JP2010151662A - Information guidance system and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a driver to select a proper exit road at a branch point when the driver drives a vehicle in a state in which route guidance is not performed. <P>SOLUTION: A name of place described on a direction signboard is recognized, position information of the name of place is obtained on the basis of map data, and a branch point guidance map for guiding a destination direction of each road in a branch point is displayed on a display part at a scale such that the own vehicle position and the position of each name of place are included on the basis of the own vehicle position and the obtained position information of each name of place. The driver can thereby understand the direction about which of the exit roads is to be traveled by the vehicle. Accordingly, the driver can easily drive the vehicle toward the destination because the driver can select the proper exit road. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information guidance system and a program.

Conventionally, in a navigation apparatus, the current location detected by the current location detection unit is specified as the vehicle position, and is displayed together with the surrounding maps on a map screen formed on the display unit. Then, when the driver inputs the destination, the route from the departure point which is the vehicle position to the destination is searched, and the searched route, that is, the searched route is displayed on the map screen, That is, route guidance is performed. Therefore, the driver can drive the vehicle along the searched route according to the route guidance (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2008-32629 A

  However, in the conventional navigation device, when route guidance is not performed, the searched route is not displayed on the map screen, so that it becomes difficult for the driver to drive the vehicle toward the destination.

  That is, when a route is not being used and a road such as a highway / toll road such as a toll road or a toll road is used to drive the vehicle to a destination, the search route is not displayed on the map screen. Therefore, the driver looks at the direction signboard installed before the branch point, refers to the place name described on the direction signboard, selects a predetermined exit road among a plurality of exit roads at the branch point, and then exits the exit point. The vehicle is driven toward the road. The exit road represents a road where the vehicle exits at the branch point.

  However, if the driver is driving the vehicle on a high-speed toll road that is less frequently used, the relationship between the position of the vehicle and the location of the name of the vehicle can be determined by referring to the name of the location on the signboard. You may not be able to grasp enough and you may not know which exit road you should drive the vehicle to.

  In this case, since the driver selects the exit road by estimation, the driver may not be able to select an appropriate exit road, and it becomes difficult to drive the vehicle toward the destination.

  The present invention solves the problems of the conventional navigation device, and allows the driver to select an appropriate exit road at a branch point when the vehicle is traveling without route guidance. An object of the present invention is to provide an information guide system and program that can be used.

  For this purpose, in the information guidance system of the present invention, recognition processing means for recognizing the place name described on the direction signboard, place name position information acquisition processing means for obtaining the position information of the place name based on map data, and the own vehicle Based on the location information of the location and the acquired name of each place, a branch point guide map for guiding the destination of each road at the branch point is displayed on the display unit at a scale that includes the position of the vehicle and the name of each place. Branching point guide map display processing means.

  According to the present invention, the place name described on the direction signboard is recognized, the position information of the place name is acquired based on the map data, and the own vehicle position is determined based on the own vehicle position and the acquired position information of each place name. In addition, a branch point guide map for guiding the destination of each road at the branch point is displayed on the display unit at a scale that includes the location of each place name, so the driver can drive the vehicle toward which exit road I know what to do. Accordingly, since the driver can select an appropriate exit road, the vehicle can easily travel toward the destination.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In this case, a navigation system as an information guidance system will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a navigation system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In the figure, 14 is an information terminal, for example, a navigation device as an in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle, 63 is a network, 51 is an information center as an information provider, the navigation device 14, the network 63, the information center 51, etc. The navigation system is configured by the above.

  The navigation device 14 is input with a GPS sensor 15 as a current location detection unit for detecting the current location and direction of the vehicle and time, a data recording unit 16 as an information recording unit in which various information is recorded in addition to map data. A navigation processing unit 17 for performing various arithmetic processing such as navigation processing based on the information obtained, an operation unit 34 as a first input unit for performing a predetermined input when operated by a driver as an operator, A display unit 35 as a first output unit for notifying the driver by an image displayed on a screen that is not displayed, a voice input unit 36 as a second input unit for performing a predetermined input by voice, A voice output unit 37 as a second output unit for notifying the driver by voice and a communication unit as a transmission / reception unit functioning as a communication terminal. It comprises a section 38, the navigation processing unit 17, GPS sensor 15, data recording unit 16, operation unit 34, display unit 35, voice input unit 36, audio output unit 37 and the communication unit 38 are connected.

