JP3374683B2 - Navigation device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is based on information obtained by communication with an information center collecting traffic information.
The present invention relates to a navigation device that provides driving guidance in consideration of current traffic conditions.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as disclosed in Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 7-21417, an information center for collecting traffic information in a predetermined center area is provided with position information indicating a present location and a destination via a wireless line. The route is sent from the information center, receives the recommended center optimal route (dynamic route) set in consideration of traffic congestion information and various regulations, and displays the dynamic route on a map for navigation. Navigation devices that provide guidance are known.

[0003]

However, since the road condition changes every moment, the user (driver)
Must request the data update of the dynamic route by appropriately performing switch operation or the like as necessary.
In particular, when the line condition with the information center is poor, such operations must be repeated until communication is successful, which is not only troublesome but also impairs safety during vehicle travel. There was a problem. Further, even if route guidance is carried out using a dynamic route, if the user forgets to update the data, he / she will not be able to recognize the change in traffic conditions and will eventually be involved in traffic congestion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a navigation device capable of providing travel guidance on a dynamic route that always reflects the latest traffic congestion information.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, the navigation device of the present invention uses a communication means for performing data communication with an information center for collecting various traffic information via a wireless line. Then, the dynamic route setting means transmits preset departure point information and destination point information, receives route information from the current position to the destination in consideration of the current traffic state from the information center, and The route is set based on the information, and the travel guidance is performed based on the dynamic route set by the dynamic route setting means and the vehicle position detected by the position detecting means.

[0006] When a predetermined data update condition is satisfied, the automatic updating means, to start the dynamic routing means of the vehicle position detected by the position detecting means as the starting point information
And the detected starting point information and
Send the destination information so that the information center can
Receives route information from the current position to the destination in consideration of conditions
Then, by setting the route based on the route information ,
Update the dynamic route. Therefore, according to the navigation device of the present invention, the dynamic route and the like are automatically updated even if the driver does not perform an operation for requesting data update, so that safe vehicle traveling can be ensured and the latest It is possible to provide driving guidance based on a dynamic route that reflects traffic conditions.

If, for example, at least one of the lapse of a fixed time period and the running of a fixed distance is used as the data update condition, the data update is performed periodically.
It is possible to reliably set a dynamic route that reflects the latest traffic conditions. In addition, if a communication error occurs during data communication with the information center as the data update condition, the driver can perform dynamic operation without any special operation even if the line condition is bad. The route can be updated.

By the way, when automatic updating of the dynamic route is not necessary, in order to prevent unnecessary resetting of the dynamic route, the permission mode for permitting the operation of the automatic updating means or the operation It is possible to provide a mode switching means for switching to a prohibition mode for prohibiting. In this case, it is effective to make switching from the prohibition mode to the permission mode by the mode switching means one of the data update conditions.

That is, switching from the prohibition mode to the permission mode means that the driver requests the update of the dynamic route. Therefore, by setting this as a data update condition, the driver can meet the request. Therefore, it is possible to set a dynamic route that reflects the latest information with good responsiveness.

Next, the navigation device of the present invention inputs a start point and a destination point from the outside, and sets a route so that the route cost from the input start point to the destination point is minimized. By providing a means,
Based on the static route set by the static route setting means, the departure point information and the destination point information used in the dynamic route setting means are set, and the dynamic route is set by the dynamic route setting means. When not in use, the route guidance may be performed according to the static route set by the static route setting means.

Further, in the case where such static route setting means is provided, when the vehicle position detected by the position detecting means deviates from the dynamic route, the static route setting means is activated to quiet the vehicle. A static route resetting means for resetting the target route and a passing point setting means for setting information of a passing point to be passed before reaching the destination point may be provided.

If the end of the route setting by the static route setting means is used as the data update condition, the dynamic route is automatically set when the static route is set, and the vehicle position departs from the dynamic route. The static and dynamic routes are automatically reconfigured even when That is, according to the present invention,
The setting / updating of the dynamic route can be done automatically when it is needed without any user intervention.

