JPH08138196A - Navigation system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To improve the operability of route changing operation during navigation operation in a navigation system. CONSTITUTION: In the navigation system which is provided with a data storage means 3 to store map information, a map display means 1 to read the map information stored in the data storage means and display a map on a display part 5, a position detecting means 1 to detect the position of a traveling object, and a route calculating means to calculate the shortese route from a present location to a destination by the position detecting means 1, and is installed in the traveling object, when the present location and the destination of the traveling object are inputted, and a spot to call is instructed newly during the operation of the navigation system, the position detecting means 1 detects the present location, and simultaneously, the route calculating means calculates the shortest route from the detected present location to the instructed calling spot, and further, calculates the shortest route from the calling spot to the destination.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention is used in automobiles and the like.
The present invention relates to a navigation device that displays the position of a moving body, indicates a route, and the like, and particularly relates to a navigation device that can newly specify a detour point during route guidance.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the structure of a conventional navigation device. Hereinafter, description will be given with reference to the drawings.
Reference numeral 11 denotes a position detection unit that detects the position of the own vehicle.
A system called a positioning system (hereinafter referred to as GPS) for detecting a position by using radio waves from an artificial satellite is used. A data processing unit 12 processes the data and the like from the position detecting unit 11. Reference numeral 13 is a map data storage unit, which is composed of, for example, a CD-ROM device,
According to the instruction from the data processing unit 12, the map information of the corresponding area stored in the CD-ROM is read out based on the position information of the own vehicle. Reference numeral 14 is a guide information storage unit in which facility information such as gas stations and toilets is stored.
It is composed of a ROM device or the like, and the information of the corresponding facility, for example, a point or the like is read out by an instruction of the data processing unit 12. The guide information storage unit 14 can be used also as the map data storage unit 13 (storing map and facility information in the same CD-ROM) or can be configured exclusively. Reference numeral 15 is a display unit composed of a liquid crystal display or the like.
The map read from the map data storage unit 13 is displayed, and the current position of the vehicle is displayed on the map.

Next, the operation of the conventional navigation device when the current position and the destination are input, the shortest route is calculated and displayed, and a new detour point is indicated will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the processing performed by the data processing unit of the conventional navigation device. Hereinafter, description will be made using a flowchart. First, the operator inputs a destination on the displayed map.

In step S21, the current position is detected. That is, the position detection unit 11 receives the radio wave from the artificial satellite, calculates the latitude and longitude based on the radio wave, and sends the latitude and longitude to the data processing unit 12. The data processing unit 12 receives data indicating the current position of the own vehicle from the position detection unit 11, and a map corresponding to the current position of the own vehicle is stored in the map data storage unit (CD-ROM) 13
The current position of the vehicle is displayed in a cross shape or the like in a superimposed manner on the map. In step S22, the shortest route is calculated from the detected current position and the input destination by a method such as the Dijkstra method. In step S23, the calculated shortest route is displayed on the map displayed on the display unit 15 in an overlapping manner, and the shortest route, map information, and the current position are collated with each other to go straight, turn right, turn left, etc. near the intersection. Give instructions.

Here, when the operator attempts to make a detour, the route guidance up to that point is stopped and a new destination and detour point (corresponding to a relay point) are input. Then, again, by the procedure from step S24 to step S27,
The shortest route from the current position to the detour point and the detour point to the destination is calculated, and the navigation operation (route display on the map, direction instruction in the vicinity of the intersection, etc.) is started.

In step S24, the current position is detected and displayed. That is, the position detection unit 11 receives the radio wave from the artificial satellite, calculates the latitude and longitude based on the radio wave, and sends the latitude and longitude to the data processing unit 12. The data processing unit 12 receives data indicating the current position of the own vehicle from the position detection unit 11, and stores a map corresponding to the current position of the own vehicle in a map data storage unit (CD-ROM).
It is read from 13 and displayed on the display unit 14, and at the same time, the current position of the own vehicle is displayed in a cross shape or the like so as to be superimposed on the map. In step S25, the shortest route from the detected current position to the designated detour point is calculated by the Dijkstra method or the like. In step S26, the shortest route from the detour point to the re-input destination is calculated. Step S27
Then, the navigation is started by the calculated shortest route.

[0007]

In the conventional navigation device, once the destination (or the relay point and the destination) is input and the navigation operation is started,
When adding a detour point (adding a new relay point), it is necessary to stop the navigation operation up to that point, re-enter the detour point (relay point) and the destination again, and perform the setting again from the beginning. It was

It is an object of the present invention to provide a navigation device having good operability even when a new detour point is added during a navigation operation.

