JP4727826B2 - Vehicle navigation system, in-vehicle guidance information output device therefor, and recording medium - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to improvements in vehicle navigation technology, and more particularly to a vehicle navigation system that provides route guidance based on data sent from a server in a communication network.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, with the advancement of digital technology and communication technology, various technologies for improving the convenience of automobiles have been developed. Among such technologies, the vehicle navigation system calculates the optimum route to a given destination based on map data prepared in advance, and calculates the vehicle position in real time using GPS navigation or the like. While displaying the map near the vehicle position on the screen, it provides route guidance such as turning left and right to drive the optimum route by displaying images on the screen and outputting synthesized speech from the audio output means. .
[0003]
In such a vehicle navigation system, map data is conventionally recorded in the vehicle by mounting a recording medium such as a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM as a map medium in the vehicle and driving the map medium. Map data is used.
[0004]
On the other hand, as a recent trend, with the widespread use of mobile terminals such as digital mobile phones, opportunities to connect to the Internet and commercial provider servers using mobile terminals are increasing. In accordance with these circumstances, in the field of vehicle navigation technology, in recent years, mobile terminals such as digital mobile phones are connected to navigation devices mounted on vehicles, and the latest map data is obtained by accessing the information center. Technology has been developed and put into practical use. Such a technique is called “communication navigation”.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the conventional vehicle navigation techniques as described above have the following problems.
[0006]
First, when fixed information recorded on a fixed map medium such as a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM is used, data cannot be updated, so that it is difficult to cope with changes in road and surrounding building information over time. is there.
In addition, when using such a fixed map media, a large amount of map media and a driving device for driving these map media must be installed in the vehicle, which requires a considerable installation space. . Securing such an installation space narrows the limited interior space and restricts the installation of other in-vehicle devices. Furthermore, since such a large amount of map media and its driving device are expensive, the burden on the user is great.
[0007]
On the other hand, when communication navigation is used, the latest map data corresponding to the vehicle position can be easily acquired by communication, so it is difficult to cope with changes over time as in fixed map media. Absent.
On the other hand, as a new problem associated with communication, there is a possibility that the communication time will become longer depending on the status of the communication network and equipment used.
[0008]
That is, in the future, the infrastructure for high-speed data communication is in the direction of improvement, but in the current communication environment, for example, when traffic on the telephone network is concentrated, the communication speed is greatly reduced. When the communication speed decreases, it is difficult to download a large amount of map data in a short time, such as within one minute, and it may take time to establish communication. It may take several minutes or more to display. This prolongs the user's waiting time and significantly reduces the usability for the navigation system.
Further, since the data communication fee is high, there is a problem that the communication fee increases as the communication time becomes longer.
[0009]
The present invention has been proposed to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, and its purpose is simple operation, short waiting time, and route guidance based on the latest map data at low cost. A possible vehicle navigation system and method are provided.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the present invention transmits a route data creation request from the in-vehicle guidance information output device to the route data creation device storing map data, performs route calculation by the route data creation device, By transmitting data to the in-vehicle guidance information output device, the amount of data to be communicated is kept to the minimum necessary, and the communication time is shortened.
[0011]
The definitions of some important terms in the present invention are as follows.
“Route guidance information” is a concept indicating various types of information for performing route guidance, and includes at least direction guidance information such as a left / right turn at an intersection.
The “same intersection” is a concept indicating a range that the driver of the vehicle feels and recognizes as one intersection.
“When there is a plurality of information regarding the same intersection” is a concept indicating a case where individual information regarding a plurality of different positions in “the same intersection” exists. That is, on general map data, a road with a large road width is stored as a plurality of upper and lower roads, and when such a road intersects, the driver of the vehicle feels this intersection as one intersection, Recognizing, on the data, there is a plurality of information indicating a plurality of positions in the intersection as information indicating the intersection.
[0012]
  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle navigation system for performing route guidance using communication, wherein the data communication unitWhen, Destination input sectionWhen, Guidance information output partWhenData storage unitWhenA data processing unit that detects the current position of the vehicle, creates route guidance information according to the current position, and outputs the route guidance information to the guidance information output unitWhenAn in-vehicle guidance information output device, a communication unit that communicates with the in-vehicle guidance information output device, a map database, and a route data creation device that includes a route calculation processing unit. It is configured as described above.
[0013]
That is, in the vehicle guidance information output device, when a destination is input by the destination input unit, the data communication unit uses the data processing unit as a route data creation request together with the current position data of the vehicle. Is configured to transmit to the route data creation device. Further, the route data creation device, when the communication unit receives a route data creation request including the destination data and the current position data transmitted from the in-vehicle guidance information output device, the map data in the map database The route calculation processing unit is used to calculate a route from the current position of the vehicle to the destination, and the obtained route data is transmitted to the in-vehicle guidance information output device by the communication unit. . Further, the in-vehicle guidance information output device, when route data transmitted from the route data creation device in response to the route data creation request is received by the data communication unit, guides the route data to the planned route data. As the vehicle travels, the route data corresponding to the current position of the vehicle is read out from the planned route information stored in the data storage unit by the data processing unit as the vehicle travels. It creates and makes it output to the said guidance information output part.
