JP5114188B2 - Navigation device - Google Patents

Description

  According to the present invention, during route guidance by the navigation function, a navigation image is displayed on the display means such that a simulation image in which a virtual current position mark moves at a predetermined speed on a route on map data including a branch point to be guided next. It relates to the device.

  Recently, the navigation apparatus includes a current position detection means for detecting the current position of the vehicle, a map storage means, and a route search means, and searches for an optimum route to a destination desired by the user and performs route guidance. Is provided.

  When performing route guidance in such a navigation device, the user can accurately determine the intersection where the user should actually turn by displaying the current position display indicating the current position and the route to the destination on the display screen. Has been.

  However, in the above navigation device, the display screen merely displays the route to the destination and the current position display. Therefore, although it can be recognized that the vehicle is approaching the intersection to bend, a plurality of intersections are adjacent to each other. When it exists, it is difficult to recognize at which intersection it should bend, and there is a problem that it is very difficult to determine an intersection that should actually bend from among a plurality of adjacent intersections.

  In order to solve such a problem, a vehicle navigation device capable of displaying the name of an intersection when the vehicle approaches the intersection is disclosed in the following Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-151557). .

  The technique described in Patent Document 1 solves the problem that it is difficult to recognize an intersection that should actually bend when intersections with similar shapes continue. When the vehicle approaches the intersection, the name of the intersection is set. By displaying the intersection name displayed on the display device and the intersection name of the actual intersection, the intersection information can be reliably recognized, and even when there are multiple intersections adjacent to each other, the intersection that should bend The driver can be recognized quickly and quickly.

In addition to the intersection name, the actual shape of the intersection can be displayed on the display device, and the intersection information can be recognized more reliably.
JP 7-151557 A (paragraph [0008], paragraph [0009])

  However, in the vehicle navigation device described in Patent Document 1, when a vehicle approaches an intersection to bend, the intersection name and the actual road shape are displayed on the display device, so that a plurality of intersections exist adjacent to each other. It is said that the driver can be surely and quickly recognized the intersection that should be turned even in the case of, for example, but when the driver approaches the intersection that is the guide point, the driver is driving, so be careful of the display device. It is not easy to compare the name of the intersection displayed on the display device in a short time with the name of the actual intersection.

  That is, even if the intersection name is displayed on the display device, there is a problem that the driver cannot make an accurate determination in a short time because the vehicle is driving.

  As a result of various studies to solve the above problems, the present invention detects the following when a vehicle has reached a position a predetermined distance before the next branch point for guidance when performing route guidance in the navigation device. By displaying on the display means a simulation image in which the virtual current position mark moves at a predetermined speed on the route on the map data including the branch point where guidance is to be performed, the branch point to be guided next to the user in advance is displayed. The present invention has been completed by conceiving that the above problem can be solved by adopting a configuration capable of accurately grasping the position and the direction to travel.

  That is, the present invention has an object to solve the above-mentioned problems, and during the route guidance, when the current position of the vehicle reaches a position a predetermined distance before the next branch point for guidance, Next, it is an object of the present invention to provide a navigation apparatus that can accurately grasp the position of a branch point where guidance is to be performed and the direction to travel.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 1 of the present application includes a current position detecting means for detecting a current position, a map storage means for storing map data, and a route for searching for a route from a departure place to a destination. A navigation apparatus comprising: search means; and display control means for displaying a traveling direction at a branch point where guidance is next performed on the display means. The display control means includes route guidance including a current position mark indicating the current position. A simulation in which an image is displayed on the display means, and the virtual current position mark moves at a predetermined speed on a route on the map data including the branch point when the current position reaches a position a predetermined distance before the branch point. An image is displayed on the display means.

