JPH1096647A - Navigator and memory medium for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate selection of a user by inputting information concerning the reading of the names of stored registered points and a part or whole existing local information and referring the registered points and indicating them in a limited list. SOLUTION: If the Japanese syllabary is selected in a menu screen for destination setting, it goes to the Japanese syllabary screen. When the reading of the name is input in Japanese syllabary, the point of reading is referred in a selected CD. In the 'selection of prefecture' key operation, Aichi prefecture is selected for example in the prefecture list indicated in the order of Japanese syllabary and then it moves to the Japanese syllabary input screen. If 'Fuji' in the first part is input in this screen, syllabary following to this is indicated within the limit. By pushing here the 'list' key on the screen, all registered names with 'Fuji' are listed up on the display. By renewing the screen and selecting and inputting a target name, registered point coordinates of the selected point are read out and a map with the coordinates in the center is indicated. After the indication, the route to the set destination is surveyed with key operation and route guide is performed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicular navigation apparatus for retrieving a registered point such as a destination or a passing point by reading a name of a registered point or inputting a character string of the name.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional navigation device,
When searching for a point such as a destination or a passing point, it is possible to input 50 sounds. In advance, in the data of the registered point stored in the storage means, the reading of the name of the shop or facility is stored together with the coordinates of the point. Therefore, if the user knows the name of the point desired, the user can input the reading to display the desired point on the map, set the point as a destination or a passing point, and set a route. Guidance can be provided. In addition, when searching for data by inputting the reading, the user can search by inputting only a part of the name without having to remember the entire name. Then, a list of registered points corresponding to the input reading or having a name including the reading is displayed in a list so that the user can select it.

[0003]

The storage medium of the above-mentioned conventional apparatus has an improved storage capacity, and can store an enormous number of locations where the names of shops and facilities are registered together with the coordinates as described above. Became. On the other hand, since the amount of information is large especially when searching the information of the whole country at a time, if the user does not input the official name as accurately as possible, the number of spot names extracted and displayed in a list becomes extremely large. Especially,
When a user enters and searches the names of cafes, beauty salons, and other frequently used shops, hundreds of places with the same name or parts of the same name with the same name are extracted nationwide. For example, when displaying a list, it is conceivable to add the location (prefecture and municipal level) together with the name. It is not easy to find what you have.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an easy-to-use vehicle navigation device which facilitates retrieval by reading a name of a registered point or inputting a character string of the name. I do.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a vehicular navigation apparatus capable of retrieving a registration point by inputting a reading of a name of a registration point. Information storage means for storing information on the area where the point is located; input means for inputting information for designating a part or all of the reading of the registered point and an area for searching for the registered point; Search means for searching registered points corresponding to part or all of the read from the registered points stored in the information storage means, and display means for displaying a list of the searched registered points, wherein the search means includes: When information for designating an area to search for a registered point is input by the input means, a registered point corresponding to the input area is searched.

The present invention also relates to a vehicle navigation apparatus for inputting a reading of the name of a registered point so that the corresponding registered point can be searched and displaying a map including the searched registered point. Information storage means for storing information relating to the reading of each registered point as information and information relating to the area where the registered point including the position coordinates of the registered point is located, and searching for part or all of the registered point reading and the registered point Input means for inputting information designating an area, search means for searching a registered point corresponding to a part or all of the reading inputted by the input means from the registered points stored in the information storage means, The registered points displayed are displayed in a list, and when one of the registered points displayed in the list is selected, the position coordinates of the registered points stored in the storage means are displayed. Display means for reading and displaying a map based on the position coordinates, wherein the search means corresponds to the input area when information for specifying an area to search for a registered point is input by the input means. It is characterized in that a registered point is searched.

[0007] The present invention is also directed to a vehicle for performing route guidance by inputting a reading of the name of a registered point so that the corresponding registered point can be searched, and setting the searched registered point as a destination or a passing point. In the navigation device, information storage means for storing information on the reading of each registered point as map information and registered point information, and information on the area where the registered point exists including the position coordinates of the registered point; Input means for inputting information for designating a part or all and an area to search for a registered point; and registered points stored in the information storage means corresponding to a part or all of the reading inputted by the input means. Search means for searching from a list, display means for displaying a list of the searched registered points, current position detection means for detecting the current position of the vehicle, and the list table When one of the registered points selected is selected, the position coordinates of the registered point stored in the storage means are read out, and based on the current position detected as the destination or the passing point, the route guidance is performed. Route search means for performing, when the input means inputs information specifying an area to search for a registered point, the search means searches for a registered point corresponding to the input area. .

