JP3808911B2

JP3808911B2 - Car navigation system

Info

Publication number: JP3808911B2
Application number: JP01122895A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 輝紀森塚
Original assignee: Toshiba Corp
Current assignee: Toshiba Corp
Priority date: 1995-01-27
Filing date: 1995-01-27
Publication date: 2006-08-16
Anticipated expiration: 2021-08-16
Also published as: JPH08201080A

Description

【０００１】
【産業上の利用分野】
本発明は、車載ナビゲーション装置に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
図12に、従来の車載ナビゲーション装置の構成を示す。制御手段109 は、現在位置検出手段105 により検出された自車の現在位置をメモリ手段107 に記憶すると同時に、描画手段111 に転送する。制御手段109 は、自車の現在位置に基づいて、読み取り手段103 を介し地図情報記憶手段101 から該当する地図情報を読み出し描画手段111 に供給する。描画手段111 は、地図情報と現在位置を合成して表示手段113 に表示する画像を作成する。
【０００３】
入力手段115 は、制御手段109 に各種の情報を入力するためのものである。
【０００４】
この車載ナビゲーション装置は、自車単独で走行する分には不便がない。しかし複数の車で同じ目的地を目指してドライブするときには、後続車は先頭の車とはぐれない様注意しなければならない。この様に注意したとしても信号にひっかかって一旦停止すると、先頭の車が先に行ってしまい後を追うのが大変である。
逆に先頭の車は、後続車を引き離さない様速度を抑えるにしても、車の流れの関係で速度を落とすことも制限されてしまう。そこで、目的地までの途中にある休憩所に時間を決めて集合する等の方法がよく取られている。
【０００５】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
従来の車載ナビゲーション装置は、複数の車でドライブする際には、あまり役立たないという問題があった。
【０００６】
本発明は、自車と他車の現在位置を同時に表示することを可能にする車載ナビゲーション装置を提供することを目的とする。
【０００７】
【課題を解決するための手段】
（第１の構成例）
地図情報を記憶した地図情報記憶手段から前記地図情報を読み出す読み取り手段と、
自車の現在位置及び進行方向を検出する現在位置検出手段と、
他車の現在位置及び進行方向を受信するデータ通信手段と、
前記現在位置検出手段により検出された自車の前記現在位置と、前記データ通信手段で受信した他車の前記現在位置を記憶するメモリ手段と、
前記データ通信手段で受信した他車の前記現在位置及び前記現在位置検出手段で検出した自車の前記現在位置に基づき前記読み取り手段を介して前記地図情報を読み出して自車及び他車の前記現在位置と共に出力し、自車及び他車の前記現在位置を直線で結ぶよう命令すると共に、自車と他車の前記現在位置から両者の直線距離と相対方向を算出して前記描画手段に供給する制御手段と、
この制御手段からの自車及び他車の前記現在位置と前記地図情報を合成し、自車と他車の前記現在位置で自車と他車各々の前記進行方向を示す画像及び自車と他車の前記現在位置を直線で結ぶ画像と、前記直線距離と相対方向の画像とを作成する描画手段と、
この描画手段にて作成された自車と他車の前記現在位置で自車と他車各々の前記進行方向を示す画像及び自車と他車の前記現在位置を直線で結ぶ画像を表示し、前記直線距離が所定距離より短かくなったら、前記直線距離の単位を現状の表示単位より小さくする表示手段と、
を具備したことを特徴とする車載ナビゲーション装置。
【０００８】
（第２の構成例）
地図情報を記憶した地図情報記憶手段から前記地図情報を読み出す読み取り手段と、
自車の現在位置及び進行方向を検出する現在位置検出手段と、
他車の現在位置及び進行方向を受信するデータ通信手段と、
このデータ通信手段で受信した他車の前記現在位置及び前記現在位置検出手段で検出した自車の前記現在位置に基づき前記読み取り手段を介して前記地図情報を読み出して自車及び他車の前記現在位置と共に出力し、自車及び他車の前記現在位置から両者の直線距離と相対方向を算出し所定距離より離れていれば前記両現在位置を直線で結ぶよう命令する制御手段と、
この制御手段からの自車及び他車の前記現在位置と前記地図情報を合成し、自車と他車の前記現在位置で自車と他車各々の前記進行方向を示す画像及び自車と他車の前記現在位置を直線で結ぶ画像を作成する描画手段と、
