JP4196461B2 - Route guidance device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a route guidance apparatus which can be applied to a navigation system for vehicle.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a conventional navigation device, using a road data and a photographic image stored in a map data storage device such as a CD-ROM optical disc device which is a read-only compact disc, an enlarged view of an intersection and a photograph of an intersection are displayed. The route guide (route guidance) was performed using these photograph displays.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Therefore, the above-mentioned conventional navigation device uses an enlarged view of the intersection previously imagined at the time of creating the map data or a photograph of the intersection taken at that time, so what is the intersection that can be seen from the vehicle position when actually traveling? However, because the display angle and display position are quite different, it is difficult to distinguish, and the old data has the inconvenience that the intersection itself and the surroundings are completely different and could not be distinguished. there were.
[0004]
The present invention has been made in consideration of such points, and an object of the present invention is to propose a route guidance device capable of providing easy-to-understand route guidance by capturing an actual image.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object of the present invention, the route guidance device of the present invention stores an image capturing means for capturing an image of a branch point in each route at a predetermined distance before the branch point , and stores the image. Storage means, display control means for generating route information from the vehicle position to the set destination using an image, display means for displaying the route information and / or image, and time calculation for calculating the current time Means. Then, it is determined whether or not the distance from the vehicle position to the next branch point is equal to or less than a predetermined distance. If the distance is equal to or less than the predetermined distance, it is determined whether or not the current time is night, and the current time is not night In some cases, control is performed so that the image at the next branch point is captured by the image capturing means.
In addition, preferably, it further includes a rain determining unit that determines rain, and controls the image capturing unit to capture an image of the next branch point only when it is determined that there is no rain by the rain determining unit. I am doing so.
[0008]
The operation of the route guidance device of the present invention will be described . First, it is determined whether the distance from the vehicle position to a guide point or main intersection at a specific location is equal to or less than a preset distance.
[0009]
Next, based on the time calculated by the positioning means, it is determined whether it is night (whether it is during sunset). When it is determined that it is not night, the image capturing means captures actual images of roads and intersections around the guide point from before the guide point.
[0010]
The image captured by the image capturing means is stored in the work area of the storage means. Based on the image address stored in the storage means together with the image data, it is determined whether or not there is the same image data corresponding to the image address in the storage means.
[0011]
When the same image data corresponding to this image address exists in the storage means, the image data and image address captured by the image capture means are overwritten on the image data and image address already stored in the storage means.
[0012]
When there is no same image data corresponding to this image address in the storage means, the image data and the image address are newly written in the storage means.
[0013]
Next, an image display operation will be described.
It is determined whether the distance from the vehicle position to the guide point or main intersection at a specific location is equal to or less than a preset distance.
[0014]
Based on the current position information calculated by the positioning means, the guide point, and the like, the image address stored in the storage means is searched to search whether there is image data of the guide point.
[0015]
From the search execution result, it is determined whether there is guide point image data in the storage means.
[0016]
When image data is stored in the storage means, the stored guide point image is read out and displayed on the display means. In the display means, an image display screen using the image data in the storage means is displayed together with the map screen.
[0017]
When the image data is not stored in the storage means, the map data stored in the map storage means is read out and the intersection enlarged view is displayed on the display means.
[0018]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[Operation overview]
The navigation system of the present embodiment adds an image capturing device such as a CCD (charge coupled device) camera to the car navigation system, and actual images of main guide points (such as intersections of main roads) during traveling. Is stored in a large-capacity storage device (hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, etc.), and the next route is a navigation system that realizes a good route guide using the stored image.
[0019]
[System configuration]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an in-vehicle navigation system according to the present embodiment. A GPS receiver 12 that performs positioning based on GPS data received from a GPS (global positioning system) antenna 11 supplies current position information and the like to an AV (audio / visual) system communication communication processing unit 17.
[0020]
The AV / system / communication arithmetic processing unit 17 reads out map information, road information and the like from the map data storage 13 by the driver unit 14 and displays them together with the current position information on the display unit 15.
[0021]
At that time, the memory 16 holds various data such as image data expansion / retention and position information. Input of commands from the outside is supplied to the AV / system / communication arithmetic processing unit 17 via the remote control light receiving unit 18 using a remote control (remote control device) 19.
[0022]
Further, when an automobile equipped with the navigation system of the present embodiment passes a guide point (such as an intersection of a main road), the image capturing device 21 captures an actual image of the guide point and stores it in the storage device 20. .