  The navigation device according to claim 2 is the navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the navigation device further has a road that branches in a direction substantially the same as the traveling direction at the branch point within a predetermined range of the branch point. Road condition determining means for determining whether or not a similar branch point exists, and the display control means, when the road condition determining means determines that the similar branch point exists, the simulation image Is displayed on the display means.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the navigation apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the display control means is configured to determine the branch point on the route on the map data where the virtual current position mark includes the branch point. The simulation image that moves at a predetermined speed from before the distance until it passes through the branch point is displayed on the display means.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the navigation device according to any one of the first to third aspects, the navigation device further detects whether or not the vehicle on which the navigation device is mounted is stopped. Vehicle state detection means that detects that the vehicle is stopped by the vehicle state detection means, and when the current position has reached a position a predetermined distance before the branch point , A simulation image is displayed on the display means.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the navigation device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the display control means simultaneously displays the route guidance image and the simulation image on the display means.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the navigation device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the navigation device further includes a notification control unit and a notification output unit, and the display control unit includes the simulation. When the image is displayed on the display means, the notification control means performs voice notification of the traveling direction of the branch point via the notification output means.

  The invention according to claim 7 is the navigation device according to claim 6, wherein the notification output means has a road that branches at least within a predetermined range of the branch point in a direction substantially the same as the traveling direction at the branch point. It is characterized by performing notification including that there is a branch point.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the navigation device according to claim 6, wherein the map storage means stores a name for each branch point, and the notification output means performs notification including at least the name of the branch point. It is characterized by that.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the navigation device according to the sixth aspect, the map storage means stores a facility name existing in the vicinity of the branch point for each branch point, and the notification output means includes at least the branch point. A notification including the name of a facility existing in the vicinity is performed.

  In the invention according to claim 1 of the present application, the display control means displays on the display means a simulation image in which the virtual current position mark moves at a predetermined speed on the route on the map data including the branch point to be guided next.

  By adopting such a configuration, the user can accurately grasp the position of the branch point to be guided next and the direction to travel by visually observing the simulation image at the branch point to be guided next. it can.

  In the invention according to claim 2, in the navigation device according to claim 1, the display control means displays a simulation image on the display means when the road condition determining means determines that a similar branch point exists.

  With such a configuration, even when there are a plurality of similar branch points within a predetermined range of the next branch point to be guided, the user can display a simulation image at the branch point to be guided next. By visually recognizing, it is possible to accurately grasp the position of the branch point where guidance is to be performed next and the direction to travel.

  In the invention according to claim 3, in the navigation device according to claim 1 or claim 2, the display control means starts from a predetermined distance before the branch point on the route on the map data where the virtual current position mark includes the branch point. A simulation image that moves at a predetermined speed until it passes through the branch point is displayed on the display means.

  With this configuration, the simulation image can be displayed from a position a predetermined distance before the next branch point to be guided, so that the user can grasp the situation around the next branch point to guide. It becomes.

  In the invention according to claim 4, in the navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, when the display control means detects that the vehicle is stopped by the vehicle state detection means, the simulation image is displayed on the display means. indicate.

  With such a configuration, the simulation image is displayed when the vehicle stops due to a signal waiting or the like, so that the user can visually recognize the simulation image in a safe state.

In the invention according to claim 5, in the navigation device according to claims 1 to 4, the display control means simultaneously displays the route guidance image and the simulation image on the display means.

With this configuration, when traveling, it is necessary to display a route guidance image that is currently being performed. Therefore, a simulation image and a route guidance image can be displayed simultaneously on the display means. it can.

  In the invention according to claim 6, in the navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, when the display control means displays the simulation image on the display means, the notification control means passes through the notification output means. Then, the direction of travel at the branch point where guidance is performed next is notified by voice.

  By adopting such a configuration, information on the next branch point to be guided is also notified by voice, so the position of the next branch point to be guided and the position of the next guidance should be advanced even when the display means is not visible. You can grasp the direction.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the navigation device according to the sixth aspect, the notification output means includes at least a traveling direction on the route at the branch point where the next guidance is performed within a predetermined range of the branch point where the next guidance is performed. A notification including the presence of a similar branch point having a road that branches in substantially the same direction is performed.

  With such a configuration, detailed voice notification can be performed, so that the user can accurately grasp the position of the branch point where guidance is performed next.

  In the invention according to claim 8, in the navigation device according to claim 6, the notification output means performs notification including at least the name of the branch point.

  By adopting such a configuration, at least the name of the branch point to be guided next is notified, so the user can guide next by comparing the notified name with the actually seen branch point name. The position of the branch point to be performed can be accurately determined.

