JP4481144B2 - Car navigation system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an in-vehicle navigation device that guides a vehicle to a destination according to a guidance route, and more particularly to an in-vehicle navigation device having a function of integrating guidance route information by an automatic toll collection system into guidance route information of a navigation device.

  The in-vehicle navigation device is a map data storage device such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) -ROM that stores map data, a display device, a gyro, a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver, and a current position of the vehicle such as a vehicle speed sensor. And a vehicle movement detection device for detecting the current direction. Then, map data including the current position of the vehicle is read from the map data storage device, a map image around the vehicle position is drawn based on the map data and displayed on the display device, and the vehicle position mark (location) is displayed on the map. Overlay the image and scroll the map image as the vehicle moves, or fix the map image on the screen and move the vehicle position mark to see where the vehicle is currently traveling I try to understand at a glance.

  In general, the in-vehicle navigation device is equipped with a route guidance function that allows the user to easily travel to a desired destination without making a mistake on the road. According to this route guidance function, the optimum route connecting from the starting point to the destination is automatically searched by performing simulation calculation such as horizontal search method or Dijkstra method using the map data, and the searched route is used as the guide route. Remember, while driving, draw the guidance route on the map image with a different color from other roads and display it on the screen, or within a certain distance to the intersection where the vehicle should change the course on the guidance route When approaching, the user is guided to the destination by drawing an arrow indicating the course at the intersection where the course should be changed on the map image and displaying it on the screen.

  When searching for a route, the user sets a destination in advance, and sets a waypoint on the way to the destination as necessary. If necessary, various conditions (whether toll road priority or general road priority) are also set. In the navigation device, a plurality of routes to the destination are searched based on these set data, and the searched routes are displayed in different colors, for example, according to one route selected by the user. Give guidance.

  On the other hand, in recent years, an automatic toll collection (Electronic Toll Collection: ETC) system has been developed. This ETC system collects tolls without stopping vehicles at toll gates on toll roads, and is a short distance from the gate where the toll gate ETC equipment is installed (hereinafter referred to as “ETC gate”). Based on the communication (data exchange) between the antenna provided on the shoulder of the vehicle (hereinafter referred to as “roadside antenna”) and the ETC on-vehicle device provided on the vehicle side, Necessary route guidance information such as which lane of a plurality of lanes should be traveled in order to pass through the gate is displayed.

If the guidance route presented by the ETC system matches the guidance route presented on the navigation device side, there is no problem, but if the presented routes are different, the user (driver) is confused. Resulting in. In order to deal with such a problem, in Patent Document 1, the guidance route presentation output by the ETC system and the route guidance presentation output by the navigation device are integrated in a form that can be distinguished from each other, and route guidance is output from one display device or speaker. An apparatus is disclosed.
JP-A-11-351892

  However, in the invention described in Patent Document 1, the route that the ETC system guides to the ETC gate is simply combined with the route that the navigation device guides at the toll gate on the highway. Therefore, for example, the case where the lane must be changed immediately after leaving the toll booth is not considered. Therefore, following this instruction can be dangerous for driving.

  As a specific example, when an ETC system can be used, when a route search is performed by selecting a PA (parking area) or SA (service area) located immediately after the toll booth as a transit point, examples are shown in FIGS. Problems occur. FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a place where a PA is located immediately after the exit of the toll booth 101 on the highway. When the PA as shown in FIG. 1 is selected as the waypoint 103, the navigation device linked with the conventional ETC system uses the ETC gate together with the voice guidance “ETC can be used. Please use the ETC lane”. Guiding to proceed to the ETC lane (see FIG. 2). Since there is a transit point 103 selected immediately after the exit of the toll booth 101, the guidance “soon to be a transit point” is continued. According to this guidance, after passing through the ETC lane, the own vehicle 104 must make a sudden lane change 105 (indicated by a broken line in the figure) in order to enter the waypoint. At this time, if there is no vehicle running in parallel with the host vehicle 104, there is no particular problem. However, as shown by the broken line in the figure, when the vehicle 106 running in parallel leaves the toll gate and goes straight ahead, an accident occurs. To prevent this, it is necessary to enter the PA with considerable care. In some cases, a plurality of vehicles are running side by side with the host vehicle 104 and may not enter the waypoint 103.

  The present invention has been made in view of the problems of the prior art, and when using an ETC system, when selecting a stopover immediately after the toll gate exit, pay attention to the user in advance in consideration of safety. It is to provide an in-vehicle navigation device that can be invoked.