[0023]
When the guide point is passed again, the image of the guide point stored and stored in the storage device 20 is displayed on the display unit 15 to perform a good route guide.
[0024]
[Description of node, link, own vehicle position, road]
In FIG. 2, a node N1 (24) indicating the same route as the traveling direction and a node N2 (25) and a node N3 (26) indicating a route different from the traveling direction with respect to the vehicle position 23 on the road 22 are shown. If there is, the intersection of the node N1 (24) with the node N2 (25) and the node N3 (26) becomes the node NG (guide point) (27), and the vehicle position 23 from the node NG (guide point) (27). A section in which the distance between them is L is called a link 1C (28). Here, the node NG (guide point) (27) is specifically a branch of a route, a main intersection, and the like, and includes a side road of a three-dimensional intersection, a high-speed interchange, a junction, and the like. Note that data such as the coordinate position of each node or the like is stored in the map data storage 13.
[0025]
[Image capture flowchart]
FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of the image capturing operation of the present embodiment. The terms on the route are used with reference to the terms shown in FIG.
In FIG. 3, in step S1, it is determined whether the distance L from the vehicle position 23 to the guide point (node NG) (27) or the main intersection is equal to or less than a preset distance X1. The determination in step S1 is repeated until the distance from the vehicle position 23 to the guide point 27 becomes X1 or less, and the process waits. If it becomes X1 or less, the process proceeds to the next step S2.
[0026]
In step S2, it is determined whether it is night (whether it is during sunset) or not based on the time calculated by the GPS receiver 12. When it is determined at night in step S2, the process returns to step S1. This is to avoid acquiring images at night, because only images that are difficult to understand can be acquired even when image data is acquired in the dark.
[0027]
When it is determined in step S2 that it is not night, the process proceeds to step S3. In step S3, the image capturing device 21 captures actual images of roads and intersections around the guide point from before the guide point.
[0028]
In step S4, the image captured in step S3 is stored in the work area of the storage device 20. Specifically, the image data of the guide point and information about the image (image address (for example, link number 1C, node numbers N1, N2, N3, NG, distance X1, date and time, traveling direction, etc.)) are stored. Yes.
[0029]
In step S5, based on the image address stored in the storage device 20 together with the image data in step S4, it is determined whether or not the same image data corresponding to this image address exists in the storage device 20.
[0030]
In step S6, if there is the same image data corresponding to this image address in the storage device 20 in step S5, the image data already stored in the storage device 20 and the image captured in step S3 on the image address. The data and image address are overwritten, the process returns to step S1, and the determination and processing from step S1 to step S6 are repeated.
[0031]
In step S7, when there is no same image data corresponding to this image address in the storage device 20 in step S5, the image data and the image address are newly written in the storage device 20, and the process returns to step S1, and steps S1 to S1 are performed. The determination and processing up to step S7 are repeated.
[0032]
[Image display flowchart]
FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of the image display operation of the present embodiment. The terms on the route are used with reference to the terms shown in FIG.
In FIG. 4, in step S11, it is determined whether the distance L from the vehicle position 23 to the guide point (node NG) (27) or the main intersection is equal to or less than a preset distance X2. The determination in step S11 is repeated until the distance from the host vehicle position 23 to the guide point 27 becomes X2 or less, and the process proceeds to the next step S12.
[0033]
When it is determined in step S11 that the distance from the vehicle position 23 to the guide point 27 is X2 or less, the process proceeds to step S12. In step S12, the current position information calculated by the GPS receiver 12 (for example, link 1C and the like) The image address stored in the storage device 20 is searched based on the link number, the node numbers of the nodes N1, N2, N3, etc., the traveling direction) and the node numbers of the guide point (node NG) (27). Searching for guide point image data.
[0034]
In step S13, it is determined whether there is guide point image data in the storage device 20 from the search execution result in step S12.
[0035]
In step S14, when the image data is stored in the storage device 20 in step S13, the stored guide point image is read and displayed on the display unit 15, the process returns to step S11, and steps S11 to S14 are performed. Repeat the determination and processing up to.
[0036]
FIG. 6 shows a route guide using stored image data according to the present embodiment. In the display unit 15 shown in FIG. 6, a map screen 61 is displayed on the left half, and an image display screen 62 using the image data of the storage device 20 is displayed on the right half. In this case, only the image display screen 62 using the image data of the storage device 20 may be displayed on the display unit 15.