この描画手段にて作成された自車と他車の前記現在位置で自車と他車各々の前記進行方向を示す画像及び自車と他車の前記現在位置を直線で結ぶ画像を表示する表示手段と、
を具備したことを特徴とする車載ナビゲーション装置。
【０００９】
【作用】
（第１の構成例）
制御手段は、データ通信手段で受信した他車の現在位置或いは現在位置検出手段で検出した自車の現在位置に基づき、読み取り手段を介して地図情報記憶手段から該当する地図情報を読み出し自車と他車の前記現在位置と共に描画手段に供給する。前記制御手段は、更に自車と他車の前記現在位置を直線で結ぶよう前記描画手段に命令する。
【００１０】
描画手段は、自車及び他車の前記現在位置と前記地図情報を合成すると共に、自車と他車の前記両現在位置を直線で結ぶ画像を作成し、表示手段に表示する。
（第２の構成例）
制御手段は、データ通信手段で受信した他車の現在位置或いは現在位置検出手段で検出した自車の現在位置に基づき、読み取り手段を介して地図情報記憶手段から該当する地図情報を読み出し自車と他車の前記現在位置と共に描画手段に供給する。
【００１１】
前記制御手段は、更に自車及び他車の前記現在位置から両者の直線距離と相対方向を算出し所定距離より離れていれば前記両現在位置を直線で結ぶよう前記描画手段に命令する。
【００１２】
前記描画手段は、自車及び他車の内少なくとも１方の前記現在位置と前記地図情報を合成すると共に、自車と他車の前記現在位置を直線で結ぶ画像を作成し、表示手段に表示する。
【００１３】
【実施例】
図１に、本発明の車載ナビゲーション装置の構成を示す。地図情報記憶手段21は、ＣＤ−ＲＯＭ等からなり、地図情報や道路データや各種サービスデータを記憶している。読み取り手段23は、ＣＤ−ＲＯＭドライバ等であり、制御手段29の命令に従って地図情報記憶手段21から地図情報を読み出す。
【００１４】
現在位置検出手段25は、ＧＰＳ受信機、車速センサー及びジャイロ等を用いて、自車の現在位置、走行軌跡データ、進行方向、車速及び高度等のデータを検出する。
【００１５】
データ通信手段37は、制御手段29がメモリ手段27から読み出した自車の現在位置、走行軌跡データ、進行方向、車速及び高度等のデータを他車のデータ通信手段37ａに向けて送信したり、他車のデータ通信手段37ａからのそれらのデータを受信する。メモリ手段27は、制御手段29を介して、現在位置検出手段25からの現在位置、走行軌跡データ、進行方向、車速及び高度等のデータを、またデータ通信手段37からの他車のそれらデータを記憶する。
【００１６】
制御手段29は、ＣＰＵ（中央演算処理装置）等からなり、上述した様にデータ通信手段37へ、メモリ手段27からの自車の現在位置や走行軌跡データ等のデータを転送したり、メモリ手段27へ現在位置検出手段25からの自車の現在位置や走行軌跡データ等のデータを供給する。更に、制御手段29は、現在位置検出手段25或いはメモリ手段27からの現在位置或いはメモリ手段27からの他車の現在位置に基づき読み取り手段23を介して該当する地図情報等のデータを読み出して、自車及び他車の現在位置と共に描画手段31に供給する。
【００１７】
更にまた、制御手段29は次に述べる動作を行う。制御手段29は、描画手段31に自車と他車の現在位置の中心を直線で結ぶよう命令する。制御手段29は、自車と他車の現在位置の経度及び緯度から両者の直線距離と相対方向を算出し描画手段31に出力する。制御手段29は、自車と他車の現在位置の間の直線距離が所定距離より離れるようになってから両者を直線で結ぶよう命令することも考えられる。
【００１８】
描画手段31は、自車及び他車の現在位置と地図情報を合成すると共に、自車と他車の両現在位置を直線で結ぶ画像を作成する。また、自車と他車の現在位置の直線距離と相対位置の画像を作成する。
【００１９】
表示手段33は、ＬＣＤ（液晶表示装置）やＣＲＴ（陰極線管）等からなり、描画手段31で作成した画像を表示する。自車と他車が相当離れているときは、画面のサイズ上自車或いは他車の一方のみが表示されることがある。この場合でも、自車と他車を結ぶ直線は表示される。
【００２０】
入力手段35は、キーやタッチパネル等からなり、制御手段29に各種の情報を入力する。
【００２１】
他車の車載ナビゲーション装置は、図２に示す如く自車の車載ナビゲーション装置と同一の構成となる。
【００２２】
次に、本発明の車載ナビゲーション装置の動作を説明する。まず始めにＡ車（他車）とＢ車（自車）とＣ車（他車）の３台でドライブに出かけることにする。Ａ車が先頭で先行し、Ｂ車とＣ車が追走する。
【００２３】
データ通信は、まず各車にＩＤ番号の設定を行う。但しＩＤ番号の重複は、ないものとする。Ａ車のＩＤ番号を１、Ｂ車のＩＤ番号を２、Ｃ車のＩＤ番号を３とする。
【００２４】
