JP3736424B2 - Navigation system and route guidance method program - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a navigation system and a route guidance method program.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, in a navigation device, for example, the current position of a vehicle, that is, the current position is detected by GPS (Global Positioning System), and the rotation angular velocity of the vehicle detected by a gyro sensor, that is, based on a turning angle, The direction of the vehicle, that is, the vehicle direction is detected, the map data is read from the data recording unit, a map screen is formed on the display of the display unit, and the map, the current location, and the vehicle direction are displayed on the map screen. It has become so. Therefore, the driver who is an operator can drive the vehicle according to the map displayed on the map screen, the current location, and the vehicle direction.
[0003]
When the driver sets a destination and sets search conditions, a route from the current location to the destination is searched based on the search conditions. The searched route, that is, the searched route is displayed on the searched route display screen formed on the display as an image, or is output by voice by a message from the voice output unit, and is guided to the driver. Is done. Therefore, the driver can drive the vehicle according to the guided search route.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional navigation device, for example, when the current location deviates from the searched route (when driving off the route), for example, when the driver drives the vehicle without following the searched route, No guidance will be given.
[0005]
Therefore, when returning the vehicle to the search route, it is necessary to search the vehicle from the current location to the search route by referring to the map displayed on the map screen or referring to the map book. It is difficult to move back on the route.
[0006]
It is an object of the present invention to provide a navigation system and a route guidance method program that can solve the problems of the conventional navigation device and can easily move a vehicle on a searched route.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
Therefore, in the navigation system of the present invention, an information recording unit in which navigation information is recorded, an information acquisition processing unit that acquires the navigation information from the information recording unit, a destination setting processing unit that sets a destination, A route search processing means for searching for a search route from a departure point to a destination based on the navigation information, a road search method for searching for a road based on the navigation information, and the search route. A road / road determination processing means for determining whether or not the road / road meets, and a notification processing means for notifying guidance information when the search route and the road / road meet.
[0008]
The other navigation system of the present invention further includes off-route travel determination processing means for determining whether or not the current location deviates from the searched route.
[0009]
The road / road search processing means searches for a road / road when the current location deviates from the search route.
[0010]
In yet another navigation system of the present invention, the vehicle further includes a road off-road travel determination processing means for determining whether or not the current location is off the road or road.
[0011]
The road / road search processing means searches for the road / road again when the current location deviates from the road / road.
[0012]
In still another navigation system of the present invention, the notification processing means notifies the guide information at a timing when the guide information is created.
[0013]
In still another navigation system of the present invention, the notification processing unit notifies the guide information when the vehicle reaches a guide point that is a predetermined distance before the junction.
[0014]
In still another navigation system of the present invention, the guide information is information on a direction to ride on the searched route.
[0015]
In still another navigation system of the present invention, the notification processing means further determines whether or not to ride the searched route based on traffic regulation information at a junction, and the guidance processing unit determines whether to ride the searched route. Notify information.
[0016]
In the route guidance method program of the present invention, the computer is configured to obtain information from the departure point based on the information acquisition processing means for obtaining the navigation information from the information recording unit, the destination setting processing means for setting the destination, and the navigation information. A route search processing means for searching for a search route to the ground, a road or road search processing means for searching for a road or road based on the navigation information, and a road for determining whether or not the search route and the road or road merge. And a notification processing means for notifying guidance information when the search route and the road become merged.
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0018]
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of the navigation system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0019]
In the figure, 16 is a data recording unit as an information recording unit in which navigation information is recorded, 92 is information acquisition processing means for acquiring the navigation information from the data recording unit 16, and 93 is a destination setting process for setting a destination. Means 94 is a route search processing means for searching for a search route from a departure place to a destination based on the navigation information, 97 is a road / road search processing means for searching for a road / road based on the navigation information, Reference numeral 98 denotes a road / road determination processing means for determining whether or not the search route and road or road merge, and reference numeral 99 denotes a notification processing means for notifying guidance information when the search path and road / road merge. .
