding to the exit link information, the entry link information indicating the road entering the intersection shown, the exit link information indicating the road exiting through the intersection for each entry link information A second storage means for storing the road marking information indicating the displayed arrow in association with each other, the road marking information, and voice guidance information corresponding to the road marking information Third storage means for storing the voice guidance specifying information in association with each other, the voice guidance specifying information, and the voice specifying information for identifying the voice information corresponding to the voice guidance information are stored in association with each other. Storage means, and fifth storage means for storing the voice specifying information and the voice information in association with each other, and a predetermined guidance existing on the guidance route obtained by the route search process by the route guidance device. A route guidance method for guiding a traveling direction at an intersection, wherein the route guidance device receives a current position information of the vehicle, and the route guidance device responds to the movement of the vehicle. The predetermined node information to be guided with reference to the first storage means is specified, and the current position information of the vehicle received by the own vehicle position information receiving means A second step of monitoring a distance between the vehicle and the intersection indicated by the node information from the route link position information and the node position information; and the route monitoring apparatus, wherein the distance monitored in the second step is When approaching a predetermined distance set in advance, the first storage means is referred to based on the node information, the first route link information entering the intersection indicated by the node information, and the second route link exiting from the intersection The exit link information is specified by specifying the information, referring to the second storage means, the identified first route link information as the incoming link information, and the identified second route link information as the outgoing link information. A third step of identifying road marking information provided corresponding to the road marking, and the road marking identified in the third step in the route guidance device A fourth step of identifying voice guidance specifying information with reference to the third storage means based on the information, and generating voice guidance information matching the road marking information based on the voice guidance specifying information; and the route guidance In the apparatus, based on the voice guidance specifying information included in the voice guidance information generated in the fourth step, the voice specifying information is specified with reference to the fourth storage unit, and on the basis of the voice specifying information, the first 5 includes a fifth step of referring to the storage means and extracting the voice information, and a sixth step of outputting the voice information extracted in the fifth step from the route guidance device.

  The route guidance method of the present invention further comprises sixth storage means for storing distance information and voice guidance specifying information for identifying voice guidance according to the distance information in association with each other, wherein the route guidance device The fourth step is associated with distance information indicating the predetermined distance with reference to the sixth storage means when the distance monitored in the second step approaches a predetermined distance set in advance. The voice that matches the road marking information including the distance information to the intersection based on the voice guidance specifying information corresponding to the distance and the voice guidance specifying information corresponding to the road marking. Guidance information is generated.

  In the route guidance method of the present invention, the second storage means stores intersection map specifying information for identifying an intersection map in association with the node information, and corresponds to the exit link information for each of the approach link information. In the route guidance device, the vehicle further includes seventh lane storage means for storing the intersection lane information indicating the intersection lane information indicating the intersection lane information indicating the intersection lanes indicating the respective lanes to be traveled. When the distance monitored in the second step approaches a predetermined distance set in advance, the first storage means is referred to the first storage means based on the node information, and the first route link information entering the intersection indicated by the node information; The second route link information that escapes from the intersection is identified, and the identified first route link information is referenced with reference to the second storage means. Step α, where the specified second route link information is used as exit link information, and the travelable lane information corresponding to the exit link information is specified. Α In the route guidance device, the vehicle can travel at step α. Based on the node information specified in the second step, the intersection map specifying information is specified with reference to the second storage means according to the specification of the lane information, and the seventh memory is stored based on the intersection map specifying information. Means for extracting the enlarged intersection map information with reference to the means, and further, based on the enlarged intersection map information and the travelable lane information, generating image information for displaying an arrow that matches the road marking information, β The method further includes a step γ of outputting the image information generated in the step β from the route guidance device.

  Further, the computer program of the present invention provides route link information indicating each road constituting the guide route obtained by route search processing, its position information (hereinafter referred to as “route link position information”), and this guide route. First storage means for storing node information indicating a predetermined intersection existing above and position information (hereinafter referred to as “node position information”) in association with each other, the node information, and the node information Displayed on the actual road surface provided corresponding to the exit link information, the entry link information indicating the road entering the intersection, the exit link information indicating the road exiting via the intersection for each entry link information, and the exit link information Second storage means for storing the road marking information indicating an arrow in association with each other, the road marking information, and voice guidance information corresponding to the road marking information Voice guidance specifying information for identifying the voice guidance specifying information, and storing the voice guidance specifying information and the voice specifying information for identifying the voice information corresponding to the voice guidance information in association with each other. Fourth storage means, and fifth storage means for storing the voice identification information and the voice information in association with each other, and at a predetermined intersection existing on the guidance route obtained by the route search process In order to execute the guidance in the traveling direction, the computer is provided with means for receiving the current position information of the vehicle, and predetermined node information to be guided with reference to the first storage means according to the movement of the vehicle. And specifying the intersection indicated in the vehicle and the node information from the received current position information of the vehicle, the route link position information, and the node position information. Means for monitoring the distance, and first route link information for referring to the first storage means based on the node information and entering the intersection indicated by the node information when the monitored distance approaches a predetermined distance set in advance And specifying the second route link information exiting from the intersection, referring to the second storage means, using the specified first route link information as the incoming link information, and specifying the specified second route link Using information as exit link information, means for identifying road marking information provided corresponding to the exit link information, and specifying voice guidance identification information with reference to the third storage means based on the identified road marking information And means for generating voice guidance information that matches the road marking information based on the voice guidance specifying information, and the voice guidance specifying included in the generated voice guidance information. Based on the information, the voice specifying information is specified with reference to the fourth storage means, and the means for extracting the voice information with reference to the fifth storage means based on the voice specifying information, the extracted voice information is It is made to function as a means to output.

  The computer program of the present invention further comprises sixth storage means for storing distance information and voice guidance specifying information for identifying voice guidance according to the distance information in association with each other, and monitoring the computer. When the distance close to a predetermined distance set in advance, voice guidance specifying information associated with the distance information indicating the predetermined distance is specified with reference to the sixth storage means, and a voice corresponding to the distance Further functions as a means for generating voice guidance information that matches the road marking information including distance information with respect to the intersection based on the guidance specific information and the voice guidance specific information according to the road marking. It is characterized by making it.

