JP6449711B2 - Route guidance device and route guidance method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a route guidance device and a route guidance method, and is particularly suitable for use in a route guidance device and a route guidance method adapted to guide a guidance route to a destination.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, navigation devices (route guidance devices) that search for a guidance route from a current location of a vehicle to a destination and guide the searched guidance route are used. In this type of navigation device, when it is necessary to change the course at an intersection on the guidance route, the intersection guidance such as the direction of travel is displayed at an intersection a predetermined distance before the vehicle enters the intersection. To do so.

  However, in the conventional navigation device, even when the intersection is on the guidance route, when the course is not changed (that is, when traveling along a road), the traveling direction is not guided even if the vehicle approaches the intersection. It is like that. That is, the guidance intersection flag indicating that the intersection is to be intersection-guided is not set at the intersection.

  For this reason, for example, an intersection consisting of a first branch destination road that branches in the traveling direction (straight direction) of the approach road and a second branch destination road that branches in a direction different from the approach direction from the approach road In this case, if there is no intersection guidance that turns in a different direction, the user misunderstands that the vehicle should proceed straight ahead, so even if the second branch destination road is the guidance destination, There is a risk of accidentally entering the first branch road.

  In Patent Document 1, in the navigation device, a specific guidance point designated by the user is stored as a point of caution, and a guidance method (“guidance count”, “guidance” set by the user at the point of caution during route guidance is stored. (Timing "," Guidance Volume "," Audio Stop "," Guidance Display "," Enlarged View of Intersection "). According to this technology, if an intersection where it is difficult to understand guidance by a normal guidance method is registered as a point of caution, the next route guidance is performed by the user when the vehicle travels at the intersection. be able to. For this reason, it is possible to prevent a problem that the vehicle accidentally enters another branch road.

JP 2007-256185 A

  However, in the technique of the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, since the user needs to set a point requiring attention individually for each intersection, there is a problem that it takes time when there are many intersections that are desired to be pointed. It was. Further, in the case of a road that the user passes for the first time, the user does not know which intersection should be registered as a point requiring attention. For this reason, even though there is an intersection on the guidance route that is likely to have an error in the direction of travel, the intersection guidance required by the user is not provided at such an intersection, and the vehicle accidentally enters another branch destination road. There has been a problem that the user feels uneasy about whether the traveling direction is wrong or not.

  Moreover, in the technique of the above-mentioned patent document 1, since an intersection set in advance to perform intersection guidance by a navigation device is designed to perform intersection guidance without the user registering as a point requiring attention, When such an intersection appears on the guidance route with a high frequency, the intersection guidance is performed in succession, and there is a problem that some users feel troublesome.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and the user needs the intersection guidance without causing the user to perform a troublesome operation such as setting an intersection for performing the intersection guidance individually. It is an object to make it possible to perform intersection guidance at an intersection.

In order to solve the above-described problems, in the present invention, in a route guidance device that searches for a guidance route to a destination and guides the searched guidance route, an intersection pattern is obtained for each intersection on the guidance route. Whether or not to perform intersection guidance for each combination of the intersection pattern and the traveling direction for each intersection on the guidance route according to the combination of the determined intersection pattern and the traveling direction of the intersection by the guidance route Based on the user setting information that can specify whether or not to perform intersection guidance, the vehicle has reached a position a predetermined distance before the intersection for the intersection determined to perform the intersection guidance I sometimes do intersection guidance. Then, a plurality of setting groups in which a plurality of combinations of intersection patterns and traveling directions for performing intersection guidance are stored are stored, and one setting group selected by the user from the plurality of setting groups is stored in the user setting information. When determining whether or not to perform intersection guidance, for each intersection on the guidance route, the intersection pattern determined by the intersection pattern determination unit and the guidance route are assigned to one set group selected by the user. Whether or not to perform intersection guidance is determined according to whether or not a combination with the traveling direction of the intersection is included.

  According to the present invention configured as described above, if the user sets the intersection guidance for the desired combination of the desired intersection pattern and the traveling direction to receive the intersection guidance, the user on the guidance route can For all intersections corresponding to the combination to be performed, intersection guidance is performed when the vehicle approaches the intersection. For this reason, according to the present invention, it is possible to perform the intersection guidance at the intersection where the user needs the intersection guidance without causing the user to perform a troublesome operation such as individually setting the intersection for performing the intersection guidance.

