JP5423535B2 - Navigation device and navigation method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a navigation apparatus and a navigation method that perform navigation processing based on map data.

  In general, navigation devices mounted on vehicles are widely known as navigation devices that perform navigation processing based on map data. In such a navigation device, when a vehicle travels near the border between neighboring countries, a map including the border is displayed on the display screen.

  If the user is located near the border between neighboring countries in the navigation process, a map near the border between the two countries is provided to the user. However, the borders between neighboring countries are not always specified under the agreement of both countries. That is, the borderline claimed by the first country may be different from the borderline claimed by the second country adjacent to the first country. Therefore, recently, for example, a navigation device described in Patent Document 1 has been proposed as a device for specifying a map based on the assertion of which country among the countries.

  This Patent Document 1 describes a navigation device having a function of setting a destination country of a vehicle. In this navigation device, information on the destination country of the vehicle is input by the user or manufacturer before the vehicle is shipped. For this reason, the navigation device displays a map that matches the circumstances of the destination country on the display screen.

  Patent Document 1 also discloses a technique for detecting a country in which a vehicle is traveling and estimating the detected country as a destination country of the vehicle.

JP 2008-281353 A

  By the way, in the said patent document 1, it is necessary to make a user or a maker purposely perform input operation for setting the destination country of a vehicle. Therefore, the user needs to perform a complicated input operation for setting the destination country of the vehicle.

  Moreover, in the said patent document 1, the country where the vehicle is drive | working is simply estimated as the destination country of a vehicle. Therefore, when the user of the vehicle is from a country other than the country where the vehicle is traveling, for example, a border line claimed by the country where the vehicle is traveling is drawn on the map displayed on the display screen regardless of the intention of the user. For example, navigation processing based on map data that matches the user's intention is not executed.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and the object thereof is to enable navigation processing based on map data that matches the user's intention without causing the user to perform complicated operations. It is an object of the present invention to provide a navigation device and a navigation method that can improve the performance.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 relating to a navigation apparatus comprises a control means for performing a navigation process based on map data corresponding to a plurality of countries stored in a map storage means, and the navigation process. A location storage means for storing the location of a location as an operation history for execution, a country having the location of the location stored in the location storage means, and a specified country with the specified country as a specified country Determination means, and the control means, when there are a plurality of countries that claim sovereignty over the location of the base stored in the base storage means, any one of the countries that claim the sovereignty Performing selective notification control for selecting a country, the specific country determination means, based on the operation history when a country is selected triggered by the execution of the selective notification control, Determines Teikuni, said control means and gist to carry out the navigation process based on the determination result by the specific country determination unit.

  According to the said structure, a specific country is determined based on the operation history by the user for performing a navigation process. And a navigation process is performed based on the map data corresponding to the determined specific country. Therefore, it is possible to improve the possibility of executing navigation processing based on map data that matches the user's intention without causing the user to perform complicated operations.

  The base registered (stored) in the base storage means indicates a place that the user has selected as a base for life and work, and the country where the base is located may be the country as the base of the user. High nature. Therefore, in the present invention, when the location of the base is registered as an operation history by the user, the specific country is determined based on the location. Therefore, it is possible to easily determine the specific country without causing the user to perform a special operation for determining the specific country.

  Bases may be located in areas where multiple countries claim sovereignty. Therefore, in the present invention, when a base is located in an area where a plurality of countries claim sovereignty, the country desired by the user is selected. And when a country is selected, a specific country is determined based on the operation history by the user at that time. Therefore, even when the specific country is set based on the setting of the location of the base, it is possible to contribute to the setting of the specific country according to the user's desire.

Invention according to claim 2, in the navigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the specific country determination means, based on the operation history, identify the input or selected language, based on the language which is the identified specific The gist is to determine the country.

  According to the said structure, the language input or selected from the operation history by the user for performing a navigation process is specified, and a specific country is determined based on this language. Therefore, it is possible to easily determine the specific country without causing the user to perform a special operation for determining the specific country.

The invention described in claim 3 is the navigation device according to claim 2 , further comprising display means having a display screen on which a plurality of selection display areas are displayed, wherein the control means The display means is controlled so that words expressed in mutually different languages are displayed in each selection display area, and the specific country determination means selects any one of the selection display areas. A language that expresses a word displayed in the selected display area for selection is specified based on the operation history when a display area is selected, and a specific country is determined based on the language And

  According to the above configuration, when any one of the display areas for selection is selected by the user, the word displayed in the selected display area for selection is expressed. A specific country is determined based on the language. Therefore, it is possible to easily determine the specific country without causing the user to perform a special operation for determining the specific country.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the navigation device according to the third aspect , the present invention further includes a current position acquisition unit that acquires a current position, wherein the control unit is any one of the display areas for selection. The gist is to control the display means so that a word expressed in a language used in a country having the current position acquired by the current position acquisition means is displayed in the display area for selection.

  The specific country desired by the user is likely to be a country having the position of the user (ie, the navigation device). Therefore, in the present invention, a word expressed in the language used in the country having the acquired current position is displayed in any one of the display areas for selection. Therefore, the determination accuracy of a specific country can be improved.

The invention according to claim 5 is the navigation device according to claim 2 , further comprising language selection means for selecting a guidance language in the navigation device based on the operation history, the specific country determination means, The gist is to determine the specific country based on the operation history when the language for guidance is selected by the language selection means.

  In the navigation device, a language for guiding users may be set. Therefore, in the present invention, when a guidance language is selected, the specific country is determined based on the operation history of the user at that time. Therefore, it is possible to easily determine the specific country without causing the user to perform a special operation for determining the specific country.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided control means for performing navigation processing based on map data corresponding to a plurality of countries stored in the map storage means, and storing the position of the base as an operation history for executing the navigation processing. When the destination is set , the country storage means, the country having the location of the base stored in the base storage means is specified, the specific country determination means having the specified country as the specific country, and the destination are set , comprising search means for searching a route from the current position to the destination, and the search unit, a second region different from the first area mutually claimed by each other several countries in the specific country The route that passes through the first area is preferentially searched over the route that passes through the first area, and the control means performs the navigation processing based on the route searched by the search means. To.

According to the above configuration, a route that does not pass through the first area as much as possible is preferentially searched. Therefore, the safety of the user who goes to the destination using the navigation device can be ensured.
The invention according to claim 7 is the navigation device according to claim 1, further comprising communication means for transmitting / receiving information to / from an information terminal, wherein the specific country determination means causes the information terminal to execute the navigation process. When the history information related to the operation history based on the operation is received via the communication means, the specific country is determined based on the history information, and the control means The gist is to transmit map data corresponding to a specific country from the communication means to the information terminal so that the information terminal executes a navigation process corresponding to the specific country determined by the determining means.

  According to the said structure, a specific country is determined based on the historical information regarding the operation history by the user for performing a navigation process with an information terminal. Then, map data corresponding to the determined specific country is transmitted to the information terminal. Therefore, navigation processing based on map data corresponding to the country desired by the user of the information terminal can be executed by the information terminal.

On the other hand, the invention according to claim 8 concerning the navigation method is a navigation method for causing a control device to execute navigation processing based on map data corresponding to a plurality of countries stored in the map storage means, wherein the navigation processing A base storage step for storing the location of the base as an operation history for executing the operation, a country having the location of the base stored in the base storage step is specified, and the specified country is set as the specific country a specific country determination step, the said navigation processing based on the map data corresponding to a particular country determined in a specific country determination step to have a, and navigation steps to be executed by the control unit, in the base storage step are stored Claim sovereignty when there are multiple countries that claim sovereignty over the location of the base The control device performs selection notification control for selecting any one of the selected countries, and in the specific country determination step, when a country is selected in response to execution of the selection notification control. Based on the operation history, the specific country is determined, and the navigation step causes the control device to perform the navigation process based on the determination result by the specific country determination means .

According to the said structure, the effect equivalent to the said navigation apparatus can be acquired.
Similarly, the invention according to claim 9 concerning the navigation method is a navigation method for causing a control device to execute navigation processing based on map data corresponding to a plurality of countries stored in the map storage means, wherein the navigation processing A base storage step for storing the location of the base as an operation history for executing the operation, a country having the location of the base stored in the base storage step is specified, and the specified country is set as the specific country A specific country determination step, a navigation step for causing the control device to execute the navigation process based on the map data corresponding to the specific country determined in the specific country determination step, and a current location when a destination is set. And a search step for searching for a route from the destination to the destination. In the navigation step, a route passing through a second region different from the first region in which a plurality of countries claim sovereignty is preferentially searched over a route passing through the first region, and the navigation step Then, the gist is to cause the control device to perform the navigation process based on the route searched in the search step.