  In the invention concerning Claim 9, in the navigation apparatus concerning Claim 6, an alerting | reporting output means performs the alerting | reporting containing the facility name which exists at least in the vicinity of a branch point.

  By adopting such a configuration, the name of the facility near the branch point where the next guidance is provided is also notified, so that the user can determine the position of the branch point where the next guidance is performed more accurately.

  Hereinafter, specific examples of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to examples and drawings. However, the embodiments shown below exemplify a navigation device for embodying the technical idea of the present invention, and are not intended to specify the present invention for this navigation device. The navigation device of other embodiments included in the scope can be equally applied.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of the navigation apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The control means 10 in the navigation device 1 includes a processor including a CPU (not shown), a ROM (not shown), and a RAM (not shown), and the navigation device according to a control program recorded in the ROM and RAM. The operation of each part 1 is controlled.

  The control unit 10 also functions as a notification control unit 100 that controls voice guidance output from the notification output unit 16 described later and a display control unit 101 that controls image display on the display unit 15 described later.

  In the following first embodiment, the operation of the notification control unit 100 and the image display control unit 101 is described as the operation of the control unit 10.

  The current position detection means 11 is composed of, for example, a GPS receiver and receives radio waves including time information from a plurality of GPS satellites orbiting the earth and calculates the current position based on the received radio waves. .

  Furthermore, the current position detection means 11 can also calculate the current position using a self-contained navigation unit including a distance sensor, an azimuth sensor, a snake angle sensor, and the like. In this case, the current position can be obtained by detecting the travel distance, travel direction and rotation angle of the vehicle, and integrating these values with respect to the reference position. This current position detection method by the self-contained navigation unit is effective in a tunnel where GPS radio waves cannot be received or in a high-rise building town where errors are likely to occur when combined with GPS reception.

  The map storage means 12 stores road node data including road node data including road links and road nodes that use nodes such as road branch points as nodes and links between the nodes.

  The road node data includes road node numbers, position coordinates, number of connection links, branch point names, etc., information such as the number of branches attached to branch points and branch directions, right and left turns at branch points, Guidance data for guiding straight ahead and the like and guidance start points for starting guidance at branch points are stored.

  The guidance data includes voice guidance data. For example, “Next branch point” “Left direction” “Right direction” “Branching” “XX building” “ The voice character string data is finely divided such as “the tip of the head diagonally to the left”, and these finely divided voice character string data are connected by the control means 10 according to the condition of the branch point to be guided next. Combined and notified as voice guidance from the notification output means 16 described later as one voice character string data.

  The road node data also stores information on facilities (for example, convenience stores, gas stations, etc.) in the vicinity of branch points, and further stores information on the display start position of a simulation image, which will be described later.

  The simulation image display start position is a position a predetermined distance before the voice guidance start point corresponding to the branch point where guidance is performed next, and the voice corresponding to all branch points stored in the map storage unit 12. The road node data corresponding to the position a predetermined distance before the guidance start point is stored with the position information that is the position a predetermined distance before the voice guidance start point.

  In the present embodiment, the voice guidance start point is set at a position 100 m before the branch point, but the voice guidance start point is not limited to this, for example, 50 m, 100 m, 150 m, and 200 m. A plurality of them may be provided.

  The map storage means 12 further stores background data including facility data including water system data such as coastline, lake and river shape, administrative boundary data, facility location, shape, and name.

  In addition to the road data and background data, the map storage means 12 may include map image data stored in a vector format in order to display the map image in an easily viewable manner. This map image data includes map image data when displaying a simulation image and image data of a virtual current position displayed superimposed on the map image data.

  When the navigation device 1 is used, the road data, background data, and map image data are extracted from the map storage means 12 in a predetermined range including the current position of the navigation device 1, and a current position mark indicating the current position. And the guide route image are superimposed and displayed on the display means 15.

  The route search means 13 refers to the road data stored in the map storage means 12 when the user designates the departure place and the destination via the input means 14 described later, and reaches the destination from the departure place. It searches for the optimum route.

