JPH1089982A - Navigation apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a navigation apparatus by which the action intention of an operator is satisfied, in which an optimum destination is decided from a present position by a simple operation and by which a route up to the destination is retrieved and guided. SOLUTION: An operator intends not a specific destination but only a targeted action. In this case, a desired item from a plurality of items (B-1 to B-8) and retrieval conditions (A-1 to A-6) in a retrieval operation are selected by the operator. A destination which belongs to the selected item and which is close to a present position as far as possible or which is estimated to be capable of being reached in a short time is displayed (not indicated in the figure) so as to be put in order, and the destination is selected by the operator.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a navigation device for searching for a route to a selected destination and guiding the route.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The development of navigation devices using position detection technology based on GPS (Global Positioning System) has been remarkable. In particular, in recent years, not only route guidance to the destination but also various information is displayed together with the route guidance, which is confusing for the operator. To solve this problem, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open
As disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 27596, a search is performed based on a phrase representing the purpose of the operator without setting a specific point, and necessary information is selected from a plurality of pieces of information to determine a destination. A method of searching for a route to the destination has been proposed.

[0003]

However, in the above conventional example, an appropriate destination at the present position is satisfied by a simple operation while satisfying the action purpose of the operator.
You cannot search for a route to that destination. Further, even if the route from the current position to the destination can be searched, the operator is not always satisfied with the destination.
Furthermore, the route may not be practically appropriate due to constraints (road regulation, congestion, etc.).

Accordingly, the present invention provides a navigation device that satisfies the action goal of an operator, determines the most appropriate destination from the current position by a simple operation, and searches and guides a route to the destination. Aim.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, a navigation device according to the present invention has the following configuration.

[0006] That is, a navigation provided with storage means for storing a plurality of point information, route search / guidance means for detecting a current position, searching for a route to a set destination, and guiding along the route. An apparatus for classifying the plurality of pieces of point information according to a plurality of items registered in advance; an item selecting means for an operator to select a desired item from the plurality of items; Among the plurality of pieces of point information classified by the means, one of the point information on the item selected by the item selecting means is set to one.
Point information selecting means for selecting one, notifying means for notifying the point information selected by the point information selecting means, and input means for inputting whether or not to desire guidance to the point notified by the notifying means, Comprising, when the operator inputs by the input means that he or she wants to be guided to the notified location, the route search / guidance means:
A route search / guidance is performed using the point information selected by the point information selecting means as the set destination. Thereby, the action purpose of the operator is satisfied, the most appropriate destination at the current position is easily determined, and the route guidance to the destination is realized.

Further, for example, the point information selecting means preferentially selects point information in the vicinity of an extension in the direction of the course of the vehicle equipped with the navigation device,
Preferably, the point information selecting unit may select the point information close to the current position by evaluating a positional relationship between the traveling direction of the vehicle and the point information on the item selected by the item selecting unit. As a result, turning of the vehicle when starting to move to the destination and a large course change are prevented, and practicability is improved.

The present invention is further characterized in that a regulation condition adding / removing means for adding / removing a prescribed regulation condition is provided for the evaluation of the positional relationship by the point information selecting means. Thereby, practicality is improved in consideration of road regulation information.

Further, for example, when the plurality of points selected by the point information selecting means are plural, and when the operator inputs by the input means that he does not wish to guide to the notified point, It is characterized by comprising a point changing means for changing to another point selected by the point information selecting means. As a result, a point desired by the operator is selected from a plurality of route guidance candidate locations.

