JP2012026726A - Navigation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a navigation device for quickly displaying a route peripheral facility search result.SOLUTION: A route attribute information acquisition part 62 successively acquires route attribute information which is necessary for the search of a facility existing in the periphery of a route along a route set by a route search arithmetic part 61. In parallel with the processing of the route attribute information acquisition part 62, a route attribute difference information extraction part 71 extracts a difference between the successively acquired route attribute information and the previously acquired route attribute information. A route peripheral facility searching part 72 searches a facility existing in the periphery of the route based on the route attribute information of the difference. Each time the facility is searched by the route peripheral facility searching part 72, the route peripheral facility searching part 72 additionally displays the searched facility on a search result picture.

Description

  The present invention relates to a navigation device that searches for facilities around a route.

  A navigation device generally calculates a guide route by route search processing after a destination setting operation, and obtains route attribute information including guidance information (route link shape, length and angle, road name, number of lanes, etc.) The route attribute information acquisition process to be executed was executed. After this route attribute information acquisition processing, guidance using route attribute information becomes possible. Also, in the conventional route surrounding facility search process, the navigation device searches for the route surrounding facility based on the information acquired by the route attribute information acquisition processing (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing the flow along the time axis of route search processing and route peripheral facility search processing in a conventional navigation device. In the figure, the navigation device first performs a route search process, and when this route search process ends, it subsequently performs a route attribute information acquisition process. In the route attribute information acquisition process, when the navigation apparatus acquires route attribute information up to a predetermined route peripheral facility search range (for example, 250 km away from the vehicle position) along the guidance route, the navigation device starts the route peripheral facility search processing based on the information To do. The navigation device displays a list of route surrounding facility search results to the user after the route surrounding facility search processing ends.

JP 2008-32464 A

  Since the conventional navigation device is configured as described above, it is impossible to execute the route peripheral facility search process immediately after the route search process is completed. First, the route attribute information acquisition process performs a route along the guide route. It was possible to start searching for nearby facilities only after acquiring attribute information. As a result, for example, when the user performs a route peripheral facility search immediately after the route search is completed, the search result of the peripheral facility cannot be displayed immediately, and there is a problem that a waiting time occurs.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a navigation device that can quickly display a route peripheral facility search result.

  A navigation device according to the present invention includes a host vehicle position detection unit that detects a current position of the host vehicle, a route setting unit that sets a route from the current position detected by the host vehicle position detection unit to a destination, and a route setting unit. The route attribute information acquisition unit that sequentially acquires along the route the route attribute information necessary for searching for facilities existing around the route set by the step, and the difference from the previous acquisition sequentially acquired by the route attribute information acquisition unit A route peripheral facility search unit that searches for facilities existing around the route based on route attribute information, and a facility search result output unit that additionally displays the searched facility on the search result screen each time the route peripheral facility search unit searches. Are provided.

  A navigation device according to the present invention includes a host vehicle position detection unit that detects a current position of the host vehicle, a route setting unit that sets a route from the current position detected by the host vehicle position detection unit to a destination, and a route setting unit. The route attribute information acquisition unit that sequentially acquires along the route the route attribute information necessary for searching for facilities existing around the route set by the route, and the progress of the route attribute information acquisition of the route attribute information acquisition unit The path attribute information acquisition status monitoring unit for determining that the predetermined information acquisition range has been reached, and the path attribute information acquisition status monitoring unit by the path attribute information acquisition status monitoring unit has reached the predetermined information acquisition range. Each time it is determined that the search has been performed, the route peripheral facility search unit that searches for facilities existing around the route based on the route attribute information that has been acquired at the time of arrival, and the search by the route peripheral facility search unit Each time is obtained as comprising a rearranging the searched facilities in a predetermined ordering search results sorting calculation unit, and a facility search result output unit for screen display facilities rearranged by sorting search results computing unit.

  A navigation device according to the present invention includes a host vehicle position detection unit that detects a current position of the host vehicle, a route setting unit that sets a route from the current position detected by the host vehicle position detection unit to a destination, and a route setting unit. Based on the route attribute information acquisition unit that sequentially acquires along the route the route attribute information necessary for searching for facilities existing around the route set by the route, and the route attribute information acquired by the route attribute information acquisition unit. Route attribute information acquisition status monitoring that determines the arrival of a predetermined information acquisition range by monitoring the progress of route attribute information acquisition by the route peripheral facility search unit and the route attribute information acquisition unit that search for facilities existing in the vicinity And the route attribute information acquisition status monitoring unit determine that the progress of the route attribute information acquisition by the route attribute information acquisition unit has reached the predetermined information acquisition range, It is obtained so as to include a facility search method output unit for screen display that that facility search becomes feasible.

  A navigation device according to the present invention includes a vehicle position detection unit that detects a current position of the vehicle, a route setting unit that sets a route from the current position detected by the vehicle position detection unit to a destination, Displays information indicating the relationship between the required search time and the number of searches according to the search range of facilities existing in the site, and is set by the route peripheral facility search range setting unit that accepts setting information specifying the search range and the route setting unit Specified in the setting information among the route attribute information acquisition unit that sequentially acquires along the route the route attribute information necessary for searching for facilities existing around the route and the route attribute information acquired by the route attribute information acquisition unit A route surrounding facility search unit for searching for facilities existing around the route based on the route attribute information up to the searched range is provided.

  According to the present invention, facilities existing around the route are searched based on the route attribute information of the difference from the previous acquisition sequentially acquired along the route, and the facility is additionally displayed on the search result screen each time the search is performed. As a result, the start timing of the first facility search can be advanced and the search results can be displayed quickly.

