JP3607501B2 - Navigation device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a navigation device that performs navigation operations such as map display and route search.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In general, an in-vehicle navigation device detects a current position of a vehicle, reads map data in the vicinity thereof from a CD-ROM, and displays it on a screen. In addition, a vehicle position mark indicating the vehicle position is displayed at the center of the screen, and map data in the vicinity is scrolled as the vehicle progresses around the vehicle position mark, so that map information around the vehicle position is always known. It is like that.
[0003]
In general, an in-vehicle navigation device is equipped with a route guidance function that allows a driver to travel to a desired destination without making a mistake on the road. According to this route guidance function, the lowest cost route connecting from the starting point to the destination using map data is automatically searched by performing a simulation calculation such as a horizontal search (BFS) method or Dijkstra method, and the search is performed. The route should be memorized as a guide route, and while driving, the guide route should be drawn thickly on the map image with a different color from other roads, or the vehicle should change the route on the guide route When an intersection is approached within a certain distance, the intersection is enlarged and an arrow indicating the traveling direction is displayed to guide the driver to the destination.
[0004]
Cost is a value obtained by multiplying a predetermined constant according to road width, road type (whether it is a general road or a highway), right turn, left turn, etc., based on the distance. Is a numerical value. Even if there are two routes with the same distance, the cost differs depending on whether the driver uses the expressway, whether to give priority to time or priority to distance.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, when the accessory switch (ACC switch) is turned off when the vehicle is parked or the like (when the key is set to ACC-OFF), the supply of operating power is cut off. The application program processing for performing navigation operations such as map display and route guidance is completed by storing data related to the current location, data related to route information, etc. in static RAM (SRAM), and operating the operating system (OS). Stopped. When the accessory switch is turned on again, the supply of operating power is started, and the navigation device starts up the application program for each navigation operation after starting up the OS.
[0006]
However, since it takes time to start up the OS, the time from when the accessory switch is turned on to when the navigation operation is performed may stress the user. For example, even if the accessory switch is turned off for a few minutes for shopping, etc., it may take tens of seconds to display the map. However, the map may not be displayed for a while, and the user may feel inconvenienced. For this reason, there has been a demand for a method for shortening the time until the navigation operation is started when the supply of the operating power is resumed.
[0007]
The present invention was created in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a navigation device that can shorten the time until the navigation operation is started when the supply of operating power is resumed. It is to provide.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-described problem, the navigation device according to the present invention is a second device in which at least the program storage means and the program processing means can operate when the supply of the first operating power necessary for the navigation operation is cut off. Since it has an auxiliary power supply for supplying operating power and the execution state of the program is continued, when the supply of the first operating power is resumed, the operating system, an application program executed under its management, etc. It is not necessary to start up, and the time until the navigation operation starts again can be shortened. In addition, by supplying operating power to the communication means that receives traffic information used for navigation operations by the auxiliary power source described above, it is possible to always receive the latest traffic information and update its contents. It is possible to reflect the latest traffic information immediately after the navigation operation is started again.
[0009]
In particular, it is preferable that the above-described auxiliary power source is constituted by a secondary battery, and the secondary battery is charged when the first operating power is supplied. Since operating power is supplied from the secondary battery, it is possible to avoid a situation where the engine cannot be started because the battery power is consumed while the vehicle is stopped without burdening the on-board battery.
[0010]
In addition, it is possible to set a time during which the operation state is maintained by the supply of the second operating power by the auxiliary power supply after the supply of the first operating power is cut off. It is preferable to variably set the combination of the two operation power supply destination circuits. Necessary for restarting the navigation operation in a short time because the power consumption can be changed by changing the combination of the circuits that supply the second operation power when the time for maintaining the operation state is long or short. It is possible to reliably maintain the execution state of the other program that increases the added value when the second operating power supply capacity is sufficient, while maintaining the execution state of the correct program.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The navigation device according to an embodiment to which the present invention is applied includes a secondary battery, so that the execution state of various programs is continued even after the accessory switch is turned off, and the accessory switch is turned on again. Sometimes, the navigation operation is immediately resumed. Hereinafter, a navigation device according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0012]
(1) Configuration of navigation device
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an in-vehicle navigation device according to an embodiment to which the present invention is applied. The navigation apparatus shown in FIG. 1 includes a CD-ROM 1 in which map data is recorded, a remote control (remote control) unit 2 as an operation unit for inputting various instructions by a driver or a passenger, and infrared rays output from the remote control unit 2. A remote control receiver 3 that receives signals, a ROM 4 that stores an OS and various application programs, a GPS receiver 5 and an autonomous navigation sensor 6 that detect the position and direction of the vehicle, and each of the navigation devices The power supply device 7 and the battery device 9 for supplying power to the circuit, and the accessory switch 10 for turning on / off the power supply from the battery device 9 are configured.