モードには、送信モードと受信モードがあり、利用者が選択することになる。そこで、Ａ車の表示手段33ａには、図３に示すメニューが表示される。Ｂ車の表示手段33には、図４に示すメニューが表示される。Ｃ車については、説明の簡単化のため省略する。入力手段35ａにより、送信モードを選択すると、送信の文字が矩形で囲まれ送信モードになっていることがわかる。一方、入力手段35により受信モードを選択すると、受信の文字が矩形で囲まれ受信モードになっていることがわかる。この受信モードのとき、更に送信元を特定することが必要であり、この例ではＡ車のＩＤ番号である１を入力手段35で入力する。
【００２５】
送信モードのＡ車の場合、制御手段29ａは、メモリ手段27ａに記憶されている自車の現在位置や走行軌跡データ等のデータを読み出してデータ通信手段37ａに転送する。そしてデータ通信手段37ａは、Ｂ車のデータ通信手段37とＣ車のデータ通信手段37ａに対し、データ送信開始信号を送信する。Ｂ車のデータ通信手段37とＣ車のデータ通信手段37ａは、データ送信開始信号を受け、受信可能ならばそれぞれＡ車のデータ通信手段37ａに対し、データ送信許可信号を送信する。データ送信許可信号を受信したデータ通信手段37ａは、自車の現在位置や走行軌跡データ等をＢ車のデータ通信手段37とＣ車のデータ通信手段37ａに対して送信する。
【００２６】
Ｂ車のデータ通信手段37とＣ車のデータ通信手段37ａは、制御手段29と29ａにデータを受信したことを通知すると共にそれらデータを転送する。制御手段29と29ａは、それら他車の現在位置や走行軌道データ等をメモリ手段27と27ａに供給し記憶する。
【００２７】
Ｂ車の表示手段33とＣ車の表示手段33ａには、図５で示す表示メニューが表示される。この表示メニューは、直線表示のＯＮ／ＯＦＦと距離表示のＯＮ／ＯＦＦと方向表示のＯＮ／ＯＦＦである。図５は、入力手段35と35ａで直線表示や距離表示や方向表示を全てＯＮに設定したものである。
【００２８】
ここで、Ｂ車（自車）の車載ナビゲーション装置の動作について説明する。制御手段29は、現在位置検出手段25或いはメモリ手段27からのＢ車の現在位置或いはメモリ手段27からのＡ車（他車）の現在位置に基づいて（後述の図６の場合Ｂ車の現在位置に基づいて）地図情報を読み出して、Ｂ車及びＡ車の現在位置と共に描画手段31に供給する。制御手段29は、また算出したＡ車とＢ車の直線距離と相対方向を描画手段31に供給する。尚、直線距離は最初はkm単位とし、１km以内に接近したらｍ単位となる。相対方向は、Ｂ車の進行方向に対して、Ａ車の現在位置を８方向にて示す。このようにするのは、北や南東といわれても相対関係が明確にわからないためであり、Ｂ車の進行方向に対して上や右傾め上等の表現で表す。制御手段29は、更に描画手段31に対してＢ車とＡ車の現在位置の中心を直線で結ぶよう命令する。
【００２９】
描画手段31は、地図情報とＢ車及びＡ車の現在位置を合成する。このとき、Ｂ車の現在位置が地図情報の中心にくるようにする。描画手段31は、また直線距離と相対方向の文字画像を生成する。描画手段31は、更にＢ車とＡ車の現在位置の中心を直線で結ぶ。
【００３０】
以上、描画手段31で作成された画像が表示手段31に表示されたものが、図６に示す表示例である。Ｂ車とＡ車の現在位置は円で表示されており、両者を結ぶ直線の両端は、両円の中心である。また、円内に三角形が描かれており、その頂点が、Ｂ車とＡ車の進行方向を示す。
【００３１】
図５の表示メニューに戻って、Ｂ車の利用者が、直線表示や距離表示や方向表示をＯＦＦに設定したとする。この場合、制御手段29は、直線距離と相対方向を描画手段31に供給しない。制御手段29は、またＢ車とＡ車の現在位置の中心を直線で結ぶよう命令しない。この場合の表示例は、図７に示される。
【００３２】
図６及び図７では、Ｂ車の現在位置が地図の中央に位置する例であるが、Ａ車の現在位置が地図の中央にくるようにすることも可能である。この場合、一般的に制御手段29は、Ａ車の現在位置に基づき読み取り手段23を介して地図情報記憶手段21から該当する地図情報を読み出す。
【００３３】
次に、Ａ車とＣ車が送信モード、Ｂ車が受信モードの場合、Ｂ車の表示手段33には図８に示すメニューが表示される。図８の送信元のＩＤ番号からＡ車とＣ車からデータが送信されていることがわかる。Ｃ車から送信されてくるデータは、前述したＡ車のものと同じであり、前述と同様制御手段29を介してメモリ手段27に記憶される。
【００３４】
今度は、Ｂ車の直線表示手段33に図９に示す表示対象メニューが表示され、Ｂ車の利用者は、入力手段35により直線表示対象のＩＤ番号１と３を設定する。
【００３５】
制御手段29は、現在位置検出手段25或いはメモリ手段27からのＢ車の現在位置或いはメモリ手段27からのＡ車或いはＣ車の現在位置に基づいて（後述の図10の場合Ｂ車の現在位置に基づいて）地図情報を読み出して、Ｂ車やＡ車やＣ車の現在位置と共に描画手段31に供給する。制御手段29は、また描画手段31に対してＢ車とＡ車並びにＢ車とＣ車の現在位置の中心を直線で結ぶよう命令する。
【００３６】
