JPH0972750A - Car navigation system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a car navigation system in which the current position and a guide course can be presented on an apprehensible screen by determining the current position and advancing direction of a host vehicle from a current position detection signal, reading out map information from an information memory means, and guiding the course while switching between continuous display and flickering display depending on the traveling state. SOLUTION: A current position detector 2 comprises a GPS receiver 21, an absolute azimuth sensor 24, and a distance sensor 26. When a central processing unit 4 captures the data from respective sensors in the detector 2 through an input interface 48, a CPU 40 calculates the coordinates of current position, based on the data at regular time intervals. The coordinates of current position is stored temporarily in an RAM 42 and map matching is effected while taking account of the inspection error of various data, thus correcting the output value from each sensor constantly. A course guide means in the CPU 40 of central processing unit 4 makes a switching between flicker display and continuous display depending on the traveling conditions, e.g. vehicle speed, relationship between the guide starting point and guiding points, and other conditions, e.g. current position and the kind of peripheral map.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle navigation device that displays a map and a current position mark on a screen to guide a route.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A vehicle navigation device searches a route from a current position or a designated starting point to a destination based on a point input such as a destination, and provides route guidance based on the searched route. This reduces the burden on the driver when traveling on an unguided road. for that reason,
In a vehicle navigation device, a search function for searching a route from the current position to the destination by inputting the destination, a current position detection function for detecting the current position and the direction of the own vehicle, the detected current position It has a guidance function and the like that matches the route with the route and guides the route to the destination according to the searched route. Then, the guide route obtained by the search is displayed, for example, on a map or an intersection map, and the current position and the traveling direction of the vehicle are displayed on the guide route to guide the route.

When performing such route guidance, the driver can check the current position of the vehicle on the guide route and the traveling direction just by looking at the guide screen for a short time like looking at meters. The screen display of the guide route has been devised in various ways so that it can be easily performed. As a device,
For example, when displaying the current position of the vehicle and its traveling direction on a map, the guide route such as a map is rotated so that the traveling direction is always upward, or the guide route such as a map is always displayed facing north. For example, the arrow of the vehicle that indicates the current position is directed in the traveling direction. Also, a mark indicating the current position of the own vehicle is additionally displayed by blinking at a predetermined cycle so that it can be easily seen (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 58-10780).
There is also a).

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional method in which the current position mark of the vehicle is blinked, the current position of the vehicle is updated in synchronization with the blinking cycle, so the update time cannot be shortened. However, when traveling on a detailed map or at a high speed, there arises a problem that the amount of movement at the time of updating becomes large. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the problem of the method of blinking the current position mark of the own vehicle. As shown in FIG. 8 (a), the intersections are continuous and the inner intersection is a guide intersection that should be turned. In some cases, if the distance between consecutive intersections is short, the movement of the current position of the own vehicle is accurate while the display of the current position mark of the own vehicle is off as shown in FIG. 8B. There is a problem that it is not recognizable and that a wrong intersection is mistaken. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8 (c), the vehicle's current position mark is displayed for the first time after accidentally turning at the front intersection or after passing through an intersection that should be turned without turning. You may find yourself off the track from the position mark and get panicked. As described above, the blinking method of the current position mark has a problem that the real-time property of the display position is deteriorated.

On the contrary, in the system in which the current position mark of the vehicle is constantly displayed without blinking, not only are the letters and marks on the map hidden and difficult to see, but there is no change in the displayed screen. However, there is a problem that it is difficult to inform the user that the system (computer) is always operating. Therefore, it may be mistaken for a screen lock especially when the vehicle is stopped.

The present invention is to solve the above problems and provides a vehicle navigation device capable of providing the current position and guidance information on an easy-to-see screen without deteriorating the real-time property of the display position. The purpose is to do.

[0007]

To this end, the present invention provides a current position detecting means for detecting the current position of a vehicle in a vehicle navigation device which displays a map and a current position mark on a screen to guide a route. , An information storage means for storing map information and other route information for displaying a map on the screen for route guidance, a display means for displaying a map for route guidance and a current position mark, and a current position detection means. The current position and the traveling direction of the own vehicle are fetched from the detection signal, the map information is read from the information storage means, the map and the current position mark of the own vehicle are displayed on the display means, and the current position mark is continuously displayed according to the traveling state. The present invention is characterized by including a route guide means for performing route guidance by switching between display and blinking display.

