JP4039968B2 - Navigation system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a navigation system, and more particularly to a navigation system that can use user information read from a storage medium.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Some navigation systems are disclosed in JP-A-6-76003. This navigation system is mounted on a vehicle and performs the following processing. The navigation system continuously checks the driver's driving skill level while driving the vehicle. In addition, while driving the vehicle, the navigation system sets the current position on the map and the user's destination, and then predicts the road conditions within the range defined based on the set current position and destination. Thereafter, the navigation system determines an optimum route in consideration of the current road condition, and displays a map in which the decided optimum route is synthesized. The driver drives the vehicle according to the determined optimum route, but if the driver wants to travel on another route for reasons represented by traffic congestion, the driver instructs the navigation system to that effect. In response to this instruction, the navigation system determines another route based on the driving skill level of the driver and the current road conditions, and guides the driver according to the determined route. Through the above processing, the navigation system guides the driver to the destination according to the optimum route determined with reference to the driving skill level.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-6-76003
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the conventional navigation system has a problem that only the same guidance and guidance can be performed for all drivers. For example, since the output timing of intersection information is fixed during driver guidance / guidance, the conventional navigation system may not be able to provide sufficient time for the elderly to enter the intersection. Further, since the format of the display map is fixed, the conventional navigation system may give excessive information that cannot be processed by the elderly.
[0005]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a navigation system that can perform different guidance and guidance depending on a driver.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention]
  In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present invention is a navigation system, a storage medium storing user information,vehicleParameter storage for storing at least one parameter required for output control of information required for guidance and guidance of the user, and parameter acquisition for acquiring the necessary parameter from the parameter storage based on user information stored in the storage medium And the parameters acquired by the parameter acquisition unit,vehicleAn information generator that generates information necessary for guidance and guidance, and informationGenerationIn the departmentGenerationAn output unit for outputting the recorded informationThe storage medium is included in the smart card, the parameter storage unit, the parameter acquisition unit, the information generation unit, and the output unit are included in the main unit, and the smart card is a driving license for the vehicle, and the age of the owner or electronic driving The issuance date of the license is stored as user information in the storage medium, and the parameter storage unit stores one or more parameters for each predetermined age range or driving history range. The acquisition unit acquires necessary parameters from the parameter storage unit based on the driving history that can be calculated from the age stored in the storage medium or the date of issue stored in the storage medium, and the current traffic situation in the road network is obtained. A traffic information receiving unit that receives the traffic information shown, and the parameter storage unit has a switching cycle indicating a display timing of the traffic information received by the traffic information receiving unit. It is stored for each predetermined age range or driving history range, and the parameter acquisition unit is based on the age stored in the storage medium or the driving history that can be calculated from the issue date stored in the storage medium The information generation unit includes a display timing determination unit that determines whether or not the current display timing is based on the switching cycle acquired by the parameter acquisition unit, and outputs an output unit. Displays the traffic information received by the traffic information receiving unit as information when the display timing determining unit determines that it is the display timing.The
  According to the first aspect of the present invention, parameters necessary for output control of information necessary for guidance and guidance of an object are stored for each predetermined age range or driving history range. Of these parameter groups classified for each range, the switching cycle indicating the display timing of traffic information is acquired based on the age stored in the smart card or the driving history that can be calculated from the date of issue stored in the smart card. Is done. Traffic information for guiding and guiding the object is displayed according to the acquired switching cycle. This makes it possible to realize a navigation system that can update traffic information at an appropriate timing according to the driver..
[0015]
  First of the present invention2Is a method of performing navigation using parameters necessary for output control of user information and information necessary for vehicle guidance / guidance, and the age of the owner stored in the smart card or the electronic driving license A user information acquisition step for acquiring a certificate issuance date, a traffic information reception step for receiving traffic information indicating current traffic conditions in the road network, and the age of the holder or the electronic license acquired by the user information acquisition step. Based on the driving history that can be calculated from the date of issue, a parameter acquisition step that acquires a switching cycle indicating the display timing of the necessary traffic information, and whether or not the present is the display timing based on the switching cycle acquired by the parameter acquisition step Display timing determining step for determining whether or not the display timing is determined in the display timing determining step. If it is determined that, as information, and an output step of displaying the traffic information received by the traffic information receiving step.
