JP3196521B2 - Vehicle navigation system - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention provides route guidance to a point when a point to be passed to a destination is input, and the next point when the point is passed. The present invention relates to a vehicle navigation device that provides route guidance to a point or a destination.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Hitherto, a navigation device which displays a current position on a map and assists a driver in selecting a route has been known, and has been mounted on many automobiles. In this navigation device, a route to a destination is searched by inputting the destination, and this route is displayed on a map, and a distance sensor, a direction sensor, a GP,
The current position is detected using S (Global Positioning System) or the like, and the detected current position is displayed on a map to provide route guidance.

[0003] In the navigation device, a route search can be performed by inputting a point point to be passed to a destination. For example, when going to a destination or going around some tourist spots after stopping at a department store, it is convenient to input a point. In addition, even if it is a simple passing point, if the passing point is input as a point point, the route guidance is directed to the point point, so that there is a merit that the guidance becomes easy to understand.

However, in actual traveling, the vehicle often does not necessarily pass through a point 0 m from the point. For example, in many cases, it is not possible to drive to a point 0 m from a point due to road conditions. Therefore, conventionally, when a vehicle enters an area within a predetermined radius from a point, it is determined that the vehicle has passed the point, and the guidance is switched to the next point. As a result, it is possible to make the judgment of passing through the point point flexible,
Passage determination can be made relatively correct. The determination of such a point is described in, for example,
No. 62082, for example.

[0005]

However, when traveling to a destination, stopping at a point may be stopped and the vehicle may head to the next point or destination. In such a case, in many cases, the vehicle does not enter the area determined to pass through the point point described above, and there is a problem that the route guidance to the point point stopped at this time is continued.

There are various types of point points such as a passing point on a road, a department store, a restaurant, and a sightseeing spot, and it is considered that the judgment that the vehicle has passed the point point is different depending on these types. And, when the area of the above-mentioned point point passage judgment is enlarged, the guidance is switched to the guidance to the next point point even though the area does not actually pass the point point, and when the area is reduced, the guidance is passed. There is a problem that guidance to the point point is continued.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and has as its object to provide a navigation device capable of accurately determining the passage of a point.

[0008]

According to the present invention, when a point point to be passed to a destination is input, route guidance is performed toward this point point, and when the point point is passed, the next route guidance is performed. A vehicle navigation device that provides route guidance toward a point or destination of the vehicle,
A distance calculating means for calculating a distance between the current position and the point, a distance change calculating means for calculating a change in the distance calculated by the distance calculating means, and a distance calculated by the distance calculating means based on a calculation result of the distance change calculating means. And passing determination means for determining passage of the point point based on an increase of a predetermined value or more with respect to the closest approach distance when the point is closest to the point point.

Further, the next invention is a range judging means for judging whether or not the closest approach distance is within a predetermined range, and if the result of the judgment by the range judging means is not within the predetermined range, And timing changing means for delaying the timing of the passage judgment by the passage judgment means.

[0010] Further, the present invention provides a type judging means for judging a type of a point point, and a range changing means for changing a predetermined range judged to be within the range by the range judging means according to the type of the point point. It is characterized by having.

Further, the present invention provides an in-area entry judging means for judging entry into an area when the distance obtained by the distance calculating means is equal to or less than a predetermined value, and detecting a running stop caused by turning off an ignition key. Stop detecting means for measuring the stop time by turning off the ignition key, and stop time measuring means for measuring the stop time by turning off the ignition key; and determining means for determining whether or not the time duration of the stop is equal to or longer than a predetermined value. When a vehicle stops within a predetermined range from a point for a predetermined time or more, it is determined that a point has passed.

[0012]

As described above, according to the present invention, if the vehicle is separated from the point by a predetermined value or more after approaching the point, it is determined that the driver is about to move away from the point. Therefore, based on this determination, it is determined that the point point has passed. Therefore, the driver can determine the passage of the point point even when the driver intentionally passes around the point point without going to the point point itself, or stops the car in a parking lot considerably far from the point point. Therefore, it is possible to effectively prevent the guidance to the point point that has passed through from being unduly continued.

[0013] In the next invention, when the distance at the point closest to the point point is not so short, the timing of the judgment of passing through the point point is delayed. This is because, in such a case, there is a high possibility that there is still an intention to go to the point point, as compared with the case where the point goes away sufficiently after approaching the point point sufficiently. In this case, for example, by providing an opportunity to determine whether or not to approach the point point again, it is possible to more reliably determine the passage of the point, and guidance to the point point ends carelessly. Can be prevented.

In the next invention, the distance used for determining whether or not the point is sufficiently close is changed according to the type of the point. As a result, it is possible to make a judgment according to the case where the user always goes to a relatively close place such as a station and the case where the sightseeing spot etc. only goes to a certain distance, etc. it can.

