JPH09159479A - Guide apparatus for running route - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a guide apparatus by which a user can grasp altitude information at the same time by a method wherein elevation-difference information corresponding to road data is stored and elevation-difference information on a searched route is presented. SOLUTION: A CPU 10 searches a route, it creates a by-unit route tracking data table, it creates an elevation-difference tracking data table on the basis of the table, and it creates guidance-point data on the basis of the table. Then, whether an elevation difference is guided or not is judged. When it is not voice-guided by using a loudspeaker 20, whether the elevation difference is to be displayed by using a liquid-crystal display is judged. When the elevation difference is to be displayed, an altitude is displayed by using eleveation-difference tracking data. When the elevation difference is voice-guided, the elevation-difference angle with reference to the horizontal direction of an angle link at a guide route is found. When the angle exceeds a definite value the definite number of times or higher, guidance point data is created as a guide object. Then, it is judged whether an own vehicle is passed through a guidance point or not, and, when it is passed, a guide content is voice-guided by using the loudspeaker 20. The operation is repeated, and a processing operation is finished when all guidance points are passed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a travel route guide device for searching a travel route between destinations in an automobile or the like from a current position and guiding the travel route.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a travel route guide device of this type generally includes an operating means for inputting a destination from the outside, a vehicle position data extracting means for obtaining vehicle position data for detecting a vehicle position, A storage unit that stores map data and a host vehicle position is detected from the host vehicle position data, map data from the detected host vehicle position to a destination is read from the storage unit, and from the read map data It was composed of a calculating means for searching a route to the destination and outputting image data of a map in which the vehicle position and the searched route are displayed, and a displaying means for displaying the map input by the calculating means. .

FIG. 12 shows a CD-ROM 7 as a storage means.
Is the format of the data stored in, 21 is a disk label, 22 is a drawing parameter, 23 is map leaf management information, 24 is a map leaf, and this map leaf is background data,
Character data, road data, etc. are stored, and data for each unit map obtained by dividing a topographic map of Japan by latitude and longitude is stored. In the figure, a figure (level 0) that roughly describes a wide area and a figure (level 0) that describes a narrow area in detail are set. Each map leaf is composed of map display levels A, B, and C that describe the same area. Map display levels A, B and C are B from A and C from B
Is described in more detail.

Each of the map display levels A, B and C is composed of map display level management information and a plurality of units.
The unit describes a divided area obtained by dividing the area of each map display level into a plurality of areas, and each unit includes a unit header, a character layer, a background layer, a road layer, an option layer, and the like.

FIG. 13 shows a table created by the route search. FIG. 13A is a table of unit-by-unit tracking data for a guide route from the current position to the destination, and FIG. 13B is a table of route tracking data, which is selected in this table. The order of the nodes in each unit of the guide route is written in the route order. FIG.
In the example, the unit node 2 is node 1 → 2 → 3 → 4
→ 5 → 6 is written, then 1 → 2 of unit 1
→ 3 → 6 → 7 → 8 is written.

FIG. 13C is a table of guide point data, which is 700 m, 300 m, 100 m before the intersection node (node 4 of unit 2 and node 3 of unit 1) of the selected guide route, for example, In the case of FIG. 6, guidance points A1, B1, C1 and A2, B2, C are provided between the nodes 1 and 2 and between the nodes 2 and 3 of the unit 2.
2 is set, and in the process of traveling along the guide route displayed on the liquid crystal display 8a, the voice guidance is performed each time the current position reaches the guide points A1, B1, C1, A2, B2, C2. Be seen.

FIG. 14 shows a display example of a conventional example on the liquid crystal display 8A which is the display means. In the figure, a thick line 32 indicates a guide route searched by the route search means, 33 indicates a vehicle mark indicating the current position of the vehicle, and 34 indicates an intersection name displayed on the upper right of the screen of the liquid crystal display 8A.

[0008]

However, in the conventional example, the map data stored in the storage means is planar, and therefore the guide route selected by the route search is also displayed in a planar manner on the liquid crystal display. , Information about the altitude of the guide route could not be provided.

