JPH10288533A - Facilities searching method of on-vehicle navigator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a facilities searching method of an on-vehicle navigator that is able to automatically searching such facilities existing in the vicinity of other genre facilities as a skiing ground or the like where a hot spring exists nearby. SOLUTION: When a searching objective area and both first and second genres are set up by a user, a control part 15 extracts both first and second genre facilities existing within the searching objective area from a compact disk-read-only memory 1, and thereby a distance between the first genre facilities existing in the searching objective area and the second genre facilities existing in the searching objective area is operated, the first genre facilities where the second genre facilities exist within the specified range, are searched.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facility search method for a vehicle-mounted navigation device that displays a map image on a display screen and guides a vehicle to a destination.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An on-vehicle navigation device includes a map information storage device such as a CD-ROM or an IC card in which map information is recorded, a display device, a self-contained navigation sensor such as a gyro, and a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver. A vehicle position detecting device that detects the current position and current direction of the vehicle, reads map information including the current position of the vehicle from the map information storage device, and displays a map image around the vehicle position based on the map information. Draw on the screen of the device and mark the vehicle position (location cursor)
Is displayed on the display screen, and the map image is scrolled according to the movement of the vehicle, or the map image is fixed on the screen and the vehicle position mark is moved, so where the vehicle is currently traveling Or at a glance.

[0003] In addition, usually, a car navigation system is equipped with a route guidance function that allows a user to easily travel to a desired destination without making a mistake on a road. According to this route guidance function, the lowest cost route from the departure point to the destination is automatically searched by performing a simulation calculation such as the horizontal search method or the Dijkstra method using the map information, and the searched route is guided. The route is stored as a route, and during driving, the guidance route is drawn on the map image in a different color from the other roads and displayed thicker, or displayed on the screen, or a certain distance to the intersection where the vehicle should change the route on the guidance route When approaching the inside, the user is guided to the destination by drawing an arrow indicating the course at the intersection where the course is to be changed on the map image and displaying the arrow on the screen.

The cost is a value obtained by multiplying a constant according to a road width, a road type (such as a general road or an expressway), a right turn, a left turn, and the like based on the distance, a predicted traveling time of the vehicle, and the like. , The degree of appropriateness as a guidance route is quantified. Even if there are two routes having the same distance, the cost differs depending on whether the user specifies, for example, whether to use a toll road, or gives priority to distance or time.

[0005] Conventionally, the facility is called "skiing area",
It is classified into genres such as "hot springs" and "amusement parks", and the location and detailed information of each facility are stored in a database as a CD-ROM.
When a user sets a search target area and a genre, there is a navigation device having a facility search function for searching for a facility of the set genre existing in the search target area. According to this type of navigation device, for example, when the user sets Gunma prefecture as a search target area and sets “skiing area” as a genre, the navigation device uses a database in a CD-ROM to display all the Gunma prefectures. A ski resort is searched, and the position of the ski resort is displayed on a display screen based on the search result. Further, when the user selects a specific ski resort from the searched ski resorts, the navigation device sets the ski resort as a destination, searches for a guide route from the current position of the vehicle to the destination, and sets the guide route as the guide route. Guide the vehicle along.

Maps stored in a map information storage device such as a CD-ROM are 1/12500, 1/25000, 1/50000 and
It is divided into longitude and latitude widths of appropriate sizes according to the scale level such as 1/100000, and roads and the like are stored as a coordinate set of vertices (nodes) expressed by longitude and latitude. A road is formed by connecting two or more nodes, and a portion connecting the two nodes is called a link. The map information includes (1) a road layer including a road list, a node table, an intersection configuration node list, and the like, and (2) a background layer for displaying roads, buildings, facilities, parks, rivers, and the like on a map screen. (3) Character / symbol layers for displaying characters such as administrative division names such as municipal names, road names, intersection names, and building names, and map symbols.

[0007] In a vehicle-mounted navigation device having a facility search function, a database in which various facilities are classified by genre is stored in the map information storage means.

[0008]

In a conventional navigation device having a facility search function, for example, when a user wants to go to a ski resort having a hot spring nearby, a destination is determined as follows. That is, when the user sets the search target area and the genre (ski resort), the navigation device uses the database of each facility stored in the CD-ROM to search all the ski resorts in the set area. Search and display the search result on the screen. The user operates the navigation device to display a map image around each of the searched ski areas on a display screen, and determines whether or not there is a hot spring in the vicinity of the ski areas to determine a destination.

As described above, in the conventional navigation apparatus, only facilities of one genre can be searched at a time, and therefore, as described above, a search such as a ski resort having a nearby hot spring cannot be performed. From the above, the object of the present invention is:
It is an object of the present invention to provide a facility search method for an in-vehicle navigation device that can automatically search for a facility in the vicinity of a facility of another genre, such as a ski resort with a hot spring nearby.