If the vehicle position detected by the position detecting means passes through the passage point set by the passage point setting means as the data update condition, each time the vehicle passes the set passage point. Since the dynamic route is updated, the dynamic route of the section currently required for travel guidance (passing point to passing point, passing point to target value) is set / updated at a timely timing as necessary. be able to.

If the information center is configured to be able to provide the route information according to the current traffic condition only within the predetermined center area in accordance with the request from the device, the position detecting means detects the position information. It is effective to use, as one of the data update conditions, that the vehicle position to be entered has entered from the outside to the inside of the center area. That is, when entering the center area where the dynamic route can be set, the travel guidance on the dynamic route can be started immediately.

As described above, according to the present invention, the dynamic route can be automatically updated at the timing required by the driver, and as a result, the latest information is reflected without bothering the driver. Driving guidance can be provided based on the dynamic route, and the driver can be freed from troublesome data updating operations and concentrated on driving, so that driving safety can be improved.

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a navigation system to which the navigation device of the present invention is applied.

As shown in FIG. 1, the navigation system collects various types of traffic information in a predetermined center area and the navigation device 20 of this embodiment mounted on a vehicle, and the navigation device 20 receives the traffic information via a wireless line. The information center 10 is provided.

Of these, the information center 10 includes an external event collecting device 12 for collecting external events such as road conditions from various sensors S attached near the road, a road map in the center area, various regulatory information, External event collection device 1
The road network data storage device 14 in which various traffic information created based on the external event collected in 2 is stored, and the navigation device 20 mounted in the vehicle via a wireless line such as a car phone and a mobile phone. Based on the communication device 16 that performs communication, the position information (current position and destination) received from the navigation device 20, and various information stored in the road network data storage device 14,
A control device 18 for calculating a recommended route (dynamic route) and the like are provided.

The traffic information created based on the external events collected by the external event collection device 12 includes traffic jam information indicating traffic jam points, traffic jam sections, accidents, broken cars, obstacles on the road, construction, and work. Traffic obstruction information, such as traffic obstruction, speed regulation, lane regulation, on-ramp regulation, chain regulation, etc., and traffic regulation information including the cause, parking lot, service area, parking area that informs the parking area Information etc. are included.

On the other hand, the navigation device 20 mounted on the vehicle has a position detector 22 for detecting the current position of the vehicle.
And a map data input device 24 for inputting map data stored in a CD-ROM or the like, an operation switch group 26 for inputting various commands to the device, a map and the current position of the vehicle are displayed. Display device 28, a speaker 30 for outputting voice of route guidance, an external memory 32 backed up by a power source (not shown), a communication device 34 for data communication with the information center 10 via a wireless line, and position detection. In response to inputs from the display device 22, the map data input device 24, the operation switch group 26, etc., the display device 28, the speaker 3
0, the external memory 32, the communication device 34, and the like, and an electronic control device (hereinafter referred to as a navigation ECU) 36 that performs route guidance processing and the like according to the route set by the above input.

Here, the position detector 22 includes a gyroscope 38, a vehicle speed sensor 40, and a GPS (Global Position).
Ionization system) satellites transmit radio waves from GPS
A GPS receiver 42 for receiving via an antenna is provided. Since these sensors, etc. 38, 40, 42 have errors with different properties, they are configured to be used while being complemented by a plurality of sensors, etc. Depending on the accuracy, the above-mentioned sensors, etc. 38, 4
It may be configured by only a part of 0, 42, or by using geomagnetism, or by accumulating the steering angle of the vehicle obtained from the rotation difference between the left and right steered wheels to obtain the direction. Good.

The map data input device 24 is a device for inputting various data including map data representing road connections and so-called map matching data for improving position detection accuracy. For this purpose, a CD-ROM is generally used because of its data amount, but other media such as a memory card may be used.

