JP3248582B2 - Navigation device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a navigation apparatus for acquiring route guidance data from an information center by communication and performing route guidance.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a navigation device mounted on a vehicle or the like and performing route search and guidance processing has been widely used. This navigation device acquires a departure place and a destination, etc., searches for an appropriate route from the departure place to the destination based on road data and the like, and displays a map image based on the search result. Provides route guidance such as displaying a route. In such a navigation device, data for searching for an appropriate route and data such as a map image for performing route guidance are enormous, and the actual state changes, for example, a new road is formed. It is necessary to update the data frequently because it is not appropriate.

[0003] Therefore, in recent years, a navigation system has been proposed in which a route search is performed in an information center, and a search result is received by a navigation device through communication to guide a route. In this navigation system, an information center is provided with various data storing data necessary for searching for a route to a destination. Then, in response to a request from the vehicle-side navigation device, a route search is performed based on data stored in the database,
Data on the searched route is transmitted to the vehicle. In the vehicle navigation device, route guidance is performed based on route data transmitted from the information center. It should be noted that the map image data and the like necessary for route guidance are not provided in the navigation device and are transmitted by the center together with the route data, or that only the route data is transmitted from the information center side in the navigation device. Case.

[0004] In such a navigation system, the data amount and processing in the navigation device on the vehicle side can be significantly reduced. In addition, since the time and effort required to update data are reduced, each navigation device receives new data from the information center and updates only the route data and map image data necessary for route guidance. Route guidance based on the route can be performed. Furthermore, with regard to information on traffic conditions such as temporary road closures and traffic jams due to accidents, etc., temporary traffic conditions were also considered by installing equipment that aggregates such traffic condition information at the information center. It is also possible to provide a more appropriate route.

[0005]

However, in such a car navigation system, if the vehicle is located in a place where the communication status with the information center is unstable, data requesting a route search is searched. There is a possibility that transmission and reception of route data and the like may not be possible. The user may not be able to grasp whether the data transmission / reception is being performed correctly, and may feel uneasy. Also, after transmitting data requesting a route search to the information center, there may be a delay between receiving route data and map image data and starting route guidance. May not be able to comprehend, and it may cause anxiety about whether all the transmitted data has been received by the information center, whether a search is being performed, whether the searched route data is to be transmitted, and the like.

Further, in the above navigation system, the route from the starting point to the destination is divided,
A technique has been proposed in which a route is re-searched near the division point based on the latest traffic condition and the like, route data is transmitted to the navigation device side, and an appropriate route is provided in real time based on the latest traffic condition and the like. . If the data transmission / reception status cannot be ascertained in such a navigation system as described above, the driver checks whether the route data is received / updated and route guidance based on real-time information is being performed. And the driver may feel uneasy. In particular, if you are using a packet-switched communication network, under a communication has been established situation, because of the transmission and reception of data only during part of the time, there is indication of whether the communication is established also, can not grasp whether the transmission and reception of data is being carried out, it would give the anxiety.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is an object of the present invention to surely grasp the data transmission / reception status with an information center and to provide route guidance without giving a user anxiety. It is an object of the present invention to provide a navigation device which can perform the navigation.

[0008]

According to the present invention, a route search is performed.
New request data from the navigation device
If you do, the information center will provide you with data on the latest traffic conditions.
Search for a recommended route to the destination based on the
Route guidance data for a predetermined distance from the current location of the vehicle on the road
Data to the navigation device.
Provides route guidance based on the received data,
When the data reaches the end of the data that has been
The operation of transmitting and receiving the subsequent route guidance data is
Navigation system that repeats to the end position inside
Kicking a navigation device, route probe to the information center
Data transmission / reception means for transmitting request data for requesting a search and receiving route guidance data transmitted from an information center in response to the request data; a center mark representing the information center; and the route guidance from the information center. navigation with a mark displaying means for displaying a recipient mark indicating the recipient of use data, in accordance with the reception state of the data in between the information center, and a display control means for controlling a display state by the mark display means The above object is achieved by an apparatus.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the first aspect is provided.
In the navigation device, the mark display means
Uses the database as the center mark of the information center
The database mark to represent and the database
Displaying a server mark representing a server performing a route search,
The display control means includes the request data and the route guidance data.
The mark display means according to the data transmission / reception status.
The display state of the server mark and the receiving side mark
Control, after sending request data, receive route guidance data
In the meantime, the database mark and the server
The display state with the mark is controlled.

[0010] According to the third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect or the third aspect,
3. The navigation device according to claim 2, wherein the data
Means for requesting destination setting data.
Data, and an information sensor according to the request data.
Data for destination setting transmitted from the
Indicating control means, the request data and the destination setting data.
Display by the mark display means according to the status of the data
The state is controlled.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect,
The navigation according to any one of claims 3 to 3
In the gating apparatus, the display control means, when a device corresponding to each mark displayed on the display means operates for transmitting and receiving the data, displays each mark displayed on the mark display means, It is characterized in that the device is displayed so as to be identifiable as being in an operating state . Contract
According to the invention described in claim 5, in claim 1 to claim 4,
A navigation device according to any one of the preceding claims.
The display control means interposes a data mark representing data to be transmitted and received together with the direction of transmission and reception between the marks displayed on the mark display means while transmitting and receiving data to and from the information center. It is characterized in that it is displayed in a state where it is displayed .

