JPH07311043A - Vehicle navigation system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make a simulation of a searched route prior to actual traveling and to output only a truly necessary route guide using a vehicle navigation system that provides a route guide. CONSTITUTION:When a driver designates a destination from a controller 17, a control computer 18 searches the route to the destination on the basis of map data stored in a data storage device 14, and outputs it to an image output device 16. In the simulation mode, a simulating cursor is displayed on the searched route for the calculation of the time required to go from the place of departure to the position of the simulating cursor, the fuel consumed, and the residual amount of fuel, etc. The points that require a route guide are stored in memory 13.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicular navigation device, and more particularly to a vehicular navigation device having a function of searching a route from a starting point to a destination and displaying the searched route in advance before the actual traveling. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a vehicular navigation device has been developed for the purpose of reducing the driving operation of a driver. In a vehicle navigation device, map data is stored in advance in a CD-ROM or the like, the map data is displayed on a display device such as a CRT, and the position of the own vehicle is detected using a vehicle position detection means such as GPS, It is displayed by superimposing it on the displayed map data. The driver can drive while checking the position of the vehicle displayed on the map data. Further, not only the vehicle position is simply displayed, but also a configuration is proposed in which the route to the destination is automatically searched and the searched route is displayed on the map data to assist the driving operation of the driver. .
For example, in the vehicle navigation device disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 4-297821, a series of route guidance information for guiding a vehicle to a destination is calculated by a calculation unit that calculates a travel route from the current position to the destination. In response, the route guidance information is created by the route guidance information creation means, and necessary guidance information such as the direction in which the vehicle should travel is sequentially output by the output means for each operation of the operation means operated by the driver.

[0003]

However, it is preferable that the guidance information be successively output on an unknown road or the like that has never been driven, but when traveling on a road that is known to some extent, the guidance information is output. May feel annoying to the driver. In such cases, the driver may need route guidance at a particularly erroneous location rather than all the route information on the route,
It is desirable to be able to specify the point where route guidance is output.

Although a route from the starting point to the destination is automatically searched, there are cases where the searched route is not preferable for the driver. Therefore, it is desirable for the driver to have a function of confirming the searched route in advance before actually traveling.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and the purpose thereof is to output only the route guidance information truly necessary for the driver at a desired point and to search it in advance. To provide a vehicle navigation device capable of simulating traveling on a route, predicting a situation that may be encountered during actual traveling in advance, and further achieving smooth vehicle traveling. is there.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, a vehicular navigation device according to a first aspect of the present invention is a vehicular navigation device in which map data stored in advance and a detected vehicle position are displayed in an overlapping manner. In the device, a point designating means for designating a start point and an end point on the map data, a route searching means for searching a desired route from the designated start point to the end point, and a route searched before the actual traveling on the map data. Display control means for superimposing and sequentially displaying on the route, guidance point designating means for designating a route request point during the route display, storage means for storing the designated route request point, and detection during actual traveling. And a guide output means for outputting a predetermined route guide when the own vehicle position reaches the route request point.

In order to achieve the above object, the vehicular navigation device according to a second aspect of the present invention is the vehicular navigation device according to the first aspect, wherein the display control means provides the simulated cursor for route confirmation. It is characterized in that the simulation cursor is superimposed and displayed on the route, and the simulated cursor is moved along the route.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, the vehicle navigation device according to a third aspect is the vehicle navigation device according to the second aspect, further based on distance information from a start point to the simulated cursor position. Calculating means for calculating the consumed fuel amount and estimating the remaining fuel amount, and the display control means displays the remaining fuel amount together with the route and the simulation cursor.

[0009]

In the vehicular navigation device according to the first aspect, the route searching means searches for a desired route from the starting point (starting point) to the ending point (destination), and the searched route is searched prior to the actual driving. Overlaid on top and displayed sequentially. By confirming the searched route in advance, the driver can know in advance the route to be traveled, and the actual traveling can be smoothly performed.

Further, while the route is being displayed, the driver can specify the route request point requiring the route guidance by the guide point designating means, and the own vehicle position detected in the actual traveling and this route request point. When the route request point is reached, a predetermined route guidance is output.

As a result, since the predetermined route guidance is performed only at the route request point designated by the driver, the driver can perform comfortable traveling without being bothered by the unnecessary route guidance in the actual traveling. .

