JP4442279B2 - Direction guidance system and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a direction guidance system and a program.

  Conventionally, in a navigation device, for example, a current position of a vehicle, that is, a current position, is detected by GPS (Global Positioning System), and a rotation angular velocity of a vehicle detected by a gyro sensor, that is, based on a turning angle, The direction of the vehicle, that is, the vehicle direction is detected, map data is read from the data recording unit, a map screen is formed on the display unit, and the vehicle position indicating the current location on the map screen, the vicinity of the vehicle position The map and the vehicle direction are displayed. Therefore, the driver who is an operator can drive the vehicle according to the vehicle position displayed on the map screen, the map around the vehicle position, and the vehicle direction.

  Further, when the driver inputs a destination and sets search conditions, a route from the departure point to the destination represented by the current location is searched based on the search conditions. The searched route, that is, the searched route is displayed together with the vehicle position on the map screen. Therefore, the driver can drive the vehicle along the displayed search route.

  In the navigation device, when the vehicle is running, if there is a major intersection within a predetermined distance from the current location, the map screen is displayed two-dimensionally, the map area and the direction guidance area are set, A direction guidance map is displayed in the direction guidance area.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a conventional direction guide map.

  In the figure, AR1 is a map area set on the map screen, and the current area Pr, a map around the current position Pr, intersections c1, c2,..., A search route Rt1 and the like are displayed in the map area AR1. The intersection c3 of the intersections c1, c2,... Is a guidance intersection that needs guidance on the searched route Rt1, and the road w1 among the roads w1 to w4 connected to the guidance intersection is It is an approach path, and w2 to w4 are exit paths.

  Note that a display area a1 that displays the name of the road on which the vehicle is traveling, a display area a2 that displays the scale of the map, and VICS (registered trademark: Vehicle Information and Communication System) information are provided at the periphery of the map area AR1. A display area a3 that displays the traffic information acquisition status, a display area a4 that displays the direction of the vehicle, a display area a5 that displays GPS information, a display area a6 that displays the date and time, and the like.

AR2 is a direction guidance area. In the direction guidance area AR2, there are a direction guidance map Bd1 for displaying the direction of the road w1 on which the vehicle is traveling and the roads w2 to w4 connected to the intersection c3. Is displayed. A display area a11 that displays the distance to the intersection c3, a display area a12 that displays lane guidance at the intersection c3, and the like are formed in the direction guidance area AR2. In addition, the direction guide map Bd1 is displayed in the center portion of the direction guide area AR2 so as to overlap the road w1, and the direction guide map Bd1 shows the direction when the vehicle travels along the roads w2 to w4. The arrows d2 to d4 and the names m1 of the roads w2 and w4 are displayed, and the names of places ahead of the roads w2 to w4 are displayed adjacent to the arrows d2 to d4 (for example, Patent Document 1). reference.).
JP 2001-311625 A

  However, in the conventional navigation device, if the search route Rt1 is searched according to traffic information or is searched using a learning function, the location displayed in the direction guide map Bd1 The direction and the direction guided by the search route Rt1 may be different. In this case, the driver knows whether to drive the vehicle according to the guidance based on the direction guide map Bd1 or the guidance based on the search route Rt1. The guidance function of the direction guide map Bd1 is lowered.

  For example, when the destination is Ueno, the search route Rt1 is normally searched to connect the roads w1 and w3 at the intersection c3. However, if there is a traffic jam ahead of the road w3, According to the information, as shown in the figure, the road w3 may be detoured and the search route Rt1 may be searched to connect the roads w1 and w4.

  In that case, the driver is guided toward the direction of “Harumi” by the searched route Rt1 even though he wants to drive the vehicle toward “Ueno”. And the guidance on the searched route Rt1 will not be understood as to whether the vehicle should be run.

  It is an object of the present invention to provide a direction guidance system and program capable of solving the problems of the conventional navigation device and enhancing the guidance function of the direction guidance map.

Therefore, in the direction guidance system of the present invention, a road connected to an intersection ahead of the vehicle based on the current position detection unit that detects the current position of the vehicle, a storage device that records road data, and the road data. And a direction guidance information search processing means for detecting an intersection connected to the road as an adjacent intersection and searching for direction guidance information based on the road connected to the adjacent intersection, and based on the direction guidance information A direction guide map creation processing means for creating a branch pattern and creating a direction guide map according to the branch pattern, and a road designation judgment processing means for judging whether or not the driver designates a specific road.
The direction guide map creation processing unit creates a branch pattern including the designated road when the driver designates the specific road and the designated road is connected to the adjacent intersection. A direction guide map is created according to the branch pattern.

