JPH08254436A - Navigation system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide any comprehensible guide information easily in compliance with a request out of the driver as well as to lighten any burden an the driver by installing a guide information processing means or the like outputting the guide information according to the driver's request. CONSTITUTION: A map information detecting means 3 detects any map information stored in a map information storage means 1, selecting a guide object spot, and it generates guide object spot information. A guide information processing means 4 generates the guide information from the guide object spot information or an output of the detecting means 3 and the map data stored in the storage means 1, according to a driver's indication being inputted out of an inputting means 5. A plotting means 7 generates a plotting signal in conformity with the guide information out of the processing means 4, and a displaying means 6 displays the guide information in accordance with the plotting signal. This navigation system provides not only the guide information pertaining to the current position of his own car but also the guide information at a spot, the driver requires, in front of the car position by the driver's request.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a navigation device for providing a driver with guidance information to a destination while driving by a vehicle, either or both by voice and / or by a screen display. The present invention relates to a navigation device which provides a driver with information or guidance information about a destination in response to a driver's request.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventional navigation devices generally include
As disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 60-202307, when it is detected that a vehicle has entered a specific range of an intersection, the traveling direction of the vehicle at the intersection is audibly or visually. Notify the driver on the display.

[0003]

Since the conventional navigation device is constructed as described above, the navigation device provides the driver with guidance information while driving regardless of the intention of the driver. There was a problem that the required guide information was not always obtained when needed. For example, if the driver does not approach the intersection, the driver is not provided with the guidance information about the intersection, so that there is a problem that it is difficult to drive in advance with the preceding guidance information for the destination.

When the guide information is provided to the driver at every predetermined distance or every predetermined time in order to solve this problem, the guide information may be annoying if the driver does not need it. Therefore, the conventional navigation device has to unilaterally provide guidance information to the driver. Therefore, it is difficult for the driver to obtain the guide information immediately even if it is necessary, and there is an inconvenience that the system has to wait for the guide.

Another conventional navigation device provided to solve this type of problem is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-996.
There is one disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 78. This device is configured to provide voice guidance information along a preset route by a driver's operation. However, since the type and amount of guidance information that can be provided by voice expression are small, there is a problem that the guidance information that the driver needs cannot be provided accurately. For example, at a point where there is not a simple crossroad but a road that crosses diagonally or there are multiple roads that can enter in the same direction, even if the navigation device simply provides "right" or "left" by voice, the driver Was sometimes confused about which road to enter.

[0006] Further, the guide information required by the driver is not only the guide information regarding the turn left / right instruction, but also what is the name of the point, and the existence of a facility or the like on the side of the road that helps to identify the point. There are various things such as the presence or absence of the road and the name and route number of the road to enter, but when notifying by voice to the request from such a driver,
The conventional navigation device technology has a problem in that the guidance information that can be provided is limited and is not always sufficient.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and is a navigation device capable of providing general guide information in advance, or guide information of a required point in response to a request from a driver. Aim to get. Another object of the present invention is to provide a navigation device which provides guidance information in an easily understandable format and reduces the burden on the driver.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a navigation device comprising guide information processing means for generating guide information based on guide target point information indicating a guide target point from a map information search means. It is provided to display guidance information about the guidance target point based on an instruction from the driver.

A navigation device according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a route setting means for determining a traveling route to a destination based on a driver's instruction, and a map information search is performed along the traveling route determined by the route setting means. The means determines the guidance target point.

In the navigation device according to the third aspect of the present invention, the intersection that appears when the vehicle is traveling from the current position is used as the guidance target point.

A navigation device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is provided with a voice output means for outputting guidance information as voice guidance information by voice, and the guidance information can be easily understood by the driver through the display means and the voice output means. It is provided by visual information and auditory information.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the navigation device, the map information stored in the map information storage means is described as network information in which road connection relationships are expressed by links and nodes, and the guidance information processing means is network. Graphic information as guide information is generated based on the information.

In the navigation apparatus according to the invention described in claim 6, the map information retrieval means generates the guidance target intersection map data from the map information, and the guidance information processing means generates the guidance target intersection map data based on the guidance target intersection map data. This is to reduce the memory capacity of the map information stored in the map information storage means by generating the guidance target intersection map.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, in the navigation device, the guide target point information display for generating the general guide information related to the current position of the vehicle and the vicinity of the guide target point based on the information indicating the guide target point. It has a means.

In the navigation device according to the present invention, the outline guidance information includes the distance to the guidance target point, the direction to the guidance target point, and the traveling direction of the vehicle around the guidance target point. It generates some or all and provides it to the driver by visual display or audio output.

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described below. Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of a navigation device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 1 is a map information storage means for storing map information, specifically, map data as map information. CD-ROM in which is recorded and a CD-ROM drive for reading data therefrom, a hard disk device, a magneto-optical disk device, or an IC in which a semiconductor memory is integrated
It is a recording medium such as a card capable of recording a large amount of data.

Reference numeral 2 denotes a current position detecting means, which is at least GPS (Global Positioning Sy).
Stem) Receives radio signals from satellites and calculates the vehicle's longitude and latitude based on the received radio signals, the vehicle speed, and the vehicle's travel distance and the angular velocity of the vibration gyro / optical fiber gyro etc. It has a function of obtaining the current position coordinates of the vehicle from the traveling locus of the vehicle and the like obtained by calculation based on the vehicle direction calculated from the sensor or the geomagnetic sensor. To further improve reliability,
It may also have a map matching means for collating the individual map data stored in the map information storage means 1 with the obtained position coordinates of the vehicle to determine the most probable position on the map data. These are all known techniques, and the present position detecting means 2 is not related to the gist of the present invention.