描画手段31は、地図情報とＢ車やＡ車やＣ車の現在位置を合成する。このとき、Ｂ車の現在位置が地図情報の中心にくるようにする。描画手段31は、Ｂ車とＡ車並びにＢ車とＣ車の現在位置の中心をそれぞれ直線で結ぶ。
【００３７】
以上、描画手段31で作成された画像が表示手段31に表示されたものが。、図10に示す表示例である。上述と同様Ｂ車やＡ車やＣ車の現在位置は円で表示されており、直線の両端は円の中心である。また、円内に三角形が描かれており、その頂点がＢ車やＡ車やＣ車の進行方向を示す。
【００３８】
尚、Ｂ車とＡ車の現在位置の中心のみを直進で結ぶことも可能であり、この場合制御手段29は、描画手段31に対してＢ車とＣ車の現在位置を結ぶことを描画手段31に命令しない。
【００３９】
図10は、Ｂ車の現在位置が地図の中央に位置する例であるが、Ａ車或いはＣ車が地図の中央にくるようにすることも可能である。この場合、一般的に制御手段29は、Ａ車或いはＣ車の現在位置に基づき読み取り手段23を介して地図情報記憶手段21から地図情報を読み出す。
【００４０】
何らかの原因により、Ｃ車からのデータが受信できなくなった場合は、制御手段29はＣ車から受信待ちである情報を描画手段31に供給する。その結果、Ｂ車の表示手段33には図11に示す画像が表示される。この場合、Ｂ車とＣ車の直線表示は自動的に中止する。
【００４１】
尚、制御手段29は、Ｂ車とＡ車が所定距離以上車間距離が離れた後に初めてＢ車とＡ車の現在位置の中心を結ぶよう命令するように構成してもよい。この場合、Ａ車の現在位置がＢ車の表示手段33の画面からはずれても、直線を表示することが可能になる。
【００４２】
上述では３台の例を説明したが、台数には制限がない。
【００４３】
【発明の効果】
本発明によれば、地図に自車と他車の現在位置の中心を結んで表示するので、両車の相対関係が利用者にわかる。更に、自車と他車の距離及び相対方向も表示するので、利用者に両車の相対関係がより明確になる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の車載ナビゲーション装置の構成を示すブロック図である。
【図２】自車と他車の車載ナビゲーション装置の関係を示すブロック図である。
【図３】表示手段に表示するメニューを示す図である。
【図４】表示手段に表示するメニューを示す図である。
【図５】表示手段に表示するメニューを示す図である。
【図６】本発明による自車と他車の現在位置の表示例である。
【図７】本発明による自車と他車の現在位置の表示例である。
【図８】表示手段に表示するメニューを示す図である。
【図９】表示手段に表示するメニューを示す図である。
【図１０】本発明による自車と他車の現在位置の表示例である。
【図１１】本発明による自車と他車の現在位置の表示例である。
【図１２】従来の車載ナビゲーション装置の構成を示すブロック図である。
【符号の説明】
21，21ａ…地図情報記憶手段、23，23ａ…読み取り手段、25，25ａ…現在位置検出手段、27，27ａ…メモリ手段、29，29ａ…制御手段、31，31ａ…描画手段、33，33ａ…表示手段、35，35ａ…入力手段、37，37ａ…データ通信手段。[0001]
[Industrial application fields]
The present invention relates to an in-vehicle navigation device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
FIG. 12 shows the configuration of a conventional in-vehicle navigation device. The control means 109 stores the current position of the host vehicle detected by the current position detection means 105 in the memory means 107 and simultaneously transfers it to the drawing means 111. The control means 109 reads the corresponding map information from the map information storage means 101 via the reading means 103 and supplies it to the drawing means 111 based on the current position of the host vehicle. The drawing unit 111 creates an image to be displayed on the display unit 113 by combining the map information and the current position.