Next, the operation switch group 26 includes the display device 2
The display contents are displayed on the display device 28, and the user can set a route (guidance route) to a destination. A touch switch or a mechanical switch integrated with the display device 28 is used. Used. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, in addition to the soft keys SK1 to SK8 in which four rows are arranged on each of the upper side and the lower side of the display screen D,
A roll key RK for operating the scroll of the cursor displayed on the display screen D, a basic key FK for displaying a navigation basic screen for calling various functions regarding navigation on the display screen D, and the like are provided.

Next, the navigation ECU 36 includes a CPU and an RO.
It is mainly configured by a well-known microcomputer including M and RAM, and performs processing for detecting the current position of the vehicle based on each detection signal from the position detector 22, and bidirectional communication with the information center 10 using the communication device 34. In addition to the process of acquiring various traffic information by performing data communication, a process of switching the display screen D of the display device 28 according to the operation of the operation switch group 26 is executed.

That is, in addition to the navigation basic screen (see FIG. 2) which is called by operating the basic key FK and calls various screens related to navigation, in the vicinity of the current position of the vehicle in response to the operation of each soft key SK1 to SK8. Current location screen (see FIG. 7) that displays a map of a route, route setting screen (see FIG. 8) for route setting, and dynamic route service setting screen (FIG. 9, FIG. 10)) and various other screens are displayed. The functions of the soft keys SK1 to SK8 are defined for each screen, and the defined functions are displayed in the function display areas KE at the upper end and the lower end in the display screen D and in the soft keys SK1 to SK8. Correspondingly displayed.

Further, the navigation ECU 36, based on the destination, the passing point and the like set on the above-mentioned route setting screen,
Set the route to be guided, and according to this set route,
The route guidance is provided visually via the display device 28 and aurally via the speaker 30. By the way, the navigation ECU 36
For the route set by, the cost is calculated by the well-known Dijkstra method, and from the current position to the destination (if the passing point is set, the current position is the passing point, the passing point is the passing point, the passing point is the target By communicating between the information center 10 and the static route obtained by selecting the route that minimizes the cost (for each section of the ground), the information center 10 is in the current road traffic state. There is a dynamic route that is set based on the recommended route obtained by reflecting
The navigation ECU 36 normally provides route guidance according to a dynamic route, but when the dynamic route is not set, the navigation ECU 36 provides route guidance according to a static route.

The dynamic route is set based on the result of the calculation of the static route, and when the passing point is set, the setting is performed only from the current position to the passing point. Here, the outline of the dynamic route setting process will be described. That is, first, on the preset static route, from the link in the map on the destination (passing point) side of the current location, the information center 1 is separated from the current location by a certain distance or more.
Search for a link that matches the link provided by 0, set the first link as the "entry link", and the link immediately before reaching the destination (passing point) as the "exit link".
The information center 10 displays the position information of these “entry links” and “exit links” and the road type of the roads including the links.
Send to.

After that, when the calculation result of the dynamic route from the "entry link" to the "exit link" reflecting the current traffic state is received from the information center 10, the navigation ECU 36
Replaces the already set static route from the “entry link” to the “exit link” with the dynamic route acquired from the information center 10. At this time, various traffic information is also received from the information center 10 at the same time and used for guidance processing.

By the way, the navigation ECU 36 stores the set static route and dynamic route in the external memory 32, and deletes them from the external memory 32 when the destination is reached and route guidance becomes unnecessary. Therefore, even when the vehicle is stopped for a break or the like during the route guidance and the power supply to the navigation device 20 is cut off due to the ignition key being turned off, the route being guided is maintained. .

Here, a series of processes executed by the navigation ECU 36 will be described with reference to the flow charts shown in FIGS.
The display contents of the display screen D will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 7 to 10. Note that FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the route monitoring process that is the main part of the present invention.
6 is a flowchart showing a current location screen process, a dynamic route service setting screen process, and a dynamic route setting process, which are respectively closely related to the route monitoring process.