In the program of the present invention, the computer detects a road connected to an intersection ahead of the vehicle based on the current location of the vehicle detected by the current location detection unit and the road data read from the storage device. , Detecting an intersection connected to the road as an adjacent intersection, and searching for direction guidance information based on the road connected to the adjacent intersection, creating a branching pattern based on the direction guidance information Then, it is made to function as a direction guidance map creation processing means for creating a direction guidance map according to the branch pattern and a road designation judgment processing means for judging whether or not the driver designates a specific road.
The direction guide map creation processing unit creates a branch pattern including the designated road when the driver designates the specific road and the designated road is connected to the adjacent intersection. A direction guide map is created according to the branch pattern.

  According to the present invention, the direction guidance information about the main road is searched, a branch pattern is created based on the direction guide information, and the direction guidance is performed to the driver according to the branch pattern. Can guide you through the road. Therefore, the direction guidance function can be enhanced.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a navigation system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In the figure, reference numeral 14 denotes an information terminal, for example, a navigation device as an in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle. The navigation device 14 is a GPS sensor 15 as a current location detection unit for detecting the current location, map data, road data, search. It functions as a computer based on basic information of the navigation device 14 such as data, that is, a data recording unit 16 as an information recording unit in which various information is recorded in addition to navigation data, various programs, data, etc. Based on the input information, a navigation processing unit 17 that performs various arithmetic processing such as navigation processing, a direction sensor 18 as a direction detection unit that detects the direction of the host vehicle, and a predetermined driver's operation by a driver. Is displayed on a screen (not shown) as a first input unit for inputting Various displays by images, a display unit 35 as a first output unit for notifying the driver, a voice input unit 36 as a second input unit for performing predetermined input by voice, and various by voice Is provided with a voice output unit 37 as a second output unit for notifying the driver, and a communication unit 38 as a transmission / reception unit functioning as a communication terminal. A display unit 35, an audio input unit 36, an audio output unit 37, and a communication unit 38 are connected. The navigation processor 17 is also connected with a vehicle speed sensor 41 as a vehicle speed detector.

  The GPS sensor 15 detects the current location on the earth by receiving radio waves generated by an artificial satellite, and also detects the time.

  In the present embodiment, the GPS sensor 15 is used as the current position detection unit, but a distance sensor, a steering sensor, an altimeter, etc. (not shown) may be used alone or in combination instead of the GPS sensor 15. The distance sensor detects a distance between predetermined points on the road, and calculates a distance based on a rotational speed of a wheel (not shown) or by integrating acceleration twice. The steering sensor detects a rudder angle, and uses, for example, an optical rotation sensor, a rotation resistance sensor, an angle sensor attached to a wheel, or the like attached to a rotating portion of a steering wheel (not shown). can do.

  Further, a gyro sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, or the like can be used as the direction sensor 18. As the gyro sensor, for example, a gas rate gyro, a vibration gyro, or the like is used, and the vehicle direction is detected by integrating the turning angle. The geomagnetic sensor detects the direction of the vehicle by measuring the geomagnetism.

  The data recording unit 16 includes a database including data files such as a map data file, an intersection data file, a node data file, a road data file, a search data file, and a facility data file, and each data file includes the navigation data. To be recorded. The data recording unit 16 also records data for outputting predetermined information by the audio output unit 37.

  For example, the map data file contains map data for displaying a map, the intersection data file contains intersection data related to each intersection, the node data file contains node data related to node points, and the road data file contains road data related to roads. The search data file includes search data for searching for routes, and the facility data file stores facility data relating to various facilities. The road condition is determined by the intersection data, node data, road data, search data, etc. Road condition data representing is constructed.

  The intersection data includes the name of the intersection, the shape of the intersection, the main facilities adjacent to the intersection, the name of the main place ahead of the intersection, the distance between the intersections at the continuous intersection, the approach road representing the road entering the intersection, and the exit from the intersection Data indicating an exit road or the like representing the road to be included is included. In addition, the node data includes data representing an actual road branch point (including an intersection, a T-junction, and the like), a node point, a link between node points that connect the node points, and the like.

  The road data includes the width, slope, cant, bank, road surface condition, number of road lanes, places where the number of lanes decreases, places where the width becomes narrow, etc. , Radius of curvature, intersection, T-junction, corner entrance, etc., road attributes, downhill road, uphill road, etc., road types, general roads such as national roads, prefectural roads, narrow streets, highways, urban highways Data representing expressways and toll roads such as roads and toll roads are included. Further, the road data includes data indicating level crossings, highway entrance and exit roads (rampways), highway / toll road tollgates, and the like. The facility data includes data representing facilities such as name, address, telephone number, and facility guidance for facilities such as hotels, gas stations, parking lots, sightseeing spots, and department stores in each region.

