JP4342059B2 - VEHICLE NAVIGATION DEVICE AND METHOD, AND RECORDING MEDIUM CONTAINING VEHICLE NAVIGATION SOFTWARE - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an improvement in vehicle navigation technology for guiding a road mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile, and in particular, the last facility before entering a special road such as an expressway is guided. Is.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a vehicle navigation device is known as a technology that is mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile and searches for and guides an optimum route to a designated destination. This vehicle navigation apparatus calculates an optimum route to a given destination based on road data recorded on a CD-ROM or the like. The vehicle navigation device calculates the current position of the vehicle in real time based on GPS navigation or autonomous navigation using a gyro, etc., and displays the position of the vehicle on the surrounding road map, while following the route. The direction of travel is guided by screen display or synthesized voice.
[0003]
In addition, as a vehicle navigation device, not only guides the route with map display or synthetic voice, but also depending on the current position of the vehicle after departure, various facilities near the route, such as family restaurants, convenience stores, Some of them have a function of guiding information related to a gas station or the like.
[0004]
Such a function is called “route side search”. For example, for a facility of a type that has been designated or inquired in advance, a facility within a predetermined distance from the position of the own vehicle is searched from data in the CD-ROM. Searches and guides distance, brand, and directions.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, the types of roads are general roads that can be freely entered and exited, such as general national roads, and roads that cannot be freely entered and exited such as expressways, motorway roads and other toll roads (referred to as special roads in this application). Can be considered. And on special roads, not only vehicles and people are allowed to enter and exit, but also the number, location, available time zone of various facilities such as gas stations, family restaurants, convenience stores, and capabilities in various ways are also limited. Has been.
[0006]
For this reason, in order to make driving that includes special roads comfortable and appropriate, it is necessary to use these facilities while on ordinary roads, especially at locations as close as possible to special road entry points. There is. For each type of facility, the last facility before entering the special road is referred to as a facility immediately before the special road.
[0007]
However, the conventional vehicle navigation technology does not guide the facility from the point of view immediately before the special road, and thus there is a problem that the facility just before the special road is often overtaken.
For example, it is assumed that a vehicle equipped with a vehicle navigation device is currently traveling on a general road, and the set route is a route that enters an expressway from the entrance ahead. In such a case, even if there is a restaurant on the side of the road and there is no other restaurant near the route from the current vehicle position to the highway entrance, the conventional vehicle navigation device is I didn't tell you that it was the last restaurant that was on the side and before entering the highway. For this reason, even if the user wanted to enter the restaurant before entering the highway, the facility could pass through without being aware that it was, and could enter the highway.
[0008]
Such problems are not limited to restaurants but also to other types of facilities such as gas stations and convenience stores, and users often miss opportunities to refuel and shop before entering the expressway.
[0009]
The present invention has been proposed in order to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, and its purpose is to provide a vehicle navigation technique for guiding the last facility before entering a special road, that is, a vehicle navigation. It is an object to provide a recording medium in which an apparatus and a method and vehicle navigation software are recorded.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 is a vehicle navigation apparatus for calculating and guiding a route to a given destination. Means for detecting that the vehicle position is within a predetermined range before an entry point from a general road to a predetermined type of special road; Means for searching for a facility of a predetermined type within a predetermined range from the vehicle position when it is detected that the vehicle position is within a predetermined range from the entry point; Means for determining whether or not the searched facility is the last facility before the entry point, and guides the facility when the searched facility is determined to be the last facility. And means for doing so.
The invention of claim 3 grasps the invention of claim 1 from the viewpoint of a method, Using a computer In a vehicle navigation method for calculating and guiding a route to a given destination, Detecting by the computer that the vehicle position is within a predetermined range before the entry point from a general road to a predetermined type of special road; A step for searching for a facility of a predetermined type within a predetermined range from the vehicle position when it is detected that the vehicle position is within a predetermined range from the entry point; A step for determining whether or not the searched facility is the last facility before the entry point with respect to the type; and when the searched facility is determined to be the last facility, guidance is provided on the facility Steps to do, Run It is characterized by that.