The present invention aims to eliminate the above-mentioned conventional drawbacks.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a travel route guidance device capable of presenting altitude difference information of a guidance route.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, the storage means stores the altitude difference information corresponding to the road data together with the road data, and the route search is performed based on the altitude difference information. The feature is that the altitude difference information of the route searched by the means is presented.

Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to present and guide the searched guide route and the corresponding altitude difference to the user.

With the above configuration, by presenting the altitude difference information on the route searched by the route searching means by voice or video, the user can collectively grasp the information on the altitude of the searched route. Become.

[0013]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION According to the present invention, storage means for storing road data and elevation difference information corresponding to the road data, present position detection means for detecting the present position of the vehicle, and reading from the storage means are provided. Display means for displaying the issued road map and the current position obtained by the current position detecting means,
A destination input means for inputting a destination, and a route search means for searching a route to the destination input by the destination input means and presenting the altitude difference information of the searched route. It is a feature.

Further, according to the present invention, the altitude difference information of the route searched by the route searching means is displayed on the display means.
Alternatively, it is characterized in that a voice guidance means for guiding by voice is provided.

Further, according to the present invention, a position where the elevation difference change in the route searched by the route searching means becomes larger than a predetermined value is obtained, and a guide point is set before this position,
It is characterized in that it is provided with a voice guidance means for audibly guiding a change in elevation difference when the vehicle position passes through the guidance point.

Furthermore, the altitude difference information from the current position on the route to the destination searched by the route searching means is read from the storage means and displayed on the display means.

Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that the guide route displayed on the display means displays the highest altitude and its altitude on the display means.
Alternatively, the guide route displayed on the display means is characterized in that the highest altitude location is guided by voice guidance by the voice guidance means.

With the above configuration, by presenting the altitude difference information on the route searched by the route searching means by voice or video, the user can collectively grasp the information on the altitude of the searched route. Become.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 12. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the travel route guide device in the embodiment.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an azimuth sensor. This azimuth sensor 1 uses a geomagnetic sensor for detecting the absolute traveling azimuth of an automobile and an optical gyroscope for detecting the relative traveling azimuth of the automobile. Reference numeral 2 is a distance sensor that generates a pulse according to the rotation speed of the wheel, and 3 is various sensor signals such as an ON / OFF signal of a brake switch and a parking switch and a power supply voltage monitoring signal.

Reference numeral 4 is a sensor signal processing unit for processing signals transmitted from the azimuth sensor 1 and distance sensor 2 or various sensor signals, and 5 is a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver. The GPS receiver 5 transmits from a plurality of satellites. The position (latitude, longitude) of the receiving point is obtained by receiving and calculating the received radio wave.

Reference numeral 6 is a CD-ROM drive, and this C
The D-ROM drive 6 is a CD that stores map data.
-To read map data from the ROM 7.

Reference numeral 8 denotes a display / operation unit installed in the vehicle compartment. The display / operation unit 8 displays a liquid crystal display 8 for displaying a map on which a mark of the vehicle, a searched route, and the like are described.
A and a touch panel 8B provided on the front surface of the liquid crystal display 8A. The touch panel 8B has a switch for instructing enlargement / reduction of the display map, a switch for instructing route search, and a liquid crystal display 8A. It is equipped with a switch that selects the destination from the place names.

Reference numeral 9 denotes an apparatus main body, and the apparatus main body 9 is installed in a trunk room or the like.

Next, the structure of the apparatus main body 9 will be described. 10 is a CPU (central processing unit) that performs various calculations,
Reference numeral 11 is a memory (program ROM) in which programs for various calculations performed by the CPU 10 are stored, and 12 is data from the azimuth sensor 1, distance sensor 2, GPS receiver 5, CD-ROM drive 6 and the like, calculation results by the CPU 10 and the like. Is a memory (D-RAM) for storing data, 13 is a backup memory (S-RAM) for holding necessary data even when power supply to the apparatus body 9 is stopped, and 14 is a liquid crystal display 8A. It is a memory (kanji / font ROM) in which patterns such as characters and symbols to be displayed are stored.