  The input means 14 is composed of various keys, switches, etc., and is used to input operation inputs, departure points, and destinations in the navigation apparatus 1.

  The display means 15 is for displaying a map image or a guide route image so that the user can visually recognize it, and is configured by a liquid crystal display or the like.

  In addition, this display means 15 may be made to function as an input means by providing a touch panel function. In this case, selection input is performed by the user touching an icon displayed on the screen.

  The notification output means 16 notifies the voice guidance at the branch point when the current position detected by the current position detection means 11 reaches the voice guidance start point corresponding to the branch point.

  Based on the current position detected by the current position detection means 11 and the road data stored in the map storage means 12, the road condition determination means 17 determines whether or not there is a branch point for next guidance ahead of the current position. Detect that.

  In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, when the vehicle reaches a position a predetermined distance before the voice guidance start point corresponding to the branch point where guidance is to be performed next, the current route guidance is displayed on the display means 15. Along with the image (FIG. 2-A), the virtual current position mark X is displayed on the route on the map image data including the branch point to be guided next, and the virtual current position mark X performs next guidance at a predetermined speed. A simulation image (FIG. 2-B) moving in the direction of the branch point is displayed simultaneously.

  The simulation image is displayed on the display means 15 so that the user can accurately grasp the position of the branch point where guidance is to be performed next and the direction in which the user should proceed. A virtual current position mark is displayed on the route on the map image data with the scale including the point to clearly indicate the direction to proceed at the branch point where guidance is to be performed next, and the virtual current position mark is then displayed at a predetermined speed. It is moved in the direction of the branch point where guidance is performed.

  The movement of the virtual current position mark is performed, for example, by using a position (for example, a point corresponding to 200 m before the branch point on the map) a predetermined distance before the branch point where guidance is to be performed next. A virtual current position mark is displayed at the position, and the position is moved from this position to the coordinates located in the direction of the branch point where the next guidance is performed every predetermined time.

  Note that a plurality of virtual current position marks X on (FIG. 2-B) are displayed. This is a state in which the virtual current position mark X is moving at a predetermined speed toward a branch point where guidance is performed next. In actuality, it is assumed that the virtual current position mark displayed before is erased with the movement.

  Further, in FIG. 2, since the vehicle is running, the route guidance image (FIG. 2-A) currently being displayed is displayed together with the simulation image (FIG. 2-B). For example, a simulation image may be displayed on the entire screen.

  In this embodiment, since the voice guidance start point is set 100 m before the branch point, the position a predetermined distance before the voice guidance start point corresponding to the branch point to be guided next is the point before the branch point. A position at a predetermined distance to the voice guidance start point existing at a position of 100 m is the display start position of the simulation image. However, the voice guidance corresponding to the branch point becomes one branch point, such as “Turn on this intersection 200m ahead XX ...”, “Take this point 100m ahead XX intersection…”, “Make this point 50m ahead XX intersection…”, and so on. If a plurality of voice guidance start points are set, there are naturally a plurality of voice guidance start points.

  In this way, when there are a plurality of voice guidance start points for one branch point, the position a predetermined distance before the voice guidance start point corresponding to the branch point where guidance is performed next is the voice guidance start point. Of these, the position is a predetermined distance before the voice guidance start point for the first notification. In other words, if the voice guidance start point corresponding to the next guidance point is set to the 200m, 150m, 100m, and 50m positions until the next guidance point, the simulation is performed. The position where the image display is started is a position a predetermined distance before the voice guidance start point set at a position 200 m to the branch point.

  However, there is no particular problem in setting the position before the predetermined distance, for example, as the position before the predetermined distance to the voice guidance start point set at a position of 150 m to the branch point where guidance is performed next.

  For example, a 3D image may be used as the map image data used for the simulation image. Since the 3D image is an image that approximates the scenery that the user actually sees, the user can visually confirm the simulation image displayed by the 3D image, so that the user can determine the next branch point for guidance. It becomes possible to grasp the position and the direction to travel more accurately.

  In addition, if such a 3D image is stored in advance in the map storage unit 12 as map image data for each branch point used for route guidance, an image for generating a simulation image from this map image data. It can also be used as data, and when it is not stored as map image data for each branch point used for route guidance, 3D image data is newly stored in the map storage means 12.