  The navigation processing unit 17 includes an arithmetic device that controls the entire navigation device 14 and a CPU 31 as a control device, and a DRAM as a first recording medium used as a working memory when the CPU 31 performs various arithmetic processes. In addition to the RAM 32 such as SRAM, MRAM, and FeRAM, a control program, a ROM 33 as a second recording medium on which various programs for searching a route to the destination, route guidance, and the like are recorded, A flash memory (not shown) is provided as a third recording medium used for recording data, programs, and the like. A semiconductor memory, a magnetic core, or the like is used as a storage device such as the RAM 32, the ROM 33, or a flash memory.

  An MPU or the like can be used instead of the CPU 31 as the arithmetic device and the control device.

  The data recording unit 16 includes a magnetic disk (not shown) such as a hard disk or a flexible disk as a fourth recording medium arranged as a storage device for recording the various data. A head (not shown) such as a read / write head for reading and writing data is provided. Similarly, the data recording unit 16 includes a magnetic tape, a magnetic drum, a CD, an MD, a DVD, an optical disk, an MO, an IC card, an optical card, and the like as a fifth recording medium that is also provided as a storage device. You can also.

  By the way, in the present embodiment, various programs can be recorded in the ROM 33 and various data can be recorded in the data recording unit 16, but the programs, data, and the like are recorded on a hard disk or the like. You can also In this case, the program, data, etc. can be read from a hard disk or the like and written to the flash memory. Therefore, the program, data, etc. can be updated by exchanging the hard disk or the like. Further, when an automatic transmission control device is mounted to control an automatic transmission (not shown) mounted on the vehicle, the control program and data for the automatic transmission control device are also stored in the hard disk or the like. Can be recorded. Further, the program, data, etc. can be received via the communication unit 38 and written to the flash memory.

  The operation unit 34 is operated by the driver to correct the current location at the start of traveling, to input a departure point and a destination, to input a passing point, and to activate the communication unit 38. A keyboard, a mouse, a barcode reader, a light pen, a remote control device for remote control, a joystick, etc., which are arranged independently of the display unit 35, can be used. Further, as the operation unit 34, a predetermined input operation is performed by touching or clicking an image operation unit such as various keys, switches, and buttons displayed as images on the screen formed in the display unit 35. Can do.

  As the display unit 35, a display such as a CRT display, a liquid crystal display, or a plasma display can be used, or a hologram device that projects a hologram on a windshield of a vehicle can be used. Then, on the various screens formed on the display unit 35, the vehicle position indicating the current location, a map, a search route, guidance information along the search route, traffic information, etc. are displayed, or a characteristic at the intersection or the search route is displayed. In addition to displaying the distance to the next intersection, the direction of travel at the next intersection, and the like, the operation guide and operation of the image operation unit, operation unit 34, voice input unit 36, etc. Menus, key guidance, FM multiplex broadcast programs, and the like can be displayed.

  The voice input unit 36 includes a microphone (not shown) and the like, and can input necessary information by voice. Further, the voice output unit 37 includes a voice synthesizer and a speaker (not shown), and the search route, guidance information, traffic information, and the like are output from the voice output unit 37, for example, as voice synthesized by the voice synthesizer. . In addition to the voice synthesized by the voice synthesizer, various sounds, various guidance information recorded in advance on a tape, a memory, and the like can be output.

  The communication unit 38 receives various information transmitted from a road traffic information center (not shown) such as a VICS (registered trademark) center as a first information provider, A beacon receiver for receiving a radio wave beacon, an optical beacon, or the like via a beacon device or the like, an FM receiver for receiving FM multiplex broadcasting via an FM broadcast station, or the like is provided. And, the beacon receiver receives traffic information such as traffic jam information, regulation information, parking lot information, traffic accident information, service area congestion status information, etc. In addition to the traffic information, news, General information such as weather forecasts can be received as FM multiplexed information. The beacon receiver and the FM receiver are unitized and arranged as a VICS receiver, but can be arranged separately.

  The communication unit 38 can also receive various data such as D-GPS information for detecting a detection error of the GPS sensor 15 transmitted from a predetermined base station. Further, the communication unit 38 can receive position information by radio wave beacons, optical beacons, and the like to detect the current location. In this case, the beacon receiver functions as a current location detection unit.

  Furthermore, the communication part 38 can also receive various information such as traffic information and general information from the information center 51 as the second information provider. For this purpose, the communication unit 38 and the information center 51 are connected via a network 43.

