JP4822575B2 - Navigation device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a navigation apparatus that can easily express the situation near an input point.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a navigation apparatus that performs vehicle route guidance, the position of the vehicle is detected by a GPS system or the like, and the current location of the vehicle is specified by collating with map information recorded as node data or link data on a CD-ROM or the like. A travel route to the registered destination (guidance point) is searched, and a map of the corresponding district and the search route are displayed on a display screen such as a liquid crystal display.
[0003]
When registering a location such as a destination, scroll the wide area map displayed on the display screen, move the cursor to the location you want to register on the map, and operate the setting keys to register that location as the destination. To do. In addition, when guiding a vehicle along a searched route, the detected current location is compared with the searched route to always check whether the vehicle has deviated from the route, and a main intersection or a point to change course ( At intersections, etc., guidance such as going straight, turning right, turning left, etc. is performed by display or voice. When the vehicle approaches the destination, the voice is output as “arriving at the destination” and the guidance is terminated.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In a conventional navigation device, when registering a destination or the like, a point is input by a cursor on a wide area map displayed on a display screen. However, since the position is a wide area map, an input position error occurs and a user's error occurs. A point may be registered at an unintended location. Also, when a vehicle is guided along a travel route, guidance such as going straight, turning right, turning left, etc. is mainly performed based on the searched route, and the name of a nearby place is displayed even when approaching the input point. There was a problem that it was difficult to identify the input point because the landscape and the situation of the building could not be grasped. In addition, there is one that provides a user with facilities near the input point as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-272293, but this is because the device side unilaterally selects facilities, and there are facilities that are difficult for the user to understand. There are cases where it is provided, and it has not always been easy to understand for the user.
[0005]
An object of this invention is to provide the navigation apparatus which can express the condition of an input point vicinity easily.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a search means for searching for a target located in the vicinity of a point input as the destination in a navigation apparatus capable of inputting a destination point and guiding a route to the destination. And the positional relationship between the information of the target searched by the search means and the point input as the destination, by indicating the distance, direction or direction of the target by voice based on the input point And an output means for guiding.
[0010]
The output means outputs the information on the distance, the direction or the direction of the searched target with reference to the input point when the point is input as a destination. is there.
[0011]
The output means may output distance, direction, or direction information of the target with reference to the input point when approaching the point input as the destination. .
[0012]
Also, the output means is characterized in that to display only symbols of the retrieved target as the information of the target.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a navigation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, it demonstrates according to a figure.
[0016]
A GPS receiver 11 receives radio waves from an artificial satellite (GPS satellite) and calculates position information from the signal. Reference numeral 12 denotes an orientation sensor such as a gyro sensor that detects the traveling direction of the vehicle. Reference numeral 13 denotes a distance sensor that detects the travel distance of the vehicle, and uses a signal from an automobile speedometer or the like. 14 is map information indicating road coordinate points and connections between them, and names of target objects such as stations and gas stations (GS) used when guiding vehicles, type data, symbol marks, and targets indicating their positions. It is a map database consisting of a CD-ROM or DVD (Digital Video Disk) in which physical information is stored and a reader thereof. 2 is a process for specifying the position of the vehicle based on the position information from the GPS receiver 11, the direction data of the direction sensor 12, the travel distance data of the distance sensor 13, and the map information of the map database 14, up to the registered destination A control unit composed of a microcomputer and associated RAM, ROM, etc. that perform processing for searching for a driving route, processing for guiding a vehicle along the searched route, processing for searching for a target based on a predetermined condition, etc. It is. Reference numeral 31 denotes an input unit including operation switches for performing destination input, registration, and the like. Reference numeral 41 denotes a display unit including a map (road) for guidance based on a signal from the control unit 2, a liquid crystal display panel for displaying a target, a drive circuit, and the like. An audio output unit 42 synthesizes voice for guidance based on an instruction from the control unit 2 and performs voice guidance using a speaker or the like.
[0017]
FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the input point registration process performed by the control unit 2 of the navigation device according to the embodiment of the present invention. 3A and 3B are condition setting screen diagrams of the navigation device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3A shows an example of specifying search conditions, and FIG. 3B shows an example of specifying registered output conditions. 4A and 4B are output screen diagrams at the time of registration of the navigation device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4A is an example of a display screen, and FIG. 4B is an example of audio output. Hereinafter, it demonstrates according to a figure. This process starts from the point when the point registration mode key is operated.
[0018]
In step S11, it is determined whether or not the spot registration mode key is operated. If the spot registration mode key is operated, the process proceeds to step S12 to enter the spot registration mode. If the point registration mode key is not operated, the process ends. This determination is made based on the operation state of the point registration mode key (input unit 31) by the user.