In order to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, according to the basic form of the present invention, an in-vehicle navigation device adapted to cooperate with an ETC system, comprising display means for providing guidance information on a screen; A memory means storing map data; an information input means for inputting information to be instructed or set by a user; and a control means operatively connected to the display means, the memory means and the information input means, The control means refers to the map data when the guide route to the destination including the waypoint designation is set via the information input means, and the waypoint is immediately after the exit of the toll gate. When the ETC gate of the toll gate determines that the ETC gate is on the opposite side of the route via the guide route, information indicating whether or not to change the route is displayed. of Is displayed on the surface, when the instruction not to change the waypoint has been made, automotive, characterized in that to display the guide route through the tollbooth gate on the same side as the transit point on the screen of the display unit A navigation device is provided.

  In the in-vehicle navigation device according to the above aspect, the control means may be configured such that the waypoint is immediately after the exit of the toll gate, and the ETC gate of the toll gate is opposite to the waypoint across the guide route. When it is determined that the route is changed, the information indicating whether or not to change the waypoint is displayed on the screen of the display means, and when the instruction to change the waypoint is given, A list of transit point candidates may be displayed on the screen of the display means.

  In the present invention, when the route search is performed by the navigation device, if the location immediately after the toll booth is selected as the waypoint using the ETC system, the waypoint is changed because it is close to the toll booth. Ask the user in advance whether or not. If the waypoint is not changed, guidance information for guiding to a toll gate close to the waypoint is presented at the time of route guidance even if it is a normal toll gate. It is also possible to change the waypoints at the time of advance guidance.

  In this way, by making an inquiry to the user in advance, the user can recognize that attention is required when entering the selected waypoint.

  In addition, if the transit point is not changed in response to a prior inquiry, it is possible to avoid the risk of unreasonable course changes after leaving the toll gate by guiding to the lane of the toll gate close to the transit point. In addition, there will be no situation where the vehicle cannot enter the transit point.

  Further, when the waypoint is changed in response to a prior inquiry, it is possible to enjoy the merits of the ETC system that does not need to be stopped at the toll gate.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
(Configuration of in-vehicle navigation system)
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the in-vehicle navigation device 40 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  Reference numeral 1 denotes a storage medium in which map data is stored. In the present embodiment, a DVD (DVD-ROM) is used as a storage medium for storing map data, but a hard disk or other storage medium may be used. An operation unit 3 is provided with operation buttons and the like for operating the navigation apparatus body 10. In the present embodiment, the operation unit 3 includes a remote control transmitter and a remote control receiver, and the user can also operate the navigation apparatus body 10 with the remote control transmitter at hand.

  FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an example of a remote control transmitter. As shown in FIG. 2, the remote control transmitter 30 is provided with various buttons such as a joystick 31, a “decision” button 32, a “menu” button 33, and a “return” button 34. These joystick 31 and operation buttons 32 to 34 are assigned functions according to the operation mode.

  4 is a VICS receiver that receives VICS (Vehicle Information and Communication System) information, and 5 is a GPS signal sent from a GPS satellite to detect the longitude and latitude of the current position of the vehicle. GPS receiver. Reference numeral 6 denotes a self-contained navigation sensor, and the self-contained navigation sensor 6 includes an angle sensor 6a such as a gyro that detects a vehicle rotation angle, and a travel distance sensor 6b that generates a pulse every certain travel distance. Reference numeral 7 denotes a display device such as a liquid crystal panel. The navigation device main body 10 displays a map around the current position of the vehicle on the display device 7, guide routes from the departure point to the destination, vehicle marks, and other information. Display guidance information. Reference numeral 8 denotes a speaker for providing guidance information to the user by voice.

  The navigation device body 10 is composed of the following. Reference numeral 11 denotes a DVD controller that controls reading of map data from the DVD 1. A buffer memory 12 temporarily stores map data read from the DVD 1. 13 is an interface connected to the operation unit 3, 14 is an interface connected to the VICS receiver 4, 15 is an interface connected to the GPS receiver 5, 16 is an interface connected to the autonomous navigation sensor 6, and 25 is an ETC It is an interface connected to the vehicle-mounted device 50.

  Reference numeral 17 denotes a control unit constituted by a microcomputer. The control unit 17 detects the current position of the vehicle based on information input from the interfaces 15 and 16, reads predetermined map data from the DVD 1 to the buffer memory 12 via the DVD controller 11, Various processes such as searching for a guidance route from the departure place to the destination are performed under the search conditions set using the read map data. In addition, the control unit 17 is provided with a memory 17a for storing information received by the VICS receiver 4.