Reference numeral 3 is a map information retrieval means for retrieving the map information stored in the map information storage means 1 to select a guidance target point and generating guidance target point information. Reference numeral 4 is a driver input from the input means 5. Map information retrieval means 3 according to instructions
Guidance information processing means for generating guidance information from the guidance target spot information and the map data stored in the map information storage means 1, and 7 is a drawing for generating a drawing signal according to the guidance information from the guidance information processing means 4. Means, 6 is a display means for displaying guide information in accordance with the drawing signal from the drawing means 7.

The navigation device according to the first embodiment equipped with each of the above means not only provides the guide information regarding the current position of the vehicle but also the guide information of the point required by the driver ahead of the vehicle position upon request from the driver. It is provided. As the input means 5, a hard key switch or a touch panel switch formed integrally with the display means 6 can be used. Further, by using the voice recognition device to convert the instruction voice uttered by the driver into a signal equivalent to the switch signal and input the same, it is possible to obtain the same effect as that of the hard key switch. As the display means 6,
C which is usually used as a display terminal of a navigation device
An image display device such as an RT device or a liquid crystal display device can be used as one satisfying the requirements for the display device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main part of the map information stored in the map information storage means 1. In the figure, reference numeral 11 is management information indicating the location of individual information constituting the map information, which is required when the map information search means 3 and the guidance information processing means 4 access the individual map information. However, since the management information 11 does not directly contribute to the effect of the present invention and is regularly present when constructing a database of this type, its details will not be described here. Also in the following description of the operation, the process of using this management information when accessing the individual information is omitted.

Reference numeral 12 is a link data group that describes road network information regarding road segments of the road network, and 13 is a node data group that describes road network information regarding node points of the road network. The 14 intersection data groups will be described later.

FIG. 3 is an example of a road network for explaining the operation of the navigation device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, N1 and N2 are intersections, which are represented as node data in the map information described above. L1, L2 and L3 are road segments between intersections and are represented as link data in the above-mentioned map information. 20 indicates the current vehicle position.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the details of the link data and node data in the map information of FIG. In the figure, one link data is, as shown in (a), the node number 15a of the node forming both ends thereof, the interpolation point coordinates 15b that expresses the road shape with a polygonal line, the link length 15c, whether it is a national road or a prefectural road 15d, which represents the road management classification, such as road management number, unique name 1
5e, a destination name 15f, which is a place name indicating where the vehicle will be reached when traveling along the road. In addition to these, link type indicating whether the link is a main road or a side road, width data indicating the road width or the number of lanes that can be driven, one-way traffic regulation data, etc. are used as link data as necessary. It may be stored in the link data group 12.

As shown in (b), one piece of node data includes the position coordinate 15g of the node, the number of links 15h connected to the node, the link number 15i of each link, and the link connected to the node. The link connection angle 15j, the node type 15k indicating whether the node is an intersection or a branch, the name 15m of the intersection indicated by the node, and the like.
15n for intersection map data that is unique to
Have. The data of the intersection diagram data group 14 is image data in which the detailed shape of the intersection corresponding to the node and surrounding facilities are expressed in the form of graphic information. The pointer 15n to the intersection diagram data indicates where in the intersection diagram data group 14 the intersection diagram data corresponding to the node is located.

Next, the operation will be described. How the map information search means 3 selects the guidance target point with the map information having the above structure as the search target will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the following description, a process for realizing the function of selecting an intersection when a main road (here, a national road) intersects in front of the vehicle position or when there is no straight road is described.

First, the link number in which the own vehicle position exists is obtained from the current position detecting means 2, and it is compared with the previous link number of the own vehicle position to check whether or not it has been updated (step ST100). If it is not updated, it waits until it changes, and if it is updated, the link number in which the vehicle position is present and the heading are acquired from the current position detection means 2 (step ST101).

Next, the link having the acquired link number is set as the approach link, and the node data of the approach link end point on the vehicle traveling direction side is acquired (step ST102). Next, the connection link data other than the ingress link is acquired from the connection link number described in the node data, the road type 15d of each link is obtained, and whether a national road link exists in a direction substantially intersecting the ingress link. Inspect (step S
T103). If there is a national road link, the node is output to the guidance information processing means 4 as a guidance target point (step ST108).

If there is no national road link, it is inspected whether there is a link that can flow out within a predetermined angle ahead of the approach direction among links other than the approach link connecting to the node (step ST104). If there is no outflowable link within a predetermined angle, it is determined that there is no straight road and the driver must perform some driving operation, and the node is output to the guidance information processing unit 4 as a guidance target point ( Step ST108).

If there is a link that can flow out, this link is set as an ingress link to be inspected next (step ST105). When the distance to the node ahead of the approach link exceeds the predetermined distance range from the current position when the link lengths are integrated (step ST106), the search is considered to have reached the upper limit of the search distance, and the search is terminated. As information, information without a guidance target point is output to the guidance information processing means 4 (step ST107). On the other hand, if the search distance has not reached the upper limit, step ST102.
Return to and repeat the link search in front of the vehicle position. When step ST107 or step ST108 is completed, the process returns to step ST100 and waits for the update of the own vehicle position link.

In step ST108, in addition to the node number of the guidance target point, the entry angle from the vehicle position to the node, the entry link number, the distance to the node, and the like are also provided as guidance target point information as necessary. Output to the information processing means 4. In the following description, it is assumed that these pieces of guidance target point information are also output to the guidance information processing means 4. The approach angle is obtained from the link connection angle existing in the link data, and the distance to the node is obtained by integrating the link length 15c in the link data.

Next, how the guidance information processing means 4 displays the guidance information on the display means 6 with respect to the guidance target point information regarding the guidance target point which is determined and transmitted by the map information search means 3 will be described. To do.

FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b) are enlarged views of the guidance information about the intersection displayed on the display means 6 by the guidance information processing means 4. In FIG. 6, 30 is a road contour line 31-31.
Reference numeral 34 is a road center line drawn on a road segment in which links are defined in the road network data shown in FIG.
Is a road number symbol, 36 is a symbol representing a facility beside the road, and 37 is an arrow representing the approach direction to the intersection.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the details of the intersection drawing data in the map information of FIG. 2, and the graphic information for drawing the enlarged view of the intersection shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B is packed. Has been done. In the figure, the road contour line data indicated by 14a is a solid line data group for drawing the road contour line 30. The road centerline data indicated by 14b is a group of dotted line data for drawing the road centerlines 31 to 34, and link numbers corresponding to the road segment are recorded in pairs. The symbol data indicated by 14c has a font pattern for drawing the road number symbol 35 and the symbol 36 and display center coordinate data indicating a drawing position.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example in the navigation device according to the first embodiment. As shown in the drawing, the display means 6 displays a map centering on the position of the own vehicle along with the own vehicle position symbol 39. The drawing means 7 uses the map information stored in the map information storage means 1 and the current position coordinates detected by the current position detection means 2 for the vehicle position symbol 39 and the background map, and the like. Drawing in a memory (not shown). The display means 6 receives the video signal from the drawing means 7, and displays based on the video signal.

Only when the display symbol 38 indicating that the guideable guide information exists in the system is displayed on the display means 6, the driver operates the input means 5 to display the guide information. 6 can be displayed.
The display symbol 38 is merely a symbol. The input means 5 may be configured as a separate hard key switch,
The touch panel input device formed integrally with the display unit 6 may be used to activate the guidance by touching the portion of the display symbol 38.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing the flow of processing in the guide information processing means 4. First, the guidance target point information is obtained from the map information search means 3 (step ST2).
00). Guidance target point information is step ST107 in FIG.
However, as shown, it does not always exist, so the presence or absence thereof is checked (step ST201), and if not, the process proceeds to step ST211. If there is a significant guidance target point, the node number is used as a key to obtain a pointer (shown by 15n in FIG. 4B) to the intersection diagram data described in the node data (step ST202).

Then, a pointer 15 to the intersection map data
It is checked whether or not a significant value is set in n (step ST203). If a significant pointer value is set, it is used to obtain intersection diagram data corresponding to the guidance target point from the intersection diagram data group 14 stored in the map information storage means 1 and to guide this once. The data is saved in the memory (not shown) of the information processing means 4 (step ST204). If no significant pointer value is set, it is determined that there is no corresponding intersection diagram data, and the process proceeds to step ST211.

When the intersection drawing data has been acquired, the guide information processing means 4 commands the drawing means 7 to draw the display symbol 38, and waits for a request from the input means 5 by the driver (step ST206). When the driver operates the input means 5 and receives a request from the input means 5, the guidance information processing means 4 enters the saved intersection map data and the entry link as guidance target point information received from the map information retrieval means 3. Number and approach angle drawing means 7
Hand over to. The drawing unit 7 draws an intersection map, and the display unit 6 starts displaying the intersection map (step ST20).
7).

The drawing means 7 draws the road contour line data 14a, the road center line data 14b, the symbol data 14c and the like as shown in FIG. 7 while sequentially performing the rotational coordinate conversion according to the intersection approach angle. An intersection diagram is drawn by expanding it in a frame memory (not shown) in the means 7. The rotational coordinate conversion is a process for replacing the graphic information, which has been converted into data in accordance with a predetermined reference coordinate system, so that the approach direction to the intersection is upward. When the drawing of the intersection map is completed, the corresponding link number recorded in pairs with the road center line data in the intersection map data group 14 is referred to acquire the road center line data corresponding to the approach link, and An arrow 37 indicating the approach direction shown in FIG. 6 is drawn on the road center line.

When a certain time has elapsed after displaying the drawn intersection map on the display means 6 (step ST208), the guidance information processing means 4 sends a command to erase the intersection map to the drawing means 7 (step ST209). Upon receiving this command, the drawing means 7 erases the intersection map that has been displayed until then, and redisplays the map screen as shown in FIG.

Here, the intersection at the guidance target point is inspected again (step ST210), and if it has not changed from the state before the intersection map is displayed, the process returns to step ST206 to wait for a request from the input means 5. If there is no request in step ST206, the process proceeds to step ST210, and it is inspected whether or not the guidance target intersection has changed. When the intersection of the guidance target points is changed in step ST210, the drawing means 7 is instructed to delete the display symbol 38 shown on the display screen of FIG.
The display symbol 38, which is a guide switch, is erased (step S
(T211), and returns to step ST200.

In the display screen of FIG. 6 (a), the drawn intersection network is automatically erased after a certain period of time elapses (step ST208 and step ST209), but in addition to this function. , And for example, FIG.
As shown in the display screen (b), a delete command means 55 for returning to the previous screen is newly provided, and the driver touches the delete command means 55 as a touch panel switch on the display screen to display the map screen shown in FIG. You may be able to return. In this case, the guide information processing means 4 issues a command to the display means 6 to erase the display of the intersection network, and the display means 6 erases the displayed intersection network and receives the map screen shown in FIG. Display, then flow is step S
Proceed to T210.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the map information retrieving means 3 links the current vehicle position information from the current position detecting means 2 and the current vehicle position from the map information storing means 1. The guidance target point is determined based on the information on the number and the traveling direction of the vehicle, and guidance target point information regarding the guidance target point is generated and transmitted to the guidance information processing means 4. The guidance information processing means 4 obtains the intersection drawing data regarding the guidance target point from the intersection drawing data group 14 stored in the map information storage means 1 based on the guidance target point information, and responds to the request from the driver. Then, the drawing means 7 is instructed to draw the intersection drawing. Therefore, normally, it is possible to provide the driver with the information around the vehicle position as shown in FIG. 8 and to provide the detailed information on the guide point ahead of the vehicle position as shown in FIG. 6 in response to the request from the driver. can do.