  The navigation processing unit 17 is connected to a vehicle speed sensor 44 as a vehicle speed detection unit for detecting the vehicle speed, a front camera 47 as an imaging device for photographing the front of the vehicle, and the like.

  Map data is recorded in the data recording unit 16, and the map data includes terrain data relating to terrain, road data relating to road links, intersection data relating to intersections, node data relating to nodes, and search data processed for searching. , Facility data regarding facilities, feature data regarding features, audio data for outputting predetermined information by the audio output unit 37, statistical data for predicting traffic jams, travel history data regarding vehicle travel history, and the like. .

  The intersection includes a junction (junction) on a rampway and a main line on a highway / toll road such as an expressway or a toll road. The intersection data includes data such as the name of the intersection, the approach road representing the road on which the vehicle enters, the exit road, the presence / absence of a traffic signal, the type of traffic signal (for example, a sensitive traffic signal), and each direction on each exit road. included.

  Further, the feature is a display object that is installed or formed on the road in order to provide various driving information to the driver or to perform various driving guidance, It consists of street signs, direction signs, pedestrian crossings, manholes, etc. The feature data includes position information that represents the position of each feature with coordinates, image information that represents each feature with an image, and the like.

  The data recording unit 16 includes a memory card in addition to a disk (not shown) such as a hard disk, a CD, a DVD, and an optical disk, and reads and writes various data in order to record the various data. For example, a head (not shown) such as a read / write head is provided.

  The navigation processing unit 17 is a control device that controls the entire navigation device 14 and a CPU 31 as an arithmetic device, a RAM 32 that is used as a working memory when the CPU 31 performs various arithmetic processes, and a control device. In addition to the program, a ROM 33 in which various programs for searching for a route to a destination, route guidance, and the like are recorded, a flash memory (not shown) used for recording various data, programs, and the like are provided. .

  The operation unit 34 is for realizing various functions in the navigation device 14 when operated by a driver. The operation unit 34 is disposed in a case body of the navigation device 14 or the navigation device 14. Are arranged on a remote controller (not shown), a keyboard, a mouse, etc. that are formed independently, and includes switches, buttons, keys, dials, and the like as operation elements. The driver can perform a predetermined input operation by pressing a switch, button, key, or the like, or rotating the dial.

  The display unit 35 is for displaying various types of information on each screen formed on a display, a touch panel or the like. In the present embodiment, a touch panel is used. The touch panel also functions as an operation unit. In this case, keys, switches, buttons, and the like as operation elements based on images are displayed on the screen, and a driver performs predetermined input operations by touching the keys, switches, buttons, etc. It can be performed.

  The voice input unit 36 includes a microphone (not shown) or the like, and can input necessary information by voice. Furthermore, the voice output unit 37 includes a voice synthesizer and a speaker (not shown), and various information is output from the voice output unit 37 as voice.

  The communication unit 38 is a beacon receiver (not shown) for receiving various information such as traffic information and general information sent from a road traffic information center (not shown) such as a VICS (registered trademark) center as an information provider, A radio receiver (not shown) for receiving a radio broadcast is provided. The traffic information includes traffic jam information, regulation information, parking lot information, traffic accident information, service area congestion status information, and the like, and general information includes news, weather forecasts, and the like.

  The communication unit 38 can also receive various information such as traffic information and general information from the information center 51. For this purpose, the information center 51 includes a server 53, a communication unit 57 connected to the server 53, a database (DB) 58 as an information recording unit, and the like. A CPU 54, a RAM 55, a ROM 56, etc. are provided as devices. In addition, data similar to various data recorded in the data recording unit 16 is recorded in the database 58.

  The front camera 47 is composed of a CCD element, a C-MOS element, and the like, and in order to monitor the front of the vehicle, a front vehicle, a traffic light, a feature, or the like that is traveling in front of the vehicle is used as an object to be photographed. The image is taken and image data of the taken object is generated and sent to the CPU 31. The CPU 31 reads out the image data, performs image processing on the image data, extracts each object to be photographed in the image, and analyzes the data of the extracted object to be photographed. Get image information.

  The navigation system, the navigation processing unit 17, the CPU 31, 54, the server 53, and the like function as a computer that operates based on various programs, data, and the like alone or in combination. The data recording unit 16, RAMs 32 and 55, ROMs 33 and 56, database 58, flash memory, and the like constitute a storage device or recording medium. An MPU or the like can be used instead of the CPUs 31 and 54 as the arithmetic unit.

  Next, a basic operation of the navigation system having the above configuration will be described.

  2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the navigation system in the embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a direction signboard in the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is an example of a map screen in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG.