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of a navigation device according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to FIGS. (1) Overview of Embodiment The navigation apparatus 100 mounted on a vehicle transmits search condition data such as a departure place and a destination, and request data for requesting a vehicle ID and route guidance data to an information center 150.
Send to Then, the information center 150 searches for a recommended route from the departure place to the destination based on these data, and only for a predetermined distance from the departure place among the recommended routes, the data of the intersection line of the recommended route and the recommended route are obtained. The data of the included map image and the data of the voice for voice guidance based on the map image are transmitted to the navigation device as route guidance data. The navigation device 100 performs route guidance based on these data, and when reaching the vicinity of the end of the received data, newly transmits search condition data and request data starting from the current location as a starting point, and continues the route guidance data. To receive. In the present embodiment, during the navigation process, the display unit 106 of the navigation device 100
A navigation display unit D1 for setting search conditions such as a departure place and a destination, and displaying a map image for route guidance;
A communication status display unit D2 for displaying an image of the communication status with the information center 150. In the communication status display section D2,
During the navigation processing, a center mark C representing the information center 150 and a vehicle mark N representing the navigation device 100 are displayed as images. When search data and request data are being transmitted from the navigation device 100, an arrow pointing from the vehicle mark N to the center mark C is displayed as an image between the center mark C and the vehicle mark N. When the route guidance data is being transmitted from the information center 150 to the navigation device 100, an arrow pointing from the center mark C to the vehicle mark N is displayed as an image between the center mark C and the vehicle mark N. As a result, the driver can know that the route guidance data is requested from the information center or is transmitted from the center. In the present embodiment, in particular, the center mark C includes a database mark CD representing a database of an information center and a server mark CS representing a server.
0 After the request data from the vehicle is transmitted, while in or for route guidance data is received, searches the information center 150 routes or map image data and guidance for the route guidance according to the searched route Assuming that audio data is being extracted, a two-way arrow is displayed as an image between the database mark CD and the server mark CS. Thus, the driver can also know that the information center 150 is searching for a route according to the transmitted search condition data and request data.

(2) Details of the Embodiment FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the navigation system of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the navigation system according to the present embodiment includes a navigation device 10 as an embodiment of the navigation device according to the present invention.
0 and an information center 150. The navigation device 100 is used by being mounted on a vehicle, and includes an arithmetic processing unit 101, a program storage unit 102,
Storage unit 103, current position detection unit 104, input unit 105,
Display unit 106, audio output unit 107, and vehicle-side communication unit 1
08. The information center 150 is disposed in the information center and communicates with the plurality of navigation devices 100. The center side communication unit 151, the system control unit 152, the database server 153, the external information collection unit 154 And

Operation processing unit 1 of navigation device 100
Reference numeral 01 denotes a CPU, which includes a search condition setting process for setting a route search condition such as a destination, and request data transmission for transmitting request data for requesting route guidance data and data of the set search condition to the center. Processing, route guidance data receiving processing for receiving route guidance data from the information center 150, route guidance processing for performing route guidance based on the received route guidance data, and displaying a center mark or vehicle indicating the center on the display unit 106. A mark display process for displaying a vehicle mark in an image, a data status acquisition process for acquiring a data transmission / reception status by an output from the vehicle side communication unit 108, and the like, based on a data transmission / reception status acquired by the data status acquisition process , Data transmitted and received between the center mark and the vehicle mark during transmission of request data and reception of the route guidance data. Data status display processing for displaying the to data marks in the image, and performs each process equal. The program storage unit 102 stores various programs and data necessary for the arithmetic processing unit 101 to perform each of the above processes. In the program storage unit 102,
Various storage media such as a ROM are used.

The storage unit 103 has a RAM, a CD-RO,
Various storage media such as an M, a flash memory, a DVD, and a hard disk, and a drive device thereof are used. This storage unit 1
03 is a destination information storage unit 1031 and a travel route storage unit 1
032, a vehicle position storage unit 1033, and other storage units. A storage medium and a drive device used for each storage unit are appropriately selected and used depending on a storage unit that only reads information and a storage unit that reads and writes information. A hard disk or the like is used for the destination information storage unit 1031. When the destination information storage unit 1031 is set by designating a name, a telephone number, an address, and a destination as a destination, a building, a store, and the like from the grouped and hierarchically displayed on the display unit 106. The destination setting data required for setting the destination, the correspondence between each destination and the group, the hierarchical structure thereof, and the like are stored in a readable manner.

The travel route storage unit 1032 is secured in a predetermined area on the RAM, and stores therein route guidance data received from the information center 150 in a readable and writable (updateable) manner. The route guidance data includes map image data for displaying a map image including roads and landmarks including the searched recommended route on the display unit 106 as an image, and specifying a recommended route on the map image based on the map image data. Various data such as passing intersection sequence data and voice guidance data. The vehicle position storage unit 1033 is secured in a predetermined area on the RAM, and stores a plurality of current and past position data measured at predetermined time intervals by the current position detection unit 106 in a readable and writable (updateable) manner. For example, position data of measurement points included in a certain distance, position data of a certain number of measurement points, and the like. These position data are used for so-called map matching for obtaining a traveling locus of the vehicle by connecting a plurality of data and specifying a road on which the vehicle is traveling.

The current position detector 104 receives signals from a plurality of GPS satellites and measures the absolute position of the vehicle.
A receiving device, a speed sensor for measuring a relative position of the vehicle, a direction sensor, and the like are provided. The relative position measured by the speed sensor or the direction sensor is used to obtain a position in a tunnel or the like where the GPS receiver cannot receive radio waves from the satellite, and to correct a positioning error of the absolute position measured by the other GPS receiver. Used for etc.