It is a block diagram which shows the function structural example of the navigation apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process by the navigation apparatus concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example (1st example) of the guidance intersection setting screen which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example (2nd example) of the guidance intersection setting screen which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the intersection pattern determination table which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the intersection guidance screen which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of a navigation device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. A navigation device 10 shown in FIG. 1 is a device mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile. The navigation device 10 is an example of a route guidance device that searches for a guidance route to a destination set by a user and guides the guidance route. The route guidance device described in the claims is not limited to a device mounted on a vehicle, but a device other than a device mounted on a vehicle (for example, a portable navigation device, a portable terminal such as a smartphone, etc.) ).

  As shown in FIG. 1, the navigation device 10 includes a map data storage unit 101, a position detection device 102, an input device 103, a display 104, a speaker 105, a user setting storage unit 106, and a determination table storage unit 107.

  In addition, the navigation device 10 includes a route search unit 111, a route guidance unit 112, a display control unit 113, a user setting reception unit 114, an intersection pattern determination unit 115, and a guidance necessity determination unit 116 as functional configurations.

  The functional blocks 111 to 116 can be configured by any of hardware, DSP (Digital Signal Processor), and software. For example, when configured by software, each of the functional blocks 111 to 116 actually includes a CPU, RAM, ROM, etc. of a computer, and is stored in a recording medium such as RAM, ROM, hard disk, or semiconductor memory. Is realized by operating.

  The map data storage unit 101 stores map data. The map data includes node information, road link information, facility data, place name data, and the like.

  The position detection device 102 detects the current position of the vehicle. The position detection device 102 includes, for example, a GPS (Global Positioning System) and an autonomous navigation unit.

  The input device 103 is used when the user performs various operations (for example, a destination setting operation, a guidance intersection setting information setting operation described later). Examples of the input device 103 include a touch panel, a mouse, and a key. The display 104 displays various information (for example, a map screen, an intersection guidance screen, a setting screen for guidance intersection setting information, etc.). Examples of the display 104 include a liquid crystal display and an organic EL display. The speaker 105 outputs various sounds (for example, intersection guidance sounds).

  Based on the map data stored in the map data storage unit 101, the route search unit 111 is a destination arbitrarily set by the user by operating the input device 103 from the current position of the vehicle detected by the position detection device 102. Search for the guidance route to. When searching for the guidance route, the route search unit 111 generates a passing intersection list indicating a plurality of intersections (intersection nodes) on the guidance route. At this time, the route search unit 111 sets a guidance intersection flag indicating that the intersection corresponding to the predetermined condition (for example, an intersection that needs to be changed) is an intersection that performs intersection guidance.

  The route guidance unit 112 is based on the guidance route searched by the route search unit 111, the map data stored in the map data storage unit 101, and the current position of the vehicle detected by the position detection device 102. Guide the vehicle to the ground. The guidance of the vehicle by the route guidance unit 112 is accompanied by display on the display 104 such as a guidance route and an intersection guidance screen, and an output from the speaker 105 such as an intersection guidance voice of the guidance route.

  The route guidance unit 112 performs intersection guidance for an intersection (guidance intersection) for which intersection guidance is to be performed among a plurality of intersections on the guidance route. Specifically, the route guidance unit 112 refers to the passing intersection list when the vehicle reaches a point a predetermined distance before the intersection on the guidance route, and determines whether or not a guidance intersection flag is set at the intersection. Confirm. And when the guidance intersection flag is set, intersection guidance is performed.

  The display control unit 113 generates a map screen around the vehicle position based on the map data stored in the map data storage unit 101. Then, the display control unit 113 displays the generated map screen on the display 104. Further, the display control unit 113 displays a guide route and an icon indicating the vehicle position on the map screen. The display control unit 113 displays an intersection guidance screen along with the intersection guidance by the route guidance unit 112 when the vehicle reaches a point a predetermined distance before the guidance intersection on the guidance route.

  The user setting receiving unit 114 receives a user setting for guidance intersection setting information that can specify whether or not to perform intersection guidance for each combination of an intersection pattern and a traveling direction by a user operation of the input device 103. The user setting storage unit 106 stores user settings for the guidance intersection setting information received by the user setting receiving unit 114.