  First, when the operation unit 34 is operated by the driver and the navigation device 14 is activated, a matching processing unit (not shown) of the CPU 31 performs matching processing, reads the current location and direction of the vehicle detected by the GPS sensor 15, By determining which road link the current location is on the basis of the trajectory of the current location and the shape, arrangement, etc. of each road link constituting the road around the current location, Is specified as the vehicle direction.

  Subsequently, a basic information acquisition processing unit (not shown) of the CPU 31 performs a basic information acquisition process and acquires the map data by reading it from the data recording unit 16 or receiving it from the information center 51 or the like via the communication unit 38. And get. In addition, when acquiring map data from the information center 51 etc., the said basic information acquisition process means downloads the received map data to flash memory.

  A display processing unit (not shown) of the CPU 31 performs display processing and forms various screens on the display unit 35. For example, the map display processing means of the display processing means performs a map display process, forms a predetermined screen on the display unit 35, in the present embodiment, a map screen, and displays a surrounding map on the map screen. The vehicle position and the vehicle direction are displayed.

  Accordingly, the driver can drive the vehicle according to the map, the vehicle position, and the vehicle direction.

  Further, when the driver operates the operation unit 34 to input a destination, a destination setting processing unit (not shown) of the CPU 31 performs a destination setting process to set the destination. Note that the departure place can be input and set as necessary. It is also possible to register a predetermined point in advance and set the registered point as a destination. Subsequently, when the driver operates the operation unit 34 to input a search condition, a search condition setting processing unit (not shown) of the CPU 31 performs a search condition setting process to set the search condition.

  When the destination and the search condition are set in this way, the route search processing means (not shown) of the CPU 31 performs the route search processing and reads the vehicle position, the destination, the search condition, etc., and the data recording unit. Route data representing the searched route is obtained by reading the search data from 16 and searching the route from the departure point to the destination represented by the vehicle position based on the vehicle position, the destination, the search data, etc. using the search conditions. Is output. At this time, the route with the smallest total link cost assigned to each road link is set as the searched route.

  The information center 51 can also perform route search processing. In this case, the CPU 31 transmits the vehicle position, the destination, the search conditions, etc. to the information center 51. In the information center 51, route search processing means (not shown) of the CPU 54 performs route search processing similar to that of the CPU 31, and database The search data and the like are read out from 58, and the route from the departure point to the destination is searched based on the search conditions based on the own vehicle position, the destination, the search data, etc., and the route data representing the searched route is output. Next, a transmission processing unit (not shown) of the CPU 54 performs transmission processing and transmits the route data to the navigation device 14.

  Subsequently, a guidance processing means (not shown) of the CPU 31 performs guidance processing and provides route guidance. For this purpose, the route display processing means of the guidance processing means performs route display processing, reads the route data, and displays the searched route on the map screen according to the route data.

  By the way, in the route guidance, when the vehicle needs to turn right or left at a predetermined intersection, the intersection is set as a guidance point and a guidance intersection.

  For this purpose, the guidance intersection setting processing means of the guidance processing means performs guidance intersection setting processing and determines whether there is an intersection that requires the vehicle to turn left or right according to the route data, that is, based on the searched route. If there is an intersection that requires the vehicle to turn left or right, the intersection is set as a guide intersection.

  Subsequently, the voice output processing means of the guidance processing means performs voice output processing and outputs route guidance from the voice output unit 37 by voice. For this purpose, the route guidance point setting processing means of the guidance processing means performs route guidance point setting processing, and is at least one distance away from the guidance intersection on the searched route (a vehicle side) by a preset distance. A route guidance point is set at each point. The point guidance processing means of the guidance processing means performs point guidance processing, and when a vehicle arrives at each route guidance point, from the contents preset for each route guidance point, for example, from the position of the vehicle Route guidance is provided for the distance to the guidance intersection, the right / left turn at the guidance intersection, and the like.

  Then, the guidance point enlarged map display processing means of the guidance processing means performs the guidance point enlarged map display processing, reads the intersection data, and before the vehicle reaches the guidance intersection, the guidance point enlarged map display process is performed in a predetermined area of the map screen. An enlarged view, that is, an enlarged view of the intersection is displayed, and route guidance based on the enlarged view of the intersection is performed. In this case, a map of the vicinity of the guidance intersection, a search route, and landmarks such as facilities that are landmarks at the guidance intersection are displayed on the enlarged intersection.

