JP3976889B2 - Navigation device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a navigation device that performs route search processing and guidance processing, and more particularly to a navigation device that performs route search and guidance for a specific range including a destination.
[0002]
[Prior art]
FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a conventional navigation device. In FIG. 10, reference numeral 100 denotes an input device such as a keyboard for inputting a destination, and 101 denotes a storage device for storing information necessary for route search such as a map database. , 102 is a display device such as a CRT or a liquid crystal panel that displays search results, and 103 is an arithmetic device that controls these devices to execute map search processing.
[0003]
Next, the operation will be described.
When a destination is input from the input device 100, a search for a route to the destination is performed by the arithmetic device 103 based on data stored in the storage device 101. At that time, the route is searched not for the destination itself but for one point 105 represented by the destination address 104, for example, a ward office or a famous building, as shown in FIG. Done as a goal. And based on this search result, the guidance process to the destination is performed on the display apparatus 102.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Since the conventional navigation apparatus is configured as described above, one point represented near the destination address is not necessarily close to the destination, and optimal search and guidance cannot be performed. There was a problem.
[0005]
On the other hand, when searching or guiding pinpoints with the destination itself as a target, there has been a problem that the amount of data and the amount of processing become enormous.
[0006]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a navigation apparatus that can perform more accurate search and guidance without increasing the amount of data and the amount of processing.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The navigation device according to the present invention includes a range database for storing range data indicating a range in which any one of an address, a postal code, and an area code is the same as a specific range on a map including the destination, and the destination is An input unit that is input, a search unit that searches range data including the input destination from a range database, and a search and guidance process that performs route search processing and guidance processing for the range indicated by the searched range data Guidance processing means.
Further, the navigation device according to the present invention, the instruction means for indicating the specific range including the destination on the map at a plurality of points, the registration means for registering the range surrounded by the supported plurality of points as range data, Targeting the range indicated by the searched range data, the range database for storing the range data, the input means for inputting the destination, the search means for searching the range data including the input destination from the range database Search / guidance processing means for executing route search processing and guidance processing.
[0008]
The navigation device according to the present invention provides a route so that the search / guidance processing means can reach the range with the target being the shortest distance among the boundary lines of the range indicated by the range data searched by the search means. The search process and the guidance process are executed.
[0009]
In the navigation device according to the present invention, the search / guidance processing means determines a point having the shortest distance among intersections between the boundary line of the range indicated by the range data searched by the search means and the road that is a candidate for the search route. A route search process and a guidance process are executed as a target.
[0010]
The navigation device according to the present invention displays the range indicated by the range data searched by the search means on the map, and displays the range on the map so that the range can be distinguished from the rest when entering the range. Is.
[0011]
The navigation device according to the present invention comprises return route search means for searching for a route for returning to the range when the vehicle is moved outside the range guided by the search / guidance processing means.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the present invention will be described below.
Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a navigation apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an input device such as a keyboard or pointing device for inputting a destination, and an input device as an instruction means. 2 is a storage device for storing information necessary for route search and guidance, such as a map database, 3 is a display device such as a CRT or a liquid crystal panel that performs display for guiding the route, and 4 is a route by controlling these devices. It is an arithmetic unit which performs the search process and guidance process.
[0014]
The storage device 2 includes a map database 5, a place name database 6, and a place name range database 7 as a range database. The map database 5 stores map data necessary for route search and guidance. The place name database 6 stores an approximate address (for example, near 2-chome) on the map data corresponding to the destination and position data on the map of one point represented by this address (for example, a ward office or a famous building). To do. The place name range database 7 stores range data indicating a specific range on the map including the destination (for example, the same address range such as 2-chome, the same zip code range, the same area code range, etc.).
[0015]
The arithmetic device 4 includes a map display unit 8, an address search unit 9 as a search unit, a range display unit 10, a route search unit 11 and a route guide unit 12 as search / guidance processing units, and a return within range as a return route search unit. A route search unit 13 and a range registration unit 14 as registration means are provided. The map display unit 8 displays a map including the destination on the display device 3 based on the map data stored in the map database 5. The address search unit 9 determines whether or not the designated destination can be displayed in the range based on the range data stored in the place name range database 7. The range display unit 10 displays a specific range including the destination based on the range data stored in the place name range database 7 on the map displayed on the display device 3 so as to surround the range with a dotted line, for example. The range display unit 10 displays the destination as a point on the map displayed on the display device 3 when the destination cannot be displayed as a range. The route search unit 11 searches for a route targeting a range or point corresponding to the above destination. The route guidance unit 12 guides a route on the map displayed on the display device 3 so that the destination can be reached by following the searched route. When returning within the range guided on the map as described above, the in-range return route search unit 13 searches again for a route for returning to the range. The range registration unit 14 registers range data in the place name range database 7.