Further, the notifying means includes a display means for displaying the selected point information, and the display means displays the point selected by the point information selecting means, and the input means is targeted. The point may be displayed in an emphasized manner, and the point other than the point targeted by the input means may be displayed as usual. This minimizes the operational burden on the operator while driving.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a typical vehicle, an automobile, will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, a hardware configuration of a navigation device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an example of a state in which a navigation device according to an embodiment of the present invention is mounted on an automobile.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 2 denotes a centralized control unit, which calculates various data (remaining fuel amount, average fuel efficiency, average vehicle speed, etc.) relating to the running state, and generally controls the following components. An in-vehicle LAN unit 3 controls so-called local area network communication between the central control unit 2 and a sensor and a drive unit (not shown) necessary for controlling, for example, an antilock brake system (ABS) and four-wheel drive control. 4 is R
An AM card drive, for example, a data reading / writing device for a RAM card that stores information about a driver such as a seat position and a mirror position. Reference numeral 5 denotes a data drive, which is a device for reading / writing various information stored in a data storage medium such as an FD, an MD, and a PD. Reference numeral 6 denotes an audio guide speaker, and audio information from the navigation controller 17 is output via an audio output interface in the central control unit 2. 7
Is a microphone, and an instruction by an operator's voice is input to the navigation controller 17 via a voice recognition interface (not shown) in the central control unit 2. Reference numeral 8 denotes a display such as a liquid crystal display, which displays a navigation screen, a screen for various input operations, and a state of the vehicle (vehicle speed, air conditioning setting, etc.). Further, on the front surface of the display 8, there is provided an input device such as a capacitance type or an infrared type capable of performing an input operation by a touch operation according to the display.
Note that, among the display information on the display 8, information that is always necessary during driving is a so-called head-up display (not shown).
May be displayed. Reference numeral 9 denotes a mobile phone to which a telephone antenna 13 is connected. An operation switch 10 performs an input operation to the central control unit 2 and the navigation controller 17. Reference numeral 17 denotes a navigation controller, which is designated by the operator using the operation switch 10 or the like based on position information from a GPS (global positioning system) antenna 11 and map information on a CD-ROM mounted on a CD-ROM changer 19. An appropriate route to the ground is searched, and guidance is performed by display on the display 8 and voice output from the voice guidance speaker 6. The map information of the CD-ROM read by the CD-ROM changer 19 is the basic information of the display information on the display 8 in the following description, and more preferably, the navigation controller 17 is provided with the FM antenna 12 as shown in the figure. An FM tuner 16 for receiving VICS-compatible FM multiplex broadcasting, and a beacon signal receiver 18 for receiving beacon signals from the radio wave beacon antenna 14 and the optical beacon antenna 15 are connected, and the VICS signal and / or VICS signal obtained therefrom are connected. The beacon signal is interpreted as traffic regulation information, displayed on the display 8, and used as a route search condition (restriction condition) for route guidance. Further, area information around the travel route may be input from the data drive 5 or the like and used as display information. In addition, since the detection method of the own vehicle position by GPS is well-known, description is omitted.

Next, features of software of the navigation device according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described.

<Registration / Display of Designated Brand> The outline of the registration / display function of the designated brand of the navigation device according to the present embodiment will be described. In order to allow the operator to quickly recognize the information displayed on the display 8, the operation is performed. The information is selectively displayed according to a designated brand (preference) registered by the user in advance.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a registration screen of a designated brand in the navigation device as one embodiment of the present invention, which is developed by operating the operation switch 10, for example.

In the figure, a switch (hereinafter referred to as a soft switch) constituted by a display 8 and an input device provided on the front surface thereof is used as an item for an operator to specify a favorite brand.
Family restaurant, financial institution, department store, gas station, hotel / inn, convenience store (convenience store) in order from B-1 to B-3, B-5 to B-7
Is displayed. Each of these items is preferably in a form of being developed in a chain store or a branch.
Next, a case where, for example, [Gas Station] is turned on on the designated brand registration screen of FIG. 2 will be described.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a designated gas station setting screen in the navigation device as one embodiment of the present invention, which is developed by turning on [gas station] on the designated brand registration screen (FIG. 2). .

As shown in FIG. 1, a representative gasoline maker is registered in advance as a settable gas station brand, and the operator can set a desired priority order by operating the operation switch 1.
It is set by 0 and registered by turning on the soft switch [Registration]. FIG. 3 shows a state in which oil A is registered as priority 1 and oil B is registered as priority 2. Preferably, only the manufacturers registered as priorities are displayed on the display 8, and the display in the area where the gas stations are densely located on the map information is appropriate (easy to see). For items other than [gas station] on the designated brand registration screen of FIG.
Although the description is omitted because it is almost the same as that of the screen of, the screen expanded from each item of [Family Restaurant], [Financial Institution], and [Convenience Store] shows the time zone when the operator wants to eat and drink. It can be set.

Next, the display on the display 8 realized by the registration of the designated brand and the processing for the display will be described.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing priority display processing of a designated brand at the time of normal running as one embodiment of the present invention. If it is.