[0003]
The input means 115 is for inputting various information to the control means 109.
[0004]
This in-vehicle navigation device has no inconvenience for traveling by itself. However, when driving with multiple cars aiming at the same destination, care must be taken so that the following car does not deviate from the first car. Even if you pay attention to it like this, once you get caught by a signal and stop, it is difficult for the first car to go first and follow it.
On the other hand, even if the speed of the leading car is suppressed so as not to separate the following car, it is also limited to reduce the speed due to the flow of the car. Therefore, methods such as deciding time and gathering at a resting place on the way to the destination are often taken.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The conventional in-vehicle navigation device has a problem that it is not very useful when driving with a plurality of vehicles.
[0006]
An object of this invention is to provide the vehicle-mounted navigation apparatus which makes it possible to display the present position of the own vehicle and another vehicle simultaneously.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
(First configuration example)
Reading means for reading the map information from the map information storage means storing the map information;
Current position detecting means for detecting the current position and the traveling direction of the vehicle;
Data communication means for receiving the current position and traveling direction of another vehicle;
Memory means for storing the current position of the host vehicle detected by the current position detection means and the current position of the other vehicle received by the data communication means;
Based on the current position of the other vehicle received by the data communication means and the current position of the own vehicle detected by the current position detecting means, the map information is read out via the reading means and the current position of the own vehicle and the other vehicle. It outputs together with the position, commands to connect the current position of the own vehicle and the other vehicle with a straight line, calculates the linear distance and relative direction of both from the current position of the own vehicle and the other vehicle, and supplies them to the drawing means Control means;
The current position and the map information of the own vehicle and the other vehicle from the control means are synthesized, and an image showing the traveling direction of the own vehicle and the other vehicle at the current position of the own vehicle and the other vehicle, and the own vehicle and the other vehicle. Drawing means for creating an image connecting the current position of the car with a straight line, and an image of the linear distance and relative direction ;
An image showing the traveling direction of each of the host vehicle and the other vehicle at the current position of the host vehicle and the other vehicle created by the drawing means and an image connecting the current position of the host vehicle and the other vehicle with a straight line are displayed . When the linear distance becomes shorter than a predetermined distance, display means for making the unit of the linear distance smaller than the current display unit ;
An in-vehicle navigation device comprising:
[0008]
(Second configuration example)
Reading means for reading the map information from the map information storage means storing the map information;
Current position detecting means for detecting the current position and the traveling direction of the vehicle;
Data communication means for receiving the current position and traveling direction of another vehicle;
Based on the current position of the other vehicle received by the data communication means and the current position of the own vehicle detected by the current position detecting means, the map information is read out via the reading means, and the current position of the own vehicle and the other vehicle is read. Control means for outputting together with a position, calculating a linear distance and a relative direction of both from the current position of the host vehicle and the other vehicle, and instructing to connect the current positions with a straight line if they are separated from a predetermined distance;
The map information with the previous SL current position of the vehicle and other vehicles from the control means synthesizes the image and the vehicle indicative of the traveling direction of the vehicle and the other vehicle, respectively at the current position of the vehicle and another vehicle Drawing means for creating an image connecting the current positions of other vehicles with straight lines;
Display that displays the image indicating the traveling direction of the host vehicle and the other vehicle at the current position of the host vehicle and the other vehicle and the image that connects the current position of the host vehicle and the other vehicle with a straight line created by the drawing means Means,
An in-vehicle navigation device comprising:
[0009]
[Action]
(First configuration example)
The control means reads the corresponding map information from the map information storage means via the reading means based on the current position of the other vehicle received by the data communication means or the current position of the own vehicle detected by the current position detecting means. The current position of the other vehicle is supplied to the drawing means. The control means further instructs the drawing means to connect the current position of the own vehicle and the other vehicle with a straight line.
[0010]
The drawing means synthesizes the current position of the own vehicle and the other vehicle and the map information, creates an image connecting the current positions of the own vehicle and the other vehicle with a straight line, and displays the image on the display means.
(Second configuration example)
The control means reads the corresponding map information from the map information storage means via the reading means based on the current position of the other vehicle received by the data communication means or the current position of the own vehicle detected by the current position detecting means. The current position of the other vehicle is supplied to the drawing means.
[0011]
The control means further calculates the linear distance and relative direction of both of the own vehicle and the other vehicle from the current position, and instructs the drawing means to connect the current positions with a straight line if they are separated from each other by a predetermined distance.
[0012]
The drawing means synthesizes the current position and the map information of at least one of the own vehicle and the other vehicle, creates an image connecting the current position of the own vehicle and the other vehicle with a straight line, and displays it on the display means To do.