Further, the route guide means displays the current position mark by blinking while the vehicle is stopped and continuously when the vehicle is running,
When the displayed map is larger than a predetermined magnification, the current position mark is continuously displayed, and the cycle of blinking display is increased as the vehicle speed detected by the current position detection means increases,
Further, when the vehicle speed is higher than a predetermined value, it is continuously displayed, or it is judged whether or not the current position is within a predetermined range from the intersection, and when it is within the predetermined range, the current position mark is continuously displayed. It is what

[0009]

In the vehicular navigation device of the present invention, the current position detecting means for detecting the current position of the vehicle and the information storage for storing the map information for displaying the map on the screen to guide the route and other route information. Means, a display means for displaying a map for route guidance and a current position mark, a current position and a traveling direction of the own vehicle from a detection signal of the current position detecting means, and map information is read from the information storing means and a map. While displaying the current position mark of the vehicle on the display means,
Since the current position mark is equipped with route guidance means that guides the route by switching between continuous display and blinking display according to the running state, it is difficult to see the movement of the current position mark, or the current position mark is buried in the map. In the case where the information on the map is hidden for a long time, the display can be made to blink.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of a vehicle navigation device according to the present invention. The vehicle navigation device according to the present invention is required for input / output device 1 for inputting / outputting information regarding route guidance, current position detecting device 2 for detecting information regarding the current position of the vehicle, and route calculation as shown in FIG. Information storage device 3 in which various navigation data and display guidance data necessary for guidance are stored,
It is composed of a central processing unit 4 which performs route search processing and display guidance processing necessary for route guidance and controls the entire system. First, each configuration will be described.

The input / output device 1 instructs the central processing unit 4 to perform navigation processing according to the driver's intention so that the driver can input the destination or output the guidance information by voice and / or screen when the driver needs it. In addition, it has a function of printing out the processed data. As means for realizing the function, the input unit includes a touch switch 11 and an operation switch for inputting a destination as a telephone number or coordinates on a map, and for requesting route guidance. Of course, an input device such as a remote controller may be used. In the output unit, the input data is displayed on the screen, and the route guidance is automatically displayed on the screen in response to the driver's request. The display 12 stores the data processed by the central processing unit 4 and the information storage device 3. And a speaker 16 for outputting route guidance by voice.

The display 12 is composed of a color CRT or a color liquid crystal display, and is necessary for navigation such as a route setting screen based on map data or guidance data processed by the central processing unit 4, a section map screen, an intersection map screen, etc. All screens are displayed in color, and on this screen, buttons for setting route guidance, guidance during route guidance, and switching screens are displayed. In particular, the passing intersection information such as the passing intersection name is displayed in color in a pop-up on the section map screen at any time.

The display 12 is provided in an instrument panel near the driver's seat. The driver can check the current position of the vehicle by looking at the section map and obtain information on the route from now on. it can. The display 12 is provided with a touch switch 11 corresponding to the display of the function button, and is configured to execute the above-described operation based on a signal input by touching the button. The input signal generating means including the button and the touch switch constitutes an input section, but a detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

The current position detecting device 2 includes a GPS receiving device 21 and a beacon receiving device 22 using a satellite navigation system (GPS), for example, a data transmitting and receiving device 2 for receiving a GPS correction signal using a cellular phone or an FM multiplex signal.
3. an absolute direction sensor 24 composed of a geomagnetic sensor and the like;
A relative direction sensor 25 including a wheel sensor, a steering sensor, a gyro, and the like, a distance sensor 26 that detects a traveling distance from the number of rotations of the wheels, a vehicle speed sensor 27 that detects a traveling speed of the vehicle, and the like are provided.

The information storage device 3 stores map data, intersection data, node data, road data, photograph data, registration point data, destination point data, guidance point data, detailed destination data, destination reading data necessary for route guidance. It is a database consisting of files of telephone number data, address data, and other data in which all data necessary for the navigation device is recorded.

The central processing unit 4 executes C
The PU 40, a program for performing processing such as route search, a display output control required for route guidance, a program for performing voice output control required for voice guidance, and the first ROM 41 storing the data required for it are set. Destination coordinates, road surface code No. RAM 4 for temporarily storing route guidance information searched for, etc., and data being processed.
2. Second ROM 43 storing display information data necessary for route guidance and map display, image memory 44 storing image data used for screen display on display, CP
The image memory 4 based on the display output control signal from U40.
4, the image processor 45 that takes out image data from the image data, processes the image data, and outputs the image data to the display. A voice, a phrase, a sentence, a sound, etc. read from the information storage device 3 based on a voice output control signal from the CPU. A voice processor 46 for synthesizing and converting into an analog signal and outputting to the speaker 16, a communication interface 47 for exchanging input / output data by communication, and a sensor input interface 48 for taking in a sensor signal of the current position detecting device 2, It is provided with a clock 49 for entering the date and time in the diagnostic information. In the central processing unit 4, when the data acquired by each sensor of the current position detection device 2 is fetched from the sensor input interface 48, the CPU 40 calculates the current position coordinates at regular intervals based on the data, and temporarily. Write to RAM 42.
The current position coordinates are obtained by performing a map matching process in consideration of detection errors of various data. The output values of the various sensors are constantly corrected. here,
The route guidance is configured so that the driver can select either screen display or voice output.