Embodiment 2. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the system configuration of the navigation device in accordance with Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 8 is a route setting means for setting a route from the current vehicle position to the destination point. The same components as those of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 5 are designated by the same reference numerals, and the duplicated description will be omitted. The route setting means 8 is input by the driver through the input means 5.
When the road links to the destination are selected one by one using, the route may be set according to the selection. Input means 5
When the driver sets only the destination point using, the optimum route from the current position may be calculated and presented to the driver.

As a method of calculating the optimum path, a mathematically well-studied graph search algorithm such as the Dijkstra method can be applied. Since there are already many publicly known techniques and the route calculation method is not the gist of the present invention, detailed description thereof will be omitted. Hereinafter, route data regarding a route calculated as a continuous link sequence from a starting point (current position) to a destination in the road network as shown in FIG. 3 is delivered to the map information searching means 3, and the vehicle ahead along the route. The description will be given taking as an example the case where guidance is given to a right / left turn intersection.

In the second embodiment, this function is realized only when the vehicle position is on the route set by the route setting means 8. That is, the navigation device according to the second embodiment includes the route setting means 8 in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment, so that the driver can set a continuous route from the current position to the destination, and provides guidance regarding the current position of the vehicle. Not only the information but also the guidance information of the point in front of the vehicle position along the set route is provided to the driver.

Next, the operation will be described. In the second embodiment, the method of detecting the intersection of the guidance target points is almost the same as the process of the flowchart for explaining the operation of the map information search means 3 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. different. That is, in the second embodiment, step ST103 is deleted from the flowchart of FIG. 5 and the process following step ST102 is step ST104, and the process content of step ST104 is “link other than ingress link connecting to node”. Is there a route link that can flow out within a predetermined angle ahead of the approach direction? ”
It is a point to change to. The route link is the route setting means 8
Is a link on the route set by.

In step ST104, a point on the route that is bent by a predetermined angle or more is output as a guidance target point. The subsequent processing in the guidance information processing means 4 may be the same as the operation of the first embodiment shown in FIG. Further, in the same procedure as drawing the arrow 37 in the process of step ST207, the road center line data corresponding to the route link entering the intersection and the route link flowing out from the intersection are acquired, and the road center line is acquired. By drawing a thick solid line on the line indicated by the data, for example, the route that the vehicle should take at the intersection can be highlighted.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, the route setting means 8 transmits the continuous route data set by the driver or the like from the current position of the vehicle to the destination to the map information searching means 3. However, the map information search means 3 obtains guidance target point information from the map information storage means 1 based on the route data and the information on the vehicle position from the current position detection means 2, and transmits it to the guidance information processing means 4. The driver can obtain the guidance information of the front point of the vehicle position along the set route, and can drive in a comfortable manner.

Embodiment 3. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the system configuration of a navigation device in accordance with Embodiment 3 of the present invention, in which 9 is a voice output means. The voice output unit 9 converts a voice signal into a voice signal while referring to a voice word dictionary provided therein when a phonological code sequence is input as in the regular voice synthesis method, a PCM method or ADPCM of recorded voice. After being converted into digital data by the method, it is divided into phrases and stored in an internal memory (not shown), and voice waveform data is sequentially read according to a phrase code given from the outside of the guidance information processing means 4 or the like. PCM / ADPCM voice stored in the map information storage means 1 together with the map data, having a buffer RAM (not shown) inside the voice output means 9, and D / A converting to obtain a voice signal. Data is read once into a buffer RAM (not shown) according to a clause code given from the outside and sent to a D / A converter at a constant speed to be converted into a voice signal. Various embodiments, such as can be considered.

In the third embodiment, a PCM / AD for each phrase is stored in a memory (not shown) inside the voice output means 9.
An example is given in which PCM voice waveform data is stored. The voice output means 9 reproduces a voice signal according to a clause code given from the outside such as the guidance information processing means 4.
Therefore, not only the guide information is provided to the driver via the display means 6, but also the voice guide information is provided to the driver via the voice output means 9. The same components as those of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 10 are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description will be omitted.

Next, the operation will be described. FIG. 12 is a table showing bunsetsu codes assigned to each bunsetsu and the contents of a voice waveform uttered when the bunsetsu code is input to the voice output means 9. The content of the voice waveform is set on the assumption that the distance to the guidance target point in front of the vehicle position and the traveling direction to proceed at that point will be guided.

Among the operations of the navigation system of the third embodiment, the method of detecting the guidance target point is the second embodiment.
This is the same as the processing method according to the flowchart described in. In the processing by the guidance information processing means 4 after the method of detecting the guidance target point, that is, the processing up to step ST207 in the flowchart of FIG.
The process is the same as that of the second embodiment. And
In the third embodiment, steps ST271 to ST274 shown in the flowchart of FIG. 13 are inserted and executed between steps ST207 and ST208.

First, it is determined whether the route is turning right or left at the guidance target point (step ST271). A right turn or a left turn acquires an approach route link and an outflow route link connecting to a node at a guidance target point from route data, and a link connection angle for the node in which the outflow angle of the route with respect to the approach direction to the node is recorded in the map information. If it is calculated from, it can be determined from the calculation result. That is, if the outflow angle is changing clockwise with respect to the approach direction, it is "right", and if it is changing counterclockwise, it is "left". Originally, the selected guidance target point is a node in which the route is bent by a predetermined angle or more, so that the driver does not feel uncomfortable in the above determination.

Next, the distance from the vehicle position to the guidance target point is obtained (step ST272). As the distance from the vehicle position to the guidance target point, when the map information search means 3 detects the guidance target point, the link length 15c indicating the distance is obtained from the link data and passed to the guidance information processing means 4. In this case, the value of this link length 15c can be used. If there is no distance information handed over from the map information search means 3, the link number in which the vehicle exists is obtained from the current position detection means 2 and each of the link strings from this vehicle position link to the approach link of the guidance target point is formed. The link length 15c of the link may be acquired from the map information and added up.

