JP5640794B2 - Navigation device, navigation method, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a navigation device, a navigation method, and a program.

  2. Description of the Related Art A navigation device is known that can search for a route to a destination based on a road map and present a user with a direction to go to reach the destination. Here, when the vehicle is in a specific facility, if the road map does not include a detailed map in the specific facility, it is difficult to present the user with the direction to go to the destination. For example, when the vehicle is in a parking lot, it is difficult to present to the user the direction toward the exit that should be passed to reach the destination.

  As a technique for solving such a problem, there is known a navigation device capable of presenting a user with a direction toward an exit to be passed to reach a destination even when the vehicle is in a parking lot. . For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a navigation device that sets a route to a destination via a parking lot exit based on information indicating the position of the parking lot exit.

JP 2009-058492 A

  However, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, the navigation device needs to acquire information representing the exit of the parking lot from the information providing device. For this reason, it is necessary to install an information providing device that provides information indicating the exit of the parking lot in the parking lot, and a means for wireless communication between the navigation device and the information providing device is required. For this reason, there is a strong demand for presenting the user with a simple system configuration in order to proceed to the destination.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and presents a user with a simple system configuration a direction to go to a destination in a place where road information is not indicated by map information. An object of the present invention is to provide a navigation device, a navigation method, and a program for realizing these on a computer.

In order to achieve the above object, a navigation device according to the first aspect of the present invention provides:
A current position acquisition unit for acquiring the current position of the user;
A destination acquisition unit for acquiring a destination to which the user is headed;
A map acquisition unit that reads a map including the acquired current position and the acquired destination;
An image receiving unit that receives an input of an image with a signboard drawn as a subject, in which information indicating a direction and information indicating a direction to go to the direction are associated;
A direction extracting unit that extracts information indicating at least one of the directions drawn on the signboard from the received image;
A route specifying unit for specifying a route from the acquired current position to the acquired destination based on the read map;
Based on the identified route, the information indicating the direction to go from the acquired current position to the acquired destination is specified among the extracted information indicating at least one direction. Direction specific part,
A direction extracting unit that extracts information indicating a direction drawn on the signboard in association with information indicating the specified direction from the received image;
A direction presenting unit that controls to present the direction indicated by the information indicating the extracted direction to the user,
The route specifying unit, for the information indicating the extracted at least one direction, a route from the acquired current position to the acquired destination via the direction indicated by the information indicating the direction. Identify,
The surface specific part, of the information indicating at least one surface the extracted, the information that the identified path indicates the direction of the shortest, go to the obtained destination from the obtained current position To identify the direction to go to
It is characterized by that.

In order to achieve the above object, a navigation device according to the second aspect of the present invention provides:
A current position acquisition unit for acquiring the current position of the user;
A destination acquisition unit for acquiring a destination to which the user is headed;
A map acquisition unit that reads a map including the acquired current position and the acquired destination;
An image receiving unit that receives an input of an image with a signboard drawn as a subject, in which information indicating a direction and information indicating a direction to go to the direction are associated;
A direction extracting unit that extracts information indicating at least one of the directions drawn on the signboard from the received image;
A route specifying unit for specifying a route from the acquired current position to the acquired destination based on the read map;
Based on the identified route, the information indicating the direction to go from the acquired current position to the acquired destination is specified among the extracted information indicating at least one direction. Direction specific part,
A direction extracting unit that extracts information indicating a direction drawn on the signboard in association with information indicating the specified direction from the received image;
A direction presenting unit that controls to present the direction indicated by the information indicating the extracted direction to the user,
The direction specifying unit is configured to acquire, from the acquired current position, information indicating a direction having the shortest distance from the specified route among the extracted information indicating at least one direction from the acquired current position. Identify the information that indicates the direction to go to the ground ,
It is characterized by that .

In order to achieve the above object, a navigation device according to the third aspect of the present invention provides:
A current position acquisition unit for acquiring the current position of the user;
A destination acquisition unit for acquiring a destination to which the user is headed;
A map acquisition unit that reads a map including the acquired current position and the acquired destination;
An image receiving unit that receives an input of an image with a signboard drawn as a subject, in which information indicating a direction and information indicating a direction to go to the direction are associated;
A direction extracting unit that extracts information indicating at least one of the directions drawn on the signboard from the received image;
A route specifying unit for specifying a route from the acquired current position to the acquired destination based on the read map;
Based on the identified route, the information indicating the direction to go from the acquired current position to the acquired destination is specified among the extracted information indicating at least one direction. Direction specific part,
A direction extracting unit that extracts information indicating a direction drawn on the signboard in association with information indicating the specified direction from the received image;
A direction presenting unit that controls to present the direction indicated by the information indicating the extracted direction to the user,
The direction specifying unit includes information indicating a direction in which a ratio of a distance from the specified route to a distance from the acquired current position is the smallest among the information indicating the extracted at least one direction, Specify as information indicating the direction to go from the acquired current position to the acquired destination ,
It is characterized by that .

The direction specifying unit goes to the acquired destination from the acquired current position for information indicating the direction on the specified route out of the extracted information indicating at least one direction . it may be specified as information indicating a direction to be directed to.

In order to achieve the above object, a navigation method according to the fourth aspect of the present invention provides:
A navigation apparatus comprising a current position acquisition unit, a destination acquisition unit, a map acquisition unit, an imaging unit, a direction extraction unit, a route specification unit, a direction specification unit, a direction extraction unit, and a direction presentation unit Is a navigation method to be executed,
The current position acquisition unit acquires the current position of the user;
The destination obtaining unit obtains a destination to which the user goes; and
A map acquisition step in which the map acquisition unit reads a map including the acquired current position and the acquired destination;
An imaging step of the imaging unit captures a signboard and information indicating the direction of travel to the information and the surface indicating the surface is drawn in association with,
The surface extraction unit, and the surface extraction step of extracting information indicating at least one of said surface drawn from the obtained image on the billboard by the imaging,
The route specifying section, based on said map including the present position and the destination, the route specifying step of specifying a path extending from the current position to the destination,
The direction specifying unit specifies information indicating a direction from the current position to go to the destination among the extracted information indicating at least one direction based on the specified route. Direction identification process,
The direction extracting unit, the direction extracting step of extracting the information indicating the direction from the image acquired by the image pickup in association with the information indicating the specified direction are drawn on the signboard,
The directional presentation unit, e Bei and a direction presenting step of controlling so as to present a direction to the user indicated by the information indicating the extracted direction,
In the route specifying step, the route specifying unit acquires the information indicating the extracted at least one direction from the acquired current position via the direction indicated by the information indicating the direction. Identify the route to the destination,
In the direction specifying step, the direction specifying unit acquires, from the acquired current position, information indicating the shortest direction of the specified route among the information indicating the extracted at least one direction. As information that indicates the direction to go to the destination
It is characterized by that.