[0037]
In step S15, if no image data is stored in the storage device 20 in step S13, the map data stored in the map data storage 13 is read out, and an enlarged intersection map is displayed on the display unit 15, and step S11. Returning to step S11, the determination and processing from step S11 to step S15 are repeated.
[0038]
FIG. 5 shows a route guide using the map data storage of the present embodiment. In the display unit 15 shown in FIG. 5, a map screen 51 is displayed on the left half, and an intersection enlargement screen 52 using data of the map data storage 13 is displayed on the right half. In this case, only the intersection enlarged screen 52 may be displayed on the display unit 15.
[0039]
[How to install the car navigation system]
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a method of attaching the car navigation system to the automobile according to the present embodiment.
In FIG. 7, the image capturing device 21 is installed at a position where it is possible to capture an image that is as close as possible to the driver's line of sight of the driver's seat 71 and does not interfere with driving. For example, the image capturing device 21 is installed under the windshield 74 in front of the handle 72 on the driver's seat 71 side and in contact with the outside or the inside of the windshield 74.
[0040]
The display unit 15 is installed on a dashboard in front of the windshield 74 at an intermediate position between the driver seat 71 and the passenger seat 73, for example, and the navigation system main body 75 is installed in an accessory storage unit below the display unit 15. Install.
[0041]
[Selection of guide points]
The guide point refers to a main branching point on the route guide from the starting point to the destination, which is likely to be erroneous. The guide point is selected according to a plurality of conditions such as the number, type, shape, and number of lanes of intersecting roads.
[0042]
[Conditions for image capture and display]
First, the image capturing condition is that a route from the departure point to the destination is set and captured at a guide point in the route guide. Secondly, when the route guide is not being used, it is taken in at a main branch point or an intersection that becomes a guide point.
[0043]
When capturing an image, it is possible to capture a clear image that satisfies a certain image quality at the time of reproduction when it is not captured at night (when it is dark enough to capture a clear image) or in the rain.
[0044]
For day / night determination (light / dark determination), the time calculated by the GPS receiver 12, a clock, an optical sensor, or the like is used. In addition, the rainy weather is determined by a wiper operation of a vehicle or a raindrop sensor.
[0045]
Furthermore, day and night images can be recorded even with image data of the same guide point, and the day and night images can be effectively utilized by switching the operation mode, and can be selectively used according to the time for displaying the images. For example, a guide point on a route that travels only at night is marked by a neon sign or the like that is lit only at night, so the operation mode is switched to capture an image even at night.
[0046]
The image display condition is displayed when image data is stored in the storage device 20 at the guide point during the route guide to the destination.
[0047]
[Image capture and display timing]
FIG. 8 shows the timing of image capture and display in this embodiment.
In FIG. 8, the distance X1 from the node NG (guide point) 83 is the image capture point CP (85) and the distance X2 from the node NG (guide point) 83 is the image with respect to the vehicle position 82 on the road 81. The display point DP (84) is obtained. Here, X1 indicates the distance between the guide point 83 and the image capture point CP (85), and X2 indicates the distance between the guide point 83 and the image display point DP (84).
[0048]
In a navigation system, it is important to know information about the situation ahead in the direction of travel as soon as possible, and to acquire information that allows the driver to drive comfortably. Therefore, it is an important condition that the image display point DP (84) at the guide point (node NG) 83 is ahead of the traveling direction from the image capture point CP (85).
[0049]
For example, the image capture point at a certain guide point is 30 meters before the guide point, and the image display point at the time of route guidance is 300 meters before the guide point. By doing so, the previous situation (situation 30 meters before the guide point) can be known at 300 meters before the guide point, and a comfortable driving is possible.
[0050]
If the distance between the image capture point CP (85) and the guide point (node NG) (83) is X1, and the distance between the image display point DP (84) and the guide point (node NG) (83) is X2,
X2 ≧ X1
This relationship holds.
[0051]
The values of X1 and X2 may be determined in advance. In particular, X2 can be dynamically changed based on the vehicle speed signal from the vehicle or the speed calculated by the GPS receiver 12. A good guide is possible.
[0052]
For example, when the vehicle is moving at high speed on an expressway or the like, driving with a guide point image displayed in front of the vehicle can be performed more comfortably than when traveling at a low speed on a general road.
If X2 during high speed movement is X2H and X2 during low speed movement is X2L,
X2H ≧ X2L
This relationship holds.