A fifth aspect of the present invention provides a recording medium in which the vehicle navigation software for calculating and guiding a route to a given destination using a computer is recorded on the first and third aspects of the invention. On the computer, Detecting that the vehicle position is within a predetermined range before the entry point from a general road to a predetermined type of special road, When it is detected that the vehicle position is within a predetermined range from the entry point, a predetermined type of facility is searched for within the predetermined range from the vehicle position, and the vehicle is searched. Whether or not the facility is the last facility before the entry point is determined for the type, and if the searched facility is determined to be the last facility, the facility is guided.
In the inventions of claims 1, 3 and 5, the last facility before entering a special road such as a highway is guided for each type of facility such as a convenience store, a gas station, and a family restaurant. It becomes possible to add things such as refueling. For this reason, the number of cases where the user has to stop by the service area after entering the special road is reduced, and comfortable and appropriate driving is facilitated.
[0011]
The invention of claim 2 is a vehicle navigation apparatus for calculating and guiding a route to a given destination, and the calculated route is entered from a general road into a predetermined type of special road. Means for detecting a point in advance, and means for sequentially searching for a facility of a predetermined type from a predetermined range based on the detected route before the entry point toward the entry point; Means for preliminarily storing facility information relating to the facility found last before the entry point in a memory as a guidance target; and means for performing guidance based on the facility information stored in advance in the memory; It is provided with.
The invention of claim 4 grasps the invention of claim 2 from the viewpoint of a method, Using a computer In a vehicle navigation method for calculating and guiding a route to a given destination, By the computer For the calculated route, a predetermined range based on a step for detecting an entry point from a general road to a special road of a predetermined type in advance and a route before the detected entry point A step for sequentially searching for facilities of a predetermined type from the point of approach to the entry point, and a step for storing in advance in a memory as facility information about a facility found last before the entry point. And performing guidance based on the facility information stored in advance in the memory; Run It is characterized by that.
The invention of claim 6 grasps the inventions of claims 2 and 4 from the viewpoint of a computer-readable recording medium in which computer software is recorded, and uses a computer to determine a route to a given destination. In a recording medium on which vehicle navigation software for calculation and guidance is recorded, the software pre-determines an entry point from a general road to a predetermined type of special road for the calculated route. Based on the detected route before the entry point, the facility of a predetermined type is sequentially searched from the predetermined range toward the entry point, and the facility found last before the entry point. Is stored in advance in the memory as a guidance target and stored in advance in the memory. Characterized in that to perform the guidance based on the facility information.
In the inventions of claims 2, 4, and 6, in addition to the same effects as those of claims 1, 3, and 5, the calculated route is searched in advance for the presence or absence of entry to a special road and the guidance target facility immediately before that. Since it is memorized, processing during running is reduced. Moreover, it is possible to respond to inquiries from the user or to inform the user in advance about the facilities that may be stopped by the result of the collective search.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Next, a plurality of embodiments (referred to as embodiments) relating to the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. Each embodiment can be realized by controlling a computer including various hardware devices by software. For such software, the method described in the related art is also used in common with the above prior art. The effect of the present invention is realized by utilizing a physical processing device such as a CPU of the computer.
[0013]
However, there are various specific implementation forms in this case, such as a circuit configuration, a range left to software, and a software expression format. For example, a computer-readable recording medium on which such software is recorded can be used alone. It is one embodiment of the invention. Therefore, hereinafter, the present invention and each embodiment will be described using virtual circuit blocks that realize individual functions included in the present invention and each embodiment.
[0014]
[1. First Embodiment]
[1-1. Configuration of First Embodiment]
First, the first embodiment is a vehicle navigation system for calculating and guiding a route from a given starting point to a destination based on road data representing a road network structure, which is mounted on a mobile vehicle. The apparatus and the vehicle navigation method executed on the vehicle navigation apparatus are shown, and can be grasped as a recording medium on which the vehicle navigation software for realizing these is recorded.