The block diagram which shows schematic structure of the navigation apparatus of 1st Embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows the map of each country which can be provided with a navigation apparatus. The block diagram which shows schematic structure of an information storage device. The table | surface which shows an example of an information table. The flowchart explaining the specific country determination processing routine of 1st Embodiment. (A) is a schematic diagram for explaining how a map depicting the registered home location is displayed, and (b) is a screen for selecting any one of the countries claiming sovereignty over the home location. FIG. 4C is a schematic diagram illustrating a screen that prompts a final determination as to whether or not a selected country is acceptable. (A) is a schematic diagram showing a map when the specific country is country A, (b) is a schematic diagram showing a map when the specific country is country C. The flowchart explaining the processing routine at the time of the destination input of 1st Embodiment. (A) is a schematic diagram explaining the case where there are a plurality of routes from the current position to the destination, and (b) is a schematic diagram explaining a map on which a route selected by a passenger of the host vehicle is drawn. The flowchart explaining the process routine at the time of the genre setting of 1st Embodiment. The flowchart explaining the specific country determination processing routine of 2nd Embodiment. (A) is a schematic diagram explaining the display mode of the display when the host vehicle is in country A, and (b) is a schematic diagram illustrating the display mode of the display when the host vehicle is in country C. The flowchart explaining the language setting process routine for guidance of 3rd Embodiment. The schematic diagram explaining the screen in the case of selecting the language for guidance. The block diagram which shows schematic structure of the map data management system of 4th Embodiment. The flowchart explaining the map information transmission process routine performed with a management server, and the map information acquisition process routine performed with an information terminal.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 1, the navigation device 50 of the present embodiment is a device mounted on a vehicle and has a plurality of countries (in this embodiment, countries A, B, C, D, and E). It is a device that can provide maps for a total of five countries. Such a navigation device 50 includes an input / output device 51 as display means, a position detection device 52 for detecting the position of the host vehicle, and a navigation control device 53 that performs various controls based on detection results from the position detection device 52. And. The input / output device 51 includes a display 55 as a display screen, a touch panel 56 as operation means disposed on the front side of the display 55, and operation buttons 57 as operation means. In addition, the input / output device 51 includes a speaker (not shown) for performing various types of guidance to the passengers of the host vehicle by voice.

  The display 55 uses a color liquid crystal display. Although described later in detail, an image (for example, a screen for inputting a map or a destination) is displayed on the display 55 according to information output from the navigation control device 53.

  The touch panel 56 is a transparent contact detection panel overlaid on almost the entire surface of the display 55. When an occupant of the own vehicle touches the touch panel 56 with a fingertip or the like in accordance with the display on the display 55, a signal corresponding to the touched position (also referred to as “display area”) on the touch panel 56 is navigated. It is output to the control device 53. The operation button 57 is operated when changing an image displayed on the display 55. For example, when a map is displayed on the display 55, when a destination button operation is performed, a signal corresponding to the operation mode is output to the navigation control device 53.

  The position detection device 52 detects a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiving unit 58 that receives information on the absolute position of the host vehicle such as latitude / longitude information from an unillustrated artificial satellite, and detects azimuth angle information indicating the traveling direction of the host vehicle. And a vehicle speed sensor 60 that detects vehicle speed information related to the traveling speed of the host vehicle.

  The navigation control device 53 includes a sensor input interface 61, a communication interface 62, an image memory 63, a control unit 64, an image processor 65, and an information storage device 66 as map storage means. Signals from the touch panel 56 of the input / output device 51, the operation buttons 57, and the GPS receiver 58 of the position detection device 52 are input to the communication interface 62. Sensor signals from the gyro sensor 59 and the vehicle speed sensor 60 of the position detection device 52 are input to the sensor input interface 61.

  The image memory 63 stores image data for displaying an image other than a map on the display 55. For example, the image memory 63 stores an initial screen to be displayed on the display 55 when an ignition switch (not shown) of the host vehicle is turned on, an input screen for inputting a destination, and the like.

  The control unit 64 controls the navigation device 50 in an integrated manner, and includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a non-volatile memory (for example, an EEPROM) and the like (not shown). For example, when the control unit 64 acquires the absolute position of the host vehicle based on a signal from the GPS receiving unit 58, the control processor 64 issues a control command to display on the display 55 a map around the absolute position of the host vehicle. Output to 65. Further, when the destination is set by the touch panel 56 or the operation button 57, the control unit 64 searches the route from the current position of the own vehicle (that is, the absolute position of the own vehicle) to the destination, and performs the search. A control command for displaying a map depicting the route on the display 55 is output to the image processor 65.

  When a control command for displaying a map on the display 55 is input from the control unit 64, the image processor 65 reads map information from the information storage device 66, performs image processing, and displays a map or the like on the display 55. Let In addition, when a control command for inputting a destination is input from the control unit 64, the image processor 65 reads image data corresponding to the control command from the image memory 63, performs image processing, and displays the image data on the display 55. Display the input screen. Therefore, in this embodiment, the control unit 64 and the image processor 65 constitute a control unit.

  Note that the navigation processing performed by the control means of the present embodiment is a concept including processing for displaying a map based on map data on the display 55, and includes a case where a map is simply displayed on the display 55. This map may or may not include the current position of the vehicle. Of course, the navigation processing includes processing for guiding a route from the current position of the host vehicle to the destination.

Here, maps for a plurality of countries (five countries) that can be provided by the navigation device 50 of the present embodiment will be described.
As shown in Fig. 2, country A has a borderline with country B, country D, and country E, while country C has no borderline with country C. . Therefore, in the vicinity of the border between Country A and Country C, there is an area (hereinafter also referred to as “first area”) 23 in which both countries claim sovereignty. In addition, since the border line between Country B and Country E has not been established, Country B has a first region 24 in the vicinity of the border between Country B and Country E in which both countries claim sovereignty. Exists. Moreover, while the border line between Country D and Country E is fixed, the border line between Country D and Country C is not fixed. Therefore, in the vicinity of the border between Country C and Country D, there is a first region 25 in which both countries claim sovereignty.

Next, the information storage device 66 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 3, the information storage device 66 is configured by a hard disk as an example. Such an information storage device 66 includes a map information storage area 67 and a country information storage area 68. As shown in FIG. 4, the country information storage area 68 stores an information table indicating friendly relations between countries that can provide map data. In this embodiment, this information table relates to information on whether or not a border is established between countries, and whether or not diplomatic relations between countries are good as information on friendly relations between countries. Have information. That is, the border between Country A and Country B is fixed, and the diplomatic relations between Country A and Country B are very good. In addition, the border between Country A and Country C has not been established, and the diplomatic relations between Country A and Country C are poor. In addition, the border between Country A and Country D has been established, and the diplomatic relations between Country A and Country D are very good. Moreover, while borders have been established between countries A and E, diplomatic relations between countries A and E are not very good.

  While Country B and Country C are not adjacent to each other, diplomatic relations between Country B and Country C are not very good. In addition, Country B and Country D are not adjacent to each other, and diplomatic relations between Country B and Country D are very good. In addition, the border between Country B and Country E has not been established, and the diplomatic relations between Country B and Country E are steep. The border between Country C and Country D has not been established, and the diplomatic relations between Country C and Country D are poor. In addition, Country C and Country E are not adjacent to each other, and diplomatic relations between Country C and Country E are very good. A border has been established between Country D and Country E, and diplomatic relations between Country D and Country E are very good.

  In the map information storage area 67, as shown in FIG. 3, map information for a plurality of countries (5 countries in this embodiment) (ie, country A map information 19A, country B map information 19B, country C map) Information 19C, D country map information 19D, and E country map information 19E) are stored. The country A map information 19 </ b> A includes country A map data 20, route data (also referred to as “route network data”) 21, and POI (Point Of Interest) data 22. Similarly, the map information 19B to 19E for countries other than the country A have map data 20, route data 21, and POI data 22 for each country.

  The route data 21 includes node data related to nodes and link data related to links. The node is set at an intersection or a road end point, and the node data includes the coordinates and identifiers of the node. The link is set between the nodes, and the link data includes a link identifier, a connection node identifier, a link cost used for route search, and the like. The POI data 22 includes data such as the name of a specific point or facility (for example, a restaurant or a hotel) and the genre (type) of the specific point or facility.

  Next, the specific country determination processing routine executed by the control unit 64 of the present embodiment is set based on the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 and the schematic diagram shown in FIG. Note that the navigation device 50 mounted on a vehicle is generally provided with a function of registering the location of the user's home as an example of the location of the base. Although the specific country determination processing routine of the present embodiment will be described in detail later, when the home position is registered by the user, this registration operation is stored in the information storage device 66 as the operation history (user This is a process for identifying a country having the territory of the base) and making the identified country a specific country.

