JP3835628B2 - Navigation device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a navigation device that performs route search and route guidance to a selected destination.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The development of navigation devices using position detection technology by GPS (Global Positioning System) is remarkable. In particular, in recent years, not only route guidance to the destination, but also by obtaining beacon signals transmitted from optical beacons and radio wave beacons installed along the road, the current position, road regulations around the current position, Road traffic information systems that notify (for example, display) road information such as traffic jams and construction to operators of navigation devices are being used.
[0003]
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the state of a beacon signal when an elevated highway is parallel to a general road.
[0004]
In the figure, the vehicle 35 is equipped with a navigation device that can use road traffic information based on beacon signals. And on the general road 34 where the general road beacon 32 is installed, an elevated 33 of the highway where the highway beacon 31 is installed is constructed in parallel, and the beacon signal from the highway beacon 31 is connected to the general road 34. Indicates a leaking state. In such a situation, the vehicle 35 receives not only the beacon signal from the general road beacon 32 but also the beacon signal from the highway beacon 31, so that the navigation device is on the highway while traveling on the general road. There is a problem of informing road information.
[0005]
In order to solve this problem, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-51400, a beacon signal is included in each beacon signal. Based on this, a method for prohibiting the use of the other beacon signal has been proposed. For example, in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. Hei 6-12978, a beacon signal is included in each beacon signal, and whether the information of the currently received signal is a beacon signal from a general road beacon, There has been proposed a beacon receiver that displays a color-coded display of whether the signal is based on the beacon signal.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above conventional example, when the operator wants to know the information on the expressway while traveling on the general road (for example, when traveling on the general road around the interchange to enter the highway from the general road) On the other hand, the convenience is reduced.
[0007]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a navigation device that can use an optimal beacon signal according to a driving environment.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the navigation device of the present invention is characterized by the following configuration.
[0009]
That is, beacon signal receiving means for receiving beacon signals transmitted from ordinary road beacons installed on ordinary roads and expressway beacons installed on expressways, and information on beacon signals received by the beacon signal receiving means. A recognition device for recognizing a recognition device for determining whether the navigation device is on a general road or on a highway; and on the general road by the determination device If it is determined that it exists, a restriction means for restricting recognition of a beacon signal transmitted from the expressway beacon, a position detection means for detecting the current position by the GPS system, and a route to the set destination are searched. and comprises a route search and guide means for guiding along the path, and said recognition means, said self-navigation system Even when present in般道road, during the route guidance by the route search and guidance means, the point of entry of the position current position detected by the detection means, motorway, which is scheduled in the route guidance Only when the distance is within a predetermined distance from the vehicle, the restriction by the restriction means is canceled and a beacon signal transmitted from the expressway beacon is recognized. As a result, information on the expressway that the operator will enter can be obtained even while traveling on a general road.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an automobile which is a typical vehicle will be described with reference to the drawings. First, a hardware configuration of a navigation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, since the general usage pattern of the road traffic information system based on the beacon signal in Japan uses a radio wave beacon for a highway and an optical beacon for a so-called general road, this embodiment is actually used. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it goes without saying that, for example, if a beacon signal of the same type is used for both a highway and a general road, an identification signal may be included in the beacon signal.
[0013]
FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram illustrating an example of a state in which a navigation device according to an embodiment of the present invention is mounted on an automobile.
[0014]
In the figure, reference numeral 2 denotes a centralized control unit, which controls various data (remaining fuel amount, average fuel consumption, average vehicle speed, etc.) relating to the running state and controls the following components in an integrated manner. Reference numeral 3 denotes an in-vehicle LAN unit that controls so-called local area network communication between a sensor and a driving unit (not shown) necessary for control such as an anti-lock brake system (ABS) and four-wheel drive control and the central control unit 2. Reference numeral 4 denotes a RAM card drive, which is, for example, a RAM card data reading / writing device that stores information relating to the driver such as the seat position and mirror position. Reference numeral 5 denotes a data drive, which is, for example, a reading / writing device for various information stored in a data storage medium such as FD, MD, and PD. Reference numeral 6 denotes an audio guide speaker, and audio information from the navigation controller 17 is output via an audio output interface in the central control unit 2. Reference numeral 7 denotes a microphone, and an instruction by an operator's voice is input to the navigation controller 17 via a voice recognition interface (not shown) in the central control unit 2. Reference numeral 8 denotes a display such as a liquid crystal display, which displays a navigation screen, a screen for various input operations, and a vehicle state (vehicle speed, air conditioning setting, etc.). Furthermore, the front surface of the display 8 is provided with an input device of an electrostatic capacity method, an infrared method, or the like that can perform an input operation by a touch operation according to the display. Of the display information on the display 8, information that is always necessary during operation may be displayed on a so-called head-up display (not shown). Reference numeral 9 denotes a mobile phone to which a telephone antenna 13 is connected. An operation switch 10 performs an input operation to the central control unit 2 and the navigation controller 17. Reference numeral 17 denotes a navigation controller, which is an object designated by the operator using the operation switch 10 or the like based on position information from a GPS (global positioning system) antenna 11 and map information on a CD-ROM mounted on the CD-ROM changer 19. An appropriate route to the ground is searched, and guidance is performed by display on the display 8 and voice output from the voice guide speaker 6. The CD-ROM map information read by the CD-ROM changer 19 is basic information of route information displayed on the display 8.