[0019]
In step S12, the map information / target object information in the vicinity of the registration point is read from the map database 14 and displayed on the display unit 41, and the process proceeds to step S13. That is, the wide area map including the point is displayed on the display unit 41 based on the operation of the cursor so that the user can input the point (destination, etc.) to be registered on the map screen using the cursor. At this time, the screen is scrolled according to the operation of the cursor so that the user can display the map of the desired point (near the destination) as described above. In addition to the scroll display by the cursor, a desired map may be read from other telephone numbers or addresses.
[0020]
In step S13, it is determined whether or not the point input is completed. If the point input is completed, the process proceeds to step S14. If the point input is not completed, the process waits. That is, it is determined whether or not the user has moved the cursor to a predetermined point and operated the setting key at that point to input the point.
[0021]
In step S14, it is determined whether or not a search condition for searching for a target serving as a mark near the input point input as described above has been specified. If the search condition has been specified, the process proceeds to step S15. If no search condition is specified, wait. This determination is made by the user when the point input is completed, by referring to the search condition designation screen diagram (see FIG. 3A) displayed on the display unit 41 in a different setting mode different from the point registration mode. This is performed based on the search condition (specified by the mesh) specified by the key (or cancel key). The search condition is the type of the target to be searched from the map database 14 (including the target type, name and position) (for example, a station, a gas station (GS), a convenience store (CS), a supermarket (SM) as a landmark). , Large buildings such as various schools, buildings, rivers / bridges, railroad crossings, roads, etc., or types specified by the user in advance or all types), search distance (in the range to be searched from the input point, for example, 200, 100, 50 m) , The direction of the searched target with respect to the input point (eg, east, west, south, north, and the middle thereof), the direction of the searched target with respect to the input point (eg, the same side, opposite side, input point as the input point) Forward, backward, right side, left side, and composite thereof). In addition, detailed information (name of each facility, etc.) may be provided in the lower level as needed. For example, there are cases where it is difficult to determine any of a plurality of gas stations as a target alone, and a name such as a GS of a company A, a GS of a company B, etc. is added to be a search target.
[0022]
In step S15, a target object serving as a mark near the input point is searched, and the process proceeds to step S16. That is, the target recorded in the map database 14 is searched based on the search conditions specified in advance (example of search condition specification in FIG. 3A).
[0023]
In step S16, the azimuth | direction and direction of a target are calculated, and it moves to step S17. That is, based on the input point (latitude / longitude coordinates) input by the cursor and the position (latitude / longitude coordinates) of the searched target (each facility), the direction (with respect to the guide point considering the traveling direction of the vehicle) The direction of the target) or the direction (the direction of the target viewed from the input point) is calculated. For example, the direction and direction are obtained from the difference between the latitude and longitude of each of the input point and the target point.
[0024]
In step S17, the target and its position are output and the process proceeds to step S18. That is, the searched target (designated type) and its position in the vicinity of the input point (within a predetermined distance) inputted by the user and its position are output designated in advance by the user in the registered output condition designation example of FIG. Output according to conditions. For example, when displaying on the display unit 41, as shown in FIG. 4A, the input point and the symbol mark of the designated target (for example, national highway, company A so that the positional relationship between the input point (Goal) and the target can be understood. Only gas stations and convenience stores) are displayed as target information in a concise manner. Also, when expressing the position of each target (facility) by voice, it is difficult to understand the positional relationship unlike when displaying it on the screen. “I set it” and “There is a gas station on the east side”. When there are a plurality of targets of the same type in the vicinity, a name is further added, and the voice output unit 42 outputs a voice such as “There is a gas station of Company A on the east side”. Instead of this, the voice guidance described above may be replaced with character information, and the information may be superimposed on the screen. In addition, the display output and the audio output are for the user to confirm the detailed position of the input point, and the target is close to the input point (for example, the closest point or two to three points from the closest point). You can make it a target. If there are too many facilities (targets) such as gas stations, schools, convenience stores, etc. that are searched for, even if they are displayed on the display unit 41, they are too complex and difficult to see, so the target is recognized. Thin out to the extent that it is easy to do. For example, when the target number (number of facilities) searched by the search condition is larger than a preset number, the description is omitted. Targets to be thinned out (facility, etc.) include a method of limiting the distance from the input point (for example, limiting to a target adjacent to the input point), a method of limiting the type of facility (target) (for example, in advance) According to the set priority order (or user setting order), only facilities that are particularly easy to recognize, such as schools, gas stations, etc., are to be displayed / sound output).
[0025]
In step S18, it is determined whether or not registration is confirmed. If registration is confirmed, the process proceeds to step S19. If registration is not confirmed, the process returns to step S13 and the process up to step S18 is performed until the setting key is operated. repeat. This determination is made based on whether or not the setting key operated in step S13 has been operated again. It should be noted that if a predetermined time elapses without operating other setting keys, the registration may be automatically determined, or the step of confirming registration may be omitted. If the cancel key is operated in step S18, the process may return to step S13. In this embodiment, the input point is set on the west side of Company A's gas station along Route 2, but if the guide point is set on the south side of Company A's gas station along the prefectural road, Since the user determines that the input position is incorrect (not the intended point) and operates the cancel key or the like, the process returns to step S13 again according to the instruction and starts again from the point input process.