When the distance to the guidance target point and the right / left turn determination result are obtained, the phrase code string of the guidance message is generated using this (step ST273). According to the correspondence between the phrase code and the voice waveform data shown in FIG.
Among the digit clause codes, the one having the first two digits "01" is the distance message, and the one "02" is the message indicating the traveling direction. When the distance is expressed in units of kilometers, a code in which "01" is added to the first two digits is the first clause code. “0201” or “0202” is set in the second clause code depending on the determination result of right / left turn. For example, when you need a voice message saying "It is about 2 kilometers to the left,""0102",
A first phrase code and a second phrase code "0202" are generated.

The obtained clause code string is delivered to the voice output means 9 in this order (step ST27).
4). When the voice output means 9 receives this code string, the voice waveform data is D / A in accordance with the correspondence shown in the table of FIG.
It is converted and output as an audio signal. As a result, the navigation device is shown in FIG. 6 in response to a request from the driver.
The display means 6 displays such an intersection map, and the driver is given a voice guidance saying "It is about 2 kilometers ahead in the left direction."

As described above, according to the third embodiment, according to the clause code relating to the guidance information from the guidance information processing means 4, the voice output means 9 causes the voice output means 9 to measure the distance from the vehicle position to the guidance target point and the guidance target. Since the direction in which the vehicle should travel at the point is provided by voice, the driver can obtain easily understandable guidance information in both visual information and auditory information through the display means 6 and the voice output means 9. You can

Fourth Embodiment Embodiment 1 described above
The intersection diagram data, which is the guide information for all of items 1 to 3, was created in advance as a set of graphic information and stored in the map information storage means 1. However, in these embodiments, as shown in the process of step ST203 in the flowchart of FIG. 9, even if the map is selected as the guidance target point, the intersection map data as the graphic information regarding the guidance target point is stored in the map information storage unit 1. If it does not exist, the guide map cannot be displayed. Further, it is difficult to create the intersection map data corresponding to all the nodes in advance and store it in the map information storage means 1 in terms of the amount of work and the memory capacity. In view of this, in the fourth embodiment, the map information search means 3 directly generates the intersection guide map from the road network data shown in FIG. 3 formed from the link data group 12 and the node data group 13.

In the navigation device according to the fourth embodiment, the map information search means 3 has a function of generating guidance target intersection map data of the guidance target point, and the map information storage means 1 can be provided without reducing the available guidance information. The memory capacity of is reduced. Therefore, the navigation device of the fourth embodiment has the same system configuration as that of the second embodiment.
Further, the system configuration of the navigation device of the third embodiment having the voice output means 9 may be the same. Therefore, FIG.
The same components as those of the second embodiment and the third embodiment shown in FIG.

Next, the operation will be described. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the operation of the navigation device according to the fourth embodiment. In the following description, the operation of the map information search means 3 will be mainly described. First, the route data set by the route setting means 8 is received by the operation of the driver or the like, and the first link of the link string forming the route is set as the inspection link (step ST300). Next, the node data of the end point on the destination side of the inspection link is stored in the map information storage means 1
Obtained from the map information stored in (step ST
301). If the acquired node is the destination node at the end of the route, this process is terminated (step ST30
2) Otherwise, the process proceeds to step ST303.

In step ST303, the next route link (outflow route link) connected to the inspection link via the obtained node is obtained from the route data obtained by the route setting means 8. Next, the relative angle formed by the inspection link and the outflow route link is calculated by referring to the connection link angle described in the acquired node data, and it is inspected whether this is a predetermined angle or more (step ST304). ). If this exceeds a predetermined angle, it is determined that it is a turn point to be guided, and the node data and all the link data connected to the node are referred to by the map information stored in the map information storage means 1. After reading, it is saved in a memory (not shown) in the map information retrieval means 3 (step ST
305).

If the angle formed by the inspection link and the outflow route link is less than or equal to the predetermined value in step ST304,
Step ST305 is skipped and the process of step ST306 is executed. In step ST306, the outflow route link is redefined as an inspection link, the process returns to step ST301, and the same processing as above is repeated.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the structure of the guidance target intersection map data created in this way. When the map information search means 3 receives the route link data from the route setting means 8, it searches the destination all at once, so at the stage (end) when the flow chart processing shown in FIG. Node data and connection link data relating to all guidance target intersections from the origin to the destination are obtained in the form of the data structure shown in FIG.

When the vehicle position is placed on the route after the processing of FIG. 14 is completed, a display symbol indicating that information that can be guided on the normal map display screen exists in the system as shown in FIG. 38 is displayed to inform the driver that guidance is available. When a request from the driver is input from the input means 5 in a state where guidance is possible,
The guidance information processing means 4 executes the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG.

According to this flowchart, first, the current position link number in which the vehicle position is present is obtained from the current position detecting means 2 (step ST400). Next, the route link data saved in the memory (not shown) in the map information retrieval means 3 is sequentially searched from the current position link toward the destination side, and the nodes and the map on the route link obtained as a result are searched. The next guidance target intersection ahead of the own vehicle position is detected by collating with the guidance target intersection diagram data saved in the memory (not shown) in the information retrieval means 3 (step ST401).

The guidance target intersection map data of the detected guidance target intersection is acquired from the map information retrieval means 3 and is used to generate the intersection map drawing data of the guidance target intersection (step ST402). There are various formats of the generated intersection map. In the fourth embodiment, the intersection map shown in FIG. 17 will be described. In the figure, 40 to 43 are rectangles or solid lines with widths that represent road links connecting to intersections. Reference numeral 44 is a circle representing an intersection. 45 is a character string representing the name of the intersection. Numerals 46 and 47 are character strings representing destination names which are the names of points reached when the vehicle advances in that direction. Reference numeral 48 is a route symbol which indicates the traveling direction at the intersection.