First, by operating the basic key FK, a navigation basic screen as shown in FIG. 2 is displayed on the display screen D. Then, on this navigation basic screen, the "current position" key (soft key SK1)
When is operated, the current location screen shown in FIG. 7 is displayed,
When the “route guidance” key (soft key SK8) is operated, the route setting screen shown in FIG. 8 is displayed, and when the “ITGS setting” key (soft key SK4) is operated, the dynamic route shown in FIG. The service setting screen is displayed. The operation when other keys are operated has no direct relation to the main part of the present invention, and thus the description thereof is omitted here. The same applies to the description of other screens thereafter.

First, in the navigation basic screen,
When the "current location" key (soft key SK1) is operated and the current location screen is displayed, the navigation ECU 36 executes the current location screen processing shown in FIG. That is, as shown in FIG.
When this process is activated, first in step (hereinafter, simply referred to as “S”) 110, the current position of the vehicle obtained based on the detection signal from the position detector 22 and communication with the information center 10 are performed. The various information obtained by the above are read to create display data, and in the subsequent S120, this display data is transferred to the display device 28, and the current position of the vehicle is displayed on the display screen D of the display device 28 together with the map. .

At this time, if there is traffic information obtained from the information center 10, that information is also displayed on the road map. In addition, when the route to be guided is set, the displayed route and the display color of the road are changed so that the route can be identified on the map so that the user can reach the destination. If the current position has reached a predetermined guide point, guide information such as the direction of turning at the next intersection and the distance to the destination is created, and the created guide Based on the information, voice guidance via the speaker 30 is also provided.

At S130, it is determined whether the "DR information" key (soft key SK3) has been operated. If not, the process proceeds to S140 and the "DR auto" key (soft key SK6) is operated. It is determined whether or not it is done. If it is determined that the operation has not been performed also here, S15
The process shifts to 0 and it is determined whether or not another soft key has been operated. If not, the process returns to S110.

That is, one of the soft keys SK1 to SK
8 is monitored, and if neither is operated, the creation of display data and the display on the display screen D are repeatedly executed.
When it is determined in S130 that the "DR information" key has been operated, the process proceeds to S160, a flag FA for activating a dynamic route setting process described later is set, and the process returns to S110.

Also, in the previous S140, "DR auto"
If it is determined that the key has been operated, the process proceeds to S170, and it is determined whether or not the auto mode is set to the “ON” mode. If the auto mode is not set to the “ON” mode, that is, the auto mode is set. If the "DR Auto" key is operated in the state where the mode is set to the "OFF" mode, the process proceeds to S180, the auto mode is set to the "ON" mode, and then the process proceeds to S160.

On the other hand, in S170, the auto mode is "O".
If it is determined that the N'mode is set, S
After shifting to 190 and setting the auto mode to the “OFF” mode, the process returns to S110. If it is determined in S150 that another soft key is operated, the process proceeds to S200, the process corresponding to the operated soft key is executed, and the process returns to S110.

Here, the automatic mode means the information center 1
This is a setting for determining whether or not to automatically update the data of the dynamic route from 0. The'ON 'mode that automatically updates the dynamic route when a predetermined data update condition is satisfied. An'OFF 'mode that does not automatically update and a'not do' mode are prepared.

In the "ON" mode and the "OFF" mode, it is possible to alternately switch the modes on the current position screen by operating the "DR auto" key, but the "OFF" mode is set. If set, nothing is displayed in the function display area KE corresponding to the soft key SK6 on the current position screen (see FIG. 7), and the operation of the soft key SK6 is ignored in the process,
It becomes impossible to switch to'ON 'mode on the current location screen.

As described above, a function for executing other functions such as detour guidance at the setting timing in the function display area KE corresponding to the soft key SK6 when the "not performed" mode is set. You may make it display. That is, while the current location screen is displayed, the dynamic route update can be requested at any time by operating the "DR information" key, and the auto mode can be turned "ON" by operating the "DR auto" key. It is possible to arbitrarily switch between the mode and the'OFF 'mode. Moreover, when the auto mode is switched from the "OFF" mode to the "ON" mode, the dynamic route update is automatically requested.