  When the simulation image is displayed on the display unit 15, the notification output unit 16 notifies the detailed guidance such as the position of the branching point where guidance is to be performed next and the direction to travel.

  The voice guidance to be notified at this time is, for example, “the branch point extends diagonally to the left of the XX building”, and the voice guidance using the name of the facility near the branch point is used. Thus, the user can accurately grasp the position of the branch point where guidance is performed next and the direction in which the user should proceed.

  Although it has been described that the map image data and voice guidance data used for the simulation image are stored in the map storage unit 12, the map image data for each branch point used for the simulation image and the simulation image are notified when displayed. It is also possible to separately provide storage means for storing voice guidance data as a pair and storing them as data for each branch point.

  Next, the control operation of the control means 10 in the navigation device 1 will be described using the flowchart of FIG.

  The flowchart in FIG. 3 is an operation during route guidance.

  The road condition detection means 17 detects whether or not there is a next branch point for guidance (step S21), and if the presence of a branch point for next guidance is detected (Y in step S21). Next, it is detected whether or not the current position detected by the current position detection means 11 has reached a position a predetermined distance before the voice guidance start point corresponding to the branch point where guidance is performed next (step S22). In this process, the current position detected by the current position detection unit 11 and the road node data stored in the map storage unit 12 are referred to, and the detected current position becomes a branch point where guidance is performed next. This is performed by detecting whether or not it is the position of road node data storing position information indicating that the position is a predetermined distance before the corresponding voice guidance start point.

  In the process of step S22, when it is detected that the position of the predetermined distance has been reached to the voice guidance start point (Y in step S22), next, a simulation image is displayed on the display means 15 (step S23). When the simulation image is displayed in the process of step S23, it is next detected whether or not the display of the simulation image is completed (step S24), and when the display of the simulation image is completed (Y in step S24). ), This operation ends.

  In the process of step S24, if it is detected that the display of the simulation image is not completed (N in step S24), the detection is continued until the display is completed.

  In the process of step S21, when the road condition discriminating means 17 does not detect a branch point for next guidance (N in step S21), the process proceeds to step S25, and whether or not the destination has been reached. When detection is performed and it is detected that the destination has been reached (Y in step S25), this operation is terminated. When arrival at the destination is not detected (N in Step S25), the process returns to Step S21, and it is detected again whether or not there is a branch point for next guidance.

  If it is detected in the process of step S22 that the distance to the voice guidance start point is not a position before the predetermined distance (N in step S22), the current position reaches a position a predetermined distance before the voice guidance start point. Continue detection until.

  In the first embodiment described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 3, a simulation image is displayed when the current position reaches a position a predetermined distance before the voice guidance start point corresponding to the branch point where guidance is performed next during traveling. However, when the vehicle is traveling in this way, it is necessary to display the current route guidance image. Therefore, the display unit 15 divides the simulation image and the route guidance image. Control to display at the same time.

  Further, in the first embodiment, it is detected whether or not there is a next branch point for guidance, the presence of the next branch point for guidance is detected, and the current position corresponds to the next branch point for guidance. The simulation image is displayed when it reaches a position a predetermined distance before the voice guidance start point. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the branch point in front of the current position is not the next branch point for guidance. Even if it is a case, it is good also as a structure which displays a simulation image, if it detects that the present position has reached | attained the position in front of the predetermined distance to the audio guidance start point corresponding to a branch point.

  In the second embodiment, when there are one or more similar branch points having roads that branch in substantially the same direction as the direction to proceed at the next branch point to be guided, within a predetermined range of the next branch point to be guided An example is shown in which a simulation image is displayed on the display means 15 when it is detected that the current position detected by the current position detection means has reached a position a predetermined distance before the next guidance point.

  Here, a similar branch point having a road that branches in substantially the same direction as the direction to proceed at the next branch point to be guided will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the road 30 should proceed at a branch point 31 to be guided next, a branch road 32 connected to the branch point 31, and a branch point 31 existing within a predetermined range of the branch point 31. There are a similar branch point 33 having a road that branches in substantially the same direction, a branch road 34 connected to the similar branch point 33, and a branch road 36 connected to the similar branch point 35 and the similar branch 35. It is connected.