The present invention also provides a vehicular navigation device capable of inputting a character string of a name of a registered point to search for a corresponding registered point. Information storage means for storing information relating to an existing area; input means for inputting part or all of the character string of the registered point and information for specifying an area for searching the registered point; and characters input by the input means Search means for searching registered points corresponding to part or all of the column from the registered points stored in the information storage means, and display means for displaying a list of the searched registered points, and the search means, When information for designating an area to search for a registered point is input by the input means, a registered point corresponding to the input area is searched.

Further, the present invention provides a storage medium storing a program capable of searching for a registration point corresponding to a name input by an external input, as registration point information, information relating to reading of each registration point and information of the registration point. Store information on the existing area and enter part or all of the reading of the registered point and information specifying the area to search for the registered point as an input signal from the outside. In addition to a search for a corresponding registered point, a program for searching for a registered point in a corresponding area and displaying a list of the searched registered points is stored.

Further, the present invention provides a storage medium storing a program capable of searching for a registration point corresponding to a name inputted by an external input, wherein information relating to a character string of the name of each registration point is stored as registration point information. Stores information about the area where the registered point is located, inputs part or all of the character string of the name of the registered point and information specifying the area in which the registered point is searched as an external input signal, and inputs the characters. A program for retrieving a registered point corresponding to part or all of the column, retrieving a registered point in a corresponding area, and displaying a list of the retrieved registered points is stored.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing one embodiment of a vehicle navigation device to which the present invention is applied. As shown in FIG. 1, a vehicle navigation device according to the present invention includes an input / output device 1 for inputting and outputting information relating to route guidance, a current position detecting device 2 for detecting information relating to the current position of the vehicle, and a route calculation device. Information storage device 3 in which navigation data and display / voice guidance data and programs (applications and / or OS) necessary for route guidance are recorded, display / voice guidance process necessary for route search processing and route guidance And a central processing unit 4 for controlling the entire system. First, each configuration will be described.

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

Here, a voice recognition device for enabling voice input and a recording card reading device for reading data recorded on an IC card or a magnetic card can be added. In addition, an information center that stores data necessary for navigation and provides information via a communication line at the request of the driver, an electronic notebook that stores driver-specific data such as map data and destination data in advance, etc. A data communication device for exchanging data with another information source can also be added.

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

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

The current position detecting device 2 detects or receives information on the current position of the vehicle, and includes an absolute direction sensor 24 composed of a geomagnetic sensor and the like, and a relative direction sensor composed of a steering sensor, a gyro and the like. 2
5. Distance sensor 2 for detecting running distance from the number of rotations of wheels
6. It is composed of a GPS receiving device 21 using a satellite navigation system (GPS) and a VICS receiving device 22 or a data transmitting / receiving device 23 which is traffic information acquiring means. The VICS receiving device 22 performs FM multiplexing of road traffic information,
The data transmission / reception device 23 is, for example, a mobile phone or a personal computer, and is received by a radio information beacon or an optical beacon.
IS) for exchanging information necessary for navigation.

The information storage device 3 is an external storage device that stores navigation programs and data, and is, for example, a CD-ROM. The program is a program for performing a process such as a route search, a processing program shown in the flowchart described in the present embodiment, a program for performing a display output control necessary for route guidance, a program for performing a voice output control required for voice guidance, and Necessary data, and display information data necessary for route guidance and map display are stored. Data includes map data, search data,
Guidance data, map matching data, destination data,
It consists of files such as registered point data and stores all data necessary for the navigation device. The present invention is also applicable to a type in which only data is stored in a CD-ROM and a program is stored in a central processing unit.

The central processing unit 4 includes a CPU 40 for executing various arithmetic processing, a flash memory 41 for reading and storing programs from the CD-ROM of the information storage device 3,
ROM 42 storing a program (program reading means) for performing program check and update processing of flash memory 41, set point coordinates of destination, road name code No. RAM 43 for temporarily storing searched route guidance information such as searched data and data during arithmetic processing, image memory 44 for storing image data used for screen display on a display, and display output control signals from CPU 40. An image processor 45 which retrieves image data from the image memory 44, performs image processing on the image data, and outputs the processed image to a display
Information storage device 3 based on an audio output control signal from the PU
, A voice, a phrase, a set of sentences, sounds, and the like read from the loudspeaker 1
6, a communication interface 47 for exchanging input / output data by communication, a sensor input interface 48 for receiving a sensor signal of the current position detecting device 2, and a date and time for writing date and time in internal diagnostic information. A clock 49 and the like are provided. Here, route guidance is performed by screen display and voice output, and the presence or absence of voice output is configured to be selectable by the driver.

Note that a program for performing the above-described update processing may be stored in an external storage device. The program according to the present invention and other programs for executing navigation may all be stored in a CD-ROM as an external storage medium, or some or all of these programs may be stored in the ROM 42 of the main unit. Good.

The data and programs stored in the external storage medium are input as external signals to the central processing unit of the navigation apparatus main body and are subjected to arithmetic processing, thereby realizing various navigation functions.