[0013]
【Example】
In FIG. 1, the structure of the vehicle-mounted navigation apparatus of this invention is shown. The map information storage means 21 comprises a CD-ROM or the like, and stores map information, road data, and various service data. The reading means 23 is a CD-ROM driver or the like, and reads map information from the map information storage means 21 in accordance with an instruction from the control means 29.
[0014]
The current position detection means 25 detects data such as the current position of the host vehicle, travel locus data, traveling direction, vehicle speed, and altitude using a GPS receiver, a vehicle speed sensor, and a gyro.
[0015]
The data communication means 37 transmits data such as the current position, travel locus data, traveling direction data, traveling direction, vehicle speed and altitude of the own vehicle read out from the memory means 27 by the control means 29 to the data communication means 37a of the other vehicle, Those data are received from the data communication means 37a of the other vehicle. The memory means 27 receives the data such as the current position from the current position detection means 25, the travel locus data, the traveling direction, the vehicle speed and the altitude, and the other vehicle data from the data communication means 37 via the control means 29. Remember.
[0016]
The control means 29 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like, and as described above, transfers data such as the current position of the own vehicle and travel locus data from the memory means 27 to the data communication means 37, or memory means. The current position detection means 25 supplies data such as the current position of the host vehicle and travel locus data to 27. Further, the control means 29 reads the data such as the corresponding map information via the reading means 23 based on the current position from the current position detecting means 25 or the memory means 27 or the current position of the other vehicle from the memory means 27, The current position of the vehicle and other vehicles is supplied to the drawing means 31.
[0017]
Furthermore, the control means 29 performs the following operation. The control means 29 instructs the drawing means 31 to connect the centers of the current positions of the own vehicle and the other vehicle with a straight line. The control means 29 calculates the linear distance and relative direction of the current position of the host vehicle and the other vehicle from the longitude and latitude, and outputs them to the drawing means 31. It is also conceivable that the control means 29 commands the straight line connection between the current position of the host vehicle and the other vehicle to be connected with a straight line after the distance becomes greater than a predetermined distance.
[0018]
The drawing means 31 synthesizes the current positions of the own vehicle and the other vehicle and the map information, and creates an image that connects the current positions of the own vehicle and the other vehicle with a straight line. Also, an image of the linear distance and relative position between the current position of the host vehicle and the other vehicle is created.
[0019]
The display means 33 is composed of an LCD (liquid crystal display device), a CRT (cathode ray tube) or the like, and displays an image created by the drawing means 31. When the own vehicle and the other vehicle are considerably separated, only one of the own vehicle or the other vehicle may be displayed due to the size of the screen. Even in this case, a straight line connecting the own vehicle and the other vehicle is displayed.
[0020]
The input unit 35 includes a key, a touch panel, etc., and inputs various information to the control unit 29.
[0021]
The in-vehicle navigation device of the other vehicle has the same configuration as the in-vehicle navigation device of the own vehicle as shown in FIG.
[0022]
Next, the operation of the in-vehicle navigation device of the present invention will be described. First, let's go out for a drive with three cars, A car (other car), B car (own car) and C car (other car). Car A takes the lead and Cars B and C follow.
[0023]
In data communication, first, an ID number is set for each vehicle. However, there is no duplication of ID numbers. The ID number of car A is 1, the ID number of car B is 2, and the ID number of car C is 3.
[0024]
Modes include a transmission mode and a reception mode, which are selected by the user. Therefore, the menu shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the display means 33a of the A car. The menu shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the display means 33 of the B car. The C car is omitted for simplicity of explanation. When the transmission mode is selected by the input means 35a, it can be seen that the transmission character is surrounded by a rectangle and is in the transmission mode. On the other hand, when the reception mode is selected by the input means 35, it is understood that the reception character is surrounded by a rectangle and the reception mode is set. In this reception mode, it is necessary to further specify the transmission source, and in this example, the ID number 1 of car A is input by the input means 35.
[0025]
In the case of the vehicle A in the transmission mode, the control means 29a reads out data such as the current position of the own vehicle and the travel locus data stored in the memory means 27a and transfers them to the data communication means 37a. The data communication means 37a transmits a data transmission start signal to the data communication means 37 for the B car and the data communication means 37a for the C car. The data communication means 37 for the B car and the data communication means 37a for the C car receive the data transmission start signal and, if receivable, transmit a data transmission permission signal to the data communication means 37a for the A car. The data communication means 37a that has received the data transmission permission signal transmits the current position of the own vehicle, the travel locus data, and the like to the data communication means 37 for the B car and the data communication means 37a for the C car.
[0026]
The data communication means 37 for the B car and the data communication means 37a for the C car notify the control means 29 and 29a that the data has been received and transfer the data. The control means 29 and 29a supply and store the current positions of these other vehicles, travel track data, and the like to the memory means 27 and 27a.