  As a first example, the user setting storage unit 106 uses the setting screen as shown in FIG. 3 to guide intersection setting information that the user individually sets whether or not to perform intersection guidance for each combination of intersection pattern and traveling direction. Remember. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the user can individually set whether or not to perform intersection guidance for eight combinations (four intersection patterns × two traveling directions).

  As a second example, the user setting storage unit 106 stores a plurality of setting groups in which a plurality of combinations of intersection patterns and traveling directions for performing intersection guidance are shown, and a setting screen as shown in FIG. One setting group selected by the user from a plurality of setting groups is stored as guidance intersection setting information. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the user can select any one setting group from among the three setting groups.

  In the navigation device 10 of the present embodiment, the user can arbitrarily select and use either the user setting of the guidance intersection setting information according to the first example or the user setting of the guidance intersection setting information according to the second example. It has become. The details of the first example and the second example will be described later.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the determination table storage unit 107 stores an intersection pattern determination table in which an intersection pattern is associated with each combination of road types of each branch destination road of an intersection. In the example shown in FIG. 5, in the intersection pattern determination table, four intersection patterns A to C for each combination of the road type of the left branch destination road and the road type of the right branch destination road in the Y-shaped intersection. Either one is associated.

  The intersection pattern determination unit 115 determines an intersection pattern for each intersection on the guidance route searched by the route search unit 111. Specifically, the intersection pattern determination unit 115 associates each intersection on the guidance route with the combination by referring to the intersection pattern determination table according to the combination of road types of each branch destination road of the intersection. The intersection pattern being determined is determined.

  The guidance necessity determination unit 116 determines whether or not to perform intersection guidance for each Y-shaped intersection on the guidance route searched by the route search unit 111. Specifically, the guidance necessity determination unit 116 determines, for each Y-shaped intersection on the guidance route, a combination of the intersection pattern determined by the intersection pattern determination unit 115 and the traveling direction of the intersection according to the guidance route. Accordingly, based on the guidance intersection setting information stored in the user setting storage unit 106, it is determined whether or not to perform intersection guidance.

  As a first example, as shown in FIG. 3, user settings as to whether or not to perform intersection guidance are individually stored in the user setting storage unit 106 as guidance intersection setting information for each combination of intersection pattern and traveling direction. In the case where there is a guidance, the guidance necessity judgment unit 116, for each of the Y-shaped intersections on the guidance route, the combination of the intersection pattern of the intersection and the traveling direction of the intersection by the guidance route is used by the user to guide the intersection. It is determined whether or not to perform intersection guidance depending on whether or not the combination is individually set.

  As a second example, as shown in FIG. 4, when one setting group selected by the user from a plurality of setting groups is stored in the user setting storage unit 106 as guidance intersection setting information, a guidance necessity determination unit 116, for each Y-shaped intersection on the guidance route, whether or not a combination of the intersection pattern of the intersection and the traveling direction of the intersection by the guidance route is included in one setting group selected by the user Depending on the situation, it is determined whether or not to perform intersection guidance.

  The guidance necessity determination unit 116 sets a guidance intersection flag at the intersection in the passing intersection list for a Y-shaped intersection that is determined to perform intersection guidance. Thereby, when the vehicle reaches a point a predetermined distance before the intersection, the route guidance unit 112 provides the intersection guidance.

[Example of processing by navigation device 10]
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by the navigation apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The process shown in FIG. 2 is executed, for example, when an arbitrary destination is set and an instruction is given to search for a guidance route to the destination by the user's operation of the input device 103.

  First, the route search unit 111 searches for a guidance route to a destination arbitrarily set by the user (step S202). Further, the route search unit 111 generates a passing intersection list indicating a plurality of intersections on the guidance route searched in step S202 (step S204). At this time, an intersection guidance flag is set at an intersection for which it is determined that the intersection guidance should be performed according to the normal rule.

  Then, the intersection pattern determination unit 115 determines an intersection pattern for each Y-shaped intersection indicated in the passing intersection list generated in step S204 (step S206). Further, for each Y-shaped intersection indicated in the passing intersection list generated in step S204, the guidance necessity determination unit 116 determines according to the combination of the intersection pattern determined in step S206 and the traveling direction. Based on the user setting for whether or not to perform intersection guidance for the combination, it is determined whether or not to perform intersection guidance (step S208).