[0020]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main part of the navigation system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0021]
In the figure, reference numeral 14 denotes a navigation device. The navigation device 14 includes a current location detection processing unit 15 that detects a current location, an information recording unit that records navigation information such as map data, road data, and search data, and a recording medium. The data recording unit 16 is arranged as a computer, functions as various processing means, and performs various arithmetic processing such as navigation processing based on the input information, the navigation processing unit 17, the operation unit, and the first input. An input unit 34 as a device, a display means 35 and a display unit 35 as a first output device, an audio input unit 36 as a second input device, an audio output unit 37 as a second output device, and a third input A vehicle speed sensor 41 is connected to the navigation processing unit 17.
[0022]
The current location detection processing unit 15 includes a GPS 21 as a current location detection unit, a geomagnetic sensor 22, a distance sensor 23, a steering sensor 24, a beacon sensor 25, a gyro sensor 26 as an orientation detection unit, an altimeter (not shown), and the like.
[0023]
The GPS 21 detects the present location on the earth by receiving radio waves generated by artificial satellites, the geomagnetic sensor 22 detects the vehicle direction by measuring geomagnetism, and the distance sensor 23 A distance between predetermined positions on the road is detected. Examples of the distance sensor 23 include a sensor that measures the rotational speed of a wheel (not shown) and detects a distance based on the rotational speed, a sensor that measures acceleration, integrates the acceleration twice, and detects a distance. Can be used.
[0024]
The steering sensor 24 detects a rudder angle, and the steering sensor 24 is attached to, for example, an optical rotation sensor, a rotation resistance sensor, or a wheel attached to a rotating portion of a steering wheel (not shown). An angle sensor or the like is used.
[0025]
The beacon sensor 25 receives position information from radio wave beacons, optical beacons and the like arranged along the road to detect the current location. The gyro sensor 26 detects a turning angle. As the gyro sensor 26, for example, a gas rate gyro, a vibration gyro, or the like is used. Then, by integrating the turning angle detected by the gyro sensor 26, the vehicle direction can be detected.
[0026]
The GPS 21 and the beacon sensor 25 can detect the current location independently. The current position can also be detected by combining the distance detected by the distance sensor 23 with the vehicle direction detected by the geomagnetic sensor 22 or the turning angle detected by the gyro sensor 26. Further, the current location can be detected by combining the distance detected by the distance sensor 23 and the steering angle detected by the steering sensor 24.
[0027]
The data recording unit 16 navigates a database comprising data files such as a map data file, an intersection data file, a node data file, a road data file, a photo data file, a search data file, a road road data file, and a point information data file. As information, the location information data file records facilities, such as hotels, gas stations, parking lots, and sightseeing spots in each region as locations. In each data file, a guide map is output along the searched route on a screen formed on a display (not shown) of the display unit 35, that is, a characteristic photograph or frame at an intersection or route is displayed. Various data for displaying a figure or the like, displaying a distance to the next intersection, a traveling direction at the next intersection, or other guidance information is recorded. The data recording unit 16 also records various data for outputting predetermined information by the audio output unit 37.
[0028]
By the way, the intersection data file contains intersection data relating to each intersection, the node data file contains node data relating to node points, the road data file contains road data relating to roads, and the search data file is used to search for a route. Roads and road data for searching roads and roads are recorded in roads and roads data files, respectively, and roads representing road conditions by the intersection data, node data, road data, search data, roads and roads data, etc. Status data is constructed. The node data includes data indicating actual road branch points (including intersections, T-junctions, etc.), node points, and inter-node point links that connect the node points.
[0029]
And, according to the road data, the width of the road itself, the slope (gradient), the cant, the bank, the road surface state, the number of lanes of the road, the number of lanes to be decreased, the position of the narrowed width, etc. Radius of curvature, intersection, T-junction, corner entrance, etc., road attributes, downhill roads, uphill roads, etc., road types, general roads such as national roads, prefectural roads, narrow streets, highways, urban highways Expresses highways and toll roads such as toll roads. Further, the road data represents a railroad crossing, a highway entrance and exit road (rampway), a highway / toll road tollgate, and the like.
[0030]
The navigation processing unit 17 includes a CPU 31 as an arithmetic device that controls the entire navigation device 14, a RAM 32 used as a working memory when the CPU 31 performs various arithmetic processes, and a control program. It comprises a ROM 33 as a recording medium on which various programs for searching for a route to the destination, route guidance, determination of a specific section, etc. are recorded, and the navigation processing unit 17 includes the input unit 34 and a display unit. 35, an audio input unit 36, an audio output unit 37, and a communication unit 38 are connected. The CPU 31 includes an MPU.