[0015]
In particular, in the first embodiment, in the vehicle navigation technology as described above, when traveling based on the calculated optimum route, the first embodiment is different for each type of facility such as a convenience store, a gas station, and a family restaurant. FIG. 1 is an example in which the last facility before entering a special road such as a toll road (referred to as a final facility) is guided by synthetic voice or screen display. FIG. 1 is a functional block showing the configuration of the first embodiment. FIG.
[0016]
[1-1-1. Overall configuration)
That is, the first embodiment includes an absolute position / orientation detection unit 1, a relative orientation detection unit 2, a vehicle speed detection unit 3, a main CPU and its peripheral circuit 4, a memory group M, a user interface unit 9, Display unit 10, audio output device 91, operation unit 11, storage medium control unit 12 (shown as a CD-ROM control unit in FIG. 1) for controlling an external storage medium such as a CD-ROM, FM multiplex reception and And a processing unit 13.
[0017]
Among them, the absolute position / orientation detection unit 1 calculates the absolute position coordinates and direction on the ground surface with respect to the current position of the automobile (referred to as the own vehicle) on which the apparatus is mounted, that is, the own vehicle position. For example, it is a part for receiving GPS (Global Positioning System) radio waves by the GPS antenna 101 or the like. The relative orientation detection unit 2 is a part for detecting the relative orientation of the host vehicle using a gyro. Further, the vehicle speed detection unit 3 is a part for processing a vehicle speed pulse obtained from the automobile in order to calculate the speed of the host vehicle.
[0018]
The main CPU and its peripheral circuit 4 are parts that serve as a control circuit for controlling the entire apparatus. The memory group M includes, for example, a ROM 5 storing a BIOS and a bootup program, a dynamic RAM (DRAM) 6 that provides a program area, a work area, and the like, and a nonvolatile memory for backing up information such as setting contents A static RAM (SRAM) 7 as a memory, a video RAM (VRAM) 8 for video display, and the like are included.
[0019]
The display unit 10 is a part for outputting various information such as a map and an operation menu using a liquid crystal display panel (not shown). The operation unit 11 is an operation key provided on a remote control unit or the like. This is a part for the user to input various information such as commands and destinations to the apparatus. The audio output device 91 is a part that synthesizes audio electronically and outputs it from a speaker or the like.
[0020]
The user interface unit 9 is a user interface that connects the display unit 10, the audio output device 91 and the operation unit 11, and the main CPU and its peripheral circuit 4 using an I / O control circuit, a driver, or the like.
[0021]
The storage medium control unit 12 that controls an external storage medium such as a CD-ROM is a means for reading the contents of the software and database for the system from the external storage medium such as a CD-ROM. These include, for example, a route search database representing a road network structure, a display map database, and the like. The data stored in the route search database is called route calculation data and road data, and the data stored in the display map database is called map data.
[0022]
[1-1-2. Role of main CPU and its peripheral circuits]
Further, the main CPU and its peripheral circuit 4 are operated by the software as described above, so that the current position calculation unit 40, the destination designation unit 41, the route calculation unit 42, the normal guidance unit 43, and the special road detection unit. 44, a facility search unit 45, a final facility processing unit 46, a guidance target facility memory 47, and a final facility guidance unit 48.
[0023]
Among these, the current position calculation unit 40 is a means for calculating the current position of the own vehicle, that is, the own vehicle position. Specifically, the current position calculation unit 40 calculates the own vehicle position by combining GPS navigation positioning and autonomous navigation positioning. It is configured as follows. Here, in GPS navigation positioning, the current position is calculated using information obtained from the absolute position / orientation detection unit 1 based on radio waves from an artificial satellite. In the autonomous navigation positioning, the current position is calculated using information obtained from the relative bearing detection unit 2 and the vehicle speed detection unit 3 based on the geomagnetism and the speed of the host vehicle.