  Furthermore, in the computer program of the present invention, the second storage means stores intersection map specifying information for identifying an intersection map in association with the node information, and corresponds to the exit link information for each of the approach link information. The vehicle further includes travel lane information indicating the travel lanes, and further includes seventh storage means for storing the intersection map specifying information and the intersection enlarged map information in association with each other, and monitoring the computer When the distance approaches a predetermined distance set in advance, the first storage means is referred to based on the node information, the first route link information entering the intersection indicated by the node information, and the first exit from the intersection. The two route link information is specified, and the specified first route link information is changed to the incoming link information by referring to the second storage means. Based on the specified node information according to the specification of the travelable lane information, the means for identifying the travelable lane information corresponding to the escape link information, the identified second route link information as the exit link information, The intersection map specifying information is specified with reference to the second storage means, and the enlarged intersection map information is extracted with reference to the seventh storage means based on the intersection map specifying information. And means for generating image information for displaying an arrow coinciding with the road marking information, and means for outputting the generated image information based on the travelable lane information.

The route guidance device of the present invention includes node information indicating a predetermined intersection existing on a guidance route obtained by route search processing, entry link information indicating a road entering the intersection indicated by the node information, and the entry link information. A storage unit that associates with each other exit link information indicating a road to escape through the intersection and road marking information indicating an arrow displayed on an actual road surface corresponding to the exit link information. Have. Therefore, the distance between the vehicle and the intersection is monitored (calculated) from the current position information of the vehicle, the position information of the route link indicating each road constituting the guide route, and the position information of the node, and this distance is set in advance. When it is determined that the predetermined distance has been approached, based on this storage unit, it is possible to specify the approach link information entering the intersection and the road marking information provided corresponding to the exit link information exiting from this intersection it can. Then, voice guidance specifying information is specified based on the specified road marking information, voice guidance information matching the road marking information is generated based on the voice guidance specifying information, and voice information is extracted based on the voice guidance information. Output.
Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the discrepancy in information recognition caused by the direction of the road marking recognized from the visual sense and the direction of the guidance voice recognized from the auditory sense, and to easily guide the direction of the escape road at the intersection or the like. A mechanism can be provided.

Hereinafter, an example of a route guidance device, a route guidance method, and a route guidance computer program according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
A route guidance device (hereinafter referred to as “this device”) 10 according to the present invention is a device for guiding a traveling direction at a predetermined intersection existing on a guidance route obtained by route search processing. The predetermined intersection is a branching point where a plurality of roads that can travel are connected and an arrow (that is, a road marking) is displayed on these road surfaces.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a navigation system apparatus using the apparatus 10.
As shown in FIG. 1, the navigation system device 1 may be configured by the present device 10, the vehicle positioning device 20, the route search processing device 30, the audio output device 40, the image output device 50, and the like. it can.

The own vehicle position measuring device 20 is a device that measures the current position of the vehicle, receives a GPS signal transmitted from a GPS satellite, measures a position based on the GPS signal, It consists of a speed sensor that measures the amount of movement (distance), a gyro sensor that measures the traveling (movement) direction, and the like.
A GPS sensor is a so-called GPS receiver, receives a GPS signal radiated from a GPS satellite, measures a distance (pseudo distance) between the GPS satellite and the GPS receiver itself, and receives a plurality of satellites. Are simultaneously received to calculate the current position (GPS positioning solution) of the GPS receiver itself.
In addition, the vehicle positioning device 20 is mounted on a vehicle, and performs processing such as decoding of the received GPS signal in addition to a GPS receiver (antenna) that receives the GPS signal, and signal processing that is output to the device 10 A part.

  The route search processing device 30 is a device that performs route search processing for calculating a guidance route to a destination, receives input of destination information, specifies position information of the destination based on the received destination information, Based on the position information of the destination and the current position information measured by the own vehicle position measurement device 20, road map information necessary to reach the destination from the current position is specified with reference to the map information. In addition, the route search processing device 30 calculates a guidance route to the destination and performs a process of generating a travel route surrounding map including a road map including the guidance route. In addition, since a well-known technique is used about a route search process, detailed description here is abbreviate | omitted.

  The navigation system device 1 includes a road map information storage unit that stores position information and road map information including intersection information in association with each other. Here, the position information is composed of, for example, latitude and longitude information. The road map information is stored in advance in the storage unit of the device 10 or the route search processing device 30, for example, an auxiliary storage device as a removable medium called a so-called SD memory card, a CD-ROM or a DVD-ROM. Etc. can be stored. Further, it may be downloaded via a communication network such as the Internet.

  The sound output device 40 is a device that emits sound information output from the device 10 and is a so-called speaker. The audio output device 40 may be provided exclusively for the device 10, or may be a device that uses a sound emitting unit of the navigation system device 1 or an existing device provided in the vehicle, such as a car audio device. .

  The image output device 50 is a device that displays the image information output from the device 10, and is a so-called display (or monitor). The image output apparatus 50 may also be provided exclusively for the apparatus 10, or may be provided in the navigation system apparatus 1 and use a display unit.

Next, the configuration of the apparatus 10 will be described.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the apparatus 10.
As shown in FIG. 2, the device 10 includes a guidance route information storage unit (first storage unit) F1, an intersection information storage unit (second storage unit) F2, and a road marking voice guidance specific information storage unit (third Storage unit) TB1, voice guidance information storage unit (fourth storage unit) TB1, voice information storage unit (fifth storage unit) F3, own vehicle position information reception unit 11, guidance intersection monitoring unit 12, road surface It includes at least a sign information specifying unit 13, a voice guidance information generating unit 14, a voice information extracting unit 15, a voice information output unit 16, and a control unit C. Note that reference symbol B in the figure is a bus for transmitting control signals, data, and the like in the apparatus 10.