[0031]
The data recording unit 16 and the ROM 33 are configured by a magnetic core, a semiconductor memory, etc., not shown. Further, as the data recording unit 16 and the ROM 33, various recording media such as a magnetic tape, a magnetic disk, a flexible disk, a magnetic drum, a CD, an MD, a DVD, an optical disk, an MO, an IC card, and an optical card can be used. .
[0032]
In the present embodiment, various programs are recorded in the ROM 33 and various data are recorded in the data recording unit 16, but the programs, data, and the like are recorded on the same external recording medium. You can also. In this case, for example, a flash memory (not shown) may be provided in the navigation processing unit 17, and the program, data, and the like may be read from the external recording medium and written to the flash memory. Therefore, the program, data, etc. can be updated by exchanging an external recording medium. In addition, a program for controlling an automatic transmission control device (not shown) can be recorded on the external recording medium. As described above, it is possible to start programs recorded in various recording media and perform various processes based on the data.
[0033]
Further, the communication unit 38, for example, from traffic information consisting of information such as traffic jam information, regulation information, and parking lot information, traffic accident information, and base stations such as D-GPS information for detecting GPS 21 detection errors. Various types of transmitted data are received, or position information is received via radio wave beacons, optical beacons, etc. from radio wave beacon devices, optical beacon devices and the like disposed along the road.
[0034]
The input unit 34 is used to correct the current location at the start of traveling or to input a starting point and a destination. Various keys displayed as images on the screen set in the display It consists of operation switches such as an operation menu. Therefore, an input can be performed by touching (pressing down) the operation switch. As the input unit 34, a keyboard, a mouse, a barcode reader, a light pen, a remote control device for remote operation, etc. arranged separately from the display unit 35 can be used.
[0035]
On various screens formed on the display, operation guidance, operation menus, operation key guidance, a search route from the current location to the destination, guidance information along the search route, etc. are output as images. Is done. As the display unit 35, a display such as a CRT display, a liquid crystal display, or a plasma display can be used, or a hologram device that projects a hologram on a windshield of a vehicle can be used.
[0036]
The voice input unit 36 includes a microphone (not shown) and the like, and can input necessary information by voice. Furthermore, the voice output unit 37 includes a voice synthesizer and a speaker (not shown), and the search route, guidance information, shift information, and the like are output from the voice output unit 37, for example, as voice synthesized by the voice synthesizer. . In addition to the voice synthesized by the voice synthesizer, various sounds, various guidance information recorded in advance on a tape, a memory, and the like can be output.
[0037]
Next, the operation of the navigation device 14 configured as described above will be described.
[0038]
First, when the input unit 34 is operated by a driver who is an operator and the navigation device 14 is activated, a navigation initialization processing unit (not shown) of the CPU 31 performs a navigation initialization process. Subsequently, the CPU 31 reads the current location detected by the GPS 21 and the vehicle direction detected by the gyro sensor 26, and the information acquisition processing unit 92 of the CPU 31 performs information acquisition processing, and maps data from the data recording unit 16. Navigation information such as map data, road data, search data, road road data, etc. is read out and acquired by referring to a file, road data file, search data file, road road data file, and the like. In the present embodiment, the information acquisition processing unit 92 reads and acquires navigation information from the data recording unit 16, but the navigation unit can also receive and acquire the navigation information through the communication unit 38. .
[0039]
Next, a map display processing means (not shown) of the CPU 31 performs a map display process, forms a map screen on the display, displays a map around the current location on the map screen according to the map data, and also displays the current location. And the direction of the vehicle is displayed.
[0040]
When the navigation device 14 is used as a route search device, when the driver inputs the destination by operating the input unit 34, the destination setting processing means 93 of the CPU 31 performs the destination setting processing, Set the ground. A departure place can be set as required. Further, the route search processing means 94 of the CPU 31 performs route search processing. Then, the route search processing unit 94 reads the current location, the destination, the search data, and the like, and searches for a route from the departure point represented by the current location to the destination based on the search data.