  Now, when an ignition switch (not shown) of the host vehicle is turned on, the control unit 64 executes a specific country determination processing routine. In the specific country determination processing routine, the control unit 64 performs initial processing (step S10). Specifically, the control unit 64 performs processing (so-called ram clear) for initializing the RAM of the control unit 64. Subsequently, the control unit 64 outputs a control command for displaying the first initial screen on the display 55 to the image processor 65. Then, the image processor 65 controls the input / output device 51 to display the first initial screen on the display 55 for a predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds) set in advance. The first initial screen is a screen in which a display area having a description “Please drive according to actual traffic regulations” is formed in the center of the display 55. The language used in the first initial screen is the language used in the specific country when the specific country has been set, that is, has been determined, while the specific country has not been set. An example is English.

  When the initial process ends, the control unit 64 reads the specific country flag FLG1 from the non-volatile memory of the control unit 64, and determines whether or not the specific country flag FLG1 is off (step S11). The specific country flag FLG1 is a flag for determining whether or not a specific country has been set. If the determination result in step S11 is affirmative (FLG1 = on), the control unit 64 proceeds to step S21 described later. On the other hand, when the determination result of step S11 is negative (FLG1 = off), the control unit 64 determines whether or not the home position is registered as an example of the base (step S12). Specifically, the control unit 64 determines whether or not information related to the position of the home is stored in a predetermined area of the information storage device 66. Therefore, in this embodiment, the information storage device 66 also functions as a base storage unit.

  If the determination result in step S12 is negative, the control unit 64 acquires the current position of the host vehicle based on the GPS signal received by the GPS reception unit 58 because the home position has not been registered (step S12). S13). Therefore, in the present embodiment, the GPS receiving unit 58 and the control unit 64 constitute a current position acquisition unit. Subsequently, the control unit 64 estimates a country (for example, country A) having the current position acquired in step S13 (step S14), and proceeds to step S20 described later.

  On the other hand, if the determination result of step S12 is affirmative, the control unit 64 specifies a country that claims ownership of the home position because the home position has already been registered (step S15). As an example, as shown in FIG. 6A, when the home position PH (PH1) is located in the second area 26 in the country A, the control unit 64 controls the ownership of the home position PH1. Assume that country A claims. Further, when the home position PH (PH2) is located in the first region 23 in the country A, the control unit 64 sets the countries that claim the territory of the home position PH2 as the countries A and C. .

  Returning to FIG. 5, the control unit 64 determines whether or not there are a plurality of countries that claim ownership of the home position PH (step S <b> 16). If this determination result is a negative determination, the control unit 64 proceeds to step S20, which will be described later, because one country claims the territorial right of the home position PH. On the other hand, when the determination result of step S16 is affirmative, the control unit 64 performs a selection notification process to select any one of the countries that claim ownership of the home position PH (step S17). ). Specifically, the control unit 64 outputs to the image processor 65 information related to the country to be selected (for example, country A and country C) and a control command for displaying the selection display screen. Then, the image processor 65 controls the input / output device 51 to display the screen shown in FIG.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6B, the image processor 65 displays a display area 70 having a description “Please select a country where your home is registered” on the upper side of the display 55. Let it form. At this time, in the display area 70, the description of the language used in the country A and the description of the language used in the country C may be written together. Further, the image processor 65 forms a plurality of (for example, two) selection display areas 71 (71a, 71b) corresponding to each country below the display area 70 of the display 55.

  Returning to FIG. 5, the control unit 64 determines whether or not the country is selected by the operation of the touch panel 56 by the passenger of the host vehicle (step S <b> 18). When the determination result is negative, the control unit 64 repeatedly performs the determination process in step S18 until any one of the selection display areas 71 is selected. On the other hand, if the determination result in step S18 is affirmative, the control unit 64 selects one of the selection display areas 71 (71a, 71b), and therefore performs the following process. Control goes to step S19.

  In step S19, the control unit 64 determines whether or not the country corresponding to the selection display area 71 (for example, the selection display area 71a) selected by the occupant of the host vehicle may be set as the specific country. That is, the control unit 64 outputs to the image processor 65 information related to the country selected by the passenger of the host vehicle and a control command for determining whether or not the country where the home is registered may be finally determined. To do. Then, the image processor 65 controls the input / output device 51 to display the screen shown in FIG.

  As an example, as shown in FIG. 6C, the image processor 65 displays on the upper side of the display 55 a display area 72 having a description “Do you want to be in country A (or country C)?”. To form. At this time, the content displayed in the display area 72 is expressed in the language used in country A (or country C). Further, the image processor 65 displays a display area (hereinafter, also referred to as “acknowledgement display area”) 73 having a description of “Yes (ie, consent)” below the display area 72 of the display 55. Let

  Returning to FIG. 5, when the determination result of step S19 is negative, the control unit 64 repeatedly performs the determination process of step S19 until the approval display area 73 is selected. On the other hand, when the determination result in step S19 is affirmative, the control unit 64 proceeds to the next step S20 because the approval display area 73 is selected.

  In step S20, the control unit 64 determines a specific country. Specifically, in the case where the home position PH is registered, the control unit 64, when there are a plurality of countries claiming sovereignty over the position PH, the selection display area 71 selected in step S18 (for example, The country corresponding to the selection display area 71a) (in this case, country A) is the specific country. In addition, when the home position PH is registered, the control unit 64 sets the country as a specific country when only one country claims the sovereignty of the position PH. Further, when the home position PH is not registered, the control unit 64 sets the country having the current position of the host vehicle as the specific country. Therefore, in this embodiment, the control part 64 functions also as a specific country determination means. Step S20 corresponds to a specific country determination step. Then, the control part 64 transfers the process to following step S21.

  In step S21, the control unit 64 generates map data based on a specific country (for example, country A). That is, the control unit 64 reads the map data of each country from the map information storage area 67 of the information storage device 66 and also reads the information table (see FIG. 4) from the country information storage area 68. And the control part 64 produces | generates the map data by which the position of the borderline of each country was specified based on the information of each country.

Here, a case where the specific country is country A will be described.
As shown in FIG. 7 (a), the control unit 64 has the country A and the country C in the position claimed by the country A because the specific country is the country A with respect to the border line between the country A and the country C. Set the border. In addition, the control unit 64 has a diplomatic relationship between Country B and Country A (specific country) rather than that between Country E and Country A (specific country). Because it is good, the border line between Country B and Country E is set at the position claimed by Country B. Furthermore, regarding the border between Country C and Country D, the control unit 64 has a diplomatic relationship between Country D and Country A (specified country) rather than that between Country C and Country A (specified country). Because it is good, the border line between Country C and Country D is set at the position claimed by Country D. That is, the control unit 64 sets the first region 23 as the territory of the country A, sets the first region 24 as the territory of the country B, and further sets the first region 25 as the territory of the country D. To do.

Next, a case where the specific country is country C will be described.
As shown in FIG. 7 (b), the control unit 64 has the country A and the country C at the position claimed by the country C because the specific country is the country C with respect to the border line between the country A and the country C. Set the border. Further, the control unit 64 has a diplomatic relationship between the country E and the country C (specific country) rather than the relationship between the country B and the country C (specific country) regarding the border line between the country B and the country E. Because it is good, the border line between Country B and Country E is set at the position claimed by Country E. Furthermore, since the specific country is country C regarding the border line between country C and country D, control unit 64 sets the border line between country C and country D at the position claimed by country C. That is, the control unit 64 sets the first regions 23 and 25 as the territory of the country C, and sets the first region 24 as the territory of the country E.

Then, the control unit 64 stores the generated map data in the RAM of the control unit 64.
Returning to FIG. 5, the control unit 64 starts navigation processing based on the map data generated in step S21 (step S22). Specifically, the control unit 64 outputs to the image processor 65 a control command for displaying a map based on the generated map data on the display 55. Then, the image processor 65 reads the map data stored in the RAM of the control unit 64, performs image processing, and controls the input / output device 51 to display a map based on the map data on the display 55. At this time, when the image processor 65 displays the first region (for example, the first region 23) on the display 55, the display mode of the display region corresponding to the first region is changed to another region (that is, the possession). This is different from the display mode of the display area corresponding to the country in which the country that claims the right is only one country. As an example, the image processor 65 causes the luminance of the display area corresponding to the first region to be lower than the luminance of the display regions corresponding to other regions. Therefore, in this embodiment, step S22 corresponds to a navigation step. Thereafter, the control unit 64 ends the specific country determination processing routine.

  Next, the destination input processing routine executed by the control unit 64 will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. 8 and the schematic diagram shown in FIG. This destination input processing routine is executed when the destination input screen is displayed on the display 55 by the operation of the operation button 57 by the passenger of the host vehicle.