  First of the present invention3The aspect of the second2In this aspect, the navigation method is realized by a computer program.
  First of the present invention4The aspect of the second3In this aspect, the computer program is recorded on a storage medium.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a navigation system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a navigation system 1 includes a smart card 2 that can store information on a holder, and a main body device 3 that guides and guides a vehicle using the information in the smart card 2.
[0017]
The smart card 2 is preferably an electronic driver's license, and includes a storage medium 21, a control unit 22, and a user information communication unit 23. In the present embodiment, a smart card is synonymous with an IC (Integrated Circuit) card.
As shown in FIG. 2, the storage medium 21 has a last name, a name, a birthday, an image of a face photo, an image of a signature, and a signature image of the owner of the smart card 2, that is, the person authorized to drive the vehicle by a public institution. Stores the types of vehicles allowed to drive, driving conditions / information, and driving restrictions. Further, the storage medium 21 stores an issue date, an expiration date, an issue country, a license number, and a license institution for the electronic driver's license. In addition, it is preferable that the smart card 2 is configured so that information other than a public institution cannot edit information in the storage medium 21.
[0018]
Refer to FIG. 1 again. In the smart card 2, the control unit 22 obtains the birthday from the storage medium 21 in accordance with a request from the main body device 3._aRead as an example.
The user information communication unit 23 receives the user information D read by the control unit 22._aIs transmitted to the main unit 3.
[0019]
The main unit 3 is typically installed in a vehicle, and includes a user information communication unit 31, a map storage unit 32, a parameter table storage unit 33, a locator 34, a traffic information reception unit 35, and a program storage unit. 36, a control unit 37, and a display unit 38 and an audio output unit 39, which are typical examples of the output unit.
The user information communication unit 31 receives user information D sent from the smart card 2 possessed by the vehicle driver._aReceive. Here, a person other than the driver may ride on the vehicle, and this passenger may also carry his / her smart card 2. Even in such a situation, the user information communication unit 31 receives the user information D from only the smart card 2 of the driver._aIt is installed in the position closest to the driver's seat among the seats of the vehicle. In such a position, when there are a plurality of smart cards 2 around the user information communication unit 31, the smart card 2 possessed by the driver with the highest received signal level, that is, the driver sitting in the driver's seat. User information D_aReceive.
[0020]
The map storage unit 32 is a device capable of reading at least information written in an internal recording medium. As shown in FIG._aAnd character database DB_bIs stored. Map database DB_aSince it may be a well-known one, it will be briefly explained. The data set that forms a plurality of objects necessary for drawing a map image, and the road network connection on the map, which is necessary for drawing the map image and searching for the route, are described below. Stores road network data to be represented.
[0021]
In addition, character database DB_bIs a collection of text that can be superimposed on a map image, more specifically, one or more first-type information sets IS._aAnd one or more second type information set IS_bIncluding. Each type 1 information set IS_aIncludes a text having high importance for the map image (in the illustrated example, an intersection name and a road name) and a composite position. In addition, each second type information set IS_bIncludes a text having a low importance for a map image (in the illustrated example, a building name and a company name) and a composite position. The composition position is the same first type information set IS_aOr second type information set IS_bWhere the text included in is synthesized on the map image using, for example, latitude and longitude.
[0022]
By the way, for example, various texts represented by an intersection name, a road name, a building name, and a company name are combined with a conventional map image. However, a map image with an excessive amount of text is not necessarily friendly to the elderly. Rather, a map image with only the text essential for guidance and guidance is better for elderly people. It can be assumed that it will be welcomed. On the other hand, young people can assume that they do not suffer from a map image in which many texts are synthesized. The importance of the text is determined from the above viewpoint. That is, since the intersection name and the road name are important information for guidance / guidance regardless of elderly people and young people, high importance is assigned to them. On the other hand, the building name and the company name often play an auxiliary role of guidance / guidance and are less important than the intersection name and road name. Therefore, it can be assumed that the necessity of synthesizing the intersection name and the road name on the map image for the elderly is scarce. From the above viewpoint, a low importance is assigned to the building name and the company name.