[0010]

An object of the present invention is to provide a facility search method for an in-vehicle navigation apparatus having a map information storage unit storing a plurality of facilities classified by category together with map information. When the area and the first and second genres are set, the facilities of the first and second genres existing in the search target area are extracted using the map information storage means, and the search target is extracted. For each facility of the first genre existing in the area, the distance from each facility of the second genre existing in the search target area is calculated, and the facility of the second genre exists within a predetermined range. The problem is solved by a facility search method for an in-vehicle navigation device characterized by searching for facilities of a first genre.

The operation of the present invention will be described below. According to the present invention, the user can select the search target area and the first and second search areas.
When the genre is set, facilities of the first genre and the second genre existing in the search target area are extracted from the map information storage means. Then, by calculating a distance between each facility of the first genre and each facility of the second genre, a facility of the first genre in which a facility of the second genre exists within a predetermined range is searched. Then, the searched facility of the first genre and the facility of the second genre existing within a predetermined range from the facility are, for example, one facility.
It is superimposed and displayed on the map image displayed at the reduced scale that fits on the screen.

As described above, in the present invention, since a plurality of facilities of different genres are searched for in association with each other, facilities of other genres, such as a ski resort near a hot spring, a convenience store near a station, and the like. Can be automatically searched for a facility existing in the vicinity of the user, a facility desired by the user can be easily searched, and operability is significantly improved.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an in-vehicle navigation device that realizes the facility search method according to the embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 1 denotes a CD-ROM storing map information. The CD-ROM 1 has a road layer, a background layer, a character / symbol layer, a ski resort, a hot spring, a convenience store, a gas station, a hotel, a station, a department store, and an amusement park. Are classified according to genre, and facility information in which the name, position (longitude / latitude), detailed information, and the like of each facility are stored as a database is stored.

Reference numeral 2 denotes a navigation device body 10 to be described later.
The operation unit 3 includes, for example, a touch panel attached on a screen of a display device 7 described later. Thereby, the user can operate the navigation device main body 10 by touching the button displayed on the screen. Reference numeral 3 denotes a GPS receiver that receives position information sent from a GPS satellite. Reference numeral 4 denotes a self-contained navigation sensor. The self-contained navigation sensor 4 includes an angle sensor 4a such as a gyro that detects a vehicle rotation angle, and a traveling distance sensor 4b that generates a pulse for each predetermined traveling distance. Reference numeral 7 denotes a liquid crystal display device.
The display device 7 displays a map near the current position of the vehicle, a guidance route from the departure point to the destination, a vehicle position mark, and other guidance information.

The navigation apparatus main body 10 comprises the following. Reference numeral 11 denotes a map buffer for temporarily storing map information and facility information read from the CD-ROM 1. Reference numeral 12 denotes an interface connected to the operation unit 2, 13 denotes an interface connected to the GPS receiver 3, and 14 denotes an interface connected to the self-contained navigation sensor 4. Reference numeral 15 denotes a control unit. The control unit 15 detects the current position of the vehicle based on various types of information input from the interfaces 12 to 14 and stores predetermined map information or facility information from the CD-ROM 1 into the map buffer 11. And searches for the optimal route from the departure point to the destination under the set search conditions. Reference numeral 16 denotes a temporary storage unit in which data is temporarily stored by the control unit 15.

Reference numeral 17 denotes a map drawing unit for generating a map image using the map information stored in the map buffer 11, and reference numeral 18 denotes a VRAM for storing the map image generated by the map drawing unit 17.
It is. 19 is a VRAM according to an instruction from the control unit 15.
An image reading unit that reads a map image in a range to be displayed on the display device 7 from among the map images stored in the display device 18;
The control unit 15 can smoothly scroll the map image displayed on the display device 7 by controlling the image reading unit 19.

A guidance route memory 20 stores the guidance route searched by the control unit 15, and a guidance route drawing unit 21 renders the guidance route. The control unit 1 is provided in the guidance route memory 20.
5, the position data of all the nodes of the guide route searched for from the starting point to the destination are recorded. Guidance route drawing unit 2
When displaying a map, 1 reads out guidance route information (node sequence) from the guidance route memory 20 and draws the guidance route in a color and line width different from those of other roads.

Reference numeral 22 denotes an operation screen generating unit for generating various menu screens (operation screens) according to the operation status, and reference numeral 23 denotes a mark generating unit for generating various marks such as a vehicle position mark and a cursor. Reference numeral 24 denotes an image synthesizing unit, and an image reading unit 19
In the map image read out from the VRAM 18, various marks generated by the mark generation unit 23 and the operation screen generation unit 2
The operation screen generated in step 2, the guidance route drawn by the guidance route drawing unit 21, and the like are superimposed and displayed on the display device 7.