  According to the present invention, the facilities existing around the route are searched based on the route attribute information up to the predetermined information acquisition range, and are rearranged in the predetermined order and displayed on the screen. The start timing can be advanced and the search results can be displayed quickly, and the search results can be rearranged and displayed in a predetermined order.

  According to this invention, when it is determined that the progress of the route attribute information acquisition has reached the predetermined information acquisition range, the fact that the facility search can be executed is displayed on the screen. The facility search can be started immediately based on the attribute information, and the search result can be displayed quickly without the waiting time for obtaining the route attribute information.

  According to the present invention, since the facilities existing around the route are searched based on the route attribute information up to the specified search range, if a short search range is specified, the search time is shortened and the search is performed. The result can be displayed quickly.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the navigation apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The vehicle navigation apparatus shown in the figure includes a hard disk device (hereinafter referred to as HDD) 1, a navigation electronic control unit (hereinafter referred to as ECU), a remote controller 10, an audio output device 11, a speaker 12, a screen display device 13, a GPS receiver 14, The vehicle information sensor 15, the gyro 16, and the traffic information receiver 17 are configured.

  The HDD 1 stores information related to map data such as a locator database (hereinafter referred to as DB), a route search DB, a route guidance DB, a map display DB, and a search DB. The navigation ECU includes a user interface control unit 2, a map data management unit 3, and a navigation function unit. The map data management unit 3 controls the HDD 1 to transfer the corresponding data when there is a request for information regarding map data from the navigation function unit.

  The user interface control unit 2 receives a user request input from the remote controller 10 and outputs the request to the input control unit 4. Further, the user interface control unit 2 integrates the output results of the respective units of the navigation function unit, and outputs the audio information to the audio output device 11 and the display information to the screen display device 13. The audio output device 11 controls the speaker 12 to reproduce audio information. The screen display device 13 displays the display information on the screen.

The input control unit 4 of the navigation function unit receives the user request content input via the user interface control unit 2, determines the request content, and issues a control instruction to each unit of the navigation function unit.
The map display unit 5 acquires information for map display from the map display DB of the HDD 1 via the map data management unit 3 and outputs the information to the user interface control unit 2.
The traffic information processing unit 8 controls the traffic information receiver 17 to acquire the traffic information and outputs the information to the user interface control unit 2.
The own vehicle position detection unit 9 detects the current position of the vehicle on which the navigation device is mounted based on information output from the GPS receiver 14, the vehicle information sensor 15, and the gyro 16.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the route setting / guidance processing unit 6 and the search processing unit 7 of the navigation device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the flow along the time axis of route search processing and route peripheral facility search processing by the route setting / guidance processing unit 6 and the search processing unit 7. The route setting / guidance processing unit 6 includes a route search calculation unit 61, a route attribute information acquisition unit 62, a guidance information extraction unit 63, a guidance guidance information calculation unit 64, and a guidance guidance output unit 65. The search processing unit 7 includes a route attribute difference information extraction unit 71, a route peripheral facility search unit 72, and a facility search result output unit 73.

  Hereinafter, the route setting / guidance processing unit 6 and the search processing unit 7 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. The route surrounding facility search is performed only for a predetermined range of the guide route (that is, the route surrounding facility search range), and this predetermined range is set in advance, for example, 250 km away from the vehicle position. . The route search calculation unit 61 uses the map data management unit 3 to display the optimum route between the destination / route point set by the user received by the input control unit 4 and the vehicle position detected by the vehicle position detection unit 9. The data is calculated with reference to the data of the HDD 1 via

  The route attribute information acquisition unit 62 sequentially acquires route attribute information necessary for route peripheral facility search and guidance guidance from the HDD 1 via the map data management unit 3 along the optimum route calculated by the route search calculation unit 61. This route attribute information includes information necessary for guidance (route link shape, length and angle, road name, number of lanes, etc.), and information necessary for peripheral facility search (facility name, etc.).

  The guidance information extraction unit 63 extracts guidance information from the route attribute information sequentially acquired by the route attribute information acquisition unit 62. The guidance information calculation unit 64 calculates information such as a guidance guidance screen and voice guidance from the guidance information extracted by the guidance information extraction unit 63. The guidance guidance output unit 65 outputs the computation result of the guidance guidance information computation unit 64 to the voice output device 11 and the screen display device 13 via the user interface control unit 2. As a result, guidance can be provided.

  The route attribute difference information extraction unit 71 sequentially acquires the route attribute information acquired sequentially by the route attribute information acquisition unit 62. The processing of the route attribute difference information extraction unit 71 is performed in parallel with the processing of the guidance information extraction unit 63, and the information acquired by the route attribute difference information extraction unit 71 is difference information from the previous acquisition. The route attribute information acquisition unit 62 acquires route attribute information corresponding to the entire optimal route, but the route attribute difference information extraction unit 71 acquires route attribute information up to a predetermined range.

  The route surrounding facility search unit 72 searches for facilities existing around the route based on the first time and each difference information acquired by the route attribute difference information extraction unit 71. The facility search result output unit 73 outputs the search result of the route surrounding facility search unit 72 to the screen display device 13 via the user interface control unit 2 each time a search is performed. The screen display device 13 displays the first search result on the screen and then additionally displays the difference search result each time it is received.

  Next, the operation of the navigation device will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing operations of the route setting / guidance processing unit 6 and the search processing unit 7 of the navigation device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In step ST1, the route search calculation unit 61 calculates a search route. When the calculation is completed and the optimum route is determined, in step ST2, the route attribute information acquisition unit 62 sequentially acquires route attribute information from the HDD 1 via the map data management unit 3 along the optimum route.

