JPH0843117A - Navigation system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the accuracy in navigation and improve ease of operation in a navigation system using a map book. CONSTITUTION:At the time when route information is inputted, the coordinates of each passing point, i.e., the latitude and longitude thereof, are inputted by using a map book 1 and a touch panel 2 and the information thereon is stored in an IC card 5 through an IC card writer 3. In the case where a voice information is needed on the occasion, the voice information is inputted simultaneously through a microphone 4 for inputting voice. The IC card 5 thus prepared is held in a main-body apparatus 6 of a navigation system. At the time of running, the navigation system determines whether the current position of a vehicle coincides with each passing point stored in the IC card 5, and when they coincide with each other, it outputs a corresponding voice message from a speaker 62 for a voice guide.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

The present invention relates to GPS (Global Positi
oning System) The present invention relates to a navigation system that guides the operation by displaying the current position of the vehicle, the traveling direction, the destination, and the like by using satellites, various sensors, and displays.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there are the following three types of navigation systems depending on the method of reading a map. A CD-ROM is used as a map database to display routes on a map. It uses an IC card as a map database and displays routes on a map. Rather than reading the latitude and longitude of each point on the route from the map of the book (that is, paper) and displaying the route on the map, only the line diagram of the route is displayed.

A map using a CD-ROM or IC card is
It is quite expensive compared to this map, and the hardware of the navigation system that uses them as a map database is also expensive. Therefore, the above-mentioned type of navigation system using this map is also widely used.

[0004]

However, the navigation system using this map generally has the following drawbacks. Since accuracy cannot be obtained with GPS, it is necessary to provide a vehicle speed sensor, a direction sensor, and the like. Therefore, it takes a lot of time and labor to attach the sensor, and calibration (positioning or the like) becomes necessary. It is difficult to return to the course if you get lost because only the route diagram is displayed.

In view of such circumstances, an object of the present invention is to improve navigation accuracy and improve usability in a navigation system using this map.

[0006]

According to the present invention, when a latitude / longitude of each point (passing point) of a route is input using a map, a voice message for navigation such as a place name or a building in the vicinity is input. By the way, the above-mentioned object is achieved by outputting the voice message at the time of traveling and assisting the positional information of the passing point.

That is, in the navigation system according to the present invention, when the latitude and longitude of each passing point of the route are input using this map, voice message information for assisting the positional information of the passing point can be input. A voice message input means, a voice message storage means for storing each voice message information input by the voice message input means, and a voice message storage means for storing each voice message information when the vehicle approaches each passing point during traveling. In addition, the navigation system is characterized by further comprising: a voice message output unit that outputs voice message information corresponding to the passing point as a voice message.

[0008]

In the navigation system configured as described above, the user can input an appropriate voice message for assisting the positional information of each passage point of the route, and the voice message near the passage point when traveling. Is output.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a device configuration when inputting route information. In this figure, reference numeral 1 is a main map (dedicated map), reference numeral 2 is a touch panel, reference numeral 3 is an IC card writer, reference numeral 4 is a voice input microphone, and reference numeral 5 is a coordinate of a guidance point (passing point) and voice guidance information. Reference numeral 6 denotes a navigation system main unit, reference numeral 61 denotes a display, and reference numeral 62 denotes a voice guidance speaker.

The hardware configuration of the navigation system main unit 6 in FIG. 1 is shown in the block diagram of FIG. In this figure, reference numeral 60 is a CPU, reference numeral 61 is a display, reference numeral 62 is a voice guidance speaker,
Reference numeral 63 is an amplifier, reference numeral 64 is a microphone, reference numeral 65 is a digital recording / playback circuit, reference numeral 66 is a memory, and reference numerals 67a and 6a.
Reference numeral 7b indicates an I / O interface circuit, reference numeral 68 indicates a GPS receiver, and reference numeral 69 indicates an antenna.

Next, with reference to the flow chart of FIG. 3, a procedure for inputting route information in the device configuration as shown in FIG. 1 will be described. First, the coordinates of the start point, that is, the latitude and longitude are input (step 102). For the input, the number of pages of the main map (dedicated map) 1 is input by the keys of the IC card writer 3, and the coordinates are input by using the touch panel 2. The input coordinates, that is, the latitude / longitude information is stored in the IC card 5 housed in the IC card writer 3 as digital information. Also,
At that time, if it is necessary to input the voice guidance information (YES in step 104), the necessary voice information is input (step 106). The voice input is performed via the voice input microphone 4 built in the IC card writer 3, and the voice information is also stored in the IC card 5 as digital information.

Similarly, the touch panel 2 is used to input the coordinates of the first intermediate point (passing point) (for example, A intersection), that is, the latitude and longitude, and the IC card writer 3 is used to input the coordinates. Store that information in 5 (step 1
02). At that time, if voice information (for example, “turn right at intersection A”) is required (YE at step 104)
S), the voice information is input through the voice input microphone 4 and stored in the IC card 5 (step 106).

The above-described operation is executed for each guide point from the second intermediate point to the goal, as shown in step 108. As a result, route information including voice guidance information regarding the desired route is created in the IC card 5 as digital information.

Next, the route guidance procedure of the navigation system during traveling will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, the IC card 5 created by the route information input operation is housed in the navigation system main unit 6. Then, a predetermined start key that prompts the vehicle to start traveling is pressed. The navigation system activated thereby inputs the current position (latitude and longitude) information of the vehicle via the antenna 69 and the GPS receiver 68 (step 202). The information is converted into a map coordinate system by the CPU 60 and displayed on the display 61 so that the current position of the vehicle can be visually understood.

Then, it is determined whether or not the current position matches the guide point stored in the IC card 5 (step 204). In addition, in the determination of the match, the determination result that the match is obtained is obtained when the point reaches a point several hundred meters before the guide point. And
When it is determined that it is a guidance point, a guidance alarm such as "Ping Pong" and a voice message such as "Turn right at intersection A" are output from the voice guidance speaker 62 (step 206).

The above steps 202, 204 and 206
Until the goal is reached (step 20)
8).

Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, of course, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is easy for those skilled in the art to devise various embodiments. For example, inputting coordinates (latitude / longitude)
Although the example using the touch panel is shown, it is not always necessary, and for example, the map may be divided into vertical and horizontal parts and the coordinates thereof may be key-inputted. Further, although the example in which the position and voice information is mediated by the IC card is shown, the position and voice information may be directly stored in the memory 66 of the navigation main body device 6.

[0019]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The user will be able to input an appropriate voice message to assist the position information of each passage point on the route, and the voice message will be output near the passage point when traveling, improving navigation accuracy and user-friendliness. The effect is to improve.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a device configuration when inputting route information.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a navigation system main unit.

FIG. 3 is a schematic flowchart showing an operation procedure when inputting route information.

FIG. 4 is a schematic flowchart showing a route guidance procedure during traveling.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 ... This map (dedicated map) 2 ... Touch panel 3 ... IC card writer 4 ... Voice input microphone 5 ... IC card 6 ... Navigation system main unit 60 ... CPU 61 ... Display 62 ... Voice guidance speaker 63 ... Amplifier 64 ... Microphone 65 ... Digital recording / reproducing circuit 66 ... Memory 67a, 67b ... I / O interface circuit 68 ... GPS receiver 69 ... Antenna

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A voice message input means capable of inputting voice message information for assisting position information of the passing point when inputting latitude and longitude of each passing point of the route using the map, A voice message storage unit for storing each voice message information input by the voice message input unit, and a corresponding one of the pass points stored in the voice message storage unit at the time of approaching each pass point during traveling. A navigation system comprising: a voice message output unit that outputs voice message information as a voice message.