Hereinafter, a facility searching method of the vehicle-mounted navigation device according to the present embodiment will be described. In the following example, a case where a ski resort with a hot spring nearby is searched for will be described. When the user operates the operation unit 2 to enter the multiple facility search mode, the control unit 15 controls the operation screen generation unit 22 to display a local selection screen as shown in FIG. In this region selection screen, a map of Japan, a button 31 displaying a region name such as “Hokkaido”, “Tohoku”,... And a button 32 displaying “return” are displayed. On this screen, for example, when the user presses a button 31 displayed as "Kanto", a prefecture selection screen is displayed as shown in FIG. Pressing the button 32 displayed as "return" on this screen ends the multiple facility search mode.

On the prefectural selection screen shown in FIG. 3, a map of the Kanto region, buttons 33 displaying prefecture names such as "Tokyo", "Gunma", "Ibaraki",... And "Return" are displayed. Button 33 is displayed. When the user presses a button on which a search target area name is displayed, for example, a button 33 on which "Gunma" is displayed, a screen shown in FIG. 4 is displayed. When the button 34 displayed as “return” is pressed,
It returns to the screen shown in FIG.

On the screen shown in FIG. 4, a map of Japan is displayed, and a mark (flag in the figure) is attached to the selected prefecture. In this screen, a genre selection box 35 is displayed.
, A button 36 displaying "change genre", a button 37 displaying "region change", and a button 38 displaying "search". On the screen shown in FIG. 4, the user displays a button 36 displaying "change genre".
When the user presses a button 39, a genre name or a group name including a plurality of genres is displayed, as shown in FIG.
A button 40 indicating "return" is displayed. Here, if the user presses the button 39 displayed as "sports", a genre selection screen related to sports is displayed as shown in FIG. Note that when the button 40 displayed as "Return" is pressed on the screen shown in FIG. 5, the screen shown in FIG. 4 is displayed.

On the screen shown in FIG. 5, "Sports facility"
A button 41 displaying a genre name such as "skiing area" or "circuit area", and a button 42 displaying "return"
Is displayed. When the user presses the button 41 displayed as “Skiing area” on this screen, the control unit 15 sets the skiing area as the first genre in the temporary storage unit 16 and returns to the screen shown in FIG. On the other hand, if the user presses the button 42 displayed as "return" on the screen shown in FIG. 6, the screen returns to the screen shown in FIG. 5 without setting the genre.

Thereafter, when the user presses the button 39 labeled "sightseeing" on the screen shown in FIG. 5, a genre selection screen related to sightseeing is displayed as shown in FIG. On the screen shown in FIG. 7, buttons 41 displaying “famous sites / historic sites”, “hot springs”, and “sightseeing spots” are displayed. When the user presses a button 41 displayed as “hot spring” on this screen,
The control unit 15 stores “hot spring” as the second genre in the temporary storage unit 16 and returns to the screen shown in FIG.

In the present embodiment, up to the third genre can be set in the navigation device. After setting the first and second genres for this purpose, "return" is displayed on the screen shown in FIG. When the button 40 is pressed, a screen shown in FIG. 8 is displayed. This screen displays the genre selection box 35
Is basically the same as that shown in FIG. 4 except that the selected genre name is displayed. When the button 36 labeled "change genre" is pressed on this screen, a screen shown in FIG. 5 is displayed, and the first and second genres can be changed. When the button 37 displayed as "change area" is pressed, the screen shown in FIG. 2 is displayed, and the search target area can be changed.

When the user presses the button 38 labeled "search" on the screen shown in FIG. 8, the search is started. That is, the control unit 15 first extracts all ski resorts within the search target area using the database of the CD-ROM 1. Then, a number for identification is attached to each ski resort. Next, the control unit 15 extracts all hot springs in the search target area using the database of the CD-ROM 1. These hot springs are also given numbers for identification.

Thereafter, the control unit 15 uses the location information (longitude / latitude) of the ski resorts and hot springs recorded in the database for each of the ski resorts within the search target area and the respective hot springs within the search target area. Calculate the distance between Then, if there is a hot spring within a predetermined distance (for example, 10 km) from the ski resort, the ski resort is recorded as a destination candidate in the temporary storage unit 16 as a peripheral facility. Preferably, the predetermined distance can be changed by a user.