The vehicle navigation system according to the present invention, when displaying a map of the current position of the host vehicle on the screen of the display 12 to provide route guidance, provides driving conditions such as vehicle speed and start of guidance. Switching between blinking display and continuous display according to the relationship with the guide point such as whether it is near or far, the type of map around the current position with different amount of information, and other conditions, and further change the blinking cycle To do so. These processes are performed by the CP of the central processing unit 4.
It is performed by the route guidance means in U. Hereinafter, an example of processing for switching display of the current position will be described. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of a map display process for blinking and displaying the current position mark only while the vehicle is stopped, and FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of a control process for displaying the current position mark.

When the current position mark is displayed in blinking only while the vehicle is stopped, when the map display is started as shown in FIG. 2, first, the current position of the vehicle is detected based on the detection signals from the respective sensors of the current position detection device 2. , Obtaining the traveling direction (step S1
1) Select and read out map data based on the acquired current position and traveling direction of the vehicle (step S1)
2). Then, the position and direction of the current position mark of the own vehicle, which is to be displayed overlaid on the map, are calculated (step S1).
3) At the same time as drawing the current position mark, the drawing position is stored in the image memory (step S14). And
Whether the vehicle is running / stopped is determined (step S15), and if the vehicle is stopped, the current position mark of the vehicle is erased after waiting for the display-on time (steps S16 → S18). The current position mark of the car is erased (steps S17 → S18). Whether or not the vehicle is running / stopped is continuously determined (step S19), and if the vehicle is running, the process immediately returns to step S11 to repeat the same processing.
If the vehicle is stopped, after waiting for the display off time or the start of traveling (step S20), the process returns to step S11, and the same processing is repeatedly executed. Here, the dotted frame A (step S
11 to S14) is the own vehicle mark (current position mark)
Of the dotted line frame B (step S15-
The process of S20) represents the process of updating the display of the own vehicle mark.
In this way, it is determined whether or not the vehicle is running. While the vehicle is running, the current position mark of the vehicle is erased and updated immediately after a predetermined update time (continuous display), but when the vehicle is stopped, the display is turned off. Since the current position mark of the own vehicle is erased for the time, the current position mark of the own vehicle blinks at a preset cycle of display on time / display off time. In this way, the current position mark is continuously displayed while the vehicle is running, so the distance and positional relationship between the current position and the intersection or road can be recognized in real time, and accurate judgment can be made according to the distance and positional relationship. You can Further, since the current position mark is displayed in blinking while the vehicle is stopped, it is possible to see the map information hidden in the current position mark, and to confirm accurate map information in detail around the current position.

In the processing for controlling the above display, as shown in FIG. 3, data is acquired from the absolute azimuth sensor 24, the relative azimuth sensor 25, and the distance sensor 26 of the current position detecting device 2 (step S21), and the own vehicle The current position and the traveling direction are calculated (step S22), and the traveling state is determined (step S23). Then, based on the confirmation of the state change, it is determined whether or not the stopped state is changed to the running state (step S24), and when the state is changed to the running state, it is further determined whether or not the display of the current position mark of the own vehicle is the off period. Then, (step S25), when it is not the change from the stopped state to the running state, or even at that time, if it is not the off period, immediately return to step S21 and repeat the same processing, but display the current position mark. If is during the off period, the current position mark display function of the own vehicle is activated (step S26), and the process returns to step S21 to repeat the same processing. Here, the process of the dotted line frame C (steps S21 to S23) represents the sensor data process, that is, the process of determining the traveling state for switching the display of the current position mark, and the dotted line frame D (steps S24 to S26).
The above process represents a process for managing the display of the own vehicle mark according to the traveling state.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining another embodiment of the present invention for switching between blinking display and continuous display according to the map scale, and FIG. 5 is switching between blinking display and continuous display according to the vehicle speed. For explaining another embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining another embodiment of the present invention in which blinking display and continuous display are switched according to road data during traveling, and FIG. 7 is blinking display and continuous according to road data during traveling. It is a figure for explaining an example of processing which changes with display. As described above, if the current position mark moves slowly even when the vehicle is running, it is hidden by the current position mark only by switching between continuous display and blinking display depending on whether the vehicle is running. Even if you want to check the map information, it may be difficult to recognize it, and you may not be able to check the correct map information around the current position. For example, even if the current position mark is the same vehicle speed, if the intersection enlarged view shown in FIG. 8 is displayed, the current position mark may be displayed continuously instead of blinking because the movement on the screen is large. Is difficult to recognize, so it is better to make it blink. Thus, even during traveling, switching between blinking display and continuous display may be performed under predetermined conditions based on the type of map, vehicle speed, positional relationship with the guide point, and the like. The embodiment will be described below.