  In this way, the driver can drive the vehicle along the searched route according to the route guidance.

  By the way, in a state where route guidance is not performed, a vehicle may be driven to a destination by using a highway / toll road such as a highway or a toll road. In that case, since the search route is not displayed on the map screen, the driver looks at the direction signboards installed along the highway / toll road, refers to the names of each place described in the direction signboards, and is an intersection. A predetermined exit road is selected from the plurality of exit roads at the branch point, and the vehicle is driven toward the exit road.

  For example, on highways and toll roads, a plurality of points separated by a preset distance, for example, 2 [km], 1 [km], and 500 [m], before the branch point, are used as signboard installation points. The signboard 65 as shown in FIG. 3 is installed at each signboard installation point. The direction sign 65 describes a road r1 that is currently running and a road r2 that branches from the road r1 at a branch point c1, and is adjacent to the roads r1 and r2, and the destination direction of the roads r1 and r2. As a main place name, for example, “EF city” and “GH city” are described. The place name includes major roads and facilities in addition to municipalities, and is described alone or in combination.

  However, if the driver is driving the vehicle on a high-speed / toll road that is less frequently used, the relationship between the location of the vehicle and the location of each location can be found by referring to the location names on the direction signboard 65. May not be able to grasp sufficiently, and it may not be known which exit road the vehicle should be driven to.

  In this case, since the driver selects the exit road by estimation, the driver may not be able to select an appropriate exit road, and it becomes difficult to drive the vehicle toward the destination.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, when using a high-speed / toll road and driving the vehicle to the destination, the guidance processing means is based on the image information of each direction signboard 65 installed along the road. The branch point guidance that is the intersection guide is performed for the branch point c1.

  For this purpose, a traveling state determination processing unit (not shown) of the CPU 31 performs a traveling state determination process to determine whether route guidance is being performed.

  When route guidance is not performed, the image information acquisition processing unit of the guidance processing unit performs image information acquisition processing, and reads and acquires image data as image information from the front camera 47. Next, the image recognition processing means of the guidance processing means performs image recognition processing, extracts the direction signboard 65 by performing image processing on the image data, and performs image recognition to thereby obtain the direction signboard 65. The roads r1 and r2, the branch point c1 and the place name which are the direction signboard information described in the above are recognized by characters.

  Subsequently, the place name position information acquisition processing means of the guidance processing means performs a place name position information acquisition process, and searches for the place name recognized in the image recognition process based on the map data acquired by the basic information acquisition processing means. Then, the location information of the searched place name, in the present embodiment, the coordinates are acquired.

  The branch point guide map display processing unit as the first branch point guide processing unit of the guide processing unit performs the branch point guide map display process as the first branch point guide process and performs the branch point guidance. A branch point guide map is created and displayed on a part of the map screen.

  For this purpose, the branch point guide area setting processing means of the branch point guide map display processing means performs a branch point guide area setting process and branches to a part of the map screen g1 of the display unit 35 as shown in FIG. A point guide area AR1 is set.

  In FIG. 4, g1 is a map screen, AR1 is a branch point guide area, r1 and r2 are roads, pr is a vehicle position, and c1 is a branch point where the road r2 branches from the road r1. Is an approach road, and rb and rc are exit roads.

  Subsequently, the branch point guide map creation processing means of the branch point guide map display processing means performs a branch point guide map creation process, reads the actual vehicle position pr and the coordinates of each location name, and reads the vehicle location pr and each location. Locate the name. Then, based on each coordinate, the map is reduced to a scale that includes the vehicle position pr and the names of the various names within the range of the branch point guide area AR1, and the destination direction of each road r1, r2 at the branch point c1 is guided. A branch point guide map is created and displayed in the branch point guide area AR1. In this case, the road r1, r2, the own vehicle position pr, and the names of various places are displayed in the branch point guide map.

  Further, the branch point guide map creation processing means makes the color of the character representing each place name in the branch point guide map different from the color used for other characters on the map screen g1 or blinks. , Highlight each place name.

  In addition, the own vehicle position pr and the position of each place name on the branch point guide map are displayed in correspondence with the actual own vehicle position pr and the place name. For this purpose, the vehicle position pr and the location of each name on the branch point guide map are set in correspondence with the positional relationship and the distance relationship between the actual vehicle position pr and the location of each location.

  That is, the direction of the position of each place name with respect to the own vehicle position pr on the branch point guide map and the direction of the position of each place name with respect to the actual own car position pr are equalized, and the vehicle position pr on the branch point guide map is The distance from the position of each place name is proportional to the distance between the actual vehicle position pr and the position of each place name.