Thereafter, the control unit 15 displays the search result on the screen of the display device 7. In this case, first, a ski resort that is a destination candidate and a hot spring (peripheral facility) near the ski resort are displayed, and then a ski resort without a nearby hot spring and a hot spring without a nearby ski resort are displayed. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, a ski resort as a destination candidate is displayed in the upper row, and a hot spring which is a facility surrounding the ski resort is displayed below the ski resort. In FIG. 9, a button 51 on the left of the screen is for displaying the next screen or the previous screen, and a button 52 on the right of the screen is for moving the cursor in the vertical direction. Also, at the bottom of the screen, "Return", "Detailed information"
Buttons 53 to 56 displayed as "destination set" and "map display" are displayed. For example, if the user
When is pressed, the next destination candidate ski resort and its surrounding facilities (hot springs) are displayed. When the button 51 is further pressed, a ski resort without a hot spring nearby or a hot spring without a nearby ski resort is displayed.

On the screen shown in FIG. 9, when the user moves the cursor to the desired hot spring by pressing the button 51 or the button 52, and then presses the button 54 displayed as "detailed information", the control unit 15 sets the CD-ROM 1 Then, the detailed information of the hot spring is read out, and the detailed information is displayed on the display device 7 as shown in FIG. When the "map display" button is pressed on the screen shown in FIG. 9, as shown in FIG. 11, the ski resort and the surrounding facilities are displayed on a map screen reduced to a scale that includes all the hot springs of the ski resort and the surrounding facilities. (Hot spring) is displayed. That is, the control unit 15 calculates the distance between the facilities that are the longest of these facilities, and determines the scale of the map to be displayed according to the distance.

On the screen shown in FIG. 9, the user moves the cursor to a desired ski resort and presses button 5 displayed as "destination set".
When the user presses 5, the control unit 15 sets the skiing area as a destination and searches for an optimal guidance route from the current position of the vehicle to the destination. Then, the vehicle is guided to the destination along the guidance route. In the present embodiment, as described above, if a different genre such as a ski resort and a hot spring is specified, the ski resort near the hot spring is automatically searched. However, it is not necessary to search for a destination, and a desired facility can be quickly searched.

The present invention can be applied to various facilities other than a ski resort near a hot spring, such as a convenience store near a train station, a ski resort near an airport, and a ski resort near a hot spring and a racetrack. Can be used for searching. Further, the present invention is also applicable to a case where three or more genres are set. When the user sets three genres, for example, “skiing area”, “hot spring” and “horse racetrack”,
The ski resorts, hot springs, and racetracks existing in the search target area are each extracted, and the distance between each ski resort, hot springs, and racecourse is checked, and a ski resort where the hot springs and the racetrack are within a predetermined distance is searched. And displays it on the display device.

[0031]

As described above, according to the present invention,
When the search target area and the first and second genres are set by the user, facilities of the first and second genres existing in the search target area are extracted using the map information storage means, and the first and second genres are extracted. The distance between each facility of the second genre and the facility of the second genre is checked, and the facility of the first genre having the facility of the second genre within a predetermined range is searched. It is possible to automatically search for facilities that exist near facilities of other genres, such as places.
This has an effect that the search for the target facility becomes extremely easy.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an in-vehicle navigation device that realizes a facility search method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a local area selection screen displayed on a display device.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a prefecture selection screen displayed on a display device.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a facility search setting screen displayed on a display device.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a genre name or group name selection screen displayed on a display device.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a genre selection screen displayed on a display device.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing another example of the genre selection screen displayed on the display device.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a facility search setting screen displayed on a display device.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a search result display screen.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of detailed information of a facility.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a map display screen of a search result.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 CD-ROM 2 Operation part 3 GPS receiver 4 Self-contained navigation sensor 7 Display device 10 Navigation device main body 11 Map buffer 12-14 Interface 15 Control part 16 Temporary storage part 17 Map drawing part 18 VRAM 19 Reading part 20 Guidance route memory 21 Guidance route drawing unit 22 Operation screen generation unit 23 Various mark generation units 24 Image synthesis unit

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A facility search method for an in-vehicle navigation device having a map information storage unit storing a plurality of facilities classified by genre together with map information, wherein a search target area and first and second genres are set by a user. Is set, the facilities of the first and second genres existing in the search target area are extracted using the map information storage means, and the first genre existing in the search target area is extracted. For each facility, a distance from each facility of the second genre existing in the search target area is calculated, and a facility of the first genre in which a facility of the second genre exists within a predetermined range is searched. A facility search method for a vehicle-mounted navigation device. 2. After searching for a facility of a first genre in which a facility of a second genre exists within a predetermined range, each facility of the first and second genres is displayed on a single screen. A facility search method for an in-vehicle navigation device, comprising: displaying a map image of the vehicle and displaying the facilities of the first and second genres superimposed on the map image.