For example, in addition to determining whether the vehicle is traveling, the map scale currently displayed is acquired, and it is determined whether the display of the current position mark is blinking display or continuous display according to the scale reduction. You may. In this case, first, as shown in FIG. 4, it is determined whether or not the vehicle is traveling (step S31),
If the vehicle is not traveling, the current position mark is displayed in a blinking manner as in the above embodiment (step S37), but if the vehicle is traveling, the map type currently displayed is further acquired (step S32). Then, it is determined whether the map type being displayed is an enlarged intersection map or a route guidance map (step S3).
3) In the case of the intersection enlarged view, the current position mark is switched to continuous display (step S36), and in the case of the route guidance map, the scale of the displayed map is further determined (step S34). Here, it is determined whether or not the scale is larger than the predetermined scale (details) (step S35). If the scale is larger than the predetermined scale, the current position mark is switched to continuous display (step S36), and the scale is changed. If it is not larger than the predetermined magnification, the current position mark is switched to blinking display (step S37). Here, as map data,
For example, a map having a plurality of reduced scales such as 1 / 10,000, 1 / 20,000, 1 / 40,000 ... Is stored, and a predetermined magnification for dividing continuous display and blinking display is, for example, 1 / 40,000. Further, the map scale may be stepless rather than stepwise. In this way, when displaying an enlarged view of an intersection or a map larger than a predetermined magnification, the guide route is often not simple, such as a route that turns, so if the current position mark is displayed in blinking, The amount of movement of the current position mark during the off time increases, and the real-time property of the current position mark is impaired. However, in the case of a map smaller than the predetermined magnification, it is rather a guide route rather than a road, and even if it blinks, the distance moved on the screen during the off time becomes small, so no particular inconvenience occurs. , Rather,
The blinking display makes it easier to recognize the current position mark. Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the intersection enlarged display and the map display are explained separately, but it is possible to think of the enlarged intersection image as a detailed map and judge whether it is the blinking display or the continuous display only with a predetermined magnification. It may be.

Further, even when the vehicle is running, if the continuous display is performed, especially when the vehicle speed is low (slow speed), the current position mark may not be moved much and may be buried in the map. For this reason, if the vehicle speed is low, such as 5 km / h or less, blinking makes it easier to see the current position mark, and even if blinking, it is possible to make a mistake at the turning point if it is a slow speed. Also less. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, the current position mark is continuously displayed at a predetermined vehicle speed or higher, but at a vehicle speed lower than that,
The lower the speed is, the longer the on / off time may be and the current position mark may be controlled to blink. In this case, instead of changing the ratio of the ON time and the OFF time without changing the time of one cycle of ON and OFF, the OFF time is made longer (shorter) together with the ON time as shown in FIG. Let go That is, the blinking speed is changed, but if the ON / OFF ratio is set in advance in an ergonomically easy-to-see manner, it is better not to change the ON / OFF time ratio. Further, the blinking speed may be increased as the vehicle speed increases, but if the blinking speed becomes too fast, it becomes difficult to see. Therefore, when the vehicle speed exceeds a predetermined value, continuous display is performed.
Of course, the blinking speed may not be variable, and the blinking display may be performed below the predetermined vehicle speed, and the continuous display may be performed above the predetermined vehicle speed.