  18 is a map drawing unit for generating a map image using the map data read out to the buffer memory 12, and 19 is for generating various menu screens (operation screens) and various marks such as a vehicle position mark and a cursor according to the operation status. This is the operation screen / mark generator.

  Reference numeral 20 denotes a guidance route storage unit that stores the guidance route searched by the control unit 17, and 21 denotes a guidance route drawing unit that draws the guidance route. In the guide route storage unit 20, all nodes of the guide route searched by the control unit 17 are stored from the departure point to the destination. When displaying the map, the guide route drawing unit 21 reads the guide route information (node sequence) from the guide route storage unit 20 and draws the guide route with a color and line width different from those of other roads.

  An audio output unit 22 supplies an audio signal to the speaker 8 based on a signal from the control unit 17.

  An image composition unit 24 superimposes various marks and operation screens generated by the operation screen / mark generation unit 19 on the map image drawn by the map drawing unit 18, a guidance route drawn by the guidance route drawing unit 21, and the like. Display on the display device 7.

Reference numeral 26 denotes an ETC information storage unit that stores information about whether or not an ETC card is inserted into the ETC on-board device 50 and sent from the ETC on-board device 50 via the interface 25.
(Configuration of ETC OBE)
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the ETC on-vehicle device 50. The ETC vehicle-mounted device 50 includes an on-vehicle device-side antenna 51 that performs wireless communication with a road-side antenna (not shown), a wireless unit 52 that controls wireless communication, and an ETC vehicle-mounted device that controls the entire ETC vehicle-mounted device 50. It comprises a control unit 53, an IC card reader / writer 54 for reading and writing to an ETC card 55 (IC card), an external interface 56 for connecting to an external device, and a display unit 57 for displaying route guidance information and the like. The The external interface 56 is connected to a predetermined port of the control unit 17 of the in-vehicle navigation device 40.

  The ETC in-vehicle device 50 and the in-vehicle navigation device 40 are connected by a cable or the like, and the ETC in-vehicle device 50 is adapted to cooperate with the ETC system by acquiring information such as tollgates that can use the ETC system. An in-vehicle navigation device is configured.

  In the in-vehicle navigation device configured as described above, the DVD 1 is a “memory unit”, the operation unit 3 is an “information input unit”, the display unit 7 is a “display unit”, and the control unit 17 is a “control unit”. It corresponds to each.

In the in-vehicle navigation device linked to the ETC system configured as described above, when the in-vehicle navigation device 40 and the ETC in-vehicle device 50 are turned on, commands are exchanged with each other and information on the ETC in-vehicle device 50 (for example, The information on whether or not the ETC card 55 is inserted in the ETC on-vehicle device 50) is notified to the in-vehicle navigation device 40, and the in-vehicle navigation device 40 acquires information via the interface 25 and stores the contents in the ETC information storage Stored in the unit 26. Further, when the ETC card 55 is inserted into or removed from the ETC in-vehicle device 50, the ETC in-vehicle device 50 notifies the in-vehicle navigation device 40 of the fact, and the in-vehicle navigation device 40 indicates the contents. It is stored in the ETC information storage unit 26. Therefore, the vehicle-mounted navigation device 40 can always grasp whether or not the ETC card 55 is inserted in the ETC vehicle-mounted device 50.
(Route search and route guidance of navigation device linked with ETC system)
Next, route search processing performed by a vehicle using the ETC system by designating a waypoint and route guidance processing based on the route search result will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a process for performing a route search by the navigation device linked to the ETC system and performing a route guidance based on the result of the route search.

  First, in step S11, a route search destination is acquired. The destination is set by a user (for example, a driver) by an input operation from the operation unit 3. The set destination data is input to the memory 17 a of the control unit 17 via the interface 13.

  In the next step S <b> 12, it is determined whether or not the ETC card 55 is inserted in the ETC on-vehicle device 50. If the determination result is YES, the process proceeds to step S13, and if the determination result is NO, the process proceeds to step S14.

  Whether or not the ETC card 55 is inserted in the ETC in-vehicle device 50 is determined as follows. When the ETC card 55 is inserted into the ETC vehicle-mounted device 50, information to that effect is sent from the ETC vehicle-mounted device 50 to the vehicle-mounted navigation device 40 via the interface 25. When the information of the ETC card 55 is sent from the ETC onboard device 50, the control unit 17 stores the information in the ETC information storage unit 26. Thus, information on whether or not the ETC card 55 is inserted in the ETC on-board device 50 is stored in the ETC information storage unit 26. The control unit 17 acquires information about the ETC card 55 stored in the ETC information storage unit 26 and determines whether or not the ETC card 55 is inserted in the ETC onboard device 50.