As the input unit 105, various input devices such as a touch panel attached to the display surface of the display unit 106, a joystick, and an information input device using a voice recognition device are used. In the touch panel, when the user touches an icon or the like displayed as an image on the display unit 106, the corresponding information or command is input. An information input device using a voice recognition device recognizes a voice uttered by a user, and inputs information or a command corresponding to the recognized voice. As the display unit 106, various displays such as a liquid crystal display and a CRT are used. The display unit 106 is provided with the arithmetic processing unit 10
1 together with a route guidance unit, a mark display unit, and a data mark display unit, and a road map, a detailed intersection diagram, and a communication status with the center in the route guidance are displayed as images. Various images such as input key images corresponding to the touch panel are displayed as images.

The voice output unit 107 includes a voice synthesizer and a speaker. The voice output unit 107 functions as a route guidance unit together with the arithmetic processing unit 101, and provides guidance voice for performing route guidance to a destination, for example, “100”.
Turn right at the intersection ahead of m. Is synthesized based on the voice guidance data stored in the travel route storage unit 1032 and output from the speaker. The speaker that outputs such a guidance sound may be used also as a speaker for in-vehicle audio, and a dedicated speaker may be arranged above the driver's seat or windshield (upper center, upper driver's seat, etc.). You may. The vehicle-side communication unit 108 includes a modem and the like, and a wireless communication device such as a mobile phone and a PHS connected thereto. The vehicle-side communication unit 108 functions as a search condition transmitting unit, a request data transmitting unit, and a route guidance data receiving unit together with the arithmetic unit 101, and performs voice communication (call) and data communication with the information center 150 (search condition data). And transmission of request data, reception of route guidance data, etc.).

On the other hand, the center-side communication section 151 of the information center 150 is constituted by communication equipment such as a modem, a terminal adapter, and a router, and communicates with the navigation apparatus 100 by a communication line, a PHS, a mobile phone, and other wireless communication means. Line). The center-side communication unit 151 functions as a search condition receiving unit, a request data receiving unit, and a route guidance data transmitting unit together with the system control unit 152, and
Data communication such as reception of search condition data and request data transmitted from 0, transmission of route guidance data, and the like are performed.

System control unit 152 of information center 150
Is constituted by a computer system (not shown) having a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and other functions.
The CPU controls the entire system according to various programs stored in the storage means including the ROM, and performs a request data receiving process for receiving search condition setting data and request data transmitted from the navigation device 100, and a search for received data. Route search processing for searching for a recommended travel route based on conditions, segment division processing for segmenting the searched recommended travel route into segments of a predetermined length, extraction of intersections (passing intersections) on the searched recommended travel route, and coordinates Passage intersection column acquisition processing as columns, guidance data extraction processing for searching and extracting route guidance data corresponding to each segment, route guidance data transmission processing for transmitting the extracted route guidance data to navigation, intersections and roads Update processing based on the new establishment of the data center and other various processing required by the information center 150 It has become Migihitsuji.

The ROM stores programs and data for executing these various processes by the CPU.
The RAM is used as a so-called working area where various data is read and written when the CPU executes various programs. This RAM contains the navigation device 10
Search conditions such as destination received from 0, and database 1
Route guidance data for guiding a recommended travel route searched based on various data stored in 53 is stored and transmitted from the center-side communication unit 151 to the navigation device 100.

The database 153 includes a search route data file 1531, a map information data file 1532,
And an external information data file 1533 are stored. The search route data file 1531 is a file that stores data necessary for searching for a recommended travel route based on the current location and destination of the vehicle received from the navigation device 100, and includes a CD-ROM, a DVD-RO.
M and stored in a readable and rewritable storage medium such as a hard disk. This search route data file stores intersection data, road data, and node data.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the intersection data, road data, and node data stored in the search route data file 153. As shown in FIG. 2A, the intersection data includes, for each of the intersection numbers I to IV of each intersection, the name of the intersection, the latitude and longitude of the intersection, and the first one of the roads starting from the intersection. The road number with the smallest number, the road number with the smallest number among the roads ending at the intersection, and the presence or absence of the signal correspond to each other. As shown in FIG. 2B, the road data includes the intersection number of the starting point, the intersection number of the ending point, and the roads having the same starting point for the road numbers 1 to 8 of the respective roads. Among the roads having the following, the road number, the road thickness, the prohibition information, the guidance unnecessary information, the speed limit, the number of nodes, the head address of the node string data, and the length of the road correspond.

The node data is data on a feature point (node) on a road, as shown in FIG. As is clear from the road data, the unit of the road number is composed of a plurality of nodes. That is, the node data is data relating to one point on the road, and when a connection between nodes is called an arc, a road is represented by connecting each of the plurality of node rows with an arc.
For example, regarding road number 1, from the road data shown in FIG. 2C, the number of nodes is 15 and the head address of the node data is 100.
It consists of node data of addresses from 00 to 114. In the node data, the east longitude, the north latitude, the attribute, and the like of each node correspond to the address of the node, and information about a pedestrian crossing, a tunnel, and the like that can be detected by a sensor or the like is stored as the attribute.