  Now, in the destination input processing routine, the control unit 64 determines whether or not the destination setting by the operation of the touch panel 56 by the occupant of the host vehicle is completed (step S30). When this determination result is a negative determination, the control unit 64 repeatedly performs the determination process of step S30 until the destination setting is completed. On the other hand, when the determination result of step S30 is affirmative, the control unit 64 performs route search processing for searching for a route from the current position to the destination (step S31). Therefore, in the present embodiment, the control unit 64 also functions as a search unit.

  Here, when the specific country is country A, the route search process when the current position (also referred to as “departure place”) and the destination are located near the border between country A and country C is shown in FIG. (A) It demonstrates based on (b). As a premise, when the current position S and the destination G are connected with a straight line, between the current position S and the destination G, Country A and Country C each claim sovereignty. Assume that region 23 exists.

  When the destination G is set, the control unit 64 sums up the link costs from the current position S to the destination G based on the link costs of the links connecting the nodes set at predetermined locations along the road. The route is searched so that is minimized. At this time, the control unit 64 weights the link cost of the link connecting the nodes set along each road for each region, and searches for a route based on the result.

  As an example, the control unit 64 has each node set along a road in country C that has a very low degree of friendship with country A (that is, the border position is uncertain and the diplomatic relationship is steep). The link cost of the link to be connected is set as shown below. That is, the control unit 64 multiplies the link cost read from the C country map information 19C by a predetermined first coefficient (a value greater than 1, for example, 3), and the multiplication result is used as the C country. The link cost of the link connecting the nodes set along the road.

  Moreover, the control part 64 sets the link cost of the link which connects each node set along the road in the 1st area 23 as shown below. That is, the control unit 64 multiplies the link cost read from the A country map information 19A by a second coefficient (for example, 1.5) set to a value larger than “1” and smaller than the first coefficient. Then, the multiplication result is used as the link cost of the link connecting the nodes set along the road in the first region 23.

  And the control part 64 makes the link cost of the link which connects each node set along the road in the 2nd area 26 different from the 1st area 23 among A country which is a specific country below. Set as shown. That is, the control unit 64 multiplies the link cost read from the A country map information 19A by a third coefficient (for example, 0.8) set to a value smaller than the second coefficient, and the multiplication result is obtained. The link cost of the link connecting the nodes set along the road in the second area 26 is assumed to be.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 9A, when there are three routes R1, R2, and R3 as candidates for the route from the current position S to the destination G, the control unit 64 passes the route in country C. Routes R2 and R3 passing through the country A are preferentially searched over R1 (route shown by a broken line in FIG. 9A). In addition, the control unit 64 is configured so that, even in the routes R2 and R3 that pass through the country A, the control unit 64 is the first in the country A than the route R2 that passes through the first region 23 (the route indicated by the solid line in FIG. 9A). 2 is preferentially searched for a route R3 (route indicated by a one-dot chain line in FIG. 9A) passing through the area 26 of FIG. This is because the route cost R3 that passes only in the second region 26 has a smaller sum of link costs than the routes R1 and R2 that pass through the first region 23 and outside the country A.

  Then, the control unit 64 selects the route R3 having the highest priority among the plurality of existing routes R1 to R3, and issues a control command to display the map on which the route R3 is drawn on the display 55. Output to. Then, the image processor 65 controls the input / output device 51 to display the screen shown in FIG.

  Returning to FIG. 8, when the route search process ends, the control unit 64 determines whether or not the route (for example, route R3) set in step S31 has been approved by the operation of the touch panel 56 by the passenger of the host vehicle ( Step S32). When the determination result is negative, that is, when the route set in step S31 is not approved by the occupant of the host vehicle, the control unit 64 performs route re-search processing (step S33). That is, as a result of the route search process, the control unit 64 selects a route (for example, route R2) having the smallest sum of link costs next to the route (for example, route R3) displayed on the display 55. Then, the control unit 64 outputs to the image processor 65 a control command for displaying the map on which the selected route is drawn on the display 55. Then, the image processor 65 controls the input / output device 51 so that the map on which the searched route (for example, the route R2) is drawn is displayed on the display 55. Then, the control part 64 transfers the process to step S32 mentioned above.

  On the other hand, if the determination result in step S32 is affirmative, the control unit 64 determines whether the specific country flag FLG1 is off because the route (for example, route R2) displayed on the display 55 has been approved by the occupant. Is determined (step S34). If this determination result is a negative determination (FLG1 = on), the control unit 64 proceeds to step S42 to be described later.

  On the other hand, when the determination result of step S34 is affirmative (FLG1 = off), the control unit 64 specifies a language that expresses the destination G input by the operation of the touch panel 56 by the occupant (step S35). As an example, if the destination is “Milan”, “Milan” is written as “Milano” in Italian, “Milan” in English or French, and “Miland” in German. It is written. Thus, depending on the destination, the notation, that is, the combination of characters may differ depending on the language. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the language used by the occupant is specified based on the operation history of the touch panel 56 by the occupant when the destination is set.

  Subsequently, the control unit 64 determines whether or not the country using the language specified in step S35 has been specified (step S36). That is, in this embodiment, the language used by the occupant is specified based on the operation history of the touch panel 56 by the occupant when the destination is set, and the specific country is determined based on the specified language. If the determination result in step S36 is negative (that is, the country cannot be specified), the control unit 64 proceeds to step S42 to be described later, while the determination result is positive (that is, the country is changed). If it has been identified, the process proceeds to the next step S37. The case where the country cannot be specified includes the case where the language specified in step S35 is used in a plurality of countries and the case where the language cannot be specified in step S35.

  In step S37, the control unit 64 determines whether or not the country specified in step S36 (for example, country B) matches the specific country. If the determination result is affirmative (specified country = specified country), the control unit 64 proceeds to step S42 to be described later. On the other hand, when the determination result of step S37 is negative (specified country ≠ specific country), the control unit 64 performs specific country change processing (step S38). Specifically, the control unit 64 instructs the display 55 to display a screen for allowing the passenger of the host vehicle to determine whether or not the country specified in step S36 may be changed to a specific country. Is output to the image processor 65. Then, the image processor 65 causes the display 55 to form a display area having a description “Can I change the specific country?”. The image processor 65 also displays a display area having a description of “OK” (hereinafter, also referred to as “approval display area”) and a description of “NG (that is, does not change the specific country)”. Display area (hereinafter also referred to as “non-approval display area”) is formed on the display 55.

  When the specific country change process is completed, the control unit 64 determines whether or not an approval display area has been selected based on the operation signal output from the touch panel 56 (step S39). If this determination result is a negative determination, the control unit 64 proceeds to step S42 to be described later because the display area for non-approval has been selected by the passenger of the host vehicle. On the other hand, when the determination result of step S39 is affirmative, the control unit 64 changes the specific country because the approval display area has been selected by the passenger of the host vehicle (step S40). For example, the control unit 64 changes the specific country from country A to country B. Therefore, in this embodiment, step S40 corresponds to a specific country determination step. Subsequently, the control unit 64 performs the process of step S41 corresponding to the process of step S21, and proceeds to step S42 described later.

  In step S42, the control unit 64 performs a process corresponding to the process of step S22, and thereafter ends the destination input processing routine. Therefore, in this embodiment, step S42 corresponds to a navigation step.

  Next, the genre setting processing routine executed by the control unit 64 will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. This genre setting processing routine is executed when a genre setting screen is displayed on the display 55 by the operation of the operation button 57 by a passenger of the host vehicle.

  In the genre setting process routine, the control unit 64 determines whether or not a genre (for example, a restaurant) is set by an operation of the touch panel 56 by an occupant of the host vehicle (step S50). When this determination result is a negative determination, the control unit 64 repeatedly performs the determination process in step S50 until the genre setting is completed. On the other hand, when the determination result of step S50 is affirmative, the control unit 64 performs facility search processing for searching for a facility corresponding to the set genre (step S51).

  When the facility search process ends, the control unit 64 determines whether there are a plurality of facilities corresponding to the set genre (step S52). If this determination result is a negative determination, the control unit 64 proceeds to step S57 to be described later because the corresponding facility is only one. On the other hand, when the determination result of step S52 is affirmative determination, the control unit 64 is a region where a country (for example, country C) other than a specific country (for example, country A) claims sovereignty among a plurality of corresponding facilities. It is determined whether there is any facility (step S53). When the specific country is country A, the facility in the first region 23 is determined to be a facility in country A.

  If the determination result in step S53 is negative, the control unit 64 proceeds to step S55 described later because the corresponding facility is not located outside the specific country. On the other hand, when the determination result in step S53 is affirmative, the control unit 64 sets the priority of the facility outside the specific country to be lower than the priority of the facility in the specific country (step S54), and the process is performed as follows. Control goes to step S55.