[0023]
Refer to FIG. 1 again. The parameter table storage unit 33 is a device that can read information written in an internal recording medium, and is typically the same device that constitutes the map storage unit 32. In the parameter table storage unit 33 as described above, as shown in FIG. 4, a parameter table T in which parameters necessary for vehicle guidance / guidance are described._PMIs stored. In FIG. 4, the parameter table T_PMThe reference age Y₁Long side distance L applied to drivers under the age of_a1And short side distance L_b1Combination and volume V₁And switching cycle F₁And display importance DL₁And intersection information output distance TP₁Is described. Furthermore, the parameter table T_PMThe reference age Y₁Long side distance L applied to drivers over the age of_a2And short side distance L_b2Combination and volume V₂And switching cycle F₂And display importance DL₂And intersection information output distance TP₂Are described.
[0024]
The above parameter table T_PMIn reference age Y₁Is a reference value for specifying whether or not the driver is an elderly person.
Long side distance L_a1And short side distance L_b1And long side distance L_a2And short side distance L_b2Are the values that specify the range of the map created by the main unit 3. However, long side distance L_a2Is the long side distance L_a1Smaller side distance L_b2Is the short side distance L_b1Is set to a smaller value. For example, as shown in FIG._b1Is 400m, long side distance L_a1Is assumed to be 480 m, the short side distance L_b2Is illustratively 320 m and the long side distance L_a2Is illustratively set to 384 m (see dotted line portion).
[0025]
Volume V₁And V₂Are the magnitudes of the voices output from the voice output unit 39, where the volume V₂Is the volume V₁Is set to a larger number.
Switching cycle F₁And F₂Both the traffic information D received by the traffic information receiving unit 35_bIt is a numerical value indicating the display timing (details will be described later), more specifically, traffic information D_bIndicates the time interval for displaying. However, switching cycle F₂Is the switching cycle F₁Is set to a larger number.
[0026]
Display importance DL₁And DL₂Both indicate the importance of the text combined with the map image. However, display importance DL₁Indicates that texts of importance “high” and “low” are synthesized, and the display importance DL₂Indicates that texts with a high importance level are synthesized.
By the way, as will be described later, when the main unit 3 reaches a predetermined distance before the intersection where the vehicle is currently approaching, the voice guidance of “Please go straight at the next intersection, turn right or left” Is output. Output distance TP₁And TP₂Both indicate the point where the above voice guidance is output, using the distance calculated from the approaching intersection. However, output distance TP₂Is the output distance TP₁Is set to a larger value.
[0027]
Refer to FIG. 1 again. The locator 34 includes a receiver of an external positioning system (typically, GPS (Global Positioning System)) and / or an autonomous navigation sensor group. The GPS receiver periodically outputs the current position of the vehicle expressed using the latitude and longitude to the control unit 37 using the reception information from the positioning system. The autonomous navigation sensor group typically includes a speed sensor and an azimuth sensor, and the speed sensor and the azimuth sensor periodically detect the moving speed and moving direction of the user and output them to the control unit 37.
[0028]
The traffic information receiving unit 35 typically has traffic information D periodically sent from a VICS (Vehicle Information Communication System)._bIs stored in the RAM of the control unit 37. VICS is a variety of traffic information D that shows the current traffic situation in the road network._bHowever, for the sake of convenience in this embodiment, as shown in FIG._bIs assumed to include a traffic regulation image RI indicating a point where traffic regulation due to a traffic accident occurs.
[0029]
The program storage unit 36 is typically composed of a ROM (Read Only Memory), and stores a computer program (hereinafter simply referred to as a program) 361 in which a guidance / guidance processing procedure performed by the main unit 3 is described.
The control unit 37 typically includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a RAM (Random Access Memory), and performs processing necessary for guidance / guidance in accordance with a program 361.
The display unit 38 displays various images created by the control unit 37. The audio output unit 39 is a volume V set by the control unit 37.₁Or V₂The various synthesized voices created by the control unit 37 are output.