[0013]
In addition, the navigation device of this embodiment includes an interrupt processing unit 11 that outputs an interrupt signal to the program processing unit 14, an FM multiplex broadcast receiver 12 for receiving VICS information, a communication control unit 13, and a map display. Program processing unit 14 that performs navigation operation processing such as navigation and route search, and controls the entire navigation device, DRAM 15 and SRAM 16 that store vehicle position data, guidance route data, and the like, and a predetermined route guidance It includes a voice control unit 17 for outputting guidance voice, a speaker 18, a display control unit 19 for displaying a map image and a guidance route superimposed thereon, and a display device 20.
[0014]
The CD-ROM 1 stores map data necessary for navigation operations such as map display and route guidance. The map data is read by a CD-ROM reader (not shown) and input to the program processing unit 14. The map data recorded on the CD-ROM 1 is based on the leaves separated by a predetermined longitude and latitude. The map data of each leaf can be specified and read by specifying the leaf number. It becomes. In addition, the map data for each map leaf includes (1) a drawing unit composed of various data necessary for map display, and (2) data necessary for various processes such as map matching, route search, and route guidance. Road unit and (3) intersection unit consisting of detailed data of the intersection. Further, the drawing unit described above has a background necessary for displaying the VICS conversion layer data necessary for identifying the corresponding road based on the traffic jam information sent from the VICS center and the buildings or rivers. Layer data and character layer data necessary for displaying a city name, a road name, and the like are included.
[0015]
The remote control unit 2 includes a search key for giving a route search instruction, a route guidance mode key used for setting a route guidance mode, left / right / up / down cursor keys, map reduction / enlargement keys, and an item at the cursor position on the display screen. Various operation keys such as a setting key for confirming are provided, and an infrared signal corresponding to the operation state of the key is transmitted to the remote control receiving unit 3.
[0016]
The ROM 4 has an OS, application programs for performing various navigation operations (own vehicle position detection processing program, map display processing program, route search processing program, route guidance processing program, traffic information reception processing program), and the entire navigation device. An application program (navigation control processing program) for performing the above control is stored. These OS and application programs are read by the program processing unit 14.
[0017]
The GPS receiver 5 receives radio waves transmitted from a plurality of GPS satellites, performs a three-dimensional positioning process or a two-dimensional positioning process, and calculates the absolute position and direction of the vehicle (the vehicle direction is determined by the current vehicle). The position is calculated based on the position and the vehicle position before one sampling time ΔT), and these are output to the interrupt processing unit 11 together with the positioning time. The autonomous navigation sensor 6 includes an angle sensor such as a vibration gyro that detects the vehicle rotation angle as a relative direction, and a distance sensor that outputs one pulse for each predetermined travel distance. The direction is detected and output to the interrupt processing unit 11.
[0018]
When the power supply device 7 receives a signal indicating whether the accessory switch 10 is in an on state or an off state (hereinafter referred to as an “ACC signal”), the secondary battery 8 or the battery device incorporating a power supply source according to the signal. Switch to any of 9. For example, when the accessory switch 10 is in an ON state, the power supply device 7 supplies power from the battery device 9 to each circuit constituting the navigation device. Further, when the accessory switch 10 is in the OFF state, the power from the battery device 9 is cut off, so that the power supply device 7 supplies the power from the secondary battery 8 to each circuit constituting the navigation device. Further, when the power supply device 7 detects that the battery capacity of the secondary battery 8 is equal to or less than a predetermined value based on the battery status signal output from the secondary battery 8 (a signal indicating the charge amount of the secondary battery), the power supply device 7 divides this. Output to the processing unit 11. Further, when the battery device 9 is a power supply source for the navigation device (when the accessory switch 10 is in the on state), the power supply device 7 supplies a part of the power to the secondary battery 8 and supplies the power to the secondary battery 8. The next battery 8 is charged.
[0019]
When receiving a signal from the GPS receiver 5 and the autonomous navigation sensor 6 (hereinafter referred to as “own vehicle position signal”), the interrupt processing unit 11 outputs the signal to the program processing unit 14 as an interrupt signal. Similarly, when receiving a battery state signal or an ACC signal from the power supply device 7, the interrupt processing unit 11 outputs these to the program processing unit 14 as an interrupt signal.