  The navigation device 14, the road traffic information center, the information center 51, the network 43, and the like constitute a navigation system, and various types of information are transmitted and received between the communication unit 38 and a communication unit (not shown) of the information center 51.

  In the present embodiment, in order for the communication unit 38 to function as a communication terminal, a communication device such as a mobile phone is built in the communication unit 38 as a module. It is also possible to connect devices and connect the communication device and the communication unit 38. In that case, as a communication device, a mobile phone such as a mobile phone, a car phone, and a PHS, a wireless LAN card, etc. are used, a personal computer, a portable computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), an electronic notebook, It is possible to use a videophone, game machine or the like having a communication function.

  The network 43 includes a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), an intranet, a mobile phone network, a telephone network, a public communication network, a dedicated communication network, a communication network such as the Internet, etc. Communication means can be used. As the network 43, communication means using CS broadcasting, BS broadcasting, terrestrial digital television broadcasting, FM multiplex broadcasting, etc. by a broadcasting satellite, or non-stop automatic used in an intelligent road traffic system (ITS) is used. Communication means such as a fee payment system (ETC) and a narrow area communication system (DSRC) can also be used.

  The information center 51 may be operated by any one of an individual, a company, a group, a local government, a government-related organization, etc., and may be operated by the road traffic information center.

  The information center 51 includes a server 53, a database (DB) 57 serving as an information recording unit connected to the server 53, the communication unit, and the like, and the information center 51 and the navigation device via the network 43 by the communication unit. 14, two-way communication is performed, and traffic information, general information, and the like are provided. For this purpose, the server 53 includes a CPU 54, a RAM 55, a ROM 56, and the like as an arithmetic device and a control device, and functions as a computer based on predetermined programs, data, and the like. Further, the same data as various data (including navigation data) recorded in the data recording unit 16 can be recorded in the database 57. The server 53 and the navigation processing unit 17 can also constitute a computer. Further, an MPU or the like can be used instead of the CPU 54.

  Then, the CPU 54 receives traffic information, general information, etc. transmitted from the road traffic information center, etc., and records them in the database 57 as primary information, or processes the primary information to perform statistical processing, Statistical data constituting historical information representing the history of traffic, traffic jam prediction information for predicting traffic jam conditions, and the like are created, and the statistical data is recorded in the database 57 as secondary information. In the present embodiment, in creating the statistical data, detailed conditions such as date / time, day of the week, weather, various events, seasons, facility information (presence / absence of large facilities such as department stores and supermarkets) are included in the history information. Is added.

  Next, a basic operation of the navigation system having the above configuration will be described.

  First, when the operation unit 34 is operated by the driver and the navigation device 14 is activated, a navigation initialization processing unit (not shown) of the CPU 31 performs navigation initialization processing, and the current location and direction detected by the GPS sensor 15. While reading the direction of the vehicle detected by the sensor 18, various data are initialized. Note that the matching processing means (not shown) of the CPU 31 performs matching processing, and the current location is on any road link based on the trajectory of the read current location and the shape and arrangement of each road link constituting the surrounding road. The current location is specified by determining whether the current location is located.

  Subsequently, an information acquisition processing unit (not shown) of the CPU 31 performs an information acquisition process, and reads and acquires the navigation data from the data recording unit 16 or receives it from the information center 51 or the like via the communication unit 38. get. When acquiring from the information center 51, the information acquisition processing means downloads the received navigation data to a flash memory, a hard disk or the like. In addition, when the navigation data is acquired via the communication unit 38, the program can also be acquired.

  Then, the display processing means (not shown) of the CPU 31 performs display processing, forms a map screen on the display unit 35, and maps the vehicle position, a map around the vehicle position based on the navigation data, Displays the direction of the vehicle. Therefore, the driver can drive the vehicle according to the vehicle position, the map around the vehicle position, and the vehicle direction.

  Next, the operation of the direction guidance system when the navigation system is used for guiding directions will be described.

  When the driver operates the operation unit 34 to input a destination, a destination setting processing unit (not shown) of the CPU 31 performs a destination setting process to set the destination. Note that the departure place can be input and set as necessary. Moreover, a predetermined point can be registered in advance, and the registered point can be input as a destination.

  Then, when the destination is set, the route search processing means (not shown) of the CPU 31 performs route search processing, reads the current location, destination, etc., and also reads the search data, etc. from the data recording unit 16, and presents the current location, destination. Based on the location and the search data, a route from the starting point represented by the current location to the destination is searched, and route data representing the searched route is output.