FIG. 3 shows a road network represented by each example of the search route data file 153 shown in FIG. From the search route data file 153 shown in FIG. 2, as shown in FIG. 3, for example, in a course starting from the intersection number 1, first, the road number 1 is obtained from the start point information of the intersection data, and then the road number 1 "The road with the same starting point has the next number" in the road data
Is searched for the road number 7. In the same information in the road number 7, since the road number is 1, it can be determined that there is no other road number as the surrounding road. This is the same for the end point. In addition, since the road number 6 is prohibited in the road number 5 in the road data, the road number 5 is not included in the intersection number IV.
From 6 to 6, it is not possible to enter due to the prohibition of right and left turns, etc., and the only road that can enter is road number 8. Therefore, this road number 8
There is no need for guidance when entering the area.

The map information data file 1532 includes map image data in which roads and intersections included in the search route data file 153 and landmarks are displayed, and position data of a passing intersection for specifying a recommended route on the map image data. And various data such as voice guidance data. Then, by connecting a series of passing intersections on the map image based on the map image data, the searched recommended route is displayed as an image.

The external information data file 1533 contains traffic congestion information (congestion location and distance, degree of traffic congestion), construction information (construction section and construction), accident location (accident occurrence) collected by the external information collection unit 154. Various types of traffic information such as location, degree of accident, whether or not traffic is possible, processing end time, and the like are stored. Any of these traffic information is used in the route processing in the information center 150. The external information collecting unit 154 also collects new entry data for roads and intersections, intersection data, and the like, and also displays entry-prohibited roads and left-right turn prohibition road change indications, based on these change data. , Search route data file 1531
And each data stored in the map information data file 1532 is updated.

Next, the route guidance processing in the navigation system of the present embodiment will be described. FIG.
5 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a process (navigation process) performed by the navigation device 100 in the route guidance process by the navigation system of the present embodiment. FIG. 5 shows a display screen displayed on the display unit 106 of the navigation device 100 before the start of the route guidance in the navigation processing. FIGS. It shows a display screen to be displayed.

In the navigation processing, FIG.
As shown in (a), the display screen D includes a navigation display unit D1 for displaying a selection menu for selecting a search condition such as a destination and a main departure point and a map image for navigation, and a communication status with the center. And a communication status display section D2 for displaying the information. When the navigation process is started, the arithmetic processing unit 1 of the navigation device 100
01 displays a center mark C representing a center and a vehicle mark N representing a vehicle in an image on the communication status display section D2 of the display section 106, and displays a destination setting screen on the navigation display section D1 ( Step 11). In the present embodiment, the center mark C displayed as an image on the communication status display unit D2 is the center mark C in the database 153 in the information center 150.
And a database mark CD representing the
Necessary data from the navigation device 100
And a server mark CS indicating a server (center-side communication unit 151 and system control unit 152) to be transmitted to the server, and the center mark C and the vehicle mark N are displayed as images throughout the navigation process. The display unit 1
On the destination setting screen of the navigation display section D1 of 06, input methods of "designation from the area list", "designation from the genre list", "input of telephone number", and "input of address" are displayed.

Then, a destination, a departure place, and other search conditions are obtained by an input from the driver (search condition obtaining process) (step 13). The destination is selected from among the four input methods displayed on the navigation display unit D1, after the driver moves the cursor to a display of a desired input method using a joystick or a key, and then presses an enter key, Is input by voice or the like, the input method of the destination is selected. In the case of "designation from the area list" or "designation from the genre list", the division list of the area or genre is read from the destination information storage section 1031 and displayed on the navigation display section D1 to select the area or genre. After the acquisition, the name of the destination classified into the selected area or genre is displayed, and the destination is acquired. When “input of telephone number” or “input of address” is selected as the selection method, a telephone number or address is acquired by voice input or input from a keyboard, and stored in the destination information storage unit 1031. The destination is obtained from the correspondence between the destination and the telephone number or address.

When the destination is obtained, the operation processing unit 1
01 acquires the departure place. As for the departure place, the name of the departure place is obtained by selection or input by the driver as in the case of the destination, or the selection or input of the current place is obtained instead of the name of the departure place. When the selection or input of the current position is obtained, the arithmetic processing unit 101 sets the current position detected by the current position detection unit 104 as the departure point. The other conditions determine the priority when selecting one route from a plurality of routes in the route search, and select “a route that can be reached in a short time” and “do not use an expressway”. , A condition such as “designate a stopover” is displayed on the navigation display unit D1 of the display unit 106 to obtain a selection. If there is no particular designation, the shortest route is searched. When "designate a waypoint" is selected, the waypoint is acquired by input.

After acquiring the search conditions such as the destination, the arithmetic processing unit 101 starts communication with the center (step 1).
5). At this time, the communication status display section D2 shows FIG.
As shown in the figure, the antenna AN is displayed as an image on the center mark C and the vehicle mark N to indicate that communication has been established. In the present embodiment, the navigation display unit D1
Also, a comment on the state of communication with the information center 150 (in FIG. 5B, communication to the center has been established) is displayed. Then, the search condition data (search condition data) acquired in the search condition acquisition process (step 13) and the navigation device 1 in advance
Data (request data) including an ID number determined every 00 and a request for a route search is transmitted (request data transmission processing) (step 17). At this time, first, FIG.
As shown in (c), the vehicle mark N on the communication status display section D2 blinks to indicate that the navigation device has started preparation for transmitting the search condition data and the request data.
Then, when transmission of these data is started, FIG.
As shown in (d), both the server mark CS and the vehicle mark N of the communication status display section D2 are displayed as blinking images,
Indicates that it is running for data transmission and reception. Further, between the server mark CS and the vehicle mark N, an arrow from the vehicle mark N to the server mark CS is displayed as an image, and the navigation device 100 sends the center measure 150 to the center mark.
Indicates that data is being transmitted to.