[0027]
The display menu shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the display means 33 for the B car and the display means 33a for the C car. This display menu includes ON / OFF for linear display, ON / OFF for distance display, and ON / OFF for direction display. FIG. 5 shows the case where the straight line display, the distance display, and the direction display are all set to ON by the input means 35 and 35a.
[0028]
Here, the operation of the in-vehicle navigation device for vehicle B (own vehicle) will be described. The control means 29 is based on the current position of the B car from the current position detecting means 25 or the memory means 27 or the current position of the A car (other car) from the memory means 27 (in the case of FIG. Map information is read out (based on the position) and supplied to the drawing means 31 together with the current positions of the B car and the A car. The control means 29 also supplies the calculated linear distance and relative direction between the A and B cars to the drawing means 31. The straight line distance is initially in km units, and will be in m units when approaching within 1 km. The relative direction indicates the current position of the A car in eight directions with respect to the traveling direction of the B car. This is because the relative relationship is not clearly understood even if it is said to be north or southeast, and is expressed by expressions such as upward or rightward tilt with respect to the traveling direction of the B car. The control means 29 further instructs the drawing means 31 to connect the centers of the current positions of the cars B and A with a straight line.
[0029]
The drawing means 31 combines the map information with the current positions of the B car and the A car. At this time, the current position of the B car is set at the center of the map information. The drawing means 31 also generates a character image having a linear distance and a relative direction. The drawing means 31 further connects the centers of the current positions of the B car and the A car with a straight line.
[0030]
The display example shown in FIG. 6 is an image created by the drawing means 31 displayed on the display means 31 as described above. The current positions of the B car and the A car are displayed as circles, and both ends of the straight line connecting the both are the centers of both circles. Further, a triangle is drawn in the circle, and the apex thereof indicates the traveling direction of the B car and the A car.
[0031]
Returning to the display menu of FIG. 5, it is assumed that the user of the B vehicle sets the straight line display, the distance display, and the direction display to OFF. In this case, the control means 29 does not supply the linear distance and the relative direction to the drawing means 31. The control means 29 also does not command to connect the centers of the current positions of the B car and the A car with a straight line. A display example in this case is shown in FIG.
[0032]
6 and 7 show examples in which the current position of the B car is located at the center of the map, but the current position of the A car may be located at the center of the map. In this case, the control means 29 generally reads the corresponding map information from the map information storage means 21 via the reading means 23 based on the current position of the A car.
[0033]
Next, when the A car and the C car are in the transmission mode and the B car is in the reception mode, the menu shown in FIG. It can be seen from the ID number of the transmission source in FIG. 8 that data is transmitted from the A car and the C car. The data transmitted from the car C is the same as that of the car A described above, and is stored in the memory means 27 via the control means 29 as described above.
[0034]
This time, the display target menu shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the straight line display means 33 of the B car, and the user of the B car sets the ID numbers 1 and 3 of the straight line display objects by the input means 35.
[0035]
The control means 29 is based on the current position of the B car from the current position detecting means 25 or the memory means 27 or the current position of the A car or the C car from the memory means 27 (in the case of FIG. Map information is read out and supplied to the drawing means 31 together with the current positions of the B car, the A car, and the C car. The control means 29 also instructs the drawing means 31 to connect the centers of the current positions of the B car and the A car and the B car and the C car with a straight line.
[0036]
The drawing means 31 combines the map information and the current positions of the B car, the A car, and the C car. At this time, the current position of the B car is set at the center of the map information. The drawing means 31 connects the centers of the current positions of the B car and the A car and the B car and the C car with straight lines.
[0037]
As described above, the image created by the drawing unit 31 is displayed on the display unit 31. FIG. 11 is a display example shown in FIG. As described above, the current positions of the B car, the A car, and the C car are displayed as circles, and both ends of the straight line are the centers of the circles. Further, a triangle is drawn in the circle, and the apex thereof indicates the traveling direction of the B car, the A car, and the C car.
[0038]
It is also possible to connect only the center of the current position of the B car and the A car in a straight line. In this case, the control means 29 draws that the current position of the B car and the C car are connected to the drawing means 31. Do not command 31.
[0039]
FIG. 10 shows an example in which the current position of the B car is located at the center of the map, but it is also possible for the A car or the C car to be at the center of the map. In this case, the control means 29 generally reads the map information from the map information storage means 21 via the reading means 23 based on the current position of the A car or the C car.
[0040]
When data from the C car cannot be received for some reason, the control means 29 supplies the drawing means 31 with information waiting for reception from the C car. As a result, the image shown in FIG. In this case, the straight line display of the B car and the C car is automatically stopped.