  Subsequently, a guidance processing means (not shown) of the CPU 31 performs guidance processing and guides the driver on the searched route, that is, route guidance. For this purpose, the route display processing means of the guidance processing means performs route display processing, reads the route data, and displays the searched route on the map screen according to the route data.

  If necessary, the voice output processing means of the guidance processing means performs voice output processing and outputs a search route by voice from the voice output unit 37 to perform route guidance.

  Incidentally, route search processing can be performed in the information center 51. In that case, the CPU 31 transmits the current location, the destination, etc. to the information center 51. When the information center 51 receives the current location and destination, the route search processing means (not shown) of the CPU 54 performs the same route search processing, reads the search data from the database 57, and based on the current location, destination and search data. The route from the departure point to the destination is searched, and route data representing the searched route is output. Subsequently, a transmission processing unit (not shown) of the CPU 54 performs transmission processing and transmits the route data to the navigation device 14. Therefore, in the navigation device 14, when the information acquisition processing means receives the route data from the information center 51, the guidance processing means performs route guidance as described above.

  In this way, route guidance is performed, and the driver can drive the vehicle according to the searched route.

  The navigation device 14 can receive traffic information, general information, and the like via the communication unit 38. For this purpose, the additional information acquisition processing means of the information acquisition processing means performs additional information acquisition processing, and receives and acquires the traffic information, general information, and the like as additional information. Therefore, the route display processing means displays additional information on the map screen.

  The traffic information specifies information type data indicating the type of information, secondary mesh X and Y data for specifying a secondary mesh as a mesh, and a road link connecting two points (for example, intersections). And link number data representing the uplink / downlink and link information representing the content of information provided corresponding to the link number data. The link information includes, for example, a traffic jam from the start point of the road link. Consists of traffic jam head data representing the distance to the head, traffic jam degree data representing the degree of traffic jam, traffic jam length data representing a traffic jam section from the head of the traffic jam to the end of the traffic jam, and the like.

  Therefore, the route display processing means converts each link information in the traffic information into, for example, a congestion arrow as a traffic condition index indicating a traffic congestion index indicating whether the traffic is congested or not. The congestion arrow is displayed along the road on the map screen. In this case, the color of the road, the traffic jam arrow, etc. is changed to red, orange, etc. according to the degree of traffic jam.

  In this manner, the driver can know the traffic jam situation on the route on which the vehicle is to travel, the searched route, and the like.

  By the way, when the route guidance by the guidance processing means is started and the vehicle is traveling along the searched route as the predetermined route, if there is a predetermined intersection within a predetermined distance from the current location, for example, a guidance intersection, The direction guidance processing means of the guidance processing means performs direction guidance processing, displays the map screen two-dimensionally, sets a map area and a direction guidance area, and displays a direction guidance map in the direction guidance area, Provide directions to the driver.

  Next, the operation of the direction guidance processing means will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the direction guidance processing in the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a subroutine of the direction guidance information search processing in the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. The figure which shows the condition at the time of the direction guidance process in 1st Embodiment of invention being performed, FIG. 6: is a figure which shows the example of the direction guidance figure in the 1st Embodiment of this invention.

  In FIG. 5, Pr is the current location, CR1 is a four-way guide intersection which is a predetermined intersection, CR2 to CR4 and CR6 are three-way intersections, and CR5 is a four-way intersection. Moreover, w11-w25 are roads, roads w11, w12 and roads w13, w14 intersect at the guidance intersection CR1, roads w13 and roads w18, w19 intersect at the intersection CR2, and roads w12 and roads at the intersection CR3. w20 and w21 intersect, road w15 and roads w22 and w23 intersect at intersection CR4, roads w14 and w15 intersect with roads w16 and w17 at intersection CR5, and road w11 and roads w24 and w25 at intersection CR6. And intersect.

  The roads w18 and w19 constitute an “AA road”, the roads w20 and w21 constitute a “BB road”, the roads w22 and w23 constitute a “CC road”, and the roads w24 and w25 constitute a “DD road”, respectively. Each “AA road”, “BB road”, “CC road”, and “DD road” are main roads.

  In this case, the intersection determination processing means of the direction guidance processing means performs intersection determination processing, reads the current location Pr and intersection data when the vehicle is traveling along a predetermined route, for example, the searched route, Based on Pr and the coordinates of each intersection, the remaining distance from the current location Pr to the guidance intersection CR1 is calculated. And the said intersection determination process means judges whether the vehicle approached guidance intersection CR1 by whether the said remaining distance became shorter than the setting value.