In the present embodiment, the vehicle-side communication unit 1
08 and the center-side communication unit 151 are in the form of packet exchange, and the navigation device 100 is connected via the packet exchange network from the start of the communication after the acquisition of the search condition until the end of the navigation process. The communication center 150 is always connected to the information center 150 from the start of communication with the center (step 15) to the end of transmission of navigation end data (step 29).
00 and the information center 150 may be connected.

Then, it waits for reception of route guidance data transmitted from the information center 150 (step 1).
9; N). At this time, the communication status display section D2 shows FIG.
As shown in (e), the server mark CS and the database mark CD are blinked to indicate that the server and the database are operating. Further, a double-headed arrow is displayed as an image between the server and the database, indicating that the server has accessed the database, searched for a route based on the data in the database, and obtained route guidance data. The above-described route guidance data is data of a coordinate sequence of an intersection on a searched route (intersection designation data), map image data including a searched route, necessary voice guidance data, and data of a route guidance end position. In this navigation system, the route guidance is performed up to the front of the daily life road when the destination can be reached only from a road where vehicles cannot enter, such as a life road, and when the destination can be reached by vehicle, The operation is performed to a position where the expected travel distance to the destination is within 500 m and the vehicle can be reached without turning right or left. The data of the route guidance end position is data of a position at which the route guidance ends.

Then, the route guidance data is received by the vehicle side communication unit 108, and the received route guidance data is sequentially stored in the traveling route storage unit 1032 (step 19;
Y). During reception of the route guidance data, as shown in FIG. 6F, the communication status display section D2 blinks the vehicle mark N and the server mark CS to indicate that they are operating. Further, an arrow from the server mark CS to the vehicle mark is displayed as an image between the vehicle mark N and the server mark CS, indicating that the route guidance data is being transmitted from the server to the vehicle. When the reception of the route guidance data is completed, the blinking of the vehicle mark N and the server mark CS is terminated, and the vehicle mark N and the server mark C are further stopped.
The arrow display between S is erased. In this embodiment, the information security
The recommended route which is the basis of the route guidance data transmitted from the information center 150 is used as search condition data as information center 150.
Are searched in consideration of the search condition transmitted to the information center 150 and traffic information such as traffic congestion information collected by the external information collection unit 154 of the information center 150. And of the optimal routes searched,
From the departure point, for a predetermined distance uniformly determined in advance, for example, 10 km, map image data and guidance voice data including the searched optimal route are extracted from the map information data file 1532, and up to the predetermined distance. It is received by the navigation device together with the search route.

When the reception of the route guidance data is completed, the arithmetic processing unit 101 starts route guidance according to the route guidance data stored in the traveling route storage unit 1032 (step 21). In the route guidance, as shown in FIG. 7, a map image including the current location of the vehicle is displayed on the navigation display unit D1 based on the map image data, and a search route is displayed on the map image based on the intersection designation data. Further, when the vehicle turns right or left at an intersection, the corresponding voice guidance is output from the voice output unit 107. Also,
Since communication with the information center 150 is established via the packet network even when there is no data transmission / reception with the information center 150, the communication status display section D2 shows the center mark C and the vehicle mark N with an antenna. An image is displayed with AN attached.

During the route guidance, the arithmetic processing unit 101 acquires the current position of the vehicle with reference to the current position detecting unit 104 at predetermined time intervals. Then, the vehicle is stored in the traveling route storage unit 1032.
Whether the vehicle has reached a position a predetermined distance (for example, 200 m) from the end of the route (a route of a predetermined distance uniformly determined in advance, for example, 10 km from the departure point, of the optimal route) stored in (Step 2)
3). Then, when the vehicle reaches the above-described position a predetermined distance before the end of the route (step 23; Y), it is determined whether the end of the route stored in the traveling route storage unit 1032 is the same as the guide end position in the guide end position data. A judgment is made (step 25). If the end of the route and the guidance end position are not the same (step 25; N), the departure point is updated to the current vehicle position from the vehicle position detection sensor in the search conditions stored in the RAM, and step 17 is executed. And the request data processing is started again based on the new search condition data.

FIG. 8 shows a state in which request data processing is started as an example of a display screen displayed on the display unit 106 of the navigation device 100 when request data processing is performed during route guidance in the navigation processing. is there. As described above, when data transmission / reception such as request data processing is performed during route guidance, the navigation display unit D1
The communication status is displayed by changing the display of the communication status display section D2 in the same manner as in FIGS. 5 and 6 while the route guidance map image is displayed.

If the end of the route stored in the traveling route storage section 1032 is the same as the guidance end position in the guidance end position data (step 25; Y), the route guidance is continued until the vehicle position reaches the guidance end position (step 25). 27; N), when the vehicle position has reached the guidance end position (step 27; Y)
Indicates that the navigation process is to be terminated and the vehicle ID
Is transmitted to the center (step 29), and the route guidance processing ends.

Next, the operation of the information center 150 will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a process (route providing process) performed by the information center 150 in the route guidance process by the navigation system of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, the information center 1
The system control unit 152 of the navigation device 1
Waiting for search condition data and request data transmitted from 00 (step 51; N, step 61;
N).