[0014]
  The data processing unit of the in-vehicle guidance information output device relates to the same intersection in the route data received by the data communication unit.If there is a plurality of pieces of information with different positions, and it is determined that there is information including a right / left turn in the plurality of information, one information is selected from the information, and information including a right / left turn is included in the plurality of pieces of information. If it is determined that there is no, select the last information, remove the remaining information about the intersection, and create intersection guidance information indicating the direction of travel at the intersection as route guidance informationComposed.
[0017]
  Claims as above1According to the invention, in response to the route data creation request transmitted from the in-vehicle guidance information output device, the route data creation device automatically creates route data using the map data, and the in-vehicle guidance information output Since it is transmitted to the device, the in-vehicle guidance information output device can easily create and output route guidance information corresponding to the current position based on the received route data, and perform appropriate route guidance.
[0018]
In particular, since route data can be expressed in a discrete data format as a set of point information, the amount of data to be communicated can be significantly reduced compared to the case where all map data related to a route is transmitted. The time can be remarkably shortened, and the time for downloading data on the in-vehicle guidance information output device can be remarkably shortened. Therefore, the user can start traveling based on the route guidance by the in-vehicle guidance information output device with little need to wait just by inputting the destination.
[0019]
  In addition, when there is a plurality of information on the same intersection, basically, by limiting the information on the intersection to only one information, the user is confused due to outputting a plurality of guidance information for the same intersection. Can be prevented. That is, in a normal route calculation program, roads with a large road width are registered and calculated as a plurality of roads. Therefore, in the case of an intersection where such road width roads intersect, the driver of the vehicle uses one intersection. Although it is felt and recognized as an intersection, there are a plurality of pieces of information indicating a plurality of positions in the intersection on the data. In this case, if a plurality of intersection guidance is performed according to the plurality of pieces of information, the user may be confused. On the other hand, in the present invention, by limiting information related to intersections and providing only important guidance to the user, it is possible to avoid user confusion and realize clear route guidance that matches the user's feeling. it can.
  As a method of limiting information when there are a plurality of pieces of information having different positions with respect to the same intersection, it is determined whether or not there is a piece of information including right / left turn information. This right / left turn information is the most important information. If there is no right / left turn information, the information will cross the intersection, so the last information is the most important. In any case, the most important information can be reliably selected and the remaining information can be removed, so that the most useful guidance for the user can be provided.
[0020]
  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle navigation system according to the first aspect, the data processing unit of the in-vehicle guidance information output device includes the route data read from the data storage unit.When there are multiple information with different positions for the same intersection, and it is determined that there is information that includes a left or right turn in the plurality of information, one information is selected from the information, and a right or left turn is selected in the plurality of information. When it is determined that there is no information to be included, the last information is selected, the remaining information regarding the intersection is removed, and intersection guidance information indicating the traveling direction at the intersection is created as route guidance informationIt is characterized by that.
[0022]
  Claims as above2According to this invention, when creating route guidance information, only important intersection information can be selected to create intersection guidance information. In the present invention, it is possible to store only important information at the time of storing the guidance planned route data and delete the information that seems not important, but the data amount of the route data itself is a data storage unit such as a memory. In general, it is sufficient to organize information when creating route guidance information.
[0026]
  Claim3The invention described in claim1 or claim 2In the vehicle navigation system, the data processing unit of the in-vehicle guidance information output device includes information including a right / left turn in the plurality of information regarding the same intersection, and the plurality of information regarding the same intersection When it is determined that the distance between the position indicated by the information including the right / left turn and the position indicated by the next information is equal to or greater than the predetermined distance, the intersection for both the information including the right / left turn and the next information It is characterized by being configured to create guide information respectively.
[0028]
  Claims as above3According to the invention, when the distance between the position of the intersection information including the right / left turn and the position of the next intersection information among the plurality of pieces of information related to the same intersection is long, the intersection guide information is obtained for each position. It is possible to output and realize appropriate route guidance according to the situation.
[0029]
  Claim4The invention described in claim1-3In the vehicle navigation system according to any one of the above, the data processing unit of the in-vehicle guidance information output device is configured to output the generated route guidance information to the guidance information output unit by voice. It is said.
[0031]
  Claims as above4According to the invention, when a right or left turn is required at an intersection or the like, the intersection guidance information indicating the traveling direction is output by voice, so that the user does not need to look at the screen and needs to respond to the voice guidance. The direction can be changed easily. Therefore, the user can be surely guided as much as the problem that the user overlooks the necessary guidance is not generated as compared with the guidance by the image. In addition, in the case of guidance by image, the user needs to check the screen relatively frequently to avoid oversight, but in voice guidance, the burden on the user can be reduced by that amount, Users can concentrate on driving only.
[0032]
  The invention described in claims 5 to 8 is obtained by grasping the invention described in claims 1 to 4 from the viewpoint of an in-vehicle guidance information output device used in a vehicle navigation system. This corresponds to the in-vehicle guidance information output device according to the present invention. The invention according to claim 9 is a computer which is obtained by grasping the invention according to claims 5 and 6 from the viewpoint of a recording medium, and which is applied to a route data creation device used in a vehicle navigation system. In a recording medium storing a readable program, the program is stored in a computer.6The route data storage processing and the guidance information generation are performed by performing the creation request transmission processing, the route data reception processing, the route data storage processing, the guidance information creation processing, and the guidance information output processing corresponding to each function of the route data creation device in the present invention. One of the processes includes an intersection information simplification process.