[0024]
The destination designating unit 41 is a means for designating the destination of the route guidance by this apparatus. For example, the destination can be designated with a cursor on the map displayed on the display unit 10, Search from the map data based on conditions such as gas stations, convenience stores, and family restaurants near the vehicle location, and specify from the search results.
[0025]
The route calculation unit 42 is a means for calculating the optimum route from the current location or the like to the destination designated by the destination designation unit 41 based on road data or the like.
[0026]
Further, the normal guide unit 43 calculates the road data read by the storage medium control unit 12 that controls an external storage medium such as a CD-ROM or the current position calculation unit 40 for the route calculated by the route calculation unit 42. This is a means for guiding the route by means of synthesized voice or screen display based on the current position.
[0027]
The special road detection unit 44 is a means for detecting an entry point from a general road to a special road for the road ahead of the set route every time the current vehicle position is updated by the current position calculation unit 40. is there. The special road detection unit 44 is also a means for detecting that the vehicle position is within a predetermined range before the detected entry point.
[0028]
In addition, the facility search unit 45, when it is detected by the special road detection unit 44 that the vehicle position is within a predetermined range from the entry point, within the predetermined range from the vehicle position, This is means for searching for a predetermined type of facility (referred to as a guidance target facility).
[0029]
The final facility processing unit 46 is a means for determining whether the facility searched by the facility searching unit 45 is the last facility before the entry point, that is, the final facility, for the type. The guidance target facility memory 47 is a portion for storing facility information related to the final facility, and is specifically secured as an area on the DRAM 6.
[0030]
In other words, if a guidance target facility is found near the own vehicle when approaching to the expressway entrance to some extent, search for other facilities of the same kind near the entrance, and if there is no guidance at that point, The nearby facility is recorded in memory and later re-guided. For this guidance target facility memory, it is possible to set a plurality of areas. For example, for a restaurant, for a restaurant, for a gas station, for a gas station, etc. It can be stored in the area.
[0031]
The final facility guide 48 is a means for guiding the searched facility when it is determined as the final facility.
[0032]
[1-2. Operation of First Embodiment]
The first embodiment configured as described above operates as follows.
[1-2-1. Overall action)
First, the vehicle navigation apparatus according to the first embodiment uses a CD-ROM set in a CD-ROM drive by the action of a storage medium control unit 12 that controls an external storage medium such as a CD-ROM that is an external storage device. Read and use map data and route calculation data. That is, the vehicle navigation device calculates an optimum route to a given destination based on route calculation data, and when traveling according to the route, from the GPS antenna 101 and the vehicle speed detection unit 3 using a vehicle speed pulse. By sequentially calculating the vehicle position based on the obtained data, reading map data in the vicinity from the storage medium control unit 12 that controls an external storage medium such as a CD-ROM, and drawing a map around the vehicle position Then, the image is displayed on the display unit 10 using a liquid crystal display or the like. Further, after performing route calculation, when guiding by voice, necessary information such as directions is output by the voice output device 91. In addition, operations such as destination setting by the user are performed by the operation unit 11 such as a remote controller.
[0033]
In particular, in the first embodiment, the final facility is guided for each type of facility such as a convenience store, a gas station, and a family restaurant. Here, FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of final facility guidance in the first embodiment. That is, as shown in this figure, it is assumed that the vehicle A is traveling on the route R calculated, and this route R is a route that enters the expressway from the general road at the certain inter entrance. Also, it is assumed that there is no convenience store between the convenience store (called a convenience store) C along the road and the entrance of the interchange. In this case, in the first embodiment, when the own vehicle approaches the convenience store C, guidance such as “the last convenience store before the XX inter” is performed. The same applies to gas stations and family restaurants (called family restaurants).
