JPH07324940A - Vehicle navigation apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a vehicle navigation apparatus in which minimum image data necessary to recognize every crossing is stored without using a memory region in a large quantity and in which the simple image of the crossing can be displayed on a display part when a vehicle approaches a crossing by providing a storage medium, a control part and a display. CONSTITUTION:When a car is running on an ordinary running road, an image in which a map and the position of the car are overlapped is displayed on a display part 10. When the car approaches a crossing, information on the crossing and the simple image of the crossing are displayed, and the image in which the map and the car are overlapped and the simple image of the crossing are changed over manually at any time so as to be displayed. Then, when a distance up to a next crossing is of a predetermined value or higher, a screen in which the present position of the car is overlapped on map information or the like is displayed. When the distance is of the predetermined value or lower, the simple image of the crossing is displayed as a static image or a moving image, and the crossing is confirmed easily. Since the image of the crossing is the simple image, the region in the storage medium of a CD-ROM 1 is not occupied in a marge quantity by the image of the crossing, and the storage medium can be used effectively.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle navigation device, and in particular, during navigation travel, a simple image of an intersection on a travel route is switched and displayed on a screen displaying a map, or at the same time by a method such as a window system. The present invention relates to a vehicle navigation device capable of displaying.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a vehicle navigation device for guiding a user to a destination along a predetermined route, there is a device for displaying the position of the vehicle on a map clearly showing a course on a monitor TV screen. In addition to this route guidance function, a photographic image of the scene of an intersection on the travel route, the name of the intersection, etc. are incorporated into the storage medium as data other than map information, so that the direction of travel to the intersection or the distance to it can be determined. Based on this, various vehicle navigation devices have been proposed in which the screen display is performed at a proper timing, and an example thereof is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-151713.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional vehicle navigation device, since the photographic image of the intersection is stored as data as the information of the intersection, the state of the intersection can be surely recognized. Although there is an advantage, when storing image data in the form of photographs in a storage medium, a large amount of data storage area of this storage medium must be used, which is sufficient when there are many intersections that appear on the map. In addition, there is a possibility that it becomes impossible to store photographic images of many intersections.
Also, if the scene of the intersection is converted into image data in the form of a photo,
There is a problem that information that does not need to be included in the image originally, such as utility poles, electric wires, people in the street, other vehicles, etc., enters the image, and this becomes extra information and interferes with recognition of intersections. .

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to use a large amount of memory area,
Further, there is provided a vehicle navigation device capable of storing the minimum amount of image data necessary for recognizing the intersection at each intersection and displaying a simple image of the intersection on the display unit when the vehicle approaches the intersection. That is.

[0005]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention digitizes map information and stores it in a predetermined storage medium, and converts the map information read from this storage medium into an image signal. In the vehicle navigation device that displays on the display, the information of the intersection is stored as simple image information in addition to the map information in the front storage medium, and the control that reads the navigation data, the map information, and the intersection information and outputs the travel guidance information is performed. And a display for displaying driving guidance information, wherein the control unit is a vehicle navigation device capable of displaying a map and a display of a vehicle position and a simple image display of an intersection on the display. .

[0006]

According to the present invention, according to the above construction, first, when the vehicle is traveling on the normal traveling road, the map and the superimposed image of the vehicle position are displayed on the display section. When the intersection approaches, the intersection information and a simple image of the intersection can be displayed, and the map and the overlay image of the own vehicle and the simple image of the intersection can be manually switched at any time.

[0007]

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle navigation device according to the present invention. In this figure, reference numeral 1 is a CD-ROM, which is a storage medium in which navigation data and map information are stored, and 2 is a GPS (Global Positioning System) for determining the current position of the automobile.
A device, 3 is a direction sensor, and 4 is a speed sensor. Further, reference numeral 5 is a data input section for performing a navigation operation, 6 is an input data analysis section for analyzing the input data, and 7 is an input data analysis memory in which information for analyzing the input data is stored. Various command data and processing data for navigation operation are input, and the contents of the command are analyzed. 8
Is a system control unit that performs processing for navigation operation based on data from the input unit 5, 9 is a display drive control unit that performs image display drive based on control data from the system control unit 8, and 10 is display drive A display unit such as a display for displaying an image by driving the control unit 9;
Is a voice drive control unit for performing voice output drive based on control data from the system control unit 8, and 12 is a speaker for emitting voice when the voice drive control unit 11 is driven.