[0041]
The control means 29 may be configured to give an instruction to connect the centers of the current positions of the B car and the A car only after the distance between the B car and the A car exceeds a predetermined distance. In this case, a straight line can be displayed even if the current position of the A car deviates from the screen of the display means 33 for the B car.
[0042]
Although the example of three units has been described above, the number of units is not limited.
[0043]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, since the center of the current position of the host vehicle and the other vehicle is displayed on the map, the user can know the relative relationship between the two vehicles. Further, since the distance and relative direction between the own vehicle and the other vehicle are also displayed, the relative relationship between the two vehicles becomes clearer to the user.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an in-vehicle navigation device of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a relationship between an in-vehicle navigation device of the own vehicle and another vehicle.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a menu displayed on the display means.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a menu displayed on the display means.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a menu displayed on the display means.
FIG. 6 is a display example of current positions of the host vehicle and other vehicles according to the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a display example of current positions of the host vehicle and other vehicles according to the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a menu displayed on the display means.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a menu displayed on the display means.
FIG. 10 is a display example of current positions of the host vehicle and other vehicles according to the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a display example of current positions of the host vehicle and other vehicles according to the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional in-vehicle navigation device.
[Explanation of symbols]
21, 21a ... Map information storage means, 23, 23a ... Reading means, 25, 25a ... Current position detection means, 27, 27a ... Memory means, 29, 29a ... Control means, 31, 31a ... Drawing means, 33, 33a ... Display means, 35, 35a ... input means, 37, 37a ... data communication means.

Claims

Reading means for reading the map information from the map information storage means storing the map information;
Current position detecting means for detecting the current position and the traveling direction of the vehicle;
Data communication means for receiving the current position and traveling direction of another vehicle;
Memory means for storing the current position of the host vehicle detected by the current position detection means and the current position of the other vehicle received by the data communication means;
Based on the current position of the other vehicle received by the data communication means and the current position of the own vehicle detected by the current position detecting means, the map information is read out via the reading means and the current position of the own vehicle and the other vehicle. It outputs together with the position, commands to connect the current position of the own vehicle and the other vehicle with a straight line, calculates the linear distance and relative direction of both from the current position of the own vehicle and the other vehicle, and supplies them to the drawing means Control means;
The current position and the map information of the own vehicle and the other vehicle from the control means are synthesized, and an image showing the traveling direction of the own vehicle and the other vehicle at the current position of the own vehicle and the other vehicle, and the own vehicle and the other vehicle. Drawing means for creating an image connecting the current position of the car with a straight line, and an image of the linear distance and relative direction ;
An image showing the traveling direction of each of the host vehicle and the other vehicle at the current position of the host vehicle and the other vehicle created by the drawing means and an image connecting the current position of the host vehicle and the other vehicle with a straight line are displayed . When the linear distance becomes shorter than a predetermined distance, display means for making the unit of the linear distance smaller than the current display unit ;
An in-vehicle navigation device comprising:

When the drawing unit creates an image by combining the current position of the own vehicle and the other vehicle with the map information, one of the current position of the own vehicle or the other vehicle is set to the center of the image according to a command of the control unit. The in-vehicle navigation device according to claim 1, wherein

Reading means for reading the map information from the map information storage means storing the map information;
Current position detecting means for detecting the current position and the traveling direction of the vehicle;
Data communication means for receiving the current position and traveling direction of another vehicle;
The data pre-SL of another vehicle received by the communication unit the current position and the current position detecting means based on the current position of the vehicle detected by the said through reading means reads the map information of the own vehicle and other vehicles Control means for outputting together with the current position, calculating the linear distance and relative direction of both from the current position of the host vehicle and the other vehicle, and instructing to connect the current positions with a straight line if they are separated from a predetermined distance;
The current position and the map information of the own vehicle and the other vehicle from the control means are synthesized, and an image showing the traveling direction of the own vehicle and the other vehicle at the current position of the own vehicle and the other vehicle, and the own vehicle and the other vehicle. Drawing means for creating an image connecting the current position of the car with a straight line;
Display that displays the image indicating the traveling direction of the host vehicle and the other vehicle at the current position of the host vehicle and the other vehicle and the image that connects the current position of the host vehicle and the other vehicle with a straight line created by the drawing means Means,
An in-vehicle navigation device comprising:

4. The vehicle-mounted navigation according to claim 3 , further comprising memory means for storing the current position of the vehicle detected by the current position detection means and the current position of another vehicle received by the data communication means. apparatus.

It said drawing means, vehicle navigation system according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the creating an image of the straight line distance and relative direction inputted from the control unit.

6. The in-vehicle navigation device according to claim 5 , wherein when the straight line distance is shorter than a predetermined distance, the drawing unit makes the unit of the straight line distance smaller than a current display unit.