[0033]
According to the inventions of the eleventh and twelfth aspects as described above, the vehicle navigation system and method according to the respective claims can be easily realized, and the same operation as that of the first and sixth aspects described above can be achieved. can get.
[0034]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, specific embodiments of a vehicle navigation system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
In the present embodiment, the part related to information processing is typically realized by controlling a computer with software. The software in this case implements the effects of the present invention by physically utilizing computer hardware, and has the characteristics of the present invention based on the existing technology. However, since specific types and configurations of hardware and software, a range to be processed by software, and the like can be selected as appropriate, virtual circuit blocks that realize each function according to the present invention are used in the following description.
[0035]
[1. System configuration]
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the vehicle navigation system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the system includes a server (route data creation device) 1, an in-vehicle device (in-vehicle guidance information output device) 2 mounted on the user's vehicle, a user's wireless terminal 3 and a communication network 4. It is comprised by connecting via.
[0036]
Here, the communication network 4 includes various communication networks such as the Internet and a telephone network. Further, in the figure, only the in-vehicle device 2 and the wireless terminal 3 of a single user are shown, but actually, the in-vehicle device 2 and the wireless terminal 3 of many users are connected to the server 1. The server 1 provides individual services to those users. The user's wireless terminal 3 includes various mobile terminals such as a mobile phone and a small PC.
[0037]
The server 1 includes a control system unit 11 that performs various information processing including route calculation, an input / output control unit 12 that performs input / output via a communication network, a road map database 13 that stores road map data, and features. A landmark database 14 that stores typical buildings and various installations as landmark data associated with a road map, an event information database 15 that stores various event information for each region, a route calculation program 16, and the like are provided. .
In response to the route data creation request from the in-vehicle device 2, the control system unit 11 calculates the route from the current position of the requesting vehicle to the destination, and sends the obtained route data to the requesting in-vehicle device 2. It is supposed to send.
[0038]
The in-vehicle device 2 includes a data processing unit 21 that performs various information processing including calculation of the current position of the vehicle and creation of route guidance information corresponding to the current position, a destination input unit 22 that inputs a destination, Download data memory 23 for downloading route data received by the wireless terminal 3, GPS receiving unit 24 for receiving GPS radio waves transmitted from GPS satellites, vehicle speed detecting unit 25, gyro 26, created route guidance information, etc. And a display 28 for outputting the route guidance information as an image, a speaker 29 for outputting the route guidance information as a sound, and the like.
[0039]
The data processing unit 21 of the in-vehicle device 2 detects the current position of the own vehicle based on the GPS radio wave received by the GPS receiving unit 24, and also uses the signals from the vehicle speed detecting unit 25 and the gyro 26 to determine the traveling speed and traveling distance of the own vehicle. The direction of travel is detected.
Further, the data processing unit 21 transmits the destination data to the server 1 as a route data creation request together with the current position data of the vehicle.
The data processing unit 21 further stores route data transmitted from the server 1 as guidance route data, and as the vehicle travels, route guidance according to the current position of the host vehicle is based on the guidance route data. Information is created and output by the display 28 or the speaker 29.
[0040]
[2. Overall system operation procedure]
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an outline of an operation procedure of the entire vehicle navigation system according to the present embodiment having the above-described configuration. As shown in FIG. 2, in the in-vehicle device 2, when the destination is input from the standby state (S201) by the destination input unit 22 (YES in S202), the data processing unit 21 receives the input destination. A route data creation request is made by adding the current position data of the vehicle to the ground data, and this route data creation request is transmitted from the wireless terminal 3 to the server 1 via the communication network 4 (S203).
[0041]
When the route data creation request transmitted from the in-vehicle device 2 is received by the input / output control unit 12 in the server 1 (S204), the control system unit 11 responds to the route data creation request. Then, the route calculation program 16 calculates the route from the current position of the requesting vehicle to the destination using the map data in the road map database 13 (S205). In this case, the control system unit 11 uses the various event information data for each region in the event information database 15 to avoid a closed portion and calculates an optimal route. The control system unit 11 transmits the route data obtained by the route calculation process to the requesting wireless terminal 3 via the communication network 4 by the input / output control unit 12.
[0042]
When the requesting wireless terminal 3 receives the route data transmitted from the server 1 (S207), after downloading the route data by the download data memory 23, the data processing unit 21 sets the route data as predetermined guidance data. Is stored in the memory 27 (S208).
[0043]
The data processing unit 21 reads out route data corresponding to the current position of the vehicle from the guidance planned route data stored in the memory 27 as the vehicle travels, and performs route guidance information creation / output processing (S209), Finally, when the destination is reached (S210), the process is terminated.
[0044]
[3. Route guidance information creation / output process]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a subroutine of route guidance information creation / output processing (S209 in FIG. 2) by the data processing unit 21 of the in-vehicle device 2.
As shown in FIG. 3, the data processing unit 21 first reads out route data corresponding to the current position from the guidance route data stored in the memory 27 (S301). Generally, route data is composed of a plurality of continuous intersection information. Here, each intersection information includes at least “intersection name”, “entrance angle”, “advance angle”, “road number”, “latitude”. ”,“ Longitude ”, and a large number of intersection information are listed in the order of the route.