[0016]
Next, the operation will be described.
First, the route search operation will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG.
When a search instruction is given from the user via the input device 1 (step ST201) and a destination is specified (step ST202), the address search unit 9 uses the range data stored in the place name range database 7 as a destination. It is determined whether or not the ground can be displayed in a range (step ST203). When the destination cannot be displayed as a range, the range display unit 10 displays the destination as a point on the map displayed on the display device 3 (step ST204), and the route search unit 11 targets the point corresponding to the destination. Then, the route is searched (step ST205). On the other hand, when the destination can be displayed as a range, the range display unit 10 displays the destination in the range including the destination on the map displayed on the display device 3 (step ST206), and the route search unit 11 is searched. A route search is performed with the target of the shortest distance in the boundary line of the selected range (step ST207).
[0017]
In step ST207, the route search unit 11 searches for a route with the target of the shortest distance among the searched boundary lines. However, as shown in step ST307 in FIG. You may make it search for a path | route aiming at the point which becomes the shortest distance in the intersection of a boundary line and the road used as the candidate of a search path | route.
[0018]
Next, the guidance operation after such a search is performed will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a screen display example at that time.
When the search is completed as described above (step ST401) and the destination is not specified by a range (step ST402), that is, when the destination is specified by a point, the route guidance unit 12 performs normal guidance, that is, As shown in FIG. 5A, the route is guided on the map displayed on the display device 3 so as to reach the point (representative point 502 of the address) as the destination by following the searched route (road 501). (Step ST403). On the other hand, when the destination is specified in the range 503 as shown in FIG. 5B (step ST402), the route is shown as shown in FIG. 5C until the end of guidance is instructed (step ST404). The guidance unit 12 guides the route until it enters the range on the map displayed on the display device 3 so that the route can be reached by following the searched route 505 and reaching the range 504 as the destination. (Step ST405). In the display device 3, for example, when the vehicle position 506 enters the range 504 as shown in FIG. 5D, the range 504 can be distinguished from the outside of the range. Is displayed on the map using (Step ST406). Further, after entering the range once, as shown in FIG. 5E, when the vehicle position 507 comes out of the range again (step ST407), as shown in FIG. 5F. The in-range return route search unit 13 searches for a route 508 for returning to the range (step ST408), and performs the same guidance as above again.
[0019]
Next, the operation of the above-described in-range return route search unit 13 will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. 6 and the explanatory diagram shown in FIG.
That is, in the in-range return route search unit 13, once it enters the range including the destination and then returns to the outside from the range (step ST 601), it becomes a boundary line and a search route candidate for the range. Search for the route to all intersections with the road (A, B, C, D in Fig. 7), and search for the shortest distance (B in Fig. 7) as the return route. (Step ST602), and displays it as a search route (Step ST603).
[0020]
Next, the operation of registering range data in the place name range database 7 in the range registration unit 14 will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. 8 and the explanatory diagram shown in FIG.
When the point registration is selected from the input device 1 (step ST801) and the registration point is designated by a range (step ST802), for example, using a pointing device, as shown in FIG. 9 (a) to (c) Each vertex P of the polygon is designated (step ST803), and the range R is surrounded by the vertex P. After such an instruction of the vertex P is completed (step ST804), the name of the range, a memo, and the like are input (step ST805). On the other hand, when the registration point is not designated by a range (step ST802), the point is designated (step ST806), and the name, memo, etc. of the point are input (step ST805).
[0021]
As described above, according to the first embodiment, since searching and guidance are performed for a range including the destination, one point represented by the vicinity of the destination address (for example, a ward office or a famous place) Even if the building or the like is not necessarily close to the destination, it is possible to perform more accurate search and guidance.
Further, since it can be realized only by registering the range data and processing for the range data, an effect that the amount of data and the amount of processing can be suppressed can be obtained as compared with the case of performing the pinpoint search process with the destination itself as a target. .