The apparatus 10 may be an information processing apparatus, and is realized by, for example, a mobile personal computer, a PND (Personal Navigation Device), a dedicated device, or the like. Although not shown, the apparatus 10 includes a CPU (central processing unit), a program storage unit, input devices such as key buttons, an auxiliary storage device, an OS (operating system), and the like.
The CPU is means for controlling and controlling each component of the apparatus 10 and executing program processing according to the computer program stored in the program storage unit. The program storage unit is constituted by a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), or the like, and is a means for storing various computer programs used by the apparatus 10.

  The guide route information storage unit F1 includes route link information indicating each road constituting the guide route obtained by the route search process, its position information (hereinafter referred to as “route link position information”), and on this guide route. Is a means for storing node information indicating a predetermined intersection existing in and the position information (hereinafter referred to as “node position information”) in association with each other.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of information stored in the guidance route information storage unit F1.
For example, in the guidance route information management file shown in FIG. 3, the link ID as the route link information and the location information of the route link are associated with the node ID and the node location information as the node information. Indicates that the file is configured.
Therefore, by this guide route information management file, each of a node such as a predetermined intersection existing on the guide route, a first route link entering with this node as a reference, and a second route link exiting with this node as a reference Information will be understood.

  The intersection information storage unit F2 includes node information, approach link information indicating a road entering the intersection indicated by the node information, exit link information indicating a road exiting through the intersection for each of the entrance link information, and It is means for storing road marking information indicating an arrow displayed on the actual road surface provided in correspondence with the escape link information in association with each other. Here, the road marking information refers to information indicating, for example, “right” or “left”.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of information stored in the intersection information storage unit F2.
For example, in the intersection information management file shown in FIG. 4, node information (node ID) and a plurality of approach link information (link IDs) are associated with each other, and the approach link information and a plurality of exit link information (link IDs) are associated with each other. ) And the road marking information for each exit link information, and a file is configured.
Therefore, from this intersection information management file, from the node information, the incoming link information, and the outgoing link information, the outgoing link associated with each incoming link for the predetermined node and the road marking information corresponding to this outgoing link can be known. It will be a thing.

The road marking voice guidance specifying information storage unit TB1 is means for storing road marking information and voice guidance specifying information for identifying voice guidance information corresponding to the road marking information in association with each other. Here, the voice guidance specifying information is an ID for specifying voice guidance such as “I am in the right direction” or an ID for specifying voice guidance such as “I am in the left direction”.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of information stored in the road marking voice guidance specific information storage unit TB1.
For example, the road marking voice guidance specifying information correspondence table shown in FIG. 5 indicates that the voice guidance specifying information can be specified using the road marking information as an index.
Therefore, this road marking voice guidance specifying information correspondence table can provide voice guidance specifying information from the road marking information.

The voice guidance information storage unit TB2 is means for storing voice guidance identification information and voice identification information for identifying voice information corresponding to the voice guidance information in association with each other. Here, the voice guidance information refers to a voice information offset that designates a storage position of voice information.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of information stored in the voice guidance information storage unit TB2.
For example, the voice guidance information correspondence table shown in FIG. 6 indicates that the voice guidance information can be identified using the voice guidance identification information as an index.
Therefore, the voice identification information (offset information) can be understood from the voice guidance identification information by this voice guidance information correspondence table.

The voice information storage unit F3 is means for storing the voice identification information and the voice information in association with each other.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of information stored in the voice information storage unit F3.
For example, the audio information management file shown in FIG. 7 indicates that the audio information is associated with each audio information offset to configure the file. This audio information is information output from the audio output device 40.
Therefore, the audio information can be understood from the audio information offset by the audio information management file.

The own vehicle position information receiving unit 11 performs a process of receiving the current position information of the vehicle. Here, the current position is constituted by latitude and longitude, for example. This current position information is transmitted from the own vehicle position measurement device 20.
The current vehicle position information received by the vehicle position information receiving unit 11 is transmitted to the guidance intersection monitoring unit 12.

The guidance intersection monitoring unit 12 specifies predetermined node information to be guided with reference to the guidance route information storage unit F1 according to the movement of the vehicle, and the current position information of the vehicle measured by the own vehicle position information receiving unit 11. Then, the process of monitoring the distance between the vehicle and the intersection indicated by the node information is performed from the route link position information and the node position information.
The node information specified by the guidance intersection monitoring unit 12 and the information notifying that the predetermined distance monitored by the guidance intersection monitoring unit 12 is approaching are both the road marking information specification unit 13 and travelable lane information described later. It is transmitted to the specifying unit 17.

When the distance monitored by the guidance intersection monitoring unit 12 approaches a predetermined distance set in advance, the road marking information specifying unit 13 refers to the guide route information storage unit F1 based on the node information and indicates the node information. The first route link information entering the intersection and the second route link information exiting from the intersection are identified, and the identified first route link information is identified as the entry link information with reference to the intersection information storage unit F2. The second route link information is used as exit link information, and the road marking information provided corresponding to the exit link information is specified.
The road marking information specified by the road marking information specifying unit 13 is transmitted to the voice guidance information generating unit 14.

Based on the road marking information specified by the road marking information specifying unit 13, the voice guidance information generating unit 14 specifies the voice guidance specifying information with reference to the road marking voice guidance specifying information storage unit TB1. Based on this, the voice guidance information that matches the road marking information is generated.
The voice guidance information generated by the voice guidance information generation unit 14 is transmitted to the voice information extraction unit 15.

The voice information extracting unit 15 specifies the voice specifying information with reference to the voice guidance information storage unit TB1 based on the voice guidance specifying information included in the voice guidance information generated by the voice guidance information generating unit 14, and also specifies the voice specification. Based on the information, a process of extracting voice information with reference to the voice information storage unit F3 is performed.
The voice information extracted by the voice information extraction unit 15 is transmitted to the voice information output unit 16.

The voice information output unit 16 performs processing for outputting the voice information extracted by the voice information extraction unit 15.
The audio information output from the audio information output unit 16 is transmitted to the audio output device 40.

  The control unit C includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and controls and controls each component of the apparatus 10 and executes its processing.