  In step ST3, the route attribute information within a predetermined range acquired in the route attribute information acquisition process in step ST2 performed in parallel is set as the first read completion portion, and the route attribute difference information extraction unit 71 performs the first read completion portion. Get route attribute information. Then, the route surrounding facility search unit 72 searches for the route surrounding facility based on the route attribute information. In subsequent step ST4, the facility search result output unit 73 outputs the initial search result of step ST3 to the screen display device 13 via the user interface control unit 2, and displays the route surrounding facilities on the screen.

  In addition, since the process after step ST2 and step ST3 is performed in parallel, while each part of the search processing unit 7 is performing the process of searching and displaying the facility around the route in steps ST3 to ST4, the route is also determined in step ST2. The attribute information acquisition unit 62 acquires path attribute information from the HDD 1.

In step ST5, the route attribute difference information extraction unit 71 checks whether route attribute information up to a predetermined range set in advance has been acquired. That is, it is confirmed whether or not a route peripheral facility search has been performed based on the route attribute information of the entire predetermined range.
If not all have been acquired, the process proceeds to step ST6, and the route attribute difference information extraction unit 71 uses the route attribute information acquisition unit 62 to obtain difference information that is newer route attribute information than the previous (first time in this description) read completion part. Check if is read. If there is no difference information, the route attribute difference information extraction unit 71 waits until the route attribute information acquisition unit 62 acquires the difference route attribute information (step ST6 “No”).

  If difference information that is newer than the previous read completion portion has been acquired by the route attribute information acquisition unit 62 (step ST6 “Yes”), the route attribute difference information extraction unit 71 acquires the difference information in step ST7, and the route periphery The facility search unit 72 searches for facilities around the route based on the difference information. In step ST8, the facility search result output unit 73 outputs the difference search result to the screen display device 13 via the user interface control unit 2, and additionally displays it on the screen.

  After step ST8, the process returns to step ST5 again, and the route attribute difference information extraction unit 71 checks whether or not the route surrounding facilities in the predetermined range have been searched. If it is not completed, the route attribute difference information extraction unit 71 acquires new difference information in the processing after step ST6, and the route surrounding facility search unit 72 performs route surrounding facility search based on the new difference information. Finally, all the route surrounding facilities within the predetermined range are searched (step ST5 “Yes”), a series of processes by the route setting / guidance processing unit 6 and the search processing unit 7 is completed, and the navigation device Return to normal navigation behavior.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, the route attribute information that sequentially acquires along the route the route attribute information necessary for searching for facilities existing around the route set by the route setting / guidance processing unit 6. The acquisition unit 62, the route attribute difference information extraction unit 71 that extracts the difference route attribute information sequentially acquired by the route attribute information acquisition unit 62, and the facility existing around the route based on the difference route attribute information are searched. The route surrounding facility search unit 72 and a facility search result output unit 73 that additionally displays the searched facility on the screen display device 13 each time the route surrounding facility search unit 72 performs a search are configured. The route attribute information acquisition unit 62 is configured to sequentially acquire the route attribute information in parallel with the facility search by the route surrounding facility search unit 72. Therefore, the facility search can be started before the route attribute information acquisition process is completed, and the search result can be displayed earlier by advancing the start timing of the first facility search. Even if the search range is extended, the search result can be displayed quickly without being affected by the extended distance.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the route setting / guidance processing unit 6 and the search processing unit 7 of the navigation device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. The configuration of the navigation device of the present embodiment is the same as the configuration of the navigation device according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and only the internal configurations of the route setting / guidance processing unit 6 and the search processing unit 7 are different. 5 that are the same as or equivalent to those in FIG.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the flow along the time axis of route search processing and route peripheral facility search processing by the route setting / guidance processing unit 6 and the search processing unit 7 of the navigation device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. is there. Hereinafter, the route setting / guidance processing unit 6 and the search processing unit 7 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

The route peripheral facility search start timing information storage unit 74 has a plurality of set values (50 km ahead, 100 km ahead, 150 km ahead from the vehicle position along the route from the own vehicle position to the route attribute information acquisition unit 62 to check the route attribute information acquisition progress. Etc.). This set value is the information acquisition range of the route attribute information acquisition unit 62, and the start timing of the route peripheral facility search process by the route peripheral facility search unit 72a.
The route attribute information acquisition status monitoring unit 75 monitors the progress of acquiring the route attribute information indicating how many km ahead the route attribute information is acquired from the vehicle position along the optimal route. Each set value stored in the peripheral facility search start timing information storage unit 74 is collated. The route attribute information acquisition situation monitoring unit 75 notifies the route peripheral facility search unit 72a of the arrival information when the acquisition progress reaches the set value as a result of the collation.

When the arrival information is input from the route attribute information acquisition status monitoring unit 75, the route surrounding facility search unit 72a is arranged around the route based on all the route attribute information acquired by the route attribute information acquisition unit 62 at that time. Search for existing facilities.
The search result sort calculation unit 76 sorts the search results of the route surrounding facilities in the order of the straight line distance from the vehicle position, and rearranges the display order. The sorting method is not limited to the order of the straight line distance, but may be various sorting methods such as the order of the road, the order of the facility names, and the like.
The facility search result output unit 73 outputs the search result for each set value of the route surrounding facility search unit 72a to the screen display device 13 via the user interface control unit 2 each time a search is performed.

  Next, the operation of the navigation device will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing operations of the route setting / guidance processing unit 6 and the search processing unit 7 of the navigation device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In step ST11, the route search calculation unit 61 calculates a route. When the calculation is completed and the optimal route is determined, the route attribute information acquisition unit 62 sequentially acquires the route attribute information from the HDD 1 via the map data management unit 3 along the optimal route in step ST12. In addition, the process of step ST12 shall be performed in parallel with the process after step ST13.