  Furthermore, a guide route 37 is drawn on the road 30 from the departure point input by the user to the destination. In FIG. 6, the guide route is drawn in a direction to turn left at the branch point 31.

  In addition, a current position display 38 indicating the current position and a voice guidance start point 39 corresponding to the branch point 31 exist on the guidance route 37.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, at the branch point 31 where the next guidance is performed, the guide route branches diagonally to the left as shown in the figure, and the left is near the branch road 32 branched diagonally to the left. There is a case where there is a similar branch road 36 branched into

  Further, in the first embodiment, the road situation determination unit 17 detects whether or not there is a branch point to be guided next. It is detected whether or not there is a branch point for guidance, and if there is a branch point for next guidance, guidance is next performed within a predetermined range of the branch point for next guidance. It is detected whether or not there are one or more similar branch points having roads that branch in substantially the same direction as the direction of travel at the branch point.

  The predetermined range described here is set based on the branch point where guidance is performed next, the distance between similar branch points, and the setting position of the voice guidance start point with respect to the branch point where guidance is performed next. is there.

  The method for detecting a similar branch point having a road that branches in the same direction as the direction to proceed at the next branch point to be guided is, for example, from the next branch point to be guided to the next branch point to be guided. Whether or not there is one or more road node data storing branch information in the same direction as the direction to travel from the road node data located between the corresponding voice guidance start points and the next branch point where guidance is to be performed. It becomes possible by detecting.

  In addition, the similar branch point is a branch point having a road that can branch in the same direction as the direction when the guidance route is drawn to the right or left at the next branch point where guidance is performed. In addition, the branch point is described as a branch point including a branch point where only one branch road is connected and an intersection where a plurality of branch roads are connected.

  In the second embodiment, when there are one or more similar branch points having roads that branch in substantially the same direction as the direction of travel at the next branch point to be guided within the predetermined range of the next branch point to be guided The voice guidance from the notification output means 16 is, for example, “There are a lot of similar branch points at the turning point at XX meters. Please be careful”. A caution notification that a similar branch point exists is performed.

  In addition, the map image data used for the simulation image in the second embodiment is not limited to the branch point where the next guidance is performed, but is located within the predetermined range of the branch point where the next guidance is performed. The map image data having a reduced scale including a similar branch point having a road that branches in substantially the same direction as the direction to travel in FIG. As a result, the user can accurately grasp not only the next branch point for guidance but also the position of a similar branch point.

  Next, the control operation of the control means 10 in Embodiment 2 will be described using the flowchart of FIG.

  The flowchart in FIG. 6 is an operation during route guidance.

  Further, the flowchart shown in FIG. 6 is the same process as the flowchart of FIG. 3 except that the process of S42 is newly added to the process of the flowchart shown in FIG.

  The road condition discriminating unit 17 detects that there is a branch point where guidance is to be performed next, and is within the predetermined range of the branch point where guidance is to be performed next, and the direction to proceed at the branch point where guidance is to be performed next. It is detected whether or not there are one or more similar branch points having roads that branch in the same direction (step S42), and when it is detected that one or more similar branch points exist (Y in step S42). ), The control means 10 detects whether or not the current position detected by the current position detection means 11 has reached a position a predetermined distance before the voice guidance start point corresponding to the branch point where guidance is performed next. When this is detected, a simulation image is displayed.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, a similar branch point having a road that branches in substantially the same direction as the direction to proceed at the next branch point to be guided is within a predetermined range of the next branch point to be guided. When there are one or more, a simulation image is displayed on the display unit 15 when the current position detected by the current position detection unit reaches a position a predetermined distance before the voice guidance start point corresponding to the branch point where guidance is performed next. Is.

  In Example 3, the form which displays the timing which displays a simulation image based on the stop of a vehicle is illustrated.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a detailed configuration of the navigation device 1 according to the third embodiment.