[0009]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a data storage means in which map information is stored,
From the map display means for reading the map information stored in the data storage means and displaying the map on the display section, the position detection means for detecting the position of the moving body, and the current position of the moving body detected by the position detection means. A navigation device installed in the moving body, which includes a route calculation unit that calculates a route to a destination and displays guidance on the display unit according to the route, and an instruction unit for designating a detour point; When a detour point is designated by the means, a detour route from the current position of the moving body detected by the position detection means to the destination via the designated detour point is calculated and displayed on the display unit. A detour route calculating means for displaying guidance according to the detour route is provided.

Further, the instructing means stores the facility information storing means in which the location information of the facility is stored, the facility selecting means for selecting the facility, and the location information of the facility selected by the facility selecting means in the facility. It is characterized in that it comprises a search means for searching from the information storage means and using it as a detour point. Further, the search means is characterized in that, when there are a plurality of facilities selected by the facility selection means, the relevant facility closest to the current position of the moving body is set as the detour point.

Further, the search means, when there are a plurality of facilities selected by the facility selection means, of the facility position display means for displaying a plurality of relevant facilities and the plurality of facilities displayed by the facility display means, It is characterized in that the relevant facility selected by the operator is set as a detour point.

[0012]

When the detour point is designated by the instruction means during the operation of the navigation, the position detection means calculates the current position of the moving body. Further, the detour route calculation means calculates a route from the calculated current position to the designated detour point and a route from the detour point to the destination. The current position of the mobile body calculated by the map display means and the stored map information are read from the data storage means and displayed on the display unit. Then, the navigation operation is started.

Further, when a desired facility is selected by the facility selecting unit after the detour is instructed by the instructing unit during the operation of the navigation, the location information of the facility is stored in the relevant facility selected by the searching unit. The facility information storage means is searched for and the spot of the relevant facility is set as the detour point. Further, when the desired facility is selected by the facility selecting means, the corresponding facility selected by the searching means is searched from the facility information storing means in which the positional information of the facility is stored, and when there are a plurality of relevant facilities, Select the relevant facility closest to the current location of the moving body, and set the point of the facility as the detour point.

Further, when a desired facility is selected by the facility selecting means, the corresponding facility selected by the searching means is searched from the facility information storing means in which the positional information of the facility is stored, and a plurality of relevant facilities are found. In some cases, the facility position display means displays a plurality of relevant facilities, and the operator selects one of them. The point of the selected facility is set as a detour point.

[0015]

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a navigation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Reference numeral 1 denotes a position detecting unit that detects the position of the own vehicle, and a system called GPS, which detects the position by using radio waves from an artificial satellite, is used. Reference numeral 2 is a data processing unit composed of a microcomputer and the like.
The position data from S is processed. Reference numeral 3 denotes a map data storage unit, which is composed of, for example, a CD-ROM device or the like.
-The map information of the corresponding area stored in the ROM is read. 4 is facility information such as gas stations and toilets,
For example, a guide information storage unit that stores the location of the facility and the like, which is configured by, for example, a CD-ROM device, and the data processing unit 2
The corresponding facility information is read by the instruction. The guide information storage unit 4 should also be used as the map data storage unit 3 (stores map and facility information on the same CD-ROM).
Alternatively, it can be configured exclusively. Reference numeral 5 denotes a display unit composed of a liquid crystal display or the like, on which the map read from the map data storage unit 3 is displayed, and the current position of the vehicle is displayed on the map.

Reference numeral 61 is a relay point switch. When inputting a new detour point, after operating the relay point switch 61,
The detour point is newly input by a method such as designating on the map displayed on the display unit 5. Reference numeral 62 denotes a facility switch including a plurality of switches, which correspond to facilities such as a gas station (GS), a toilet, and a restaurant, and are used for instructing them.

Next, in the navigation device of one embodiment of the present invention, the current position and the destination are input, the shortest route is calculated, and the navigation operation (route display on the map,
The operation when a new detour point (or relay point) is instructed by the operator during the instruction of the traveling direction near the intersection) will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the processing performed by the data processing unit of the navigation device according to the embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, description will be made using a flowchart.