In the vehicular navigation device according to the second aspect, the route searched on the map data is not sequentially displayed prior to the actual traveling, but a predetermined simulated cursor is further superimposed on the route to be displayed. To do. The simulated cursor virtually represents the position of the own vehicle in the actual traveling. By moving the simulated cursor along the route, it is as if the vehicle is actually traveling on the route. Can express the situation. By confirming the movement of the simulated cursor, the driver can more easily perform the route confirmation work prior to the actual traveling.

In the vehicular navigation device according to the present invention, the distance from the starting point (departure point) to the simulated cursor position is further calculated by the calculating means, and the fuel consumption amount is calculated from the speed limit, the estimated average speed and the like on the route between them. Is calculated. Since the fuel amount at the starting point (departure point) can be detected by a fuel gauge or the like, the fuel remaining amount at the simulated cursor position can be estimated based on the calculated fuel consumption amount. By checking the remaining fuel amount, the driver can predict in advance where the fuel will run out, and the actual running can be smoothly performed by checking the position of the gas station in advance. Become.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a vehicle navigation device of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of the configuration of this embodiment. Various sensors 11 such as a vehicle speed sensor and a fuel gauge are provided, and detection signals thereof are output to the control computer 18. Further, a GPS (Global Positioning System) 12 for detecting the position of the own vehicle is provided, and the detection signal thereof is output to the control computer 18. The control computer 18 reads out the map data stored in advance in the memory 13 and displays the map data on the image output device 16, and also the GPS 12
The vehicle position is calculated on the basis of the detection signal from the vehicle, and predetermined map matching is performed, and then displayed on the image output device 16 so as to be superimposed on the map data. Further, the control computer 18 searches for a route between the start point (departure point) and the end point (destination) designated by the operation device 17 based on the map data stored in the data storage device 14, and obtains the obtained route information. Memory 1
Store in 3. A well-known search method such as the Dijkstra method can be used for the route search. The searched route is read out by the designation from the operation device 17, and is displayed on the image output device 16 so as to be superimposed on the map data. By displaying the searched route on the image output device 16 prior to the actual driving, the driver can perform a simulation of the route that the driver will travel from now on. During actual traveling, the vehicle position detected by the GPS 12 is displayed on the image output device 16 together with the map data as described above, and the searched route is displayed at the same time. When the vehicle position reaches a predetermined point, the route guidance information stored in advance in the data storage device 14 or the memory 13 is used as the image output device 16 or the voice output device 15.
The driver is notified via.

FIG. 2 shows an overall processing flowchart of the vehicle navigation system in this embodiment.
First, the driver or the like sets a desired destination using the operation device 17 (S201). This destination setting can be performed by designating a predetermined spot on the map data with a cursor, or by displaying a list of spot names and designating a desired spot name. When the destination is set, the control computer 18 causes the memory 13
A route (guidance route) from the current position to the designated destination is calculated and searched using the map data stored in the map (S202). The obtained route information is stored in the memory 13 (S203).

After the desired route is searched and stored, the control computer 18 reads out the route information from the memory 13 and displays it on the image output device 16 so as to be superimposed on the map data (S204). In this state, the driver or the like operates the operating device 17
When you specify the route simulation mode by operating
After shifting to the route simulation mode as described below (S206 to S208) and ending the route simulation mode, route guidance in actual traveling is started (S209).

As described above, the vehicular navigation system in this embodiment is characterized in that the searched route is displayed on the image output device 16 for simulation prior to the actual traveling. The mode will be described in detail using a flowchart.

3 to 6 show detailed flow charts of the route simulation mode in this embodiment. The route simulation mode in this embodiment is roughly configured to include route correction processing, spot registration processing, and fuel calculation processing. The route correction process is a process for correcting a route that is convenient for the driver when the searched route is inconvenient for the driver. The spot registration process is a process of registering a spot on the route that requires route guidance. Further, the fuel calculation process is a process of automatically calculating the amount of fuel consumed from the departure place in the simulation mode, and further estimating and displaying the remaining amount of fuel.