  Then, the guidance necessity determination unit 116 sets a guidance intersection flag in the passing intersection list for the Y-shaped intersection determined to perform the intersection guidance in step S208 (step S210). That is, the intersection guidance for the Y-shaped intersection determined to perform the intersection guidance in step S208 with respect to the passing intersection list generated in step S204 (the intersection list in which the intersection guidance flag is already set according to the normal rule). Set additional flags.

  Next, the route guidance unit 112 starts guiding the guidance route searched in step S202 (step S212). Then, while the vehicle is traveling on the guidance route to the destination, the route guidance unit 112 determines whether the vehicle has reached a point a predetermined distance before the guidance intersection (intersection where the guidance intersection flag is set). Judgment is made (step S214). Here, when the route guidance unit 112 determines that the vehicle has not reached a point a predetermined distance before the guidance intersection (step S214: No), the navigation device 10 advances the process to step S218.

  On the other hand, when the route guidance unit 112 determines that the vehicle has reached a point a predetermined distance before the guidance intersection (step S214: Yes), the route guidance unit 112 performs intersection guidance for the guidance intersection (step S216). And the navigation apparatus 10 advances a process to step S218.

  In step S218, the route guidance unit 112 determines whether or not the vehicle has arrived at the destination. Here, when the route guidance unit 112 determines that the vehicle has not arrived at the destination (step S218: Yes), the route guidance unit 112 executes the processing after step S214 again. On the other hand, when the route guidance unit 112 determines that the vehicle has arrived at the destination (step S218: Yes), the route guidance unit 112 ends the guidance of the guidance route (step S220), and the navigation device 10 displays the information shown in FIG. The series of processes shown in FIG.

[Example of guided intersection setting information (first example)]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example (first example) of a guidance intersection setting screen according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 shows an example (first example) of a setting screen displayed on the display 104 when the user sets guidance intersection setting information. With the setting screen as shown in FIG. 3, it is possible to individually set whether or not the user performs intersection guidance for each combination of the intersection pattern and the traveling direction.

  In the example shown in FIG. 3, the user can individually set whether or not to perform intersection guidance for eight combinations (four intersection patterns × two traveling directions). In FIG. 3, the combination A-R is a combination of the intersection pattern A and a case where the traveling direction is the right branch destination road. The combination A-L is a combination of the intersection pattern A and the case where the traveling direction is the left branch road. The combination B-R is a combination of the intersection pattern B and a case where the traveling direction is the right branch destination road. Further, the combination B-L is a combination of the intersection pattern B and the case where the traveling direction is the left branch road.

  The combination CR is a combination of the intersection pattern C and the case where the traveling direction is the right branch destination road. Further, the combination CL is a combination of the intersection pattern C and the case where the traveling direction is the left branch road. The combination D-R is a combination of the intersection pattern D and a case where the traveling direction is the right branch destination road. The combination DL is a combination of the intersection pattern D and the case where the traveling direction is the left branch road. The details of the intersection patterns A to D will be described later with reference to FIG.

  In the example shown in FIG. 3, “recommended”, “yes”, or “no” can be set for each combination. “Recommended” is a setting value for determining whether or not to perform intersection guidance according to a setting recommended in advance in the navigation device 10. “Yes” is a setting value for performing intersection guidance. “No” is a setting value for preventing intersection guidance.

  The user settings on the setting screen shown in FIG. 3 are stored in the user setting storage unit 106, and the guidance necessity determination unit 116 determines whether or not to perform intersection guidance for each Y-shaped intersection on the guidance route. Referenced when doing. For example, if a certain Y-shaped intersection on the guidance route is an intersection corresponding to the intersection pattern A and the traveling direction of the intersection is the right branch destination road in the guidance route, a guidance necessity determination unit 116 determines that the combination corresponding to the intersection among the eight combinations illustrated in FIG. 3 is “combination AR”. Then, the guidance necessity determination unit 116 determines that the intersection guidance is to be performed at the intersection based on the setting “set” of “combination AR” illustrated in FIG. 3.

[Example of guidance intersection setting information (second example)]
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example (second example) of the guidance intersection setting screen according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 shows an example (second example) of a setting screen displayed on the display 104 when the user sets guidance intersection setting information. The setting screen as shown in FIG. 4 allows the user to select one arbitrary setting group from among a plurality of setting groups.

  In the example shown in FIG. 4, the user can select any one of the three setting groups. In FIG. 4, the setting group “recommended mode” (first setting group) includes six of the eight combinations shown in FIG. 3 as combinations of standard intersection patterns and traveling directions for performing intersection guidance. Combinations are shown.