[0041]
Subsequently, a search route guidance processing unit (not shown) of the CPU 31 performs a search route guidance process to guide the driver about the search route. For this purpose, the search route display processing means of the search route guidance processing means performs search route display processing, forms a search route display screen on the display, and displays the search route on the search route display screen. The voice output processing means of the search route guidance processing means performs voice output processing and outputs the search route from the voice output unit 37 by voice. Therefore, the driver can drive the vehicle according to the guided search route.
[0042]
By the way, for example, when the current location deviates from the searched route, if no guidance is provided for the searched route, the map displayed on the map screen is referred to in order to return the vehicle to the searched route. It is necessary to search for a route from the current location to the searched route, and it is difficult to return the vehicle to the searched route.
[0043]
Therefore, a road / road guidance processing unit (not shown) of the CPU 31 performs a road / road guidance process and guides the road as a route from the current location to the searched route.
[0044]
Next, the operation of the road and road guidance processing means will be described.
[0045]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the roadside road guidance processing means in the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the roadside road in the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0046]
First, off-route travel determination processing means (not shown) of the CPU 31 (FIG. 2) performs off-route travel determination processing, reads the current location detected by the GPS 21, the vehicle direction detected by the geomagnetic sensor 22, and the route search processing. The search data of the search route searched for by means 94 (FIG. 1) is read to determine whether or not the current location is out of the search route. Whether the current location is off the searched route is, for example, whether the road number of the road where the current location is located matches the road number of the road on the searched route, and the direction of the vehicle and the road on the searched route. It can be judged by whether or not. That is, the first condition is whether the road number of the road where the current location is located matches the road number of the road on the searched route, and whether the direction of the vehicle and the direction of the road on the searched route is matched. If the first and second conditions are satisfied when the second condition is satisfied, the current location is not off the search route, and if at least one of the first and second conditions is not satisfied, the current location is searched. You are off the route.
[0047]
When the current location deviates from the searched route, route re-search processing means (not shown) of the CPU 31 performs route re-search processing to determine whether automatic re-search is activated.
[0048]
That is, the route re-search processing means reads an automatic re-search flag and determines whether or not the first activation determination condition is satisfied depending on whether or not the automatic re-search function is selected by the driver. For this purpose, an automatic re-search switch is set in the input unit 34. When the driver selects the automatic re-search function, the driver touches the automatic re-search switch to turn it on. When the automatic re-search function is not selected, the driver automatically Turn off the search switch without touching it. Then, the CPU 31 turns on the automatic re-search flag when the automatic re-search switch is turned on, and turns off the automatic re-search flag when the automatic re-search switch is turned off. Therefore, when the automatic re-search function is selected, the automatic re-search flag is turned on, so that the route re-search processing means determines that the first activation determination condition is satisfied. On the other hand, when the automatic re-search function is not selected, the automatic re-search flag is turned off, so that the route re-search processing means determines that the first activation determination condition is not satisfied.
[0049]
The route re-search processing means determines whether the second activation determination condition is satisfied depending on whether the current location is not on a road that is not subject to route search processing, such as a narrow street, that is, on a non-search target road. Determine whether or not. For this purpose, the route re-search processing means determines whether or not the road number of the road where the current location is located matches the road number of the non-search target road. Therefore, when the road number of the road where the current location is located does not match the road number of the non-search target road, the route re-search processing means determines that the second activation determination condition is satisfied. On the other hand, when the road number of the road where the current location is located matches the road number of the non-search target road, the route re-search processing means determines that the second activation determination condition is not satisfied.
[0050]
The route re-search processing means determines that the automatic re-search is activated when the first and second activation determination conditions are satisfied, and at least one of the first and second activation determination conditions is satisfied. If not, it is determined that automatic re-search is not activated.
[0051]
Next, when automatic re-search is activated, automatic re-search processing means (not shown) of the CPU 31 performs automatic re-search processing, reads out the search data, and starts from the current location based on the search data. Search for a route from the ground to the destination. Subsequently, the searched route guidance processing means reads the searched route searched by the automatic re-search processing means and guides the searched route to the driver.