[0053]
The route guidance apparatus according to the present embodiment is set based on an image capturing device 21 serving as an image capturing unit that captures an image of a specific location on each route, a storage device 20 serving as a storage unit that stores the image, and a vehicle position. AV / system / communication arithmetic processing device 17 as display control means for generating route information to the destination using the image, and display unit 15 as display means for displaying the route information together with the image. Since it is provided, it is a small amount of information by displaying using data stored in a map data storage such as a CD-ROM like the enlarged view of the intersection used for route guidance (route guide) until now, and , Without being able to respond to changes in the situation, information can be collected and updated dynamically, and real images can be displayed. Can be increased, also becomes possible response to changes in the situation, it is possible to allow for easy-to-understand good route guidance.
[0054]
In the route guidance device according to the present embodiment, since the specific location is a branch point or main intersection of the route in the above description, the route guidance is obtained by capturing an image using the branch point or main intersection of the route as a guide point. New information necessary for the purpose can be acquired.
[0055]
In the route guidance device of the present embodiment, in the above description, the image capturing device 21 as the image capturing unit captures the image at a predetermined distance before the specific location, and thus approaches the specific location in the traveling direction. The image at the time of going can be acquired as it is, and an easy-to-understand image can be displayed at the time of route guidance.
[0062]
In the above-described embodiment, the system refers to a logical collection of a plurality of devices, and it does not matter whether the devices of each configuration are in the same housing.
Further, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various other configurations can be adopted without departing from the gist of the present invention.
[0063]
【The invention's effect】
The route guidance apparatus according to the present invention uses the image to capture image information of a specific location on each route, storage means for storing the image, and route information from the vehicle position to a set destination. Since the display control means for generating and the display means for displaying the route information together with the image are provided, a map data storage such as a CD-ROM is used as in an enlarged view of an intersection conventionally used for route guidance (route guide). By using the data stored in the image, it is possible to collect and update information dynamically with a small amount of information, without being able to respond to changes in the situation, and to display actual images. As a result, the amount of information can be increased, it is possible to respond to changes in the situation, and it is possible to provide a good route guidance that is easy to understand. Unlikely to.
[0064]
In the route guidance device according to the present invention, since the specific location is a branch point or main intersection of the route in the above description, the route is guided by taking an image using the branch point or main intersection of the route as a guide point. It is possible to obtain new information necessary for the operation.
[0065]
In the route guidance device according to the present invention, in the above description, since the image capturing unit captures the image at a predetermined distance before the specific location, the image as it approaches the specific location in the traveling direction is acquired as it is. It is possible to display an easy-to-understand image at the time of route guidance.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a navigation system according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing nodes, links, own vehicle positions, and roads according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an image capturing operation according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an image display operation of the present embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a route guide display using the map data storage of the present embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a route guide display using stored image data according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing attachment of the car navigation system to the automobile according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating image capture and display timing according to the present embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... GPS antenna, 12 ... GPS receiver, 13 ... Map data storage, 14 ... Driver part, 15 ... Display part, 16 ... Memory, 17 ... AV system communication communication processing part, 18 Remote control light receiving unit 19 Remote control 20 Storage device 21 Image capture device 22 Road 23 Vehicle position 24 Nodes N1, 25 Nodes N2, 26 ... nodes N3, 27 ... node NG (guide point), 28 ... link 1C, L ... distance, 51 ... map screen, 52 ... intersection enlargement screen using data of the map data storage 61, 61 ... ··· Map screen, 62 ··· Image display screen using data of storage device 20, 71 · Driver's seat, 72 · · · Handle, 73 · · · Passenger seat, 74 · · · Windshield, 75 · · · Car navigation system Main body, 81 ... road, 82 ... own vehicle position, 83 ... node NG (guide point), 84 ... image display point DP, 85 ... image capture point CP, X1 ... distance, X2 ... distance,

Claims (2)

Image capturing means for capturing an image of a branch point in each path at a predetermined distance before the branch point ;
Storage means for storing the image;
Display control means for generating route information from the vehicle position to the set destination using the image,
Display means for displaying the route information and / or the image;
A time calculation means for calculating the current time;
Determine whether the distance from the vehicle position to the next branch point is less than or equal to a predetermined distance, and if it is less than or equal to the predetermined distance, determine whether the current time is at night, and if the current time is not at night Control means for controlling the image capturing means to capture an image of the next branch point ;
A route guidance device comprising: Furthermore,
It has a rain judging means to judge the rain,
2. The route guidance device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit controls the image capturing unit to capture an image of the next branch point only when the rain determining unit determines that there is no rainfall .

Images