As shown in FIG. 2, the CD-ROM 1 includes program data 21 for navigation operation, map information 22, intersection information 23 in the map, simple image data 24 and audio data 25 at each intersection. Is stored. The map information 22 stores, as image data, a view of the land viewed from above, as in the case of viewing a normal map. The intersection information 23 includes the name of the intersection, information on whether the intersection should go straight or turn, and other information.

The simple image data 24 of an intersection is a main element of a scene viewed horizontally from the traveling direction (four entrance directions in the case of a four-cornered intersection) when a car enters the intersection. Is composed of image data represented as a simplified picture. An example of the storage state of the simple image data for the approach route from one direction of one intersection is modeled and shown in FIG. As the simple image 24, a faithful image 24a drawn relatively faithfully, a simplified image 24b in which the same scene is drawn in a simplified drawing format, and a scene in which the hidden scene is processed by further omitting the scene are drawn. A plurality of types of image data having different expressions are created and stored for each intersection, such as the hidden line image 24c. Since the simple image 24 shows the main elements of the scene of the intersection in a picture, even if the faithful image 24a of the simple image 24 is used,
Or you can omit cars and people on the street, and you can make the image that highlights the characteristic elements of the intersection,
It becomes easier for the driver while driving to recognize the intersection. In addition, each type of intersection simple image 24a to 24c
For each of the intersections, for example, a simple image as seen from 100m ahead, 80m, 60m, 40m, ..., a simplified image as seen from the front, and the like can be expressed as a change when gradually approaching the intersection (ie, , Moving images) Multiple images are created and stored.

Further, a simplified image 24 of each type of intersection
For each of a to 24c, or in addition to the classification based on the change when approaching the intersection, a plurality of types of images are prepared corresponding to the eye position (eye level) of the driver. There is. That is, for example, the eye level of a driver driving a sports car (eye level 1), the eye level of a driver driving an ordinary passenger car (eye level 2), the eye level of a driver driving a bus or truck. For example, (eye level 3), different types of image data are created and stored when the intersection is viewed at different eye levels.

The GPS device 2 detects the current position of the automobile from the latitude and longitude information calculated from the radio signal from the artificial satellite. The azimuth sensor 3 is composed of a gyroscope or the like, and detects whether or not the vehicle has turned at an intersection to obtain the azimuth. Further, the azimuth sensor 3 may be one that detects the azimuth of the automobile from the geomagnetism or the like. The speed sensor 4 detects the speed of the automobile. The system control unit 8 calculates the traveling distance by integrating this speed information. Further, the travel distance may be calculated by counting the number of rotations of the wheels or by detecting the acceleration of the vehicle and integrating this twice. The data input unit 5 is composed of a touch panel in which touch keys are displayed on the peripheral portion of the screen of the display unit 10, a keyboard or the like, and not only a map and a simple image 24 but also an operation menu are displayed in the center of the screen of the display unit 10. It Input data analysis unit 6
Analyzes the command or processing data input from the data input unit 5 and transmits the command contents and the like to the system control unit 8. The input data analysis table 7 is referred to for the analysis processing of this input data.

The display drive control section 9 is, as shown in FIG.
A first image memory for temporarily storing and expanding one screen of image data transmitted from the system control unit 8
And the image data sent from the second frame memories 31 and 32 and the system control unit 8 to the first or second frame memory.
Of the frame memory 31 or 32 of the first selector 33, and a second selector 34 for switching and outputting the image data from the first or second frame memory 31 or 32 to the display unit 10. ing.
The display unit 10 is composed of a display screen that also serves as the touch panel or a CRT.