In the figure, it is determined whether a display mode of a designated landmark, that is, a mode for displaying a mark (landmark) for identification of a brand assigned a priority order on the designated brand registration screen (FIG. 2) has been designated. (Step S100
1) If NO, proceed to step S1003. On the other hand, Y
In the case of ES, the designated landmark existing within the display range of the current display 8 is displayed and step S1001 is performed.
The process returns to (Step S1002). In step S1003, it is determined whether the remaining fuel amount obtained from the central control unit 2 is smaller than a predetermined amount.
Go to 5. On the other hand, in the case of YES, the current display 8
The landmark of the designated gas station existing within the display range of is displayed (step S1004), and the
Proceed to 1003. Then, in step S1005, it is determined whether or not the designated meal time zone is designated in advance on the designated brand registration screen (FIG. 2), and in the case of NO, the process returns. Meanwhile YE
In the case of S, a designated landmark such as a family restaurant is displayed on the display 8 (step S1006),
To return.

It should be noted that since the above-described processing in FIG. 10 is not processing during route guidance, it is needless to say that the preferred embodiment may be a device that does not include a route search / guidance function, for example, detects and displays the current position. No.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing priority display processing of a designated brand at the time of route guidance according to one embodiment of the present invention. The route guidance to the destination is performed while the current position is displayed on the display 8. Is the case.

In the figure, based on the remaining fuel amount and the average fuel efficiency obtained from the central control unit 2, a distance that can be predicted to be able to travel from the present time is calculated (step S110).
1) Search for the last gas station, ie, the gas station farthest from the current position, of the designated brand on the guide route existing within the calculated distance range (step S1102). In step S1103, it is determined whether the possible travel distance calculated in step S1101 is shorter than a predetermined distance. If NO, the process proceeds to step S1105. On the other hand, in the case of YES, the landmark of the last gas station searched in step S1102 is highlighted on the display 8 (for example, blinking, changing the display size, etc.).
And / or an announcement is made from the voice guidance speaker 6 (step S1104), and the process proceeds to step S1105.
In step S1105, it is determined whether the designated meal time zone is specified in advance on the specified brand registration screen (FIG. 2), and the process returns if NO. On the other hand, in the case of YES, based on the average vehicle speed obtained from the central control unit 2, the distance that can be traveled in the time zone is calculated (step S1106), and the designation on the guide route existing within the calculated distance is performed. The last family restaurant or the like is searched (step S1107). Then, the searched landmarks such as the family restaurant of the designated brand are displayed and / or announced as in step S1104 (step S1107), and the process returns. Here, the display processing of the landmark in steps S1104 and S1108 may be performed when the landmark enters the display range of the display 8 or when the landmark does not exist in the current display range. Alternatively, the display range may be forcibly changed until the landmark and the current position can be displayed.

Although the last gas station or restaurant within each of the calculated ranges is displayed in the processing in steps S1102 and S1107,
It goes without saying that not only the last one but also everything on the guidance route from the current position to the last gas station or restaurant may be displayed.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a navigation screen on which a gas station designated by a brand during normal driving is preferentially displayed as one embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, the landmarks of A and B enclosed by □ indicate the petroleum maker's gas station designated on the designated brand registration screen (FIG. 2) in advance. Landmarks are displayed in large size. These landmarks are preferably brand names of generally known brands. Reference numeral 30 denotes the position of the host vehicle.

The screen at the time of route guidance according to the flowchart of FIG. 11 is substantially the same as that of FIG. 6 except that the last gas station (family restaurant or the like) existing within the calculated range is emphasized by another method such as blinking. Therefore, the description is omitted.

<Search for Optimal Destination for Each Purpose> Next, the function of searching for the optimal destination for each purpose of the navigation device according to the present embodiment will be described briefly. When only the intended action is intended, the operator can easily and promptly select an appropriate destination from a plurality of candidate locations. The user automatically selects a destination which belongs to the selected item, and which is closest to the current position or which is expected to be reached in the shortest time.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a search screen for each purpose in the navigation apparatus as one embodiment of the present invention, which is developed by operating the operation switch 10, for example.

In the figure, a family restaurant, a financial institution, a department store,
Items for toilets, gas stations, hotels / inns, convenience stores (convenience stores), and medical institutions are displayed. The navigation controller 17 uses the item selected by the operator from these items as a key,
By the search processing described later, it belongs to the selected item,
Search for the closest destination from your current location. The individual information belonging to each of these items may be obtained, for example, from various types of storage media read by a CD-ROM or a data drive 5 prepared in advance for each region, or a mobile phone 9 or the like from an information provider. Needless to say, the information is obtained through the identification code added to the individual information as a key for processing such as grouping and selection into each item.