[0052]
On the other hand, when the automatic re-search is not activated, the road / road search processing unit 97 of the CPU 31 performs the road / road search processing, refers to the road / road data read from the data recording unit 16, and is shown in FIG. As described above, a road sequence consisting of a plurality of roads wi (i = 1, 2,...) Selected as a road starting from a departure point ns that is a point deviated from the searched route F1 is created. Search for the road G1. In addition, d is a map screen.
[0053]
For this purpose, the road and road search processing means 97 evaluates each road connected to the nearest intersection ahead of the current location Sp in the own vehicle direction, and determines the road type, the number of lanes of the road, the width, the road to the intersection. Based on the approach direction, the exit direction, and the like, a road that the vehicle is expected to travel without making a right or left turn is added to the road or road line.
[0054]
Subsequently, the road / road determination processing means 98 of the CPU 31 performs a road / road determination process, and the road numbers of the roads wi in the road / road line match the road numbers of the roads on the search route F1. Whether or not the search route F1 and the road G1 join together is determined. When the search route F1 and the road G1 merge, the notification processing means 99 of the CPU 31 performs a notification process and is a point where the search route F1 and the road G1 merge from the current location Sp. When the distance L1 along the road to the junction point ne is calculated and the vehicle is driven along the road based on the distance L1, guidance information indicating that the search route F1 is reached, for example, “approximately XX A message such as “Meeting the meter ahead and the route” is created, and the guidance information is output by voice from the voice output unit 37 at that timing to notify the driver. In the present embodiment, the distance L1 from the current location Sp to the junction point ne is calculated, but the linear distance from the current location Sp to the junction point ne can also be calculated.
[0055]
In this way, when the road N1 is searched and the search route F1 and the road G1 merge, the guidance information is notified, so the driver can drive the vehicle without referring to the map book. By traveling the vehicle, the vehicle can be easily moved on the searched route F1.
[0056]
In particular, when the current location Sp deviates from the search route F1, the road G1 is searched, and when the search route F1 and the road G1 merge, the driver is notified of this, so the driver By moving the vehicle along the road, the vehicle can be easily returned to the searched route F1.
[0057]
Further, since the guidance information is output by voice from the voice output unit 37, it is not necessary for the driver to look at the display, so that the driving operation is facilitated.
[0058]
Subsequently, a road / road off-road travel determination processing unit (not shown) of the CPU 31 performs road / road off-road travel determination processing, reads the current location Sp, the vehicle direction and the road / road sequence, and the current location Sp is determined from the road G1. Judge whether it has come off. Whether the current location Sp deviates from the road G1 is, for example, whether the road number of the road where the current location Sp is located matches the road number of the road on the road G1, and the direction of the vehicle and the road. It can be judged by whether or not the direction of the road on the road G1 coincides. That is, the first condition is whether the road number of the road where the current location Sp is located and the road number of the road on the road G1 match, and the direction of the vehicle and the direction of the road on the road G1 are determined as follows. When the first condition and the second condition are satisfied when the second condition is whether or not they match, the current location Sp has not deviated from the road G1 and at least one of the first and second conditions. If is not established, the current location Sp is off the road G1.
[0059]
When the current location Sp deviates from the road or road G1, the road or road search processing means 97 refers to the road or road data read from the data recording unit 16 again, and at a point deviated from the road or road G1. A road or road sequence composed of a plurality of roads starting from a certain departure point ns is created, and a road or road is further searched.
[0060]
In the present embodiment, the guidance information is output by voice from the voice output unit 37 to notify the driver. However, the guidance information is displayed on a map screen formed on a display. It can also be displayed. In this case, the driver can acquire the guidance information displayed on the map screen by, for example, stopping the vehicle.
[0061]
In the present embodiment, the guidance information includes a message for notifying the distance L1 from the departure point ns to the junction point ne. However, information on each road wi in the road and road line may be notified as guidance information. it can.
[0062]
Then, the notification processing means 99 determines which direction to turn on the search route F1 when turning at the junction point ne, and uses the direction (route destination direction) to get on the search route F1 as guidance information. It can also output and notify the driver. Note that the direction in which the search route F1 is taken is calculated based on the exit direction relative to the approach direction of the road to the intersection that is the junction point ne.
[0063]
Next, a flowchart will be described.