The process is started by the operator setting a destination, that is, inputting a destination (a relay point may be designated) on the map displayed on the display unit 5. In step S1, the current position is detected. That is, the position detection unit 1 receives the radio wave from the artificial satellite, calculates the latitude and longitude based on the radio wave, and sends the latitude and longitude to the data processing unit 2. The data processing unit 2 receives data indicating the current position of the own vehicle from the position detection unit 1, and obtains a map corresponding to the current position of the own vehicle from a map data storage unit (CD-
It is read from the ROM) 3 and displayed on the display unit 5, and at the same time, the current position of the own vehicle is displayed in a cross shape or the like by being superimposed on the map. In step S2, the shortest route is calculated from the detected current position and the input destination (via the relay point if the relay point is specified) by a method such as the Dijkstra method. In step S3, the navigation operation (path display on the map,
Initiating traffic direction indications near intersections).

In step S4, it is determined whether or not the relay point switch 61 is pressed. This determination is determined by whether or not the relay point switch 61 is pressed by the operator. If the relay point switch 61 is pressed, step S5
Move to step S7, and if not pressed, move to step S7. When setting a new detour, the operator must set the relay point switch 6
Operate 1 and input the detour point at the same time.

In step S5, the current position is detected, and the shortest route from the current position to the input detour point is calculated by, for example, the Dijkstra method. In step S6, the shortest route from the input detour point to the destination is calculated by returning to step S3, and the navigation operation is started on the route combined with the shortest route from the current position to the detour point calculated in step S5.
That is, the shortest route from the current point to the destination, which uses the detour point as a relay point, is guided.

In step S7, it is determined whether the facility switch 62 is pressed. This determination is determined by whether or not any one of the facility switches 62 (for example, a switch for selecting a toilet) is pressed by the operator. In step S8, the data processing unit 3 searches the guide information storage unit 4 in which the guide information is stored for the corresponding facility (toilet) closest to the current location corresponding to the facility (toilet) selected by the facility switch 62. .

In step S9, the current position is detected, and based on this, the shortest route from the current position to the nearest applicable facility (toilet) searched in step S8 is calculated by the Dijkstra method or the like. In step S10, the shortest route from the nearest facility (toilet) found in the search to the destination input in step S1 (the next relay point if a relay point is previously designated in step S1) is calculated. Then
Returning to step S3, the navigation is started by the shortest route from the present location to the destination with the relevant facility as the relay point.

In step S7 of the present embodiment, for example, when the toilet switch of the detour switch 62 is pressed, a plurality of toilet positions are displayed on the display unit 5 instead of selecting the shortest toilet. Displayed on the map,
It is also possible for the operator to select one of them. According to the present embodiment, even when the current position and the destination are input and the navigation operation is being performed, when the new detour point is designated, the detour point is not stopped without stopping the navigation operation up to that point. Operation can be continued simply by inputting.

[0024]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, even when the navigation operation is performed,
Simply by designating a new detour point, the route guidance to the destination is made through this detour point, so that the operability of the navigation device is improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a process performed by a data processing unit of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional navigation device.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing processing performed by a conventional data processing unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Position detection unit 2 ... Data processing unit 3 ... Map data storage unit 4 ... Guidance information data storage unit 5 ... Display unit 61 ... Relay point switch 62 ... Facility switch

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A data storage means in which map information is stored, a map display means for reading out the map information stored in the data storage means and displaying a map on a display section, and a position detection means for detecting the position of a moving body. And a route calculation unit that calculates a route from the current position of the moving body detected by the position detection unit to the destination and displays guidance on the display unit according to the route, the navigation being installed in the moving unit. In the device, when an instruction means for instructing a detour point and a detour point is instructed by the instructing means, the detour point is passed from the current position of the moving body detected by the position detection means to the detour point. And a detour route calculating means for calculating a detour route to the destination and displaying a guide according to the detour route on the display unit. Shon apparatus. 2. The instructing means stores the facility information storing means in which the location information of the facility is stored, the facility selecting means for selecting the facility, and the location information of the facility selected by the facility selecting means in the facility. 2. The navigation device according to claim 1, further comprising a search unit that searches the information storage unit and sets it as a detour point. 3. The navigation device according to claim 2, wherein the search means, when there are a plurality of facilities selected by the facility selection means, sets the relevant facility closest to the current position of the moving body as a detour point. . 4. The facility search unit displays the plurality of relevant facilities when there are a plurality of facilities selected by the facility selection unit, and the plurality of facilities displayed by the facility display unit.
The navigation device according to claim 2, wherein the corresponding facility selected by the operator is set as a detour point.