  When it is determined that the ETC card 55 is inserted in the ETC on-board device 50, it is determined that the ETC system is used.

  In the next step S13, the route search is performed with highway priority. In step S12, since it is determined that the ETC system is to be used, the highway that can be used by the ETC system is preferentially searched. The route search is based on the input destination data and the departure point data set based on the current position of the vehicle detected based on the output signals of the GPS receiver 5 and the autonomous navigation sensor 6. The map data in the range from the ground to the destination and the road data for route search are read out from the DVD 1 to the buffer memory 12 by controlling the DVD controller 11, and the data stored in the guidance route storage unit 20 is referred to. Then, a guidance route connecting the shortest distance from the departure point to the destination by using a highway is searched by a horizontal search method or the like. The search result is stored in the guide route storage unit 20.

  On the other hand, in step S14, route search is performed with priority on general roads. This is because it is determined in step S12 that the ETC system is not used.

  In the next step S15, it is determined whether or not a transit point is set. If the determination result is yes, the process proceeds to step S16, and if the determination result is no, the process proceeds to step S17. Whether or not a transit point is set is determined as follows. The control unit 17 extracts the data of the result of the route search performed in step S13 stored in the guidance route storage unit 20, and determines whether or not the transit point data is included.

  In the next step S16, it is determined whether or not the set waypoint is a specific SA or PA. Here, the specific SA or PA is the SA or PA immediately after the toll gate exit, and the SA or PA on the opposite side across the toll gate ETC gate and the guidance route. Whether the set waypoint is a specific SA or PA is determined as follows.

  The distance from the toll gate exit to the SA or PA is extracted from the map data of the SA or PA stored on the DVD 1 and the toll gate. Thus, if the distance from the toll gate exit to the SA or PA is shorter than a predetermined length, it is determined that the SA or PA is immediately after the toll gate. Whether the toll booth is a toll booth compatible with the ETC system or not is acquired from data stored in the DVD 1 in advance. If the toll gate is compatible with the ETC system, it is determined that the SA or PA is on the opposite side across the ETC gate and the guidance route.

  If the toll booth is a toll booth compatible with the ETC system, the ETC on-board unit 50 receives a signal from the road side antenna installed at a predetermined distance before entering the toll booth, It is also possible to determine whether or not the toll gate is compatible with the ETC system by acquiring the position information of the ETC gate by the ETC on-vehicle device 50.

  If it is determined that the set waypoint is a specific SA or PA, the process proceeds to step S18. If it is determined that the set waypoint is not a specific SA or PA, the process proceeds to step S17.

  In the next step S18, when a specific SA or PA is designated as a waypoint, the user is inquired whether to change the waypoint. FIG. 7 shows an example of an inquiry screen displayed on the display device. In the example of Fig. 7, when Daishi PA is set as a transit point, an inquiry screen appears saying "The transit point is set to Daishi PA. The ETC lane cannot be used because it is near the toll booth. Is displayed. At this time, voice guidance may be performed simultaneously. In response to this inquiry, YES is selected when the user changes the waypoint, and NO is selected when the waypoint is not changed.

  In the next step S19, it is determined whether or not to change the waypoint to another SA or PA. In step S18, the user is inquired whether to change the waypoint. If NO is selected and it is determined that the waypoint is not changed, the process proceeds to step S20, and it is determined that YES is selected and the waypoint is changed. If YES, go to step S21.

  If it is determined in step S19 that the waypoint will not be changed, the route search is terminated, and route guidance is performed when a specific SA or PA is set as a waypoint in step S20.

  In the next step S22, it is determined whether or not the control unit has approached the toll gate immediately before the specific SA or PA during route guidance. Whether such a toll gate is approached is determined as follows.

  Whether or not the toll gate has been approached is determined by whether or not the toll gate is within a predetermined distance. Whether the toll gate is within a predetermined distance can be determined by the function of the navigation device.

  If the toll booth is compatible with the ETC system, the ETC on-board unit receives a signal such as a beacon from an antenna installed at a predetermined distance (shoulder) before entering the toll booth. It can also be determined by detecting whether or not it has been made.

  If the determination result is YES, the process proceeds to step S23, and if the determination result is NO, the process returns to step S20 and the route guidance is continued.