[0034]
[1-2-2. Detection of special roads)
Specifically, in the first embodiment, after calculating the route to the destination, when driving according to the route, processing for final facility guidance, that is, detection of approaching a special road, nearby guidance target Processing such as searching for facilities and confirming that the searched facility is the final facility is performed by sequential processing. Here, the whole processing procedure for final facility guidance is shown in the flowchart of FIG. The specific procedure of route calculation is omitted because it is not directly related to the contents of the present invention, but the Dijkstra method can be used as an example.
[0035]
In the procedure of FIG. 3, when the current vehicle position is updated by the current position calculation unit 40 (step 1301), it is confirmed that the own vehicle has not yet reached the destination. (Step 1302). If the vehicle has not yet arrived at the destination (step 1302), it is next determined whether or not to check the final facility (step 1303).
[0036]
That is, in this determination, the special road detection unit 44 detects an entry point from a general road to a predetermined type of special road ahead of the set route, and before the detected entry point. It is detected that the vehicle position is within a predetermined range.
[0037]
The specific contents of the determination (step 1303) in the first embodiment in this case are determinations as to whether or not all of the following requirements are satisfied, as shown in the flowchart of FIG.
-Guidance has not been given for all types of guidance target facilities (step 1401)
-The vehicle position is on the calculated route (step 1402)
-The vehicle is not on an expressway (including a toll road) but on a general road (step 1403)
・ The highway is included in the route ahead (step 1404).
-The vehicle is within a predetermined range from where it enters the highway (step 1405)
If all these requirements are met, a decision is made to check the facility.
[0038]
In addition, what is necessary is just to decide the specific content of "the predetermined range from the place which enters an expressway" suitably by specifications. In the case of the determination shown in FIG. 4, if it is immediately after getting off the expressway from the general road (step 1406), the guidance target facility memory 47 is cleared in order to search for the guidance target facility again (step 1407). ).
[0039]
[1-2-3. (Search for guidance target facilities)
As a result of the determination by the special road detection unit 44, when the requirements such as the vehicle position being within a predetermined range from the entry point are confirmed and the facility is checked, first, the facility search unit 45 A search is performed as to whether or not there is a guidance target facility within a predetermined range from the own vehicle position (step 1304).
[0040]
Here, the principle of this search is shown in the conceptual diagram of FIG. In other words, conceptually, the search point used as a reference for the search is shifted from the current vehicle position by a predetermined distance forward along the route while extending a vertical line from each search point as an auxiliary line to both sides. The search range is from the search point to a predetermined limit distance on the vertical line, and it is searched whether there is a guidance target facility within this range. At this time, the larger the search distance, the more target facilities will be hit as search results, but if the limit distance is too large, facilities too far from the route will be guidance targets, so specifications such as the limit distance Determine an appropriate value.
[0041]
Here, if a guidance target facility is found as a result of the search, it is first checked whether or not it matches the facility already recorded in the corresponding area of the guidance target facility memory 47 (step 1305). If there is a match, this facility is determined to be the “last facility before entering the highway” searched for in the previous check, that is, the last facility, and guidance is provided for the facility (step 1308).
[0042]
Otherwise, the final facility processing unit 46 determines whether the facility searched by the facility search unit 45 is the final facility before the entry point for the type, that is, the route from the current search position to the expressway entrance A confirmation process is performed to determine whether there are other similar guidance target facilities in the vicinity (step 1306).
[0043]
[1-2-4. (Confirmation of final facility)
The specific procedure of this confirmation process (step 1306) is shown in the flowchart of FIG. That is, in this procedure, the search start point (referred to as start point) is set at the current location, the search end point (referred to as end point) is set at the expressway entrance (step 1601), and the search point is set from the start point to the end point. (Step 1602). At this time, if the distance to be advanced is reduced, other facilities are searched for as many points as possible, so the accuracy is improved.