When the search condition data and the request data are obtained via the center side communication unit 151 (step 5).
1; Y), obtain the departure point, destination, and other search conditions included in the search condition data and store them in a predetermined area of the RAM in association with the vehicle ID included in the request data (step 53). Then, a recommended travel route from the departure point to the destination is calculated based on the intersection data, the node data, and the road data in the search route data file 1531 (step 55). For details of the route search, see, for example, JP-A-1-173297 and JP-A-1-17
The method is performed by the method described in Japanese Patent No. 3298 or other various known methods. In such a route search, a basic route search condition is a distance between intersections. In the present embodiment, finally, other traffic information such as traffic congestion information collected by the external information collection unit 154 is taken into consideration. The optimum route is searched for in consideration of the condition specified as the condition. The map image data and the guidance voice data including the searched optimum route are extracted from the map information data file 1532 from the departure point to a predetermined distance uniformly determined in advance, such as 10 km, from the searched optimum route. It is extracted and stored in a predetermined area of the RAM along with the search route up to a predetermined distance in association with the vehicle ID (step 5).
7).

Then, the search route, map image data, and guidance voice data for a predetermined distance stored in the RAM are transmitted from the center side communication unit 151 to the navigation device 100 (step 59). Data to the navigation device 100
After transmitting the search condition data and request data, the process waits for the next search condition data and request data, and repeats from step 53 when the search condition data and request data are received. Further, when navigation end data is received from the navigation system device while waiting for the search condition data and the request data (step 51; N, step 61;
In Y), the route providing process for the vehicle ends.

FIG. 10 shows the navigation system 100 and the center 15 in the navigation system according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the status of transmission and reception of various data with respect to 0. As shown in FIG. 10, in the route search / guidance processing by the navigation system of the present embodiment, the navigation device 100 establishes communication with the information center 150 after acquiring the departure place and the destination by the search condition acquisition processing. Then, search condition data such as a departure place and a destination, and request data for requesting a route search are transmitted to the information center 150 (F1). While the search condition data and the request data are being transmitted from the navigation device 100 to the information center 150, the vehicle mark N and the server mark CS blink on the communication status display section D2 of the display section 106, and the vehicle mark N and the server mark are displayed. An arrow from the vehicle mark N to the server mark CS is displayed as an image between the marks CS.

Upon receiving the search condition data and the request data, the information center 150 searches for a route based on the received data, divides the searched recommended route, maps image data of the divided recommended route including the departure point, and Guidance voice data for guiding a divided route including the departure place is extracted (F2). During this time, the server mark CS and the database mark CD blink on the communication status display section D2 of the display section 106, and a bidirectional arrow is displayed as an image between the server mark CS and the database mark CD. Then, the data of the intersection sequence (passing intersection sequence data), the extracted map image data, and the guidance voice data included in the recommended route for the division including the departure point are transmitted to the navigation device 100 (F3). While these route guidance data are received by the navigation device 100, the communication status display section D2 of the display section 106 displays the server mark CS.
And the vehicle mark N blink, and an arrow from the server mark CS to the vehicle mark N is displayed as an image between the server mark CS and the vehicle mark N.

Route guidance data (passing intersection sequence data,
Map image data and guidance voice data)
The navigation device 100 performs route guidance based on the received route guidance data (F4). Then, when approaching the end of the route based on the received route guidance data, the navigation device 100 newly adds search condition data and request data based on the current location of the vehicle and the destination acquired and stored in the search condition acquisition process. Is transmitted (F5). Upon receiving the new search condition data and the request data, the information center 150 searches the route according to the received data, divides the recommended route, and selects the current position of the vehicle among the recommended routes based on the data including the latest traffic conditions. Extraction of map image data for the division including, guidance voice data for guiding the divisional route, transmission of route guidance data, and thereafter,
The operations from F4 to F6 are repeated until the vehicle receives the route data up to the guidance end position determined by the situation near the destination. While the route guidance is being performed (after F4), the communication status display unit D keeps displaying the route guidance map image and the recommended route on the navigation display unit D1.
2 is changed in the same manner as F1 to F3.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the display unit 106 of the navigation device 100 displays the center mark C indicating the center and the vehicle mark as the reception side mark indicating the navigation device which is the route guidance data receiving side. Displayed as an image, during transmission of request data and reception of route guidance data, between the center mark C and the vehicle mark N,
An arrow is displayed as an image as a data mark indicating that data is being transmitted and received. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the driver can know from the display image on the display unit 106 whether data transmission / reception is performed between the information center 150 and the navigation device 150, and the data transmission / reception is performed correctly. You can grasp whether you have been.

According to the present embodiment, whether or not communication has been established can be grasped by the presence or absence of the display of the image of the antenna AN, and data transmission / reception can be grasped separately from the state of communication establishment. Even when using, it is possible to understand the transmission and reception of data. According to the present embodiment, the transmission / reception state can be known from the display image of the display unit 106 every time data transmission / reception is performed.
If you want to receive divided data about the search route,
When a search route based on a new traffic condition is received in the middle of the route, it can be understood that the data of the search route has been updated. According to the present embodiment, an arrow is displayed as an image between the center mark C and the vehicle mark N as a data mark indicating that data is being transmitted and received, and the direction of data transmission and reception can be recognized based on the direction of the arrow. Therefore, it is possible to grasp the communication status in more detail.

According to the present embodiment, the information center 150
(Server and database) and navigation device 1
When 00 is operating for transmitting and receiving data for route guidance, the center mark C (server mark CS, database mark CD) and the vehicle mark N representing each blink. , It is possible to grasp the communication status.