  In step ST13, the route attribute information acquisition situation monitoring unit 75 initializes the variable i and the array a [] stored in the route peripheral facility search start timing information storage unit 74. In the present embodiment, the variable i and the array a [] are stored in the route peripheral facility search start timing information storage unit 74 as an example of each setting value for collation with the route attribute information acquisition progress by the route attribute information acquisition unit 62. I will remember it. This array a [] stores a set value corresponding to the array number of the variable i.

  In step ST14, the route attribute information acquisition situation monitoring unit 75 monitors the route attribute information acquisition processing in step ST12 that is being processed in parallel, and checks the read completion range of the route attribute information (that is, the distance read along the route). . In subsequent step ST15, the route attribute information acquisition situation monitoring unit 75 collates the monitored read completion range with the set value of the array a [i] corresponding to the array number of the variable i. Here, it is assumed that the variable i indicates 50 km as a set value. If the read completion range does not exceed the array a [i] (ie, 50 km) (step ST15 “No”), the route attribute information acquisition status monitoring unit 75 returns to step ST14 and continues monitoring.

  If the read completion range exceeds the array a [i] (that is, 50 km) (step ST15 “Yes”), the route peripheral facility search unit 72a has read 50 km in the route attribute information acquisition unit 62 in the subsequent step ST16. Based on the route attribute information up to, search for facilities around the route.

  When the route surrounding facility search process in step ST16 is completed, in the subsequent step ST17, the search result sort calculation unit 76 sorts the search results in order of the straight distance from the vehicle position, and rearranges the route surrounding facilities.

  In subsequent step ST18, the facility search result output unit 73 outputs the search result rearranged on the screen display device 13 via the user interface control unit 2, and displays the route peripheral facility on the screen.

In step ST19, the route attribute information acquisition situation monitoring unit 75 refers to the route neighboring facility search start timing information storage unit 74 and determines whether or not the setting value indicated by the variable i is the last setting value of the array a []. . If the variable i is not the last array number (“No” in step ST19), the path attribute information acquisition situation monitoring unit 75 increments the variable i in step ST20 and returns to step ST14.
The path attribute information acquisition status monitoring unit 75 monitors the path attribute information acquisition process of step ST12 that is being processed in parallel (step ST14), and if the read completion range exceeds the set value indicated by the variable i, that is, 100 km ( Step ST15), the route peripheral facility search unit 72a performs route peripheral facility search based on all route attribute information up to 100 km that has been read (step ST16). At this time, the route surrounding facility search unit 72a performs a route surrounding facility search based on the set value corresponding to the variable i up to the previous time as the reading completion range, that is, the route attribute information including the route attribute information up to 50 km.

  On the other hand, if the variable i indicates the last set value (step ST19 “Yes”), the path attribute information acquisition status monitoring unit 75 ends the process. Therefore, a series of processing by each unit of the route setting / guidance processing unit 6 and the search processing unit 7 ends, and the navigation device returns to the normal navigation operation.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, the route attribute information that sequentially acquires along the route the route attribute information necessary for searching for facilities existing around the route set by the route setting / guidance processing unit 6. The acquisition unit 62, the route peripheral facility search start timing information storage unit 74 that stores a set value that is a predetermined information acquisition range, and the route attribute information acquisition progress of the route attribute information acquisition unit 62 are monitored and set. The route attribute information acquisition status monitoring unit 75 that determines that the value has reached the value, and the route attribute information acquisition status monitoring unit 75 determines that the progress of the route attribute information acquisition by the route attribute information acquisition unit 62 has reached the set value. Each time the search is performed by the route peripheral facility search unit 72a that searches for facilities existing around the route based on the route attribute information that has been acquired at the time of arrival, and the route peripheral facility search unit 72a And facilities rearranged in a predetermined ordering search results sorting calculation unit 76 that is, is configured to include a facility search result output unit 73 for displaying the facilities rearranged to the screen display device 13. The route attribute information acquisition unit 62 is configured to sequentially acquire the route attribute information in parallel with the facility search by the route surrounding facility search unit 72a. Therefore, the start timing of the first facility search can be advanced, the search results can be displayed quickly, and the search results can be rearranged and displayed in a predetermined order.
Further, as a sorting method, it is possible to perform a linear distance order sort that can be sorted only after the search of all facilities around the route within the search range is completed. As a result, it is possible to provide a navigation device that achieves both early search result display and linear distance order sorting.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the route setting / guidance processing unit 6 and the search processing unit 7 of the navigation device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. The configuration of the navigation device of the present embodiment is the same as the configuration of the navigation device according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and only the internal configurations of the route setting / guidance processing unit 6 and the search processing unit 7 are different. In FIG. 8, the same or corresponding parts as those in FIGS. 2 and 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  The route attribute information acquisition status monitoring unit 75 illustrated in FIG. 8 monitors the progress of acquisition of route attribute information by the route attribute information acquisition unit 62. The route attribute information acquisition situation monitoring unit 75 notifies the facility search method output unit 77 of arrival information when the acquisition progress reaches a predetermined information acquisition range (ie, a predetermined distance from the vehicle position). .

  The facility search method output unit 77 outputs facility search method choices (facility search, own vehicle peripheral facility search, route peripheral facility search, etc.) to the screen display device 13 via the user interface control unit 2, and the screen display device. 13 displays the facility search menu on the screen. Also, the facility search method output unit 77 puts the route peripheral facility search options in the facility search menu in a non-selectable state by mask display or the like until arrival information is input from the route attribute information acquisition status monitoring unit 75. On the other hand, when arrival information is input from the route attribute information acquisition status monitoring unit 75, the facility search method output unit 77 cancels the mask display of the route periphery facility search options and makes it selectable.

  FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing a display screen of the navigation device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. FIG. 9 (a) shows a display screen during route attribute information acquisition processing, and FIG. 9 (b) shows a route. The display screen after attribute information acquisition is completed is shown. In the facility search menu of FIG. 9A, the route surrounding facility search item at the bottom of the options is disabled by mask display, and the route surrounding facility search process is executed even if the user operates the remote controller 10. It is not possible.

On the other hand, in the facility search menu of FIG. 9B, route periphery facility search items are displayed, and the user can operate the remote control 10 to execute route periphery facility search processing. The input control unit 4 receives a route peripheral facility search process execution request input by the user using the remote controller 10 via the user interface control unit 2, and the input control unit 4 instructs the search processing unit 7 to control the route peripheral facility search process. Put out.
Although not shown in the search processing unit 7 shown in FIG. 8, for example, the route peripheral facility search unit 72 of the first embodiment or the route peripheral facility search unit 72a of the second embodiment is provided. Then, the route surrounding facility search process may be performed.

  Next, the operation of the navigation device will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing operations of the route setting / guidance processing unit 6 and the search processing unit 7 of the navigation device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. In step ST21, the facility search method output unit 77 initializes a flag Mask_flg for determining whether to display or mask the route surrounding facility search item in the facility search menu shown in FIG. To do.

  In step ST22, the route search calculation unit 61 calculates a route. When the calculation is completed and the optimum route is determined, the route attribute information acquisition unit 62 acquires route attribute information from the HDD 1 via the map data management unit 3 in step ST23. In addition, the process of step ST23 shall be performed in parallel with the process after step ST24.

  In step ST <b> 24, the input control unit 4 checks whether or not the facility search menu screen display request is input by the user, and if there is an input, issues a control instruction to the search processing unit 7. When there is a request (step ST24 “Yes”), the route attribute information acquisition situation monitoring unit 75 that has received an instruction from the input control unit 4 checks the progress of acquisition of the route attribute information by the route attribute information acquisition unit 62.

In step ST25, if the acquisition progress of the route attribute information acquisition unit 62 has reached a predetermined progress set in advance ("Yes" in step ST25), the route attribute information acquisition status monitoring unit 75 performs facility search in the subsequent step ST26. The arrival information is notified to the method output unit 77, and the facility search method output unit 77 turns off the flag Mask_flg.
On the other hand, if the acquisition progress of the route attribute information acquisition unit 62 has not reached the predetermined progress (“No” in step ST25), the process proceeds to step ST27 as it is.

In step ST27, when the flag Mask_flg is ON, the facility search method output unit 77 displays the route periphery facility search items on the facility search menu screen as shown in FIG. 9A.
On the other hand, if the flag Mask_flg is OFF, the facility search method output unit 77 unmasks the route surrounding facility search items as shown in FIG. 9B.

In subsequent step ST28, the facility search method output unit 77 once again refers to the flag Mask_flg, and if it is OFF, the process is terminated, and if it is ON, the process returns to step ST25 until step ST25 until the route peripheral facility search item is unmasked. Repeat the process of ~ ST28.
If the user receives a route peripheral facility search request after the mask is released, the route peripheral facility search unit (not shown) immediately receives the route attribute information up to a predetermined range previously acquired by the route attribute information acquisition unit 62. The route surrounding facility search process can be executed.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment, the route attribute information that sequentially acquires along the route the route attribute information necessary for searching for facilities existing around the route set by the route setting / guidance processing unit 6. An acquisition unit 62, a route attribute information acquisition status monitoring unit 75 that monitors the progress of the route attribute information acquisition of the route attribute information acquisition unit 62, and determines that the predetermined information acquisition range has been reached, and a route attribute information acquisition status If the monitoring unit 75 determines that the progress of the route attribute information acquisition of the route attribute information acquisition unit 62 has reached a predetermined information acquisition range, a facility that displays on the screen that the route peripheral facility search can be executed. A search method output unit 77 is provided. Therefore, the facility search can be immediately started based on the acquired route attribute information, and the search result can be displayed quickly without causing a waiting time for acquiring the route attribute information.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the route setting / guidance processing unit 6 and the search processing unit 7 of the navigation device according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. The configuration of the navigation device of the present embodiment is the same as the configuration of the navigation device according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and only the internal configurations of the route setting / guidance processing unit 6 and the search processing unit 7 are different. Also, in FIG. 11, the same or corresponding parts as in FIG.

The route surrounding facility search range setting unit 78 shown in FIG. 11 is a search range for the route surrounding facility search unit 72b to search for a route surrounding facility (from 10 to 50 km, 100 km, etc. along the route from the vehicle position). A route surrounding facility search range setting menu representing the above is output to the screen display device 13 via the user interface control unit 2 and displayed on the screen. When the user operates the remote controller 10 to set the search range, the setting information is input to the route surrounding facility search range setting unit 78 via the input control unit 4, and the route surrounding facility search range setting unit 78 sets the setting information. To set a desired search range.
The search range setting information storage unit 79 stores the search range set by the route surrounding facility search range setting unit 78.
The route surrounding facility search unit 72b refers to the search range setting information storage unit 79, and among the route attribute information acquired by the route attribute information acquisition unit 62, based on the route attribute information of the set search range. Search for facilities that exist in.

  FIG. 12 is an explanatory view showing a route peripheral facility search range setting menu display screen of the navigation device according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. The route peripheral facility search range setting menu can be selected as a search range from 10 km to 250 km along the route from the vehicle position. If the search range is short, the amount of route attribute information necessary for the route surrounding facility search is reduced, so that the information acquisition time is short and the search time is short. On the other hand, the number of searches is reduced. On the other hand, if the search range is long, the amount of route attribute information necessary for route peripheral facility search increases, so the information acquisition time is long and the search time is also long. On the other hand, the number of searches increases. The search range setting information storage unit 79 specifies the relationship between the required search time and the number of searches as shown in FIG. 12 and allows the user to select a desired search range.