First, in the route simulation mode in FIG. 3, the control computer 18 displays a message on the image output device 16 to set the scheduled departure time. When the driver or the like sets the scheduled departure time using the operation device 17, the input data is stored in the memory 13 (S301, S302). Next, the control computer 18 displays the map data read from the data storage device 14 on the image output device 16 and displays a predetermined simulated cursor in a superimposed manner on the map data. The simulated cursor can have any shape, and has an arrow shape in this embodiment (see 705 in FIG. 10). The position of the simulated cursor is adjusted to the departure place by the control computer 18 (S303). The control computer 18 reads the information of the link of the position of the simulated cursor adjusted to the departure place by the driver into the memory 13 (S304), and calculates the display scale s from the information of this link (S305). Then, the map data of the scale s is displayed on the image output device 16 (S30).
6). Then, the distance l to be scrolled in the image output device 16 is calculated from the scale s (S307). The image output device 16 can perform automatic scrolling based on the scroll distance l and the length and direction of the read link information. FIG. 10 shows the image output device 16 in this way.
The example of the image display of the simulation mode displayed in FIG. The searched route and the simulated cursor 705 on this route are displayed on the map data, and the map data and the searched route are sequentially displayed by automatic scrolling. Various touch switches that can be operated by the driver are displayed at the bottom of the screen, and rewinding, pausing, fast-forwarding, etc. can be performed by operating these switches. That is, the driver sets the fast-forward switch 70
When 9 is operated, the scroll distance 1 is increased (S309). Further, when the rewind switch 707 is operated, the sign of the scroll distance l is reversed and further reduced (S311). Also, the pause switch 7
When 08 is operated, the same image is continuously displayed, and the same image is continuously displayed until the restart switch is operated (S312, S313). In this way map data,
When the search route is sequentially displayed by automatic scrolling, if the driver or the like does not perform any operation, if the guide information is stored in advance in the memory 13 or the data storage device 14, the guide information is output as an image. It is output to the device 16 or the audio output device 15. In FIG. 10, an example of the guide information output in this way is indicated by reference numeral 712.

Then, the control computer 18 calculates the distance from the starting point to the position of the simulated cursor, the required time, the amount of fuel consumed, etc. from the link information (S321).
Further, the remaining fuel amount at the simulated cursor position is calculated by subtracting the calculated consumed fuel amount from the fuel gauge information (S322). The fuel consumption amount may be calculated using the speed limit in the link information or the average vehicle speed input by the driver. Next, it is determined whether or not the scheduled departure time is set (S323). If the scheduled departure time is set, the required time calculated in S321 is added to this scheduled departure time, and the simulation is performed. The time to reach the cursor position is calculated (S324). The time calculated in this way, that is, the time at which the simulated cursor position is reached is output to the image output device 16 (S325). Figure 10
In the figure, reference numeral 701 indicates the time display calculated in this way. Note that reference numeral 702 is the required time calculated in S321. If the scheduled departure time is not set, the distance and the required time calculated in S321 and S322 and the remaining amount of fuel are output to the image output device 16. In FIG. 10, reference numeral 703 indicates the distance, and reference numeral 704 indicates the remaining fuel amount. Then, it is determined whether or not the remaining fuel amount is close to 0 (S327), and when it is determined that the remaining fuel amount is close to 0, a warning message of fuel 0 is sent via the image output device 16 or the audio output device 15. To inform the driver. In FIG. 10, a warning message is indicated by reference numeral 706. With this message, the driver can predict in advance where the fuel will be 0 on the route, and it becomes easy to make a travel plan. Then, the simulated cursor 705 is moved to S307, S309, S31.
The vehicle is scrolled toward the destination along the guide route by the scroll distance 1 calculated by any of 1 (S329), and it is determined whether or not the stop of the route simulation is designated by the driver. In the case of continuing the route simulation, it is further determined whether or not the simulated cursor has reached the destination designated in advance (S331). When the simulated cursor does not reach the destination, the above-mentioned processing is repeated, and the map data and the searched route are sequentially displayed by automatic scrolling, and the scheduled time, distance, remaining fuel amount, etc. are sequentially displayed. It On the other hand, when the simulated cursor reaches the destination, the route simulation mode ends (S332). After the route simulation mode is finished, the normal navigation mode, that is, the map data is displayed and the GPS is displayed.
A shift is made to a mode in which the vehicle position detected in 12 is displayed in a superimposed manner.

The case where the driver does not perform any operation during the route simulation mode has been described above.
If the searched route is inconvenient for the driver during this route simulation mode, it is necessary to correct the route. In such a case, in the present embodiment, by operating the route correction switch 710, it is possible to shift to the route correction processing (S315 in FIG. 4).