The operation of the vehicle navigation device having the above structure will be described below. FIG. 5 is a flow chart for explaining the operation in the previous stage for operating the vehicle navigation device of this embodiment, which is performed by the man-machine interface between the operator who is a driver or an occupant and the navigation device. It is an action. In this figure, when the navigation device is switched on, the system control unit 8 causes the processing step (hereinafter simply referred to as step) ST1 to
The map information is read from the CD-ROM 1 and written in the first or second frame memory 31 or 32 (here, the frame memory 31), and the image data is further transferred to the display unit 10 for display. Next, the operator enters the destination on the map displayed on the display unit 10 in the data input unit 5
When input from (step ST2), the system control unit 8
Calculates an appropriate route from the current position to the destination by calculation, and expresses the route (that is, the road) that the automobile should follow on the map in a color different from other roads (step ST
3). Next, the system control unit 8 sets information on the intersection to be guided first (step ST4), and determines whether or not the distance L to the next intersection is larger than a predetermined value (denoted as S), that is, S < It is checked whether or not L is (step ST5). If S <L, a map display command is issued and CD-
The map information is read from the ROM 1 and the map is displayed on the display unit 10 (step ST6). On the other hand, if S <L, the simple image 24 and the intersection information of the intersection are displayed (step ST7). This is the end of the operation in the previous stage.

Next, when the automobile is started to operate, the system control unit 8 provides traveling guidance corresponding to the traveling of this automobile. A flow chart of this travel guidance processing is shown in FIG. In this process, first, it is checked whether or not the navigation device is in the map display operation mode (step ST11), and if the result is the map information display mode, the map is displayed on the display unit 10 (step ST12), while step ST11. When it is determined that the map information display mode is not set, the intersection information and the intersection simple image 24 are displayed on the display unit 10 (step ST13). Then, the vehicle detects the distance to the next intersection and checks whether the distance to the next intersection is larger than S (step ST14).
When it is determined in this check operation that the distance to the next intersection is greater than S, the operation returns to step ST12 again, and when S> L, the map information display mode of the display unit 10 is canceled. , Display section 10 for intersection information and intersection simple image 2
The screen is switched to the 4 display screen (step ST15).

The driver looks at the simple image 24 displayed on the display unit 10, determines whether or not there is an error at this intersection, turns the vehicle in the direction designated by the navigation device, and then usually keeps a constant value. Follow the road for a distance. Then, it is further checked whether or not the driving guidance operation is to be ended (step ST16), and when it is not to be ended, the processing returns to the processing of step ST11 and the same processing as the flow described above is executed, while when it is to be ended. A series of driving guidance operations are completed.

In displaying the intersection image, the system control unit 8 selects one of the faithful image 24a, the simplified image 24b, and the hidden line image 24c of the simplified image 24 according to the operator's input in the previous pre-processing. The simple image 24 is selectively displayed and displayed as either a still image or a moving image, and an appropriate eye level is also selected. The operator can manually select or change these simple images 24 at any time during the operation of the navigation device.

When the simplified image 24 of the intersection is displayed on the display unit 10 in the moving image format during the driving guidance process, the system control unit 8 operates the CD-ROM 1 in one clock operation.
The simple image 24 is read from the first selector 3
3 is controlled to select the input side of the first frame memory 31, and the simple image data is written in the first frame memory 31. Then, in the next one-clock operation, the second selector 34 is controlled to control the first frame memory 31.
The output on the side is selected, the simple image data output from the first frame memory 31 is transferred to the display unit 10, and one screen of the intersection is displayed. At the same clock timing as this processing operation, the system control unit 8 also
The second frame memory 3 is controlled by controlling the first selector 33.
2 input side is selected, and the second frame memory 32
Write simple image data for one screen of the next moving picture.
In this way, the first and second selectors 33 and 34 are appropriately controlled to operate and the first and second frame memories 31 and 3 are controlled.
By writing and reading 2 in the toggle format, the simple image of the intersection can be continuously displayed as the scene gradually approaches from a distant position. In addition, the system controller 8 controls the first and second frame memories 31 and 32.
The moving image corresponding to the actual vehicle speed can be displayed on the display unit 10 by linking the transfer speed of the simple image data to the vehicle speed.

The display on the display of the display unit 10 may be switched between the display of the map and the position of the own vehicle and the simple image display of the intersection, or may be displayed on the display of the map and the own vehicle. The simple image display of the intersection may be displayed in a so-called window type so as to be overlapped.