  Next, the operation of the search processing unit 7 will be described. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the search processing unit 7 of the navigation device according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. In step ST31, the route surrounding facility search range setting unit 78 outputs a route surrounding facility search range setting menu to the screen display device 13 via the user interface control unit 2 and displays the screen.

  In step ST32, the route surrounding facility search range setting unit 78 checks whether or not the user has input a search range, and when the setting information is input (step ST32 “Yes”), the setting information is followed in step ST33. The search range is stored in the search range setting information storage unit 79.

  In step ST34, the search processing unit 7 causes the screen display device 13 to display a search condition input screen for route surrounding facility search. In step ST35, the user waits for input of information related to the search condition, for example, information specifying a gas station, a restaurant, or the like as the facility type. When information related to the search condition is input (step ST35 “Yes”), in step ST36, the route peripheral facility search unit 72b stores the route peripheral facility that matches the search condition input in step ST35 in step ST33. Search from the specified search range.

  In step ST37, the facility search result output unit 73 outputs the route periphery facility search result to the screen display device 13 via the user interface control unit 2, and displays the screen. Thereafter, the navigation device returns to the normal navigation operation.

  As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, the information indicating the relationship between the time required for searching and the number of searches according to the search range of facilities existing around the route is displayed on the screen, and the search range is specified. A route surrounding facility search range setting unit 78 for receiving information is provided, and the route surrounding facility search unit 72b searches for facilities existing around the route based on route attribute information up to the search range specified by the setting information. Configured. Therefore, the user can freely set the desired search range after understanding the merits and demerits regarding the search range of the peripheral facility search to be set. In addition, if the user sets a short search range, the time required for searching the navigation device is shortened, and the peripheral facility search result can be displayed on the screen quickly.

The route surrounding facility search range setting unit 78 and the search range setting information storage unit 79 of the fourth embodiment may be applied to the first embodiment. In the case of this configuration, the user can freely set the route peripheral facility search range after understanding the advantages and disadvantages of the navigation apparatus of the first embodiment.
Further, the route peripheral facility search range setting unit 78 of the fourth embodiment is applied to the second embodiment, and each setting value of the route attribute information acquisition progress to be stored in the route peripheral facility search start timing information storage unit 74 You may comprise so that a user may set. In the case of this configuration, the user can freely set the set value of the route attribute information acquisition progress after understanding the advantages and disadvantages of the navigation device of the second embodiment.

Embodiment 5 FIG.
FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of search processing unit 7 of the navigation device according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention. The configuration of the navigation device of the present embodiment is the same as that of the navigation device according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and only the internal configuration of the search processing unit 7 is different. In FIG. 14, the same or corresponding parts as those in FIGS. 2 and 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  The route surrounding facility search unit 72 shown in FIG. 14 searches for facilities existing around the route using the route attribute information sequentially acquired by the route setting / guidance processing unit 6 as in the first embodiment. The route surrounding facility search unit 72 is not limited to the route surrounding facility search unit 72 of the first embodiment, but the route surrounding facility search unit 72a, 72b of the second and fourth embodiments or any other type. It may be route surrounding facility search means. In this embodiment, in order to simplify the description, the route surrounding facility search unit 72 of the first embodiment is used as an example.

  The arrangement order selection unit 80 displays the selection results of the search results on the display screen of the route surrounding facility search results (in order of the straight distance from the vehicle position, the order of the road, the order of the facility names, etc.). When the user operates the remote controller 10 to select the arrangement order, the arrangement order selection information is input to the arrangement order selection unit 80 via the input control unit 4. The arrangement order selection unit 80 outputs this arrangement order selection information to the search result sort operation unit 76.

The search result sort calculation unit 76 sorts the search results of the facility around the route based on the arrangement order of the arrangement order selection information, and rearranges the display order.
The facility search result output unit 73a outputs the route peripheral facility search result output from the route peripheral facility search unit 72 to the screen display device 13 via the user interface control unit 2, and displays the screen. The facility search result output unit 73a also re-outputs the search results in the display order rearranged by the search result sort operation unit 76 and displays them on the screen.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a display screen of the navigation device according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention. FIG. 15A is a display screen of a route surrounding facility search result output from the route surrounding facility search unit 72 to the facility search result output unit 73a during the route surrounding facility search of the road surrounding facility search unit 72.
When all the searches in the route surrounding facility search unit 72 are completed, as shown in FIG. 15B, options indicating the order of search results are displayed on the search result display screen. The arrangement order selection unit 80 displays a menu of choices such as “straight line distance order” and “road order” as shown in FIG. 15B to allow the user to select a desired search result arrangement order.
When the user selects the straight line distance order item, the search results are sorted by the straight line distance order by the search result sort calculation unit 76, and the facility search result output unit 73a sorts by the straight line distance order as shown in FIG. The result is displayed on the screen.

  Next, the operation of the navigation device will be described. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the operation of the search processing unit 7 of the navigation device according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention. In step ST41, the route surrounding facility search unit 72 executes route surrounding facility search processing. In step ST42, the facility search result output unit 73a outputs the route periphery facility search result to the screen display device 13, and displays the screen shown in FIG.

In step ST43, when the route surrounding facility search unit 72 finishes the route surrounding facility search process, the arrangement order selection unit 80 displays an option menu indicating the arrangement order items of the search results as shown in FIG. In the subsequent step ST44, the user waits for input of the arrangement order selection information.
When the sort order selection information is input (step ST44 “Yes”), the sort order selection information is output from the sort order selection unit 80 to the search result sort calculation unit 76, and the search result sort calculation unit 76 in step ST45 continues. Sort the search results according to the sort order selection information.