7 and 8, the route correction process (S31
A detailed flowchart of 5) is shown. FIG. 7 is a flow chart in the case where a route is corrected by specifying a node and correcting the path between the specified nodes. On the other hand, FIG. 8 specifies a path to be corrected by selecting a link. 9 is a flowchart for performing route correction. First, the method of FIG. 7 will be described. When the route correction switch 710 is operated by the driver or the like, the control computer 18 displays the correction cursor instead of the simulation cursor on the screen, and the correction cursor is set to the simulated cursor position when the route correction switch 710 is operated. Match to the closer node (S401). FIG. 11B shows an example of this correction cursor, and the correction cursor indicated by * in the figure is displayed on the node. Note that FIG. 11A schematically shows the simulated cursor and the route in the vicinity thereof when the route correction switch 710 is operated. It can be seen that the correction cursor is displayed on the node closer to the simulated cursor. When the correction cursor position is the end point of the route to be corrected, the end point is set by operating the set switch displayed on the screen (S402, S403). When one end point is set, the control computer 18 displays a correction cursor on the node in its vicinity, prompting the next end point to be set. Figure 11
In (C), one end point is set, and a correction cursor is displayed to set the next end point. If the correction cursor currently displayed is not the node on the route to be corrected, the driver operates the operation device 17
By operating, the correction cursor can be moved to match the desired node (S408). Figure 11
(D) shows a situation in which the correction cursor is set to the desired node in this way. When the set switch displayed on the screen is operated again, the end point is set.
In this way, when the setting of both end points of the portion to be corrected is completed, the control computer 18 causes the data storage device 14 to operate.
Another route between the set endpoints is calculated using the map data stored in advance (S404, S405), and the searched route candidates are displayed on the screen. When the driver operates the set switch again, the corrected route is confirmed (S40
6), the modified route information is stored in the memory 13,
The route correction ends (S407). FIG. 11E shows an example of the route corrected in this way.

On the other hand, FIG. 8 is a flow chart in the case where a path to be modified is designated by selecting a link and the path is modified. First, S401 in FIG. 7 described above.
Similarly to, the correction cursor is displayed instead of the simulation cursor, and the correction cursor is aligned with the link at the simulation cursor position (S501). When the link indicated by the correction cursor is the portion of the path to be corrected, the driver operates the set switch to set the link to be corrected (S503). If there is a path that has already been set, it is automatically set as a path to be corrected simultaneously during that time (S504). FIG. 12 shows the state of the link set in this way, and FIG. 12 (A) shows the simulated cursor and the path in the vicinity thereof immediately after shifting to the route correction mode. FIG. 12B shows a situation immediately after the simulation cursor is changed to the correction cursor, and FIG. 12C shows a situation in which a link to be corrected is set. In addition, FIG.
In (D), after the link indicated by reference numeral 9041 is set, when the link indicated by reference numeral 9043 is set as a correction link, the link indicated by reference numeral 9042 existing between them is also set as a path for correction. It shows the situation. Further, FIG. 12E shows a situation in which the setting of the path to be modified is completed in this way, and the path to be modified is indicated by reference numeral 9051.

After the setting of the path to be corrected is completed, the control computer 18 sets the path set in S504 as P (S505), designates one end point of P as s, and sets the other end point as t (S506). ). Then, a link having s as an end point is selected (S507). This selection is performed by rotating the correction link about the end point s using the operation device 17. After the link having s as an end point is selected, an end point different from s of the link selected in S507 is set as s', and P is not passed when s'is not in P in the path from s'to t The path is calculated and output to the image output device 16 (S508). And S50
The link selected in 7 is set as the corrected route (S5
09), until all paths have been corrected, S509
The path calculated in step S is set as the path P to be newly corrected, and s'
Let s be the set of link selection points. 13 and 14 show a series of procedures for selecting and setting in this way. First, as shown in FIG. 13 (F), the path to be corrected is rotated by the driver's operation to reach the position of the link indicated by reference numeral 9071 as shown in FIG. 13 (G). If this link 9071 is not the link to be selected, the path to be corrected is further rotated to the position of the link 9081 as shown in FIG. 13 (H). Then, by operating the set switch, the link 9081 is selected and set, then the path indicated by reference numeral 9083 is set as a new correction path, and indicated by reference numeral 9093 as shown in FIG. 13 (I). Set the link as a fix route. After the link 9093 is selected and set, the path indicated by reference numeral 9101 is next selected as the path to be newly corrected, and the path 9101 to be corrected is rotated as shown in FIG. 14 (K). The link 9111 is selected and set by matching and setting the desired link. Finally, selecting and setting the link indicated by reference numeral 9121 completes the setting of all paths to be corrected. FIG. 14L shows a situation in which the correction of the path to be corrected is completed in this way.