  In addition, two additional combinations are added to the six combinations shown in the “recommended mode” in the setting group “tourist road mode” (second setting group). As a result, the eight combinations shown in FIG. All of the combinations are shown. In other words, the “tourist road mode” is a setting group that provides intersection guidance at more intersections than the “recommended mode”. For example, if you are traveling in a tourist area, it is almost the case that you are traveling on an unknown road, and there is a high possibility of making a mistake in the road. Intersection guidance is made at more intersections, and mistakes can be prevented.

  In the setting group “main road mode” (third setting group), two combinations are subtracted from the six combinations shown in the “recommended mode”, and as a result, among the eight combinations shown in FIG. The four combinations are shown. That is, the “main road mode” is a setting group that allows intersection guidance to be performed at fewer intersections than the “recommended mode”. For example, when driving along a main road, the intersection guidance is not normally performed. By selecting the “main road mode” in this way, the number of times the intersection guidance is performed is reduced as much as possible. , Intersection guidance is made at the minimum intersection where it is easy to make mistakes, and mistakes can be prevented.

  The user settings on the setting screen shown in FIG. 4 are stored in the user setting storage unit 106, and the guidance necessity determination unit 116 determines whether or not to perform intersection guidance for each Y-shaped intersection on the guidance route. Referenced when doing. For example, if a certain Y-shaped intersection on the guidance route is an intersection corresponding to the intersection pattern A and the traveling direction of the intersection is the right branch destination road in the guidance route, a guidance necessity determination unit 116 determines that the combination corresponding to the intersection among the eight combinations illustrated in FIG. 3 is “combination AR”. Then, in response to the fact that “combination AR” is included in the setting group “tourist road mode” selected by the user on the setting screen shown in FIG. It is determined that guidance will be provided.

[Example of intersection pattern judgment table]
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an intersection pattern determination table according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 shows an example of an intersection pattern determination table stored in the determination table storage unit 107.

  In the example shown in FIG. 5, in the intersection pattern determination table, four intersection patterns A to C for each combination of the road type of the left branch destination road and the road type of the right branch destination road in the Y-shaped intersection. Either one or “always” indicating that intersection guidance is to be performed is associated.

  In the example shown in FIG. 5, “always”, “intersection pattern C”, and “intersection pattern D” are present at intersections where the road type of the left branch road and the road type of the right branch road are the same rank. Either one is associated.

  For example, “high speed” and “urban high speed” have the same rank. For this reason, “always” is associated with an intersection where both road types are “high speed” or “city highway”.

  “National roads” and “major regional roads” have the same rank. For this reason, “intersection pattern C” is associated with an intersection whose road type is “national road” or “main local road”.

  “Prefectural roads” and “general roads (main lines)” have the same rank. Therefore, “intersection pattern C” is associated with an intersection whose road type is “prefectural road” or “general road (main line)”.

  “General roads (others)” and “introduction roads / thin roads” have the same rank. Therefore, “intersection pattern D” is associated with an intersection whose both road types are “general road (other)” or “introduction road / narrow road”.

  Further, “intersection pattern A” is associated with an intersection having a higher rank in the road type of the right branch destination road than the road type of the left branch destination road. For example, an intersection pattern “A” is associated with an intersection where the road type of the left branch road is “prefectural road” and the road type of the right branch road is “national road” of higher rank. ing.

  Further, “intersection pattern B” is associated with an intersection having a lower rank in the road type of the right branch destination road than the road type of the left branch destination road. For example, an intersection pattern “B” is used for an intersection where the road type of the left branch road is “prefectural road” and the road type of the right branch road is “general road (others)” lower than that. Are associated.

  The intersection pattern determination table on the setting screen shown in FIG. 5 is referred to when the intersection pattern determination unit 115 determines an intersection pattern for each Y-shaped intersection on the guidance route. For example, at a certain Y-shaped intersection on the guidance route, when the road type of the left branch road is “prefectural road” and the road type of the right branch road is “national road”, the intersection pattern determination unit 115 Determines that the intersection pattern corresponding to the intersection is “intersection pattern A” based on the intersection pattern determination table shown in FIG.