  When the remaining distance becomes shorter than the set value and the vehicle approaches the guidance intersection CR1, the direction guidance information search processing means of the direction guidance processing means performs the direction guidance information search processing, and the data recording unit 16 (FIG. 1) The road data is read, and based on the road data, the direction guidance information for creating the direction guidance map Bd2 for the guidance intersection CR1, that is, the direction guidance information for the main road connected to the tip of the guidance intersection CR1 is searched. To do. Subsequently, the direction guidance map creation processing means of the direction guidance processing means performs a direction guidance map creation process, creates a branch pattern of the roads w11 to w14 for performing the direction guidance based on the direction guidance information, and A direction guide map Bd2 is created according to the pattern.

  Subsequently, the direction guidance map display processing means of the direction guidance processing means performs a direction guidance map display process, displays the map screen two-dimensionally, sets a map area and a direction guidance area, and sets the direction to the direction guidance area. By displaying the guide map Bd2, direction guidance is given to the driver. In this embodiment, since the guidance intersection CR1 is a four-way road, the direction guide map Bd2 displays a cross-shaped branch pattern composed of arrows d11 to d14 and is adjacent to the arrows d11 to d14. The names of the roads are displayed as “AA road”, “BB road”, “CC road”, and “DD road”.

Next, the flowchart of FIG. 3 will be described.
Step S1: It is determined whether or not the vehicle has approached the guidance intersection CR1. If the vehicle approaches the guidance intersection CR1, the process proceeds to step S2. If the vehicle does not approach, the process ends.
Step S2 A direction guidance information search process is performed.
Step S3: A branch pattern is created.
Step S4 The direction guide map Bd2 is displayed, and the process is terminated.

  Next, the subroutine for the direction guidance information search process in step S2 in FIG. 3 will be described.

  That is, the adjacent intersection detection processing means of the direction guidance information search processing means performs adjacent intersection detection processing, reads road data and intersection data from the data recording unit 16, and all the roads w11 to w11 connected to the guidance intersection CR1. While detecting w14, the intersections CR2, CR3, CR5, and CR6 connected to the roads w11 to w14 are detected as adjacent intersections.

  Next, the arterial road determination processing means of the direction guidance information search processing means performs arterial road judgment processing on the roads w18 and w19 connected to the intersection CR2, the roads w20 and w21 connected to the intersection CR3, and the intersection CR5. It is determined whether or not the connected roads w16 and w17 and the roads w24 and w25 connected to the intersection CR6 constitute an arterial road.

  The roads w18, w19, the roads w20, w21 and the roads w24, w25 constitute the main roads “AA road”, “BB road”, and “DD road”, respectively. The road determination processing means performs road determination processing and puts each road w18, w19, roads w20, w21 and roads w24, w25 into roads for forming a branch pattern.

  On the other hand, since the roads w16 and w17 do not constitute a trunk road, the adjacent intersection detection processing means detects a road w15 on the extension of the road w14 connected to the intersection CR5 and connects to the road w15. The detected intersection CR4 is detected as an adjacent intersection. Subsequently, the main road determination processing means determines whether or not the roads w22 and w23 connected to the intersection CR4 constitute a main road. Since the roads w22 and w23 constitute a “CC road” which is a main road, the road determination processing means puts the roads w22 and w23 into a road for forming a branch pattern.

  The road determination processing means repeats the adjacent intersection detection process and the main road determination process a predetermined number of times, in this embodiment, n times, but the road connected to the adjacent intersection does not constitute a main road. , Do not enter the road to form the branch pattern.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, direction guidance is performed to the driver according to the branch pattern, so that the roads constituting the main road can be guided. Therefore, the direction guidance function can be enhanced.

  In particular, in the present embodiment, a branch pattern composed of arrows d11 to d14 is displayed on the direction guide map Bd2, and names of roads constituting the main road are displayed adjacent to the arrows d11 to d14. Therefore, the guidance function of the direction guide map Bd2 can be further enhanced. In other words, although the vehicle is intended to travel toward the predetermined location, it is not guided toward the other location by the searched route, so the driver can use the direction guidance map Bd2. It is possible to know that the vehicle reaches the destination even if the vehicle is driven according to either the guidance or the guidance based on the searched route.