On the other hand, when the driver or the like operates the point registration switch 711 during the route simulation mode,
It is possible to set a point to be notified of route guidance. That is, when the spot registration switch 711 is operated to register the spot to be stored in S316 of FIG. 4, the spot registration process proceeds to S317. FIG. 9 shows a processing flowchart of the point registration processing. At the same time when the spot registration switch 711 is operated, the control computer 18 displays the spot registration cursor at the simulated cursor spot (S601). If the spot registration cursor is located at the spot to be registered, the set switch is operated to set the registration spot (S603). When registering another spot, the driver moves the spot registration cursor to a desired spot by using the operation device 17, and the control computer 18 scrolls along the route in the designated direction (S605). Then, when the point registration cursor comes to the position of the point to be registered, the set switch is operated again to set the registered point. The spot thus set is stored in the memory 13, and the route guidance corresponding to the spot registered during actual traveling is notified to the driver via the image output device 16 or the voice output device 15. For example, at a certain point in FIG. 10, the message indicated by reference numeral 712, that is, the message “There is an amusement park nearby” will be displayed. However, by registering that point in the actual driving, A message will be displayed and can be set not to be displayed if the point is not registered. The driver may be allowed to input a message to be displayed together with the spot when the spot is registered. For example, as described above, in the present embodiment, the remaining fuel amount is estimated and displayed, but the point immediately before the point where the remaining fuel amount becomes 0 is registered as a point and "please refuel" at that point. It is also possible to input the following message and automatically display the entered message when the point is reached.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the searched message can be displayed before the actual traveling to perform the simulation, and by registering the route request point in the simulation mode, the truly necessary route guidance can be provided. It can be adjusted to output only. It should be noted that, at the time of location registration, by linking with audio, for example, by storing the CD performance song, radio ON / OFF, broadcasting station, etc.
A changer function can be realized to effectively prevent forgetting to listen to radio programs and traffic information. An example of the configuration in this case is shown in FIG. 15, in which the control computer 1 is based on the music data of the CD performance stored in the memory 13.
8 is a configuration for controlling the audio 19.

[0028]

As described above, according to the vehicle navigation device of the first aspect, the route obtained by the search is simulated, and only the point where the route guidance is truly required is set. Therefore, comfortable navigation traveling can be realized without being bothered by unnecessary route guidance.

According to the vehicle navigation device of the second aspect, by displaying the simulated cursor that schematically shows the position of the vehicle along the route during the simulation of the route obtained by searching. The sense of presence is increased and the simulation can be performed more smoothly.

Further, according to the vehicle navigation device of the third aspect, the remaining fuel amount when the vehicle travels to a predetermined position is automatically calculated and displayed in the simulation. It is possible to know in advance whether or not to refuel at the point, which has the effect of making it easier to make a travel plan.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration block diagram of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a processing flowchart in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a processing flowchart in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a processing flowchart in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a processing flowchart in the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a processing flowchart in the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a route correction process in the same embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of another route correction process in the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a spot registration process in the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen display example according to the embodiment.

11 is an explanatory diagram of the route correction process shown in FIG. 7. FIG.

12 is an explanatory diagram of the route correction process shown in FIG.

13 is an explanatory diagram of the route correction process shown in FIG.

14 is an explanatory diagram of a route correction process shown in FIG.

FIG. 15 is a configuration block diagram of another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of Codes] 11 Sensor 12 GPS (Global Positioning System) 13 Memory 14 Data Storage Device 15 Audio Output Device 16 Image Output Device 17 Operating Device 18 Control Computer 19 Audio

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. In a vehicular navigation device for displaying pre-stored map data and detected vehicle position in an overlapping manner, a point designating means for designating a starting point and an ending point on the map data, and from the designated starting point. Route search means for searching a desired route to the end point, display control means for sequentially displaying the route searched before actual traveling on the map data, and designating a route request point during the route display. Guidance point designating means, storage means for storing the designated route request point, and guidance output means for outputting a predetermined route guidance when the vehicle position detected during actual traveling reaches the route request point. A vehicle navigation device comprising: 2. The vehicle navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit displays a simulated cursor for route confirmation by superimposing it on the route, and displays the simulated cursor along the route. A vehicle navigation device characterized by being moved. 3. The vehicle navigation device according to claim 2, further comprising a computing unit that calculates a fuel consumption amount and estimates a fuel remaining amount based on distance information from a start point to the simulated cursor position. The display control means displays the remaining fuel amount together with the route and the simulated cursor, the vehicular navigation device.