Furthermore, when the range is entered by guidance, the range is displayed on the map using a color different from the range, for example, so that the range can be distinguished from the range. Is obtained.
Furthermore, after entering the range once, when it goes out of the range again, the route for returning to the range is searched and guided, so it is possible to save the trouble of resetting the destination, etc. The effect of being able to be obtained.
Furthermore, since the range data is registered by designating each vertex of the polygon that is the range, the registration is easy and the size of the registered data can be reduced.
[0022]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, a range database for storing range data indicating a range in which any one of an address, a zip code, and an area code is the same as a specific range on a map including a destination is provided. The range data including the input destination is searched from the range database, and the route search process and the guidance process are executed with the range indicated by the searched range data as a target. There is an effect that more accurate search and guidance can be performed without increasing the amount.
In addition, according to the present invention, an instruction means for indicating a specific range including a destination on a map by a plurality of points, a registration means for registering a range surrounded by the specified points as range data, and range data A range database that stores the destination is searched, range data including the input destination is searched from the range database, and the route search processing and guidance processing can be executed targeting the range indicated by the searched range data Therefore, there is an effect that the registration of the range is easy and the size of the registration data can be reduced.
[0023]
According to the present invention, the route search process and the guidance process are executed so that the point reaching the shortest distance among the boundary lines of the range indicated by the searched range data can be reached. Therefore, there is an effect that more accurate search and guidance can be performed.
[0024]
According to the present invention, the route search processing and the guidance processing are executed with the target of the shortest distance among the intersections between the boundary line of the range indicated by the searched range data and the candidate road for the search route. Thus, the data amount and the processing amount can be further suppressed.
[0025]
According to the present invention, the range indicated by the searched range data is displayed on the map, and when entering the range, the range is displayed on the map so that it can be distinguished from the outside of the range. There is an effect that it is very easy for the user to understand.
[0026]
According to the present invention, when the vehicle exits from the guided range, the route for returning to the range is searched, so that it is possible to save the trouble of resetting the destination and the like. There is.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a navigation device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a route search operation in the navigation device shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing another example of the route search operation in the navigation device shown in FIG. 1;
4 is a flowchart showing a guiding operation in the navigation device shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a screen display example at the time of the guiding operation in the navigation device shown in FIG. 1;
6 is a flowchart showing an in-range return route search operation in the navigation device shown in FIG. 1;
7 is a diagram for explaining an in-range return route search operation in the navigation device shown in FIG. 1; FIG.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing range data registration operation in the navigation device shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a range data registration operation in the navigation device shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional navigation device.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a conventional search example.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Input device (input means, instruction means), 7 Place name range database (range database), 9 Address search part (search means), 11 Route search part (search / guidance processing means), 12 Route guidance part (search / guidance process) Means), 13 in-range return route search section (return route search means), 14 range registration section (registration means).

Claims (6)

A range database showing a range where the address, postal code, or area code is the same as a specific range on the map including the destination;
Input means for inputting the destination;
Search means for searching range data including the destination input by the input means from the range database;
A navigation apparatus comprising search / guidance processing means for executing route search processing and guidance processing for a range indicated by the range data searched by the search means. An instruction means for indicating a specific range including a destination on a map by a plurality of points;
Registration means for registering a range surrounded by a plurality of points indicated by the indication means as range data;
A range database for storing the range data;
Input means for inputting the destination;
Search means for searching range data including the destination input by the input means from the range database;
A navigation apparatus comprising search / guidance processing means for executing route search processing and guidance processing for a range indicated by the range data searched by the search means. The search / guidance processing means performs a route search process and a guidance process so that the wave searched for by the search means can reach the target range with the shortest distance among the boundary lines of the range indicated by the data. the navigation system of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the executing. The search / guidance processing means is configured to search for a route with the goal of the shortest distance among the intersections between the boundary line of the range indicated by the range data searched by the search means and the candidate road for the search route, and The navigation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a guidance process is executed. The range indicated by the range data searched by the search means is displayed on the map, and when entering the range, the range is displayed on the map so that it can be distinguished from outside the range. The navigation device according to claim 4 . When exiting outwardly from the induction range by the search-induced processing means, out of claim 5, further comprising a return route searching means for searching for a route for returning to the range of claim 1, wherein The navigation device according to any one of the above.

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