First, from the node data in the intersection data,
The link connection angles of the links to be connected are obtained, and the straight lines 40 to 43 with width are drawn in the connection angle direction with the origin of the display surface center. As the connection angle of each road, here, the direction of the route link entering the intersection is taken as vertical, and the directions of the other links are taken as relative angles from the approaching link direction. Of course, depending on the application, it is possible to draw at an absolute angle, such as setting north in the upper direction of the screen. As the drawing angle of the straight line, the link connection angle in the node data may be used as it is, or may be quantized into 8 directions or 16 directions for shaping. Next, a circle 44 representing an intersection is drawn at the center of the screen where each road is connected. A character string 45 representing the intersection name is drawn on the lower part of the display surface using the node name described in the node data.

If the link data includes destination name data, this data is obtained and character strings 46 and 47 representing the destination name are drawn at the tip of the straight line with width representing the corresponding link. . Finally, using the link connection angles of the approach route link and the outflow route link to the intersection again, a straight line with a slightly narrow width is overwritten in the direction of the connection angle from the center of the display surface. A triangle is drawn at the tip of the outflow route link. This is the route symbol 48 at the intersection.

As shown in the flow chart of FIG. 16, the guide data processing means 4 uses the drawing data thus generated.
To display on the drawing means 7 and the delivery display means 6 (step ST403). When a certain time has elapsed after the display (step ST404), a command is sent to the drawing means 7 to erase the intersection diagram (step ST405).

As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, since the map information search means 3 receives the route data from the route setting means 8 and generates the guidance target intersection drawing data of the guidance target, It is not necessary to create a large number of guidance target intersection map data in advance and store them in the map information storage means 1. Therefore, the memory capacity of the map information stored in the map information storage means 1 can be suppressed without reducing the number of guide information that can be provided. Further, the frequency of access to the map information of the map information storage means 1 can be reduced accordingly, so that, for example, the waiting time for reading the CD-ROM which is the map information storage means 1 does not occur accordingly. Therefore, a quick response to the driver's request can be realized.

Further, in the fourth embodiment, only the guidance of the intersection of the guide object closest to the front of the own vehicle position has been described as an example, but the driver continues to make a request through the input means 5 so that the distant guide object is provided. It is also possible to display guidance information about intersections.

Embodiment 5. FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing the system configuration of the navigation device in accordance with Embodiment 5 of the present invention. In FIG. 18, reference numeral 10 indicates the information from the current position of the vehicle to the guidance target point from the map information searching means 3 to the guidance information. A guidance target point information display device 10 that generates based on the guidance target point information transmitted to the processing means 4 and displays the obtained guidance information on the display means 6 via the drawing means 7.
(Guidance target point information display means).

As described above, in this fifth embodiment, in addition to the system configuration of the first embodiment, the guide information processing means 4 has the guide target point information display device 10, and the own vehicle is used as general guide information. The distance from the present position to the guidance target point is generated by the guidance target point information display device 10 based on the guidance target point information transmitted from the map information search means 3 to the guidance information processing means 4, and is displayed through the display means 6. It is provided to the driver. The same components as those of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description will be omitted.

Next, the operation will be described. FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the operation of the navigation device according to the fifth embodiment. The method of displaying the guidance target point information on the display unit 6 is the same as the process of the guidance information processing unit 4 of the first embodiment shown in the flowchart of FIG. 9 except for the following points. That is, in the process of FIG. 19, a step ST221 of “displaying the distance to the guidance target point” is inserted between steps ST205 and ST206, and “display of“ guidance ”is displayed instead of the process of step 211 shown in FIG. A step ST222 for executing "processing to erase display of symbols and distances" is inserted. The operations of these steps ST221 and ST222 are executed by the guide target point information display device 10 in the guide information processing means 4, and the execution result is sent to the display means 6 via the drawing means 7.

As a result, in step ST221, the process of "displaying the distance to the guidance target point" is executed, and the execution result is displayed on the display means 6 as indicated by 51 in FIG. 20, regardless of the request from the driver. Is displayed. In the figure, a distance "2 Km" as rough guide information from the current position of the own vehicle to the guidance target point indicated by the own vehicle position symbol 39 is displayed on the display symbol 38 representing the guide switch which is the guide display symbol. It This outline guide information is updated by the guide target point information display device 10 as the vehicle moves. In step ST222, step ST20
5 and the display symbol “guidance” and the distance display “2 km” displayed in step ST221 are deleted.

As described above, according to the fifth embodiment, the guide target point information display device 10 calculates the distance between the current position of the own vehicle and the guide target point as rough guide information, and the driver is displayed through the display means 6. If the driver does not need detailed information on the target point,
The driver can obtain the general guide information of the guide target point in an easy-to-understand form without pressing the “guidance” display symbol 38.

Sixth Embodiment FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the operation of the navigation device according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display screen of the display means 6. In FIG. 21, step ST223 is
The display means 6 is a step of displaying the azimuth (indicated by the arrow 52 in FIG. 22) to the guidance target point on the display screen, and the step ST224 is a "guidance" display symbol,
This is a step of executing a process of "erasing the display of the direction". The operation of each of the other steps is the same as the operation of the flowchart of the fifth embodiment shown in FIG.

As described above, in the sixth embodiment, in addition to the system configuration of the first embodiment, the guidance information processing means 4 has the guidance target point information display device 10, and the guidance target point information display device 10 is provided. However, as the rough guide information, the direction from the current position of the vehicle to the guide target point is calculated based on the guide target point information transmitted from the map information search means 3 to the guide information processing means 4, and the display means 6 is displayed. It is provided to the driver through. Since the system configuration of the navigation device according to the sixth embodiment is the same as that of the fifth embodiment, the redundant description will be omitted here.

