JP3522188B2 - Navigation system, traffic condition display method and recording medium - 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 system, a traffic jam condition display method and a recording medium capable of easily displaying a traffic jam condition outside a display range.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional navigation system is, for example, a vehicle equipped with a navigation system (hereinafter referred to as
It is called "own vehicle". ) Search for a guide route from the starting point to the destination from the predetermined road information. Then, the current position of the own vehicle is sequentially acquired by a predetermined GPS (Global Positioning System) unit or the like, and a navigation image in which the symbol indicating the current position and the guide route are combined is generated.
The navigation system displays the generated navigation image on a predetermined display unit. This allows the user to
According to the displayed navigation image, it is possible to drive the vehicle to the destination to which it should head without getting lost.

In recent years, VICS (Vehicle Information Communication Syst) that provides users with traffic congestion information, traffic regulation information, etc. via optical / radio wave beacons and FM multiplex broadcasting.
em) The system has been put to practical use. Such VICS
The conventional navigation system corresponding to the system,
When the VICS information (congestion information, etc.) is acquired from the light / radio wave beacon receiving unit or the like, the position, distance, etc. of the congestion position are specified according to the acquired congestion information, etc. Then, the navigation system is as shown in FIG.
The navigation image 100 is displayed on a predetermined display unit.
Since the navigation image 100 shown in FIG. 10A includes the symbol 101 indicating the position of the own vehicle and the symbol 102 indicating the traffic jam location, the user can check the traffic situation to reach the destination or the like. You can proceed.

[0004]

By the way, the above-mentioned VI
The CS information is information in which the map information is divided into rectangular areas called “mesh”, and specifies traffic congestion information and the like in the rectangular area. And this mesh is, for example,
Since each side is a rectangular area of about 10 km, it is generally larger than the area (display range) of the displayed navigation image. Therefore, the navigation system may obtain the traffic congestion information even if it is outside the display range of the navigation screen.

However, from the navigation screen displayed on the display unit, it is not possible to determine the traffic jam situation (whether traffic jam occurs or not) such as the destination of the vehicle. for that reason,
The user appropriately scrolls the navigation image displayed on the display unit to check the traffic jam situation such as the destination.

More specifically, since the traffic jam outside the display range cannot be confirmed from the navigation image as shown in FIG. 10 (a), the user operates a predetermined operation unit to display the traffic information shown in FIG. 10 (b). ), The navigation image is scrolled, for example, to the top or left and right (direction of travel, etc.),
The icons 103, 104, etc. indicating the congestion points such as the destination are displayed to check the congestion status.

That is, in order to confirm the traffic jam situation outside the display range of the navigation image, the user needs to scroll the navigation image each time. Such a scroll operation is very complicated, and it is not preferable for the user who is driving to operate it.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a navigation system, a traffic jam status display method, and a recording medium capable of simply displaying a traffic jam status outside the display range.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, a navigation system according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a traffic information acquisition means for acquiring traffic information including at least traffic congestion information, and a range to be displayed. By the map information specifying means for specifying the map information of the
Road information located at the end of the specified map information display range
The road information acquisition means acquires the information and the traffic information acquired by the traffic information acquisition means is acquired by the road information acquisition means.
Congestion outside the display range according to the congestion information search means for searching the congestion information defining the congestion generated on the road outside the display range continuous with the road of the obtained road information and the congestion information searched by the congestion information search means. The out-of-range symbol generating means for generating a symbol indicating the situation, and the symbol generated by the out-of-range symbol generating means in the map information specified by the map information specifying means , the road information acquiring means.
And a display unit configured to display the road information obtained by synthesizing the road information near the road .

