JP2013195113A - Navigation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a setting that inhibits switching of selected sound sources in the case of entering a reception difficulty zone that can be passed through in short time and a setting that allows switching of selected sound sources in the case of entering a specific area, even in a case where selected sound sources are switched when entering the reception difficulty zone where broadcast radio waves are difficult to receive.SOLUTION: A reception difficulty zone determination unit 24 determines whether or not the present position is within a reception difficulty zone predicted to be difficult to receive broadcast radio waves by detecting that the present position is in a tunnel of a length equaling or exceeding a predetermined length on the basis of information of the present position detected by a GPS receiver 11 and map information stored in a map information storage unit. An audio switch unit 17 switches a selected sound source from a broadcast reception sound source to a set non-broadcast reception sound source in the case that the present position is determined to be within a reception difficulty zone by the reception difficulty zone determination unit 24 and that the currently selected sound source is a broadcast sound source.

Description

  The present invention relates to a navigation apparatus for performing route guidance from a current location to a set destination.

  In-vehicle navigation devices for the purpose of route guidance for automobiles are equipped with AV (Audio Visual) functions such as AM / FM radio receivers, CD playback devices, memory audio playback devices, terrestrial digital television receivers, etc. Has been proposed.

  When a navigation device having such an AV function is installed in a car and the user enters an area where broadcast waves cannot be received, such as a tunnel, while watching AM / FM radio or television, The sound from the TV must be interrupted and annoying noise must be heard. In addition, if the function is such that automatic tuning is performed when the broadcast signal becomes weak and the broadcast signal of another frequency with a strong broadcast signal is found, automatic tuning starts and the received frequency is arbitrary. It will move to.

  As a technique for solving such a problem, for example, a technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 has been proposed. In the technique described in Patent Document 1, when the signal level of the received radio wave of the currently selected input source is weakened continuously for a certain time or longer, the input source is switched to another registered in advance. Further, in this Patent Document 1, when it is detected that a point where the vehicle is currently traveling is detected by receiving a radio wave from GPS, it returns to the original input source when exiting the tunnel. Techniques to do this are disclosed.

JP 11-339451 A

  However, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 shown above, the condition for switching the currently selected input source to another input source is that the signal level of the received radio wave of the selected input source is weak. That is. In other words, regardless of the area in which the car is traveling, the selected audio source will be switched if the signal level of the received radio wave of the input source remains below the predetermined signal level for a certain period of time. . Therefore, even when a car enters a relatively short tunnel, if a predetermined condition is satisfied, for example, the sound source of the FM radio is switched to the sound source of the CD.

  However, for example, when the time required for passing through the tunnel is, for example, about 10 seconds or 20 seconds, the time for actually listening to music even if switching from the FM radio sound source to the CD sound source is performed. Is about several seconds to 10 seconds. That is, when passing through such a short tunnel, there is not much merit to the user even if the FM radio is switched to CD.

  When passing through a short tunnel one after another, switching between the FM radio sound source and the CD sound source is also complicated.

  In addition, the area where broadcast radio waves cannot actually be received includes not only tunnels, but also various places such as mountain roads, roads under elevated roads such as the Metropolitan Expressway, and shadows of high-rise buildings. If such an area where it is difficult to receive broadcast waves is set on the map information, it is possible to switch the sound source to be selected by detecting that the current position is within such an area. However, it is practically impossible to check all areas where it is actually difficult to receive broadcast radio waves and set them on the map information.

  However, if there is an area where it is difficult to receive such broadcast radio waves in a route that the user passes frequently, for example, even if he / she is listening to FM radio, if he / she enters the area where reception is difficult, FM radio cannot be received. Therefore, it is necessary to turn off the FM radio or switch to another sound source.

  The object of the present invention is to set the sound source to be selected so that the sound source to be selected is not switched in the case of entering a difficult to receive area that can be passed in a short time even when switching to a sound source that is selected by entering a difficult area to receive broadcast radio waves. Another object of the present invention is to provide a navigation device that can be set to switch a sound source to be selected when entering a specific area.