  When the sorting is completed, the facility search result output unit 73a displays the sorted search results as shown in FIG. 15C on the screen in step ST46.

  As described above, according to the fifth embodiment, after the search by the route surrounding facility search unit 72 is completed, the search result sort operation unit 76 that rearranges the searched facilities in a predetermined order is provided. Therefore, it is possible to display the search results of the route peripheral facilities on the screen in the arrangement order desired by the user.

Note that the search result sort operation unit 76 and the arrangement order selection unit 80 of the fifth embodiment may be appropriately applied to the first and third embodiments. In the case of this configuration, the search result of the facility around the route can be quickly displayed on the screen, and finally the search result can be displayed in the user's desired arrangement order.
Further, the arrangement order selection unit 80 of the fifth embodiment may be applied to the second embodiment. In the case of this configuration, it is possible to display the search results of the route peripheral facilities on the screen in the arrangement order desired by the user as in the fifth embodiment.
Further, the search result sort operation unit 76 and the arrangement order selection unit 80 of the fifth embodiment may be applied to the fourth embodiment. In the case of this configuration, the search result of the facility around the route can be finally displayed in the arrangement order desired by the user.

Embodiment 6 FIG.
FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the route setting / guidance processing unit 6 and the search processing unit 7 of the navigation device according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention. The configuration of the navigation device of the present embodiment is obtained by adding a route surrounding facility search mode selection unit 81 and a search mode switching unit 82 to the configuration of the navigation device according to the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  The search processing unit 7 shown in FIG. 17 executes the search processing shown in the first, second, fourth, and fifth embodiments. Here, the search processing method by the search processing unit 7 of the first embodiment is referred to as a sequential search result display mode. The search processing method by the search processing unit 7 of the second embodiment is called a search range duplication mode. Further, the search processing method by the search processing unit 7 of the fourth embodiment is called a search range setting mode. The search processing method by the search processing unit 7 of the fifth embodiment is called a search result arrangement order change mode.

The route peripheral facility search mode selection unit 81 outputs a route peripheral facility search mode selection menu consisting of options for each search mode executed by the search processing unit 7 to the screen display device 13 via the user interface control unit 2, and displays the screen. Display.
FIG. 18 is an explanatory view showing a display screen of a navigation device according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention, and shows a route peripheral facility search mode selection menu display screen. When the user operates the remote controller 10 to select a search mode, the search mode information is input to the route surrounding facility search mode selection unit 81 via the input control unit 4.

  The search mode switching unit 82 receives the search mode information from the route surrounding facility search mode selection unit 81 and switches the search mode of the search processing unit 7. In this embodiment, the search processing unit 7 executes the sequential search result display mode and the search range duplication mode independently, or executes the sequential search result display mode in combination with the search range setting mode or the search result arrangement order conversion mode. Or the search range duplication mode can be combined with the search range setting mode or the search result arrangement order conversion mode.

  Next, the operation of the navigation device will be described. FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the operation of the navigation device according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention. In step ST51, the route surrounding facility search mode selection unit 81 initializes a variable Mode for switching the search mode of the search processing unit 7.

  In step ST52, the route surrounding facility search mode selection unit 81 outputs a route surrounding facility search mode selection menu to the screen display device 13 to display the screen shown in FIG. In step ST53, the route surrounding facility search mode selection unit 81 waits for selection of a search mode by the user.

  When the search mode information is input (step ST53 “Yes”), the route surrounding facility search mode selection unit 81 substitutes a value according to the search mode information into a variable Mode in the subsequent step ST54. For example, when only the sequential search result display mode is selected, the route surrounding facility search mode selection unit 81 assigns “1” to the variable Mode, for example, when the sequential search result display mode and the search range setting mode are selected. Is substituted with “2” for the variable Mode.

  In step ST55, the search mode switching unit 82 switches the search mode of the search processing unit 7 according to the variable Mode, or appropriately combines the search modes to execute the route surrounding facility search process. For example, when the value of the variable Mode is “1”, the search processing unit 7 executes the route surrounding facility search process in the sequential search result display mode (step ST56). For example, when the value of the variable Mode is “2”, the search processing unit 7 executes a route peripheral facility search process that combines the sequential search result display mode and the search range setting mode (step ST57).

  As described above, according to the sixth embodiment, the search mode by the search processing unit 7 of the first, second, fourth, and fifth embodiments is displayed on the screen, and the route surroundings for receiving the search mode information for selecting the search mode A facility search mode selection unit 81 and a search mode switching unit 82 that switches and executes the search mode of the search processing unit 7 in accordance with the search mode information are configured. Therefore, it becomes possible to select a search mode desired by the user, and the convenience can be improved as compared with a navigation device in which the search processing units 7 of the first, second, fourth, and fifth embodiments are individually mounted. .

  Although Embodiment 1-6 has been described in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to the configuration of the embodiment described above, and the design does not depart from the gist of the present invention. Needless to say, the present invention is included in the present invention.