In order to achieve the above object, a program according to the fifth aspect of the present invention provides:
Computer
A map acquisition unit that reads a map including the current position acquired by the current position acquisition unit and the destination acquired by the destination acquisition unit;
An image receiving unit that receives an input of an image with a signboard drawn as a subject, in which information indicating a direction and information indicating a direction to go to the direction are associated;
A direction extracting unit that extracts information indicating at least one of the directions drawn on the signboard from the received image;
A route specifying unit for specifying a route from the acquired current position to the acquired destination based on the read map;
Based on the identified route, the information indicating the direction to go from the acquired current position to the acquired destination is specified among the extracted information indicating at least one direction. Direction specific part,
A direction extracting unit that extracts information indicating a direction drawn on the signboard in association with information indicating the specified direction from the received image;
A program Ru to function in a direction presenting unit, and for controlling so as to present a direction indicated by the information indicating the extracted direction Yoo over THE,
The route specifying unit, for the information indicating the extracted at least one direction, a route from the acquired current position to the acquired destination via the direction indicated by the information indicating the direction. Identify,
The direction specifying unit goes to the acquired destination from the acquired current position for information indicating the shortest direction of the specified route among the extracted information indicating at least one direction. It is specified as information indicating the direction to go to .

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the direction which should be followed in order to go to the destination in the place where road information is not shown by map information can be shown to a user with simple system structure.

It is a block diagram which shows the physical structure of the navigation apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the function of the navigation apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the signboard on which the information which shows the direction was drawn. It is a figure for demonstrating the relationship between the information which shows the direction drawn on the signboard, and the exit for going to this direction. It is a figure which shows the positional information contained in map information. It is a flowchart which shows the direction presentation process which the navigation apparatus concerning the 1st Embodiment of this invention performs. It is a flowchart which shows the image analysis process in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the direction specific process in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the method of specifying the direction which should go based on the length of a path | route. It is a flowchart which shows the direction specific process which the navigation apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention performs. It is a figure for demonstrating the method of specifying the direction which should go based on the distance from a path | route to a direction. It is a flowchart which shows the direction specific process which the navigation apparatus which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention performs. It is a figure for demonstrating the method of specifying the direction which should go based on the ratio of the distance from a path | route to a direction with respect to the distance from a present position to a direction. It is a flowchart which shows the direction specific process which the navigation apparatus concerning the 4th Embodiment of this invention performs. It is a figure for demonstrating the method of pinpointing the direction on a path | route as the direction which should go.

  Hereinafter, a navigation device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
In the present embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to an in-car car navigation device will be described. First, with reference to FIG. 1, the physical structure of the navigation apparatus 100 which concerns on this embodiment is demonstrated.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a navigation device 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 102, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 103, a GPS (Global Positioning System) module 104, an antenna 105, a voice processing. Unit 106, speaker 107, microphone 108, operation unit 109, hard disk 110, monitor 111, and camera 112. These components included in the navigation device 100 are connected to each other by a bus.

  The CPU 101 controls the overall operation of the navigation device 100. Note that the CPU 101 operates according to a program stored in the ROM 102 and uses the RAM 103 as a work area.

  The ROM 102 stores programs and data for controlling the overall operation of the navigation device 100.

  The RAM 103 functions as a work area for the CPU 101. That is, the CPU 101 temporarily writes programs and data in the RAM 103 and refers to these programs and data as appropriate.

  The GPS module 104 converts the GPS radio wave received by the antenna 105 into an electric signal and supplies it to the CPU 101. Therefore, the CPU 101 can acquire the current position of the navigation device 100 by controlling the GPS module 104. The current position is expressed using, for example, latitude and longitude.

  The antenna 105 receives GPS radio waves transmitted from a plurality of GPS satellites.

  The audio processing unit 106 converts the digital audio signal supplied from the CPU 101 into an analog audio signal by a D / A (Digital / Analog) converter (not shown), and outputs the analog audio signal to the speaker 107. The audio processing unit 106 converts the analog audio signal supplied from the microphone 108 into a digital audio signal by an A / D (Analog / Digital) converter (not shown), and supplies the digital audio signal to the CPU 101. The digital audio signal supplied to the CPU 101 is subjected to voice recognition processing by a known voice recognition technique. As a result, the user can give various instructions to the navigation device 100 by listening to a voice such as navigation or by speaking to the navigation device 100.

  The speaker 107 converts the analog audio signal supplied from the sound processing unit 106 into sound and outputs the sound.

  The microphone 108 converts the sound into an analog audio signal and supplies it to the sound processing unit 106.

  The operation unit 109 includes buttons, keys, levers, volume switches, and the like. The operation unit 109 generates a signal based on the operation received by a button, key, lever, volume switch, or the like, and supplies the signal to the CPU 101.

  The hard disk 110 stores information relating to the map and various setting information.

  The monitor 111 is configured by an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like. The monitor 111 displays an image generated by the CPU 101.

  The camera 112 focuses on the subject, images the subject, and generates an image representing the subject. The generated image may be a moving image or a still image. The generated image is appropriately compressed by various compression techniques. The compressed image is converted into an electric signal, supplied to the hard disk 110, and stored. Note that the camera 112 may not be incorporated in the navigation device 100. In this case, for example, the navigation apparatus 100 is configured to be supplied with electrical signals representing images from the camera 112 connected to the navigation apparatus 100 via various cables. In addition, the camera 112 is installed in a vehicle on which the navigation device 100 is mounted, and is installed at an angle and a position where the traveling direction of the vehicle can be imaged.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 2, the function with which the navigation apparatus 100 is provided is demonstrated.

  As illustrated in FIG. 2, the navigation device 100 includes a current position acquisition unit 11, a destination acquisition unit 12, a map acquisition unit 13, an image reception unit 14, a direction extraction unit 15, a route specification unit 16, a direction specification unit 17, a direction An extraction unit 18, a direction presentation unit 19, a map storage unit 21, and an image capturing unit 22 are provided.