[0030]
Next, vehicle guidance / guidance performed by the above-described navigation system 1 will be described with reference to flowcharts shown in FIGS. First, the driver reaches the driver's seat of the vehicle, and the navigation system 1 is turned on. As a result, the control unit 37 starts executing the program 361 in the program storage unit 36. Thereafter, under the control of the control unit 37, the user information communication unit 31 of the main device 3 identifies the smart card 2 with the maximum signal reception level and establishes a connection with the identified user information communication unit 23 on the smart card 2 side. (Step A1).
[0031]
Next, the control unit 37 receives the user information D_aAs an example, information for requesting the birthday of the smart card 2 (hereinafter referred to as a transmission request) is generated and transmitted to the smart card 2 through the user information communication unit 31. In the smart card 2, the control unit 22 receives the transmission request through the user information communication unit 23, and responds to the request from the storage medium 21 with the user information D._aIs transmitted to the main unit 3 through the user information communication unit 23. In the main device 3, the control unit 37 transmits user information D through the user information communication unit 31._aIs received (step A2).
[0032]
Next, the control unit 37 receives the received user information D in step A3._aAfter calculating the age of the driver, the calculated age is the reference age Y₁It is determined whether or not this is the case. Reference age Y₁If it is determined that the above is not true, the control unit 37 determines that the parameter table T_PMFrom the long side distance L_a1And short side distance L_b1Set, volume V₁, Switching cycle F₁, Display importance DL₁And output distance TP of intersection information₁Take out. Thereafter, the control unit 37 determines that the long side distance L_a1And short side distance L_b1Set, switching cycle F₁, Display importance DL₁And output distance TP of intersection information₁Is set to the reserved storage area in the internal RAM, and the volume V₁Is output to the audio output unit 39.
[0033]
The calculated age is the reference age Y₁When determining that the above is true, the control unit 37 determines in step A3 that the parameter table T_PMFrom the long side distance L_a2And short side distance L_b2Set, volume V₂, Switching cycle F₂, Display importance DL₂And output distance TP of intersection information₂Take out. Thereafter, the control unit 37 determines that the long side distance L_a2And short side distance L_b2Set, switching cycle F₂, Display importance DL₂And output distance TP of intersection information₂Is set in the reserved storage area of the RAM. Furthermore, the control unit 37 takes out the volume V₂Is output to the audio output unit 39 (step A3).
[0034]
Next, the control unit 37 acquires the current position of the vehicle obtained from the locator 34, and further corrects the acquired current position of the vehicle by using the moving speed and the moving direction of the vehicle, thereby obtaining an accurate current position of the vehicle. A position is derived (step A4).
Next, the control unit 37 determines the current position of the vehicle derived in step A4 and the long side distance L set in step A3._a1And short side distance L_b1And long side distance L_a2And short side distance L_b2The coordinate value of the feature point of the map image to be drawn this time is derived from one of the combinations (see FIG. 5) (step A5). Here, the feature points are the four vertices of the rectangular map image. Further, in such a map image, since the position where the current position of the vehicle is superimposed is determined in advance, the coordinate value of each feature point can be easily calculated. Here, in the following description, the current position, the long side distance L_a1And short side distance L_b1A rectangular range defined by four vertices derived from the drawing range RA₁Current position, long side distance L_a2And short side distance L_b2A rectangular range defined by four vertices derived from the drawing range RA₂Called.
[0035]
Next, the control unit 37 draws the drawing range RA derived in step A5.₁Or RA₂The map database DB of the map storage unit 32 stores all objects and road network data necessary for creating a map image of_a(Step A6).
Next, the control unit 37 displays the display importance DL set in step A3.₁Or DL₂According to the text database DB of the map storage 32_b(Step A7). Specifically, in step A3, the driver's age is the reference age Y.₁If it is determined that it is less than the first type information set IS_aAnd second kind character set IS_bIs taken out. In the opposite case, the first type information set IS_aOnly is taken out.