[Example of intersection guide screen]
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of an intersection guidance screen according to an embodiment of the present invention. A display screen 600 shown in FIG. 6 is a display screen displayed on the display 104 when the vehicle 604 reaches a point a predetermined distance (for example, 150 m) before the intersection P on the guidance route. The display screen 600 includes a map screen 610 and an intersection guidance screen 620.

  In the intersection P, the road type of the left branch destination road 614 that branches straight from the approach road 612 is “prefectural road”, and the road of the right branch destination road 616 that branches greatly from the approach road 612 to the right is branched. The type is “National highway”. The right branch destination road 616 is the same road as the approach road 612. That is, the intersection P is an intersection that follows the guidance route and curves to the right. For this reason, if the intersection P is not guided to proceed to the right branch destination road 616, the user will mistakenly think that the user should proceed straight ahead. There is a risk of entering.

  On the other hand, in the navigation device 10 of the present embodiment, the intersection guidance is performed at such an intersection P by the user setting of the guidance intersection setting information (see FIG. 3 or FIG. 4). That is, at this intersection P, the road type of the left branch destination road 614 is “prefectural road”, and the road type of the right branch destination road 616 is “national road”. For this reason, the intersection pattern determination unit 115 determines that the intersection pattern of this intersection P is “intersection pattern A” based on the intersection pattern determination table shown in FIG.

  Further, the traveling direction of the intersection P on the guidance route is a right branch destination road 616. For this reason, the guidance necessity determination part 116 determines that the combination corresponding to this intersection P is "combination AR" among the eight combinations shown in FIG. Then, the guidance necessity determination unit 116 determines to perform intersection guidance at this intersection P based on the setting “Yes” for “Combination AR” shown in FIG. Alternatively, the guidance necessity determination unit 116 determines that the intersection P includes the “combination A-R” included in the setting group “tourist road mode” selected by the user on the setting screen illustrated in FIG. It is determined that intersection guidance will be provided.

  In response to this determination, the guidance necessity determination unit 116 sets a guidance intersection flag for the intersection P in the passing intersection list. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, when the vehicle 604 reaches a point in front of the intersection P on the guidance route by a predetermined distance (for example, 150 m), the route guidance unit 112 displays the intersection P on the intersection guidance screen 620. Intersection guidance is provided.

  In the example shown in FIG. 6, the intersection guide screen 620 includes an enlarged guide map around the intersection P, a distance to the intersection P (“150 m”), and an arrow (right curve arrow) indicating the traveling direction at the intersection P. Is drawn. Further, in accordance with the display of the intersection guidance screen 620, the guidance voice of the intersection P (for example, “Soon, the road is in the right direction”) is output from the speaker 105. As a result, the user can easily grasp in which direction the intersection P should proceed.

  As described above, according to the navigation device 10 of one embodiment of the present invention, the user sets the guidance intersection setting information to perform intersection guidance for a combination of a desired intersection pattern and a traveling direction for which intersection guidance is desired. Then, for all Y-shaped intersections corresponding to the combination desired by the user on the guidance route, intersection guidance is performed when the vehicle approaches the intersection. For this reason, according to the navigation device 10, the user can perform the intersection guidance at the Y-shaped intersection where the user needs the intersection guidance without causing the user to perform a troublesome operation such as setting the intersection for performing the intersection guidance individually. It can be carried out.

  In the above embodiment, when searching for a guidance route, it is determined whether or not to perform intersection guidance for each Y-shaped intersection on the guidance route. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, every time the vehicle approaches a Y-shaped intersection on the guidance route, it may be determined whether or not to perform intersection guidance at the intersection.

  In the above embodiment, four intersection patterns A to D are determined according to the combination of the road type of the left branch destination road and the road type of the right branch destination road of the Y-shaped intersection. The invention is not limited to this. For example, eight intersection patterns may be defined according to the combination of the road type of the approach road of the Y-shaped intersection, the road type of the left branch destination road, and the road type of the right branch destination road. . Also, at a Y-shaped intersection, an intersection pattern when one branch destination road branches in a straight direction, or an intersection pattern when the branch angle of one branch destination road is larger or smaller than a predetermined angle. May be determined. Moreover, you may make it define an intersection pattern also about the intersection of four or more roads.

  In the above embodiment, the Y-shaped intersection corresponding to the normal rule is set to automatically perform intersection guidance when the route search unit 111 generates a passing intersection list. Not only for Y-shaped intersections that fall under normal rules, but for other Y-shaped intersections, whether or not to perform intersection guidance based on user settings (see FIG. 3 or FIG. 4) It may be determined whether or not.