Next, the flowchart of FIG. 4 will be described.
Step S2-1: All roads w11 to w14 connected to the guidance intersection CR1 and intersections CR2, CR3, CR5 and CR6 connected to the roads w11 to w14 are detected.
Step S2-2: It is determined whether or not the roads w16 to w21, w24, and w25 connected to the intersections CR2, CR3, CR5, and CR6 constitute an arterial road. If the roads w16 to w21, w24, and w25 connected to the intersections CR2, CR3, CR5, and CR6 constitute the main road, the process proceeds to step S2-3, and if not, the process proceeds to step S2-4.
Step S2-3: The road for forming the road is put into the road for forming the branch pattern, and the process returns.
Step S2-4 Further, it is determined whether or not the roads w22 and w23 connected to the preceding intersection CR4 constitute a main road. Further, if the roads w22 and w23 connected to the previous intersection CR4 constitute a main road, the process proceeds to step S2-3, and if not, the process proceeds to step S2-5.
Step S2-5: It is determined whether or not the operation has been performed n times. If it has been performed n times, the process proceeds to step S2-6, and if it has not been performed n times, the process returns to step S2-4.
Step S2-6: Return the road for forming the road to the road for forming the branch pattern, and return.

  By the way, for example, when a vehicle is traveling along a narrow street or the like, there is a case where it is desired to go to a main road such as a main road. Therefore, when the driver designates a specific road among the main roads by operating the touch panel constituting the screen of the operation unit 34 or the display unit 35 by a predetermined method, it is designated in the direction guide map. A second embodiment of the present invention that can display a road is described.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of direction guidance processing in the second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a first example of a map screen in the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. It is a figure which shows the 2nd example of the map screen in the 2nd Embodiment of invention.

  8 and 9, AR11 is a map area for displaying a map around the current location Pr, and AR12 is a main road display area set at a predetermined position on the periphery of the map screen. Pr, a map around the current location Pr, a guidance intersection CR11 at the intersection, and the like are displayed. In the main road display area AR12, a main road, in this embodiment, a main road is designated, A key ki (i = 1, 2,...) For designating a national road or the like is formed. As shown in FIG. 8, the key k1 is designated to designate a main road, the key k2 is designated to designate a national highway No. 1, and the key k3 is designated to designate a national highway 48. When a predetermined key, for example, the key k2, is touched, the back color of the key k2 is changed.

  In this embodiment, the main road can be specified by touching each key k1 to k3, but the main road is specified by clicking each key k1 to k3. You can also It is also possible to use the voice input unit 36 (FIG. 1) to input necessary information by voice and designate major roads.

  In this case, the main road search processing means of the direction guidance processing means performs main road search processing, searches for main roads existing in the mesh including the current location in advance, and uses the key ki in the main road display area AR12. List display.

  The road designation determination processing means of the direction guidance processing means performs a road designation determination process, and the driver designates a specific road when the vehicle is traveling along a predetermined route, for example, a searched route. When the driver designates a specific road, the intersection determination processing means of the direction guidance processing means performs intersection determination processing, reads the current location Pr and intersection data, and reads the current location Pr and each intersection. Based on the coordinates, the remaining distance from the current location Pr to the guidance intersection CR11 is calculated. Further, the intersection determination processing means determines whether or not the vehicle has approached the guidance intersection CR11 depending on whether or not the remaining distance is shorter than a set value.

  When the remaining distance becomes shorter than the set value and the vehicle approaches the guidance intersection CR11, the direction guidance information search processing means of the direction guidance processing means performs the direction guidance information search processing, and the direction guidance map Bd11 for the guidance intersection CR11. Search for direction guidance information to create. Subsequently, the direction guidance information search processing means determines whether or not the road designated by the driver has been searched as the direction guidance information, that is, whether or not the road designated by the driver is included in the main road.

  When the road designated by the driver is searched as the direction guidance information and is included in the main road, the direction guidance information search processing means puts the designated road into the road for forming the branch pattern.

  Subsequently, the direction guidance map creation processing means of the direction guidance processing means performs a direction guidance map creation process, and includes a road designated by the driver of the road on which the direction guidance is performed based on the direction guidance information A branch pattern is created, and a direction guide map Bd11 is created according to the branch pattern.

  Subsequently, the direction guidance map display processing means sets a direction guidance area AR13 in a part of the map screen, and displays the direction guidance map Bd11 in the direction guidance area AR13 to thereby provide the direction guidance to the driver. I do. In the present embodiment, since the guidance intersection CR11 is a four-way road, the direction guide map Bd11 displays a cross-shaped branch pattern composed of arrows d21 to d24 and is adjacent to the arrows d21 and d23. The name of the road is displayed as “Line 23”, “Line 1” or the like.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the key k2 is touched and the national highway No. 1 is designated, so that the driver can know that if he turns right at the guidance intersection CR11, he can go to the first road. In the case of exiting from the guidance intersection CR11 to any two or more roads and exiting the same main road even if the vehicle is driven along each road, two or more roads in the direction guide map Bd11 are used. Since the name of the same road is displayed adjacent to the arrow, it is not necessary to forcibly select and determine the traveling direction of the vehicle at the guidance intersection CR11. Therefore, it is possible to concentrate on the operation accordingly.