  The current position acquisition unit 11 acquires information indicating the current position of the user (hereinafter referred to as “current position information” or simply “current position” as appropriate). Note that when the user is on a vehicle on which the navigation device 100 is mounted, the current position of the user is substantially the same as the current position of the navigation device 100. The current position is represented by, for example, latitude and longitude. The current position acquisition unit 11 includes a GPS module 104 and an antenna 105, for example.

  The destination acquisition unit 12 acquires information indicating a destination to which the user is going (hereinafter referred to as “destination information” or simply “destination” as appropriate). The destination is designated by the user's button operation or the user's voice. The destination acquisition unit 12 may be configured by the operation unit 109, or may be configured by the audio processing unit 106 and the microphone 108.

  The map acquisition unit 13 reads information representing a map including the current position and the destination (hereinafter referred to as “map information” or simply “map” as appropriate) from the map storage unit 21 or the like. The map information includes various kinds of information necessary for generating a map. The map information includes names of component elements such as natural objects, buildings, and place names (hereinafter referred to as “component element names” as appropriate), information indicating positions (hereinafter referred to as “position information” as appropriate), and image information (hereinafter referred to as “position information”). Icon information). Examples of natural objects include mountains, valleys, rivers, and the sea. The building is, for example, a road, a track, a bridge, a facility, a house, a store, or the like. The place name is, for example, a prefecture, a municipality, or a street address. The component name is composed of a character string, for example. The position information is composed of, for example, latitude and longitude. The image information is composed of, for example, a bitmap image. The map acquisition unit 13 includes, for example, a CPU 101 and a RAM 103.

  The image receiving unit 14 receives information indicating the direction (destination) (hereinafter, simply referred to as “direction”) and information indicating the direction to go in order to go to this direction (hereinafter referred to as appropriate). , Simply referred to as “direction”), and accepts an input of an image having a signboard drawn as a subject. The direction is expressed by, for example, a character string. In addition, the direction is expressed by an arrow, for example. For example, the image receiving unit 14 includes a CPU 101 and a RAM 103.

  The direction extracting unit 15 extracts information indicating at least one direction drawn on the signboard represented in the image from the image received by the image receiving unit 14. The direction extraction unit 15 includes, for example, a CPU 101 and a RAM 103.

  The route specifying unit 16 specifies (searches) a route from the current position to the destination based on the map information. The route specifying unit 16 is configured by, for example, the CPU 101 and the RAM 103.

  The direction specifying unit 17 specifies information indicating a direction from the current position to go to the destination among the extracted information indicating at least one direction based on the specified route. The direction specifying unit 17 includes, for example, a CPU 101 and a RAM 103.

  The direction extracting unit 18 extracts information indicating the direction drawn on the signboard in association with the information indicating the specified direction from the image received by the image receiving unit 14. The direction extraction unit 18 includes, for example, a CPU 101 and a RAM 103.

  The direction presenting unit 19 controls to present the direction indicated by the information indicating the extracted direction to the user. The direction presenting unit 19 controls to present the direction indicated by the information indicating the extracted direction to the user by voice or image. The direction presentation unit 19 may be configured by, for example, the CPU 101 and the RAM 103, or may be configured by the CPU 101, the RAM 103, and the monitor 111, even if the CPU 101, the RAM 103, the voice processing unit 106, and the speaker 107 are configured. It may be.

  The map storage unit 21 stores map information. The map storage unit 21 is configured by, for example, the hard disk 110.

  The image capturing unit 22 captures, as a subject, a signboard drawn by associating information indicating a direction with information indicating a direction to go to the direction, and generates an image having the signboard as a subject. The image capturing unit 22 is configured by a camera 112, for example.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 3, the signboard used as the subject imaged by the image imaging unit 22 will be described. This signboard is a signboard installed at an intersection or the like in a parking lot, and is a signboard in which a plurality of sets of information indicating a direction and information indicating a direction to go to this direction are drawn.

  As shown in FIG. 3, character strings 311 to 313, arrows 321 to 323, and character strings 331 to 333 are drawn on the signboard 300. Here, the character string 311, the arrow 321, and the character string 331 are drawn in association with each other, the character string 312, the arrow 322, and the character string 332 are drawn in association with each other, and the character string 313 and the arrow are drawn in association with each other. 323 and the character string 333 are drawn in association with each other. Note that “character strings are drawn in association with each other” means, for example, that character strings are drawn in a predetermined positional relationship with each other. In the example shown in FIG. 3, a character string 331 is drawn near the right side of the character string 311, and an arrow 321 is drawn near the lower side of the character string 311.

  The character strings 311 to 313 are character strings (or characters) representing the direction, and are character strings indicating the name of the direction. The directions are, for example, prefectures, municipalities, facilities, mountains, rivers, and the like. In the example illustrated in FIG. 3, the character string 311 indicates a direction named “AAA”, the character string 312 indicates a direction named “BBB”, and the character string 313 indicates a direction named “CCC”.

  Arrows 321 to 323 are arrows that indicate the direction to go in order to go in the direction represented by the character strings 311 to 313. Here, the direction to go to go to the direction may be considered as the direction to the exit to pass to go to this direction. In the example illustrated in FIG. 3, the arrow 321 represents “forward”, the arrow 322 represents “left”, and the arrow 323 represents “right”. As shown in FIG. 3, these arrows 321 to 323 may be drawn integrally.

  The character strings 331 to 333 are predetermined character strings indicating that the character strings 311 to 313 are information indicating directions. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the character strings 331 to 333 are all “direction exits”, but “exit”, “exit”, “exit to”, “direction”, “bound”, “line” It may be a character string such as “” or “he”.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 4, the relationship between the direction and direction drawn on the signboard 300 and the position of the parking lot exit will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing a region including a parking lot viewed from the sky.

  FIG. 4 shows a signboard 300 installed in the parking lot 410 in the direction in which the vehicle 420 travels. FIG. 4 shows that when the vehicle 420 travels in the forward direction indicated by the arrow 321, it goes to the exit 431, which is an exit for going to the direction of “AAA”, and when the vehicle 420 travels in the forward direction indicated by the arrow 322, “ Heading to the exit 432, which is an exit for heading toward the direction of "BBB", and when the vehicle 420 travels in the forward direction indicated by the arrow 323, heading to the exit 433, which is an exit for heading toward the direction of "CCC" Is shown.

  That is, the signboard 300 is an appropriate exit for an exit that passes through the direction drawn on the signboard 300 toward the direction drawn on the signboard 300 in association with this direction. It is shown that.

  Next, position information included in the image information will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 shows an example in which component name and position information are associated with each other.