  In addition, each of the above-described embodiments is merely an example of a specific example for carrying out the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be construed in a limited manner. That is, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the gist or the main features thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Navigation apparatus 101 Map data memory | storage part 102 Position detection apparatus 103 Input apparatus 104 Display 105 Speaker 106 User setting memory | storage part 107 Judgment table memory | storage part 111 Route search part 112 Route guidance part 113 Display control part 114 User setting reception part 115 Intersection pattern determination Part 116 guidance necessity judgment part

Claims (4)

A route search unit for searching for a guide route to the destination;
A route guidance unit for guiding the guidance route searched by the route search unit;
For each intersection on the guidance route, an intersection pattern determination unit that determines an intersection pattern;
A setting storage unit that stores user setting information that can specify whether or not to perform intersection guidance for each combination of an intersection pattern and a traveling direction;
For each intersection on the guidance route, the user setting stored in the setting storage unit according to the combination of the intersection pattern determined by the intersection pattern determination unit and the traveling direction of the intersection by the guidance route A guidance necessity determination unit that determines whether or not to perform intersection guidance based on the information,
The setting storage unit stores a plurality of setting groups in which a plurality of combinations of intersection patterns and traveling directions for performing intersection guidance are indicated, and one setting group selected by the user from the plurality of setting groups As the user setting information,
The guidance necessity determination unit includes, for each intersection on the guidance route, the intersection pattern determined by the intersection pattern determination unit in the one setting group selected by the user, and the progress of the intersection by the guidance route. Depending on whether a combination with direction is included, determine whether to perform intersection guidance,
The route guidance unit performs intersection guidance for an intersection determined to be subjected to intersection guidance by the guidance necessity determination unit when the vehicle reaches a position a predetermined distance before the intersection. apparatus. The setting storage unit includes a first setting group in which a plurality of combinations of standard intersection patterns and traveling directions for performing intersection guidance are shown, intersection patterns and traveling directions for performing intersection guidance, and the like. A combination of the first setting group is added to the first setting group, and a part of the combination of the intersection pattern and the traveling direction for performing the intersection guidance is subtracted from the first setting group. Storing a third setting group, and storing one setting group selected by the user from the first setting group, the second setting group, and the third setting group;
The guidance necessity determination unit is configured to select the one setting group selected by the user from the first setting group, the second setting group, and the third setting group for each intersection on the guidance route. Determining whether or not to perform intersection guidance depending on whether or not a combination of the intersection pattern determined by the intersection pattern determination unit and the traveling direction of the intersection by the guidance route is included. The route guidance apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein The intersection pattern determination unit determines an intersection pattern of each intersection on the guidance route by referring to an intersection pattern determination table in which an intersection pattern is associated with each combination of road types of each branch destination road of the intersection. The route guidance device according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein: A route guidance method by a route guidance device adapted to guide a guidance route to a destination,
A route search step in which the route search unit of the route guidance device searches for a guidance route to the destination;
An intersection pattern determination step in which the intersection pattern determination unit of the route guidance device determines an intersection pattern for each intersection on the guidance route;
According to the combination of the intersection pattern determined in the intersection pattern determination step and the traveling direction of the intersection by the guidance route, for each intersection on the guidance route, the guidance necessity determination unit of the route guidance device User setting information that can specify whether or not to perform intersection guidance for each combination of intersection pattern and traveling direction, and shows a plurality of combinations of intersection pattern and traveling direction for performing intersection guidance. A guidance necessity determination step for determining whether to perform intersection guidance based on the user setting information indicating one setting group selected by the user from the plurality of setting groups .
The route guidance unit of the route guidance device guides the guidance route searched in the route search step, and at that time, about the intersection determined to perform the intersection guidance in the guidance necessity determination step, the intersection look including a route guidance step of performing intersection guidance when the vehicle has reached a predetermined distance before the position of,
In the guidance necessity determination step, the guidance necessity determination unit of the route guidance device determines, for each intersection on the guidance route, the one set group selected by the user by the intersection pattern determination unit. A route guidance method for determining whether or not to perform intersection guidance according to whether or not a combination of an intersection pattern and a traveling direction of the intersection by the guidance route is included .

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