  In step S55, the control unit 64 determines whether or not there is a facility in a first region (for example, the first region 23) in a specific country (for example, country A) among the corresponding plurality of facilities. When this determination result is a negative determination, the control unit 64 determines that the corresponding facility is not in the first area, and proceeds to step S57 to be described later. Note that, even when the first region does not exist in the specific country, the control unit 64 proceeds to step S57 described later. On the other hand, when the determination result of step S55 is affirmative determination, the control unit 64 assigns the priority of the facility in the first region of the specific country to the second region of the specific country (other than the first region in the specific country). The area is set lower than the priority of the facility in the area (step S56), and the process proceeds to the next step S57.

  In step S57, the control unit 64 rearranges the corresponding facilities in descending order of priority. That is, the control unit 64 is basically set such that the higher the priority is, the closer the facility is from the current position of the host vehicle. However, as described above, the priority of the control unit 64 is changed depending on the country or region where the facility is located.

  Here, a case where there are three corresponding facilities will be described. As a premise, the first facility is a facility in the second region 26 of Country A, which is a specific country, and the second facility is a facility in the first region 23. Area 3 is a facility in C. In this case, the control unit 64 sets the priority of the third facility lower than the priority of the first and second facilities, and sets the priority of the second facility lower than the priority of the first facility. Set. As a result, the first facility has the highest priority, the second facility has the second highest priority, and the third facility has the lowest priority.

  Then, the control unit 64 outputs to the image processor 65 a control command for displaying the facilities in order according to the set priority. Then, the image processor 65 forms a selection display area corresponding to the facility with the highest priority (for example, the first facility) at the top of the display 55, and second below the selection display area. A display area for selection corresponding to a facility with high priority (for example, a second facility) is formed. Then, the image processor 65 forms a display area for selection corresponding to the lowest priority facility (for example, the third facility) at the lowest position of the display 55.

  Subsequently, the control unit 64 determines whether or not the selection display area is selected by the operation of the touch panel 56 by the passenger of the host vehicle (step S58). When the determination result is negative, the control unit 64 repeatedly performs the determination process in step S58 until the selection display area is selected. On the other hand, if the determination result in step S58 is affirmative, the control unit 64 has selected any one of the display areas for selection from among the display areas for selection. Therefore, the control section 64 can perform steps S31, S32, S33, and S42. Steps S59, S60, S61, and S62 corresponding to the respective processes are sequentially performed. Thereafter, the control unit 64 ends the genre setting process routine.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) The specific country is determined based on the operation history of the touch panel 56 by the occupant of the host vehicle for causing the navigation device 50 to execute the navigation process. And a navigation process is performed based on the map information corresponding to the determined specific country. Therefore, for example, navigation processing based on the map information for country C can be suppressed for passengers from country A, and the possibility of discomfort to the passengers can be reduced. Therefore, the possibility that the navigation device 50 executes navigation processing based on the map data that matches the occupant's intention can be improved without causing the occupant of the host vehicle to perform complicated operations.

  (2) In the present embodiment, the specific country is determined based on the operation history of the touch panel 56 of the passenger of the host vehicle when the home position PH is registered. In other words, the specific country can be easily determined without causing the occupant to perform a special operation for determining the specific country, and thus navigation processing based on a map that matches the occupant's intention can be performed. .

  (3) Your home may be located in an area where multiple countries claim sovereignty. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the home is located in the first region where a plurality of countries claim sovereignty (PH2), the display area 71 for selection corresponding to each country is formed on the display 55. And the country corresponding to the display area 71 for selection selected by operation of the touch panel 56 by the passenger | crew of the own vehicle is made into a specific country. Therefore, even when the specific country is determined based on the setting of the home position PH, it is possible to contribute to the setting of the specific country that matches the occupant's intention.

  (4) Moreover, in this embodiment, the language input or set is specified from the operation history of the touch panel 56 by the passenger of the host vehicle, and the country using the specified language is set as the specific country. Therefore, it is possible to easily determine the specific country without causing the occupant to perform a special operation for determining the specific country. That is, it is possible to execute navigation processing that matches the passenger's intention.

  (5) Even for words having the same meaning (for example, destinations such as city names), the combination of characters may differ depending on the language. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the destination G is input by the operation of the touch panel 56 by an occupant of the own vehicle, the language used for inputting the destination G is specified, and the country that uses the language is determined. Identified. If the specified country does not match the specific country that has already been set, a notification that the passenger of the vehicle is urged to change the specific country is notified. When it is input based on this notification that the occupant of the host vehicle desires to change the specific country, the country specified based on the language is set as the new specific country. Therefore, the country that matches the intention of the passenger of the host vehicle can be set as the specific country.

  And the setting is performed based on the operation history of the touch panel 56 of the usual navigation apparatus 50 by a passenger | crew. Therefore, in order to determine a specific country, it is not necessary to perform a special operation on the passenger.

  (6) When there are a plurality of routes from the current position S to the destination G when the destination G is set, a route through which the vehicle passes only in a specific country is preferentially searched. That is, it is possible to reduce the possibility that a route passing outside a specific country is displayed on the display 55 as a search result. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility of being guided to enter another country different from the specific country.

  (7) Even in a specific country, there may be a first region where other countries claim sovereignty. In this case, a route that passes through only the second region different from the first region in the specific country is searched with priority over the route that passes through the first region, and is displayed on the display 55. Therefore, it is possible to increase the possibility that a route passing through only the second area is approved by the passenger of the own vehicle, and as a result, the own vehicle can be guided to the destination G along a route that avoids the first region.

  (8) However, if the route through which the vehicle occupant passes only the second region (for example, route R3) is very detour and you want to go to the destination G by another route, the route of the destination G Is searched again. In this case, a route (for example, route R2) passing through the first region may be displayed on the display 55. And when the passenger | crew of the own vehicle approves the guidance in the path | route which passes through a 1st area, the own vehicle can be guided to the destination G along this path | route.

  (9) On the other hand, when the route passing through the first region (for example, route R2) is not approved by the occupant of the host vehicle, the route passing through the country other than the specific country (for example, route R1) is displayed. 55 may be displayed. And when the passenger | crew of the own vehicle approves the guidance in the path | route which passes through another country, the own vehicle can be guided to the destination G along this path | route.

  (10) When a genre (for example, a restaurant) is set, the corresponding facility may exist in a plurality of countries. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when there are a plurality of corresponding facilities, the priority of the facility in the specific country is set higher than the priority of the facility in the other country. As a result, the facility in the specific country that is most likely to be selected by the passenger of the host vehicle is displayed on the upper side of the display 55. Therefore, when the passenger of the own vehicle selects a facility in a specific country, it is possible to suppress the display 55 from being scrolled, thereby contributing to prompt selection of the facility by the passenger.

  (11) In addition, even in a specific country, it is considered unlikely that a facility in the first region is selected by a passenger of the host vehicle. Therefore, in this embodiment, when there are a plurality of facilities in a specific country, the priority of the facility in the first region is set lower than the priority of the facility in the second region in the specific country. As a result, the facility in the second area that is considered to be most likely to be selected by the passenger of the host vehicle is displayed on the upper side of the display 55. Therefore, when the passenger of the host vehicle selects a facility in the second area, it is possible to suppress the display 55 from being scrolled, thereby contributing to prompt selection of the facility by the passenger.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the method for determining a specific country. Therefore, in the following description, parts different from those of the first embodiment will be mainly described, and the same or corresponding member configurations as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted. Shall.

The specific country determination processing routine executed by the control unit 64 of the present embodiment will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. 11 and the schematic diagram shown in FIG.
Now, when an ignition switch (not shown) of the host vehicle is turned on, the control unit 64 executes a specific country determination processing routine. In this specific country determination processing routine, the control unit 64 performs an initial process for initializing the RAM of the control unit 64 (step S70). Subsequently, the control unit 64 determines whether or not the specific country flag FLG1 is off, similarly to the process of Step S11 (Step S71). When this determination result is a negative determination (FLG1 = on), the control unit 64 displays the first initial screen on the display 55 (step S72). Then, the control unit 64 displays the first initial screen on the display 55 for a predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds) set in advance, and then proceeds to step S81 to be described later.

  On the other hand, when the determination result of step S71 is negative (FLG1 = off), the control unit 64 sequentially performs the processes of steps S73 and S74 corresponding to the processes of steps S13 and S14. Subsequently, the control unit 64 outputs a control command for displaying a second initial screen different from the first initial screen on the display 55 to the image processor 65 (step S75). This control command includes information on the country estimated in step S74 and the language (also referred to as “official language”) used in the country, and neighboring countries (in this case, neighboring countries) estimated in step S74. And information on the language used in the surrounding country. Then, the image processor 65 controls the input / output device 51 to display the second initial screen on the display 55.

Here, the display control of the display 55 when it is estimated that the country having the current position is the country A will be described.
As shown in FIG. 12A, the image processor 65 forms a display area 75 having a description “Please drive according to actual traffic regulations” in the center of the display 55. The language used in the display area 75 is the language used in the country estimated in step S74. When the current position acquired in step S73 is within a first region (for example, the first region 23) where a plurality of countries claim sovereignty, the display region 70 is used in country A. May be written together with the description of the language used in country C.