In order to achieve the above object, the navigation device of the present invention switches a plurality of sound sources including a broadcast reception sound source that needs to receive broadcast waves and a non-broadcast reception sound source that does not need to receive broadcast waves. Sound source switching means;
Map information storage means for storing map information;
Current position detecting means for detecting the current position;
Based on the current position information detected by the current position detection means and the map information stored in the map information storage means, it is detected that the current position is in a tunnel that is longer than the set distance. And determining means for determining whether or not the current position is within a reception difficulty region where it is predicted that reception of broadcast radio waves is difficult,
When the currently selected sound source is a broadcast reception sound source, the sound source switching means determines that the current position is within the difficult reception area by the determination means, and selects the sound source to be selected from the broadcast reception sound source. Switch to receiving sound source.

  In the present invention, even if it is determined that the current position is in the tunnel based on the position information and map information of the current position, if the total length of the tunnel is within the set distance, the selected sound source is Even in the case of a broadcast reception sound source, the process of switching to the set non-broadcast reception sound source is not performed. Therefore, according to the present invention, even when switching to a sound source to be selected by entering an area where broadcasting radio waves are difficult to receive, the sound source to be selected is not switched in the case of entering a tunnel that can pass in a short time. Is possible.

  In the navigation device of the present invention, when the determination unit detects that the current position is within an area set by the user, the current position is within a reception difficulty area where it is predicted that reception of broadcast radio waves is difficult. You may make it determine with it.

  According to the present invention, when it is detected that the current position is within the region set by the user, it is possible to set so that the selected sound source is switched from the broadcast reception sound source to the non-broadcast reception sound source. When an automobile equipped with the navigation device of the present invention enters a specific area, a setting can be made to switch the sound source to be selected.

  The navigation device of the present invention further includes a difficult-to-receive area setting means for setting an area between the start point specified by the user and the end point specified by the user as the difficult-to-receive area. Also good.

  According to the present invention, the user can easily set a difficult-to-receive area simply by designating a place where he / she wants to enter a difficult-to-receive area as a start point and specifying a place where he / she wants to leave the difficult-to-receive area as an end point It becomes possible to do.

  Further, in the navigation device of the present invention, the sound source switching means, when the determination means determines that the current position is no longer in the difficult reception area, the broadcast before switching the sound source to be selected from the selected non-broadcast received sound source You may make it return to a receiving sound source.

  According to the present invention, when the car equipped with the navigation device of the present invention finishes passing through the difficult-to-receive area, the original broadcast reception sound source is switched, so the user originally listened without performing any operation. It is possible to listen to the broadcast reception sound source continuously.

  Furthermore, the navigation device of the present invention sets the distance over which the total length of the tunnel is longer than the tunnel, and sets the type of the non-broadcast reception sound source that switches the sound source to be selected from the broadcast reception sound source. It is also possible to further include a switching setting means for setting.

  According to the present invention, the user can set what kind of tunnel is set as a difficult reception area and which sound source to switch to among non-broadcast sound sources when the sound source to be selected is switched.

  According to the present invention, even when switching to a sound source to be selected by entering a region where broadcast radio waves are difficult to receive, the sound source to be selected is not switched in the case of entering a region where reception is difficult in a short time. When entering a specific area, it is possible to obtain an effect that the setting for switching the sound source to be selected becomes possible.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the navigation apparatus of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen at the time of setting the length of a tunnel, and a switching source by the switching setting part in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen at the time of setting a difficult reception area by the difficult reception area setting part in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen at the time of setting the start position of a difficult reception area by a difficult reception area setting part. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen at the time of setting the end position of a difficult reception area by a difficult reception area setting part. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the whole switching operation of the audio source of the navigation apparatus of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the detail of the determination process in the flowchart of FIG. 6 whether the present position is in a reception difficult area.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a navigation apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the navigation device 10 of the present embodiment includes a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver 11, a map information storage unit 12, an audio output unit 13, a display unit 14, and an operation unit 15. , Storage unit 16, audio switching unit 17, AM radio (AM receiver) 31, FM radio (FM receiver) 32, CD / DVD playback device 33, TV receiver 34, and memory audio playback unit 35 and a control unit 20.