According to the present invention, the traffic information acquisition means is
For example, VICS that receives VICS (registered trademark) information
(Registered trademark) module, etc., and acquires traffic information including at least traffic congestion information. The map information specifying means specifies the map information in the range to be displayed. Road information acquisition
The means is the map information specified by the map information specifying means.
The road information located at the end of the display range is acquired. The traffic congestion information search means continuously connects the traffic information acquired by the traffic information acquisition means with the road of the road information acquired by the road information acquisition means.
Search for traffic jam information that defines traffic jams that occur on roads outside the display range . The out-of-range symbol generation means generates a symbol indicating a traffic jam condition outside the display range according to the traffic jam information searched by the traffic jam information search means. The display means displays the symbol generated by the out-of-range symbol generation means in the map information specified by the map information specification means as the road information.
The road information acquired by the acquisition means is synthesized and displayed near the road . As a result, without scrolling, etc.
It is possible to easily display the traffic jam situation outside the display range.

To achieve the above object, a navigation system according to a second aspect of the present invention is a VIC for acquiring VICS (registered trademark) information including at least traffic congestion information.
S and (R) information acquiring unit, the VICS (registered trademark
According to the VICS (registered trademark) information acquired by the information acquisition unit, the congestion data storage unit that sequentially stores the congestion data including the VICS (registered trademark) link ID and the predetermined storage unit. Map information specifying means for specifying the map information of the range to be displayed from the map information, and the map information.
The end of the display range of the map information specified by the information specifying means
VICS (registered trademark) link ID of the road located in
From the obtained link ID acquisition means and the congestion data stored in the congestion data storage means, the link ID acquisition means
Link with the road with VICS (registered trademark) link ID acquired by
VICS (registered trademark) links for roads that continue outside the display range
Congestion data retrieval means for retrieving congestion data including an ID , out-of-range symbol generation means for generating a symbol indicating a congestion situation outside the display range according to the congestion data retrieved by the congestion data retrieval means, and the out-of-range symbol In the map information specified by the map information specifying means, the symbol generated by the generating means is acquired as the link ID.
Road with VICS (registered trademark) link ID acquired by the means
And display means for combining and displaying in the vicinity of.

According to the present invention, VICS (registered trademark)
The information acquisition means is a VICS including at least traffic congestion information.
Acquire (registered trademark) information. Congestion data storage means,
VICS acquired by VICS (registered trademark) information acquisition means
According to the (registered trademark) information, VICS (registered trademark) phosphorus
Congestion data including the ID is sequentially stored. The map information specifying means specifies the map information in the range to be displayed from the map information stored in the CD-ROM, for example. Rin
The ID acquisition means is specified by the map information specifying means.
VICS of roads located at the end of the display range of map information
(Registered trademark) Acquires a link ID. The traffic congestion data search means uses the VICS (registered quotient) acquired by the link ID acquisition means from the traffic congestion data stored in the traffic congestion data storage means.
Mark) V of the road outside the display range that is continuous with the road of the link ID
The congestion data including the ICS (registered trademark) link ID is searched. The out-of-range symbol generation means generates a symbol indicating a traffic jam situation outside the display range according to the traffic jam data searched by the traffic jam data search means. The display means displays the symbol generated by the out-of-range symbol generation means in the link information in the map information specified by the map information specifying means.
VICS (registered trademark) link ID acquired by D acquisition means
It is synthesized and displayed near the road . As a result, it is possible to easily display the traffic jam situation outside the display range without performing a scroll operation or the like.

[0013]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a traffic jam status display method according to a third aspect of the present invention comprises a traffic information acquisition step of acquiring traffic information including at least traffic jam information, and map information of a range to be displayed. map information specifying step of specifying a map specified by the map information specifying step
Road for acquiring road information located at the end of the information display range
From the road information acquisition step and the traffic information acquired in the traffic information acquisition step, to the road information acquisition step
A road outside the display range that is continuous with the road of the road information acquired by
Congestion information search step for retrieving congestion information that defines congestion on the road , and an out-of-range symbol generation step for generating a symbol indicating a congestion situation outside the display range according to the congestion information retrieved in the congestion information retrieval step And the symbol generated in the out-of-range symbol generation step, the map information identified in the map information identification step.
In the above, it was acquired in the road information acquisition step
A display step of combining the road information in the vicinity of the road and displaying the road information on a predetermined display unit.