Also, the soft switches A-1 to A-6
Is a condition switch appropriately set by the operator prior to searching for an optimum destination according to the item selected by the operator from B-1 to B-7, and is the shortest switch from the current position. A-1 for specifying a distance search, A-2 for specifying only the front of the current traveling direction of the own vehicle in the search range, and A for specifying that the rear of the current traveling direction of the own vehicle is also included in the search range.
-3, A-4 designating that VICS information obtained through the FM tuner 16 or a beacon signal obtained through the beacon signal receiver 18 are included in the search condition, VICS information such as the presence or absence of a parking lot and the road width. A-5 for designating that constraint information other than the above is included in the search condition, and A-6 for making the priority registered on the above-mentioned designated brand registration screen (FIG. 2) effective at the time of search. Each of these switches, when turned on, acts as a term of an evaluation formula described below.

Next, a method of searching for a destination closest to the current position will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a coefficient map for each direction when searching for a destination closest to the current position according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, the center (▲) of the concentric circle (arc) represents the position of the own vehicle, and the radius represents the distance from the position of the own vehicle. The upper part of the figure is the traveling direction. As shown in the figure, the periphery of the own vehicle is divided into a plurality of areas with a predetermined coefficient. This coefficient map is stored in the navigation controller 17 in advance. Then, the coefficients of the coefficient map, the position (coordinate) information of the candidate place obtained from the map information, the current position and direction of the own vehicle, and A in FIG.
Based on the selection status of the county's soft switch, to select the candidate site closest to the current location from among multiple candidate sites,
The navigation controller 17 searches for a route for each candidate location, and calculates an evaluation formula K. The evaluation formula K is expressed as K = (distance between the candidate location and the current position) × (direction coefficient of the candidate location with respect to the current direction of the own vehicle) × (coefficient relating to VICS information) × (coefficient relating to other constraint conditions). it can. Item 1 (distance between candidate location and current location)
Is calculated in advance based on the position (coordinate) information of the candidate place obtained from the map information on the CD-ROM and the current position obtained by the GPS. The second term (direction coefficient of the candidate location with respect to the current direction of the own vehicle) is calculated for the current term of the current traveling direction of the own vehicle obtained by GPS and the first term (the difference between the candidate location and the current position). The distance is obtained by referring to the coefficient map of FIG. The fourth term (coefficient relating to VICS information) is a coefficient calculated according to the received and decoded VICS information, and the received VICS information (for example, road regulation information, traffic congestion information, etc.) If it is on the route to the ground, it is set to a large coefficient (when the soft switch A-4 is off, the minimum value is 1). The fifth term (coefficients related to other constraint conditions) is a coefficient calculated according to constraint information other than VICS information such as the presence or absence of a parking lot and the road width. A large coefficient is calculated when the value is narrow (the minimum value is 1 when the soft switch A-5 is off).
And).

Next, the software processing for searching for the optimum destination for each purpose will be described.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a search process of the optimum destination for each purpose in the navigation apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. The search is started when the search screen for each purpose of FIG. Is done.

In the figure, step S1201 is a standby process until a search input by purpose, that is, one of the items B-1 to B-8 in FIG. 4 is selected. Step S120
In 2, it is determined whether the designation of a specific brand registered on the above-mentioned specified brand registration screen (FIG. 2) is valid by turning on the [brand specification] switch (A-6). N
In the case of O, only the landmark belonging to the item selected in step S1201 within the display range of the display 8 is displayed, and the process proceeds to step S1208 (step S1207). On the other hand, in the case of YES, it is determined whether or not the current display range of the display 8 includes the brand and the item belonging to the item selected in step S1201 (step S1203). And highlighting only the landmarks in step S12
Proceed to 08. On the other hand, if NO in step S1203, only the landmarks belonging to the item selected in step S1201 within the display range of the current display 8 are displayed (step S1205), and the one designated by the brand is Is notified to the operator by voice and / or display (step S1206),
Proceed to step S1208.