  The component name is the name of an object or place such as a natural object, a building, a prefecture, a municipality, or a street address displayed on the map, and is represented by a character string, for example.

  The position information represents the position of an object or place represented by the associated component name by, for example, latitude and longitude. In addition, this position can be made into the position of representative points, such as a gravity center, when an object and a place cover a wide range. In FIG. 4, “N” indicates north latitude and “E” indicates east longitude.

  Here, it is assumed that the direction, the destination, and the current position are stored as an object or a place represented by the component name. That is, the position of the direction “AAA”, “BBB”, “CCC” drawn on the signboard 300, the position of “SSS” indicating the address of the current position, and “GGG” indicating the address of the destination It is assumed that the position and the like are included in the position information.

  Next, the direction presentation processing executed by the navigation device 100 will be described using the flowchart shown in FIG. For example, when the navigation device 100 is set to the navigation mode by an operation of the operation unit 109 or the like, the navigation device 100 executes a direction presentation process shown in FIG.

  First, the CPU 101 acquires the current position (step S101). Specifically, the CPU 101 controls the GPS module 104 to acquire the latitude and longitude indicating the current position of the navigation device 100. The acquired current position is stored in the RAM 103, for example.

  When the CPU 101 completes the process of step S101, it determines whether or not there is a destination setting request (step S102). For example, the CPU 101 determines whether or not a button operation for starting the destination setting process has been performed on the operation unit 109.

  When determining that there is a destination setting request (step S102: YES), the CPU 101 sets the destination (step S103). The CPU 101 sets the destination based on the selection status of the destination candidates displayed on the monitor 111 and the operation performed on the operation unit 109 by the user. Information representing the destination, such as the name and coordinates of the destination, is stored in the RAM 103, for example.

  In the present embodiment, when a destination is set in this step (step S103), route search according to the prior art may or may not be performed. In this embodiment, the map information does not include information about the detailed map in the parking lot, and the vehicle is in the parking lot instead of being able to perform an accurate route search by the conventional technology while the vehicle is in the parking lot. In the meantime, an appropriate route search is executed in step S303. On the other hand, when the vehicle leaves the parking lot, a route search according to the conventional technique is appropriately executed. Note that when a destination is set in this step (step S103), a provisional route search according to the conventional technique may be performed. CPU101 returns a process to step S101, after complete | finishing the setting of the destination.

  On the other hand, when determining that there is no destination setting request (step S102: NO), the CPU 101 determines whether or not the current position is in the parking lot (step S104). Specifically, the CPU 101 refers to the map information stored in the hard disk 110 and determines whether or not the current position acquired in step S101 is in a parking lot on the map. Therefore, the map information includes information that can specify an area in the parking lot. For example, the map information can include the coordinates of the vertex of the polygon, the coordinates of the center of the circle, and the radius when the shape of the parking lot viewed from above is approximated to a polygon or a circle. If CPU101 discriminate | determines that the present position is not in a parking lot (step S104: NO), it will return a process to step S101.

  On the other hand, when determining that the current position is in the parking lot (step S104: YES), the CPU 101 determines whether or not the destination has been set (step S105). For example, the CPU 101 determines that the destination has been set when the information indicating the destination is stored in the RAM 103, and the destination is not set when the information indicating the destination is not stored in the RAM 103. Can be determined. If the CPU 101 determines that the destination has not been set (step S105: NO), it returns the process to step S101.

  On the other hand, when determining that the destination has been set (step S105: YES), the CPU 101 captures an image (step S106). Specifically, the CPU 101 supplies a signal for starting capturing a moving image to the camera 112 installed in the vehicle so that the traveling direction of the vehicle can be captured. Thereby, imaging of a moving image by the camera 112 is started.

  When the CPU 101 completes the process of step S106, it executes an image analysis process (step S107). The image analysis process will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  First, the CPU 101 detects a signboard as a subject in an image generated by imaging with the camera 112 (step S201). That is, the CPU 101 analyzes the image and searches the image for a portion representing the signboard. At this time, the CPU 101 can recognize the signboard represented in the image by referring to the shape of the signboard, the content drawn on the signboard, the color of the signboard, and the like. Various methods can be adopted as a method for recognizing an image representing a signboard.

  For example, when detecting a rectangular edge in the edge detection in the image, the CPU 101 sets the rectangle as a signboard candidate. Then, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the signboard candidate is expressed in a predetermined color. For example, the CPU 101 may determine that the signboard candidate is a signboard if the signboard candidate is expressed in two colors with high contrast such as blue and white or green and white. Alternatively, the CPU 101 may determine that a signboard candidate is a signboard when a character string of a predetermined color is drawn on the signboard candidate or an arrow of a predetermined color is drawn. Good. It should be noted that a known OCR (Optical Character Recognition) technique or pattern matching technique can be employed for collating character strings and arrows.

  CPU101 discriminate | determines whether the signboard was detected, after complete | finishing the process of step S201 (step S202). If the CPU 101 determines that no sign is detected (step S202: NO), the image analysis process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if CPU101 discriminate | determines that the signboard was detected (step S202: YES), it will detect the group of a direction and a direction from the detected signboard (step S203). Here, when the direction is expressed by a character string, the CPU 101 can detect the direction by the OCR technique or the like. Further, when the direction is expressed by an arrow, the CPU 101 can detect the direction by a pattern matching technique or the like. Further, when the position of the detected character string and the detected arrow is equal to or less than a predetermined distance, the CPU 101 can handle the character string and the arrow as a pair. Hereinafter, an example of a method for detecting a set of a direction and a direction from the signboard illustrated in FIG. 3 will be described.

  First, the CPU 101 extracts character strings 311 to 313 and character strings 331 to 333 from the signboard 300 using the OCR technique. Here, the CPU 101 excludes character strings 331 to 333 that are not character strings representing the name of the direction (for example, “direction exit”) from the candidate character strings representing the direction. Further, the CPU 101 extracts the arrows 321 to 323 from the signboard 300 by the pattern matching technique. In the image, the CPU 101 associates the arrow 321 whose distance to the character string 311 is within a predetermined distance with the character string 311 and the arrow 322 whose distance to the character string 312 is within the predetermined distance in the image. The arrow 323 whose distance from the character string 313 is within a predetermined distance is associated with the character string 313. Here, the predetermined distance is determined by, for example, the size of a signboard, the size of a character string, the size of an arrow, etc. in the image.

  When the CPU 101 completes the process of step S203, it determines whether or not two or more pairs of directions and directions have been detected (step S204). If the CPU 101 determines that two or more pairs of directions and directions have not been detected (step S204: NO), the image analysis process ends.