[0044]
At each advanced search point, if the end point has not been reached, the process proceeds (step 1603), and the guidance target facility is searched (step 1604). The principle of the search here is as shown in FIG. 5, and when another guidance target facility of the same type is found (step 1605), coordinates, facility name, facility ID, etc. are necessary as data of that type of facility. Information is stored in the corresponding area of the guidance target facility memory 47 (step 1606).
[0045]
At this time, even if some data already exists in the corresponding area of the guidance target facility memory 47, a facility closer to the entrance of the expressway is found as the same type of facility, so the corresponding area is overwritten. There is no problem. After such processing, the process returns to step 1602 again, and the processing is repeated while advancing the search point. When the end point is reached, this procedure is ended (step 1603).
[0046]
Returning to step 1307 in FIG. 3, if no guidance target facility is found, that is, if there is no guidance target facility from the current location to the high speed entrance, the facility searched in step 1304 is the last type before entering the highway. Judged as a facility. In this case, the final facility guide unit 48 guides that the searched facility is the last facility in front of the special road entry point (step 1308).
[0047]
Specifically, the final facility guide unit 48 displays, for example, on the display unit 10 in FIG. 1 that the facility that the vehicle is about to reach is the last facility before the special road entry point, The output device 91 is guided by voice to appeal to the driver.
[0048]
However, if a guidance target facility is found in the procedure of FIG. 6, there is still the same type of guidance target facility ahead of the facility searched in step 1304. Omission → 1305 → 1308). Then, the procedure returns to step 1301, and if the destination has been reached, this procedure is terminated (step 1302).
[0049]
[1-3. Effects of the first embodiment]
As described above, in the first embodiment, the last facility before entering a special road such as a highway is guided for each type of facility such as a convenience store, a gas station, and a family restaurant.・ You can add things such as refueling. For this reason, the number of cases where the user has to stop by the service area after entering the special road is reduced, and comfortable and appropriate driving is facilitated.
[0050]
[2. Second Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, the process related to the final facility search is sequentially performed at the time of travel after route calculation. However, the final facility may be preliminarily searched in advance before traveling after route setting (second embodiment). Form).
[0051]
[2-1. Configuration of Second Embodiment]
Here, FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the second embodiment. That is, in the second embodiment, the special road detection unit 54 is a means for detecting in advance each entry point from a general road to the special road for the calculated route. The facility search unit 55 is a means for sequentially searching for a guidance target facility from a predetermined range toward the entry point based on the detected route before the entry point.
[0052]
The final facility processing unit 56 is a means for storing in advance in the guidance target facility memory 57 the facility information related to the facility found last before the entry point as a guidance target. The final facility guidance unit 58 is a means for performing guidance based on the facility information stored in advance in the guidance target facility memory 57.
[0053]
[2-2. Operation of Second Embodiment]
The second embodiment configured as described above operates as follows.
[2-2-1. (Overall effect)
In the second embodiment configured as described above, FIG. 8 shows an overall processing procedure for searching for a final facility. That is, in the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, when the route calculation to the destination is completed (step 2301), the route calculated by the special road detection unit 54 is calculated from the ordinary road to the special road. An entry point is detected (step 2302).
[0054]
That is, if the route includes the entry point, the facility search unit 55 sequentially searches the guidance target facility toward the entry point from a predetermined range based on the detected route before the entry point, that is, the general road portion. (Step 2303). The facility information relating to the facility found last before the entry point by this search is stored in the guidance target facility memory 57 as a guidance target by the final facility processing unit 56.
[0055]
[2-2-2. (Specific procedure for searching the final facility)
Next, a more specific processing procedure for searching for the final facility on the route (step 2303) is shown in the flowchart of FIG. This procedure is executed for each type of facility to be guided. First, the search start point is set as the departure point (or the current location), and the search end point is set as the destination. Then, in order to store the facility to be guided, the corresponding area in the guidance target facility memory 57 is cleared (step 2401).