Reference numeral 15 is an image processor (graphic gate array) for forming a display image based on map data, current position data of the vehicle, and the like, and 16 is map data output from the graphic gate array 15, current position data and A memory (V-RA) for storing the image displayed on the liquid crystal display 8A by combining the kanji and fonts such as the place names and roads output from the kanji and font ROM 14.
M) and 17 are RGB conversion circuits for converting the output data of the V-RAM 16 into color signals, and the converted color signals are output from the RGB conversion circuit 17 to the liquid crystal display 8A.

Reference numeral 18 is a communication interface, 19 is a voice processor, and the voice processor 19 is the CPU 10.
A predetermined voice message is created based on the command of 1., and the voice message created by the voice processor 19 is output from the speaker 20.

FIG. 2 shows the format of data stored in the CD-ROM 7, 21 is a disc label, and 2 is a disc label.
Reference numeral 2 is a drawing parameter, 23 is map leaf management information, and 24 is a map leaf. Background data, character data, road data, etc. are stored in this map leaf.
Data for each unit map divided by longitude is stored. In the figure, a figure (level 0) that roughly describes a wide area and a figure (level 0) that describes a narrow area in detail are set. Each map leaf is composed of map display levels A, B, and C that describe the same area. Regarding the map display levels A, B, and C, B is described in more detail than A and C is described in more detail than B.

Each map display level A, B, C is composed of map display level management information and a plurality of units.
The unit describes the divided areas obtained by dividing the area of each map display level into multiple areas. Each unit consists of a unit header, character layer, background layer, road layer, option layer, etc. It has altitude difference information 35.

In the character layer, the place name displayed on the map,
Road names, facility names, etc. are recorded.
Data for drawing facilities and the like is stored, and in the road layer, as shown in FIG. 3, data on coordinate points (nodes) and lines (links) that describe roads including intersections, for example, node numbers of nodes. , Latitude, longitude, link number, link distance, etc. are stored.

That is, as shown in FIG. 3 showing the road data stored in the CD-ROM 7, white circles (∘) indicate nodes and lines between the nodes indicate links. Also,
A black circle mark (●) of the node number 4 indicates an intersection node. Note that the data recorded in the road layer is not directly involved in the map display, but is used as road network information such as map matching.

Further, in FIG. 2, reference numeral 25 denotes route search data, and the route search data 25 records search data for each layer from the layer 0 to the layer n for a narrow area. The search data of each layer is composed of node connection data 26, link cost data 27, and route display data 28.

The node connection data 26 is, as shown in FIG. 3, data indicating which node each of the nodes a to g, x, and y is connected to.

As shown in FIG. 3, the link cost data 27 indicates the link cost of the link between the nodes. For example, the link cost of the link between the node a and the node c is "5. , And node a and node b
It indicates that the link cost between and is "20".

The link cost is obtained from link cost = link distance / set speed, and the set speed is set according to the road type and road width as shown in FIG. 4, for example.

The route display data 32 is recorded with data for displaying the route selected by the route search on the display map.

Next, the route search operation will be described.
In this route search, as shown in FIG. 3, the link costs of all routes from the starting point (current position node) x to the destination node y are added, and the route with the lowest link cost is selected. In the case of FIG. 3, link x → a → c → d
→ f → g total link cost (10 + 5 + 5 + 5 + 5 +
5 = 35) is the smallest, so the link x → a → c →
The route connecting d → f → g is selected.

In the route searching operation, first, a departure node and a destination node which are closest to the positions of the departure place and the destination are selected.

FIG. 3 shows that the node x is selected as the departure node and the node y is selected as the destination node.

Next, the route search data including the departure node x is read from the CD-ROM 7 and the route search on the departure side is performed. As described above, this route search selects the route with the lowest total link cost. next,
As a result of the search, it is determined whether or not the target node is connected.

If the distance from the starting point to the destination is relatively short and the destination node y is included in the data read from the CD-ROM 7, it is determined that the destination node is connected. If the destination is far from the starting point, it is not determined that the destination node is connected, so the destination node y
The route search data including is read from the CD-ROM 7, and the route search on the destination side is performed. If the route selected by the route search on the destination side is not connected to the search route on the departure side, the search hierarchy is increased by one rank.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the route search operation when the distance between the departure place and the destination is long, in an easy-to-understand manner. The route selected in the route search on the departure side is not connected to the destination node. If the route selected by the route search on the destination side is not connected to the route searched by the route search on the departure side, the route search data 33 of the layer 1 is read and the departure node 34 and the destination node 35 are set. To be done. When the route shown by the solid line is searched by the route search in the layer 1, the route from the departure point to the destination is constructed, the display data of the searched route is created, and the route search is finished.