Further, the blinking display and the continuous display may be switched according to the road data on which the vehicle is currently traveling. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, continuous display is performed when the vehicle is within a predetermined distance from the intersection, and blinking is displayed during that time. The processing in this case is, for example, as shown in FIG.
Acquire road data of the currently running road (step S41),
The distance from the start intersection of the road data to the current position is calculated (step S42), and it is determined whether the distance is within a predetermined distance (step S43). If it is within the predetermined distance, continuous display is performed (step S47). If it is not within the predetermined distance, the remaining distance from the current position to the end point intersection (not necessarily the guidance intersection) of the road data is calculated (step S44). ), It is determined whether or not the remaining distance is within a predetermined distance (step S45). In this case, if the remaining distance is within the predetermined distance, continuous display is performed (step S4
7) If it is not within the predetermined distance, blinking display is performed (step S46). Especially in a city with a lot of information, even if you are traveling, you often run at a low speed due to traffic jams, etc., and it is difficult to recognize the moving state of the current position mark when continuously displayed, and the current position mark is buried in the map with a lot of information. Sometimes it is difficult to understand. Therefore, in particular, when it is not near the intersection, it is displayed in a blinking manner, but is continuously displayed near the intersection where accurate position information needs to be obtained. Note that continuous display may be performed immediately after passing through the intersection. Further, in the device for performing route guidance, when displaying an enlarged intersection image at a predetermined distance before the intersection to be guided, after switching the display to the enlarged intersection image, it is possible to switch to the continuous display as described above. Good. However, in the case of a device that does not switch to the intersection enlarged view, it may be controlled so as to switch to the continuous display as described above when a predetermined distance is approached to the intersection without being guided.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible. For example, in the above embodiment, the blinking display and the continuous display are switched depending on the type of map, vehicle speed, road data, etc. while the vehicle is stopped / running, but these may be applied in combination. In addition, the blinking display is used in the case of an enlarged intersection or a map larger than a predetermined magnification, but it may be blinked in the case of a map with a large amount of information such as a residential map.

[0025]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, the current position mark of the own vehicle on the map can be continuously displayed or blinked according to the running condition and the current position. Since the switching is performed, it is possible to prevent the moving state of the current position mark from being difficult to recognize, and prevent the current position mark from being hidden in a map having a large amount of information and becoming difficult to understand. Basically, even if the blinking display is displayed when the vehicle is stopped and the continuous display is displayed while the vehicle is running, the display is switched to the blinking display when the vehicle speed is slow and the moving speed on the screen becomes slower. When you are away from the neighborhood and the real-time property of the current position is not needed so much, the display will switch to blinking, so you can prevent the map information from being hidden by the current position mark, and you can save the map information around the current position. It can be easily recognized even under the current position mark.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vehicle navigation device 1 according to the present invention.
It is a figure which shows an example of implementation structure.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of map display processing in which a current position mark is displayed in a blinking state only while the vehicle is stopped.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a control process of displaying a current position mark.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining another embodiment of the present invention for switching between blinking display and continuous display according to the map scale.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining another embodiment of the present invention in which blinking display and continuous display are switched according to the vehicle speed.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining another embodiment of the present invention in which blinking display and continuous display are switched according to road data during traveling.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an example of processing for switching between blinking display and continuous display according to road data during traveling.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a problem of the method of blinking the present position mark of the own vehicle.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Input / output device, 2 ... Present position detection device, 3 ... Information storage device, 4 ... Central processing unit, 11 ... Touch switch, 12
... display, 13 ... printer, 16 ... speaker, 2
1 ... GPS receiver, 22 ... Beacon receiver, 23 ...
Data transmitting / receiving device, 24 ... Absolute direction sensor, 25 ... Relative direction sensor, 26 ... Distance sensor, 27 ... Vehicle speed sensor, 4
0 ... CPU, 41 ... First ROM, 42 ... RAM, 43 ...
Second ROM, 44 ... Image memory, 45 ... Image processor, 46 ... Voice processor, 47 ... Communication interface, 48 ... Sensor input interface, 49 ... Clock

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A navigation device for a vehicle, which displays a map and a current position mark on a screen to provide route guidance, and a current position detection means for detecting the current position of the own vehicle, and a route guidance by displaying a map on the screen. Information storage means for storing map information and other route information for carrying out a vehicle, display means for displaying a map for route guidance and a current position mark, and current position and progress of the vehicle from the detection signal of the current position detection means. The direction is taken in, the map information is read out from the information storage means, the map and the current position mark of the own vehicle are displayed on the display means, and the current position mark is switched between continuous display and blinking display according to the traveling state to guide the route. A vehicle navigation device, comprising: 2. The vehicle navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the route guidance means displays a blinking display of the current position mark while the vehicle is stopped and switches to continuous display when the vehicle is running. 3. The vehicular navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the route guidance means continuously displays the current position mark when the displayed map is larger than a predetermined magnification. 4. The route guiding means increases the blinking cycle as the vehicle speed detected by the current position detecting means increases, and continuously displays when the vehicle speed exceeds a predetermined value. Item 1. A vehicle navigation device according to Item 1. 5. The route guide means determines whether or not the current position is within a predetermined range from the intersection, and if the current position is within the predetermined range, the current position mark is continuously displayed. The vehicle navigation device according to claim 1.