  Further, the image processor 65 displays a plurality of (5 in FIG. 12A) selection display areas 76 (76A, 76B, 76C, 76D, 76E) below the display area 75 on the display 55. Specifically, the image processor 65 displays the word expressed in the language used in country A in the selection display area 76A located on the leftmost side among the selection display areas 76A to 76E. The word expressed in the language used in country B is displayed in the selection display area 76B located on the right side of the selection display area 76A. Further, the image processor 65 displays the word expressed in the language used in the country C in the selection display area 76C located on the right side of the selection display area 76B, and is positioned on the right side of the selection display area 76C. A word expressed in the language used in country D is displayed in the selection display area 76D. Then, the image processor 65 displays the word expressed in the language used in the country E in the selection display area 76E located on the right side of the selection display area 76D. That is, on the display 55, selection display areas 76A to 76E individually corresponding to the country A and the countries adjacent to the country A are formed.

  The word displayed in each of the selection display areas 76A to 76E is a word meaning “acknowledgement”. If the language used in country A is Japanese, “approved (or accepted)” is displayed in the selection display area 76A. If the language used in country B is English, “I Gray” is displayed in the selection display area 76B.

Next, display control of the display 55 when it is estimated that the country having the current position is the country C will be described.
As shown in FIG. 12B, the image processor 65 forms a display area 75 in the center of the display 55. The language used in the display area 75 is the language used in the country C estimated in step S74.

  Further, the image processor 65 displays a plurality (three in FIG. 12A) of selection display areas 76 (76C, 76A, 76D) below the display area 75 on the display 55. Specifically, the image processor 65 displays the word expressed in the language used in the country C in the selection display area 76C located on the leftmost side among the selection display areas 76C, 76A, and 76D. In addition, a word expressed in the language used in country A is displayed in the selection display area 76A located on the right side of the selection display area 76C. Further, the image processor 65 displays a word expressed in the language used in country D in the selection display area 76D located on the right side of the selection display area 76A.

  As described above, the number of the selection display areas 76 formed varies depending on the number of countries adjacent to the country having the current position. However, the control unit 64 and the image processor 65 adjust the size and arrangement of each selection display area 76 in order to display all the selection display areas 71 on the display 55 without causing the passenger of the host vehicle to scroll the screen. To do.

  Returning to FIG. 11, the control unit 64 determines whether or not the approval button has been operated (step S76). That is, the control unit 64 selects one of the selection display areas 76 (see FIGS. 12A and 12B) displayed on the display 55 based on the operation signal output from the touch panel 56. It is determined whether or not is selected. If the determination result in step S76 is negative, the control unit 64 repeatedly performs the determination process in step S76 until the selection display area 76 is selected by the operation of the touch panel 56 by the user.

  On the other hand, when the determination result of step S76 is affirmative, the control unit 64 determines the specific country based on the operation signal output from the touch panel 56 (step S77). Specifically, the control unit 64 selects a display area for selection selected from the display areas for selection 76 displayed on the display 55 based on the operation signal output from the touch panel 56 (for example, the display area 71A for selection). ). And the control part 64 specifies the language (for example, A country language) which expresses the word displayed on the specified display area 76A for selection, and makes the country (for example, A country) using the language the specific country. That is, in this embodiment, the language used by the occupant is specified by the operation of the touch panel 56 by the occupant (user) of the own vehicle, that is, the operation history when the occupant operates the touch panel 56, and the specific country is determined based on the language. Is done. Therefore, in this embodiment, step S77 corresponds to a specific country determination step.

  And the control part 64 performs a specific country holding process (step S78). Specifically, the control unit 64 displays a screen for determining whether the occupant of the host vehicle is allowed to hold the specific country determined in step S77 (which may be referred to as “setting”). A control command for displaying on the display 55 is output to the image processor 65. Then, the image processor 65 causes the display 55 to form a display area having a description “Can I hold the specific country set this time?”. In addition, the image processor 65 is referred to as a display area having a description of “OK” (hereinafter also referred to as “approval display area”) and “NG (that is, a specific country is reset after the next time)”. A display area (hereinafter also referred to as “non-approval display area”) having a description to that effect is formed on the display 55.

  When the specific country holding process is completed, the control unit 64 determines whether or not the approval display area is selected based on the operation signal output from the touch panel 56 (step S79). If the determination result is affirmative, the control unit 64 sets the specific country flag FLG1 to on because the approval display area has been selected by the occupant of the host vehicle (step S80), and the process will be described later in step S81. Migrate to On the other hand, when the determination result of step S79 is negative, the control unit 64 proceeds to step S81 described later because the non-approval display area is selected by the passenger of the host vehicle.

  In step S81, the control unit 64 performs a process corresponding to the process in step S21. And the control part 64 performs the process of step S82 equivalent to the process of the said step S22, and complete | finishes a specific country setting process routine after that.

Therefore, in this embodiment, in addition to the effects (1), (2), (4) to (11) of the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(12) In the present embodiment, when the ignition switch of the host vehicle is turned on, the screens shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B and the like are displayed on the display 55 of the navigation device 50. At this time, when any one of the plurality of selection display areas 76 displayed on the display 55 is selected by the operation of the touch panel 56 by the occupant, the selected selection display area 76 is displayed. The specific country is determined based on the language expressing the displayed word. Therefore, it is possible to easily determine the specific country without causing the occupant of the host vehicle to perform a special operation for determining the specific country.

  (13) There is a high possibility that the specific country that matches the intention of the passenger of the host vehicle is a country that has the current position of the passenger. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the screen shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B or the like is displayed on the display 55, one of the selection display areas 76 is selected (in this case, the leftmost display area). In the selection display area), words expressed in the language used in the country having the current position are displayed. Therefore, it is possible to increase the possibility of setting a specific country that matches the occupant's intention based on the operation history of the touch panel 56 by the occupant of the host vehicle.

  (14) The possibility that another country adjacent to the country having the occupant's current position is a specific country that matches the occupant's intention is the second highest after the country having the current position. Therefore, in the present embodiment, words expressed in a language used in another country adjacent to the country where the current location is displayed are displayed in the selection display area other than the selection display area located on the leftmost side. Is done. Therefore, it is possible to further increase the possibility of setting a specific country that matches the occupant's intention based on the operation history of the touch panel 56 by the occupant of the host vehicle.

  (15) Further, each selection display area 76 corresponding to each selectable country is displayed without scrolling the screen of the display 55. Therefore, it is possible to save labor for the passenger of the host vehicle to search for the selection display area 76 corresponding to the language desired by the passenger. That is, a specific country can be set easily.

  (16) In the present embodiment, when the specific country flag FLG1 is already set on when the ignition switch of the host vehicle is turned on, the first initial screen is displayed on the display 55. That is, the process for determining a specific country is omitted. Therefore, it can contribute to the reduction of the control load of the control unit 64.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The third embodiment is different from the first and second embodiments in the specific country determination method. Therefore, in the following description, parts different from the first and second embodiments will be mainly described, and the same reference numerals are given to the same or corresponding member configurations as those of the first and second embodiments. A duplicate description will be omitted.

  In the navigation device 50 of the present embodiment, when an ignition switch (not shown) of the host vehicle is turned on, the first initial screen is displayed on the display 55 regardless of whether the specific country flag FLG1 is on or off. When the occupant of the host vehicle operates the operation button 57 to display a screen for setting a language for guidance used for display on a map or guidance by voice, the navigation device 50 The control unit 64 executes a guidance language setting process routine.

Next, a guidance language setting processing routine executed by the control unit 64 will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. 13 and the schematic diagram shown in FIG.
In the guidance language setting processing routine, the control unit 64 performs display control for informing the passenger of the host vehicle of the types of guidance languages that can be used in the navigation device 50 (five types in the present embodiment). (Step S90). That is, the image processor 65 to which the control command is input from the control unit 64 controls the input / output device 51 so as to display the screen shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the image processor 65 forms a display area 80 having a description “Please set the language to be used” on the upper side of the display 55. In addition, the image processor 65 displays a selection display area 81 (81A, 81B, 81C, 81D, 81E) corresponding to each language (in this embodiment, five languages) below the display area 80 on the display 55. To form. Note that the language used in the display area 80 is a language used in a country (for example, country B) that is determined to be a specific country at this time (may be referred to as “setting”). For example, “A word” indicates a language used in country A, and “B word” indicates a language used in country B.