In FIG. 6, the thick line indicates the guide route selected as a result of the route search, and node 1 of unit 2
→ 2 → 3 → 4 → 5 → 6 → Unit 1 1 → 2 → 3 → 6 →
It indicates that the route of 7 → 8 is the selected guide route.

When the guide route is selected, guide points (guide points) A1, B1, C1 and A2, B2 are located at about 700 m, 300 m and 100 m before the intersection node (node 4 of unit 2 and node 3 of unit 1). ,
C2 is set.

When the current position reaches the guidance point A as the vehicle travels, a predetermined voice guidance, for example,
"Left to the left at about 700m."
Similarly, when reaching the guidance points B and C, "about 300 m to the left" and "about 100 m," respectively.
Is to the left. ", And give a voice guidance.

FIG. 7 shows a table created by the route search. FIG. 7A is a table of unit-by-unit tracking data for the guide route from the current position to the destination. In the example of FIG. 6, units 2 and 1 are written in the unit-by-unit route tracking data table.

FIG. 7B is a table of altitude difference tracking data, in which the order of the nodes in each unit of the selected guide route is written in the route order.
In the example of FIG. 6, node 1 → 2 → 3 of node 2 of the unit
→ 4 → 5 → 6 is written, and 1 of unit 1 continues.
→ 2 → 3 → 6 → 7 → 8 is written.

FIG. 7C is a table of guiding point data, which is 7 before the intersection node (node 4 of unit 2 and node 3 of unit 1) of the selected guide route.
At points 00m, 300m, and 100m, for example, in the case of FIG. 6, between the nodes 1 and 2 of the unit 2 and between the nodes 2 and 3, guiding points A1, B1, C1 and A2, B2, C.
2 is set, and in the process of traveling along the guide route displayed on the liquid crystal display 8a, the voice guidance is performed each time the current position reaches the guide points A1, B1, C1, A2, B2, C2. Be seen.

FIG. 8 shows a processing flow of route search in the embodiment of the present invention. First, step ST1
Then, a unit-by-unit route tracking data table (FIG. 9A) is created by the route search.

Next, in step S2, the altitude difference tracking data table (FIG.
(B)) is created, the process proceeds to step S3, and the guidance point data (FIG.
(C)) is created. In the case shown in FIG. 6, the unit 2
And the intersection node 3 of the unit 1 is searched.

Next, in step S4, it is judged whether or not the altitude difference information is to be guided, and if the altitude difference information voice is not guided by the speaker 20, in step S10, the altitude difference information is displayed on the liquid crystal display 8A. If the altitude difference information is to be displayed and the altitude difference information is displayed, the guide route altitude difference display shown in FIG. 10 is performed using the altitude difference tracking data created in step S2DE, and the process ends.

As described above, in this embodiment, the altitude difference of the guide route obtained by the route search can be displayed to the user by the liquid crystal display 8A or the speaker 20.

In FIG. 10, reference numeral 33 indicates a vehicle mark. Further, in this embodiment, the highest altitude node among the altitude difference information of all the nodes in the guide route obtained by the route search is calculated,
Then, as indicated by reference numeral 36, the location of the highest altitude and the altitude thereof are displayed on the liquid crystal display 8A.

In FIG. 10, the display indicated by reference numeral 37 indicates the altitude at the present position of the vehicle.

In FIG. 8, when the elevation difference information voice guidance is selected in step S3, the process proceeds to step S4, and the elevation difference angles θ _a and θ _b with respect to the horizontal direction of the corner links on the guide route are obtained.

Next, in step S5, the elevation difference angles θ _a and θ _b
And the predetermined values θ _x and θ _y set in advance are compared to determine whether or not the object of guidance is set. In this case, the elevation difference angle θ
_{When a} and θ _b are calculated to be larger than the constant values θ _x and θ _{y a} certain number of times or more, it is determined to be a guidance target. The constant values θ _x and θ _y have values as shown in FIG. 12, for example, and the guidance content is determined according to the determination condition.