It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of the navigation apparatus concerning Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the route setting / guidance process part of the navigation apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention, and a search process part. It is explanatory drawing which shows the flow along the time-axis of the route search process of the navigation apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention, and a route periphery facility search process. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the route setting / guidance process part of the navigation apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention, and a search process part. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the route setting / guidance process part of the navigation apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention, and a search process part. It is explanatory drawing which shows the flow along the time-axis of the route search process of the navigation apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention, and a route periphery facility search process. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the route setting / guidance process part of the navigation apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention, and a search process part. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the route setting / guidance process part of the navigation apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention, and a search process part. It is explanatory drawing which shows the display screen of the navigation apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention, Fig.9 (a) shows the display screen in process of route attribute information acquisition, FIG.9 (b) completes route attribute information acquisition The following display screen is shown. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the route setting / guidance process part of the navigation apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention, and a search process part. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the route setting / guidance process part of the navigation apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention, and a search process part. It is explanatory drawing which shows the route periphery facility search range setting menu display screen of the navigation apparatus concerning Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the search process part of the navigation apparatus concerning Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the search process part of the navigation apparatus concerning Embodiment 5 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the display screen of the navigation apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 5 of this invention, Fig.15 (a) shows the search result display screen in route periphery facility search processing, FIG.15 (b) shows route periphery facility FIG. 15C shows the search result display screen arranged in the order of the straight line distance. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the search process part of the navigation apparatus concerning Embodiment 5 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the route setting / guidance process part of the navigation apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 6 of this invention, and a search process part. It is explanatory drawing which shows the display screen of the navigation apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 6 of this invention, and shows a route periphery facility search mode selection menu display screen. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the search process part of the navigation apparatus concerning Embodiment 6 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the flow along the time-axis of the route search process and route periphery facility search process in the conventional navigation apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 HDD, 2 User interface control part, 3 Map data management part, 4 Input control part, 5 Map display part, 6 Route setting and guidance processing part, 7 Search processing part, 8 Traffic information processing part, 9 Own vehicle position detection part DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Remote control, 11 Voice output device, 12 Speaker, 13 Screen display device, 14 GPS receiver, 15 Vehicle information sensor, 16 Gyro, 17 Traffic information receiver, 61 Route search calculation part, 62 Route attribute information acquisition part, 63 Guide guidance information extraction unit, 64 Guide guidance information calculation unit, 65 Guide guidance output unit, 71 Route attribute difference information extraction unit, 72, 72a, 72b Route peripheral facility search unit, 73, 73a Facility search result output unit, 74 Route periphery Facility search start timing information storage unit, 75 route attribute information acquisition status monitoring unit, 76 search result sort operation unit, 77 facility search method Legal output unit, 78 Route surrounding facility search range setting unit, 79 Search range setting information storage unit, 80 Arrangement order selection unit, 81 Route surrounding facility search mode selection unit, 82 Search mode switching unit

Claims (7)

A vehicle position detector for detecting the current position of the vehicle;
A route setting unit for setting a route from the current position detected by the vehicle position detection unit to the destination;
A route attribute information acquisition unit that sequentially acquires route attribute information necessary for searching facilities existing around the route set by the route setting unit, along the route;
A route peripheral facility search unit that searches for facilities existing around the route based on the route attribute information of the difference from the previous acquisition sequentially acquired by the route attribute information acquisition unit;
A navigation apparatus comprising: a facility search result output unit that additionally displays a searched facility on a search result screen each time the route surrounding facility search unit searches. A vehicle position detector for detecting the current position of the vehicle;
A route setting unit for setting a route from the current position detected by the vehicle position detection unit to the destination;
A route attribute information acquisition unit that sequentially acquires route attribute information necessary for searching facilities existing around the route set by the route setting unit, along the route;
A route attribute information acquisition status monitoring unit that monitors the progress of the route attribute information acquisition of the route attribute information acquisition unit and determines that a predetermined information acquisition range has been reached;
Each time the route attribute information acquisition status monitoring unit determines that the route attribute information acquisition progress of the route attribute information acquisition unit has reached the predetermined information acquisition range, the route attribute information that has been acquired at the time of arrival A route surrounding facility search unit that searches for facilities existing around the route based on
A search result sort operation unit that rearranges the searched facilities in a predetermined order each time the route surrounding facility search unit searches.
A navigation apparatus comprising: a facility search result output unit for displaying the facilities rearranged by the search result sort operation unit on a screen. A route peripheral facility search range setting unit that accepts setting information specifying a search range by displaying information indicating the relationship between the search required time and the number of searches according to the search range of facilities existing around the route,
The navigation apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the route attribute information acquisition situation monitoring unit uses the search range specified by the setting information as the information acquisition range.   The route attribute information acquisition unit sequentially acquires the route attribute information in parallel with the search for facilities existing around the route by the route peripheral facility search unit. The navigation device according to claim 1. A vehicle position detector for detecting the current position of the vehicle;
A route setting unit for setting a route from the current position detected by the vehicle position detection unit to the destination;
A route attribute information acquisition unit that sequentially acquires route attribute information necessary for searching facilities existing around the route set by the route setting unit, along the route;
A route surrounding facility search unit that searches for facilities existing around the route based on the route attribute information acquired by the route attribute information acquisition unit;
A route attribute information acquisition status monitoring unit that monitors the progress of the route attribute information acquisition of the route attribute information acquisition unit and determines that a predetermined information acquisition range has been reached;
When the route attribute information acquisition status monitoring unit determines that the progress of the route attribute information acquisition by the route attribute information acquisition unit has reached the predetermined information acquisition range, the facility search by the route peripheral facility search unit is performed. A navigation apparatus comprising: a facility search method output unit that displays on the screen that execution is possible. A vehicle position detector for detecting the current position of the vehicle;
A route setting unit for setting a route from the current position detected by the vehicle position detection unit to the destination;
A route peripheral facility search range setting unit for receiving setting information specifying a search range by displaying information indicating a relationship between a search required time and the number of search cases according to a search range of facilities existing around the route,
A route attribute information acquisition unit that sequentially acquires route attribute information necessary for searching facilities existing around the route set by the route setting unit, along the route;
A route peripheral facility search unit that searches for facilities existing around the route based on route attribute information up to the search range specified by the setting information among the route attribute information acquired by the route attribute information acquisition unit. Navigation device.   7. The navigation apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a search result sort operation unit that rearranges the searched facilities in a predetermined order after the search by the route surrounding facility search unit.

Images