JP3510833B2 - Vehicle navigation method and 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 method for a vehicle, which is useful for determining the route of a driver by displaying the position of the vehicle on a map screen and guiding the route while traveling on a highway. Regarding the device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A navigation system calculates the position of a vehicle based on the direction detected by a geomagnetic sensor and the distance traveled by a wheel speed sensor, and stores map information near the vehicle position in a compact disc. A recommended route from the current position to the destination is created by sequentially reading from the used so-called CD-ROM disc to create a map screen, displaying the vehicle position on the map screen, and inputting the destination. It is displayed and is useful for the driver to decide the course.

Conventionally, in such a navigation device, the map screen faithfully reproduces the actual shape and connection of the road, and even if the destination is set and the route is determined, information about the route is displayed. Other unnecessary information is also displayed, so the display is complicated.

[0004]

Therefore, the above-mentioned prior art has a problem that necessary information about the route cannot be easily grasped, which is not preferable in terms of safe driving.

An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicular navigation method and device capable of easily grasping necessary information regarding a route when traveling on a highway.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a vehicle navigation method for calculating a current position of a vehicle, reading out map information corresponding to the current position, and displaying the current position on a map. The route can be set,
When it is determined that the vehicle is traveling on an expressway, a display in which a plurality of character information regarding the route is arranged in a line in the order of the route is automatically output, and the display of the character information regarding the route and the map display are performed by the user. Is a vehicle navigation method characterized by being able to switch arbitrarily.

[0007]

[0008]

[0009]

Further, according to the present invention, a route for setting a route to a destination is set in a vehicle navigation device for calculating a current position of a vehicle and reading out map information corresponding to the current position to display the current position on a map. Setting means, an extracting means for responding to the output of the route setting means, for extracting character information relating to the route from the map information, and a line of character information extracted by the extracting means while traveling on a highway in the order of routes. And a control means for controlling to display a mark indicating an exit or an entrance of a highway, and the user can arbitrarily switch between displaying character information on the route and displaying the map. It is a vehicle navigation device characterized by being capable of performing.

[0011]

[0012]

[0013]

[0014]

According to the present invention, the navigation device for a vehicle detects the azimuth and the distance by the detecting means realized by the geomagnetic sensor, the wheel speed sensor and the like, and in accordance with the detected result, a micro A computer or the like calculates the current position of the vehicle, and the drawing means reads the map information recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM disc corresponding to the current position and synthesizes the current position on the map screen. It is a device for displaying the image on the display means while updating the image.

In the navigation device as described above, when the route setting means sets the route to the destination or the waypoint, the extracting means uses the read map information to characterize the route, such as a road name or an intersection name. The information is extracted in the order of the routes, and for example, the drawing means controls the display means to display the character information on the display means.

In this way, the character information relating to the route is extracted and displayed by the drawing means.
The shape and connection relationship of the road in the meantime are simplified and are easy to see, and therefore necessary information about the route can be easily grasped.

According to the present invention, in particular, the control means displays the character information relating to the route arranged in the route order and in a line while the vehicle is traveling on the highway, and thus, as described above, the necessary information relating to the route can be easily displayed. Can be grasped.

[0018]

Further, according to the present invention, while the vehicle is traveling on the highway, the user can arbitrarily switch the display of the character information and the map display to further improve the usability. .

According to the invention, the control means automatically outputs, when it is judged that the vehicle is traveling on a highway, a display in which a plurality of the character information are arranged in a route order and in a line,
This makes it possible to easily grasp the necessary information regarding the route.

[0021]

[0022]

1 is a block diagram showing the electrical construction of a navigation device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The navigation device 1 is mounted on a vehicle to display a current position and display a route guide to a destination, and is useful for determining a driver's route.