Next, when the "route guidance" key (soft key SK8) is operated on the basic navigation screen shown in FIG. 2, the route setting screen shown in FIG. 8 is displayed.
In this route setting screen, "Route registration" key (soft key SK2) and "Point registration" key (soft key SK
5) By operating the roll key RK or the like for operating the cursor, the destination, passing point, etc. of the route to be guided can be set.

When the "guidance start" key (soft key SK8) is operated on this route setting screen, the dynamic route service setting screen shown in FIG. 9 is displayed. That is, this is to set in advance how to perform the dynamic route before starting the static route setting based on the destination, the passing point, etc. set on the route setting screen. Is.

Then, as described above, on the navigation basic screen, the "ITGS setting" key (soft key S
K4) is operated or the “guidance start” key (soft key SK8) is operated on the route setting screen to display the dynamic route service setting screen shown in FIG.
36 executes the dynamic route service setting screen process shown in FIG.

9 (a) to 9 (c) show the display screen D when the cursor is at the position of "dynamic guide-DR", and FIGS. 10 (a) and 10 (b). Shows the display screen D when the cursor is at the position of "auto update time". When this process is activated, first, S210
Then, as shown in FIG. 9A, it is determined whether or not the cursor position is at the position of "dynamic guide-DR", and if it is at that position, the process proceeds to S230, while if it is not at that position. ,
After shifting to S220 and executing the process corresponding to the cursor position, the process returns to S210.

At S230, whether or not the "auto ON" key (soft key SK5) is operated, at S240,
Whether or not the "auto OFF" key (soft key SK6) has been operated, whether or not the "do not perform" key (soft key SK7) has been operated at S250, and the "setting" key (soft key SK8) has been pressed at S260. Whether it was operated, S
At 270, it is determined whether or not any other soft key is operated, and if none of them is operated, S2 is directly executed.
Return to 10.

If it is determined in S230 that the "auto ON" key has been operated, the flow shifts to S280 to determine whether or not the auto mode is set to the "ON" mode. If it is set to "ON" mode, the process proceeds to S300 as it is, and if it is not set to "ON" mode, that is, the auto mode is set to "OFF" mode or "do not perform" If the "ON" key has been operated, the process proceeds to S290, the flag FA requesting the setting of the dynamic route is set, and then the process proceeds to S300.

In S300, the auto mode is set to the "ON" mode, and then the process returns to S210. At S240,
When it is determined that the "auto OFF" key has been operated, the process proceeds to S310, the auto mode is set to the "OFF" mode, the process returns to S210, and the "Do not perform" key is pressed in S250. If it is determined that the operation has been performed, the process proceeds to S320, and the auto mode is set to the "not" mode, and then the process returns to S210.

Further, if it is determined in S260 that the "setting" key has been operated, the process proceeds to S330 to determine whether the destination is set and the route to be guided is not set. If it is affirmative, S3
In step S35, the static route setting process is performed.
After setting a flag FB indicating that a static route has been set at 0, the process returns to S210, while a negative determination is made at S330, that is, the destination is not set or the route to be guided. If is already set, S
Return to 210.

If it is determined in S270 that another soft key has been operated, the process proceeds to S360, the process corresponding to the operated soft key is executed, and the process returns to S210. In the cursor position correspondence process executed in S220, for example, when the cursor is at the "auto update time" position, the function display area KE
When the display contents of "Change Time +" key (soft key SK6) is changed as shown in FIG. 10, the display value of "Auto Update Time" increases by 5 minutes, while "Update Time- When the "key (soft key SK7) is operated, the display value of" automatic update time "is decreased by 5 minutes. That is, if the "update time +" key is operated 5 times in the state of FIG. 10A, the display of FIG. 10B is displayed, and conversely, if the "update time-" key is operated 5 times from that state, a)
Is displayed.

That is, while the dynamic route service setting screen is being displayed, the roll key RK and each soft key are operated to determine whether or not to automatically update the dynamic route. You can set the automatic update time that determines the update cycle, and if the screen is called after setting the destination etc. on the route setting screen, operate the "Set" key By
Static route setup can be initiated.