Next, a flowchart will be described.
Step S11: It is determined whether the driver has specified a specific road. If the driver designates a specific road, the process proceeds to step S12. If not designated, the process ends.
Step S12: It is determined whether the vehicle has approached the guidance intersection CR11. If the vehicle approaches the guidance intersection CR11, the process proceeds to step S13. If the vehicle does not approach, the process ends.
Step S13: A direction guidance information search process is performed.
Step S14: A branch pattern including the designated road is created.
Step S15 The direction guide map Bd11 is displayed, and the process is terminated.

  In each of the embodiments described above, the direction guide map for the guidance intersection is formed on the map screen, but the direction guide map for the main intersection other than the guidance intersection can be formed.

  In the first embodiment, the map screen is displayed two-dimensionally and the map area and the direction guidance area are set. However, the direction guidance area is set in a part of the map screen. Can do. And in 2nd Embodiment, although the direction guidance area | region AR13 is set to a part of map screen, the said map screen is displayed two-dimensionally and a map area and a direction guidance area | region are set. be able to.

  Further, in each of the above embodiments, the direction guide maps Bd2 and Bd11 are displayed when the vehicle is traveling along the searched route, but the vehicle is driven without being along the searched route. The direction guide maps Bd2 and Bd11 can also be displayed even when they are displayed.

  In each of the above embodiments, the direction guidance processing means displays the direction guidance maps Bd2 and Bd11 so as to provide the driver with direction guidance. However, the direction guidance processing means displays the direction guidance maps Bd2 and Bd11. Instead, for example, a road that constitutes a branch pattern may be displayed on a part of the map screen, or the road that constitutes the branch pattern may be output by voice to provide direction guidance to the driver. .

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, It can change variously based on the meaning of this invention, and does not exclude them from the scope of the present invention.

It is a block diagram which shows the navigation system in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the conventional direction guide map. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement of the direction guidance process in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the subroutine of the direction guidance information search process in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the condition at the time of the direction guidance process in the 1st Embodiment of this invention being performed. It is a figure which shows the example of the direction guide map in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement of the direction guidance process in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the 1st example of the map screen in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the 2nd example of the map screen in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

15 GPS sensor 17 Navigation processor 31 CPU
53 Server Bd2, Bd11 Direction Guide CR1, CR11 Guided Intersection CR2-CR6 Intersection

Claims (5)

A current position detection unit that detects the current position of the vehicle, a storage device for recording road data, on the basis of the road data, and detects the connected road in front side of the intersection point of the vehicle, is connected to the road A direction guidance information search processing means for searching for direction guidance information based on a road connected to the adjacent intersection, a branch pattern is created based on the direction guidance information, and the branch pattern is detected. A direction guide map creation processing means for creating a direction guide map according to the above and a road designation judgment processing means for judging whether or not the driver designates a specific road. When a person designates a specific road and the designated road is connected to the adjacent intersection, a branch pattern including the designated road is created and the branch pattern is created. Direction guidance system, characterized by creating a surface guide map in accordance chromatography emissions. Before Symbol face guidance information search processing means, direction guidance system of claim 1 in which the vehicle is to search for the direction guidance information when approaching the intersection ahead of the said vehicle. The route search processing means for searching for a route based on the departure point and the destination and using the route as a search route is provided, and the direction guidance information search processing unit is configured to provide direction guidance information when the vehicle is traveling along the searched route. The direction guidance system according to claim 1 or 2 which searches for . In addition to display processing means for displaying main roads around the current location of the vehicle on the screen of the display unit, the road designation determination processing means determines whether or not the displayed main road is designated by the driver. The direction guidance system according to claim 1, which determines whether or not designates a specific road. The computer, the current position of the vehicle detected by the current position detection unit, and based on the road data read out from the storage unit, it detects the connected road in front side of the intersection point of the vehicle, to the road the connected intersections detected as the adjacent intersection, creating a branch pattern based surface guide information search processing means for searching the direction guidance information, before Symbol face guidance information based on the road that is connected to the adjacent intersection, the The direction guide map creation processing means for creating a direction guide map according to the branching pattern and the road designation judgment processing means for judging whether the driver designates a specific road or not, and the direction guide map creation processing means When the driver designates a specific road and the designated road is connected to the adjacent intersection, the branch pattern including the designated road Create a down, features and to Help program to create a surface guide map in accordance with the branching pattern.

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