[0015]
Further, as shown in the figure, the navigation controller 17 includes an FM tuner 16 that receives VICS-compatible FM multiplex broadcast from the FM antenna 12, and a beacon signal receiver that receives beacon signals from the radio beacon antenna 14 and the optical beacon antenna 15. 18 are connected, VICS signals and / or beacon signals obtained thereby are interpreted as traffic regulation information, displayed on the display 8, and used as a route search condition (constraint condition) at the time of route guidance. Furthermore, area information around the travel route may be input from the data drive 5 or the like and used as display information. In addition, since the detection method of the own vehicle position by GPS is well-known, description is abbreviate | omitted.
[0016]
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the state of radio waves and optical beacon signals when an expressway overpass is parallel to a general road.
[0017]
In the figure, a vehicle 25 is equipped with the above-described navigation device (FIG. 1) that can use road traffic information by a beacon signal. And, on the general road 24 where the optical beacon 22 is installed, the highway overhead 23 where the radio beacon 21 is installed is constructed in parallel, and the radio beacon signal from the radio beacon 21 leaks to the general road 24 Indicates the state of
[0018]
Next, software features of the navigation device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.
[0019]
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing beacon signal recognition control processing in the navigation device as one embodiment of the present invention.
[0020]
In the figure, in step S1, it is determined whether the vehicle is traveling on a highway by a known map matching process by the navigation controller 17. If YES, the process proceeds to step S2, and if NO, the process proceeds to step S7. In step S2, it is determined whether or not a general road is also provided by map matching processing in the same manner as in step S1. If NO, the navigation controller 17 recognizes the radio beacon signal incident on the beacon signal receiver 18 in step S13. And use it. On the other hand, if “YES” in the step S2, it is determined whether or not the deterioration coefficient representing the deterioration state of the accuracy in the current position recognition process by the GPS is larger than a predetermined value (step S3), and if “NO”, the process proceeds to the step S13.
[0021]
Here, the degradation coefficient is a value determined by a geometric positional relationship between a plurality of artificial satellites that emit positioning signals for detecting the current position received by the GPS antenna 11 and the vehicle. It is a coefficient called a GDOP (Gometorical Dilution Of Precision) value indicating that the deterioration is remarkable. This GDOP value is determined by a GDOP value determination circuit (not shown) provided in the navigation controller 17 and the strength of the positioning signal (electric field strength) and the position of each of the plurality of artificial satellites during positioning (included in the positioning signal). And based on the current position calculated at this time.
[0022]
On the other hand, if YES in step S3, it is determined in step S4 whether an optical beacon signal is being received. If NO, the process proceeds to step S13. On the other hand, if YES in step S4, it is determined that the vehicle exists (runs) on the parallel road, and the map matching is changed from the expressway to the road (step S5), and the radio beacon signal is ignored. (Step S6) and return.
[0023]
Here, if the explanation of the processing from step S1 to step S6 and step S13 is supplemented, even if it is determined that the vehicle is traveling on the highway in step S1, it is a case where a general road is also provided and deteriorated. If the coefficient is large, there is a possibility that an error has occurred in the map matching process. Therefore, in order to confirm whether the determination is accurate, it is determined in step S4 whether an optical beacon signal has been received. If it has been received, it can be determined that the situation shown in FIG. The map matching processing is changed from driving on an expressway to driving on a general road.
[0024]
If NO in step S1, that is, if it is determined that the vehicle is traveling on a general road, it is determined whether the deterioration coefficient is greater than a predetermined value (step S7). If YES, whether an optical beacon signal is received. (YES in step S12), in the case of YES, it is confirmed that the vehicle is traveling on a general road, and the process returns. On the other hand, if NO in step S12, the radio wave beacon signal incident on the beacon signal receiver 18 is recognized and used by the navigation controller 17 (step S13), and the process returns. If NO in step S7, it is determined whether the current route ahead is congested based on the currently recognized beacon signal and / or the VICS information received by the FM tuner 16 (step S8). In this case, the process proceeds to step S13, and the recognition of the radio beacon signal is started. This is because the operator may consider detouring to the expressway when there is a traffic jam ahead of the route. On the other hand, if NO in step S8, it is determined whether the navigation controller 17 is guiding the route to a certain destination (step S9), and if NO, even if a radio wave beacon signal is received, recognition processing is not performed and ignored ( Step S11) returns. On the other hand, if YES in step S9, it is determined whether or not the current position is in the vicinity of the planned intersection for entering the expressway, that is, within a predetermined area (step S10). Start to recognize. This is because it is more convenient to obtain highway information if you are planning to enter the expressway by route guidance, and the radio wave beacon signal is not recognized when route guidance is not in progress. This is because the operator cannot determine whether to enter the expressway.