[0015] Further, according to the next invention, it is determined that the vehicle has passed the point point by stopping the vehicle within a predetermined distance from the point point for a predetermined time. It is common that the point point and the parking lot are separated from each other, and in such a case, it is possible to accurately determine the passage of the point point.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the embodiment. As described above, the sensor unit 10 that detects the traveling state of the own vehicle and the navigation ECU 1 that performs various processes
2, a map data storage unit 14 for storing map data on a CD-ROM, a display unit 16 for displaying the current location, a voice generation unit 18 for generating guidance voices and the like, and an input unit 20 for inputting various data. I have. In addition, navigation EC
U12 includes a location unit 22 for detecting the current location, a search for a route, a calculation unit 24 for determining arrival at a point or a destination, a display of a guidance screen on the display unit 16, and generation of a guidance voice in a voice generation unit. It comprises a guiding section 26 for controlling.

The sensor unit 10 includes a gyro, a vehicle speed sensor, a GPS, and the like, detects a traveling state of the own vehicle, and obtains data for specifying a position. Sensor unit 10
Is connected to the location unit 22 and supplies the detected data to the location unit 22. The location unit 22 detects the absolute position (latitude, longitude) of the vehicle based on the data supplied from the sensor unit 10. Also,
The location unit 22 also compares the detected vehicle position with map data supplied from the map data storage unit 14 and performs a map matching process for positioning the vehicle on a road.

The location unit 22 is connected to a calculation unit 24, which supplies current location data. Also,
The calculation unit 24 performs various processes such as searching for a route to a destination via a point in response to an instruction from the input unit 20. Therefore, the map data in the map data storage unit 14 is also supplied to the calculation unit 24. The input unit 20
Is configured by using the touch panel as the display unit 16 except for some buttons. There are various methods for inputting the destination and the point, such as input of an address, input of a telephone number, input using an index for each type of business, and finally the calculation unit 24 recognizes the position.

The guidance unit 26 controls the display on the display unit 16 and the generation of sound by the sound generation unit 18 based on the map data from the map data storage unit 14, the route and the current location data from the calculation unit 24. . That is, the current position is displayed as an arrow on a map around the current position, and the searched route is displayed in a specific color such as red. When approaching an intersection where a right or left turn must be made, the voice generation unit 18 generates a guidance voice such as "500 m ahead *** intersection left turn".

Next, the operation of the present apparatus at the time of determining the passage of a point point will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, the calculation unit 24 always finds the distance Xn from the current position to the point. So this X
It is determined whether n is equal to or less than 1.0 km (S11). S1
If YES at 1, IG (ignition switch)
Is turned off (S12). And YES in S12
If it is, it is determined whether the IG-off state has elapsed for 30 minutes or more (S13), and if it has elapsed, it is determined that the point has passed (S14). Thus, guidance to the next point (or destination) is started.

When the IG is turned off in the vicinity of the point, it is considered that the vehicle has been parked and used here, and it can be determined that the vehicle has passed the point. The above-mentioned figures of 1.0 km and 30 minutes are merely examples, and can be appropriately changed. In particular, IG
The off time may be automatically changed according to the type of point point, convenience store, famous place / historic site, and the like.

On the other hand, if NO in any of S11, S12 and S13, it is determined whether or not the difference between XM and Xn, which is the re-approaching distance to the point, is 0 or more.
The maximum value is set as the initial value of XM. Therefore, in the first loop, S15 must be Y
Become ES. If YES in S15, the distance to the point at that time is set in XM, and the closest approach distance is updated (S16). Then, n is updated and the distance Xn to the point at the next time point is taken in (S17), and S
Return to 11. In this way, while approaching the point, the closest approach distance XM is sequentially updated.

Next, if NO in S15, the distance Xn to the current point is the closest approach distance Xn.
It is determined whether or not M is 1.5 times or more (S18). S18
If NO in step S17, the process proceeds to step S17, where the distance between the new current position and the point is acquired. Then, the process returns to S11. On the other hand, if YES in S18, it is understood that the vehicle has moved to some extent from the closest approach distance XM. in this way,
If the driver goes away after approaching the point, it is likely that the driver intends to pass through the point. Therefore, the closest approach distance XM
Is within 200 m (S19). And S1
If YES at 9, the driver once approaches the point sufficiently and then goes away, so it is highly likely that the driver intends to pass through this point. Therefore, in this case, it is determined that a point has passed (S1).
4).

If NO in S19,
The vehicle is moving away from the point, but not so close to the point. Therefore, there is a possibility that the driver still intends to go to the point point because the driver made a wrong road around the point point. Therefore, in this case, it is determined whether or not this loop has been continued during the continuous traveling of 1 km (S20).
That is, in S15, it is determined whether the running has been continued without updating the closest approach distance, and in S18, without entering the range of 1.5 times or less of the closest approach distance. Then, in the case of YES, it is determined that the vehicle has passed the point (S14).