[0045]
The data processing unit 21 sorts such an intersection information list by road numbers (S302). That is, when a plurality of intersection information of the same road number is continuous, the last intersection information is left and other intersection information is removed.
The data processing unit 21 performs intersection information simplification processing on the organized intersection information list to simplify a plurality of intersection information related to the same intersection (S303). That is, when there are a plurality of pieces of intersection information having the same intersection name, the entire list of intersection information is simplified by limiting to only important intersection information and removing the remaining intersection information.
[0046]
Thereafter, the data processing unit 21 starts route guidance based on the simplified intersection information. That is, the current position of the vehicle is monitored by receiving GPS radio waves by the GPS receiver 24 (S304), and when approaching the intersection (YES in S305), the intersection guidance information is obtained using the simplified intersection information. The direction of travel at the intersection is created and the sound is output from the speaker 29 (S306). For example, voice guidance such as “Please turn right at the next intersection” or “Go straight ahead” is output.
[0047]
When the data processing unit 21 finishes the guidance for the route data that has been read and subjected to the intersection information simplification processing (NO in S307), the same series of the following route data (YES in S308) corresponding to the current position is obtained. Processes S301 to S307 are performed.
In this way, the data processing unit 21 sequentially reads the route data for all the guidance routes to the destination, performs the intersection information simplification processing on the intersection information list of the read route data, and then performs the simplification processing. By sequentially performing the intersection guidance using the intersection information list, the vehicle can be guided to the destination along the planned guidance route.
[0048]
[4. Intersection information simplification process]
4A and 4B are image display diagrams illustrating an example in which positions indicated by a plurality of pieces of intersection information having the same intersection name are displayed on the intersection image. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 4, as a premise for performing the intersection information simplification process according to the present invention, “when there are a plurality of intersection information having the same intersection name in the planned guidance route” explain.
[0049]
First, in FIG. 4, the guidance routes 31 and 32 around the intersection C (intersection name “XY intersection”) where two roads X and Y having a large road intersect each other are shown by thick solid arrows. ing. In addition, the lanes X1 and X2 on each side of the road X extending vertically in the figure are indicated by broken line arrows, and the lanes Y1 and Y2 on each side of the road Y extending horizontally in the figure are indicated by dashed-dotted arrows.
[0050]
In a normal route calculation program, a road with a large road width is registered and calculated as a plurality of roads that are separated and independent at a level that divides each lane facing each other or at a finer level. Therefore, in the example of FIG. 4, the lanes X1 and X2 on each side of the road X are registered and calculated as two separate road data INF (X1) and INF (X2). Similarly, the lanes Y1 and Y2 of the road Y are registered and calculated as two separate and independent road data INF (Y1) and INF (Y2).
[0051]
Accordingly, as shown as a guidance route 31 in FIG. 4A, while traveling on the lane X1 of the road X, the lanes Y1 and Y2 on each side of the road Y at the two positions P1 and P2 in the intersection C are displayed. When crossing sequentially, as intersection information having the same intersection name “XY intersection”, there are two intersection information INF (P1) and INF (P2) respectively indicating two positions P1 and P2 in the intersection C. Become. In this case, the two pieces of intersection information INF (P1) and INF (P2) are both intersection information that does not include a right / left turn.
[0052]
Further, as shown in FIG. 4B as the guidance schedule route 32, when traveling on the lane X1 of the road X and turning right at the intersection C and entering the road Y, the lane is traveling on the lane X1. The vehicle sequentially passes through three positions Q1, Q2, and Q3: a position Q1 that crosses Y1, a position Q2 that turns right from the lane X1 and enters the lane Y2, and a position Q3 that crosses the lane X2 while traveling on the lane Y1. In this case, as intersection information having the same intersection name “XY intersection”, three intersection information INF (Q1), INF (Q2), and INF (Q3) respectively indicating three positions Q1 to Q3 in the intersection C are included. Exists. Of these, only the central intersection information INF (Q2) is intersection information including right and left turns, and the remaining two intersection information INF (Q1) and INF (Q3) are intersection information that does not include right and left turns. .
[0053]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a subroutine of intersection information simplification processing (S303 in FIG. 3) by the data processing unit 21 of the in-vehicle device 2.
As shown in FIG. 5, the data processing unit 21 first selects one intersection name from the intersection information list after sorting by road number (S501), and there is a plurality of intersection information having the selected intersection names. Whether or not (S502).
[0054]
Here, when there is no plural intersection information having the selected intersection name, that is, when there is only a single intersection information (NO in S502), the single intersection information is maintained (S503). If there is a plurality of intersection information having the selected intersection name (YES in S502), the data processing unit 21 determines whether the plurality of intersection information includes intersection information including a right / left turn. (S504).
[0055]
Here, when there is no intersection information including a right or left turn in a plurality of intersection information having the selected intersection name (NO in S504), that is, the vehicle simply crosses a road having a large road width stored as a plurality of roads. In this case, only the last intersection information is limited, and other intersection information having the same intersection name is removed (S505). The example shown in FIG. 4A will be described. Of the two pieces of intersection information INF (P1) and INF (P2) having the same intersection name “XY intersection”, only the last intersection information INF (P2) is obtained. The intersection information INF (P1) is removed.