Step S1: It is determined whether or not the current location Sp has deviated from the searched route F1. If the current location Sp deviates from the search route F1, the process ends. If not, the process ends.
Step S2: It is determined whether automatic re-search has been activated. If automatic re-search is activated, the process proceeds to step S6, and if not activated, the process proceeds to step S3.
Step S3 A road and road sequence is created.
Step S4 Notify the guide information.
Step S5: It is determined whether the current location Sp is off the road G1. If the current location Sp is off the road G1, the process returns to step S3. If not, the process is terminated.
Step S6 An automatic re-search process is performed and the process is terminated.
[0064]
By the way, in the present embodiment, the notification processing means 99 notifies the driver of the guidance information at a timing when it is determined that the search route F1 and the road G1 join. A second embodiment of the present invention in which the guidance information is notified to the driver by a predetermined distance before the point ne will be described.
[0065]
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of roads and roads according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
[0066]
In the figure, F1 is a searched route, G1 is a road, Sp is the current location, ns is a departure point, and ne is a junction.
[0067]
In this case, the notification processing means 99 (FIG. 1) calculates the distance L1 along the road from the current location Sp to the junction point ne, and if the driver drives the vehicle along the road based on the distance L1, First guidance information indicating that the route F1 is reached, for example, a message such as “I will join the route about XX meters ahead” is created, and the first guidance information is sent to the voice output unit 37 ( The driver is notified by voice output from FIG.
[0068]
Then, the notification processing means 99 sets the guide point nm before the distance L2 along the road from the junction point ne, and when the vehicle reaches the guide point nm, second guidance information indicating that the search route F1 will be reached soon. For example, a message such as “I will soon join the route” is created, and the second guidance information is output from the voice output unit 37 by voice at that timing to notify the driver.
[0069]
In the present embodiment, the distance L1 along the road from the current location Sp to the junction point ne is calculated, but the linear distance from the current location Sp to the junction point ne can also be calculated. .
[0070]
In the present embodiment, the first and second guidance information is notified to the driver, but only the second guidance information can be notified to the driver.
[0071]
Further, as the second guidance information, the guidance information is notified to the driver a plurality of times such as 700 [m] before, 300 [m] before, 150 [m] before the junction point ne, or two guidance points. The timing at which the guidance information is notified can be changed.
[0072]
Next, a description will be given of a third embodiment of the present invention in which an enlarged enlarged view showing the vicinity of the intersection of the junction point ne is displayed on the map screen as the guidance information.
[0073]
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a first example of an intersection enlarged view according to the third embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a second example of the intersection enlarged view according to the third embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a third example of an enlarged intersection view according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
[0074]
In the figure, d is a map screen, Sp is the current location, and ne is a junction (intersection). In the first example, when the vehicle approaches the junction point ne, the notification processing means 99 (FIG. 1) creates an enlarged intersection map on the map screen d and displays the current location Sp, the junction point ne, and the search route F1. To do. In the second example, the notification processing means 99 creates an enlarged intersection map on the map screen d, and displays the current location Sp, the junction point ne, the road road G1, and the search route f1 after the route. In the third example, the notification processing unit 99 creates an enlarged intersection map on the map screen d, and displays the current location Sp, the junction point ne, the road road G1, and the search route F1.
[0075]
By the way, if there is a traffic regulation such as a median strip or a right / left turn prohibition at least one of the search route F1 and the road N1 at the junction point ne, it may not be possible to get on the search route F1 from the road N1. is there.
[0076]
Therefore, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described in which guidance information is not notified to the driver when it is impossible to get on the searched route F1 from the road G1.
[0077]
FIG. 9 is a first diagram showing a state of a merging point in the fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 is a second diagram showing a state of the merging point in the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
[0078]
In the figure, F1 is a searched route, G1 is a road, ne junction, and Re is a median.
[0079]
The notification processing means 99 (FIG. 1) obtains traffic regulation information with reference to the search data and road road data, and includes a median strip and a right / left turn prohibition on at least one of the search route F1 and the road road G1. It is determined whether or not there is traffic regulation. If there is traffic regulation, it is determined whether or not it is possible to get on the searched route F1 from the road G1. Then, the notification processing means 99 notifies the driver of the guidance information when it is possible to board the searched route F1, and does not notify the driver of the guidance information when it cannot be boarded.