In step S1208, it is determined whether or not the "minimum distance" of the soft switch A-1 has been turned on on the purpose-specific search screen (FIG. 4). The operator is allowed to select a mark, and in step S1211, route guidance is performed to a point corresponding to the target landmark. On the other hand, Y
In the case of ES, the process proceeds to step S1210, where the landmark being displayed is evaluated and ranked by the evaluation formula K and selected by the operator (the details of the process of step S1210 will be described later with reference to FIG. 13). ). In step S1211, a route guidance process to the target point determined in step S1209 or S1210 is performed.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a route guidance destination selection process based on an evaluation formula according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, in a step S1301, it is determined whether or not the [forward path] switch (A-2) is ON, and in the case of NO, the process proceeds to a step S1303. On the other hand, in the case of YES, the area II to the area IV other than the area ahead of the path, that is, the coefficient Is 1.5 or more regardless of the distance from the vehicle,
The number is changed to a predetermined large number (step S1302), and the process proceeds to step S1305. In step S1303, it is determined whether or not the switch [A-3] is on. If NO, the process proceeds to step S1305. Meanwhile YE
In the case of S, the coefficient in the area III of the coefficient map (FIG. 9) is changed to three kinds of coefficients 1.5, 2.0, and 3.0 according to the distance, for example, in the area II and the area IV. (Step S1304), the process proceeds to step S1305. In step S1305, the [VICS information] switch (A-
4) is ON or not, and if YES, step S
Proceed to 1307. On the other hand, in the case of NO, (VI
The value of the term “coefficient related to CS information” is fixed to 1 (step S1306), and the process proceeds to step S1307. In step S1307, the [Other constraints] switch (A-5)
Is turned on or not, and in the case of YES, step S13 is performed.
Go to 09. On the other hand, in the case of NO, the value of the term (coefficient relating to other constraints) of the evaluation formula K is fixed to 1 (step S1308), and the process proceeds to step S1309. In step S1309, belonging to the item selected in step S1201 and belonging to each landmark in the current display range, or to the item selected in step S1201,
In addition, for each landmark of the designated brand in the current display range, a route search from the current position is performed, and a coefficient related to VICS information indicating road regulation information or the like corresponding to the obtained route, presence or absence of a parking lot, A value of the evaluation formula K is calculated based on a coefficient relating to information other than the VICS information such as a road width, and a distance between the candidate place and the current position (or a road obtained by a route search). In step S1310, according to each evaluation value calculated in step S1309,
The rankings are assigned in order from the one with the smallest evaluation value and displayed on the display 8, and the one with the highest ranking is highlighted. Then, step S1311 and step S1
Reference numeral 312 denotes a routine for finally selecting a landmark of a route guidance destination from the landmarks selected in order by the navigation controller at the will of the operator, and starts route guidance to the currently highlighted landmark. If the operator is not satisfied with the currently highlighted landmark, the next highest priority landmark is highlighted. This process is sequentially repeated.
In this case, each point highlighted is not only physically close to the current position, but also represents a point that takes into account actual road conditions, that is, a point where it is expected that the required time will be short. 14 and 15 show display examples of the display 8 in the above processing.

FIGS. 14 and 15 are views showing an example of a route guidance destination selection screen according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, reference numerals 41 to 45 denote landmarks ranked based on the evaluation formula K. In FIG. 14, the landmark 41 having the highest priority is highlighted (for example, blinking). The landmark 45 is short in distance from the vehicle position 30, but is in a traffic jam (obtained from VICS information), so the calculated priority is low, and a comment 48 for notifying the operator of the traffic jam is displayed. ing. At this time, it goes without saying that the display color (broken line in the figure) of the congested road portion may be changed. 4
Reference numerals 6 and 47 denote switches for the operator to input whether to determine the currently highlighted landmark. If "determine" is turned on, then in step S1212 (route guidance processing), "change" is turned on. Then, the landmark 42 of the next rank is highlighted as shown in FIG.

If the current display range is wider than the size of the circle in the coefficient map shown in FIG. 9, for example, the range of the region I is concentrically enlarged without considering the size of the coefficient value. The route search may be performed symmetrically only with respect to the search candidate locations existing within the set range (the hatched portion in FIG. 9).

In the processing of step S1302, the coefficient map of FIG. 9 is made to correspond to the position of the own vehicle to eliminate landmarks that do not exist in the area I. The land may be reduced.