[0056]
On the other hand, when there is intersection information including right / left turn in a plurality of intersection information having the selected intersection name, that is, when turning right / left on an intersection of a road with a large road width (YES in S504), Other intersection information having the same intersection name is limited to only intersection information including a left turn (S506).
The example shown in FIG. 4B will be described. Among the three intersection information INF (Q1), INF (Q2), and INF (Q3) having the same intersection name “XY intersection”, the center including the right / left turn Only the intersection information INF (Q2) is left, and the remaining two pieces of intersection information INF (Q1) and INF (Q3) are removed.
[0057]
When completing the simplification process for the selected intersection name, the data processing unit 21 performs the same series of processes S501 to S506 for the next intersection name (YES in S507).
In this manner, the data processing unit 21 sequentially selects intersection names from the intersection information list after sorting by road number, and simplifies each of the selected intersection names, thereby efficiently simplifying the entire intersection information list. Can be
[0058]
[5. Concrete example]
Specifically, the case where the route data as shown in FIG. 6 is read to organize and simplify the intersection information (S301 to S303 in FIG. 3 and S501 to S507 in FIG. 5) will be described. In this route data, for example, each intersection information includes “intersection name”, “entrance angle”, “advance angle”, “road number”, “one-way”, “road attribute”, “road width”, “latitude” ”And“ longitude ”, and is an intersection information list in which a large number of intersection information in such a format is listed in order of route. In this case, each item other than the intersection name is numerical information, and the intersection name when there is no intersection name is “None”.
[0059]
In the intersection information list of FIG. 6, when a plurality of intersection information of the same road number is continuous, the last intersection information is left and the other intersection information is removed to organize the intersection information. It will be in the state shown in
In FIG. 7, the road numbers of the three intersection information with the intersection name “in front of the police station” are different from each other. Therefore, an intersection information simplification process is performed to limit the three intersection information of the intersection name “in front of the police station” to only important intersection information. In this case, since only the second intersection information is important intersection information including a right / left turn, only the second intersection information is left and the other two intersection information is removed. As a result of the intersection information simplification process, a simplified intersection information list as shown in FIG. 8 is obtained.
[0060]
[6. effect]
According to the present embodiment as described above, (1) easy operation, realization of route guidance based on the latest map data with a short waiting time, (2) realization of clear intersection guidance only by important intersection information, (3) Effects such as realization of reliable guidance by voice guidance can be obtained. Hereinafter, these effects will be sequentially described.
[0061]
(1) Realization of route guidance based on the latest map data with simple operation and short waiting time:
In the present embodiment, in response to the route data creation request transmitted from the in-vehicle device 2, the server 1 automatically creates route data using the map data and transmits it to the requesting in-vehicle device 2. Therefore, the in-vehicle device 2 can easily create and output route guidance information corresponding to the current position based on the received route data, and perform appropriate route guidance.
[0062]
In addition, since route data can be expressed in a discrete data format as a set of point information, the amount of data to be communicated can be significantly reduced compared to the case where all map data related to a route is transmitted. In particular, in the present embodiment, by listing intersection information regarding each intersection on the route, route data having a very simple structure can be created, and the amount of route data is kept to a minimum. be able to.
[0063]
According to this embodiment using route data with a small amount of data, the communication time can be remarkably shortened as compared with the case where all the map data related to the route is transmitted, and the in-vehicle device 2 The time to download data on the side can be significantly shortened. For example, even when the traffic on the telephone network is concentrated and the communication speed is greatly reduced, the data amount is small, so that it can be downloaded in a short time such as within one minute.
[0064]
Therefore, the user can start traveling by route guidance based on the latest map data with only a simple operation of inputting a destination and hardly waiting. In addition, there is an advantage that the communication fee can be reduced by shortening the communication time. Both of these advantages improve the user experience with the navigation system.
[0065]
(2) Realization of clear intersection guidance based only on important intersection information:
In the present embodiment, when there are a plurality of pieces of information related to the same intersection, by limiting the information related to the intersection to only one important piece of information, the user's information resulting from outputting a plurality of pieces of guidance information for the same intersection Can prevent confusion.
That is, as described above, in a normal route calculation program, for example, as shown as a guidance route 32 in FIG. 4B, while traveling on the lane X1 of the road X, turn right at the intersection C and turn on the road Y As the intersection information having the same intersection name “XY intersection”, the three intersection information INF (Q1), INF (Q2), INF (Q3) respectively indicating the three positions Q1 to Q3 in the intersection C ) Will exist.
[0066]
In this case, if the intersection guidance regarding each of the positions Q1 to Q3 is automatically performed according to the three intersection information INF (Q1), INF (Q2), and INF (Q3), the user recognizes it as one intersection. There will be a possibility that the user will be confused by receiving a plurality of intersection guidance for the intersection. On the other hand, in this embodiment, by limiting the intersection information having the same intersection name to only one important information, only important guidance is provided to the user, and less important guidance is omitted. Therefore, it is possible to avoid confusion of the user and realize clear route guidance that matches the user's feeling.