Therefore, in general, in the navigation device 1, the central processing unit 3 which is realized by a microcomputer or the like and which is a calculation unit and a drawing unit in response to an input operation to the operation keys 2 has a communication bus. The reading of map information of a desired area to the CD-ROM device 4 is supported via 10. In response to the support, the processing circuit 5 reads the map information of the corresponding area from the map information recorded on the CD-ROM disk 7 which is a recording medium via the decoder 6. Thus, from the processing circuit 5 to the communication bus 1
In response to the map information input via 0, the central processing unit 3 drives the display device 9 realized by a liquid crystal display device or the like via the display drive circuit 8 to display,
The map screen display of the desired area is realized.

When the current position is set, as will be described later, the central processing unit 3 responds to the detection results of the geomagnetic sensor 12 and the wheel speed sensor 13 input from the processing circuit 11 via the communication bus 10. Then, the azimuth and distance traveled by the vehicle are calculated, the map information on the map screen corresponding to the current position of the vehicle is read from the CD-ROM device 4, and the map screen is scrolled and displayed together with the current position. .

Further, the traveling locus of the own vehicle is compared with the road shape obtained from the map information every predetermined period, and the current position is corrected so that the traveling locus matches the road shape when turning right or left at an intersection, for example. The matching process is performed.
Thus, the display device 9 has the reference symbol P in FIG.
As indicated by 11, a marker indicating the current position and the traveling direction of the own vehicle is updated and displayed along with the travel of the own vehicle along with the map screen.

Further, by inputting the current position and then scrolling the map screen, the operator searches for a destination, sets the position of the destination, and selects a route search. As indicated by 2 (2), reference numeral P1
For example, a recommended route having the shortest distance from the current position indicated by 1 to the destination indicated by reference numeral P12 is calculated and displayed.

When the route is determined as described above, a deformed map for extracting and displaying character information such as road name and intersection name related to the route in the order of the route is created and displayed as follows. It

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram for explaining the display operation of the deformed map. The operation key 2
When the current position and the destination or waypoint are input from the input unit 21 such as the processing circuit 11 or the like, the route search unit 22
Reads the map information from the CD-ROM device 4 or the like as indicated by reference numeral 23, and stores the read map information in the storage unit 2.
In addition to storing the data in 4, the data operation unit 25 performs arithmetic processing to calculate the route having the shortest distance, for example, as described above, and outputs the calculated route to the route guidance unit 26. On the other hand, the map information is also given to the current position detecting section 27, and thus the image of the map screen in which the current position is combined is given to the route guiding section 26.

When the route search unit 22 determines the route from the initial position of the vehicle to the destination or waypoint as described above, the output from the route guide unit 26 is extracted in the deformed map display unit 28. It is given to the deformed map creating unit 29 which is a means. The map creation unit 29 extracts character information related to the route from the map information provided by the route guidance unit 26 in the order of the route, and displays it on the display device 9 via the drawing means 30.

In the navigation device 1 configured as described above, the operation keys 2 are the current position setting keys 2
a, a destination setting key 2b, a waypoint setting key 2c,
It includes a deformation display key 2d, a direction key 2e, a display switching key 2f, a cursor key 2g, a setting key 2h, a route search key 2i, and a scroll selection key 2j. The above-mentioned setting operation is performed by these keys 2a to
2j will be described in detail below.

When the operator operates the current position setting key 2a, the destination setting key 2b, or the waypoint setting key 2c, a cursor is displayed on the display screen, and the cursor is operated by operating the cursor key 2g. Then, the setting key 2h is operated to set the current position or the destination or waypoint. After that, when the route search key 2i is operated, for example, the route having the shortest distance is calculated and obtained. After that, when the deformation display key 2d is operated, the deformation map as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the display device 9.

The example shown in FIG. 4 shows a display screen 35 on a general road, in which a deformed map 38 and a conventional road map 36 are simultaneously displayed. In this display state, the display area of the road map 36 that is being displayed on the entire display screen 35 is narrowed by excluding the end portion of the road map 36, etc., and the margin portion 37 generated at the end portion of the display screen 35 is thereby reduced. The deformed map 38 is displayed. The deformed map 38 in this case has the intersection name 39 as the character information.
Alternatively, when it is necessary to change the traveling direction at each intersection 39, the next direction 40 and the like are displayed in the order of the route. In addition, as described above, the data of the intersection name 39 is CD-
When it is not recorded in the ROM disk 7, the distance between the intersections and the next direction may be displayed.