[0080]
In this case, in the state of the junction point ne shown in FIG. 9, there is traffic restriction of the median strip Re on the search route F1, so it is not possible to make a right turn at the junction point ne and to get on the search route F1. I can't. Therefore, the notification processing means 99 does not notify the driver of guidance information.
[0081]
Further, in the state of the junction point ne shown in FIG. 10, there is a traffic restriction that prohibits a right turn at the junction point ne. Therefore, the notification processing means 99 does not notify the driver of guidance information.
[0082]
In addition, when the search route F1 has a median strip and no search data is created for each two-way lane on both sides of the median strip, the traffic regulation information indicating that there is a median strip is used as the search route. It is added to the search data of the road on the F1 side, added to the road data of the road on the road G1 side, or added to the intersection. Further, when there is a traffic restriction prohibiting a right turn at the junction point ne, traffic restriction information to that effect is added to the road data of the road on the road or road G1 side, or added to the intersection.
[0083]
Next, a description will be given of a fifth embodiment of the present invention in which a database can be transmitted and received between an information base and an in-vehicle terminal.
[0084]
FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a navigation system according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
[0085]
In the figure, 50 is a navigation system, 61 is an in-vehicle terminal constituted by the navigation device 14 (FIG. 2), 51 is an information base, 52 is an information network connecting the information base 51 and the in-vehicle terminal 61, 53 is the above-mentioned A server provided in the information base 51, and the server 53 can transmit and receive various programs, data, and the like between the information base 51 and the in-vehicle terminal 61. For this purpose, the communication unit 38 of the in-vehicle terminal 61 includes a transmission / reception device. The server 53 includes a CPU 54, a RAM 55, a ROM 56, a communication interface (not shown), and the like as an arithmetic device, and constitutes a computer. Further, the server 53 and the navigation processing unit 17 of the in-vehicle terminal 61 can constitute a computer, and the computer can further include other arithmetic devices.
[0086]
When the information base 51 is an information center, a navigation server is provided in the information center as the server 53, and the information center and the in-vehicle terminal 61 are connected via a communication network as the information network 52. When the information base 51 is a provider, an Internet server is provided as the server 53 to the provider, the provider and the in-vehicle terminal 61 are connected via the Internet network as the server 53, and the information base 51 is a base station. In this case, a base station server is provided in the base station, and the base station and the in-vehicle terminal 61 are connected via an FM multiplex broadcasting network, a telephone line network, or the like as the server 53.
[0087]
The server 53 is a recording device 57 as an information recording unit that records a database including a map data file, a road data file, an intersection data file, a node data file, a search data file, a guidance data file, a facility data file and the like as navigation information. And various data are recorded in the recording device 57.
[0088]
In the in-vehicle terminal 61, when various programs, data, and the like are received by the communication unit 38, the CPU 31 of the navigation processing unit 17 downloads to, for example, a RAM 32, a flash memory, a hard disk, etc., and starts the program. Various processes are performed based on the data. That is, the CPU 31 downloads the database to a recording medium such as a RAM 32, a flash memory, and a hard disk, and performs various processes based on each data of the database. Note that the program and data may be recorded on different recording media, or may be recorded on the same recording medium.
[0089]
Further, using a home personal computer, the program, data, etc. transmitted from the information base 51 are downloaded to an external recording medium such as a memory card or a flexible disk that is detachable from the personal computer, and the program is downloaded. It is also possible to start up and perform various processes based on the data.
[0090]
By the way, since the server 53 can manage various data, the CPU 54 of the server 53 is provided with information acquisition processing means, route search processing means, and roadside road search processing means (not shown). A ground setting processing means 93 (FIG. 1), an out-of-route travel determination processing means, a road / road determination processing means 98 and a notification processing means 99 (not shown) can be provided.
[0091]
In this case, when the driver inputs the destination by operating the input unit 34 in the navigation processing unit 17, the destination setting processing means 93 performs the destination setting process and sets the destination. Then, the CPU 31 reads the current location detected by the GPS 21 and the destination and sends it to the server 53.