Next, the operation will be described. Step ST
The general guide information used in 223 is generated by the guide target point information display device 10 in the guide information processing means 4, and the generated general guide information is displayed on the display means 6 via the drawing means 7.
Sent to. As a result, in the operation of step ST223, the arrow 52 (guidance information) indicating the direction from the current position of the vehicle indicated by the vehicle position symbol 39 to the guidance target point is displayed on the display screen shown in FIG. Display symbol 3
8 displayed on top. By looking at the arrow 52, the driver can know the direction to the guidance target point.
Then, in step ST224, the arrow 5 indicating this azimuth is displayed.
2 and the "guidance" display symbol 38 are deleted from the display screen. Since the operation of each of the other steps is the same as the operation of the flowchart showing the operation of the navigation device in the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 19, duplicated description will be omitted here.

As described above, according to the sixth embodiment, the guidance target point information display device 10 calculates the azimuth of the guidance target point viewed from the current position 39 of the own vehicle as rough guidance information and displays it. Since the information is displayed in 6, the driver can easily understand the general guidance information of the guidance target point without the operation of pressing the "guidance" display symbol 38 when the driver does not need the detailed guidance target point information. Obtainable.

Seventh Embodiment 23 and 24 are block diagrams showing a system configuration of a navigation device according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. In the figures, 10 is a guidance target point information display device, which is a guidance target point as general guidance information. Based on the information of the guidance target point transmitted from the map information retrieval means 3 to the guidance information processing means 4, the traveling direction in which the vehicle should go is calculated and provided to the driver through the display means 6. Thus, the system configuration of the navigation apparatus of the seventh embodiment shown in FIGS. 23 and 24 is the same as the system configuration of the navigation apparatus of the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. The present invention is applied to the navigation device according to the second and third embodiments and provides the driver with the traveling direction of the vehicle at the guidance target point as rough guidance information. The system configuration of the navigation device according to the seventh embodiment is the same as that of the fifth, second, and third embodiments, and the duplicated description is omitted here.

Next, the operation will be described. FIG. 25 is a flow chart showing the operation of the navigation device in accordance with Embodiment 7 of the present invention, and FIG. 26 is an explanatory view showing an example of the display screen of the display means 6. In FIG.
225 is a step of displaying an arrow 53 indicating the traveling direction of the own vehicle at the guidance target point as rough guide information on the display means 6, and step ST226 is step ST20.
5 and step ST225 is a step of executing the process of "erasing the" guidance "display symbol and the display of the traveling direction" displayed on the display means 6.

The operation of the other steps is the same as the operation of the flowchart of FIG. 19 in the fifth embodiment. The traveling direction at the guidance target point as the rough guidance information used in step ST225 is generated by the guidance target point information display device 10 and displayed on the display screen by the display unit 6.

The traveling direction of the vehicle, which is the rough guide information used in step ST225, is sent to the display means 6 via the rear drawing means 7 generated by the guide target point information display device 10. As a result, in step ST225, the arrow 53, which is the direction of travel at the guidance target point of the vehicle, is displayed on the display screen of FIG.
Is displayed on the display symbol 38. By looking at the arrow 53, the driver can easily know the traveling direction of the vehicle at the guidance target point in an easy-to-understand form (arrow 53). In step ST226, the arrow 53 indicating the traveling direction and the "guidance" display symbol 38 are erased from the display screen. Since the operation of the other steps is the same as the operation of the flowchart according to the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 19, duplicated description will be omitted here.

As described above, according to the seventh embodiment, the guidance target point information display device 10 calculates the traveling direction of the vehicle at the guidance target point as rough guidance information and displays it on the display means 6. Therefore, if the driver does not need detailed information about the guidance target point, the driver can obtain the general guidance information about the guidance target point in an easily understandable form without pressing the “guidance” display symbol 38. it can.

Eighth Embodiment 27 and 28 are explanatory views showing examples of display screens of the navigation device according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention. In these figures, a display symbol 38 representing a guide switch, a vehicle position symbol 39, and a general guide are shown. Display of distance to guidance point as information 5
1. The arrow 52 indicating the direction from the vehicle position symbol 39 to the guidance target point and the arrow 53 indicating the traveling direction of the vehicle at the guidance target point are those used in the fifth, sixth and seventh embodiments. Since they are the same, duplicate description will be omitted here.

That is, the guide information of these outlines is calculated by the guide target point information display device 10 based on the guide target point information transmitted from the map information retrieval means 3 to the guide information processing means 4 and displayed through the display means 6. Provide to the driver. Further, the system configuration of the navigation device according to the eighth embodiment is the same as that of the fifth or seventh embodiment, and therefore the duplicated description will be omitted here. In other words, the navigation device of the eighth embodiment is a combination of all or some of the fifth, sixth and seventh embodiments.

Next, the operation will be described. In the navigation device of the eighth embodiment, the display 51 of the distance to the guidance target point is displayed on the display screen of the display means 6 as the rough guidance information, and the arrow 52 indicating the direction from the vehicle position symbol 39 to the guidance target point. Further, all or some of the arrows 53 indicating the traveling direction of the vehicle to be guided at the guidance target point are displayed on the display screen of the display means 6 at the same time. As a result, steps ST205 and ST221 in the flowcharts of FIGS. 19, 21 and 25,
In the processes of step ST205 and step ST223, step ST205 and step ST225, the outline guide information generated by the guide target point information display device 10 is displayed by the display means 6 and provided to the driver. Further, these outline guide information are shown in FIG. 19 and FIG.
1, as shown in FIG. 25, it is erased from the display screen in steps ST222, ST224, and ST226.

As described above, according to the eighth embodiment, the guidance target point information display device 10 shows the distance and direction to the guidance target point, which is the general guidance information, and the progress of the vehicle around the guidance target point. Since the direction is generated and all or some of them are simultaneously displayed through the display means 6, the driver presses the "guidance" display symbol 38 when the driver does not need detailed information regarding the guidance target point. It is possible to obtain rough guide information about the guide target point in a form that is easy to understand without the operation.