  On the other hand, when the CPU 101 determines that two or more pairs of directions and directions have been detected (step S204: YES), the CPU 101 stores the two or more pairs of detected directions and directions (step S205). For example, the CPU 101 associates a character string representing the detected direction with a character string or a numerical value representing the direction associated with this direction for each of the detected pairs of two or more directions and directions. Store in the RAM 103. When the CPU 101 ends the process of step S205, the image analysis process ends.

  When the CPU 101 completes the image analysis processing in step S107, it determines whether or not two or more pairs of directions and directions are stored (step S108). If the CPU 101 determines that two or more pairs of directions and directions are not stored (step S108: NO), the process returns to step S101. CPU 101 determines that one set of direction and direction is stored even if it is determined that two or more sets of directions and directions are not stored (step S108: NO) May move to the process of step S110.

  On the other hand, when the CPU 101 determines that two or more pairs of directions and directions are stored (step S108: YES), the CPU 101 executes a direction specifying process (step S109). The direction specifying process will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  First, the CPU 101 selects one direction from the stored directions (step S301).

  CPU101 discriminate | determines whether the selected direction represents a component element name, after complete | finishing the process of step S301 (step S302). Specifically, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the character string representing the selected direction matches any character string representing the component name included in the image information stored in the hard disk 110.

  If the CPU 101 determines that the selected direction does not represent a component name (step S302: NO), the CPU 101 returns the process to step S301, and executes the process of selecting one direction again.

  On the other hand, if the CPU 101 determines that the selected direction represents a component name (step S302: YES), the CPU 101 specifies a route via the selected direction (step S303). That is, the CPU 101 searches for a route for reaching the destination via the selected direction from the current position. As this search, a route search executed in a known navigation device can be employed.

  When the CPU 101 completes the process of step S303, the CPU 101 stores the length of the identified route in association with the selected direction (step S304). The length of the specified route is a route from the current position to the destination using the specified route to the destination, and is stored in the RAM 103 or the like in association with the direction. The

  CPU101 discriminate | determines whether there exists an unselected direction, after complete | finishing the process of step S304 (step S305). When the CPU 101 determines that there is an unselected direction (step S305: YES), the CPU 101 returns the processing to step S301 and selects one direction.

  If the CPU 101 determines that there is no unselected direction (step S305: NO), the CPU 101 identifies the direction associated with the shortest length among the lengths of the paths stored in the RAM 103 (step S306). CPU101 complete | finishes a direction specific process, after complete | finishing the process of step S306.

  CPU101 presents the direction matched with the specified direction, after complete | finishing the direction specific process of step S109 (step S110). For example, the CPU 101 controls the voice processing unit 106 to output the direction represented by the character string or the numerical value stored in the RAM 103 in association with the character string representing the specified direction from the speaker 107 as a voice. Let The CPU 101 may cause the monitor 111 to display an image indicating a direction associated with the specified direction. CPU101 returns a process to step S101, after complete | finishing the process of step S110.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 9, a method for specifying the direction will be described.

  The map 900 is a map representing an area including a current position indicated by SSS, a destination indicated by GGG, a direction indicated by AAA, a direction indicated by BBB, and a direction indicated by CCC. It is assumed that the current position indicated by SSS is included in parking lot 410.

  Here, when a route from a current position indicated by SSS to a destination indicated by GGG is obtained via a direction indicated by AAA by a known technique, a route 910a is obtained. Similarly, a route 910b is obtained as a route from the current position indicated by SSS to the destination indicated by GGG via the direction indicated by BBB. Further, a route 910c is obtained as a route from the current position indicated by SSS to the destination indicated by GGG via the direction indicated by CCC.

  Here, in step S304, the lengths of the paths 910a, 910b, and 910c are obtained and stored in the RAM 103 in association with the direction. In step S306, the direction in which the length stored in the RAM 103 is associated with the shortest length is specified. In the example shown in FIG. 9, since the shortest route is 910c among the routes 910a, 910b, and 910c, the direction indicated by the direction indicated by CCC is specified as the direction to go.

  According to the navigation device 100 according to the present embodiment, the direction toward the exit for traveling to the direction where the route from the current position to the destination is the shortest via the direction that is a candidate to be headed is presented. Thereby, the user can know the direction toward the exit which can be expected to proceed quickly from the current position to the destination. Especially when the direction drawn on the signboard is relatively close to the destination, such as when the place relatively close to the parking lot is drawn on the signboard as a typical example of the direction to go after passing the exit High effect.

  The navigation apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment can be configured simply by connecting a camera to a conventional navigation apparatus and correcting a program executed by a computer included in the conventional navigation apparatus. Therefore, the navigation apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment is realized by a relatively simple system configuration, and can be an inexpensive system.

(Second Embodiment)
The method for specifying the direction is not limited to the example shown in the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the direction specifying process executed by the navigation device 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The configuration and operation of the navigation device 100 according to the present embodiment are basically the same as those of the navigation device 100 according to the first embodiment, except for the direction specifying process.

  First, the CPU 101 specifies a route from the current position to the destination (step S401). As a technique for specifying a route, a route search executed in a known navigation device can be adopted. If a route has already been specified when the destination is set in step S103, the already specified route may be used, or the route may be specified again in this step.

  When the CPU 101 completes the process of step S401, the CPU 101 selects one of the stored directions (step S402).

  CPU101 complete | finishes the process of step S402, and will discriminate | determine whether the selected direction represents a component name (step S403). Specifically, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the character string representing the selected direction matches any character string representing the component name included in the image information stored in the hard disk 110.

  When the CPU 101 determines that the selected direction does not represent a component name (step S403: NO), the CPU 101 returns the process to step S402, and executes the process of selecting one direction again.

  On the other hand, if the CPU 101 determines that the selected direction represents a component name (step S403: YES), the CPU 101 calculates a distance from the selected direction to the specified route (step S404).

  When the CPU 101 completes the process of step S404, the CPU 101 stores the calculated distance in association with the selected direction (step S405). The calculated distance is stored in the RAM 103 or the like in association with the direction.

  CPU101 discriminate | determines whether there exists an unselected direction, after complete | finishing the process of step S405 (step S406). When the CPU 101 determines that there is an unselected direction (step S406: YES), the CPU 101 returns the process to step S402 and selects one direction.