[0020]
The FM multiplex broadcast receiver 12 receives VICS information as traffic information included in multiplexed data superimposed on a general FM broadcast transmitted from a road traffic information center (VICS center). The communication control unit 13 outputs the VICS information received by the FM multiplex broadcast receiver 12 to the program processing unit 14.
[0021]
The program processing unit 14 reads out the OS and application programs from the ROM 4 and executes them to perform navigation operations (vehicle position detection processing, map display processing, route search processing, route guidance processing, traffic information reception processing), navigation devices, and the like. Performs overall control (navigation control processing).
[0022]
Specifically, the program processing unit 14 detects the vehicle position (longitude / latitude) based on the vehicle position signal output from the interrupt processing unit 11, and stores the detection result in the DRAM 15 as vehicle position data. (Vehicle position detection processing). The program processing unit 14 reads out a predetermined range of map data around the detected vehicle position from the CD-ROM 1 and creates a map image (map display process). In addition, when the destination is set by operating the cursor key of the remote control unit 2, the program processing unit 14 reads out a predetermined range of map data from the departure point (the current position of the vehicle) to the destination from the CD-ROM 1. Thus, an optimum route is searched by a route search method such as Dijkstra method or horizontal search method, and the search result is stored in the DRAM 15 as guidance route data (route search process). Further, the program processing unit 14 reads the guidance route data from the DRAM 15 and displays the route superimposed on the map image, or guides the traveling direction by voice at the intersection, and guides to the destination (route guidance processing). ). In addition, when the VICS information data is received from the communication control unit 13, the program processing unit 14 stores the VICS information data in the DRAM 15 as needed for use in route search processing or the like (traffic information reception processing).
[0023]
In addition, the program processing unit 14 controls the entire navigation device based on the ACC signal and the battery state signal output from the interrupt processing unit 11 (navigation control processing). For example, when the ACC signal indicates that “the accessory switch is in an off state” and the battery state signal indicates that “the secondary battery 8 is sufficiently charged”, the program processing unit 14 The power supply device 7 is instructed to supply power only to the ROM 4, the interrupt processing unit 11, the program processing unit 14, the DRAM 15, and the SRAM 16. When the ACC signal indicates that “the accessory switch is in an off state” and the battery state signal indicates that “the amount of charge of the secondary battery 8 is low”, the program processing unit 14 The vehicle position data, the guidance route data, the leaf number of map data around the vehicle position, etc. are stored in the SRAM 16, and the running application program is terminated and the operation of the OS is stopped.
[0024]
The voice control unit 17 converts the guidance voice data output from the program processing unit 14 into an analog voice signal and outputs it from the speaker 18 at the time of route guidance. Further, the display control unit 19 converts the map image data output from the program processing unit 14 into a video signal, and performs map display using the display device 20.
[0025]
The ROM 4 and DRAM 15 described above correspond to program storage means, the program processing section 14 corresponds to program processing means, the secondary battery 8 corresponds to auxiliary power, the FM multiplex broadcast receiver 12 and the communication control section 13 correspond to communication means, respectively. .
[0026]
(2) Operation of the navigation device
Next, the operation of the navigation device will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the navigation device when the accessory switch 10 is changed from the on state to the off state. The secondary battery 8 is assumed to be fully charged.
[0027]
Based on the ACC signal output from the interrupt processing unit 11, the program processing unit 14 determines whether the accessory switch 10 is turned off, that is, the power supply source for the navigation device is from the battery device 9 to the secondary battery 8. It is determined whether or not it has been switched to (step 100).
[0028]
When the accessory switch 10 is turned off, the program processing unit 14 determines whether or not the charge amount of the secondary battery 8 is sufficient based on the battery state signal output from the interrupt processing unit 11 (predetermined value). Whether or not) is determined (step 101).
[0029]
When the charged amount of the secondary battery 8 is sufficient, the program processing unit 14 executes the OS and various application programs (for example, a navigation control processing program and a map display processing program) on the power supply device 7. Is instructed to supply power only to the circuits (interrupt processing unit 11, program processing unit 14, ROM 4, DRAM 15) necessary to continue the process. In accordance with this instruction, the power supply device 7 supplies the power of the secondary battery 8 only to the interrupt processing unit 11, the program processing unit 14, the ROM 4, and the DRAM 15 (step 102).