Next, an example of the operation in the navigation system apparatus including the operation of the present apparatus 10 that implements the route guidance method described above will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a rough route guidance process in the present system.
First, a destination is set in the route search processing device 30 (S10).
Next, the route search processing device 30 calculates a route for guiding to the destination by the route search processing (S20).
Then, the route information is transmitted from the route search processing device 30 to the device 10, and the device 10 starts route guidance (S30). At this time, a guidance route information management file is generated / updated based on the route information.

Next, the device 10 extracts intersection information included in the route information (S40).
Subsequently, the apparatus 10 determines whether or not there is a predetermined intersection to guide in the intersection information included in the route information (S50).
As a result, when the device 10 determines that there is a predetermined intersection (Y), the device 10 calculates the distance between the vehicle position and the intersection (S60).
On the other hand, when the apparatus 10 determines that there is no predetermined intersection (N), a series of operations in the apparatus 10 ends.

Next, as a result of calculating the distance between the vehicle position and the intersection, the present apparatus 10 determines whether or not the distance is a predetermined distance, that is, a distance set for performing guidance in the traveling direction (S70).
As a result, when it is determined that the present apparatus 10 has reached (approached) a predetermined distance (Y), the present apparatus 10 outputs audio information for guiding the traveling direction (S80).
On the other hand, when it is determined that the device 10 is not at the predetermined distance (N), the device 10 repeats the calculation of the distance between the vehicle position and the intersection again (S60).

Subsequently, after the voice information is output, the device 10 determines whether or not the vehicle has passed the intersection (S90).
As a result, when it is determined that the present apparatus 10 has passed the intersection (Y), the present apparatus 10 repeats the operation of extracting the next intersection information included in the route information (S40).
On the other hand, when it is determined that the present apparatus 10 has not yet passed the intersection (N), the present apparatus 10 repeats the determination again whether or not the intersection has been passed (S90).
Thereby, a series of operation | movement is complete | finished.

<First Embodiment>
Next, an example of operation | movement of this apparatus 10 which implements the route guidance method mentioned above is demonstrated, referring FIG. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of detailed route guidance processing in the apparatus 10.
First, the host vehicle position information receiving unit 11 receives host vehicle position information that is current vehicle position information (S110).
Next, the guidance intersection monitoring unit 12 refers to the guidance route information storage unit F1 according to the movement of the vehicle, and specifies predetermined node information to be guided and route link information during traveling (S120).
Subsequently, the guidance intersection monitoring unit 12 monitors the distance between the vehicle and the intersection indicated by the node information from the own vehicle position information, the route link position information, and the node position information received by the own vehicle position information receiving unit 11 ( (S130). The guidance intersection monitoring unit 12 transmits node information and traveling route link information to the road surface display information specifying unit 13 when the distance between the vehicle (own vehicle position) and the intersection approaches a predetermined distance set in advance.

Next, the road surface display information specifying unit 13 provides information indicating that the distance between the vehicle (own vehicle position) and the intersection has approached a predetermined distance set in advance, as well as the node information and the traveling route link information as a guidance intersection. Obtained from the monitoring unit 12 (S140).
Subsequently, the road surface display information specifying unit 13 refers to the guidance route information storage unit F1 based on the node information and the traveling route link information, and enters the first route link information entering the intersection indicated by the node information. And the second route link information exiting from this intersection is identified as exit link information (S150).
Further, the road surface display information specifying unit 13 refers to the intersection information storage unit F2, and based on the node information, the specified approach link information, and the exit link information, information on the direction to be taken at the intersection, that is, exit link information. The road marking information provided corresponding to is specified (S160).

Further, the voice guidance information generating unit 14 specifies the voice guidance specifying information with reference to the road marking voice guidance specifying information storage unit TB1 based on the road marking information specified by the road marking information specifying unit 13 (S170).
Subsequently, the voice guidance information generating unit 14 generates voice guidance information that matches the road marking information based on the voice guidance specifying information (S180).
Next, the voice information extraction unit 15 specifies the voice identification information with reference to the voice guidance information storage unit TB2 based on the voice guidance identification information included in the voice guidance information generated by the voice guidance information generation unit 14 (S190). .
Further, the voice information extraction unit 15 extracts voice information with reference to the voice information storage unit F3 based on the voice identification information (S200).
Then, the voice information output unit 16 outputs the voice information extracted by the voice information extraction unit 15 to the voice output device 40 (S210).
Thereby, a series of operation | movement with this apparatus 10 is complete | finished.

An output example of audio information in the above case is shown in FIG. FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing an example of voice guidance output in the route guidance device according to the present invention.
In FIG. 12, a predetermined intersection (node) on the guidance route that needs guidance in the traveling direction is indicated by N1. Further, it is shown that four route links such as a link L1, a link L2, a link L3, and a link L4 are in contact with the node N1.
Here, if the vehicle is positioned on the link L1 indicating the vehicle position indicated by the symbol P in the figure, and the route for exiting to the link L2 is set with the link L1 as the entry link, the vehicle becomes a node. On the other hand, when the predetermined distance D1 set in advance is approached, the voice output device 40 outputs voice information such as “the intersection is to the left”.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, since voice guidance is performed based on the direction of the arrow, which is lane information matched to the road marking information, the content of the voice guidance matches the road marking information (the direction of the arrow). Therefore, voice guidance can be performed in accordance with the actual feeling that the user visually recognizes the road marking information. In other words, even if it is a Y-junction, if the lane information is a right-angled arrow, a right-angle voice guidance can be performed, so the direction of the road marking recognized from the vision and the direction of the guidance voice recognized from the hearing The information disagreement caused by the above can be resolved, and the direction of the escape road at an intersection or the like can be guided in an easy-to-understand manner.

<Second Embodiment>
In the present invention, voice guidance can also be performed according to the distance to the intersection. That is, it differs from the first embodiment described above in that audio information corresponding to the distance is included.
In other embodiments described below, the description will focus on parts that are different from the first embodiment described above. Therefore, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted. Unless otherwise specified, the same components are assumed to be the same.