An example of the simple intersection image thus displayed will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9. FIG. 7 shows a state in which the normal map 40 is displayed on the display unit 10. In the displayed map 40, a road 41 extending from the upper right to the lower left in the almost center of the screen is displayed in a color different from other roads. Therefore, it is understood that it is a traveling route. The car is traveling from the upper right to the lower left on the road corresponding to this travel route. Then, in this map 40, when a car approaches an intersection 42 (“Miyanoshita” intersection in the map), the intersection 42 is viewed in a substantially horizontal direction from the traveling direction of the car according to the previous driving guide flow chart. The simple image at that time is switched and displayed on the display unit 10. This simple image is designated by the reference numeral 43 in FIG. In the simple image 43, the scene of the intersection 42 is represented as a picture, the road 41 is gently curved to the left at the intersection 42 when viewed from the side of the automobile, and some blocks are on the diagonal side of the intersection 42. The presence of the building 43 and the characteristic elements of the intersection such as a traffic light 44 and a road sign 45 installed at the intersection 42 are briefly displayed. Of course, if there is a gas station next to the intersection, the picture of the gas station is displayed including the name of the manufacturer, or if there is a signboard that attracts people's attention in the building, that signboard is displayed in the simple image. You can draw it on. Further, as has been made clear in the above description, other vehicles or people passing through the road 41, or insignificant elements such as electric poles or electric wires are omitted. Then, when the simple image 43 is transferred to the display unit 10 as a moving image, the intersection 42 is enlarged on the display of the display unit 10 as the vehicle runs, and becomes an image approaching.

The image in FIG. 8 is a simple image showing the daytime scene of the intersection 42. On the other hand, the image in FIG. 9 is a simple image representing the evening or night scene of the same intersection 42. In both cases, the former displays the sky 46 brightly, whereas the latter displays the sky 46 in a dark tone, so that the driver can display the display unit 10 of the navigation device when the vehicle is driven in the evening or at night. I make it easy to see.

As described above, according to this embodiment, when the distance to the next intersection is equal to or more than a predetermined value, a screen in which the current position of the automobile is superimposed on the map information is displayed,
When the value is equal to or less than the predetermined value, the simple image of the intersection is displayed as a still image or a moving image, so that the intersection can be easily confirmed.

[0022]

As described above, according to the present invention,
When the distance to the next intersection is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, a screen in which the current position of the car is overlaid on the map information is displayed, and when it is less than or equal to the predetermined value, a simple image of the intersection is displayed as a still image or Since it is displayed as a moving image, the intersection can be easily confirmed. Further, since the image of the intersection is a simple image, the area of the storage medium such as a CD-ROM is not occupied by the image of the intersection in a large amount,
The storage medium can be effectively used.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a vehicle navigation device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a memory use state diagram schematically representing the types of data stored in a CD-ROM used in the above embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing, as a model, an example of a method of storing simple image data in a CD-ROM used in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a display drive control unit in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart for explaining a process at a previous stage of the navigation operation of the above embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart for explaining a process of driving guidance in the navigation operation of the above embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of displaying a map on the display unit of the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example in which a simple image of a daytime scene of an intersection is displayed on the display unit of the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example in which a simple image of a night scene of an intersection is displayed on the display unit of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 CD-ROM (storage medium) 2 GPS device 3 Direction sensor 4 Speed sensor 5 Data input unit 6 Input data analysis unit 7 Input data analysis table 8 System control unit 9 Display drive control unit 10 Display unit 11 Voice drive control unit 12 Speaker 21 navigation program 22 map information 23 intersection information 24 simple image data 25 audio data 31 first frame memory 32 second frame memory 33 first selector 34 second selector 40 map 41 road 42 intersection 43 building 44 traffic light 45 road Sign

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A storage medium for digitizing and storing map information, a display section for displaying the map information read from the storage medium, and simple image information of an intersection stored together with the map information in the storage medium. , Navigation data,
A system control unit that reads map information and intersection information and outputs driving guidance information, wherein the system control unit displays on the display unit at least one of an image of the map and the vehicle position and a simplified image of the intersection. A vehicle navigation device characterized by displaying one of them. 2. The simplified image of an intersection is provided with a plurality of types of an image that is faithful to the scene and an image that is displayed in a simplified form according to the necessity of checking the intersection. Vehicle navigation device. 3. The vehicle navigation device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of types of simplified images of intersections are prepared with different viewpoint positions according to the eye level of the driver.