JPH10103989A - Navigation system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a navigation system in which VICS information having closer relationship to the traveling of a host vehicle can be selected and received automatically. SOLUTION: Linear distance to a host vehicle M is operated based on the current positional data of the host vehicle and the positional information of a plurality of information base stations 31, 32. Even if the field strength of a remote main information base station 31 is stronger, the convenient information base station 32 having a shorter linear distance is selected and VICS information is received therefrom. Alternatively, even if the field strength of a main information base station located rearward in the advancing direction is stronger, the convenient information base station 31 located forward in the advancing direction is selected and VICS information is received from the convenient information base station 32. Furthermore, a road passing through an information base station is selected preferentially at the time of searching a guide course even if a shortest course can not be attained.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a navigation apparatus for receiving road traffic information transmitted via FM multiplex broadcasting or a beacon in a VICS (traffic information communication system) and providing the road traffic information to a vehicle occupant. About.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, road traffic information (VICS information) such as traffic congestion information compiled by a road traffic information center is FM.
A service of transmitting to a traveling vehicle via multiplex broadcasting or an optical beacon or a radio beacon has been provided. In the case of FM multiplex broadcasting, the VICS information is transmitted from an information base station installed in a relatively wide area, for example, in each prefecture, and in the case of an optical beacon, the VICS information is installed at an intersection of a general road. In the case of a radio beacon, the beacon device (information base station) installed on an expressway transmits the signal.

[0003] In order to utilize the VICS information, a navigation device having a VICS receiving function for receiving the VICS information has been provided. In such a navigation device, generally, when there are a plurality of receivable information base stations, a transmission wave having a high electric field strength (electric field strength) is selected and received.

[0004]

The above-mentioned VIC
In S, simple information base stations will be sequentially installed with the information base station currently installed as a main information base station in the future, and the density of information base stations will be increased. Then, as the number of information base stations increases, the number of cases where transmission areas of adjacent information base stations partially overlap (wrap) with each other will occur.

However, in the conventional navigation apparatus having the above-mentioned VICS reception function, even if there is a simple information base station having a relatively low electric field strength near the traveling position of the own vehicle, the electric field strength is within the receivable area. When there is a main information base station having a relatively high base information, even if the main information base station is located far away from the vehicle, the transmission wave from the main information base station is used instead of the simple information base station. You will receive it. In this case, there is a disadvantage that VICS information from a simple information base station which is directly related to the traveling of the own vehicle cannot be obtained only by obtaining VICS information of a distant area unrelated to the traveling of the own vehicle.

As shown in FIG. 4, the main information base station 3
When the own vehicle M is traveling in a lap area 33 where the transmission area 31a of the simple information base station 32 and the transmission area 32a of the simple information base station 32 overlap each other, the traveling direction of the own vehicle M is Side will also receive the transmission wave from the main information base station 31. Therefore, unless the vehicle M is outside the transmission area 31a of the main information base station 31, it is not possible to obtain VICS information of the area where the vehicle M is about to travel, that is, VICS information from the simple information base station 32. Also occurs.

Further, when a navigation device guides a route to a destination, some drivers may want to travel on a route that provides VICS information as much as possible even if the route is not the shortest route.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to automatically select and receive VICS information more closely related to the traveling of the vehicle. It is to make.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is mounted on a vehicle, and includes information providing means for providing information to a passenger of the vehicle. A storage unit for storing and holding respective position information of the information base stations installed at a plurality of specific locations, and a navigation unit that calculates the current position data of the vehicle and controls provision of information by the information providing unit. Prepared,
The navigation unit is premised on a navigation device configured to receive information transmitted from the information base station and provide the received information by the information providing unit. In this apparatus, the navigation unit calculates the maximum distance by calculating the linear distance between the vehicle and a plurality of receivable information base stations based on the current position data of the vehicle and the position information of each information base station. Is selected so as to receive information from the selected information base station.