  Returning to FIG. 13, the control unit 64 determines whether or not the selection display area 81 is selected by the operation of the touch panel 56 by an occupant of the host vehicle (step S <b> 91). When the determination result is negative, the control unit 64 repeats the determination process of step S91 until the selection display area 81 (81A to 81E) is selected because the selection display area 81 has not yet been selected. Do. On the other hand, when the determination result in step S91 is affirmative, the control unit 64 is displayed in the selected selection display area 81 because the selection display area 81 (for example, the selection display area 81B) is selected. The country (for example, country B) in which the language is used is set as a specific country (step S92). That is, in the present embodiment, the specific country is determined based on the operation history of the touch panel 56 by the occupant of the host vehicle when setting the guidance language. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the control unit 64 also functions as a language selection unit. Step S92 corresponds to a specific country determination step.

  Thereafter, the control unit 64 performs guidance language change processing (step S93). Specifically, the control unit 64 changes the language for guidance when performing voice guidance via a speaker (not shown) to the language used in the specific country, and changes the word displayed on the display 55 in the specific country. Express in the language used. Further, the control unit 64 sequentially performs the processes corresponding to the above steps S21 and S22. When the guidance language change process ends, the control unit 64 ends the guidance language setting process routine.

Therefore, in this embodiment, in addition to the effects (1), (2), (9) to (14) of the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(17) The navigation device 50 of the present embodiment has a function of setting a guidance language used for guidance notification to the passengers of the host vehicle. Therefore, in this embodiment, the specific country is determined based on the operation history of the touch panel 56 by the occupant when the language for guidance is set. Therefore, the specific country can be easily set without causing the passenger of the host vehicle to perform a special operation for determining the specific country.

  (18) In the present embodiment, when the guidance language is changed, the specific country is changed accordingly. Therefore, when an occupant with a different nationality from the occupant who has boarded the vehicle until the previous time has boarded the vehicle, a specific country corresponding to the occupant can be set, and thus navigation processing that matches the occupant's intention is executed. be able to.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The fourth embodiment is different from the first to third embodiments in that map information is appropriately downloaded to the information terminal. Therefore, in the following description, portions different from the first to third embodiments will be mainly described, and the same reference numerals are given to the same or corresponding member configurations as the first to third embodiments. A duplicate description will be omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the map data management system 11 of this embodiment is a system that can provide map data for a country desired by a user. Such a map data management system 11 includes a management server (control device) 12 as a navigation device, and an information terminal 14 (for example, a mobile body such as a mobile phone) capable of transmitting and receiving various information via the management server 12 and a network 13. Communication equipment).

  The management server 12 includes a server control unit 15 as a control unit, a communication unit 16 as a communication unit, a map storage unit 17 as a map storage unit, and a country information storage unit 18 as an information storage unit. . The server control unit 15 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like (not shown). And the server control part 15 reads the information memorize | stored in each memory | storage part 17 and 18, or outputs a control command and various information to the communication part 16, when CPU runs various programs memorize | stored in ROM suitably. To do.

  When a control command is input from the server control unit 15, the communication unit 16 transmits information based on the control command to the information terminal 14. In addition, when receiving information from the information terminal 14, the communication unit 16 outputs the information to the server control unit 15.

  The map storage unit 17 and the country information storage unit 18 are each configured by a hard disk as an example. The map storage unit 17 includes map information (ie, country A map information 19A, country B map information 19B, country C map information) of all countries (five countries in this embodiment) that can be provided to the information terminal 14. 19C, D country map information 19D and E country map information 19E) are stored. Each of the map information 19A to 19E has map data 20, route data 21, and POI data 22 for each country. The country information storage unit 18 stores an information table (see FIG. 4).

  Note that the map information 19A to 19E and the information table stored in each of the storage units 17 and 18 include changes in each country's assertion (for example, the position of the claimed border line changes) and political current events in each country (for example, , Alliance relations), etc., as appropriate to the latest information.

Next, the information terminal 14 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 15, the information terminal 14 includes a display device 33 as a display unit having a display screen 32, an operation unit 34 as an operation unit operated by a user, and a controller that comprehensively controls the information terminal 14. 36.

  The controller 36 includes a terminal control unit 37, an image processing unit 38, a communication unit 39, a terminal memory 40, and a GPS receiving unit 90. The terminal control unit 37 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like (not shown). The terminal control unit 37 outputs a control command corresponding to the operation status of the operation unit 34 to the communication unit 39, the image processing unit 38, or the like, or outputs a control command based on information received via the communication unit 39. The information is output to the processing unit 38 or information is stored in the terminal memory 40.

The image processing unit 38 controls the display device 33 so that an image corresponding to a control command from the terminal control unit 37 is displayed on the display screen 32.
When a control command is input from the terminal control unit 37, the communication unit 39 transmits information based on the control command to the management server 12. The communication unit 39 receives information transmitted from the management server 12.

  Next, when the user downloads the map information using the map data management system 11 of the present embodiment, the map information transmission processing routine executed on the management server 12 side and the map information acquisition executed on the information terminal 14 side The processing routine will be described based on each flowchart shown in FIG.

First, a map information transmission processing routine executed by the server control unit 15 of the management server 12 will be described.
In the map information transmission processing routine, the server control unit 15 determines whether destination information has been received from the information terminal 14 via the communication unit 16 (step S1-10). This destination information includes information related to the destination set by the operation of the operation unit 34 by the user on the information terminal 14 side and the transmitted identification information of the information terminal 14. When this determination result is a negative determination, the server control unit 15 repeatedly performs the determination process of step S1-10 until destination information is received. On the other hand, when the determination result of step S1-10 is affirmative, the server control unit 15 specifies a language expressing the destination included in the received destination information (step S1-11). Note that the language identification method is substantially the same as that in step S35, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  Subsequently, the server control unit 15 specifies a country (for example, country D) that uses the language specified in step S1-11, and sets the country as a specific country (step S1-12). Therefore, in this embodiment, step S1-12 corresponds to a specific country determination step. Subsequently, the server control unit 15 performs route search processing for searching for a route from the current position of the information terminal 14 to the set destination (step S1-13). Since the route search method is substantially the same as that in step S31, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  When the route search process ends, the server control unit 15 generates map data corresponding to the specific country determined in step S1-12 (step S1-14). Since this map data generation method is substantially the same as the processes of steps S21, S41, and S81, detailed description thereof is omitted. Subsequently, the server control unit 15 includes the map information including the map data generated in step S1-14, the route data 21 of each country, and the POI data 22 of each country in order to cause the information terminal 14 to execute navigation processing. And the search route information regarding the route searched in step S1-13 is transmitted from the communication unit 16 to the information terminal 14 that transmitted the destination information (step S1-15). Therefore, in this embodiment, step S1-15 corresponds to a navigation step. Thereafter, the server control unit 15 ends the map information transmission processing routine.

  Next, a map information acquisition process routine executed by the terminal control unit 37 of the information terminal 14 will be described. This map information acquisition processing routine is executed when the navigation function is activated by the operation of the operation unit 34 by the user.

  In the map information acquisition processing routine, the terminal control unit 37 determines whether or not the destination is set by the operation of the operation unit 34 by the user (step S2-10). When the determination result is negative, the terminal control unit 37 repeats the determination process of step S2-10 until the input of the destination is completed because the input of the destination by the user has not been completed. On the other hand, if the determination result in step S2-10 is affirmative, the terminal control unit 37 has completed the input of the destination, and therefore transmits the destination information regarding the input destination to the management server 12 from the communication unit 39. Transmit (step S2-11). The destination information includes information related to a character string representing the destination. That is, even if the destination is the same (for example, Milan), different destination information is transmitted to the management server 12 when “Milano” is input and when “Milan” is input.

  Subsequently, the server control unit 15 determines whether or not map information and search route information are received from the management server 12 (step S2-12). If this determination result is a negative determination, the server control unit 15 does not complete the reception of the map information and the search route information, and thus repeats the determination process of step S2-12 until the reception of each information is completed. . On the other hand, if the determination result of step S2-12 is affirmative, the server control unit 15 performs display processing using the received map information and search route information (step S1-13).

Therefore, in this embodiment, in addition to the effects (9) to (14) in the first to third embodiments, the following effects can be obtained.
(19) Information including the operation history of the operation unit 34 by the user of the information terminal 14 (destination information in the present embodiment) is transmitted to the management server 12. Then, the management server 12 determines a specific country based on the information received from the information terminal 14 and transmits map information corresponding to the specific country to the information terminal 14. Therefore, a map of a specific country based on the operation history of the operation unit 34 by the user is provided to the user. As a result, for example, a user from country A can be prevented from providing a map for country C, and the possibility of discomfort for the user can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to improve the possibility of executing navigation processing based on map data that matches the user's intention without causing the user to perform complicated operations.

  (20) In the present embodiment, in the management server 12, the language input or set is specified from the operation history of the operation unit 34 by the user of the information terminal 14, and the country using the specified language is set as the specific country. The Therefore, it is possible to easily determine the specific country without causing the user to perform a special operation on the information terminal 14 side for causing the management server 12 to determine the specific country. That is, a map desired by the user can be easily provided.