The reference numeral 34 of the road map 36 is a marker indicating the current position and traveling direction of the vehicle. Further, in the deformed map 38, the reference mark P1 represents the current position of the vehicle, and this own vehicle position is the blank portion 3 in this embodiment.
The deformation map 38 is fixedly displayed near the center of 7, and the deformation map 38 is scrolled upward in FIG. 4 as the vehicle travels.

By simultaneously displaying the deformed map 38 and the road map 36 in this manner, it is possible to easily know the information about the route and also the information around the route.

In this case, the road map 36 being displayed is displayed.
Although the margin area 37 is formed on the display screen 35 by narrowing the display area of, the margin area 37 may be formed by reducing the scale of the road map 36 being displayed.

As described above, the deformation map 38 and the road map 36 can be displayed at the same time, or either one can be displayed and the user can arbitrarily switch the display.

The example shown in FIG. 5 shows a display screen 41 on a highway. Deformed map 4 on the highway
Only 2 is displayed, and in this case, the route does not have to be determined, and it is only necessary to determine that the user has boarded the expressway.
In this case, the character information is the interchange (I
C) 43a, lamp (R) 43b, parking area (PA) 43c, and other branch information, and in addition to this, in the case of a lamp, whether it is the entrance 44 or the exit 45 is displayed. . This deformation map 41
Then, the current position indicated by the reference sign P2 is fixedly displayed near the center of the screen, and the deformation map 41 is scrolled leftward in FIG. 5 as the vehicle travels. In this way, in the deformed map 41, the plurality of character information is
Displayed in line.

In FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, reference numeral P
Although the vehicle positions indicated by 1 and P2 are substantially in the center of the display screens 35 and 41, the vehicle position is displayed at an arbitrary position corresponding to, for example, the front wide function for displaying a region downstream of the vehicle in the traveling direction in a large size. Can be set. Explaining the setting method at this time, the operator operates the display switching key 2f to display the cursor on the display screens 35 and 41, and operates the cursor key 2g to move the cursor to a desired position. After that, operate the setting key 2h,
Set the own vehicle position fixed point.

Furthermore, the scroll selection key 2j is operated to fix the position of the vehicle, and the deformation maps 38, 4
You can select whether to scroll 2 or the position of your vehicle.
Four kinds of settings can be made by operating e.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of setting the fixed position of the own vehicle, the scroll target and the direction. In step n1, the deformation display key 2d is operated, and a request to display the deformation map is given to the central processing unit 3. In step n2, it is determined whether or not the deformation map can be displayed in the central processing unit 3, that is, whether or not the route to be traveled is determined, or whether or not the vehicle is traveling on the highway. If it is not possible, the process proceeds to step n3, the conventional road map is displayed on the display screen, and the operation ends.

When the deformed map can be displayed in step n2, the process proceeds to step n4, it is determined whether or not the own vehicle position is to be scrolled, and the scroll selection key 2j is operated to scroll the own vehicle position. If is selected, the process moves to step n6. In step n4, if the scroll selection key 2j is not operated and it is selected not to scroll the vehicle position, that is, to scroll the map screen, the process proceeds to step n5 and the display switching key 2f, the cursor key 2g and The setting key 2h is operated to arbitrarily set the own vehicle position fixed point,
Move to step n6. At step n6, direction key 2e
Is operated and the vehicle position or deformation map 38, 42
The scroll direction of is set. In step n7,
The deformed map information is created in the deformed map display unit 28, and the process proceeds to step n8, where the deformed map 38,
42 is displayed on the display device 9 to end the operation.