[0010] In the case of the above configuration, when the own vehicle is traveling in the lap area of each transmission area of the main information base station and the simple information base station and the transmission waves from both information base stations can be received. Means that the information base station with the shortest linear distance is selected and information from the information base station is received.
For this reason, when the simple information base station is located near the own vehicle, the transmission wave from the main information base station far from the own vehicle in the lap area is greater than that of the simple information base station. Even if the electric field strength is high, a simple information base station at a short distance is automatically selected, and V within a short distance range from the own vehicle.
It is possible to reliably obtain VICS information from the simple information base station, which is ICS information and directly related to the traveling of the own vehicle.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information providing means mounted on a vehicle, for providing information to a passenger of the vehicle, and an information base station installed at a plurality of specific locations. A storage unit that stores and retains each position information and road map information; and a navigation unit that calculates the current position data of the vehicle and controls provision of information by the information providing unit. It is assumed that a navigation device is configured to receive information transmitted from a station and provide the received information by the information providing means. And
In this apparatus, the navigation unit is used to select an information base station located ahead of the own vehicle from a plurality of information base stations that can be received based on the current position data of the own vehicle and the position information of each information base station. It is configured to select and receive information from the selected information base station.

In the case of the above configuration, if the vehicle is traveling in a lap area of both transmission areas capable of receiving transmission waves from both the information base station of the main information base station and the simplified information base station, Then, the information base station located ahead of the own vehicle in the traveling direction is selected, and the information from the information base station is received.
Therefore, if there is a simple information base station ahead of the own vehicle in the traveling direction, the transmission wave from the main information base station behind the own vehicle in the traveling direction is higher than that of the simple information base station. Even if the strength is high, the simple information base station ahead in the traveling direction is automatically selected and the VIC in the forward direction range of the own vehicle is selected.
It is possible to reliably obtain VICS information from the simple information base station, which is S information and is directly related to the traveling of the own vehicle.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information providing means mounted on a vehicle, for providing information to a passenger of the vehicle, and an information base station installed at a plurality of specific locations. A storage unit that stores and retains each position information and road map information; a navigation unit that calculates the current position data of the vehicle, receives an input setting of a destination, and guides the route by the information providing unit based on the road map information. And the navigation unit is configured to receive information transmitted from the information base station, and to provide the received information by the information providing unit. In this vehicle, the navigation unit preferentially selects a road on which information from the information base station can be received based on the current position data of the vehicle and the position information of each information base station, and performs route guidance. It is configured.

In the above configuration, in the route search from the current position of the vehicle to the destination, if there is an information base station on the way to the destination, even if the information base station is not the shortest route, A road from which information can be received is preferentially selected and guided along that road. Therefore, it is possible to travel while effectively utilizing the VICS information on the way to the destination.

According to a fourth or fifth aspect of the present invention, a transmission wave from an information base station according to any one of the first to third aspects of the invention is specified, and the transmission wave is The invention according to claim 4 is an FM multiplex broadcast,
The invention according to claim 5 is a beacon.

[0016] This makes it possible to eliminate the inconvenience of receiving VICS information unrelated to the vehicle in the lap area, especially in the case of FM multiplex broadcasting.
Also, in the case of a beacon, it is possible to eliminate the inconvenience of receiving VICS information on the highway side irrelevant to the own vehicle when approaching, such as when the highways cross or run together. become.

[0017]

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

<First Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a centralized control system of a vehicle to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied, wherein 1 is a control unit for centrally controlling the vehicle, and 2 is a vehicle. Is a navigation unit that controls information on the current position and the like.

The control unit 1 is constituted by a microcomputer, and includes detection signals from various sensors 11, operation commands from various control switches 12,
Information from external monitor 13, navigation unit 2
, A command from a voice interaction switch 15 via a voice operation interface 14, and the like, the travel control device 16, various accessories 17, and the display 1
It is configured to centrally control operations such as 8.