According to the present invention, the traffic information acquisition step acquires traffic information including at least traffic congestion information. The map information specifying step specifies the map information in the range to be displayed. The road information acquisition step
Located at the end of the display range of the map information specified in step
Get road information. Congestion information retrieval step, from the traffic information acquired by the traffic information acquisition step, road
Continuation with the road of the road information acquired in the information acquisition step
Search for traffic jam information that defines traffic jams that occur on roads outside the display range . The out-of-range symbol generation step generates a symbol indicating a traffic jam situation outside the display range according to the traffic jam information searched in the traffic jam information search step. In the display step, the symbol generated in the out-of-range symbol generation step is acquired in the road information acquisition step in the map information specified in the map information specification step.
The road information is synthesized in the vicinity of the road and displayed on a predetermined display unit. As a result, it is possible to easily display the traffic jam situation outside the display range without performing a scroll operation or the like.

In order to achieve the above object, a recording medium according to a fourth aspect of the present invention specifies a traffic information acquisition step of acquiring traffic information including at least traffic congestion information and map information of a range to be displayed. Map information identification step,
Table of map information specified in the map information specifying step
Road information acquisition that acquires road information located at the end of the indicated range
Obtained in the road information acquisition step from the traffic information obtained in the acquisition step and the traffic information acquisition step.
According to the traffic jam information search step for searching for traffic jam information that defines traffic jams that occur on a road outside the display range that is continuous with the road of the specified road information, and the traffic jam information searched in the traffic jam information search step, The out-of-range symbol generation step of generating a symbol indicating the traffic congestion state of the vehicle and the symbol generated in the out-of-range symbol generation step are placed in the map information specified in the map information specifying step.
The road information acquired in the road information acquisition step
A program for causing a computer to execute a traffic jam condition display method having a display step of combining the image in the vicinity of the road and displaying the image on a predetermined display unit is recorded.

[0017]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A navigation system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a navigation system applied to the embodiment of the present invention.
This system includes a GPS antenna 1, a GPS module 2, a VICS antenna 3, and a VICS module 4
A CD-ROM 5, a storage unit 6, a processing control unit 7,
It is composed of an operation unit 8 and a display unit 9.

This navigation system is, for example,
It is installed in a vehicle such as an automobile and displays a guide route indicating a route to take from the present location to the destination together with map information and the like, thereby appropriately guiding the user to the destination. Hereinafter, a vehicle equipped with a navigation system is referred to as "own vehicle".

The GPS (Global Positioning System) antenna 1 is composed of a helical antenna, a dielectric antenna, a patch type planar antenna, etc., and receives spread spectrum modulated satellite radio waves transmitted from a predetermined GPS satellite.

The GPS module 2 is synchronized with the satellite radio waves transmitted from a plurality of GPS satellites and received by the GPS antenna 1, and despreads and demodulates each satellite radio wave to obtain a plurality of satellite reception signals. The GPS module 2 generates position information including latitude, longitude, altitude, etc. based on the difference in arrival time of each satellite radio wave calculated according to each acquired satellite reception signal. The GPS module 2 supplies the generated position information to the processing control unit 7 at every predetermined timing.

VICS (Vehicle Information Communic)
ation system) antenna 3 is composed of a predetermined rod antenna or the like, and receives an FM multiplex signal or the like transmitted from a predetermined VICS information transmitting device provided along the road.

The VICS module 4 demodulates the FM multiplex signal or the like received by the VICS antenna 3 to obtain the VICS information 41 as shown in FIG. 2 (a). The VICS information 41 shown in FIG. 2A includes information such as VICS link ID, type information, position, and distance such as a traffic jam section. In the VICS information 41, map information such as a map of Japan is divided into rectangular areas each having a side of, for example, about 10 km called "mesh", and is information defining traffic congestion information in the mesh. And VICS information 41
Is assigned a unique VICS link ID for each top and bottom line in each mesh.

As shown in FIG. 2B, consecutive IDs are given to the VICS link IDs in the mesh so as to correspond to roads on the same line (connected roads). Note that in FIG. 2B, for convenience, only one-direction VICS link ID is shown among the upper and lower lines. When the VICS module 4 acquires the above-described VICS information 41, the VICS module 4 sequentially supplies the VICS information 41 to the processing control unit 7.