In the present embodiment, the device 10 further includes a distance voice guidance specific information storage unit (sixth storage unit) TB3.
The distance voice guidance specific information storage unit TB3 is means for storing distance information and voice guidance specific information for identifying voice guidance corresponding to the distance information in association with each other. Here, the voice guidance specifying information refers to an ID that specifies voice guidance such as “this destination” or an ID that specifies voice guidance such as “Xm ahead”.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of information stored in the distance voice guidance specific information storage unit TB3.
For example, the distance voice guidance specifying information correspondence table shown in FIG. 8 indicates that the voice guidance specifying information can be specified using the distance information as an index.
Therefore, the voice guidance specifying information can be understood from the preset distance information by the distance voice guidance specifying information correspondence table.

  In the present embodiment, the voice guidance information generation unit 14 refers to the distance voice guidance specific information storage unit TB3 when the distance monitored by the guidance intersection monitoring unit 12 approaches a predetermined distance. A road surface that specifies voice guidance specifying information associated with distance information indicating a distance, and includes distance information with an intersection based on the voice guidance specifying information corresponding to the distance and the voice guidance specifying information corresponding to the road marking. A process of generating voice guidance information that matches the marking information is performed.

Hereinafter, an example of another operation of the route guidance process in the device 10 that implements the route guidance method executed by the device 10 will be described with reference to FIG. 13. FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating another example of route guidance processing in the apparatus 10.
First, the own vehicle position information receiving unit 11 receives the own vehicle position information that is the current position information of the vehicle, and the guidance intersection monitoring unit 12 refers to the guidance route information storage unit F1 according to the movement of the vehicle. The predetermined node information to be specified is specified, and the distance between the vehicle and the intersection indicated in the node information is determined from the own vehicle position information, the route link position information, and the node position information received by the own vehicle position information receiving unit 11. Monitoring (calculation) is performed, and the road surface display information specifying unit 13 acquires distance information for notifying that the distance between the vehicle (own vehicle position) and the intersection has approached a predetermined distance set in advance from the guidance intersection monitoring unit 12.

  Further, the road surface display information specifying unit 13 specifies the approach link information entering the intersection and the exit link information exiting from the intersection, and the exit link information based on the identified approach link information and the exit link information. The road marking information provided corresponding to is specified, and the voice guidance information generating unit 14 further specifies voice guidance specifying information based on the road marking information specified by the road marking information specifying unit 13 (S170). Is the same as in the case of the first embodiment described above.

Next, based on the distance information acquired from the guidance intersection monitoring unit 12, the voice guidance information generation unit 14 refers to the distance voice guidance specific information storage unit TB3 and is associated with distance information indicating a predetermined distance. Is specified (S171).
Subsequently, the voice guidance information generating unit 14 performs distance information with respect to the intersection based on the voice guidance specifying information corresponding to the distance and the voice guidance specifying information corresponding to the road marking information specified by the road surface display information specifying unit 13. Voice guidance information that matches the road marking information including is generated (S180B).

In addition, the voice information extraction unit 15 performs voice guidance based on the voice guidance identification information corresponding to the distance included in the voice guidance information generated by the voice guidance information generation unit 14 and the voice guidance identification information corresponding to the road marking information. The voice specifying information is specified with reference to the information storage unit TB2 (S190B).
Furthermore, the voice information extraction unit 15 extracts voice information with reference to the voice information storage unit F3 based on the voice identification information (S200B).
Then, the audio information output unit 16 outputs the audio information extracted by the audio information extraction unit 15 to the audio output device 40 (S210B).
Thereby, a series of operation | movement with this apparatus 10 is complete | finished.

An output example of audio information in the above case is shown in FIG. FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing another example of voice guidance output in the route guidance device according to the present invention.
In FIG. 14, a predetermined intersection (node) on the guidance route that needs guidance in the traveling direction is indicated by N1. Further, it is shown that four route links such as a link L1, a link L2, a link L3, and a link L4 are in contact with the node N1.
Here, if the vehicle is positioned on the link L1 indicating the vehicle position indicated by the symbol P in the figure, and the route for exiting to the link L2 is set with the link L1 as the entry link, the vehicle becomes a node. On the other hand, when the predetermined distance D2 set in advance is approached, audio information such as “XXm ahead, intersection is leftward” is output from the audio output device 40.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, voice guidance including information according to the distance to the intersection as well as the direction of the escape road at the intersection or the like can be performed, and guidance easier to understand can be performed.

<Third Embodiment>
In the present invention, guidance for displaying an enlarged view of an intersection can also be provided. That is, it differs from the above-described first embodiment in that image information is output.

In the present embodiment, the device 10 further includes an image information storage unit (seventh storage unit) F4, a travelable lane information specifying unit 17, an image information generation unit 18, and an image information output unit 19. .
Further, in the present embodiment, the intersection information storage unit F2 stores the intersection map specifying information for identifying the intersection map in association with the node information, and for each approach link information, each of the travelable lanes corresponding to the exit link information is stored. The travelable lane information shown is further stored. Here, the intersection map specifying information refers to an intersection map information offset that specifies a storage position of the intersection map information. The travelable lane information is information indicating from which lane (lane) the vehicle can travel to the link.
Therefore, the intersection map information offset can be known from the node information. Further, from the node information, the approach link information, and the exit link information, the travelable lane information corresponding to the exit link associated with each lane of the entrance link with respect to the predetermined node can be understood.

The image information storage unit F4 is means for storing the intersection map specifying information and the enlarged intersection map information in association with each other.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of information stored in the image information storage unit F4.
For example, the image information management file shown in FIG. 9 indicates that a file is configured by associating intersection enlarged map information for each intersection map information offset. This intersection enlarged view information is information output from the image output device 50.
Therefore, the image information can be known from the intersection map information offset by this image information management file.