[0056]
Here, the area in the guidance target facility memory 57 is reserved only for the types of facilities to be guided. For example, if the final facility is to be guided for two types of restaurants and gas stations, two areas are secured, one for each.
[0057]
Next, the search point is advanced from the start point to the end point so as to pass along the calculated route (step 2402), while the map data around the search point is read to search for the facility (step 240). 2405). Here, with regard to the distance (increment) to be advanced, if it is made smaller, the search will be performed at as many points as possible, so the accuracy will be improved, but it will take time, so an appropriate value is determined in the specification.
[0058]
If the search point advanced in this way has reached the destination (step 2403), the processing procedure ends. If not (step 2403), as long as the search point is on the general road (step 2403). 2404), searching for guidance target facilities (step 405). Here, the principle of searching for a guidance target facility may be the same as that shown in FIG. 5 in the first embodiment.
[0059]
When the guidance target facility is found (step 2406), the final facility processing unit 56 stores data for a restaurant, for example, for a restaurant, and for a gas station, for a gas station, according to the type of the facility. Necessary information, for example, coordinates, facility name, facility ID, and the like are stored in the corresponding area of the guidance target facility memory 57 for performing (Step 2407). At this time, if some data already exists in the corresponding area, a facility closer to the entrance of the expressway than that is found, so that area can be overwritten.
[0060]
After that, the process returns to step 2402, and further confirms whether there is any other guidance target facility of the same type while proceeding through the search point. If yes, go to Step 2410. In this step 2410, a new area is secured in the guidance target facility memory 57 for guidance before entering another highway section again from the general road next to the area at that time.
[0061]
In addition, since the expressway is not subject to guidance, the search point is advanced to the expressway exit (step 2411), and the process returns to the process of advancing the search point (step 2402). By repeating the above processing, if it is determined in step 2403 that the search point has reached the destination, this processing procedure is terminated for that type of facility.
[0062]
Then, the guidance of the final facility in the second embodiment is performed by the final facility guidance unit 58 based on the facility information searched in advance and stored for each type in the guidance target facility memory 57 as described above.
[0063]
[2-3. Effect of Second Embodiment]
As described above, in the second embodiment, in addition to the effects described in the first embodiment, the calculated route is searched in advance for the presence or absence of entry to a special road and the guidance target facility immediately before that. Since it is memorized, processing during traveling is reduced. Moreover, it is possible to respond to inquiries from the user or to inform the user in advance about the facilities that may be stopped by the result of the collective search.
[0064]
[3. Other embodiments]
In addition, this invention is not limited to said each embodiment, Other embodiments which are illustrated next are included. For example, the present invention can be applied to a moving body other than an automobile such as a two-wheeled vehicle. Further, the configurations, processing procedures, standards and principles such as detection / search / determination shown in each of the above embodiments are merely examples, and it is needless to say that they can be implemented with appropriate modifications.
[0065]
In addition to the convenience store, family restaurant, and gas station, the types of facilities to be guided can be freely applied to, for example, banks, car supply stores, electric vehicle charging facilities, and the like. In each of the above embodiments, the vehicle navigation device including the peripheral device such as the display unit is used. For example, as the vehicle navigation device, the main CPU and its peripheral circuit are configured as a box-type main unit, for example. It is also possible to use a peripheral device such as a desired liquid crystal display panel by connecting it.