If it is not necessary to refer to the VICS information and other constraints, the calculation for (coefficients relating to VICS information) and (coefficients relating to other constraints) is omitted from the evaluation formula, and K ′ = ( If (distance between the candidate location and the current position) × (direction coefficient of the candidate location with respect to the current direction of the own vehicle), there is no need to search for a route between the current position and each landmark. For example, in step S1310 A route search may be performed only for a predetermined number of candidate places ranked by the evaluation formula K ′. In this case, as the obtained destination, a point physically close to the current position without considering the actual road condition is selected.

<Searching for a Departure Destination> Next, an outline of a search function for a departure destination of the navigation device according to the present embodiment will be described. In order to allow the operator to easily and promptly select an appropriate destination from a plurality of candidate locations when the user wants to take a detour only for a certain intended action, a plurality of items for each purpose are required. Let the operator select the desired item, automatically search and guide to the destination belonging to the selected item and closest to the current position, and after completing the errand at the departure point, return to the original destination. This is to resume route guidance.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a display example during route guidance in the navigation device as one embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, reference numeral 31 (broken line) denotes a guide route searched in advance to the destination, and the current position of the own vehicle on the route is indicated by the own vehicle position 30. At this time, the operator selects the “side-by-side setting” of the soft switch 32 displayed on the display 8.
By turning on, the screen is developed on the screen of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a view showing a detour destination selection screen as one embodiment of the present invention. The individual soft switches displayed on the screen and their operations are the same as those in FIG. Is omitted. Also, individual information belonging to each item on the screen is, for example, a CD-ROM or a data drive 5 previously created for each region, as in the case of FIG.
In this case, the information is obtained from various storage media to be read, or obtained from an information providing company or the like via the mobile phone 9 or the like. Processing such as grouping and selection into each item is added to individual information. The identification code is used as a key. Next, a process of selecting a departure destination from candidate sites belonging to the item selected on the departure destination selection screen will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a process of selecting a side trip according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, in step S1401, it is determined whether the route is being guided, and if NO, the process waits. On the other hand, in the case of YES, the “detour setting” of the software switch 32 is displayed at a predetermined position on the screen displaying the guidance route (step S140).
2) Wait until the switch is turned on by the operator (step S1403). When the "Detour setting" is turned on, the screen is developed on the departure destination selection screen (FIG. 5) (step S1404), and the search condition setting operation using the soft switches A-1 to A-6 and the operation from B-1 to B-8 are performed. The operator is caused to perform a selection operation of any item (step S
1405). Then, in step S1406, the closest one from the current position is searched for by the same processing as in FIG. 13, and the landmark is highlighted. Then, the operator selects a desired landmark from the landmarks of the departure destination candidates highlighted on the display 8 (step S1407), and saves the target point in the route guidance up to the present time to a storage area (not shown). The information is stored (stacked) (step S1408), and the operator is notified of the start of the route guidance to the detour destination determined in step S1407 (step S1409). Then, route guidance is performed until the vehicle position matches the departure point, and when the coordinates of the vehicle position and the departure point match or reach a predetermined range, a soft switch for setting a return path is set to a predetermined position on the path display screen. Is displayed (step S1410)
In step S1412, the process waits until the switch is turned on (step S1413). The route display screen at this time is shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a display example when return-to-return setting at a detour is set as one embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, 35 (dashed-dotted line) indicates a searched detour route, 33 indicates a selected and highlighted detour route, 3
Reference numeral 4 denotes a software switch for starting the return route setting, and represents a state in which the own vehicle position 30 exists at the side trip destination 33.

If it is detected in step S1413 that the switch is turned on, a search is made for a route from the current position (the departure point) to the original target point, that is, the target point saved and stored in step S1408 (step S1414). The operator is notified of the start of the route guidance (step S1415), and the route guidance to the original target point is performed (step S1416).

In the above-described embodiment, the sound output to the operator by the sound guide speaker 6 or the notification by the display on the display 8 is not limited to only one, and the sound and the display may be appropriately changed. It is needless to say that may be used together.

Further, the input operation to the navigation device by the operator in the above-described embodiment is not limited to the input operation from the operation switch 10, but it is also possible to appropriately use an instruction by voice recognition. Needless to say.

It goes without saying that the information on the vehicle speed may be calculated based on the movement amount per unit time of the position information obtained by the GPS function.