  The GPS receiver 11 detects the current position and the traveling direction of the navigation device 10. For example, the GPS receiver 11 receives radio waves including time information and position information from three or more GPS satellites orbiting the earth. It operates as current position detection means for acquiring positioning data by processing and detecting the current position.

  The map information storage unit 12 includes road data including information such as road type, number of lanes, road width, facility data including information on the location, type, and name of facilities such as convenience stores and gas stations, Map information such as terrain data including information such as lake and river shapes, administrative boundary information, and the like is stored. The map information stored in the map information storage unit 12 includes information on the total length, which is the distance from the tunnel entrance to the exit.

  The voice output unit 13 includes a voice guidance for route guidance, a speaker that outputs voice necessary for operation of the navigation device 10, a buzzer sound such as a warning, and the like.

  The display unit 14 displays a map image based on the map information stored in the map information storage unit 12, a route searched for reaching the destination, a current position mark indicating the current position, and the like. A screen for input work is displayed, and is constituted by, for example, a liquid crystal panel. In addition, the display part 14 can also be provided with the function of the operation part 15 by using a touch panel.

  The operation unit 15 is operated by a user and inputs a route search condition such as a destination and a transit point, a tunnel length condition for switching sound sources, information input when setting a switching source, and setting of a difficult reception area It is used when specifying when performing.

  The storage unit 16 stores various information such as a route searched for reaching the destination and a destination set via the operation unit 15, and is configured by a storage medium such as a hard disk or a flash memory. The The storage unit 16 does not need to have an independent configuration. For example, the RAM of the control unit 20 may be used as the storage unit 16.

  The audio switching unit 17 switches a plurality of sound sources (sources) including a broadcast reception sound source that needs to receive broadcast radio waves and a non-broadcast reception sound source that does not need to receive broadcast radio waves. Specifically, the audio switching unit 17 performs switching of sound sources such as the AM radio 31, the FM radio 32, the CD / DVD playback device 33, the TV receiver 34, and the memory audio playback unit 35.

  In the navigation device 10 according to the present embodiment, as an audio function, an AM radio 31, an FM radio 32, a CD / DVD playback device 33, a TV receiver 34 for receiving a terrestrial digital TV broadcast, a USB memory, A memory audio playback unit 35 for playing back music data stored in the SD memory and HDD is provided.

  Here, since the AM radio 31, FM radio 32, and TV receiver 34 cannot receive audio information (music data) without receiving AM broadcast waves, FM broadcast waves, and TV broadcast waves, respectively, broadcast reception sound sources. It is. Further, the CD / DVD playback device 33 and the memory audio playback unit 35 are non-broadcast reception sound sources because they can obtain audio information without receiving broadcast waves.

  It should be noted that an image based on the video signal received by the TV receiver 34 is not displayed on the display unit 14 unless the automobile on which the navigation device 10 is mounted is stopped. Therefore, the user can listen only to the audio information of the TV broadcast program while the car is running.

  The control unit 20 is configured by a processor including a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM (all not shown), executes predetermined processing based on a control program recorded in the ROM and RAM, and operates each unit of the navigation device 10. To control. In the present embodiment, the control unit 20 has been described as reading and executing a control program recorded in the ROM or RAM. However, the control program is stored in various magnetic storage media and provided to the control unit 20. It is also possible to do.

  The control unit 20 has the functional configuration of the route search / guidance unit 21, the switching setting unit 22, the difficult reception area setting unit 23, and the difficult reception area determination unit 24 by executing the control program. Realized.

  The control unit 20 detects not only the current position detected by the GPS receiver 11 but also the vehicle speed, acceleration sensor, and angular velocity sensor (none of which are not shown) of the host vehicle detected by a vehicle speed detection unit (not shown). The position information may be supplemented using acceleration or angular velocity. In this case, the GPS receiver 11, an acceleration sensor, an angular velocity sensor, or the like constitutes a current position detection unit that detects the current position.