Next, a route monitoring process for updating static routes and dynamic routes based on various data update conditions will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, when this process is started, first in S410, it is determined whether or not the ignition switch is in the accessory (ACC) position by operating the ignition switch, and if it is not in the ACC position, the same S410 is repeatedly executed. By doing so, the process waits, and when it is determined that the ACC position has been operated, the process proceeds to S420.

In S420, it is judged whether or not the auto mode is the "ON" mode, and if it is the "ON" mode,
In step S430, it is determined whether the route to be guided (hereinafter referred to as a set route) is stored in the external memory 32. If the set route is stored in the external memory 32, the process proceeds to S440, the dynamic route setting process of setting the dynamic route by communication with the information center 10 is executed, and then the process proceeds to S450.

On the other hand, in S420, it is determined that the auto mode is not the "ON" mode, or in S4.
When it is determined in 30 that the set route is not stored in the external memory 32, the process proceeds to S450 without performing the dynamic route setting process. In S450, the above S160
Alternatively, the flag FA set in S290, the previous S35
The flag FB set at 0 and the timer used in this processing are reset, and in the subsequent S460, it is determined whether or not there is a set route, that is, whether or not the route is being guided. Then, if there is no set route, the process waits by repeatedly executing S460, and the route setting process on the route setting screen or the dynamic route mode setting screen described above is performed during that time, and it is determined that there is a set route. Then, S47
Move to 0.

In S470, it is determined whether or not the flag FA is set, and if it is set, that is, if the "DR information" key is operated on the current location screen, S
After shifting to 480 and executing the dynamic route setting processing, S45
Return to 0. On the other hand, if it is determined in S470 that the flag FA is not set, then the flow shifts to S490,
It is determined whether or not the flag FB is set, and if it is set, that is, after the destination and the like are set on the route setting screen, the “setting” key is operated on the dynamic route service screen. If the static route setting process has been performed, S
If it is determined that the flag FB is not set, then the flow shifts to S500.

In S500, it is determined whether or not the timer reset in the previous S450 has timed out. If the timer has timed out, the process proceeds to S560, and if not, the process proceeds to S510. Note that this timer operates only when the auto mode is set to'ON 'mode, and it also times out after the set time of "auto update time" set on the dynamic route service setting screen has elapsed. Has been done.

In S510, the current position of the vehicle obtained based on the detection signal of the position detector 22 is acquired by the position detection process which is executed separately from this process, and in the following S520, the current position is separated from the set route. Judge whether or not. When it is determined that the route has deviated, the process proceeds to S530, the static route setting process starting from the current position is executed, and then the process proceeds to S560, while it is determined that the route has not departed. If so, the process proceeds to S540.

In S540, it is determined whether or not the vehicle has entered from the outside to the inside of the center area of the information center 10 based on the current position acquired in the previous S510. If the vehicle has entered, the process proceeds to S560. On the other hand, if it is determined that the vehicle is already in the center area or outside the center area, the process proceeds to S550.

In S550, it is determined whether or not the vehicle has passed the passing point set in the route setting screen based on the current position acquired in the previous S510.
If it has not passed, the process returns to S460.
Then, in S560, it is determined whether or not the auto mode is set to the'ON 'mode. If the auto mode is set to the'ON' mode, the process proceeds to S480 and the dynamic route setting process is executed and then the process returns to S450. , If it is not set to the'ON 'mode, the process directly returns to S450.

That is, in this processing, when there is a set route (during route guidance) and the "DR information" key is operated,
Regardless of the auto mode setting state, the dynamic route setting process is always activated, and there is a set route and various data update conditions (flag FB set, timeout, route departure, entry to center area, passage point passage) are satisfied. If the automatic mode is set to the'ON 'mode, the dynamic route setting process is started, and when the navigation device 20 is started, the set route during the guidance remains in the external memory 32. Even when the auto mode is set to the'ON 'mode, the dynamic route setting process is activated.