[0030]
Next, the program processing unit 14 determines whether or not the accessory switch 10 is turned on based on the ACC signal output from the interrupt processing unit 11, that is, the power supply source for the navigation device is from the secondary battery 8. It is determined whether or not the battery device 9 has been switched (step 103). When the accessory switch 10 is in the on state, the program processing unit 14 performs the operation after the determination (step 100) after determining whether the accessory switch 10 is in the off state again.
[0031]
When the accessory switch 10 is not in the on state, the program processing unit 14 determines whether or not the charge amount of the secondary battery 8 is sufficient based on the battery state signal output from the interrupt processing unit 11. Is determined (step 104). When the amount of charge of the secondary battery 8 is sufficient, the program processing unit 14 performs the operation after determining whether the accessory switch 10 is turned on again (step 103).
[0032]
When the amount of charge of the secondary battery 8 is not sufficient (when a negative determination is made at step 101 or step 104), the program processing unit 14 determines the vehicle position data and guidance route data (however, When the route guidance is performed), after storing the VICS information data and the leaf number of the map data in the predetermined range around the vehicle in the SRAM 15 (step 105), the running application program is terminated and the OS Is stopped (step 106).
[0033]
As described above, in the navigation device of the present embodiment, when the accessory switch 10 is turned off and power is not supplied from the battery device 9, the operation is switched to the power supply from the secondary battery 8 and the operation of the OS. The execution state of various application programs is continued without stopping. Therefore, when the accessory switch 10 is turned on again, it is not necessary to start up the OS, which takes time, and navigation operations such as map display can be immediately resumed.
[0034]
Further, since the operating power is supplied from the secondary battery 8 when the accessory switch is in the OFF state, the battery device 9 is not burdened, and the power of the battery device 9 is consumed while the vehicle is stopped, and the engine is It is possible to avoid a so-called battery exhausted state where the engine cannot be started.
[0035]
In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various deformation | transformation implementation is possible within the range of the summary of this invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the execution state of the navigation control processing program and the map display processing program is continued. However, the execution state of other application programs such as the traffic information reception processing program may be continued. Good. In this case, the power of the secondary battery 8 is supplied to the FM multiplex broadcast receiver 12 and the communication control unit 13 in addition to the interrupt processing unit 11, the program processing unit 14, the ROM 4, and the DRAM 15 to receive VICS information. You can do that. This VICS information has been repeatedly sent, for example, at a cycle of about 5 minutes, and once the operation of the FM multiplex broadcast receiver 12 or the communication control unit 13 is stopped, the latest VICS information cannot be received for a maximum of about 5 minutes. It will be. However, if power is supplied from the power supply device 7 to the communication control unit 13 or the like even when the accessory switch 10 is in an off state, the reception operation of this VICS information is continued, so that the accessory switch 10 is turned on again. The navigation operation that reflects the latest traffic information immediately becomes possible.
[0036]
In the above-described embodiment, when the accessory switch 10 is in the OFF state, the program processing unit 14 and the like continue to operate until the charge amount of the secondary battery 8 decreases (below a predetermined value). The operation time may be set freely by the user.
[0037]
Specifically, a power supply destination circuit setting process program is stored in the ROM 4, and the program processing unit 14 reads out and executes the power supply destination circuit setting process program. When the operation time is set by operating the remote control unit 2, the program processing unit 14 determines a circuit that supplies power for the secondary battery 8 based on the set operation time and the charge amount of the secondary battery 8. To do. In this case, the remote control unit 2 and the program processing unit 14 correspond to operation time setting means.
[0038]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the navigation device when the accessory switch 10 is changed from the on state to the off state after the operation time is set. The secondary battery 8 is assumed to be fully charged.
[0039]
Based on the ACC signal output from the interrupt processing unit 11, the program processing unit 14 determines whether the accessory switch 10 is turned off, that is, the power supply source for the navigation device is from the battery device 9 to the secondary battery 8. It is determined whether or not it has been switched to (step 200).
[0040]
When the accessory switch 10 is turned off, the program processing unit 14 determines whether or not the charge amount of the secondary battery 8 is sufficient based on the battery state signal output from the interrupt processing unit 11 (predetermined value). Whether or not) is determined (step 201).
[0041]
When the charge amount of the secondary battery 8 is sufficient, the program processing unit 14 selects a circuit to be operated based on the set operation time and the charge amount of the secondary battery 8 (step 202). For example, when the charge amount of the secondary battery 8 is small with respect to the set operation time, the program processing unit 14 is selected as a circuit for operating the interrupt processing unit 11, the program processing unit 14, the ROM 4, and the DRAM 15 Is done. Further, when the charge amount of the secondary battery 8 is sufficient for the set operation time, in addition to the interrupt processing unit 11, the program processing unit 14, the ROM 4, and the DRAM 15, the FM multiplex broadcast receiver 12 or The communication control unit 13 is selected as a circuit to be operated.