That is, the control unit 1
Receives an anti-skid brake device (ABS) by receiving detection signals from various sensors 11 for detecting a vehicle motion state and a running state such as a vehicle speed sensor and an engine speed sensor.
While controlling a traveling control device 16 such as a four-wheel steering device (4WS), a four-wheel drive device (4WD), or a fuel injection device (EGI), a power window, a door lock, and a The operation of various accessories 17 such as a wiper and an air conditioner is controlled. The control unit 1 receives information from an automatic tracking device using a laser or an external monitor 13 such as a rear or front monitor camera and displays an inter-vehicle distance display, an approach warning display, or obstacle information on the display 18. The display 18 displays road map information, current position information, route guidance information, road traffic information, and the like on the basis of information from the navigation unit 2 described later. At the time of these controls, the control unit 1 converts the approach warning, the traffic congestion information, and the like into a voice via the voice operation interface 14 and notifies the driver or the like through a speaker of the voice interaction switch 15 to respond. It also prompts for operation.

The navigation unit 2 has a GPS
A receiving unit 21 and, for example, a CD on which road map information and the like are recorded
An on-vehicle database 22 as storage means constituted by a ROM or the like, the display 18 described above, and a VICS
It constitutes a navigation device together with the unit 23.

The GPS receiving section 21 receives signals from a predetermined number or more of GPS satellites through a GPS antenna 21a, and transmits data for measuring the latitude and longitude of the current position based on the signals from the GPS satellites to the navigation. The data is input to the unit 2. The in-vehicle database 22 includes the above-described CD-ROM and the like, and a reading unit. The CD-ROM records location information of an information base station for transmitting road map information and VICS information. , Tourist information, business hours, telephone number book, etc., and record service information. Further, the VICS unit 23 includes an omnidirectional antenna 231 having directivity in all directions around the own vehicle M as shown in FIG.
A transmission / reception unit for performing bidirectional communication of an optical signal between each receiving unit of the multiplex broadcasting and the radio beacon and an optical beacon device installed on the road, and transmitting the FM multiplex broadcasting, the radio beacon or the optical beacon It is configured to receive VICS information from each information base station as a medium and input it to the navigation unit 2.

The navigation unit 2 includes the G
Based on the data from the PS receiving unit 21, position coordinate data such as the latitude and longitude of the current position is calculated, and the
While displaying a road map image based on the road map data and the like read from the on-vehicle database 22,
The own vehicle mark is displayed on the road map image based on the position coordinate data. At the same time, the navigation unit 2 selects the shortest distance from the road map information to the route from the current position of the vehicle to the destination from the road map information, preferentially selects the national road, and preferentially selects the expressway according to the input setting of the destination by the driver. The number of signal passes is determined based on a route search condition such as selection and the like, and a point-like or linear guide mark is displayed along the corresponding route on the road map image on the display 18. In addition, the navigation unit 2 displays the VICS information on the display 18 as graphics or characters via the control unit 1 or outputs the VICS information from the speaker of the voice interaction switch 15 according to the type of the information. It has become. That is, the above display 1
The information providing means for providing information to the driver is constituted by the speaker 8 and the voice conversation switch 15.

In the above-described premise configuration, the navigation unit 2 includes a VICS unit 23
, Control is performed to automatically select a predetermined information base station from a plurality of information base stations that can be received by the vehicle.

That is, the navigation unit 2
The automatic selection control will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 3. First, in step S1, it is determined whether or not to execute the route guidance. When performing the route guidance, the route from the current position of the vehicle to the destination is determined. A road with an information base station is selected from the position information of the information base station existing in between and the road map information, and the road is included in the route search condition, and the road with the information base station is prioritized over the shortest selection route search condition. Then, a guidance route is determined (step S2). Then, while traveling on the road on which the route is guided, the information base station located ahead of the current position of the own vehicle in the traveling direction is selected (Step S).
3).