Next, the dynamic route setting processing executed in the above S440 and S480 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. When this process is activated, first, S61.
At 0, the current position of the vehicle is acquired as in S510, and it is determined whether the vehicle is in the center area based on the acquired current position. Then, if it is determined that the vehicle is not in the center area, the present process is terminated, while if it is determined that the vehicle is in the center area, the process proceeds to S620.

In S620, as described above, the information center 1 is used to acquire the dynamic route from the information center 10.
0, and in the subsequent S630, the information center 10
It is determined whether or not communication with is successful. If the communication is successful and the information such as the dynamic route can be acquired, S6
After shifting to 40, the set route is processed into one that can be guided based on the acquired information, and then this process is ended.

On the other hand, if it is determined in S630 that the communication has failed, the process proceeds to S650, it is determined whether the auto mode is the "ON" mode, and if it is not the "ON" mode. The process is finished as it is, and if the mode is the “ON” mode, the process proceeds to S660.

In S660, a predetermined time (1 in this embodiment)
Min) After waiting, the process returns to S610 to repeatedly execute this process. That is, the dynamic route setting process communicates with the information center 10 only when the vehicle is in the center area,
When the auto mode is set to the'ON 'mode, if the communication with the information center 10 fails, the communication with the information center 10 is retried repeatedly until it succeeds. Although the retry time interval is 1 minute here, it may be 30 seconds or 2 minutes, for example, and may be set as appropriate according to the operating conditions of the system.

In the navigation device 20 configured as described above, for example, the current position of the vehicle is outside the center area, a static route to the destination is set, and the auto mode is set to the "ON" mode. If
First of all, when entering from the outside of the center area to the inside,
The dynamic route is set, and thereafter, the dynamic route is updated each time a predetermined time elapses, and each time the passing point is set, the dynamic route is updated. When the current position of the vehicle deviates from the set route, the static route starting from the current position is reset, and then the dynamic route is continuously set.

On the other hand, when the auto mode is set to "OFF" or "do not perform" mode, when the route is departed, the static route is only reset and the dynamic route is automatically set. No setting / updating. However, if the auto mode is switched to the'ON 'mode by operating the “DR auto” key or the “auto ON” key, and the vehicle is in the center area, immediately after the mode switching, the dynamic route The setting / updating is performed, and thereafter, the updating is automatically performed at the timing when the above other data updating conditions are satisfied.

Further, even when the communication with the information center 10 fails due to the bad state of the wireless line when setting the dynamic route, as long as the vehicle is in the center area, it will be repeated until it succeeds. However, since communication is retried, the dynamic route is set / updated without fail. As described above, in the navigation device 20 of the present embodiment, the static route with the minimum route cost and the dynamic route reflecting the current traffic state are set, and basically, the route is based on the dynamic route. When a guidance is provided and a dynamic route is not set, for example, while waiting for a reply from the information center 10 or when the vehicle is outside the center area, communication with the information center 10 cannot be performed for some reason. In some cases, route guidance is performed according to a static route.

When the auto mode is set to the "ON" mode, predetermined data update conditions (flag FA set (static route setting end), timeout (predetermined time elapses), route departure, center When the area is entered, the passing point is passed), the dynamic route is automatically updated, and if the communication with the information center 10 fails, the communication with the information center 10 is repeatedly retried until it succeeds. There is.

Therefore, the navigation device 2 of this embodiment
According to 0, when the auto mode is set to the'ON 'mode, the dynamic route is automatically updated if necessary without any further operation by the driver, so that the latest traffic is always updated. It is possible to provide route guidance by a dynamic route that reflects the state, to ensure comfortable driving, and to improve driving safety because the driver can concentrate on driving without being burdened with data update operations. .

Further, according to the present embodiment, when the navigation device 20 is started and the set route in the middle of guidance is left in the external memory 32, the auto mode is set to “O”.
If it is set to N'mode, the dynamic route is automatically set based on the route set during the guidance, so for example, by taking a break while going to the destination, Even if the operation of the navigation device 20 is once stopped, when restarting, the guidance can be immediately resumed by the dynamic route in which the latest road information is reflected.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a navigation system to which a navigation device of an embodiment is applied.