[0036]
Next, the control unit 37, the object and road network data acquired in step A6, and the first type information set IS extracted in step A7._aAnd second kind character set IS_bOr first-class information set IS_aA map image M having a predetermined pixel size₁And M₂Is created (step A8). More specifically, the driver is a reference age Y₁When it is determined that the value is less than the range, the control unit 37 determines that the drawing range RA is relatively wide.₁Draw an image using all objects and road network data contained in the first type information set IS_aAnd second kind character set IS_bIs superimposed on a predetermined composite position, and a mark indicating a vehicle is superimposed on the current position derived in step A4, whereby a map image M as shown in FIG.₁Create In addition, driver is standard age Y₁When it is determined as described above, the control unit 37 determines a relatively narrow drawing range RA.₂Draw an image using all objects and road network data contained in the first type information set IS_a10 is superimposed on a predetermined composite position, and a mark indicating a vehicle is superimposed on the current position derived in step A4, and a map image M as shown in FIG.₂Create
[0037]
Here, the drawing range RA₂Is the drawing range RA₁Narrower but map image M₁And M₂Have the same pixel size. Therefore, the map image M₂In this, a state in a relatively narrow range is expressed in an enlarged manner. Map image M₂Only the intersection name and the road name that are assumed to be relatively important are superimposed on. This makes the map image M kind to the elderly₂Can be provided.
[0038]
Refer to FIG. 7 again. After step A8, the control unit 37 creates the created map image M.₁Or M₂Is transferred to the display unit 38, and the display unit 38 receives the received map image M.₁Or M₂Is displayed (step A9).
[0039]
Incidentally, as described above, the traffic information receiving unit 35 typically has the traffic information D from the VICS._bIs received, the received one is stored in the control unit 37. After step A9, the control unit 37 sets new traffic information D._bIs stored (step A10). When the information is newly stored, the control unit 37 displays the current traffic information D._bIt is determined whether or not has changed compared to the previous one (step A11). If it has changed, in the present embodiment, a new traffic regulation has occurred, so the control unit 37 determines the current traffic information D._bThen, as shown in FIG. 6, a traffic regulation image RI representing the traffic regulation currently occurring is created and transferred to the display unit 38. The display unit 38 displays the received traffic regulation image RI (step A12).
[0040]
By step A12, the display screen of the display unit 38 changes the currently displayed map image M.₁Or M₂To the traffic regulation image RI as shown in FIG. Here, the control unit 37 continues to transfer the traffic regulation image RI created in step A12 to the display unit 38 until the display end timing comes (step A13). When the display end timing comes, the control unit 37 acquires the current time obtained from a timer (not shown) as the time when the display of the traffic regulation image RI ends (hereinafter referred to as display end time). Furthermore, the control unit 37 determines that the control unit 37 has switched the switching cycle F set in step A3 at the acquired display end time.₁Or F₂And the time when the traffic regulation image RI should be displayed next (hereinafter referred to as the next display time) T_nxIs derived and stored (step A14). The next display time T_nxIs used to derive the display timing in step A15 described later.
[0041]
In step A11, the traffic information D newly stored is stored._bIs determined not to change, it is determined whether or not it is the display timing of the traffic regulation image RI (step A15). More specifically, in step A15, the currently stored next display time T_nxIt is determined whether or not the current time has passed. Next display time T_nxIf the current time has passed, the control unit 37 performs step A12.
[0042]
Through the above processing, unchanged traffic information D_bIn relation to the traffic regulation image RI, the switching cycle F₁Or F₂Next display time T calculated using_nxWill be output according to. Here, the switching cycle F₂Is the switching cycle F₁Is set to a larger value. Thus, when an elderly person is driving a vehicle, the map image M₂It is possible to relatively reduce the number of times of switching from to the traffic regulation image RI and to realize guidance and guidance of vehicles that are kind to the elderly.
[0043]
In step A10, new traffic information D_bIf the control unit 37 determines that the route information is not stored, or after the execution of step A14 or if it is determined in step A15 that the display timing of the traffic information RI is not reached, the control unit 37 performs a route search by a known method. If it is determined whether or not the route search is not performed (step A16), the control unit 37 returns to step A4.