According to the present embodiment, the center mark C representing the information center 150 is replaced with the server mark CS representing the server.
And a database mark CD representing a database, and data transmission / reception between the server and the database is displayed as an image by an arrow, so that route guidance data such as a route search or map image data extraction at the center is included. Even if it takes time to generate the search condition data and there is a delay before the route guidance data is received after the transmission of the search condition data or the request data, the situation can be grasped. According to the present embodiment, the information center 150
Is a server mark C representing a server
S and a database mark CD representing a database, and the server mark CS and the database mark CD are stored in the center while the route search and map image data extraction are being performed.
Blinks, so that the situation can be grasped by this blinking even after the search condition data or request data is transmitted and the route guidance data is received.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, and various modifications can be made within the scope described in each claim. In the above embodiment, when the transmission of the search condition data and the request data ends, the route providing process is started in the information center 150.
After the transmission of the search condition data and the request data, the server mark CS and the database mark CD are blinked in the communication status display section D2, and a double arrow is displayed as an image between the server mark CS and the database mark CD. I have. On the other hand, the navigation device 100 receives from the information center 150 a signal indicating the processing status of each data, such as completion of reception of request data, creation of route guidance data, and the like.
The center mark (server mark C)
S and the database mark CD) or the data mark may be displayed as an image. For example, the server mark CS and the database mark CD are made to blink only while the signal indicating that the route guidance data is being generated, or a double-headed arrow is displayed between the server mark CS and the database mark CD. It is. Thereby, it is possible to more accurately display the communication status reflecting the actual status. In order to receive from the information center 150 a signal indicating the processing state of each data, such as completion of reception of request data, creation of route guidance data, and the like, the request data of route guidance data transmitted from the navigation device is required. Request data receiving means, a route guidance data transmitting means for transmitting the route guidance data according to the request data received by the request data receiving means, and the request data receiving means An information center, comprising: a state transmitting unit that transmits a state of the route guidance data after receiving and before transmitting the route guidance data by the route guidance data transmitting unit. And a request data receiving device for receiving the request data transmitted from the navigation device according to the present invention. Means, and it can be implemented in a navigation system comprising a center device comprising a route guidance data transmitting means for transmitting the route guidance data in response to the request data received by the request data reception means.

In the above-described embodiment, the center mark C representing the center is image-displayed in the center information center 150 in a shape including the server mark C representing the server most relevant to the route search processing and the database CD. Although it is possible to recognize the transmission and reception of data in the above, in the above-described embodiment and the modified example, it may be a single mark representing the entire information center. Further, the center mark and the vehicle mark are not limited to the shapes of the above-described embodiment. In the above-described embodiment and each of the modifications, for example, when a mobile phone is used for transmitting and receiving data in the navigation device 100, Instead of the schematic diagram representing the vehicle as in the present embodiment, the mobile phone may be displayed as a schematic image.

In the above-described embodiment, the operating device is displayed in a blinking manner. However, the method of displaying the operating state of each mark so as to be identifiable is not limited to the blinking. By displaying only the device in a dark color and displaying a device that is not operating in a light color, it can be displayed in an identifiable manner by differences in density or color, or by irradiating light from the back as a communication status display section D2. It is also possible to use a panel in which marks are raised, and to make only the marks of the operating device rise by light irradiation.

In the above-described embodiment, arrows are displayed as data marks representing data to be transmitted and received. However, the present invention is not limited to this. May be displayed on a line connecting the marks of the devices performing the data transfer, or a picture of a paper airplane or a picture of a memo paper between the devices performing data transmission / reception. When indicating the direction of data, change to an arrow,
An animation may be displayed so that a dotted line or a broken line moves in the transmission direction of the data, or a data mark representing the data may be displayed such that a picture of a paper plane or a paper surface is moved in the transmission direction. When a picture, such as an arrow, a connecting line, a paper airplane, or a picture on a note paper, is displayed as a data mark between devices that are transmitting and receiving data, these pictures (data marks) emit light from the back. A panel may be used in which each mark emerges by irradiation, and only the marks between active devices may be exposed by light irradiation.

Further, in the above-described embodiment and each of the modifications, the search condition data, the request data, and the route guidance data are transmitted to the information center 150 and the navigation device 10 mounted on the vehicle.
When transmission / reception may be performed with a device other than 0, a mark of the device may be displayed on the communication status display unit D2. For example, when the route guidance data can be transmitted from the vehicle to the mobile phone, a mark of the mobile phone may be displayed, and a mark representing data such as an arrow may be displayed between the mobile phone and the vehicle. In addition, when the request data processing is performed by one vehicle and the route guidance data from the center can be transmitted to other vehicles, the other vehicles may be displayed. When the marks of the navigation devices of two or more vehicles are expressed, it is preferable that the marks of the other navigation devices are displayed so as to be distinguishable from each other, such as by attaching the ID of each vehicle.