  The travelable lane information specifying unit 17 refers to the guidance route information storage unit F1 based on the node information when the distance monitored by the guidance intersection monitoring unit 12 approaches a predetermined distance set in advance, and the intersection indicated by this node information The first route link information entering the vehicle and the second route link information exiting from the intersection are identified, and the identified first route link information is defined as the entry link information with reference to the intersection information storage unit F2. Using the two-route link information as the exit link information, a process for specifying the travelable lane information corresponding to the exit link information is performed.

  The image information generation unit 18 specifies an intersection map by referring to the intersection information storage unit F2 based on the node information specified by the guidance intersection monitoring unit 12 according to the specification of the travelable lane information by the accessible lane information specification unit 17. In addition to specifying the information, based on the intersection map specifying information, the image information storage unit F4 is referred to extract the enlarged intersection map information. Further, based on the enlarged intersection map information and the travelable lane information, the road marking is obtained. A process of generating image information for displaying an arrow that matches the information is performed.

The image information output unit 19 performs a process of outputting the image information generated by the image information generation unit 18.
The image information output from the image information output unit 19 is transmitted to the image output device 50.

Hereinafter, an example of another operation of the route guidance processing in the present apparatus 10 that implements the route guidance method executed by the present apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating another example of route guidance processing in the apparatus 10.
First, the own vehicle position information receiving unit 11 receives the own vehicle position information that is the current position information of the vehicle, and the guidance intersection monitoring unit 12 refers to the guidance route information storage unit F1 according to the movement of the vehicle. The predetermined node information to be specified is specified, and the distance between the vehicle and the intersection indicated in the node information is determined from the own vehicle position information, the route link position information, and the node position information received by the own vehicle position information receiving unit 11. Monitoring (calculation) is performed, and the road surface display information specifying unit 13 acquires distance information for notifying that the distance between the vehicle (own vehicle position) and the intersection has approached a predetermined distance set in advance from the guidance intersection monitoring unit 12.

  Further, the road surface display information specifying unit 13 specifies the approach link information entering the intersection and the exit link information exiting from the intersection, and the exit link information based on the identified approach link information and the exit link information. The process up to the process of specifying the road marking information provided corresponding to (S160) is the same as in the case of the first embodiment described above.

  Next, the travelable lane information specifying unit 17 refers to the guidance route information storage unit F1 based on the node information indicating the intersection and the traveling route link information, and enters the intersection indicated by the node information. Is specified as entry link information, and second route link information that escapes from this intersection is specified as exit link information. Further, the lane information identifying unit 17 that can be traveled refers to the intersection information storage unit F2 and can escape from the lane based on the node information, the identified entry link information, and the exit link information, that is, the corresponding travelable lane information. Lane information is specified (S170C).

In addition, the image information generation unit 18 refers to the intersection information storage unit F2 based on the identified node information, and identifies the intersection map identification information, that is, the intersection map offset (S180C).
Subsequently, the image information generation unit 18 refers to the image information storage unit F4 based on the intersection map offset and extracts intersection enlarged map information (S190C).
Further, the image information generation unit 18 generates image information for displaying an arrow that matches the road marking information based on the intersection enlarged map information and the travelable lane information (S200C).
Then, the image information output unit 19 outputs the image information extracted by the image information generation unit 18 to the image output device 50 (S210C).
Thereby, a series of operation | movement with this apparatus 10 is complete | finished.

An output example of image information in the above case is shown in FIG. FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing another example of voice guidance output in the route guidance device according to the present invention.
In FIG. 16, a predetermined intersection (node) on the guidance route that requires guidance in the traveling direction is indicated by N1. Further, it is shown that four route links such as a link L1, a link L2, a link L3, and a link L4 are in contact with the node N1.
Here, when the own vehicle is positioned on the link L1 indicating the position of the own vehicle by the symbol P in the figure, and the route for exiting to the link L2 is set using the link L1 as the entry link, the own vehicle is connected to the node. When approaching a predetermined distance D3 set in advance, the image output device 50 outputs so that only the left arrow in the enlarged view at the intersection can be recognized.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, it is possible to provide guidance that displays an enlarged view of an intersection indicating the direction of the escape road along with the direction of the escape road at an intersection or the like, and can provide easier-to-understand guidance. .

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is industrially useful in an industry that handles devices that provide vehicle route guidance, and is also useful in the electrical appliance market such as a car navigation device that can display an electronic map.

It is the schematic which shows an example of the route guidance system using the route guidance device concerning the present invention. It is a block block diagram which shows an example of embodiment of the route guidance apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is an example which shows the structure of the guidance route information management file memorize | stored in the memory | storage part with which the route guidance apparatus which concerns on this invention is provided. It is an example which shows the structure of the intersection information management file memorize | stored in the memory | storage part with which the route guidance apparatus which concerns on this invention is provided. It is an example which shows the structure of the road marking voice guidance specific information corresponding table with which the route guidance apparatus which concerns on this invention is provided. It is an example which shows the structure of the voice guidance information corresponding | compatible table with which the route guidance apparatus which concerns on this invention is provided. It is an example which shows the structure of the audio | voice information management file memorize | stored in the memory | storage part with which the route guidance apparatus which concerns on this invention is provided. It is an example which shows the structure of the distance voice guidance specific information corresponding table with which the route guidance apparatus which concerns on this invention is provided. It is an example which shows the structure of the image information management file memorize | stored in the memory | storage part with which the route guidance apparatus which concerns on this invention is provided. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a rough route guidance process in the route guidance apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the detailed route guidance process in the route guidance apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the output of the voice guidance in the route guidance apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows another example of the detailed route guidance process in the route guidance apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows another example of the output of the voice guidance in the route guidance apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows another example of the detailed route guidance process in the route guidance apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows another example of the output of the expansion guide map in the route guidance apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic diagram explaining the definition of the guidance direction in the conventional route guidance. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the intersection (node) and road (link) to guide. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the road marking displayed at the intersection.