[0044]
On the other hand, when it is determined that the route search is to be performed, the control unit 37 acquires a start point and an end point necessary for the route search by a known method (step A17), and is then stored in the map storage unit 32. Map database DB_aFrom, the road network data necessary for the route search is acquired (step A18). Thereafter, the control unit 37 searches for a route through which the vehicle can move in the shortest time or the minimum distance from the start point to the end point set in Step A17 using the acquired road network data (Step A19).
[0045]
Next, the control unit 37 derives the current position of the vehicle in the same manner as in step A4 (step A20), and then whether or not the current position derived in step A20 matches the end point acquired in step A17. Is determined (step A21). If the two match, the main body device 3 has guided and guided the vehicle to the end point, and thus the processing of FIGS. 7 and 8 ends.
[0046]
Conversely, if it is determined in step A21 that the current position does not coincide with the end point, the control unit 37 uses the current position derived in step A20 in the same manner as in step A5, and the drawing range RA.₁Or RA₂Is derived (FIG. 8; step A22). Thereafter, the control unit 37, like step A6, derives the derived drawing range RA.₁Or RA₂All objects necessary for creating the map image are acquired from the map storage unit 32 (step A23). Note that the road network data is acquired in step A18, and therefore need not be read from the map storage unit 32 in step A22. Further, the control unit 37 sets the set display importance DL as in step A7.₁Or DL₂Accordingly, the text necessary for creating the map image is acquired from the map storage unit 32 (step A24).
[0047]
Next, the control unit 37 displays the map image M₁And M₂Map image M of the same pixel size as_ThreeAnd M_FourIs created (step A25). More specifically, the driver is a reference age Y₁When it is determined that the map image M is less than the map image M,₁In the same image as in the drawing range RA in the path derived in step A19.₁A map image M as shown in FIG._ThreeCreate In addition, driver is standard age Y₁When it is determined as described above, the control unit 37 displays the map image M.₂In the same image as in the drawing range RA in the path derived in step A19.₂A map image M as shown in FIG._FourCreate
Next, the control unit 37 creates the created map image M_ThreeOr M_FourIs transferred to the display unit 38, and the display unit 38 receives the received map image M.₁Or M₂Is displayed (step A26). Here, the drawing range RA₂Is the drawing range RA₁Narrower but map image M_ThreeAnd M_FourHave the same pixel size. Therefore, the map image M_FourIn this, a state in a relatively narrow range is expressed in an enlarged manner. Map image M_FourOnly the intersection name and the road name that are assumed to be relatively important are superimposed on. This makes the map image M kind to the elderly_FourCan be provided.
[0048]
Next, the control unit 37 uses the route obtained in step A19 to determine the distance D from the current position derived in step A20 to the next intersection where the vehicle passes._ThreeIs calculated (step A27), and then it is determined whether or not voice guidance is performed (step A28). Specifically, the distance D obtained in step A27._ThreeIs the output distance TP set in step A3₁Or TP₂If it is below, the control unit 37 determines that the vehicle is approaching the intersection and, as described above, creates a synthesized voice with the content “Please go straight at the next intersection, turn right or left”. , Forward to the audio output unit 39. The audio output unit 39 outputs the volume V set in the control unit 37 in step A3.₁Or V₂Then, the content represented by the received synthesized speech is output (step A29).
[0049]
As is clear from the above, when an elderly person is driving the vehicle, the volume from the voice output unit 39 is relatively increased, and the voice guidance is output at a position relatively away from the intersection. . This makes it possible to realize vehicle guidance / guidance that is kind to the elderly.
[0050]
Distance A in step A28_ThreeIs the output distance TP₁Or TP₂If not, or after step A29, the control unit 37, like step A10, creates new traffic information D._bIs stored (step A30), and if updated, the traffic information D of this time is the same as in step A11._bIt is determined whether or not has changed compared to the previous one (step A31).
[0051]
Traffic information D_bIs changed, the control part 37 produces the traffic regulation image RI similarly to step A12, and displays it on the display part 38 (step A32). Thereby, the display screen of the display unit 38 displays the currently displayed map image M._ThreeOr M_FourTo the traffic regulation image RI. Here, the control unit 37 continues to display the traffic regulation image RI created in step A32 on the display unit 38 until a predetermined display end timing comes (step A33). When the display end timing comes, the control unit 37 performs the next display time T required in step A35, which will be described later, in the same manner as in step A14._nxIs derived and stored (step A34).