In the above embodiment and each of the modifications,
Although the recommended route searched in the information center 150 is divided and only a part of the recommended route is transmitted to the navigation device 100, the above-described embodiment and each modified example are applied to a navigation device that receives the route at a time without dividing the route. You can also. When the route is divided and received, the route is not a predetermined distance, but the desired distance is transmitted to the information center 150 together with the request data, and the route is divided according to this distance. The present invention can also be applied to the navigation device 100 that receives guidance data whose division position is adjusted so as not to be near the end of the division route. In the embodiment and modifications described above, the searched recommended route is divided by a predetermined distance fraction from a starting point, only send route guidance data for the divided route, the route guidance data in a short time Is sent and received. On the other hand, in consideration of the case where the transmission and reception of the next and subsequent data cannot be performed, the route guidance data to the destination is transmitted as spare data after the divided route data (spare data transmitting means). It may be stored in a RAM or the like (preliminary data storage means). In this case, the spare data is data that is not originally used for route guidance.
May not be displayed. Then, when communication with the information center 150 becomes impossible, the route guidance to the destination can be continued according to the spare data.

In the above-described embodiment and each modified example,
The setting of the search condition is performed in the navigation device 100 based on the data and the like stored in the destination information storage unit 1031, but some or all of the data necessary for setting the search condition is stored in the information center 150. The information may be stored in a predetermined storage device, and data for search condition setting may be requested from the navigation device when setting search conditions. For example, when setting a search condition, a screen for setting a search condition is called from the information center 150, displayed on the display unit 106, and the next screen is read out by communication with the information center 150 every time an input method or the like is selected. It may be. Further, the setting of input conditions is performed by a program and data in the navigation device 100, and a list displayed thereafter, and correspondence between an address or a telephone number and a position of a destination are stored in the information center 150. You may make it perform based on data. Even in the setting of such a search condition, transmission and reception of data such as an input method with the information center 150, a list corresponding to the input method, correspondence between an address or a telephone number and a position of a destination, and the like are performed. A blinking display of the device, a display of a data mark, or the like may be performed. In the above-described embodiment and each modified example, the information center 150 that performs the route search and the navigation device 10
0 transmits and receives data directly, but the information center 15
Data may be exchanged between the navigation device 100 and the navigation device 100 via a relay base.

The navigation device of the present invention can also be applied to a navigation device in a navigation system that transmits and receives data through a unique communication network, such as a taxi, a bus, a transportation vehicle, and a center that distributes them.

[0059]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The data transmission / reception status with the center can be reliably grasped on the navigation device side, and route guidance can be performed without giving the user anxiety.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a navigation system including one embodiment of a navigation device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of intersection data, road data, and node data stored in a search route data file of the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 3 shows a road network represented by each data of an example of a search route data file shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 illustrates a route guidance process according to the embodiment of FIG.
5 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a navigation process performed by the navigation device.

5 shows a display screen displayed on the display unit of the navigation device before the start of route guidance in the navigation processing of FIG.

FIG. 6 shows a display screen displayed on the display unit of the navigation device before the start of route guidance, following FIG.

FIG. 7 shows a display screen displayed on the display unit of the navigation device before the start of route guidance, following FIG.

8 shows a state in which request data processing is started as an example of a display screen displayed on the display unit when request data processing is performed during route guidance in the navigation processing shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a route providing process performed by an information center in the route guidance process by the navigation system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the status of transmission and reception of various data between the navigation device and the center in the navigation system of FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 100 navigation device 101 arithmetic processing unit 102 program storage unit 103 storage unit 104 current position detection unit 105 input unit 106 display unit 107 sound output unit 108 vehicle-side communication unit 1031 map information storage unit 1032 travel route storage unit 1033 vehicle position storage unit 150 Information center 151 Center side communication unit 152 System control unit 153 Database 1531 Destination information data file 1532 Search route data file 1533 External information data file 154 External information collection unit

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-11-64029 (JP, A) JP-A-11-205484 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G01C 21/00 G08G 1/09 G08G 1/137

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. Navigating request data for requesting a route search
The information center receives a new message from the
Based on data including new traffic conditions,
The recommended route is searched, and the recommended route is
Sends route guidance data for a fixed distance to the navigation device
And the navigation device is based on the received data
Route guidance and arrive near the end of the received data.
Then, new request data is transmitted and the subsequent route guidance data
Navigation that repeats the operation of receiving data until the guidance end position
Navigation system.
I, and transmits a request data for requesting the route search to the information center,
Route transmitted from information center in response to this request data
A data receiving means for receiving the guidance data, and mark display means for displaying the reception side mark representing the reception side of the route guidance data from the center mark and the information center representing the information center, and the information center And a display control means for controlling a display state of the mark display means according to a data transmission / reception state between the navigation apparatuses. 2. The mark display means displays, as a center mark of an information center, a database mark representing a database and a server mark representing a server performing a route search by the database. The display control means comprises: In response to the transmission / reception state of the route guidance data, the display state of the server mark and the reception side mark by the mark display means is controlled, and after the request data is transmitted, the route guidance data is
The navigation device according to claim 1 , wherein a display state of the database mark and the server mark is controlled until it is received . 3. The data transmission / reception means transmits request data for requesting destination setting data, and receives destination setting data transmitted from an information center in response to the request data. 2. The system according to claim 1 , wherein said means controls a display state of said mark display means in accordance with a state of said request data and a state of said destination setting data.
The navigation device according to claim 2 . 4. The display control means, when a device corresponding to each mark displayed on the display means operates for transmitting and receiving the data, displays each mark displayed on the mark display means. the navigation apparatus according to any one of claims of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the device is identifiably displayed that the operating state. 5. The display control means, wherein each mark displayed on the mark display means displays a data mark representing data to be transmitted and received together with a direction of transmission and reception while each data is being transmitted to and received from the information center. 2. The display according to claim 1, wherein the display is performed in a state where the display is interposed therebetween.
The navigation apparatus according to any one of claims of 4.