Explanation of symbols

  C control unit, F1 guide route information storage unit (first storage unit), F2 intersection information storage unit (second storage unit), F3 voice information storage unit (fifth storage unit), F4 image information storage unit (seventh storage unit) Means), TB1 road marking voice guidance specific information storage section (third storage means), TB2 voice guidance information storage section (fourth storage means), distance voice guidance specific information storage section (sixth storage means), 10 route guidance device , 11 Vehicle position information receiving unit, 12 guidance intersection monitoring unit, 13 road marking information specifying unit, 14 voice guidance information generating unit, 15 voice information extracting unit, 16 voice information output unit, 17 driving lane information specifying unit, 18 Image information generation unit, 19 Image information output unit, 20 Self-vehicle position measurement device, 30 Route search processing device, 40 Voice output device, 50 Image output device.

Claims (9)

A route guidance device for guiding a traveling direction at a predetermined intersection existing on a guidance route obtained by route search processing,
Route link information indicating each road constituting the guide route obtained by the route search process, its position information (hereinafter referred to as “route link position information”), and a predetermined intersection existing on this guide route First storage means for storing the node information and the position information (hereinafter referred to as “node position information”) in association with each other;
The node information, the entry link information indicating the road entering the intersection indicated by the node information, the exit link information indicating the road exiting through the intersection for each entry link information, and the exit link information. A second storage means for storing road marking information indicating an arrow displayed on the actual road surface provided in association with each other;
Third storage means for storing the road marking information and voice guidance specifying information for identifying voice guidance information according to the road marking information in association with each other;
Fourth storage means for storing the voice guidance specifying information and voice specifying information for identifying voice information corresponding to the voice guidance information in association with each other;
Fifth storage means for storing the voice identification information and the voice information in association with each other;
Own vehicle position information receiving means for receiving the current position information of the vehicle;
According to the movement of the vehicle, the predetermined node information to be guided with reference to the first storage means is specified, the current position information of the vehicle received by the own vehicle position information receiving means, and the route link position Guidance intersection monitoring means for monitoring the distance between the vehicle and the intersection indicated in the node information from the information and the node position information;
When the distance monitored by the guidance intersection monitoring means approaches a predetermined distance set in advance, the first storage means refers to the first storage means based on the node information, and enters the intersection indicated by the node information. And specifying the second route link information exiting from the intersection, referring to the second storage means, using the specified first route link information as the incoming link information, and specifying the specified second route link Road marking information specifying means for specifying the road marking information provided corresponding to the exit link information, with the information as exit link information,
Based on the road marking information specified by the road marking information specifying means, the voice guidance specifying information is specified with reference to the third storage means, and the voice guidance information that matches the road marking information based on the voice guidance specifying information Voice guidance information generating means for generating
Based on the voice guidance specifying information included in the voice guidance information generated by the voice guidance information generating means, the voice specifying information is specified with reference to the fourth storage means, and on the basis of the voice specifying information, the fifth Voice information extraction means for extracting voice information with reference to the storage means;
Voice information output means for outputting voice information extracted by the voice information extraction means;
A route guidance device comprising: Sixth storage means for storing distance information and voice guidance specifying information for identifying voice guidance according to the distance information in association with each other;
The voice guidance information generating means is associated with distance information indicating the predetermined distance with reference to the sixth storage means when the distance monitored by the guidance intersection monitoring means approaches a predetermined distance set in advance. The voice guidance identification information is identified, and based on the voice guidance identification information according to the distance and the voice guidance identification information according to the road marking, the road marking information coincides with the road marking information including distance information with the intersection. Generate voice guidance information,
The route guidance device according to claim 1. The second storage means stores intersection map specifying information for identifying an intersection map in association with the node information, and a travelable lane indicating a travelable lane corresponding to the exit link information for each of the approach link information Remember more information,
Seventh storage means for storing the intersection map specifying information and the enlarged intersection map information in association with each other;
When the distance monitored by the guidance intersection monitoring means approaches a predetermined distance set in advance, the first route link information for referring to the first storage means based on the node information and entering the intersection indicated by the node information And specifying the second route link information exiting from the intersection, referring to the second storage means, and using the specified first route link information as the incoming link information, and specifying the specified second route link information As the exit link information, a travelable lane information specifying means for specifying the travelable lane information corresponding to the exit link information,
According to the specification of the travelable lane information by the travelable lane information identifying unit, the intersection map identifying information is identified with reference to the second storage unit based on the node information identified by the guidance intersection monitoring unit, Based on the intersection map specifying information, the enlarged intersection map information is extracted with reference to the seventh storage means, and further, the road marking information is matched based on the enlarged intersection map information and the travelable lane information. Image information generating means for generating image information for displaying an arrow;
Image information output means for outputting image information generated by the image information generation means;
The route guidance device according to claim 1, further comprising: Route link information indicating each road constituting the guide route obtained by the route search process, its position information (hereinafter referred to as “route link position information”), and a predetermined intersection existing on this guide route First storage means for storing node information and its position information (hereinafter referred to as “node position information”) in association with each other, an entrance link indicating the node information and a road entering the intersection indicated by the node information Information, exit link information indicating a road to exit through the intersection for each of the approach link information, road marking information indicating an arrow displayed on the actual road surface provided corresponding to the exit link information, The second storage means for storing the information in association with each other, the road marking information, and the voice guidance specifying information for identifying the voice guidance information according to the road marking information. Third storage means for storing in association with each other, fourth storage means for storing the voice guidance specifying information and voice specifying information for identifying voice information corresponding to the voice guidance information in association with each other, and the voice specification And a fifth storage means for storing the information and the voice information in association with each other, and the route guidance device guides the traveling direction at a predetermined intersection existing on the guidance route determined by the route search process. A route guidance method to be performed,
A first step of receiving current position information of the vehicle in the route guidance device;
In the route guidance device, according to the movement of the vehicle, the predetermined node information to be guided with reference to the first storage means is specified, and the current position information of the vehicle received by the own vehicle position information receiving means A second step of monitoring a distance between the vehicle and the intersection indicated in the node information from the route link position information and the node position information;