[0042]
Next, the program processing unit 14 instructs the power supply device 7 to supply power only to the selected circuit, and the power supply device 7 applies the circuit selected by the program processing unit 14 according to this instruction. Only for that, the power of the secondary battery 8 is supplied (step 203).
[0043]
Next, the program processing unit 14 determines whether or not the set operation time has elapsed (step 204), and if not, based on the ACC signal output from the interrupt processing unit 11 Then, it is determined whether or not the accessory switch 10 is turned on, that is, whether or not the operating power supply source of the navigation device has been switched from the secondary battery 8 to the battery device 9 (step 205). When the accessory switch 10 is in the on state, the program processing unit 14 performs the operation after the determination (step 200) after determining whether the accessory switch 10 is in the off state again. When the accessory switch 10 is not in the on state, the program processing unit 14 determines whether or not the charge amount of the secondary battery 8 is sufficient based on the battery state signal output from the interrupt processing unit 11. Is determined (step 206).
[0044]
When the charge amount of the secondary battery 8 is sufficient, the program processing unit 14 performs the operation after the determination (step 204) on whether or not the set operation time has passed again, and the secondary battery 8 If the amount of charge in the vehicle is not sufficient, the vehicle position data, guidance route data (if route guidance is being performed) stored in the DRAM 15, and the leaf number of the map data in a predetermined range around the vehicle Is stored in the SRAM 15 (step 207). Next, the program processing unit 14 terminates the running application program and stops the operation of the OS (step 208).
[0045]
Similarly, when the program processing unit 14 determines that the amount of charge is not sufficient in Step 201 or determines that the operation time set in Step 204 has elapsed, the vehicle position stored in the DRAM 15 is also the same. The data, the guidance route data, and the leaf number of the map data in the predetermined range around the vehicle are stored in the SRAM 15 (step 207), and the running application program is terminated and the operation of the OS is stopped (step 208). .
[0046]
As described above, when the operation time is set by the user, a circuit to be operated (supplying power) is selected based on the set operation time and the charge amount of the secondary battery 8. The execution state of various application programs can be reliably maintained under the management of the OS within the set operation time, and the VICS information can be updated to the latest one as much as possible.
[0047]
In the above-described embodiment, the secondary battery 8 is built in the power supply device 7, but the secondary battery 8 may be externally attached. By attaching externally, it is possible to use a secondary battery 8 having a large battery capacity and to easily replace the secondary battery 8.
[0048]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, when the accessory switch is turned off, the execution state of various application programs is continued together with the operating state of the OS. For this reason, when the accessory switch is turned off, only the operating state of the OS may be continued and the execution of the application program may be terminated.
[0049]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, when the supply of the first operating power necessary for the navigation operation is cut off, at least the second operating power capable of operating the program storage means and the program processing means is supplied. Since the execution state of the program is continued, when the supply of the first operating power is resumed, there is no need to start the operating system or an application program executed under its management, and the navigation operation is started again. The time until it can be shortened.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a navigation device according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the navigation device when an accessory switch is changed from an on state to an off state.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the navigation device when the accessory switch is changed from an on state to an off state after the operation time is set.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 CD-ROM
2 Remote control unit
3 Remote control receiver
4 ROM
7 Power supply
8 Secondary battery
9 Battery device
10 Accessory switch
11 Interrupt processing section
12 FM multiplex broadcast receiver
13 Communication control unit
14 Program processing section
15 DRAM
16 SRAM

Claims (4)

Program storage means for storing a predetermined program necessary for navigation operation;
Program processing means for executing the program;
An auxiliary power supply that supplies at least a second operating power operable by the program storage means and the program processing means when the supply of the first operating power required for the navigation operation is cut off;
A navigation device comprising: In claim 1,
Further comprising communication means for receiving traffic information used for the navigation operation;
The navigation device, wherein the communication means operates with the second operating power supplied by the auxiliary power supply when the supply of the first operating power is cut off. In claim 1 or 2,
The navigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary power source is a secondary battery, and a charging operation is performed when the first operating power is supplied. In any one of Claims 1-3,
An operation time setting means for setting a time during which an operation state is maintained by the supply of the second operating power after the supply of the first operating power is cut off;
A navigation device characterized in that the combination of the second operation power supply destination circuits is variably set in consideration of the time set by the operation time setting means.

Images