In this way, the vehicle position fixing point, the scroll target and the direction can be set according to the operator's preference or need, which is convenient and convenient.

In the above-described embodiment, the geomagnetic sensor 12 and the wheel speed sensor 1 are used to obtain the travel route of the vehicle.
3 was used, but as another embodiment of the invention,
The so-called GPS (Global Pos) that receives signals from satellites orbiting the earth and measures the current position by triangulation
The present position may be measured by using a sitioning system), and another orientation sensor such as a vibration gyro sensor or an optical fiber gyro sensor may be used instead of the geomagnetic sensor 12.

In the above-described embodiment, the character information is displayed at the end of the unfolded display screen by narrowing the display area of the map screen being displayed or reducing the scale. As a result, the character information is displayed in the blank area formed at the edge of the display screen. Therefore, the map screen and the character information are displayed together, which makes it easier to understand the information. By displaying the character information and the conventional map drawing together, it is possible to easily know the necessary information and also other information. For example, when the road is wrong, the map From the screen, it is possible to know the geography around the current position of the vehicle, which can be useful for correcting the path of the vehicle to the above route.

[0045]

As described above, according to the present invention, on a highway, when a route to a destination or a waypoint is set, a plurality of character information regarding the route is extracted in the route order and displayed in a line. Road connection is simplified,
The necessary information about the route can be easily grasped. Therefore, the readability and the visibility are improved, and the safety can be improved.

According to the present invention, while traveling on an expressway, a plurality of character information relating to a route is displayed in a line in the order of the route, and a mark such as an arrow indicating an entrance / exit is displayed so that necessary information can be displayed. Easier to grasp,
Readability and visibility are improved, and safe driving is ensured. Further, the user can arbitrarily switch the display of the character information and the map display, and the usability is improved.

According to the present invention, when it is determined that the vehicle is traveling on a highway, the character information is displayed as described above, and this display is automatically performed. In this case, the mark or the like is displayed. Although it may or may not be performed, such automatic display of character information makes it possible to easily grasp necessary information regarding the route.

[0048]

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a display example of a map screen.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram for explaining a display operation of a deformed map.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a display example of a deformed map on an ordinary road.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display example of a deformed map on an expressway.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an operation of setting a vehicle position fixed point, a scroll target, and a direction.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Navigation device 2 operation keys 3 Central processing unit 4 CD-ROM device 5,11 Processing circuit 9 Display device 12 Geomagnetic sensor 13 Wheel speed sensor 22 Route search section 28 Deformed map display 29 Deformation Map Creation Department 30 Drawing means 38,42 Deformed map

Continuation of the front page (56) Reference JP 62-276698 (JP, A) JP 1-137400 (JP, A) JP 61-213721 (JP, A) SAIKAI 2-45412 (JP , U) International Geographical Society of Japan, Metropolitan Expressway Lamp Guide, Union Map MyRoad Kanto, Japan, International Geographical Society of Japan, September 1989 (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G01C 21/00 G01S 5/02 G08G 1/0969 G09B 29/00 G09B 29/10

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A navigation method for a vehicle, which calculates a current position of a vehicle, reads out map information corresponding to the current position, and displays the current position on a map, wherein a route to a destination can be set, and a highway is set. When it is determined that the vehicle is traveling, a display in which a plurality of character information related to the route is arranged in a line in the order of the route is automatically output, and the display of the character information related to the route and the map display are arbitrarily performed by the user. A vehicle navigation method characterized in that it can be switched to. 2. A route setting means for calculating a current position of a vehicle, reading map information corresponding to the current position and displaying the current position on a map, and a route setting means for setting a route to a destination. Responsive to the output of the route setting means, extracting means for extracting character information related to the route from the map information; and while driving on a highway, a plurality of character information extracted by the extracting means are arranged in a route order and in a line. And a control means for controlling so as to display a mark indicating an exit or an entrance of a highway, and the user can arbitrarily switch between the display of character information regarding the route and the map display. A characteristic vehicle navigation device.