In the route guidance device, when the distance monitored in the second step approaches a predetermined distance set in advance, the first storage means is referred to based on the node information, and an intersection indicated by the node information is entered. The first route link information and the second route link information that escapes from the intersection are specified, and the specified first route link information is used as the incoming link information with reference to the second storage means, and specified. A third step of identifying road marking information provided corresponding to the exit link information, using the second route link information as the exit link information;
In the route guidance device, based on the road marking information identified in the third step, voice guidance identification information is identified with reference to the third storage means, and the road marking information and the road guidance information are determined based on the voice guidance identification information. A fourth step of generating matched voice guidance information;
In the route guidance device, based on the voice guidance specifying information included in the voice guidance information generated in the fourth step, the voice specifying information is specified with reference to the fourth storage unit, and on the basis of the voice specifying information. , A fifth step of extracting voice information with reference to the fifth storage means;
A sixth step of outputting the voice information extracted in the fifth step from the route guidance device;
A route guidance method comprising: The route guidance device
Sixth storage means for storing distance information and voice guidance specifying information for identifying voice guidance according to the distance information in association with each other;
In the route guidance device, distance information indicating the predetermined distance with reference to the sixth storage means when the fourth step is close to a predetermined distance set in advance in the fourth step. The road marking information including the distance information to the intersection based on the voice guidance specifying information corresponding to the distance and the voice guidance specifying information corresponding to the road marking Generate voice guidance information that matches
The route guidance method according to claim 4, wherein: The route guidance device
The second storage means stores intersection map specifying information for identifying an intersection map in association with the node information, and a travelable lane indicating a travelable lane corresponding to the exit link information for each approach link information Remember more information,
A seventh storage means for storing the intersection map specifying information and the enlarged intersection map information in association with each other;
In the route guidance device, when the distance monitored in the second step approaches a predetermined distance set in advance, the first storage means is referred to based on the node information and enters the intersection indicated by the node information. The first route link information and the second route link information that escapes from the intersection are specified, the specified first route link information is set as the incoming link information with reference to the second storage means, and the specified first The step α, which specifies the travelable lane information corresponding to the exit link information, using the two-route link information as the exit link information.
In the route guidance device, according to the specification of the travelable lane information in the step α, the intersection map specifying information is specified with reference to the second storage means based on the node information specified in the second step. Based on the intersection map specifying information, the enlarged map information is extracted with reference to the seventh storage means, and further, the road marking information coincides with the enlarged map information and the travelable lane information. Generating image information to display the arrow made,
Outputting the image information generated in step β from the route guidance device γ,
The route guidance method according to claim 4, further comprising: Route link information indicating each road constituting the guide route obtained by the route search process, its position information (hereinafter referred to as “route link position information”), and a predetermined intersection existing on this guide route First storage means for storing node information and its position information (hereinafter referred to as “node position information”) in association with each other, an entrance link indicating the node information and a road entering the intersection indicated by the node information Information, exit link information indicating a road to exit through the intersection for each of the approach link information, road marking information indicating an arrow displayed on the actual road surface provided corresponding to the exit link information, The second storage means for storing the information in association with each other, the road marking information, and the voice guidance specifying information for identifying the voice guidance information according to the road marking information. Third storage means for storing in association with each other, fourth storage means for storing the voice guidance specifying information and voice specifying information for identifying voice information corresponding to the voice guidance information in association with each other, and the voice specification Fifth storage means for storing information and voice information in association with each other, and performing guidance in the traveling direction at a predetermined intersection existing on the guidance route obtained by the route search process Computer for
Means for receiving current position information of the vehicle;
According to the movement of the vehicle, the predetermined node information to be guided with reference to the first storage means is specified, and the received current position information of the vehicle, the route link position information, the node position information, From the means for monitoring the distance between the vehicle and the intersection shown in the node information,
When the monitored distance approaches a predetermined distance set in advance, the first storage means is referred to based on the node information, the first route link information entering the intersection indicated by the node information, and the exit from the intersection The second route link information to be specified, the second storage means is referred to, the specified first route link information is used as the incoming link information, and the specified second route link information is used as the outgoing link information , Means for specifying road marking information provided corresponding to the exit link information,
Means for identifying voice guidance specifying information with reference to the third storage means based on the specified road marking information, and generating voice guidance information matching the road marking information based on the voice guidance specifying information;
Based on the voice guidance specifying information included in the generated voice guidance information, the voice specifying information is specified with reference to the fourth storage means, and on the basis of the voice specifying information, the fifth storage means is referred to. Means for extracting audio information;
Means for outputting the extracted voice information;
A computer program that functions as a computer program. Sixth storage means for storing distance information and voice guidance specifying information for identifying voice guidance according to the distance information in association with each other;
In the computer,
When the distance to be monitored approaches a predetermined distance set in advance, voice guidance specifying information associated with the distance information indicating the predetermined distance is specified with reference to the sixth storage means, and the distance corresponding to the distance is determined. Means for generating voice guidance information matching the road marking information including distance information with respect to the intersection based on voice guidance specifying information and voice guidance specifying information corresponding to the road marking;
The computer program according to claim 7, further functioning as: The second storage means stores intersection map specifying information for identifying an intersection map in association with the node information, and a travelable lane indicating a travelable lane corresponding to the exit link information for each approach link information Remember more information,
Seventh storage means for storing the intersection map specifying information and the intersection enlarged map information in association with each other;
In the computer,
When the distance to be monitored approaches a predetermined distance set in advance, the first storage means is referred to based on the node information, the first route link information entering the intersection indicated by the node information, and the exit from the intersection The second route link information to be specified, the second storage means is referred to, the specified first route link information is used as the incoming link information, and the specified second route link information is used as the outgoing link information. Means for identifying the driveable lane information corresponding to the exit link information;
Based on the specified node information, the intersection map specifying information is specified with reference to the specified node information, and the seventh storage means is set based on the intersection map specifying information. Means for extracting intersection enlarged map information with reference, and further generating image information for displaying an arrow that matches the road marking information based on the intersection enlarged map information and the travelable lane information;
Means for outputting the generated image information;
The computer program according to claim 7 or 8, further causing the computer program to function.

Images