Returning to FIG. 1, the CD-DOM 5 stores map information for display and also road information 51 as shown in FIG. The road information 51 shown in FIG. 3 includes information such as a road link ID, a road length, a road link ID / VICS link ID correspondence table, a start point position of the road, and an end point position of the road. Road link ID / VIC
The S-link ID correspondence table is a road link ID and the VICS in the congestion list stored in the storage unit 6 described later.
It is a table for associating with a link ID and the like. The road information 51 and the like stored in the CD-ROM 5 are appropriately read by a driver unit (not shown) and supplied to the processing control unit 7.

Returning to FIG. 1, the storage unit 6 includes a RAM (Rand
om Access Memory) and stores the taxiway data supplied from the process controller 7. This taxiway data is
Road information 5 stored in the CD-ROM 5 by the processing control unit 7
It is composed of information defining a route to be taken from the present location or the like to the destination obtained by searching for 1. In addition, the storage unit 6
Stores a congestion list 61 as shown in FIG. Figure 4
The traffic congestion list 61 shown in is composed of a plurality of traffic congestion data. As shown in the figure, each congestion data includes
Information such as the VICS link ID, distance, congestion start point position, and congestion end point position is included. The traffic congestion type includes, for example, traffic congestion, congestion, smooth, unknown, and no data.

Returning to FIG. 1, the processing control section 7 is, for example,
ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM, and CPU
It consists of a one-chip microcomputer equipped with (Central Processing Unit) and controls the entire navigation system. Specifically, when the processing control unit 7 acquires the VICS information 41 from the VICS module 4, the processing control unit 7 generates traffic congestion data according to the acquired VICS information 41, and additionally stores the traffic congestion data in the traffic congestion list 61. Then, the processing control unit 7 is a CD-R.
The navigation image is generated according to the map information stored in the OM 5, and the out-of-range symbol indicating the traffic jam condition outside the display range is generated according to the traffic jam list 61. The processing control unit 7 synthesizes the out-of-range symbol with the navigation image and displays it on the display unit 9.

For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the processing control section 7 causes the navigation image including the own vehicle position 91 and the traffic jam symbol 92 indicating the traffic jam location within the display range to be outside the range showing the traffic jam situation outside the display range. The symbol 93 is combined and displayed on the display unit 9. The out-of-range symbol 93 is a symbol having a color, pattern, shape, etc. different from that of the traffic jam symbol 92, and is a symbol indicating that traffic jam exists on the extension line of the road cut at the end of the navigation image.
That is, the out-of-range symbol 93 is a symbol indicating that there is congestion on the extension line of the road outside the display range.

Returning to FIG. 1, the operation section 8 is composed of a predetermined operation panel and the like, and supplies various information to the processing control section 7 according to the input operation by the user. For example, the operation unit 8
In accordance with the user's operation, the coordinate information indicating the destination is input and supplied to the processing control unit 7.

The display unit 9 is an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display).
play) or CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) or the like, and displays a navigation image or the like in which the out-of-range symbol 93 is combined.

The operation of the navigation system according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the navigation process. The navigation process shown in FIG. 6 is started, for example, after a guide route from a starting point to a destination is selected and guide route data defining the guide route is stored in the storage unit 6.

First, the processing control unit 7 acquires the current position of the vehicle according to the position information sent from the GPS module 2 (step S11).

The processing control section 7 generates a navigation image (step S12). That is, the processing control unit 7
Displays the map information including the current position of the acquired vehicle on the CD-R
A navigation image is generated by reading from the OM 5 and combining the read map information with a symbol indicating the current position, a guide route, and the like.

The processing control unit 7 performs the out-of-range symbol generation processing (step S13). This out-of-range symbol generation process is a process of generating an out-of-range symbol indicating a traffic jam condition outside the display range of the navigation image according to the traffic jam list 61 and the like stored in the storage unit 6. The details of the out-of-range symbol generation processing will be described later.