In the case shown in FIG. 11, the intersection node 3 of the unit 2 and the intersection node 3 of the unit 1 are determined as the guidance target nodes. FIG. 9 shows an elevation difference information table for each unit.

In FIG. 8, if it is determined in step S5 that the node is a guidance target node, guide point data A and A'are created in step S6. In step S6, guidance point data (FIG. 9C) is created from the altitude difference tracking data table (FIG. 9B). In the case shown in FIG. 11, the intersection node 3 of the unit 2 and the unit The intersection node 3 of 1 is searched.

Next, in step S7, it is determined whether or not the creation of the guidance point data is completed. If not completed, the process returns to step S4, and if it is determined that the creation of the guidance point data is completed, then step S8 is executed. Then, step S
When it is determined that the vehicle position has passed the guide point data (FIG. 9 (C)) created in 6 and it is determined that the vehicle position has passed the guide points A and A ', step S9 In step S6, the guidance content determined in step S6 is guided by voice from the speaker 20.

After the processes of steps S8 and S9 are repeated, it is determined in step S12 whether all the guiding points have been passed, and when all the passing points have been passed, the process ends.

In step S6 of FIG. 9, the point on the searched route with the highest altitude difference is determined, a guidance point is set before this highest altitude point, and the current position of the vehicle passes through this guidance point. At this time, the speaker 20 may provide voice guidance that the highest altitude point is near.

[0062]

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION Since the present invention has the above-mentioned configuration, it is possible to present the altitude difference information of the guide route by video or audio, and to grasp the altitude and height difference near the current position of the vehicle. It is easy and contributes to safe driving, which is a great advantage.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a travel route guide device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of road data recorded in the CD-ROM of the same embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of links for explaining the route search method of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a memory for calculating a link cost in the same embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a hierarchical structure for route search in the same embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing a table in the same embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram showing a table created by a route search in the same embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of map display processing in the same embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a display diagram showing an example of a display example of the liquid crystal display according to the same embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a display diagram showing an example of a display example on the liquid crystal display according to the same embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an altitude difference angle determination value, a determination condition, and guidance content for voice guidance in the same embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram showing road data recorded in a CD-ROM in a conventional example.

FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram showing a table created by a route search in a conventional example.

FIG. 14 is a display diagram showing an example of a display example on a liquid crystal display in a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Direction sensor 2 Distance sensor 3 Output signal from other sensors 4 Sensor signal processing unit 5 GPS receiver 6 CD-ROM drive 7 CD-ROM 8 Display / operation unit 8A Liquid crystal display 8B Operation switch 9 Device body 10 CPU 11 Program ROM 12 D-RAM 13 S-RAM 14 Kanji font ROM 15 Image processor 16 V-RAM 17 RGB conversion circuit 18 Communication interface 19 Voice processor 20 Speaker

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A storage means for storing road data and elevation difference information corresponding to the road data, a current position detection means for detecting the current position of the vehicle, and a road map read from the storage means. Display means for displaying the current position obtained by the current position detecting means, destination input means for inputting a destination, and a route to the destination input by the destination input means are searched and searched. And a route search means for presenting the altitude difference information of the route. 2. The travel route guide device according to claim 1, wherein the altitude difference information of the route searched by the route searching means is displayed on the display / display means. 3. The traveling route guide device according to claim 1, further comprising a voice guide unit that guides the altitude difference information of the route searched by the route search unit by voice. 4. When a position where the change in altitude difference on the route searched by the route searching means becomes larger than a predetermined value is obtained, a guidance point is set before this position, and the vehicle position passes through the guidance point. The voice guide means for guiding the change in elevation difference by voice is provided in the above.
The travel route guide device described. 5. The traveling route according to claim 1, wherein the altitude difference information from the current position on the route searched by the route searching means to the destination is read from the storage means and displayed on the display means. Guidance device. 6. The guide route displayed on the display means,
2. The travel route guide device according to claim 1, wherein the place having the highest altitude and the altitude thereof are displayed on the display means. 7. The guide route displayed on the display means,
2. A place where the altitude is the highest is guided by voice guidance by the voice guidance means.
The travel route guide device described.