  The route search / guidance unit 21 refers to the map information stored in the map information storage unit 12 for the route from the current position detected by the GPS receiver 11 or the like to the destination set by the user via the operation unit 15. And explore. Then, the route search / guidance unit 21 determines the current position information based on the current position information obtained by the GPS receiver 11, the vehicle speed information detected by the angular velocity sensor, the acceleration sensor, the vehicle speed detection means, and the like. And route guidance to the destination based on the searched route.

  The switching setting unit 22 sets the distance that the total length of the tunnel is longer than the distance, and sets the type of the non-broadcast reception sound source that switches the sound source to be selected from the broadcast reception sound source. To do.

  For example, FIG. 2 shows an example of a display screen when setting the tunnel length and the switching source by the switching setting unit 22. In the display screen shown in FIG. 2, for example, when the tunnel length is 1 km or more, a setting is made so that the broadcast reception sound source is switched to the CD that is a non-broadcast reception sound source.

  The difficult reception area setting unit 23 sets an area between the start point designated by the user and the end point designated by the user as the difficult reception area.

  As an example, a state when a user sets a difficult reception area using the difficult reception area setting unit 23 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, FIG. 3 shows a display screen when the user selects a mode for setting a difficult reception area. On this display screen, the current position is displayed by the current position mark 60, and a difficult reception area start button 51 and a difficult reception area end button 52 are displayed.

  When the vehicle on which the user is boarding moves and enters the difficult reception area, the user operates a difficult reception area start button 51 as shown in FIG. Then, in the display screen, a start position mark 71 is displayed at a position when the difficult reception area start button 51 is operated.

  When the vehicle on which the user is boarding further moves and exits the difficult reception area, the user operates the difficult reception area end button 52 as shown in FIG. Then, an end position mark 72 is displayed at the position when the difficult reception area end button 52 is operated on the display screen. By performing such an operation, the difficult reception area setting unit 23 sets the area between the start position mark 71 and the end position mark 72 as the difficult reception area 80.

  Here, the case where the difficult reception area setting unit 23 sets the difficult reception area on a road basis has been described. However, an area within a certain distance from the designated point is set as a difficult reception area, or designated. It is also possible to set an area within a polygon specified by a plurality of designated points as a difficult reception area.

  The difficult-to-receive area determination unit 24 determines whether the current position is within a distance equal to or longer than the distance for which the full length is set based on the current position information detected by the GPS receiver 11 and the map information stored in the map information storage unit. By detecting this, it is determined that the current position is within a reception difficulty region where it is predicted that reception of broadcast radio waves is difficult. Then, when the currently selected sound source is a broadcast reception sound source, the audio switching unit 17 (sound source switching means) selects the sound source to be selected when the current position is determined to be within the difficult reception region by the difficult reception region determination unit 24. Is switched from the broadcast reception sound source to the set non-broadcast reception sound source.

  Specifically, the difficult-to-receive area determination unit 24 compares the current position specified by the positioning data from the GPS receiver 11 with the map information (map data), and the vehicle on which the navigation device 10 is mounted. When it is determined that the vehicle has entered the tunnel, the total length of the tunnel is calculated from the map information, and it is determined whether or not the total length of the tunnel is equal to or greater than the set distance.

  For example, when entering a tunnel of 1 km or more as shown in FIG. 2, if the setting is made to switch audio, the difficult reception area determination unit 24 determines that the total length of the tunnel that has entered is 1 km or more. If it is 1 km or more, it is determined that the selected audio source should be switched to CD, and if it is less than 1 km, it is determined that the selected audio source is continuously reproduced as it is.

  Further, when it is detected that the current position is within the area set by the user, the difficult-to-receive area determination unit 24 determines that the current position is within a difficult-to-receive area where it is predicted that it is difficult to receive broadcast radio waves. To do.

  Specifically, when an automobile equipped with the navigation device 10 of this embodiment enters the difficult reception area 80 as shown in FIG. 5, the difficult reception area determination unit 24 determines that the current position is a broadcast radio wave. It is determined that it is in a reception difficulty region where reception is difficult.