The processing control section 7 synthesizes the out-of-range symbol with the navigation image and displays it on the display section 9 (step S14). That is, the processing control unit 7 may, for example, execute the process shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, the out-of-range symbol 93 indicating that there is traffic jam is superimposed on the extension line of the road at the end of the navigation image in the vicinity of the target road, and the display unit 9
To display.

The processing control section 7 determines whether or not the vehicle has arrived at the destination (step S15). When the process control unit 7 determines that the destination has not arrived, the process control unit 7 returns the process to step S11 and repeats the processes of steps S11 to S15. On the other hand, when it is determined that the vehicle has arrived at the destination, the processing control unit 7 ends the navigation processing.

Next, the out-of-range symbol generation processing in step S13 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the out-of-range symbol generation processing.

First, the processing control unit 7 specifies the road link ID of the road at the end of the navigation image (step S21). That is, the road link ID of each road cut at the end of the navigation image generated in step S12 is specified according to the road information 51.

The processing control unit 7 specifies the corresponding VICS link ID from the road link ID (step S2).
2). That is, the processing control unit 7 specifies the VICS link ID corresponding to the road link ID of each road to be checked for the occurrence of traffic congestion on the extension line by the road link ID / VICS link ID correspondence table of the road information 51. To do.

The processing control section 7 searches the congestion list 61 for VICS link IDs that have a continuous relationship with the specified VICS link ID (step S23). That is, the processing control unit 7 determines whether or not there is congestion data of the mesh corresponding to the navigation image, and also searches for the VICS link ID on the extension line of the target road up to the mesh end (step S24).

When the processing control section 7 determines that the target VICS link ID is not in the traffic jam list 61, the processing control section 7 ends the processing without generating the out-of-range symbol. On the other hand, when it is determined that the target VICS link ID exists, the processing control unit 7 specifies the road link ID corresponding to the VICS link ID (step S25). That is, the road link ID of the road corresponding to the VICS link ID indicating the traffic jam location outside the display range is specified by the road link ID / VICS link ID correspondence table of the road information 51.

The processing control section 7 generates an out-of-range symbol (step S26). That is, the processing control unit 7 generates an out-of-range symbol of a predetermined color, pattern, and shape that indicates that there is congestion outside the display range. At that time, the processing control unit 7 also specifies the display position and the like of the corresponding road at the end of the navigation image (the road where there is congestion on the extension line).

By this out-of-range symbol generation processing, it is determined whether or not there is traffic jam outside the display range, and when there is traffic jam outside the display range, an out-of-range symbol indicating the traffic jam condition outside the display range is generated. It Then, in the navigation processing described above, the out-of-range symbol is displayed on the display unit 9 together with the navigation image. As a result, the user does not have to scroll the navigation image,
It is possible to easily visually recognize the traffic jam situation existing outside the display range. The visibility of the navigation image itself is not reduced by displaying the shape of the out-of-range symbol and the like to some extent.

In the above embodiment, in the out-of-range symbol generation processing, the VICS link ID on the extension line of the target road is searched in the mesh (congestion data) corresponding to the navigation image. The range of searching for a traffic jam located outside is not limited to the inside of the mesh and is arbitrary. For example, it is possible to search for a congested location that is within a predetermined distance range from the center of the navigation image or the center of the navigation image.

In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, one out-of-range symbol 93 is displayed at the end of the navigation image, but a plurality of out-of-range symbols 93 are displayed on the extension line of the same road (up to the end of the mesh). When there is traffic congestion (including when traffic congestion and congestion are mixed), a plurality of out-of-range symbols 9
You may display 3 etc. side by side. For example, the processing control unit 7
When it is determined in the out-of-range symbol generation processing that there are two VICS link IDs extending from the same road, as shown in FIG.
Display 3 side by side.

On the guidance route outside the display range,
When there is a traffic jam, an out-of-range symbol 94 as shown in FIG. 8B having a color, a pattern, and a shape different from that of the normal out-of-range symbol 93 may be displayed. in this case,
The out-of-range symbol 94 allows the user to visually recognize that there is congestion on the guide route in the future.