[0060]

As described above, according to the present invention,
A navigation device that satisfies the action purpose of the operator and determines the most appropriate destination from the current position by a simple operation, and searches and guides a route to the destination is realized.
Thus, for example, the operator can select a destination closest to the current position or a destination expected to be able to be reached in the shortest time by an easy operation by satisfying a desired action purpose. When displaying a plurality of candidate sites selected by prioritization by the navigation device, landmarks are assigned in order of the priority order.
Since the highlighting is performed, the operator can easily perform the determination operation.

[0061]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram illustrating an example of a state in which a navigation device according to an embodiment of the present invention is mounted on an automobile.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a registration screen of a designated brand in the navigation device as one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a designated gas station setting screen in the navigation device as one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a purpose-specific search screen in the navigation device as one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a side trip destination selection screen as one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a navigation screen in which a gas station designated by a brand during normal driving is preferentially displayed as one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a display example during route guidance in the navigation device as one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a display example at the time of return-to-return setting at a departure point as one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a coefficient map for each direction when searching for a destination closest to a current position according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing priority display processing of a designated brand during normal driving according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing priority display processing of a designated brand at the time of route guidance as one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a search process of an optimum destination for each purpose in the navigation device as one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a route guidance destination selection process based on an evaluation expression according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a route guidance destination selection screen as one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a route guidance destination selection screen as one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a process of selecting a side trip according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Body 2 Central control unit 3 In-vehicle LAN unit 4 RAM card drive 5 Data drive 6 Speaker for voice guidance 7 Microphone 8 Display 9 Mobile phone 10 Operation switch 11 GPS antenna 12 FM antenna 13 Telephone antenna 14 Radio beacon antenna 15 Optical beacon antenna 16 FM tuner 17 Navigation controller 18 Beacon signal receiver 19 CD-ROM changer 30 Own vehicle position 31 Guidance route 35 Detour route 41-45 Landmark

Claims (9)

[Claims] Storage means for storing a plurality of pieces of point information;
A navigation device that detects a current position, searches for a route to a set destination, and includes route search and guidance means for guiding along the route, wherein the plurality of pieces of point information are registered in advance. A classification unit that classifies according to a plurality of items; an item selection unit that allows an operator to select a desired item from the plurality of items; and a plurality of point information classified by the classification unit.
A point information selecting unit that selects one point information from the point information related to the item selected by the item selecting unit; a notifying unit that notifies the point information selected by the point information selecting unit; Input means for inputting whether or not a guidance to a reported point is desired, and when the operator inputs a request for guidance to the reported point by the input means, A navigation device, wherein a route search / guidance unit performs route search / guidance using the point information selected by the point information selection unit as the set destination. 2. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the point information selection means preferentially selects point information near an extension of a vehicle equipped with the navigation device in the direction of the course of the vehicle. 3. The point information selecting means selects the point information close to the current position by evaluating a positional relationship between the traveling direction of the vehicle and the point information on the item selected by the item selecting means. The navigation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a restriction condition adding / removing unit for adding / removing a predetermined restriction condition to the evaluation of the positional relationship by the point information selecting unit. The navigation device according to any one of the above. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of points selected by the point information selecting unit are plural, and further, when the operator inputs by the input unit that he does not want to guide to the notified point. 5. The navigation device according to claim 4, further comprising a point changing unit for changing to another point selected by the point information selecting unit. 6. The notifying unit includes a display unit for displaying the selected point information, and the display unit displays the point selected by the point information selecting unit.
The point which the input means is targeted for is highlighted and displayed,
The navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a point other than a point targeted by the input means is displayed as usual. 7. The display means, when displaying the point selected by the point information selecting means, adds the restriction condition.
5. The navigation device according to claim 4, wherein a display relating to a predetermined restriction condition added by the exclusion unit is performed. 8. The navigation device according to claim 4, wherein the regulation condition is VICS information obtained by an FM multiplex signal and / or a beacon signal. 9. A plurality of points selected by the point information selecting means, the notifying means includes a display means for displaying the selected point information, and the display means displays the selected point information by the point information selecting means. When displaying the selected point, the point targeted by the input means is displayed in an emphasized manner, and the point other than the point targeted by the input means is displayed as usual, and the evaluation of the positional relationship by the point information selecting means is performed. When the order is displayed in the vicinity of the point selected by the point information selecting means, and further, when the operator inputs by the input means that he does not want to guide to the notified point. 5. The navigation system according to claim 4, further comprising a point changing means for changing to a next-ranked point in said evaluation order selected by said point information selecting means. Down apparatus.