On the other hand, when the route guidance is not executed, it is determined in step S4 whether or not the own vehicle is traveling in the reception area. Is selected in principle (step S
5). If it is within the reception area, it is further determined whether or not there are a plurality of receivable information base stations, that is, whether or not the vehicle is traveling in the lap area 33 (see FIG. 4). For example, an information base station having a high electric field strength is selected in principle (step S5). If the driver is driving in the lap area 33, it is determined in step S7 whether or not the driver has issued a manual selection command instead of an automatic selection command. Displays the reception area (transmission area) of each information base station and the information providing area transmitted by each information base station (step S8), and the information base station manually selected by the driver based on the display. Is selected and received (step S9). On the other hand, if the driver has not input the manual selection command, the linear distance from the current position of the vehicle to each information base station is calculated (step S1).
0), the information base station having the shorter linear distance, that is, the information base station closer to the own vehicle is selected and received (step S11).

The above steps S1, S4, S6, S7,
According to the automatic selection control based on the processing of S10 and S11,
For example, when the own vehicle is traveling in the lap area 33 as shown in FIG. 4, even if the transmission wave from the main information base station 31 has a higher electric field strength than the transmission wave from the simple information base station 32,
The simple information base station 32 that is closer to the own vehicle M is automatically selected, and VICS information from the simple information base station 32 that is more relevant to the traveling of the own vehicle M can be received.

In addition, according to the route guidance based on the processing in steps S1, S2, and S3, the road on which the information base station is located is preferentially searched for the route, so that the vehicle travels along the determined guidance route. Thus, it is possible to reach the destination while effectively using the VICS information.

<Second Embodiment> As a second embodiment,
The control of the automatic selection of the information base station by the navigation unit 2 is different from that of the first embodiment. Note that the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment only in the automatic selection control of the information base station in the navigation unit 2, and the other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. Are identical.

The automatic selection control in the navigation unit 2 in the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the route guidance in steps S1 to S3, the control outside the reception area in steps S1, S4, S5, and the control by manual selection in steps S1, S4, S6 to S9 are each performed in the first embodiment. The processing is performed in the same manner as the processing of the same step code (see FIG. 3). And
In steps S1, S4, S6, and S7, if the own vehicle M is traveling in the lap area 33 and the driver has not set the manual selection in a state where the route guidance is not executed, In S12, an information base station ahead of the own vehicle M in the traveling direction is selected, and VICS information is received from the information base station ahead in the traveling direction.

According to such automatic selection control, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, when the own vehicle is traveling in the lap area 33, the main information base station 31 located behind the own vehicle M in the traveling direction. Even if the transmitted wave from the vehicle has a higher electric field strength than the transmitted wave from the simple information base station 32 located in the forward direction, the simple information base station 32 in the forward direction of the vehicle M is automatically selected and It is possible to receive VICS information from the simple information base station 32 which is more relevant to the traveling of the car M.

<Other Embodiments> The present invention relates to the first embodiment.
The present invention is not limited to the second embodiment, and includes various other embodiments. That is, in the first and second embodiments, the non-directional antenna 231 is used as the antenna of the receiving unit of the VICS unit. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG.
By directing the directional antenna 232 to a selected information base station, for example, the simple information base station 32 in the case of FIG. 4, the electric field strength of the transmission wave of the simple information base station is relatively reduced. Even if it is low, the above directional antenna 2
The VICS information can be received more reliably by increasing the electric field strength of the transmission wave from the simple information base station on the basis of the directivity of 32. In addition, by controlling the directivity of the directional antenna 232 so as to direct the directivity to the forward range, only the principle control of selecting an information base station having a high electric field strength as in step S5 in FIG. 3 or FIG. It becomes possible to automatically select an information base station ahead in the traveling direction and to receive VICS information from the information base station.

In the first and second embodiments, a display 18 is used to display vehicle status, warnings, and the like.
Although the switching is controlled by the control unit 1 for displaying the navigation information, for example, two or more displays may be provided as main and sub displays, and the display may be divided into a display dedicated to navigation information and a display dedicated to displaying various information related to the vehicle.