Further, in addition to the out-of-range symbol 93 and the like, a character 95 indicating the distance to a traffic jam location or the like may be displayed as shown in FIG. 8C. Furthermore, instead of the character 95,
As shown in FIG. 8D, a symbol 96 that graphically indicates the distance to the traffic jam location may be displayed.

Further, instead of the distance to the traffic jam location, characters or symbols indicating the distance to the beginning of the traffic jam section may be displayed. In this case, the processing control unit 7 obtains the distance from the vehicle position to the beginning of the congestion section, as shown in FIG. Then, as shown in FIG. 9B, the process control unit 7 causes the character 95 indicating the distance to the beginning of the traffic jam section and the out-of-range symbol having a color, pattern, shape, etc. different from the normal out-of-range symbol 93. Display 98.

Further, in the above embodiment, the out-of-range symbol 9 is used by using the traffic jam information included in the VICS information 41.
Although 3 and the like are displayed, the regulation information included in the VICS information 41 may be used to display an out-of-range symbol indicating that there is a traffic regulation point outside the display range. For example, when the type information of the VICS information 41 is regulation information, the navigation system generates a regulation list and stores it in the storage unit 6. This restriction list is also sequentially added by the processing control unit 7 like the traffic congestion list 61.

Then, the processing control section 7 uses the restriction list in the above-described out-of-range symbol generation processing to generate an out-of-range symbol having a color, pattern, shape, etc. different from that of the out-of-range symbol 93. . The processing control unit 7 is shown in FIG.
As shown in, for example, the out-of-range symbol 97 indicating that there is a location such as a speed regulation outside the display range is displayed by being combined with the navigation image.

Further, the direction name and the like may be displayed together so that the direction of the traffic jam existing outside the display range can be roughly grasped. For example, as shown in FIG. 9D, the processing control unit 7 arranges the out-of-range symbol 93 and the like and displays the direction name 99.
Is displayed.

In the above embodiment, the out-of-range symbol 9
3 and the like are displayed in the shape of an arrow, etc.
The colors, patterns, shapes, etc. of the above are arbitrary. Further, the out-of-range symbol 93 or the like may be displayed by blinking. For example, the processing control unit 7 calculates the blinking speed (flashing cycle) according to the distance to the traffic jam, and blinks and displays the out-of-range symbol 93 and the like according to the calculated blinking speed. Further, instead of displaying the out-of-range symbol 93 or the like, the road itself may be displayed in a different color and pattern from the normal road image.

The navigation system according to the embodiment of the present invention can be realized by using a normal computer system instead of a dedicated system. For example, a medium having a program for executing any of the above in a computer having a GPS reception function ( frame
A navigation system that executes the above-described processing can be configured by installing the program from a kisible disk, a CD-ROM, etc.).

The method for supplying the program to the computer is arbitrary. For example, it may be supplied via a communication line, a communication network, a communication system, or the like. For example, a bulletin board (BB of a communication network)
The program is posted in S) and distributed via the network. Then start this program and press O
Under the control of S, the above-mentioned processing can be executed by executing it in the same manner as other application programs.

[0055]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to easily display the traffic jam situation outside the display range.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2A is a VI acquired by the VICS module.
It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of CS information, (b) is VICS
It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the continuity of VICS link ID contained in information.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of road information stored in a CD-ROM.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a traffic jam list stored in a storage unit.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an out-of-range symbol displayed together with a navigation image.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining navigation processing according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining out-of-range symbol generation processing according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram for explaining another example of the out-of-range symbol displayed together with the navigation image, (a)
Is a display example of a plurality of out-of-range symbols, (b) is a display example of a out-of-range symbol on the guide route, (c) is a display example of characters indicating the distance to the congestion point, (d) Is a display example of a symbol indicating the distance to the traffic jam location.

FIG. 9A is a schematic diagram for explaining the relationship between the vehicle position and the beginning of the traffic jam section, and FIG. 9B is a display example of characters and out-of-range symbols indicating the distance to the beginning of the traffic jam section. (C) is a display example of the out-of-range symbol indicating traffic regulation, and (d) is a display example of a direction display.