  When the difficult reception area determination unit 24 determines that the current position is no longer within the difficult reception area, the audio switching unit 17 returns the audio source to be reproduced from the selected non-broadcast reception sound source to the original broadcast reception sound source. Specifically, when listening to the FM radio sound and switching to the CD sound when the current position has entered a difficult-to-receive area, the audio switching unit 19 outputs the signal when the current position is out of the difficult-to-receive area. The sound to be played is returned from the CD to the FM radio.

  Next, the audio source switching operation in the navigation device 10 of the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  First, the entire audio source switching operation of the navigation device 10 in this embodiment is shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  When any audio source is selected by the audio switching unit 17, the difficult-to-receive region determination unit 24 is stored in the positioning data (current position information) acquired in the GPS receiver 11 and the map information storage unit 12. Read map data (map information) is read (step S101).

  Then, the difficult-to-receive area determination unit 24 determines whether the current position specified by the read positioning data is within the difficult-to-receive area (step S102). Details of the process for determining whether or not the current position is within the difficult reception area will be described later.

  If it is determined that the current position is not within the difficult reception area (no in step S102), the process returns to step S101. If it is determined that the current position is within the difficult reception area (yes in step S102), it is determined whether the selected audio source is a broadcast reception source (step S103).

  If the selected audio source is not a broadcast receiving source (no in step S103), the process returns to step S101, and the audio switching unit 17 continues to select without switching the currently selected audio source. To do.

  If the selected audio source is a broadcast reception source (yes in step S103), the audio switching unit 17 switches the currently selected audio source to the set non-broadcast reception source (step S104). ). For example, when FM broadcast is received by the FM radio 32, the audio source switching unit 19 switches the audio source to be selected to CD playback sound by the CD / DVD playback device 33.

  Then, the difficult reception area determination unit 24 continuously monitors whether or not the current position is within the difficult reception area based on the positioning data and the map data (step S105). If the difficult reception area determination unit 24 determines that the current position is outside the difficult reception area (yes in step S105), the audio source switching unit 19 selects the audio source to be selected by the CD / DVD playback device 33 as a CD. The reproduction voice is switched to the voice by the original FM radio 32 (step S106).

  Note that either the step of determining whether or not the current position in step S102 is in a difficult-to-receive area and the step of determining whether or not the audio source being selected in step S103 is a broadcast receiving source may be performed first. .

  Next, details of the determination process (step S102) of whether or not the current position is within the difficult reception area in the flowchart of FIG. 6 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  The difficult-to-receive area determination unit 24 determines whether or not the current position is in the tunnel from the positioning data of the GPS receiver 11 and the map data from the map information storage unit 12 (step S201). If it is determined that the current position is in the tunnel, the difficult-to-receive area determination unit 24 further determines whether or not the total length of the tunnel is equal to or greater than a set distance (for example, N km) (step) S202).

  If it is determined that the total length of the tunnel is equal to or greater than the set distance (N km) (yes in step S202), the reception difficulty region determination unit 24 determines that the current position is within the reception difficulty region. (Step S205).

  If it is determined that the current position is not within the tunnel (no in step S201), and it is determined that the current position is within the tunnel but the total length of the tunnel is less than the set distance (N km). If it is determined that the distance (N km) is equal to or greater than the distance (N km) in step S202 (yes in step S202), the difficult-to-receive area determination unit 24 has a current position within the difficult-to-receive area set by the user. Whether or not (step S203).

  If it is determined that the current position is within the difficult reception area set by the user (yes in step S203), the difficult reception area determination unit 24 determines that the current position is within the difficult reception area (step S203). S205).

  If it is determined that the current position is not within the difficult reception area set by the user (No in step S203), the difficult reception area determination unit 24 determines that the current position is not within the difficult reception area. It is determined that it is outside the difficult reception area (step S204).

  In the navigation device 10 of the present embodiment, when the above-described processing is performed, the vehicle enters the tunnel where the total length is longer than the set distance (N km) or enters the difficult reception area set by the user. When the currently selected audio source is a broadcast reception sound source such as the AM radio 31, FM radio 32, or TV receiver 34, the audio switching unit 17 selects the selected audio source as a CD or the like. Switch to a non-broadcast reception sound source that is set to. When it is determined by the difficult reception area determination unit 24 that the current position is out of a tunnel or a difficult reception area beyond the set distance, the audio switching unit 17 returns the switched audio source to the original broadcast reception sound source. Such switching processing is performed.