[0052]
In step A31, the newly stored traffic information D_bWhen it is determined that is not changed, the control unit 37 determines whether or not the display timing of the traffic regulation image RI is the same as in step A15 (step A35), and if it is the display timing, performs step A32.
[0053]
Through the above processing, unchanged traffic information D_bIs the switching cycle F₁Or F₂Next display time T calculated using_nxWill be output according to. Here, the switching cycle F₂Is the switching cycle F₁Is set to a larger value. Thus, when an elderly person is driving a vehicle, the map image M_FourIt is possible to relatively reduce the number of times of switching from to the traffic regulation image RI and to realize guidance and guidance of vehicles that are kind to the elderly.
[0054]
In step A31, new traffic information D_bIs determined not to be stored, after executing step A34, or when it is determined in step A35 that the display timing of the traffic information RI is not reached, the control unit 37 returns to step A20.
[0055]
  In the above description, the storage medium 21 has been described as being included in the smart card 2 as a preferred embodiment.Registered trademarkIt may be a portable medium represented by (1). Since these portable media cannot perform wireless communication with the main body device 3, the main body device 3 is portable instead of the user information communication unit 31.sexIt is necessary to provide a reader for reading information from the media.
[0056]
In the above description, the vehicle-mounted main body device 3 has been described as a preferred embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the main body device 3 is portable, for example, a personal computer, a mobile phone, or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant). It may be a simple configuration.
[0057]
In the above description, as a preferred embodiment, the user information communication unit 31 provided in the main body device 3 performs wireless communication with the smart card 2 having the maximum received signal level in a state where the user information communication unit 31 is installed at a position closest to the driver's seat. I was going. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the smart card 2 to be wirelessly communicated may be specified by the following method. In other words, information (typically a combination of surname and name) that identifies a person who can be a vehicle driver is registered in the main unit 3 as information stored in the storage medium 21. The main unit 3 wirelessly communicates with each of the surrounding smart cards 2 and acquires the last name and name combination of the holder from each. The main unit 3 performs wireless communication with the smart card 2 that has transmitted a last name and a name that matches a registered name.
[0058]
Further, in the above description, the main device 3 receives the user information D_aFrom the birthday as an example, the driver's age is derived to control the output of various information necessary for vehicle guidance and guidance. However, the user information D is not limited to this._aThe driver's driving history is derived from the issuance date of the electronic driver's license, and the main body device 3 may control the output of various information necessary for vehicle guidance / guidance using the derived driving history. .
[0059]
In the above description, for example, the reference age Y₁Based on whether or not this is the case, the output of various information necessary for vehicle guidance and guidance has been controlled. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the reference age may be increased to two or more.
[0060]
In the above description, the traffic regulation image RI is displayed in step A12 or A32. However, traffic information D_bSince various other information is included in step A12 or A32, traffic information D_bAs long as it is included in the image, an image created from any information may be displayed.
[0061]
In the above description, the long distance and short distance combinations, volume, switching period, display importance, and intersection information output distance are described in the parameter table storage unit 33, for example. However, the parameter table T is not limited to these._PMAny parameter may be used as long as it is a parameter for controlling the output of various information necessary for vehicle guidance / guidance. Other parameters include, for example, the color tone and brightness of the image output from the display unit 38.
[0062]
Further, in the above description, for example, the map storage unit 32 is a character database DB that is a collection of text that can be superimposed on a map image._bWas stored. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the map storage unit 32 may store a database for landmark images and / or symbol marks that can be superimposed on a map image. In addition, each landmark image or symbol mark is classified according to the importance as in the text. As in the case of text, the control unit 37 acquires necessary landmark images and / or symbol marks, and creates a map image using the acquired landmark images.