  (21) Even with words having the same meaning (for example, destinations such as city names), the combination of characters may differ depending on the language. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when a word is input by the operation of the operation unit 34 by the user of the information terminal 14, information related to the word is transmitted to the management server 12. Then, the management server 12 specifies the language used for inputting the word based on the received information, and further determines the country in which the language is used. Therefore, the country desired by the user of the information terminal 14 can be set as the specific country.

  In addition, the setting is performed based on a normal operation history of the operation unit 34 by the user when the navigation process is executed. Therefore, it is not necessary for the user to perform a special operation for setting a specific country.

In addition, you may change said each embodiment into another embodiment as follows.
In each embodiment, in the route search process (step S13), a route that avoids the first regions 23, 24, and 25 in which a plurality of countries claim sovereignty is included in the first regions 23, 24, and 25. You may search preferentially over the route which passes. Even if comprised in this way, possibility that the own vehicle (or user) will be guided to the destination G along the path | route which passes through the inside of the 1st area 23, 24, 25 can be reduced.

  -The characters used in countries that are adjacent to each other may be different. When the navigation device 50 is provided in such an area, a first mode in which a destination or the like can be input using characters (for example, alphabets) used in the first country, and characters (for example, Cyrillic characters) used in the second country. ) In the second mode in which the destination can be input. In this case, the specific country may be determined based on the operation history of the user when the mode is selected by the user.

  In each of the first to third embodiments, the information storage device 66 may store data relating to the map shown in FIG. 7A as map data when Country A is a specific country. Moreover, you may memorize | store the data regarding the map shown in FIG.7 (b) in the information storage device 66 as map data in case C country is a specific country. Similarly, in the information storage device 66, as the map data when Country B (or Country D, Country E) is a specific country, the claim of Country B (or Country D, Country E), and Country B (or D You may memorize | store the map data corresponding to the map of A country-E country based on the friendly relation with a country and a country. If comprised in this way, it will become unnecessary to produce map data corresponding to this specific country whenever a specific country is changed, and the control load can be reduced by that much.

  -In 1st and 2nd embodiment, whenever the ignition switch of the own vehicle turns on, you may perform the process which determines a specific country. That is, the process in step S11 in the first embodiment and the processes in steps S71 and S78 in the second embodiment may be omitted.

  -In 1st Embodiment, you may memorize | store the country specified by step S36, whenever the destination input time process routine is performed. The country with the largest number of times of identification may be set as the specific country.

In the fourth embodiment, when the country having the current location of the information terminal 14 is specified, the management server 12 may set the specified country as the specific country.
In each embodiment, when searching for a route to the destination G, the first coefficient may be set based on a friendly relationship with a specific country. For example, when setting the link cost of a link connecting each node set along a domestic road with a low degree of friendship with a specific country, set it along the domestic road with a high degree of friendship with the specific country. It may be set to a larger value compared to the case where the link cost of the link connecting each node is set. If comprised in this way, possibility that the path | route which passes through the other country with low friendship with a specific country will be searched can be made low.

  -In 1st Embodiment, although the user's home was mentioned as an example of a base, it is not restricted to this, A base is a place which the user selected as a base of life or work, and the country as a user's base is As long as it can be estimated, it may be an arbitrary base (for example, the position of the user's work place).

  -In each of the first to fourth embodiments, the information table is information on whether or not a border is established between countries, and the diplomatic relationship between countries is good as information on friendly relations between countries. It may be a table that stores only one of the information regarding whether or not there is.

  -In 4th Embodiment, you may provide in the information terminal 14 the function which specifies a language by the operation history of the operation part 34 by a user. In this case, the history information may not be transmitted from the information terminal 14 to the management server 12. Further, the information terminal 14 may determine a specific country based on the specified language, and request the management server 12 for map data corresponding to the specific country. Then, the information terminal 14 may perform navigation processing based on the map data received (downloaded) based on the request. In this case, the information terminal 14 functions as a navigation device.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 ... Management server as map data management apparatus, 14 ... Information terminal, 15 ... Server control part as control means, 16 ... Communication part as communication means, 17 ... Map storage part as map storage means, 20 ... Map data 23 to 25 ... first region, 26 ... second region, 50 ... navigation device, 51 ... input / output device as display means, 53 ... navigation control device, 55 ... display as display screen, 58 ... current position GPS receiving section constituting acquisition means, 64... Control means, control section constituting current position acquisition means (specific country determination means, language selection means, search means), 65... Image processor constituting control means, 66. Information storage device as storage means, base storage means, 76, 76A to 76E ... display area for selection, G ... destination, PH, PH1, PH2 ... home as location of base Position, R1~R3 ... route, S ... current position.

Claims (9)

Control means for performing navigation processing based on map data corresponding to a plurality of countries stored in the map storage means;
Base storage means for storing the location of the base as an operation history for executing the navigation process ;
Specifying a country having the location of the base stored in the base storage means, and a specific country determination means with the specified country as a specific country ,
The control means, when there are a plurality of countries that claim sovereignty with respect to the location of the base stored in the base storage means, a selection for selecting any one of the countries that claim the sovereignty Perform notification control,
The specific country determination means determines a specific country based on the operation history when a country is selected when the selection notification control is executed,
The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the control means performs the navigation processing based on a determination result by the specific country determination means . 2. The navigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the specific country determination unit specifies a language input or selected based on the operation history, and determines a specific country based on the specified language. It further comprises display means having a display screen on which a plurality of selection display areas are displayed,
The control means controls the display means so that words expressed in mutually different languages are displayed in the display areas for selection on the display screen,
The specific country determining means is displayed in the selected selection display area based on the operation history when any one of the selection display areas is selected. The navigation device according to claim 2 , wherein a language expressing the word is specified, and a specific country is determined based on the language. It further comprises current position acquisition means for acquiring the current position,
The control means displays a word expressed in a language used in a country having the current position acquired by the current position acquisition means in any one of the selection display areas. 4. The navigation apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the display means is controlled as described above. Language selection means for selecting a guidance language in the navigation device based on the operation history;
The navigation device according to claim 2 , wherein the specific country determination unit determines the specific country based on the operation history when the language for guidance is selected by the language selection unit. Control means for performing navigation processing based on map data corresponding to a plurality of countries stored in the map storage means;
Base storage means for storing the location of the base as an operation history for executing the navigation process;
A country having the location of the base stored in the base storage means is specified, and a specific country determination means that uses the specified country as a specific country;
If the destination is set, comprising search means for searching a route from the current position to the destination, and
The search means preferentially takes a route that passes through a second region different from the first region in which a plurality of countries claim sovereignty in the specific country over a route that passes through the first region. Search for
Wherein the control means, wherein a to Luna navigation device that performs the navigation process based on the search route by the search means. A communication means for transmitting / receiving information to / from the information terminal;
When the operation for causing the navigation processing to be performed on the information terminal is performed, the specific country determination unit receives the history information related to the operation history based on the operation via the communication unit. Based on information, determine a specific country,
The control means causes the communication means to transmit map data corresponding to the specific country from the communication means to the information terminal so that the information terminal executes navigation processing corresponding to the specific country determined by the specific country determination means. The navigation device according to claim 1. A navigation method for causing a control device to execute navigation processing based on map data corresponding to a plurality of countries stored in a map storage means,
A base storage step for storing the location of the base as an operation history for executing the navigation process ;
Identifying a country having the location of the base stored in the base storage step, and a specific country determination step in which the specified country is a specific country;
Have a, a navigation step for executing the navigation processing based on the map data corresponding to a particular country is determined by the specific country determination step to said control apparatus,
In the base storage step, when there are a plurality of countries that claim sovereignty regarding the stored location of the base, the selection notification control for selecting any one of the countries that claim the sovereignty is performed. Let the control device do,
In the specific country determination step, the specific country is determined based on the operation history when the country is selected when the selection notification control is executed,
In the navigation step, the navigation device causes the control device to perform the navigation processing based on a determination result by the specific country determination means . A navigation method for causing a control device to execute navigation processing based on map data corresponding to a plurality of countries stored in a map storage means,
  A base storage step for storing the location of the base as an operation history for executing the navigation process;
  Identifying a country having the location of the base stored in the base storage step, and a specific country determination step in which the specified country is a specific country;
  A navigation step for causing the control device to execute the navigation process based on the map data corresponding to the specific country determined in the specific country determination step;
  A search step for searching a route from the current position to the destination when the destination is set,
  In the search step, a route that passes through a second region different from the first region in which a plurality of countries claim sovereignty in the specific country is prioritized over a route that passes through the first region. To search
  In the navigation step, the navigation device is caused to perform the navigation processing based on the route searched in the search step.

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