[0025]
In the above-described embodiment, the information obtained from the radio beacon signal or the like may be not only the display on the display 8 but also the voice from the voice guide speaker 6.
[0026]
Further, the determination process (step S1) for determining whether or not the vehicle is traveling on the expressway and the determination process for receiving the optical beacon signal (step S4, step S9) are, for example, an average within a predetermined time obtained through the central control unit 2. A configuration based on determination based on vehicle speed or whether the rate coefficient is in an environment where an automatic fee payment system (ITS) is employed may be used. In addition, by adopting the determination of whether or not the rate coefficient is in particular by ITS, the processing as in the following modification may be performed.
[0027]
<Modification of this embodiment>
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing beacon signal recognition control processing in a navigation device as a modification of one embodiment of the present invention.
[0028]
In the figure, in step S21, it is determined whether or not it is in the charge coefficient by ITS. If YES, the radio wave beacon signal incident on the beacon signal receiver 18 is recognized and used by the navigation controller 17 in step S26. Return. On the other hand, if NO in step S21, it is determined whether the route ahead of the current route is congested based on the currently recognized beacon signal and / or the VICS information received by the FM tuner 16 (step S22). In this case, the process proceeds to step S26, and the recognition of the radio beacon signal is started. On the other hand, if NO in step S22, it is determined whether the route is being guided to a certain destination by the navigation controller 17 (step S23). If NO, even if a radio wave beacon signal is received, recognition processing is not performed and ignored ( Step S25) returns. On the other hand, if YES in step S23, it is determined whether or not the current position is in the vicinity of the planned entrance interchange to the expressway, that is, within a predetermined area (step S24). Start to recognize. On the other hand, in the case of NO, even if a radio beacon signal is received, the recognition process is not performed and is ignored (step S25), and the process returns.
[0029]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a navigation device that can use an optimal beacon signal in accordance with a traveling environment. According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain information on an expressway that the operator will enter from while traveling on a general road.
[0030]
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an example of a state in which a navigation device according to an embodiment of the present invention is mounted on an automobile.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing beacon signal recognition control processing in the navigation device as one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the state of radio waves and optical beacon signals when an expressway overpass is parallel to a general road.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing beacon signal recognition control processing in a navigation device as a modification of one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a state of a beacon signal when an elevated highway is parallel to a general road.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Car body 2 Centralized control unit 3 Car-mounted LAN unit 4 RAM card drive 5 Data drive 6 Voice guide speaker 7 Microphone 8 Display 9 Mobile phone 10 Operation switch 11 GPS antenna 12 FM antenna 13 Telephone antenna 14 Radio beacon antenna 15 Optical beacon antenna 16 FM tuner 17 Navigation controller 18 Beacon signal receiver 19 CD-ROM changer 21 Radio beacon 22 Optical beacon 23, 33 Highway overpass 24, 34 General road 25, 35 Vehicle 31 Highway beacon 32 General road beacon

Claims (3)

Recognize beacon signal receiving means for receiving beacon signals transmitted from ordinary road beacons installed on ordinary roads and expressway beacons installed on expressways, and information on beacon signals received by the beacon signal receiving means. A navigation device comprising a recognition means,
A discriminating means for discriminating whether the navigation device is present on a general road or on an expressway;
When it is determined by the determining means that the vehicle is present on a general road, a restricting means for restricting recognition of a beacon signal transmitted from the expressway beacon ;
Position detecting means for detecting a current position by a GPS system;
A route search / guidance means for searching for a route to a set destination and guiding along the route ,
Even if the recognition means is when the navigation device is present on a general road, the current position detected by the position detection means during the route guidance by the route search / guidance means is A navigation apparatus, wherein a restriction by the restriction means is canceled only when a predetermined distance from a planned entry point to an expressway is reached, and a beacon signal transmitted from the expressway beacon is recognized.   The navigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the general road beacon is an optical beacon, and the highway beacon is a radio beacon.   Furthermore, it comprises a charge payment means for automatically counting the charges on the expressway, and the determination means determines whether the navigation device is present on a general road, depending on whether the charge payment means is counting the charges, or The navigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein it is determined whether the vehicle exists on an expressway.

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