[0067]
More specifically, as shown in FIG. 4B, when a plurality of pieces of information regarding the same intersection includes right / left turn information, intersection information INF (Q2) regarding position Q2, which is right / left turn information. Is the most important information, and when there is no right / left turn information, as shown in FIG. 4A, the vehicle crosses the intersection, so the intersection information INF (P2) relating to the last position P2 Is the most important. In this embodiment, since the most important information can be surely selected in any case, the most useful guidance for the user can be provided.
[0068]
(3) Realization of reliable guidance by voice guidance:
In the present embodiment, after the user's vehicle starts traveling, when a left or right turn is required at an intersection or the like, the direction guidance information is output as a voice, so the user can respond according to the direction guidance information. Necessary direction change can be easily performed and traveling on the planned guidance route can be maintained.
Therefore, the user can change the direction according to the voice guidance, and can keep traveling on the planned guidance route and reach the destination by simply traveling along the road otherwise.
[0069]
In particular, in the case of voice guidance, there is an advantage that the user can be surely guided to the extent that there is no problem that the user overlooks the necessary guidance compared to guidance based on image display on the display. In addition, in the case of guidance by image, the user needs to check the screen relatively frequently to avoid oversight, but in voice guidance, the burden on the user can be reduced by that amount, Users can concentrate on driving only. This further improves the user experience for the navigation system.
[0070]
[7. Modified example]
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a modification of the subroutine of the intersection information simplification process (S303 in FIG. 3) by the data processing unit 21 of the in-vehicle device 2.
The processing shown in FIG. 9 has the same intersection name only for the last intersection information when there is no intersection information including a right / left turn in the plurality of intersection information having the selected intersection name (NO in S904). At the point where other intersection information is removed (S905), the processing is the same as that shown in FIG. 5, but when there is intersection information including a right / left turn among a plurality of intersection information having the selected intersection name (YES in S904). ) The procedure is different.
[0071]
That is, in this process, when there is intersection information including right and left turns (YES in S904), it is determined whether there is next intersection information having the same intersection name (S906), and if there is (YES in S906). Further, it is determined whether or not the distance between the positions of the two intersection information is 50 m or more (S907).
Here, when there is no next intersection information having the same intersection name as the intersection information including the right / left turn (NO in S906), and when there is the next intersection information, the distance between the positions is less than 50 m (YES in S906). , NO in S907), other intersection information having the same intersection name is removed only for the intersection information including right and left turns (S908). On the other hand, when there is the next intersection information having the same intersection name as the intersection information including the right and left turns, and the distance between the positions indicated by the two intersection information is 50 m or more, only the information on the two intersections is included. Other intersection information having the same intersection name in a limited manner is removed (S909).
Except for the points described above, the process shown in FIG. 9 is basically the same as the process shown in FIG. That is, S901 to S905 in FIG. 9 correspond to S501 to S505 in FIG. 5, respectively, and S910 in FIG. 9 corresponds to S507 in FIG.
[0072]
For example, when the process shown in FIG. 9 is applied to the example shown in FIG. 4B, three pieces of intersection information INF (Q1) and INF (Q2) having the same intersection name “XY intersection” are used. , INF (Q3), it is determined whether the distance between the position Q2 indicated by the central intersection information INF (Q2) including the right / left turn and the position Q3 indicated by the next intersection information INF (Q3) is 50 m or more. Will do. When the distance between the two positions Q2 and Q3 is less than 50 m, only the central intersection information INF (Q2) including the left and right turns is left, and the remaining two intersection information INF (Q1) and INF (Q3) Will be removed. On the other hand, when the distance between the two positions Q2 and Q3 is 50 m or more, both the central intersection information INF (Q2) including the right / left turn and the next intersection information INF (Q3) are left, and the remaining One piece of intersection information INF (Q1) is removed.
[0073]
By performing such intersection information simplification processing, when the distance between the position of the intersection information including the right / left turn and the position of the next intersection information among the plurality of information related to the same intersection is as long as 50 m or more In addition, intersection guidance information can be output for each position, and appropriate route guidance according to the situation can be realized. In other words, even if it is the same intersection, if the road width is quite wide, or if three or more roads intersect in a complicated manner, the position of the intersection information including the right / left turn and the next intersection information However, in such a case, it may be easier for the user to recognize the route if the individual guidance is provided than the simple left-right guidance. In such a case, more appropriate route guidance can be realized by providing individual guidance.
[0074]
[8. Other Embodiments]
Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various other forms can be implemented within the scope of the present invention.
First, the specific configurations of the route data creation device and the in-vehicle guidance information output device according to the present invention are not limited at all. For example, in the above-described embodiment, a configuration in which a wireless terminal such as a mobile phone is connected to the in-vehicle guidance information output device has been described. However, a data communication unit unique to the in-vehicle guidance information output device is provided, and an external wireless communication device is provided. A configuration that does not require a terminal is also possible.
[0075]
In addition, the type and data structure of the route data to be specifically used or the specific contents of route guidance for the user can be freely selected.
For example, it is sufficient for the route data to be data that can specify at least the route, but in general, it can be configured as an intersection information list as described above, and the data structure is also simple. Items to be included in each intersection information can be appropriately selected. At least a road map database is required on the route data creation device side, but in order to cope with traffic closures caused by various events in the region, an event information database related to such event information is generally provided. It is desirable.