[0092]
On the other hand, in the server 53, the information acquisition processing means reads and acquires navigation information such as map data, road data, search data, road road data, etc. from the recording device 57. Then, the route search processing means reads the current location, the destination and the search data, and searches for a route from the departure point represented by the current location to the destination based on the search data. Further, the CPU 54 sends the search route together with the search data to the navigation device 14.
[0093]
Subsequently, in the navigation processing unit 17, a search route guidance processing unit (not shown) of the CPU 31 performs a search route guidance process to guide the driver about the search route.
[0094]
In the navigation processing unit 17, the off-route travel determination processing means reads the current location, the vehicle direction, and the search data sent from the server 53, and determines whether the current location is off the search route. When the current location deviates from the searched route, route re-search processing means (not shown) of the CPU 31 performs route re-search processing to determine whether automatic re-search is activated. That is, the route re-search processing means determines that the automatic re-search is not activated if the automatic re-search function is not selected by the driver or the current location is on the non-search target road.
[0095]
If the automatic re-search is not activated, the CPU 31 sends an automatic re-search non-activation command to the server 53. In the server 53, the road / road search processing means searches the road / road by referring to the road / road data read from the recording device 57. Subsequently, the CPU 54 sends the road and road sequence of the road and road to the navigation processing unit 17.
[0096]
In addition, the road / road determination processing unit determines whether or not the search route and the road / roads merge based on the road / road sequence sent from the server 53. And when the said search route and the road and road merge, the said notification process means 99 notifies a driver of guidance information.
[0097]
In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, It can change variously based on the meaning of this invention, and does not exclude them from the scope of the present invention.
[0098]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, according to the present invention, when a road or road is searched, and when the search route and the road or road merge, the guidance information is notified, so without referring to the map book. By driving the vehicle along the road, the driver can easily move the vehicle on the searched route.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a navigation system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main part of the navigation system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of roadside road guidance processing means in the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a road on the road according to the first embodiment of this invention.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a road in the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a first example of an enlarged intersection view in the third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a second example of an enlarged intersection view in the third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a third example of an enlarged intersection view according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a first diagram illustrating a state of a merging point according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a second diagram showing a state of a merging point in the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a navigation system according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
16 Data recording part
17 Navigation processor
31, 54 CPU
50 Navigation system
53 servers
57 Recording device
92 Information acquisition processing means
93 Destination setting processing means
94 Route search processing means
97 Roadside road search processing means
98 Roadside road judgment processing means
99 Notification processing means
F1 search route
G1 road road
ne confluence
nm guide point
Sp Current location

Claims (8)

An information recording unit in which navigation information is recorded, an information acquisition processing unit that acquires the navigation information from the information recording unit, a destination setting processing unit that sets a destination, and a departure point based on the navigation information A route search processing means for searching for a search route to a destination, a road / road search processing means for searching for a road or road based on the navigation information, and whether or not the search route and the road / road meet. A navigation system comprising: a road / road determination processing means for determining; and a notification processing means for notifying guidance information when the search route and the road / road meet. 2. The off-route travel determination processing means for determining whether or not the current location deviates from the searched route, and the road / road search processing means searches for a road / road when the current location deviates from the searched route. The described navigation system. The road / road driving judgment processing means for determining whether or not the current location is off the road / road, and the road / road search processing means searches the road / road again when the current location is off the road. The navigation system according to claim 1. The navigation system according to claim 1, wherein the notification processing unit notifies the guide information at a timing when the guide information is created. The navigation system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the notification processing unit notifies the guide information when the vehicle reaches a guide point that is a predetermined distance before the junction. The navigation system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the guidance information is information on a direction in which the route is searched. The said notification processing means judges whether to board a search route based on the traffic regulation information in a junction, and notifies the said guidance information when boarding a search route. The navigation system according to item. Information acquisition processing means for acquiring navigation information from an information recording unit, destination setting processing means for setting a destination, route search processing for searching for a search route from the departure point to the destination based on the navigation information Means, a road / road search processing means for searching for a road / road based on the navigation information, a road / road determination processing means for determining whether the search path and the road / road meet, and the search path; A program for a route guidance method, which functions as a notification processing means for notifying guidance information when a road or road meets.

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