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the IG is turned off for a predetermined time within a range of 1 km from the point, it is determined that the operation has been performed at the point. In addition, if the driver is away from the closest distance to the point by a predetermined distance or more and the closest distance is less than the predetermined value, the driver determines that the driver is already heading to the next point and determines that the driver has passed the point. I do. In addition, although it was more than a predetermined distance from the closest approach distance to the point point,
If the closest approach distance is not less than the predetermined value, it is determined whether or not the state continues during the predetermined distance, and the determination that the vehicle has passed the point is delayed. In this way, since the determination of the passage of the point point is changed according to the traveling situation, it is possible to make an accurate determination in response to the driver's intentional stoppage at the point point.

Here, the distance of 200 m in S19 is considered to be different depending on the type of the point. That is, the distance determined to reach the point point differs depending on the position of the parking lot or the like. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, this distance may be automatically set according to the type of point point, such as 200 m for a station and 1 km for amusement parks, parks, famous places and historic sites, etc. Also, S18
The determination in may be made based on the fact that the distance has become equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and the determination in S20 may be made based on the fact that the traveling has continued for a predetermined time.

[0028]

As described above, according to the present invention,
If the driver moves away from the point point by a predetermined amount or more after approaching the point point, it is determined that the driver is about to move away from the point point. Therefore, based on this determination, it is determined that the point point has passed. Therefore, the driver can determine the passage of the point point even when the driver intentionally passes around the point point without going to the point point itself, or stops the car in a parking lot considerably far from the point point. Therefore, it is possible to effectively prevent the guidance to the point point that has passed through from being unduly continued.

Further, in the next invention, when the distance at the point closest to the point point is not so short, the timing of the judgment of passing through the point point is delayed. This is because, in such a case, there is a high possibility that there is still an intention to go to the point point, as compared with the case where the point goes away sufficiently after approaching the point point sufficiently. In this case, for example, by providing an opportunity to determine whether or not to approach the point point again, it is possible to more reliably determine the passage of the point, and guidance to the point point ends carelessly. Can be prevented.

In the next invention, the distance used to determine whether or not the point is sufficiently close is changed according to the type of the point. As a result, it is possible to make a judgment according to the case where the user always goes to a relatively close place such as a station and the case where the sightseeing spot etc. only goes to a certain distance, etc. it can.

Further, according to the next invention, the passage of the point point is determined by stopping the vehicle within a predetermined distance from the point point for a predetermined time. It is common that the point point and the parking lot are separated from each other, and in such a case, it is possible to accurately determine the passage of the point point.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a sufficiently close distance for each destination.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 sensor unit 12 navigation ECU 14 map data storage unit 16 display unit 18 sound generation unit 20 input unit 22 location unit 24 calculation unit 26 guidance unit

Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-7-311047 (JP, A) JP-A-5-88614 (JP, A) JP-A-7-63568 (JP, A) JP-A-8-94370 (JP, A) JP-A-7-55488 (JP, A) JP-A-7-35564 (JP, A) JP-A-6-66587 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB G01C 21/00 G08G 1/0969 G09B 29/00-29/10

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. When a point to be passed to a destination is input, route guidance is performed toward the point, and when the point is passed, the route is directed to the next point or destination. a vehicle navigation apparatus for performing route guidance Te, and distance calculation means for calculating a distance between the current position and the point location, the distance change calculating means for calculating the change in distance obtained by the distance calculating means, calculates the distance change the calculation result of the means, the passing determining means for determining the passage of point locations based on the fact that increased by more than a predetermined value relative to the closest distance at which distance is closest to the point point obtained by the distance calculating means, the A navigation device for a vehicle, comprising: 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a range determination unit that determines whether the closest approach distance is within a predetermined range, and a case where the range determination unit determines that the closest approach distance is not within a predetermined range. The vehicle navigation device further comprises: timing changing means for delaying the timing of the passage judgment by the passage judgment means. 3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a type determining means for determining the type of the point location, and a range for changing the predetermined range determined to be within the range by the range determining means according to the type of the point location. A navigation device for a vehicle, comprising: changing means. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the in-area approach determination means determines the approach into the area when the distance calculated by the distance calculation means is equal to or less than a predetermined value, and the ignition key is turned off. Stop detecting means for detecting running stop, stop time measuring means for measuring the duration of the stop due to turning off of the ignition key, and determining means for determining whether or not the time duration of the stop is a predetermined value or more. A vehicular navigation apparatus comprising: determining a point passage when the vehicle is stopped within a predetermined range from a point location for a predetermined time or more.