FIG. 10A is a schematic diagram showing an example of a conventional navigation image, and FIG. 10B is a schematic diagram showing an example in which a symbol indicating a congested place existing at a destination is displayed by a scroll operation. is there.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 GPS antenna 2 GPS module 3 VICS antenna 4 VICS module 5 CD-ROM 6 memory 7 Processing control unit 8 operation part 9 Display

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Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A traffic information acquisition means for acquiring traffic information including at least traffic congestion information, a map information specifying means for specifying map information in a display target range, and a map information specified by the map information specifying means . display
Road information acquisition to acquire road information located at the end of the range
And means, from the traffic information to the traffic information acquisition means has acquired, the road
Table that is continuous with the road in the road information acquired by the road information acquisition means
Congestion information search means for retrieving congestion information that defines congestion occurring on a road outside the indicated range, and according to the congestion information retrieved by the congestion information search means, a symbol indicating a congestion situation outside the display range is generated. a symbol generation unit, a symbol outside the range symbol generation means is generated, the map information in odor identified by the map information specifying means
The road information of the road information acquired by the road information acquisition means.
A navigation system, comprising: a display unit that displays a composite image in the vicinity . 2. VICS (registration including at least traffic congestion information)
VI to a VICS (registered trademark) information acquisition means for acquiring trademark) information, the VICS (registered trademark) information acquisition unit acquires
According to CS (registered trademark) information, VICS (registered trademark)
Congestion data storage means for sequentially storing congestion data including a link ID, map information specifying means for specifying map information in a display target range from map information stored in a predetermined storage portion, and the map information specification Display of map information identified by means
VICS phosphorus on roads located at the end of the range
Link ID acquisition means for acquiring the ID and traffic congestion data stored in the traffic congestion data storage means,
The VICS (registered quotient) acquired by the link ID acquisition means
Mark) V of the road outside the display range that is continuous with the road of the link ID
Congestion data retrieval means for retrieving congestion data including ICS (registered trademark) link ID, and out-of-range symbol generation means for generating a symbol indicating a congestion situation outside the display range according to the congestion data retrieved by the congestion data retrieval means When the symbols the range symbol generation means is generated, the map information in odor identified by the map information specifying means
Then, the VICS (registered by the link ID acquisition means is registered.
And a display unit for combining and displaying the trademark) link ID near the road . 3. A traffic information acquiring step of acquiring traffic information including at least traffic information, and map information specifying step of specifying a map information in a range to be displayed, the map information specified by the map information specifying step Table of
Road information acquisition that acquires road information located at the end of the indicated range
Road information acquired in the road information acquisition step from the traffic information acquired in the acquisition step and the traffic information acquisition step
According to the traffic jam information searching step for searching traffic jam information that defines traffic jams that occur on the road outside the display range that is continuous with the road, and the traffic jam information outside the display range according to the traffic jam information searched in the traffic jam information searching step. The out-of-range symbol generation step of generating the indicated symbol and the symbol generated in the out-of-range symbol generation step are acquired in the road information acquisition step in the map information specified in the map information specification step.
And a display step of combining the road information near a road and displaying the road information on a predetermined display unit. 4. A traffic information acquisition step of acquiring traffic information including at least traffic congestion information, a map information specifying step of specifying map information of a display target range, and the map information.
Edge of the display range of the map information identified in the information identification step
Road information acquisition step to acquire road information located in the department
And the road information acquired in the road information acquisition step from the traffic information acquired in the traffic information acquisition step.
A traffic congestion information search step of searching for traffic congestion information that defines traffic congestion that has occurred on a road outside the display range that is continuous with the information road;
According to the traffic jam information searched in the traffic jam information searching step, the out-of-range symbol generation step of generating a symbol indicating a traffic jam situation outside the display range, and the symbol generated in the out-of-range symbol generation step are referred to as the map information. In the map information specified in the specifying step , the road
The vicinity of the road in the road information acquired in the road information acquisition step
A computer-readable recording medium having recorded therein a program for causing a computer to execute a traffic jam condition display method, which comprises a display step of synthesizing adjacently and displaying on a predetermined display unit.