  On the other hand, if the CPU 101 determines that there is no unselected direction (step S406: NO), the CPU 101 identifies the direction associated with the shortest distance among the distances stored in the RAM 103 (step S407). CPU101 complete | finishes a direction specific process, after complete | finishing the process of step S407.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 11, a method for specifying the direction will be described.

  The map 900 is a map representing an area including a current position indicated by SSS, a destination indicated by GGG, a direction indicated by AAA, a direction indicated by BBB, and a direction indicated by CCC. It is assumed that the current position indicated by SSS is included in parking lot 410.

  Here, when a route from the current position indicated by SSS to the destination indicated by GGG is obtained by a known technique, route 910 is obtained.

  Here, in step S404, the distance Da is obtained as the distance from the direction indicated by AAA to the route 910, the distance Db is obtained as the distance from the direction indicated by BBB to the route 910, and from the direction indicated by CCC. A distance Dc is obtained as a distance to the route 910. In step S405, the direction indicated by AAA and the distance Da are associated with each other and stored in the RAM 103, the direction indicated by BBB and the distance Db are associated with each other and stored in the RAM 103, and the direction indicated by CCC. And the distance Dc are stored in the RAM 103 in association with each other. Here, in step S407, the direction indicated by the CCC, which is associated with the distance Dc that is the shortest distance among the distances Da, Db, and Dc, is specified as the direction to be directed.

  According to the navigation apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, the direction toward the exit for the direction toward the shortest distance from the current position to the route to the destination is presented. Thereby, the user can know the direction toward the exit which can be expected to proceed quickly from the current position to the destination.

(Third embodiment)
The method for specifying the direction is not limited to the examples shown in the first and second embodiments. Hereinafter, the direction specifying process executed by the navigation device 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The configuration and operation of the navigation device 100 according to the present embodiment are basically the same as those of the navigation device 100 according to the first and second embodiments except for the direction specifying process.

  First, the CPU 101 specifies a route from the current position to the destination (step S501). As a technique for specifying a route, a route search executed in a known navigation device can be adopted. If a route has already been specified when the destination is set in step S103, the already specified route may be used, or the route may be specified again in this step.

  When the CPU 101 completes the process of step S501, it selects one of the stored directions (step S502).

  CPU101 discriminate | determines whether the selected direction represents a component element name, after complete | finishing the process of step S502 (step S503). Specifically, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the character string representing the selected direction matches any character string representing the component name included in the image information stored in the hard disk 110.

  If the CPU 101 determines that the selected direction does not represent a component name (step S503: NO), the CPU 101 returns the process to step S502 and executes the process of selecting one direction again.

  On the other hand, when the CPU 101 determines that the selected direction represents a component name (step S503: YES), the CPU 101 calculates a distance from the selected direction to the specified route (step S504).

  CPU101 calculates the distance from the selected direction to the present position, after complete | finishing the process of step S504 (step S505).

  CPU101 calculates the ratio of the distance to a path | route with respect to the distance to the present position about the selected direction, after complete | finishing the process of step S505 (step S506).

  When the CPU 101 completes the process of step S506, it stores the calculated ratio in association with the selected direction (step S507). The calculated ratio is stored in the RAM 103 or the like in association with the direction.

  CPU101 discriminate | determines whether there exists any unselected direction, after complete | finishing the process of step S507 (step S508). When the CPU 101 determines that there is an unselected direction (step S508: YES), the CPU 101 returns the process to step S502 and selects one direction.

  On the other hand, if the CPU 101 determines that there is no unselected direction (step S508: NO), the CPU 101 identifies the direction associated with the minimum ratio among the ratios stored in the RAM 103 (step S509). CPU101 complete | finishes a direction specific process, after complete | finishing the process of step S509.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 13, a method for specifying the direction will be described.

  The map 900 is a map representing an area including a current position indicated by SSS, a destination indicated by GGG, a direction indicated by AAA, a direction indicated by BBB, and a direction indicated by CCC. It is assumed that the current position indicated by SSS is included in parking lot 410.

  Here, when a route from the current position indicated by SSS to the destination indicated by GGG is obtained by a known technique, route 910 is obtained.

  In step S504, the distance Da is obtained as the distance from the direction indicated by AAA to the route 910, the distance Db is obtained as the distance from the direction indicated by BBB to the route 910, and the route from the direction indicated by CCC. A distance Dc is obtained as the distance to 910. In step S505, the distance La is obtained as the distance from the direction indicated by AAA to the current position indicated by SSS, and the distance Lb is obtained as the distance from the direction indicated by BBB to the current position indicated by S. The distance Lc is obtained as the distance from the direction indicated by CCC to the current position indicated by SSS.

  In step S506, Da / La that is the ratio of the distance Da to the distance La is calculated, Db / Lb that is the ratio of the distance Db to the distance Lb is calculated, and Dc / that is the ratio of the distance Dc to the distance Lc. Lc is calculated. Further, in step S507, the direction indicated by AAA and Da / La are associated with each other and stored in the RAM 103, and the direction indicated by BBB and Db / Lb are associated with each other and stored in the RAM 103 and indicated by CCC. The direction to be displayed and Dc / Lc are associated with each other and stored in the RAM 103. Here, in step S509, the direction indicated by the CCC, which is associated with Dc / Lc, which is the minimum ratio among Da / La, Db / Lb, and Dc / Lc, is specified as the direction to go.

  According to the navigation device 100 according to the present embodiment, the direction in which there is an exit to go in the direction in which the ratio of the distance from the current position to the route to the destination is the minimum with respect to the distance from the current position is presented. According to such a configuration, it is possible to prevent setting as a direction only because the distance from the current position is short. In the example shown in FIG. 13, when viewed from the current position indicated by SSS, the direction indicated by CCC is closer to the destination indicated by GGG than the direction indicated by AAA. It is desirable that the direction to be specified is specified. However, if a direction with a short distance from the current position to the route to the destination is specified, the direction indicated by AAA is closer to the current position indicated by SSS than the direction indicated by CCC, so it is indicated by AAA. It becomes easy to specify the direction to be. Therefore, in consideration of the distance from the current position indicated by the SSS, the direction in which the ratio of the distance from the current position to the route to the destination with respect to the distance from the current position is specified is specified. Thereby, the user can know the direction toward the exit which can be expected to proceed quickly from the current position to the destination.

(Fourth embodiment)
The method for specifying the direction is not limited to the examples shown in the first to third embodiments. Hereinafter, the direction specifying process executed by the navigation device 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The configuration and operation of the navigation device 100 according to the present embodiment are basically the same as those of the navigation device 100 according to the first to third embodiments except for the direction specifying process.