[0091]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the navigation device causes the navigation information to generate guide information based on the guide target point information indicating the guide target point from the map information search means. Since the information processing device is configured to display the guidance information about the guidance target point based on the instruction from the driver, not only the guidance information about the current position of the own vehicle but also the guidance information about the required guidance target point is provided to the driver. Has the effect that you can get it when you need it.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the navigation device is configured such that the map information search means determines the guidance target point along the travel route determined by the route setting means, so that the route to the destination is obtained. Since the guide information of the preceding point along the road can be obtained in advance, it is effective that the driver can drive with plenty of space.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the navigation device is configured so that the intersection that appears when the vehicle is traveling from the current position is used as the guidance target point, so that the driver can drive in a comfortable manner. There is an effect that can be.

According to the invention described in claim 4, since the navigation device is configured to provide the guidance information with visual information and auditory information which are easy for the driver to understand, the driver has the display means and the voice output means. Through this, there is an effect that the guide information can be obtained as both easy-to-understand visual information and auditory information.

According to the invention described in claim 5, the navigation device is configured such that the guide information processing means generates graphic information as guide information based on the network information stored in the map information storage means. Therefore, the driver can obtain the guide information in a form that is easy to recognize.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the navigation device can be provided because the guidance information processing means is configured to generate the guidance target intersection map as the guidance information based on the guidance target intersection map data. It is possible to reduce the memory capacity of the map information stored in the map information storage means without reducing the number of different types of guide information, and since the map information storage means accesses the map information less frequently, it is possible to respond to driver requests. It has the effect of making a quick response.

According to the invention described in claim 7, the navigation device is configured to generate the general guide information related to the current position of the vehicle and the vicinity of the guide target point based on the information indicating the guide target point. Therefore, there is an effect that the driver can obtain the outline guide information of the guide target point in an easy-to-understand format without making a request through the display means.

According to the eighth aspect of the invention, the navigation device is provided with a part of the distance to the guidance target point, the direction to the guidance target point, and the traveling direction of the vehicle around the guidance target point. Since all are generated and provided to the driver as visual guide information by visual display or voice output, the driver can easily understand the general guide information of the guidance target point without making a request through the input means. There is an effect that can be obtained in shape.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of a navigation device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main part of map information stored in a map information storage means of the navigation device of FIG.

3 is an explanatory diagram showing a road network for explaining the operation of the navigation device in FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating details of link data and node data in the map information of FIG.

5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the map information search means of the navigation device of FIG.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of guidance information about an intersection displayed on a display unit by the guidance information processing unit of the navigation device in FIG.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating details of intersection diagram data in the map information of FIG. 2;

8 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example on the navigation device of FIG. 1. FIG.

9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the guidance information processing means of the navigation device of FIG.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of a navigation device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of a navigation device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

12 is a table showing a relationship between a clause code used in a voice output unit of the navigation device of FIG. 11 and a corresponding voice waveform.

13 is a flowchart explaining the operation of the guidance information processing means in the navigation device of FIG.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an operation centered on a map information search means of the navigation device in the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a structure of guidance target intersection drawing data generated in the navigation device shown in FIG.

16 is a flowchart explaining the operation of the guidance information processing means 4 of the navigation device of FIG.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing an intersection diagram displayed by the navigation device of FIG. 14.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of a navigation device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a part of the operation of the navigation device in FIG.

20 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of the display unit of the navigation device in FIG.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a part of the operation of the navigation device in the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

22 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of the display unit of the navigation device in FIG.

FIG. 23 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of a navigation device according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a block diagram showing another system configuration of the navigation device according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing a part of the operation of the navigation device of FIGS. 23 and 24.

FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of a display unit of the navigation device of FIGS. 23 and 24.

FIG. 27 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of the display unit of the navigation device according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 28 is an explanatory diagram illustrating another display screen example of the display unit of the navigation device according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 map information storage means, 2 current position detection means, 3 map information search means, 4 guidance information processing means, 5 input means,
7 drawing means, 8 route setting means, 9 audio output means,
10 Guidance target point information display device (guidance target point information display means).

Front Page Continuation (72) Inventor Masatsugu Norimoto 2-3-3 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Sanryo Electric Co., Ltd.

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A map information storage means for storing map information, a current position detecting means for specifying a current position of the vehicle on the map based on the map information, and the map based on the current position of the vehicle. A map information search unit that searches information to determine a guidance target point, and generates guidance information that is a map around the guidance target point based on the map information stored in the map information storage unit, and The navigation device includes guide information processing means for outputting the guide information in response to a request, and drawing means for drawing a map around the current position of the vehicle or the guide information output by the guide information processing means. 2. A route setting means for determining a travel route of the own vehicle to a destination is further provided, wherein the map information search means determines a guidance target point along the travel route determined by the route setting means. The navigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the navigation apparatus is a navigation apparatus. 3. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the map information search means sets an intersection, which appears when the vehicle is traveling from the current position as it is, as a guidance target point. 4. A voice output means for outputting information by voice is further provided, and the guidance information processing means outputs the voice guidance information related to the guidance information to the voice output means in synchronization with the display of the guidance information. The navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: 5. The map information stored in the map information storage means is described by road network information that expresses at least road connection relationships by links and nodes, and the guidance information processing means stores the guidance information in the road network information. The navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the graphic information is generated based on the graphic information. 6. The map information retrieval means obtains the road connection relationship represented by links and nodes relating to the guidance target points from the map information stored in the map information storage means to generate guidance target intersection map data, The navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the processing unit generates a guidance target intersection diagram as guidance information based on the guidance target intersection diagram data. 7. A guide target point information display means for generating general guide information related to the current position of the vehicle and the vicinity of the guide target point based on the information indicating the guide target point from the map information search means. Claims 1 to 6 characterized by
The navigation device according to any one of claims. 8. The guidance target point information display means, as the rough guidance information, a part or all of the distance from the current position of the vehicle to the guidance target point, the direction, and the traveling direction of the vehicle at the guidance target point. 8. The navigation device according to claim 7, wherein the navigation device generates information regarding the information.