Furthermore, according to the guidance items of the route guidance, by preparing the necessary database on the route data creation device side appropriately, additional data is appropriately added to the basic route data, and guidance information of various guidance items. Can be output.
[0076]
Further, for example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the route guidance is performed only by the voice guidance has been described. However, an image guidance indicating the traveling direction or the like is further added, or the map around the current position of the vehicle It is also possible to add an image guide indicating the traveling direction and the like. Such image guidance can be fixedly performed as a basic guidance item, but in general, it is desirable to set it as a selection item that allows the user to select whether or not to output. In this case, although the amount of data increases slightly, it can respond to the user's needs.
[0077]
In route guidance, it is possible to ensure traveling on the planned route by performing direction guidance at least when it is necessary to change direction at an intersection or the like. It is also possible to provide voice guidance for various other guidance information, such as guidance information about a target such as a convenience store, or guidance information about the distance from the current position to the destination. These additional guidance items can be set in advance in a fixed manner, but in general, it is desirable to set them as selection items that allow the user to select whether or not to output.
[0078]
And according to the specific contents of such a data structure and route guidance, the route guidance procedure according to the present invention can be selected as appropriate. For example, in the embodiment described above, the case where the intersection guidance information is created when approaching the intersection has been described. However, part or all of the guidance information is created in advance when the route data is downloaded or when the guidance starts. In addition, it is also possible to output at a predetermined position.
[0079]
In the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which only important intersection information is selected and route guidance information is created when route guidance information is created. In the present invention, guidance scheduled route data is stored. Sometimes it is possible to remember only important information and delete information that seems not important. However, since the amount of route data itself is small enough not to be a burden on a data storage unit such as a memory, it is generally sufficient to organize the information when creating route guidance information. In addition, by storing information that seems to be unimportant as scheduled route data, even when users need to use unimportant information such as requesting multiple intersection guidance for the same intersection, It can respond flexibly.
[0080]
Furthermore, the individual route data creation device and in-vehicle guidance information output device for executing the route guidance according to the present invention, or various recording media on which a program for realizing the functions thereof is recorded. One embodiment is included in the scope of the present invention.
[0081]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, a route data creation request is transmitted from the in-vehicle guidance information output device to the route data creation device storing the map data, the route data creation device performs route calculation, and the route data Is provided with a vehicle navigation system and a method thereof that are easy to operate, have a short waiting time, and can realize route guidance based on the latest map data at a low cost. be able to.
[0082]
In addition to the above effects, according to the present invention, when there is a plurality of information related to the same intersection, by limiting only the information related to the intersection and providing only important guidance to the user, avoiding confusion for the user, It is also possible to achieve clear route guidance that matches the user's feeling.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of a vehicle navigation system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a flowchart showing a basic operation procedure of navigation by the vehicle navigation system of FIG. 1; FIG.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a basic subroutine of route guidance information creation / output processing by the data processing unit of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is an image display diagram showing an example in which positions indicated by a plurality of intersection information having the same intersection name are displayed on an intersection image, where (A) crosses the intersection, and (B) turns right at the intersection. If you want to show each.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a subroutine for intersection information simplification processing by the data processing unit of FIG. 1;
6 is a data structure diagram showing an intersection information display list as an example of route data to be subjected to route guidance information creation / output processing of FIG. 3; FIG.
7 is a data structure diagram showing an intersection display list after the intersection display list of FIG. 6 is organized by road numbers.
8 is a data structure diagram showing an intersection display list after the intersection information simplification process is performed on the intersection display list of FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a modified example of a subroutine for intersection information simplification processing by the data processing unit of FIG. 1;
[Explanation of symbols]
1 ... Server
2… In-vehicle device
3 ... Wireless terminal
4. Communication network
11 ... Control system section
12: Input / output control unit
13 ... Road map database
14 ... Market database
15 ... Event information database
16 ... Route calculation program
21: Data processing unit
22 ... Destination input section
23 ... Download data memory
24 ... GPS receiver
25 ... Vehicle speed detector
26 ... Gyro
27 ... Memory
28 ... Display
29 ... Speaker
31, 32 ... route to be guided

Claims (9)

In a vehicle navigation system that performs route guidance using communication,
A data communication unit, and a destination input unit, the guidance information output unit creates a data storage unit, a route guidance information corresponding to the current position to detect the current position of the vehicle, and outputs the guide information output section and vehicle guidance information output device comprising a data processing unit,
A communication unit that communicates with the in-vehicle guidance information output device, a map database, and a route data creation device that includes a route calculation processing unit,
When the destination is input by the destination input unit, the in-vehicle guidance information output device sends the destination data to the data processing unit as a route data creation request together with the current position data of the vehicle by the data processing unit. Configured to transmit to the route data creation device;
The route data creation device receives map data in the map database when a route data creation request including destination data and current position data transmitted from the in-vehicle guidance information output device is received by the communication unit. The route calculation processing unit is used to calculate a route from the current position of the vehicle to the destination, and the obtained route data is transmitted to the in-vehicle guidance information output device by the communication unit,
When the route data transmitted from the route data creation device in response to the route data creation request is received by the data communication unit, the in-vehicle guidance information output device uses the route data as planned route data. Route guidance information is created by reading out route data corresponding to the current position of the vehicle from the planned guidance route data stored in the data storage unit by the data processing unit and stored in the data storage unit and as the vehicle travels. And configured to output the guidance information output unit,