  First, the CPU 101 specifies a route from the current position to the destination (step S601). As a technique for specifying a route, a route search executed in a known navigation device can be adopted. If a route has already been specified when the destination is set in step S103, the already specified route may be used, or the route may be specified again in this step.

  When the CPU 101 completes the process of step S601, it selects one of the stored directions (step S602).

  When the CPU 101 completes the process of step S602, it determines whether or not the selected direction represents a component name on the identified route (step S603). Specifically, the CPU 101 determines that the character string representing the selected direction is a predetermined distance from the specified path among the character strings representing the component names included in the image information stored in the hard disk 110. It is determined whether or not it matches any of the following character strings representing component names.

  If the CPU 101 determines that the selected direction represents a component name on the specified route (step S603: YES), the CPU 101 specifies the selected direction as the direction to go (step S604), and ends the direction specifying process. To do.

  On the other hand, if the CPU 101 determines that the selected direction does not represent a component name on the specified route (step S603: NO), the CPU 101 determines whether there is an unselected direction (step S605). When determining that there is an unselected direction (step S605: YES), the CPU 101 returns the process to step S602 and selects one direction.

  On the other hand, if the CPU 101 determines that there is no unselected direction (step S605: NO), the direction specifying process ends.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 15, a method for specifying the direction will be described.

  The map 900 is a map representing an area including a current position indicated by SSS, a destination indicated by GGG, a direction indicated by AAA, a direction indicated by BBB, and a direction indicated by CCC. It is assumed that the current position indicated by SSS is included in parking lot 410.

  Here, when a route from the current position indicated by SSS to the destination indicated by GGG is obtained by a known technique, route 910 is obtained.

  Here, as a component whose distance from the specified route is equal to or less than a predetermined value, a component indicated by DDD, a component indicated by EEE, a component indicated by CCC, and a component indicated by FFF And exist. In this case, in step S603, it is determined whether or not the selected direction is any one of DDD, EEE, CCC, and FFF that are component names on the identified route. In the example shown in FIG. 15, when the selected direction is a direction indicated by CCC, it is determined in step S603 that the selected direction represents a component name on the specified route, and in step S604, The direction indicated by the CCC is specified as the direction to go.

  According to the navigation device 100 according to the present embodiment, the direction toward the exit for traveling in the direction on the route from the current position to the destination is presented. Thereby, the user can know the direction toward the exit which can be expected to proceed quickly from the current position to the destination.

(Modification)
The present invention is not limited to the one disclosed in the above embodiment.

  In the first to fourth embodiments, the signboard on which the direction or the like is drawn may be an electric bulletin board.

  In 1st-4th embodiment, CPU101 showed the example which detects the group of a direction and a direction from the image from which the signboard was detected. However, when a signboard is detected from the image, the CPU 101 may cause the camera 112 to focus on the signboard and capture an image again, and detect a set of a direction and a direction from the captured image. According to this configuration, the content drawn on the signboard is recognized more reliably.

  In the first to fourth embodiments, examples in which the present invention is applied to an in-vehicle car navigation apparatus have been described. However, the present invention can be applied to any device capable of displaying a map. For example, the present invention can be applied to a terminal device such as a mobile phone.

  In the first to fourth embodiments, an example is shown in which a direction is specified by a match search between a character string extracted from an image and a character string based on a search result by a route search or the like. However, in the present invention, the direction may be specified by a matching search between a character string extracted from the image and a character string arbitrarily input by the user (character string indicating the exit direction).

  In 1st-4th embodiment, when the vehicle in which a user boards is in a parking lot, the example in which the signboard installed in a parking lot is imaged and the direction which a user should advance was shown was shown. However, the present invention can also be used when the navigation device 100 is in a place other than the parking lot.

  In the first to fourth embodiments, the camera 112 captures the signboard 300 and generates a moving image. However, the camera 112 may capture the signboard 300 and generate a still image.

  In this invention, the direction specific process which the navigation apparatus 100 which concerns on 1st-4th embodiment performs can be combined suitably. For example, in the direction specifying process in the fourth embodiment, when it is determined that the direction detected from the signboard does not exist on the route from the current position to the destination, the direction specifying in the second to third embodiments is performed. Processing may be executed. In addition, the optimum direction specifying process may be executed based on the positional relationship such as the current position, the target position, and the direction.

  In the present invention, a direction in which the degree of overlap between the route from the current position to the direction and the route from the current position to the destination may be specified. In the present invention, a direction having the smallest angle formed by a direction connecting the current position and the direction and a direction connecting the current position and the destination may be specified.

  In the present invention, for example, in an underground parking lot, GPS reception may not be possible. In this case, position information when entering the parking lot may be set as the current position. It is also possible to visually provide the user with the direction by specifying the direction from the image information captured by the camera.

  The navigation device 100 to which the present invention is applied is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. For example, the navigation device 100 may include a DVD-ROM drive in which a DVD-ROM storing map information and the like is mounted instead of the hard disk 110. Alternatively, the navigation device 100 may include a memory card reader / writer to which a memory card storing map information or the like is attached instead of the hard disk 110. Further, the navigation device 100 may include a communication device capable of receiving map information and the like from an external device instead of the hard disk 110. The navigation device 100 may include a touch screen in which the operation unit 108 and the monitor 110 are integrated.

  Note that the navigation device according to the present invention can be realized by using a normal computer system without using a dedicated system. For example, a computer-readable recording medium such as a flexible disk, a CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read-Only Memory), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), or an MO (Magneto Optical Disk) is stored in a computer. A navigation device that executes the above-described processing may be configured by storing and distributing in a medium and installing it in a computer system.