[FIG. 2] Configuration of display screen and operation switch of display device,
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a screen configuration of a navigation basic screen.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a current location screen process executed by the navigation ECU.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a dynamic route service setting screen process executed by the navigation ECU.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a route monitoring process executed by the navigation ECU.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a dynamic route setting process executed by the navigation ECU.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen configuration of a current location screen.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen configuration of a route setting screen.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen configuration of a dynamic route service setting screen.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen configuration of a dynamic route service setting screen.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ... Information Center 12 ... External Event Collection Device 14 ... Road Network Data Storage Device 16 ... Communication Device 18 ... Control Device 20 ... Navigation Device 22
... Position detector 24 ... Map data input device 26 ... Operation switch group
28 ... Display device 30 ... Speaker 32 ... External memory 34 ... Communication device 36 ... Navigation ECU 38 ... Gyroscope 40
... Vehicle speed sensor 42 ... GPS receiver SK1 to SK8 ... Soft keys
RK ... Roll key FK ... Basic key D ... Display screen KE ... Function display area

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── --- Continuation of the front page (56) Reference JP-A-8-77498 (JP, A) JP-A-7-282394 (JP, A) JP-A-7-129888 (JP, A) JP-A-6- 186048 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G01C 21/00 G08G 1/09 G08G 1/0969

Claims (9)

(57) [Claims] 1. A communication means for performing data communication between a position detecting means for detecting the current position of a vehicle and an information center for collecting various traffic information, and a communication means for presetting the communication means. Dynamic route for transmitting route information from the current position to the destination in consideration of the current traffic condition from the above information center by transmitting the determined departure point information and destination point information, and setting a route based on the route information In a navigation device that includes setting means, and that provides travel guidance based on the dynamic route set by the dynamic route setting means and the vehicle position detected by the position detecting means, a predetermined data update condition is set. When established, the vehicle position detected by the position detection means is used as the departure point information to activate the dynamic route setting means, and the communication means causes
Send the detected departure point information and destination point information
The current traffic conditions from the above information center
Receives route information from the position to the destination,
A navigation device comprising automatic updating means for updating the dynamic route by setting a route based on the route . 2. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the automatic update means sets at least one of a lapse of a fixed time period and a traveling of a fixed distance as the data update condition. 3. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the automatic update means sets occurrence of a communication error in the communication means as one of the data update conditions. The navigation apparatus according to any one of claims 4] Claims 1 to 3, the permission mode or mode switching means for switching the prohibited mode is set to prohibit said operating, enables operation of the automatic updating means A navigation device, wherein the data automatic updating means sets switching of the prohibition mode to the permission mode by the mode switching means as one of the data updating conditions. 5. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein a departure point and a destination point are input from the outside, and the route cost from the input departure point to the destination point is minimized. A static route setting means for setting a route as described above, and sets the departure point information and the destination point information used by the dynamic route setting means based on the static route set by the static route setting means. At the same time, when the dynamic route is not set by the dynamic route setting means, the navigation device is configured to perform travel guidance according to the static route set by the static route setting means. 6. The navigation device according to claim 5, wherein the automatic updating means sets termination of the route setting by the static route setting means as one of the data updating conditions. 7. The navigation device according to claim 5, wherein the static route setting means is activated when the vehicle position detected by the position detecting means departs from the dynamic route. A navigation device comprising a static route resetting means for resetting a static route. 8. The navigation device according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the static route setting means sets passing point information for setting a passing point to be passed before reaching a destination point. Means is provided, and the automatic updating means sets that one of the data updating conditions is that the vehicle position detected by the position detecting means has passed the passage point set by the passage point setting means. Characteristic navigation device. 9. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the information center has a route corresponding to a current traffic state according to a request from the device only within a predetermined center area. It is configured to create information, and the automatic update means sets that one of the data update conditions is that the vehicle position detected by the position detection means has entered from the outside to the inside of the center area. Navigation device.