[0066]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, a vehicle navigation technology for guiding the last facility before entering a special road, that is, a vehicle navigation apparatus and method, and a recording medium on which the vehicle navigation software is recorded are provided. Be able to drive more comfortable and appropriate.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of final facility guidance according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an overall processing procedure for final facility guidance in the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a more specific processing procedure for determining whether to search for a guidance target facility in the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing the principle of searching for a guidance target facility within a predetermined range from the own vehicle position or search point in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for confirming whether the searched guidance target facility is the final facility in the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for searching for a final facility after route calculation in the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an overall processing procedure for searching a final facility in the second embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1… Absolute position / azimuth detector
2 ... Relative bearing detector
3 ... Vehicle speed detector
4 ... Main CPU and its peripheral circuits
M ... Memory group
5 ... ROM
6. Dynamic RAM (DRAM)
7 ... Static RAM (SRAM)
8 ... VideoRAM (VRAM)
9. User interface part
10 ... Display section
11 ... operation part
12. Storage medium control unit (CD-ROM control unit) for controlling an external storage medium such as a CD-ROM
13 ... FM multiplex reception and processing unit
40 ... Current position calculation section
41 ... Destination designation part
42: Route calculation unit
43 ... Normal guide
44, 54 ... Special road detector
45, 55 ... Facility Search Department
46, 56 ... Final Facility Processing Department
47, 57 ... Target facility memory
48 ... Final facilities guide
91 ... Audio output device
101 ... GPS antenna

Claims (6)

In a vehicle navigation apparatus for calculating and guiding a route to a given destination,
Means for detecting that the vehicle position is within a predetermined range before an entry point from a general road to a predetermined type of special road;
Means for searching for a facility of a predetermined type within a predetermined range from the vehicle position when it is detected that the vehicle position is within a predetermined range from the entry point; ,
Means for determining whether the searched facility is the last facility before the entry point for the type;
Means for guiding the facility when the found facility is determined to be the last facility;
A vehicle navigation apparatus comprising: In a vehicle navigation apparatus for calculating and guiding a route to a given destination,
For the calculated route, means for detecting in advance an entry point from a general road to a predetermined type of special road;
Based on the detected route before the entry point, means for sequentially searching for a facility of a predetermined type from a predetermined range toward the entry point;
Means for preliminarily storing the facility information about the facility found last before the entry point in the memory as a guidance target;
Means for performing guidance based on the facility information stored in advance in the memory;
A vehicle navigation apparatus comprising: In a vehicle navigation method for calculating and guiding a route to a given destination using a computer ,
By the computer
Detecting that the vehicle position is within a predetermined range before an entry point from a general road to a predetermined type of special road;
A step for searching for a facility of a predetermined type within a predetermined range from the own vehicle position when it is detected that the own vehicle position is within a predetermined range from the entry point; ,
Determining whether the searched facility is the last facility before the entry point for the type;
If the searched facility is determined to be the last facility, a step for guiding the facility;
The vehicle navigation method characterized by performing . In a vehicle navigation method for calculating and guiding a route to a given destination using a computer ,
By the computer
For the calculated route, a step for detecting in advance an entry point from a general road to a predetermined type of special road;
A step for sequentially searching for a facility of a predetermined type from a predetermined range based on the detected route before the entry point, toward the entry point;
A step for storing in advance, in a memory as facility information, facility information relating to the facility that was found last before the entry point;
A step for providing guidance based on the facility information stored in advance in the memory;
The vehicle navigation method characterized by performing . In a recording medium on which a vehicle navigation software for calculating and guiding a route to a given destination is recorded using a computer,
The software is on the computer,
Detecting that the vehicle position is within a predetermined range before the entry point from a general road to a predetermined type of special road,
When it is detected that the vehicle position is within a predetermined range from the entry point, a predetermined type of facility is searched for within a predetermined range from the vehicle position,
Determine whether the searched facility is the last facility before the entry point for the type,
A recording medium on which vehicular navigation software is recorded, wherein when the searched facility is determined to be the last facility, the facility is guided. In a recording medium on which a vehicle navigation software for calculating and guiding a route to a given destination is recorded using a computer,
The software is on the computer,
For the calculated route, let us detect in advance the entry point from a general road to a special road of a predetermined type,
Based on the detected route before the entry point, a predetermined type of facility is sequentially searched from the predetermined range toward the entry point,
The facility information about the facility found last before the entry point is stored in advance in the memory as a guidance target,
A recording medium on which vehicle navigation software is recorded, wherein guidance is performed based on the facility information stored in advance in the memory.

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