[0035]

As described above, according to the navigation apparatus of the first or second aspect of the present invention, the information base station which transmits VICS information more closely related to the running of the own vehicle is automatically set. Can be selected
VICS information that is more closely related to the running of the vehicle can be reliably received. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the inconvenience of receiving VICS information that has little relation with the traveling of the own vehicle, which is caused when a conventional information base station having a high electric field strength is selected, and to obtain necessary and suitable VICS information. it can.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, by traveling on the route that has been guided, it is possible to travel while effectively utilizing the VICS information until the vehicle reaches the destination.

According to the fourth or fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effects of the first to third aspects of the present invention, in particular, in the case of FM multiplex broadcasting, the wrap area can be reduced. The inconvenience of receiving VICS information irrelevant to the own vehicle can be solved. In the case of a beacon, the vehicle may not be connected to the own vehicle when approaching, such as when highways cross or run together. The inconvenience of receiving VICS information on an unrelated highway side can be solved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a centralized control system of a vehicle to which first and second embodiments of the present invention are applied.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the vehicle showing a reception range of the omnidirectional antenna.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating automatic selection control of an information base station by the navigation unit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing a relationship between transmission areas from two information base stations and vehicles.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating automatic selection control of an information base station by the navigation unit according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the vehicle showing a reception range of the directional antenna.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Navigation unit 15 Voice dialog switch (information providing means) 18 Display (information providing means) 22 In-vehicle database (storage means) 31 Main information base station (information base station) 32 Simple information base station (information base station)

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Masao Ushio 3-1 Shinchi, Fuchu-cho, Aki-gun, Hiroshima Mazda Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Kazuo Shigeta 3-1 Shinchi, Fuchu-cho, Aki-gun, Hiroshima Mazda Co., Ltd.

Claims (5)

[Claims] An information providing means mounted on a vehicle for providing information to a passenger of the vehicle, and stores and retains respective position information of information base stations installed at a plurality of specific locations. Storage means, comprising a navigation unit that calculates the current position data of the vehicle and controls the provision of information by the information providing means, wherein the navigation unit receives information transmitted from the information base station, In the navigation device configured to provide the received information by the information providing unit, the navigation unit includes a plurality of navigation units that can receive the information based on the current position data of the own vehicle and the position information of each information base station. The shortest information base station is selected by calculating the linear distance between the information base station and the selected information base station. Navigation apparatus characterized by being configured to receive the broadcast. 2. An information providing means which is mounted on a vehicle and provides information to a passenger of the vehicle, each position information and a road map of information base stations installed at a plurality of specific locations. A storage unit for storing and holding information; and a navigation unit for calculating the current position data of the vehicle and controlling the provision of information by the information providing unit, wherein the navigation unit transmits information transmitted from the information base station. And a navigation device configured to provide the received information by the information providing means, wherein the navigation unit can receive based on the current position data of the vehicle and the position information of each information base station. An information base station located ahead of the vehicle in the traveling direction is selected from a plurality of information base stations, and information from the selected information base station is received. Navigation apparatus characterized by being configured to. 3. An information providing means mounted on a vehicle, for providing information to a passenger of the vehicle, each position information and a road map of information base stations installed at a plurality of specific locations. A storage unit for storing and holding information; and a navigation unit for calculating the current position data of the vehicle, receiving an input setting of a destination, and guiding the route by the information providing unit based on the road map information. Is a navigation device configured to receive information transmitted from the information base station, and to provide the received information by the information providing means, wherein the navigation unit includes a current position data of the own vehicle and each information. Based on the position information of the base station, a road capable of receiving information from the information base station is preferentially selected and route guidance is performed. Navigation apparatus characterized by being. 4. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the information base station transmits information by FM multiplex broadcasting. 5. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the information base station transmits information by using a beacon.