[0026]
In step S19, the input point is registered and the process is terminated. That is, since the input point is a point intended by the user from the surrounding situation, the position (input position) is registered as a registration point (destination). Hereinafter, although description is omitted in this processing, a route from the current location is searched according to a predetermined condition with the registered input point as the destination, as in the case of a normal navigation device. In addition to the destination, an acquaintance's house or the like may be a point of personal information.
[0027]
In this way, the accuracy of the registered position is improved by comparing the positional relationship between the point input by the user with the cursor and the surrounding target object (facility, etc.). In addition, it is possible to grasp the status of the target near the destination in advance prior to departure.
[0028]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of guidance output processing performed by the control unit 2 of the navigation device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a guidance output condition setting screen diagram of the navigation device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a guidance output diagram of the navigation device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7A is an example of a display screen, and FIG. 7B is an example of voice output. Hereinafter, it demonstrates according to a figure. This process is continuously performed during the travel route guidance of the navigation device.
[0029]
In step S21, it is determined whether or not the vehicle has approached a registered registration point (for example, a destination) as described above. If the registration point is approached, the process proceeds to step S22. If the registration point is not approached, the process proceeds to step S24. . That is, it is determined whether or not the vehicle has reached the guidance start point according to the present embodiment. This determination is based on the position data of the vehicle detected by the GPS receiver 11 (or complemented by the direction sensor 12 and the distance sensor 13). The map database 14 is collated, and whether or not the user has reached a guidance start point (for example, 400 m before) set in advance by the guidance output condition (see FIG. 6).
[0030]
In step S22, each target and its position are displayed on the display unit 41 according to the guide output setting condition, and the process proceeds to step S23. That is, according to the output conditions of the output restriction (yes / no), the azimuth output (yes / no), the direction output (yes / no), and the name output (yes / no) preset by the user in the guidance output conditions of FIG. Each searched target is displayed on the display unit 41 as shown in FIG.
[0031]
In step S23, each target object and its position are output as a voice according to the guidance output setting condition, and the process ends. In other words, the type, name, direction, and direction (including distance) of each searched target are synthesized with speech, for example, “There is a gas station of company B on the right side 200 meters ahead”, “ There is a convenience store on the left side after 300m "and" There is a gas station of Company A on the right side after 400m ". Or, based on the registration point, “There is a gas station of Company B 200m to the right of the registration point”, “There is a convenience store 100m to the left of the registration point”, “A There is a gas station of the company, etc. " By performing such detailed guidance, the positional relationship between the registered point or the current location and the target is clarified, and the registered point is easily identified.
[0032]
In step S24, normal travel guidance is continued and the process returns to step S21. In other words, it is not yet close to the registration point and there is no need to search for the target. Therefore, since it is only necessary to provide driving guidance with an emphasis on whether or not the vehicle deviates from the route, a map of the driving route (mainly a road map) is displayed on the display unit 41, and by voice at main intersections, guide points, etc. Give guidance.
[0033]
As described above, in the present embodiment, the setting accuracy of the registration point is improved by comparing the point input by the cursor with the surrounding target. In addition, the status of the target near the registration point can be grasped in advance prior to departure, and further, when approaching the registration point, the positional relationship of the target around the registration point is clearly displayed or voice output, so the registration point It is easy to specify and the driver can reach the destination without hesitation.
[0034]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a navigation device that can easily express the situation near the input point.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a navigation device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart of input point registration processing performed by the control unit 2 of the navigation device according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a condition setting screen diagram of the navigation device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a registration output screen diagram of the navigation device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of guidance output processing performed by the control unit 2 of the navigation device according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a guidance output condition setting screen diagram of the navigation device according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a guidance output screen diagram of the navigation device according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
11... GPS receiver, 2.
12 .... Direction sensor, 31 ... Input section,
13 ··· Distance sensor 41 ··· Display unit
14 .... Map database, 42 ... Voice output unit.

Claims (3)

You can enter the destination point, and then register the entered point,
In a navigation device for guiding a route to the destination point,
A target information storage means for storing information on a target that serves as a mark when guiding the vehicle;
Search means for searching for a target located near the point input as the destination from the target information storage means ;
The positional relationship between the information and the location of the searched target in the searching means, in respect to the point, with a, and output means for guiding in fact indicated by voice distance or direction or orientation of the target A navigation device characterized by that. When the point is input as the destination, the search means searches for the target using the point input as the destination and the distance, direction, or direction as a search condition based on the point, and searches for the point. 2. The navigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output means outputs the target and the distance, direction or direction between the point and the searched target . The output means outputs a distance, a direction or an azimuth of the searched target with reference to the point when approaching a point registered as the destination. The navigation device according to any one of the above.

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