  Among the components of the navigation device 1 of FIG. 7, the same components as those of the navigation device 1 of FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description of those components is omitted to avoid duplication of explanation. Yes.

  In the navigation apparatus 1 of FIG. 7, the vehicle state detection means 18 is newly provided in the structure of the navigation apparatus 1 of FIG. 1, and other structures are the same as the navigation apparatus 1 of FIG.

  The vehicle state detection means 18 is a detection means for detecting whether or not the vehicle on which the navigation device 1 is placed is stopped. The vehicle stop here is, for example, a signal waiting state, or The stop state in the parking lot is shown.

  As a method for detecting whether or not the vehicle is stopped, a detection method using detection of a vehicle parking brake, detection of a vehicle brake, detection of the current position of the vehicle by a GPS receiver, or the like is possible. In addition to this, it is also conceivable to determine whether the vehicle is stopped when the change in the vehicle speed is eliminated by detection by the vehicle speed sensor.

  In addition, these detection methods can more accurately detect the stop of the vehicle by using a combination of a plurality of detection methods than using each detection method alone.

  As a signal waiting detection method, the current position detected by the current position detecting means 11 reaches the position of the road node data storing the signal position data, and the vehicle brake or the like as described above at this position. It is assumed that it is possible to detect that the signal is waiting when the detection is confirmed.

  Next, an operation for controlling the display of the simulation image based on the stop state of the vehicle detected by the vehicle state detection means 18 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  The flowchart of FIG. 8 is an operation during route guidance.

  In the process of step S51, the road condition detection means 17 detects whether or not there is a next branch point for guidance, and if the presence of a branch point for next guidance is detected (step S51). Y) Next, whether or not the vehicle is stopped is detected by the vehicle state detection means 18 (step S52). If it is detected in the process of step S52 that the vehicle is stopped (Y in step S52), the voice position corresponding to the branch point at which the current position detected by the current position detecting means 11 next guides next. It is detected whether or not the position is a predetermined distance before the start point (step S53), and when it is detected that the position is a predetermined distance before (Y in step S53), a simulation image is displayed on the display means 15. (Step S54).

  Note that the position a predetermined distance before the voice guidance start point in the third embodiment exists in the section from the current position detected by the current position detection means 11 to the voice guidance start point corresponding to the branch point where guidance is performed next. It is assumed that position information that is a position a predetermined distance before the voice guidance start point is stored in all road node data. That is, the simulation image is displayed on the display means 15 at any position in the section from the current position to the voice guidance start point corresponding to the branch point where guidance is performed next.

  When the simulation image is displayed in the process of step S54, it is next detected whether or not the display of the simulation image is completed (step S55), and when the display of the simulation image is completed (Y in step S55). ), This operation ends.

  If it is detected that the display of the simulation image is not completed (N in step S55), the detection is continued until the display is completed.

  In the process of step S51, when the road condition detecting means 17 does not detect a branch point to be guided next (N in step S51), the process proceeds to the process of step S56 to detect whether or not the destination has been reached. If it is detected that the destination has been reached (Y in step S56), this operation is terminated. When arrival at the destination is not detected (N in Step S56), the process returns to Step S51, and it is detected whether or not there is a branch point for next guidance.

  In the process of step S52, if the vehicle state detection means 18 does not detect that the vehicle is stopped (N in step S52), the process proceeds to the process of step S57, and whether or not the voice guidance start point has been reached. When it is detected that the notification start point has been reached (Y in step S57), this operation ends. If it is detected in the process of step S57 that the voice guidance start point has not been reached (N in step S57), the process returns to the process of step S52, and the vehicle stop is detected again by the vehicle state detection means 18.

  In the process of step S53, when it is detected that the position is not a predetermined distance before the voice guidance start point (N in step S53), the process returns to the process of step S52, and the vehicle state detection means 18 detects the vehicle stop again.

  Next, an operation of a mode different from the operation of controlling the display of the simulation image based on the vehicle stop state detected by the vehicle state detection means 18 described in FIG. 8 will be described using the flowchart of FIG. .

  8 and FIG. 9 are the same as those in the flowchart of FIG. 8 except that the process of step S62 in FIG. 9 is added, and thus the description of the overlapping processes is omitted.