  Therefore, in the navigation device 10 of the present embodiment, even when it is determined that the current position is in the tunnel, if the total length of the tunnel is less than the set distance (N km), the currently selected audio source is Even in the case of a broadcast reception sound source, the process of switching to the set non-broadcast reception sound source is not performed. Therefore, according to the navigation device 10 of the present embodiment, when entering a region where broadcasting radio waves are difficult to receive, even when performing control such as switching the sound source to be selected, it is possible to enter a tunnel that can pass in a short time. In this case, it is possible to prevent the selected sound source from being switched.

  Further, according to the navigation device 10 of the present embodiment, the provision of the difficult reception area setting unit 23 enables the user to set the difficult reception area, and reception in which the current position is set by the user. When it is detected that it is in the difficult area, the selected audio source is switched from the broadcast reception sound source to the non-broadcast reception sound source. Therefore, it is possible to set so that the sound source to be selected is switched when an automobile equipped with the navigation device 10 of the present embodiment enters a specific area.

  In this embodiment, the determination as to whether or not the broadcast reception source is switched to the non-broadcast reception source is determined based on the set tunnel length, but the present invention is limited to such a case. It is not something. For example, the transit time is calculated from the current speed information of the mounted car and the total length of the tunnel, by setting the transit time to pass through the difficult reception area where it is predicted that the reception of broadcast radio waves is difficult. Only when the calculated passage time is longer than the set passage time, switching from the broadcast reception source to the non-broadcast reception source may be performed.

  In other words, if the speed of the mounted car is fast, the transit time will change even if the tunnel is the same length. Based on this transit time, switching from the broadcast receiving source to the non-broadcast receiving source is controlled. You may do it.

  By doing this, when the speed of the mounted car is fast and it passes through the tunnel in a short time, even if it listens to the broadcast reception source, it does not switch to the non-broadcast reception source Control becomes possible.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Navigation apparatus 11 GPS receiver 12 Map information storage part 13 Audio | voice output part 14 Display part 15 Operation part 16 Memory | storage part 17 Audio switching part 20 Control part 21 Path search / guidance part 22 Switching setting part 23 Difficult-to-receive area setting part 24 Reception Difficult area determination section 31 AM radio 32 FM radio 33 CD / DVD playback device 34 TV receiver 35 Memory audio playback section 51 Difficult reception area start button 52 Difficult reception area end button 60 Current position mark 71 Start position mark 72 End position mark 80 Receivable areas

Claims (5)

A sound source switching means for switching a plurality of sound sources including a broadcast reception sound source that is required to receive broadcast radio waves and a non-broadcast reception sound source that is not required to receive broadcast radio waves;
Map information storage means for storing map information;
Current position detecting means for detecting the current position;
Based on the current position information detected by the current position detection means and the map information stored in the map information storage means, it is detected that the current position is in a tunnel that is longer than the set distance. And determining means for determining that the current position is within a reception difficulty region where it is predicted that reception of broadcast radio waves is difficult,
When the currently selected sound source is a broadcast reception sound source, the sound source switching means determines that the current position is within the difficult reception area by the determination means, and selects the sound source to be selected from the broadcast reception sound source. A navigation device that switches to a receiving sound source.   The determination unit, when detecting that the current position is within an area set by a user, determines that the current position is within a reception difficulty area where it is predicted that reception of broadcast radio waves is difficult. Navigation device.   The navigation device according to claim 2, further comprising a difficult-to-receive area setting unit that sets an area between a start point designated by a user and an end point designated by the user as the difficult-to-receive area.   The sound source switching means returns the sound source to be selected to the broadcast reception sound source before switching from the selected non-broadcast reception sound source when the determination means determines that the current position is no longer within the reception difficulty region. The navigation device according to any one of the above.   A switching setting means for setting the type of the non-broadcast receiving sound source for switching the sound source to be selected from the broadcast receiving sound source, as well as setting how far the total length of the tunnel exceeds the tunnel is set as a difficult reception area The navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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