The data processing unit of the in-vehicle guidance information output device includes a plurality of pieces of information having different positions with respect to the same intersection in the route data received by the data communication unit, and information including a right / left turn is included in the plurality of pieces of information. If it is determined, one information is selected from the information, and if it is determined that there is no information including a right / left turn among the plurality of information, the last information is selected, and the remaining information regarding the intersection is selected. A vehicle navigation system configured to remove and create intersection guidance information indicating a traveling direction at the intersection as route guidance information . The data processing unit of the in-vehicle guidance information output device determines that there are a plurality of pieces of information having different positions with respect to the same intersection in the route data read from the data storage unit , and that there is information including a right / left turn in the plurality of pieces of information. If one of the information is selected, one of the information is selected. If it is determined that there is no information including right or left turn in the plurality of information, the last information is selected and the remaining information on the intersection is removed. The vehicle navigation system according to claim 1, wherein intersection guidance information indicating a traveling direction at the intersection is generated as route guidance information . Wherein the data processing unit of the vehicle guidance information output device, wherein there is information that includes was about the same intersection position right turn in different information, and a plurality of information related to different positions on the same intersection When it is determined that the distance between the position indicated by the information including the right / left turn and the position indicated by the next information is equal to or greater than a predetermined distance, both the information including the right / left turn and the next information The vehicle navigation system according to claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that intersection guidance information is created for each. The said data processing part of the said vehicle-mounted guidance information output device is comprised so that the produced route guidance information may be voice-outputted to the said guidance information output part. Any one of Claim 1 thru | or 3 characterized by the above-mentioned. The vehicle navigation system described. In the in-vehicle guidance information output device used in the vehicle navigation system for performing route guidance using communication,
A data communication unit , a destination input unit , a guidance information output unit , a data storage unit, a route position information corresponding to the current location is created by calculating the current position of the vehicle, and the route guidance information output unit outputs the route guidance information. and a data processing unit,
When the destination is input by the destination input unit, the data communication unit uses the destination data as a route data generation request together with the current position data of the vehicle obtained by the data processing unit. Configured to send to
When the route data transmitted from the route data creation device is received by the data communication unit in response to the route data creation request, the data storage unit stores the route data as planned route data. Composed of
The data processing unit reads out route data corresponding to the current position of the vehicle from the planned guidance route data stored in the data storage unit as the vehicle travels, creates route guidance information, and outputs the guidance information When there is a plurality of pieces of information having different positions with respect to the same intersection in the route data received by the data communication unit, and there is information including a right / left turn in the plurality of pieces of information. Select one information from the information, and if it is determined that there is no information that includes a left or right turn among the plurality of information, select the last information and remove the remaining information about the intersection An in-vehicle guidance information output device configured to create intersection guidance information indicating a traveling direction at the intersection as route guidance information . When it is determined that there are a plurality of pieces of information having different positions with respect to the same intersection in the route data read from the data storage unit, and there is information including a right / left turn in the plurality of pieces of information, one piece of information is selected from the information. When it is determined that there is no information including a left / right turn among the plurality of information, the last information is selected, the remaining information regarding the intersection is removed, and the intersection guidance information indicating the traveling direction at the intersection is routed. The in-vehicle guidance information output device according to claim 5, wherein the information is generated as guidance information. The data processing unit includes information including a right / left turn in a plurality of information having different positions with respect to the same intersection, and a position indicated by information including the right / left turn in a plurality of information having different positions with respect to the same intersection When it is determined that the distance between the position indicated by the next information is equal to or greater than a predetermined distance, intersection guidance information is created for both the information including the right / left turn and the next information. The
  The in-vehicle guidance information output device according to claim 5 or 6. The data processing unit is configured to output the generated route guidance information to the guidance information output unit by voice.
  The in-vehicle guidance information output device according to any one of claims 5 to 7. In a recording medium recording a computer-readable program applied to an in-vehicle guidance information output device used in a vehicle navigation system for performing route guidance using communication,
The program is stored in a computer.
When a destination is inputted, a creation request transmission process for transmitting the destination data together with the current position data of the vehicle to the route data creation apparatus as a route data creation request, and a response to the route data creation request by the creation request transmission process A route data receiving process for receiving the route data transmitted from the route data creating device;
When route data is received by the route data reception processing, route data storage processing for storing the route data as guidance planned route data;
As the vehicle travels, guidance information creation processing for creating route guidance information by reading route data corresponding to the current position of the vehicle from the planned guidance route data stored by the route data storage processing;
A guidance information output process for outputting the route guidance information created by the guidance information creation process;
The route data storage processing and either one of the guide information creation process, there are a plurality Seki located different information in the same intersection in the received route data by the data communication processing, a right turn in a plurality of information When it is determined that there is information to be included, one information is selected from the information, and when it is determined that there is no information including right or left turn among the plurality of information, the last information is selected and the intersection is selected. A recording medium comprising: intersection information simplification processing for simplifying intersection information by removing the remaining information regarding

Images