  Further, the voice guidance processing means as the second branch point guidance processing means of the guidance processing means performs voice guidance processing as the second branch point guidance processing means, and performs direction guidance with voice phrases. For this purpose, the voice guidance processing means guides the position of each name by notifying the direction to the own vehicle position pr and the distance from the own vehicle position pr by voice.

  Subsequently, a branch point passage determination processing unit (not shown) of the CPU 31 performs a branch point passage determination process to determine whether or not the vehicle has passed the branch point c1. The guide map display processing means ends the display of the branch point guide map.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the name of each place described in the direction signboard 65 is recognized, the coordinates of the name of each place are acquired, and the branch point guide map is displayed on the map screen g1. In the figure, the vehicle position pr and the names of the various names are displayed in correspondence with the actual vehicle position pr and the names of the various names. Therefore, the driver travels toward the exit road at the branch point c1. I know what to do.

  Therefore, since the driver can select an appropriate exit road, the driver can easily drive the vehicle toward the destination.

  In the present embodiment, the map is reduced to a scale where the own vehicle position pr and the names of various places are within the range of the branch point guide area AR1, and a branch point guide map is created. The roads r1 and r2 are displayed so as to have the same shape as the actual roads r1 and r2, but each road r1 and r2 is represented by a straight line that connects the branch point c1 and the position of each place name. You can also.

  In this embodiment, each direction signboard 65 is photographed by the front camera 47, and characters such as place names, roads, and facilities described in each direction signboard 65 are displayed based on the image data acquired from the front camera 47. Although it recognizes, a place name, a road, a facility, etc. can also be recognized based on the intersection data recorded in the data recording unit 16.

Next, a flowchart will be described.
Step S1: It is determined whether route guidance is being performed. If the route guidance is being performed, the process is terminated. If the route guidance is not being performed, the process proceeds to step S2.
Step S2: Image information acquisition processing is performed.
Step S3 Image recognition processing is performed.
Step S4: Place name search processing is performed.
Step S5: A branch point guide area AR1 is set in a part of the map screen g1.
Step S6: Specify the own vehicle position pr and the position of each name.
Step S7: A scale branching point guide map including the vehicle position pr and the names of the various names is displayed.
Step S8 Highlight the name of each place.
Step S9 Wait for the vehicle to pass through the branch point c1, and if the vehicle passes through the branch point c1, the process proceeds to step S10.
Step S10: The display of the branch point guide map is terminated, and the process is terminated.

  In this embodiment, a case is described in which branch point guidance is performed for the branch point c1 on the main line on the highway / toll road. However, branch point guidance is performed on a branch point on the rampway on the high speed / toll road. It can be applied to the case where intersection guidance is performed for intersections on general roads.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, It can change variously based on the meaning of this invention, and does not exclude them from the scope of the present invention.

It is a figure which shows the navigation system in embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the navigation system in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the direction signboard in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the map screen in embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

14 navigation device 35 display unit 47 front camera 51 information center 63 network 65 direction signboard AR1 branch point guide area c1 branch point g1 ground screen pr own vehicle position r1, r2 road

Claims (5)

  Based on the recognition processing means for recognizing the place name described on the direction signboard, the place name position information acquisition processing means for obtaining the position information of the place name based on the map data, the own vehicle position and the acquired position information of each place name And a branch point guide map display processing means for displaying on the display a branch point guide map for guiding the destination direction of each road at the branch point at a scale including the position of the own vehicle and the names of various places. Information guidance system characterized by   In addition to running state determination processing means for determining whether route guidance is being performed, the branch point guide map display processing means displays a branch point guide map on the display unit when route guidance is not being performed. The information guidance system according to claim 1.   The branch point guide map display processing means sets the position of the own vehicle and the name of each place on the branch point guide map in correspondence with the positional relationship and the distance relation between the actual position of the vehicle and the name of each place. Item 4. The information guidance system according to Item 1.   The information guidance system according to claim 1, wherein the branch point guide map display processing means highlights each place name on the branch point guide map.   Recognition processing means for recognizing the place name described on the direction signboard, place name position information acquisition processing means for obtaining the position information of the place name based on map data, and the position information of the host vehicle and the acquired name of each place Function as a branch point guide map display processing means for displaying on the display a branch point guide map for guiding the destination direction of each road at the branch point at a scale including the position of the vehicle and the name of each place based on A program characterized by letting

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