[0063]
Moreover, in the above-mentioned, the control part 37 is a two-dimensional map image M.₁~ M_FourHowever, the present invention is not limited to this, and a three-dimensional map image may be created.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a navigation system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing information stored in the storage medium 21 shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing data stored in the map storage unit 32 shown in FIG. 1;
4 is a schematic diagram showing parameters stored in a parameter table storage unit 33 shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
5 is a schematic diagram for explaining a combination of a long side distance and a short side distance shown in FIG. 4. FIG.
6 is traffic information D received by the traffic information receiving unit 35 of FIG._bIt is a schematic diagram which shows the traffic regulation image RI contained in.
7 is a first half of a flowchart showing a procedure for guiding and guiding a vehicle by the navigation system 1 of FIG.
FIG. 8 is a latter half of a flowchart showing a procedure of vehicle guidance / guidance by the navigation system 1 of FIG. 1;
9 is a map image M created in step A8 in FIG. 7;₁It is a schematic diagram which shows an example.
10 is a map image M created in step A8 in FIG. 7;₂It is a schematic diagram which shows an example.
11 is a map image M created in step A25 of FIG._ThreeIt is a schematic diagram which shows an example.
12 is a map image M created in step A25 of FIG._FourIt is a schematic diagram which shows an example.
[Explanation of symbols]
1. Navigation system
2. Smart card
21 ... Storage medium
22 ... Control unit
23. User information communication unit
3 ... Main unit
31 ... User information communication unit
32 ... Map storage
33 ... Parameter table storage unit
34 ... Locator
35 ... Traffic information receiver
36 ... Program storage unit
361 ... Computer program
37 ... Control unit
38 ... Display section
39. Audio output unit

Claims (4)

A navigation system,
A storage medium for storing user information;
A parameter storage unit for storing at least one parameter necessary for output control of information necessary for guidance and guidance of the vehicle;
A parameter acquisition unit for acquiring necessary parameters from the parameter storage unit based on user information stored in the storage medium;
According to the parameters acquired by the parameter acquisition unit, an information generation unit that generates information necessary for guidance and guidance of the vehicle;
An output unit that outputs the information generated by the information generation unit,
The storage medium is included in a smart card, and the parameter storage unit, the parameter acquisition unit, the information generation unit, and the output unit are included in a main device,
The smart card is a driving license of the vehicle, and the user's age or the date of issue of the electronic driving license is stored as user information in the storage medium,
The parameter storage unit stores one or more parameters for each predetermined age range or driving history range,
The parameter acquisition unit acquires necessary parameters from the parameter storage unit based on the driving history that can be calculated from the age stored in the storage medium or the date of issue stored in the storage medium,
A traffic information receiving unit for receiving traffic information indicating current traffic conditions in the road network;
The parameter storage unit stores a switching cycle indicating a display timing of traffic information received by the traffic information receiving unit for each predetermined age range or driving history range,
The parameter acquisition unit acquires a necessary switching cycle from the parameter storage unit based on an operation history that can be calculated from the age stored in the storage medium or the issue date stored in the storage medium,
The information generation unit includes a display timing determination unit that determines whether the present is a display timing based on the switching period acquired by the parameter acquisition unit,
The said output part is a navigation system which displays the traffic information received by the said traffic information receiving part as information, when the said display timing judgment part judges that it is a display timing. A method for performing navigation using parameters necessary for output control of user information and information necessary for vehicle guidance / guidance,
A user information acquisition step of acquiring the age of the holder stored in the smart card or the date of issue of the electronic driver's license;
A traffic information receiving step for receiving traffic information indicating current traffic conditions in the road network;
A parameter acquisition step for acquiring a switching cycle indicating the necessary display timing of the traffic information based on the driving history that can be calculated from the age of the owner acquired by the user information acquisition step or the date of issue of the electronic license. When,
A display timing determination step for determining whether or not the current display timing is based on the switching period acquired by the parameter acquisition step;
A navigation method comprising: an output step of displaying the traffic information received in the traffic information reception step as information when it is determined that the display timing is in the display timing determination step. The navigation method according to claim 2 , realized by a computer program. The navigation method according to claim 3 , wherein the computer program is recorded in a storage medium.

Images