  Furthermore, the program may be stored in a disk device or the like included in a server device on the Internet, and may be downloaded onto a computer by being superimposed on a carrier wave, for example.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Current position acquisition part 12 Destination acquisition part 13 Map acquisition part 14 Image reception part 15 Direction extraction part 16 Route specification part 17 Direction specification part 18 Direction extraction part 19 Direction presentation part 21 Map storage part 22 Image pick-up part 100 Navigation apparatus 101 CPU
102 ROM
103 RAM
104 GPS module 105 Antenna 106 Audio processing unit 107 Speaker 108 Microphone 109 Operation unit 110 Hard disk 111 Monitor 112 Camera 300 Signboard 311 to 313, 331 to 333 Character string 321 to 323 Arrow 410 Parking lot 420 Vehicle 431 to 433 Exit 900 Map 910, 910a, 910b, 910c route

Claims (6)

A current position acquisition unit for acquiring the current position of the user;
A destination acquisition unit for acquiring a destination to which the user is headed;
A map acquisition unit that reads a map including the acquired current position and the acquired destination;
An image receiving unit that receives an input of an image with a signboard drawn as a subject, in which information indicating a direction and information indicating a direction to go to the direction are associated;
A direction extracting unit that extracts information indicating at least one of the directions drawn on the signboard from the received image;
A route specifying unit for specifying a route from the acquired current position to the acquired destination based on the read map;
Based on the identified route, the information indicating the direction to go from the acquired current position to the acquired destination is specified among the extracted information indicating at least one direction. Direction specific part,
A direction extracting unit that extracts information indicating a direction drawn on the signboard in association with information indicating the specified direction from the received image;
A direction presenting unit that controls to present the direction indicated by the information indicating the extracted direction to the user,
The route specifying unit, for the information indicating the extracted at least one direction, a route from the acquired current position to the acquired destination via the direction indicated by the information indicating the direction. Identify,
The surface specific part, of the information indicating at least one surface the extracted, the information that the identified path indicates the direction of the shortest, go to the obtained destination from the obtained current position To identify the direction to go to
Features and to Luna navigation device that. A current position acquisition unit for acquiring the current position of the user;
A destination acquisition unit for acquiring a destination to which the user is headed;
A map acquisition unit that reads a map including the acquired current position and the acquired destination;
An image receiving unit that receives an input of an image with a signboard drawn as a subject, in which information indicating a direction and information indicating a direction to go to the direction are associated;
A direction extracting unit that extracts information indicating at least one of the directions drawn on the signboard from the received image;
A route specifying unit for specifying a route from the acquired current position to the acquired destination based on the read map;
Based on the identified route, the information indicating the direction to go from the acquired current position to the acquired destination is specified among the extracted information indicating at least one direction. Direction specific part,
A direction extracting unit that extracts information indicating a direction drawn on the signboard in association with information indicating the specified direction from the received image;
A direction presenting unit that controls to present the direction indicated by the information indicating the extracted direction to the user,
The direction specifying unit is configured to acquire, from the acquired current position, information indicating a direction having the shortest distance from the specified route among the extracted information indicating at least one direction from the acquired current position. Identify the information that indicates the direction to go to the ground,
Features and to Luna navigation device that. A current position acquisition unit for acquiring the current position of the user;
A destination acquisition unit for acquiring a destination to which the user is headed;
A map acquisition unit that reads a map including the acquired current position and the acquired destination;
An image receiving unit that receives an input of an image with a signboard drawn as a subject, in which information indicating a direction and information indicating a direction to go to the direction are associated;
A direction extracting unit that extracts information indicating at least one of the directions drawn on the signboard from the received image;
A route specifying unit for specifying a route from the acquired current position to the acquired destination based on the read map;
Based on the identified route, the information indicating the direction to go from the acquired current position to the acquired destination is specified among the extracted information indicating at least one direction. Direction specific part,
A direction extracting unit that extracts information indicating a direction drawn on the signboard in association with information indicating the specified direction from the received image;
A direction presenting unit that controls to present the direction indicated by the information indicating the extracted direction to the user,
The direction specifying unit includes information indicating a direction in which a ratio of a distance from the specified route to a distance from the acquired current position is the smallest among the information indicating the extracted at least one direction, Specify as information indicating the direction to go from the acquired current position to the acquired destination,
Features and to Luna navigation device that. The direction specifying unit goes to the acquired destination from the acquired current position for information indicating the direction on the specified route out of the extracted information indicating at least one direction . To identify the direction to go to,
The navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein A navigation apparatus comprising a current position acquisition unit, a destination acquisition unit, a map acquisition unit, an imaging unit, a direction extraction unit, a route specification unit, a direction specification unit, a direction extraction unit, and a direction presentation unit Is a navigation method to be executed,
The current position acquisition unit acquires the current position of the user;
The destination obtaining unit obtains a destination to which the user goes; and
A map acquisition step in which the map acquisition unit reads a map including the acquired current position and the acquired destination;
An imaging step of the imaging unit captures a signboard and information indicating the direction of travel to the information and the surface indicating the surface is drawn in association with,
The surface extraction unit, and the surface extraction step of extracting information indicating the one of said face even without least drawn on the signboard from the image acquired by the imaging,
The route specifying section, based on said map including the present position and the destination, the route specifying step of specifying a path extending from the current position to the destination,
The direction specifying unit specifies information indicating a direction from the current position to go to the destination among the extracted information indicating at least one direction based on the specified route. Direction identification process,
The direction extracting unit, the direction extracting step of extracting the information indicating the direction from the image acquired by the image pickup in association with the information indicating the specified direction are drawn on the signboard,
The directional presentation unit, e Bei and a direction presenting step of controlling so as to present a direction to the user indicated by the information indicating the extracted direction,
In the route specifying step, the route specifying unit acquires the information indicating the extracted at least one direction from the acquired current position via the direction indicated by the information indicating the direction. Identify the route to the destination,
In the direction specifying step, the direction specifying unit acquires, from the acquired current position, information indicating the shortest direction of the specified route among the information indicating the extracted at least one direction. As information that indicates the direction to go to the destination
A navigation method characterized by that. Computer
A map acquisition unit that reads a map including the current position acquired by the current position acquisition unit and the destination acquired by the destination acquisition unit;
An image receiving unit that receives an input of an image with a signboard drawn as a subject, in which information indicating a direction and information indicating a direction to go to the direction are associated;
Surface extraction unit for extracting information indicating the one of said face even without least drawn on the signboard from the accepted image,
A route specifying unit for specifying a route from the acquired current position to the acquired destination based on the read map;
Based on the identified route, the information indicating the direction to go from the acquired current position to the acquired destination is specified among the extracted information indicating at least one direction. Direction specific part,
A direction extracting unit that extracts information indicating a direction drawn on the signboard in association with information indicating the specified direction from the received image;
Direction presentation unit for controlling so as to present a direction indicated by the information indicating the extracted direction Yoo chromatography The, a Help program to function as a,
The route specifying unit, for the information indicating the extracted at least one direction, a route from the acquired current position to the acquired destination via the direction indicated by the information indicating the direction. Identify,
The direction specifying unit goes to the acquired destination from the acquired current position for information indicating the shortest direction of the specified route among the extracted information indicating at least one direction. To identify the direction to go to
Program .

Images