  In the next step S23, the control unit performs a process of guiding to the toll gate on the left side of the toll gate. As shown in FIG. 8, a guide passing through the left gate is displayed. In this embodiment, in addition to the ETC lane guide (broken arrow in FIG. 8), guidance is provided to proceed to the left lane (solid arrow in FIG. 8). At this time, voice guidance may be performed simultaneously. In the present embodiment, voice guidance is given as follows: “The left side of the toll booth is a stopover PA. Please use the left lane.” If the left gate to be guided is not an ETC gate, the toll gate needs to pass the ETC card to the fee collector. Therefore, it is necessary to remove the card from the ETC on-board device and present the ETC card. In this embodiment, following the guidance using the left lane by voice guidance, the guidance is given to the user (driver) such as “Please show your ETC card when using the general lane”. Call attention in advance.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S19 that the waypoint is to be changed, the process proceeds to step S21 to change the waypoint. FIG. 9 is a selection screen in which candidate SAs or PAs are displayed as a list when the waypoint is changed. When the waypoint is changed, the process returns to step S16, and the determination as to whether the set SA or PA is a specific SA or PA is repeated.

  If it is determined in step S15 that a stopover is not set, or if it is determined in step S16 that the stopover is not a specific SA or PA, the process proceeds to step S17 and normal route guidance is performed. I do.

  The process described above is repeatedly executed even when a plurality of waypoints are set.

  As described above, in the in-vehicle navigation device according to the present embodiment, when the ETC system is used and the PA or SA immediately after the toll booth is selected as the transit point, the user determines in advance whether to change the transit point. Contact If the waypoint is not changed, at the time of route guidance, even if it is a normal charge gate, a guide route to a charge gate close to the waypoint is presented. It is also possible to change the waypoints at the time of advance guidance.

  Thus, by making an inquiry to the user in advance, the user can recognize that attention is required when entering the selected waypoint.

  In addition, if you do not change the waypoint in response to a prior inquiry, you can avoid the danger of unreasonable course changes after leaving the tollgate by guiding to the lane of the tollgate close to the waypoint, In addition, there will be no situation where the vehicle cannot enter the transit point.

  Furthermore, it is possible to change the waypoint in response to a prior inquiry, and when the waypoint is changed, it is possible to enjoy the merits of the ETC system that does not need to be stopped at the toll gate.

FIG. 1 is a diagram (part 1) for explaining a problem that occurs when route guidance of a navigation device linked to an ETC system is used. FIG. 2 is a diagram (part 2) for explaining a problem that occurs when the route guidance of the navigation device linked to the ETC system is used. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the in-vehicle navigation device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an external configuration of an operation unit (remote controller) in the navigation device of FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the ETC vehicle-mounted device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a route search and route guidance operation by the navigation device of FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of an inquiry screen display during route search. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen display during route guidance. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a transit point change screen display during route search.

Explanation of symbols

1 ... DVD,
3 ... operation part,
4 ... VICS receiver,
5 ... GPS receiver,
6 ... Self-contained navigation sensor,
7 ... display device,
8 ... Speakers
10 ... navigation device body,
17 ... control unit,
26 ... ETC information storage unit,
40. In-vehicle navigation device,
50 ... ETC on-board unit,
51. ETC onboard equipment side antenna,
52. Radio section,
53. ETC on-board unit control unit,
54 ... IC card reader / writer
55 ... ETC card.

Claims (3)

An in-vehicle navigation device adapted to cooperate with an ETC system,
Display means for providing guidance information on the screen;
Memory means storing map data;
Information input means for inputting information to be instructed or set by the user;
Control means operatively connected to the display means, memory means and information input means,
The control means refers to the map data when the guidance route to the destination including the designation of the waypoint is set via the information input means, and the waypoint is immediately after the exit of the toll gate If the ETC gate of the toll gate determines that it is on the opposite side of the waypoint across the guidance route, the information indicating whether or not to change the waypoint is displayed. Display on the screen of the means, and when instructed not to change the waypoint , the guide route passing through the toll gate on the same side as the waypoint is displayed on the screen of the display means Car navigation system. And a speaker for providing the guidance information.
The control means, when displaying a guidance route passing through a toll gate on the same side as the waypoint on the screen of the display means, outputs guidance information of the guidance route through the speaker. The in-vehicle navigation device according to Item 1.   The control means, when it is determined that the waypoint is immediately after the exit of the toll booth and the ETC gate of the toll booth is on the opposite side of the waypoint across the guide route, Information for inquiring whether or not to change is displayed on the screen of the display means, and when an instruction to change the waypoint is given, a list of candidates for the waypoint is displayed on the screen of the display means The in-vehicle navigation device according to claim 1.

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