  The road condition discriminating means 17 detects the presence of a branch point to be guided next, and a similar branch point having a road that branches in a direction substantially the same as the direction to proceed at the next branch point to be guided next. It is detected whether or not there is one or more within the predetermined range of the branch point where guidance is performed (step S62), and when it is detected that one or more similar guide branch points exist (Y in step S62), The vehicle state detection means 18 detects whether or not the vehicle is stopped.

  In addition, in Example 3 demonstrated in the flowchart of FIG. 8, FIG. 9, although describing stopping of the vehicle on the conditions which display a simulation image is described, the state which the vehicle has stopped in this way Then, since it is not necessary to display the current route guidance image, it is desirable to display only the simulation image on the display means 15. Then, when movement of the vehicle is detected while only the simulation image is displayed on the display means 15, control is performed so that the route guidance image and the simulation image are displayed simultaneously in a divided form.

1 is a block diagram of a navigation device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is the figure which showed the state which displayed the simulation image on the display means 15 simultaneously with the route guidance screen. 3 is a flowchart showing a simulation display control operation by the control means 10 in the first embodiment. It is the figure which showed the state which has one or more similar branch points which have the road which branches in the direction which should advance at the branch point which guides next within the predetermined range of the branch point which guides next. FIG. 4 shows a state in which there is one or more similar branch points having roads that branch in substantially the same direction as the direction of travel at the next branch point to be guided within the predetermined range of the next branch point to be guided. It is the figure which showed the different form. 10 is a flowchart showing a simulation display control operation by the control means 10 in the second embodiment. The block block diagram of the navigation apparatus 1 concerning Example 3 of this invention is shown. It is the flowchart which showed the simulation display control operation by the control means 10 in the present Example 3. It is the flowchart which showed the simulation display control operation by the control means 10 in the present Example 3.

Explanation of symbols

1: navigation device 10: control means 100: notification control means 101: display control means 11: current position detection means 12: map storage means 13: route search means 14: input means 15: display means 16: notification output means 17: road Situation determination means 18: vehicle state detection means

Claims (9)

Current position detection means for detecting the current position, map storage means for storing map data, route search means for searching for a route from the departure place to the destination, and display means for the direction of travel at the next branch point for guidance In a navigation device comprising display control means for displaying on
The display control means displays a route guidance image including a current position mark indicating the current position on the display means, and includes the branch point when the current position reaches a position a predetermined distance before the branch point. A navigation device, wherein a simulation image in which a virtual current position mark moves at a predetermined speed on a route on map data is displayed on the display means. The navigation device further includes road condition determination means for determining whether or not there is a similar branch point having a road that branches in a direction substantially the same as the traveling direction at the branch point within a predetermined range of the branch point. ,
The navigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display control means displays the simulation image on the display means when the road condition determination means determines that the similar branch point exists. .   The display control means moves the simulation image moving at a predetermined speed from a predetermined distance before the branch point on the route on the map data including the branch point until the virtual current position mark passes the branch point. 3. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the navigation device displays the information on a display means. The navigation device further includes vehicle state detection means for detecting whether or not the vehicle on which the navigation device is placed is stopped.
The display control means displays the simulation image on the display means when the vehicle state detecting means detects that the vehicle is stopped and the current position has reached a position a predetermined distance before the branch point. The navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The display control means displays the route guidance image and the simulation image on the display means.
The navigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the navigation apparatus displays simultaneously . The navigation device further includes notification control means and notification output means,
2. The display control means, when the simulation image is displayed on the display means, the notification control means performs voice notification of the traveling direction at the branch point via the notification output means. The navigation device according to claim 5.   The notification output means performs notification including that the similar branch point having a road that branches in substantially the same direction as the traveling direction at the branch point exists at least within a predetermined range of the branch point. Item 7. The navigation device according to Item 6. The map storage means stores a name for each branch point,
The navigation apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the notification output unit performs notification including at least the name of the branch point. In the map storage means, the name of the facility existing near the branch point is stored for each branch point,
The navigation apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the notification output unit performs notification including at least a facility name existing in the vicinity of the branch point.

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