The navigation device according to the present invention has a relatively large capacity flash memory 41 for reading a program from the CD-ROM of the external storage device, as described above.
A small-capacity ROM 42 storing a program (program reading means) for performing a CD boot process is built in.
The flash memory 41 is a non-volatile storage unit that retains stored information even when the power is turned off. Then, as a start-up process of the CD, the program in the ROM 42 which is a program reading means is started, the program stored in the flash memory 41 is checked, and disk management information of the CD-ROM of the information storage device 3 is read. The program loading process (update process)
The determination is performed based on this information and the state of the flash memory 41.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the configuration of a main data file stored in the CD-ROM 3 shown in FIG.
FIG. 2A shows a guide road data file in which data necessary for calculating a route and performing route guidance by the route calculating means is stored. For each of the number n of roads, a road number, a length, a road It consists of address and size data of attribute data and shape data, and address and size of guidance data. The road number is set for each direction (outbound and return) for each road between the branch points. As shown in FIG. 2B, when each road is divided into a plurality of nodes (nodes), the shape data has coordinate data including east longitude and north latitude for each of the number m of nodes.

As shown in FIG. 2C, the guide data includes an intersection (or branch point) name, caution data, road name data, an address and size of road name data, and an address and size of destination data. Consists of data.

The destination data includes a destination road number, a destination name, an address of destination name voice data, a size and a destination direction data, and travel guidance data as shown in FIG. 2 (D). The destination name includes a direction name. In addition, destination direction data is invalid (do not use destination direction data), unnecessary (do not guide), go straight,
It is data indicating information on the right direction, diagonally right direction, right returning direction, left direction, diagonally left direction, and left returning direction.

Next, the navigation processing of the present invention will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the flow of the entire system of the navigation device according to the present invention. The CPU 40 of the central processing unit 4 reads the program from the information storage device 3 and starts the route guidance program. Target names such as place names and facility names, telephone numbers and addresses, registered locations,
A destination is set using a road name or the like (step S1). Next, the current position is detected by the current position detection device 2 and a map around the current position is displayed around the current position. It is displayed (step S2), and a route search from the current position to the destination is performed (step S3). When the route is determined, the route guidance / display is repeated until the vehicle arrives at the destination while tracking the current position by the current position detecting device 2 (step S4). If a detour setting is input before arriving at the destination, a search area is set, a re-search is performed in the search area, and route guidance is repeated until the vehicle arrives at the destination.

Next, the data structure for the Japanese syllabary input according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a registration point data structure. The registered point data stores coordinates of the registered point, registered point name data, registered point address, road number facing the registered point, and the like. Registration point name data is 50
Registered point readings are stored to enable input by sound, and kanji is displayed as a registered point list when searching,
Alternatively, for those displayed in katakana, kanji or katakana readings are stored. Also, the registration point address data is
The locations of the registered points are stored in a regional hierarchy, such as prefectures, cities, and towns.

FIG. 5 is a view for explaining another example of the registered point data structure. The data of the whole country is stored in one CD and 5
When a zero sound is input, the search takes a long time because data nationwide is to be searched. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the whole country is divided into several regions, and the divided region information is referred to as No. Tohoku, Kanto, and Kansai versions, for example. 1
6 to limit the search target. In this case, no. In all of the CDs 1 to 6, information on the number of the CD on which information on each prefecture is recorded is stored. For example, no. No. 2 CD (for example, Kanto version) is running. If a prefecture (eg, Aichi prefecture in the Chubu region) that is not recorded on the CD No. 2 is selected, the CD number (eg, No. 3) in which the selected prefecture is recorded is stored. , The CD
No. Search for 3 and exchange for it. These processes are C
This is performed by the CPU 40 by reading the disk management information and the like of D. The contents of the CD are No. 3 (Chubu district version)
As an example, as shown in the figure, the number of registered points (number of prefectures N), m city in Aichi prefecture, l town in Anjo city, and k location in Aioi town are hierarchical. Is stored in

Next, the Japanese syllabary input (reading the name,
Or input using a name character string) will be described. First, the Japanese syllabary input will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, data is stored in a plurality of CDs divided into regions,
When inputting a zero sound, first, an input for designating an area to be searched is performed, and points included in the designated area stored in one CD are primarily extracted. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a destination setting menu screen and a transition from the menu screen to the Japanese syllabary input screen. The screen is constituted by a touch panel. When a displayed selection item is touched, the item is selected, and a process corresponding to the selected item or a menu display of the next hierarchy is executed. On the displayed destination setting menu screen, select the phone number, address, Japanese syllabary, facility name (golf course, amusement park, other facilities, etc.), registration point (home, memory point, previous departure place, etc.) The item is displayed as an item. If “50 sounds” is selected, the screen changes to a 50 sounds input screen. As described above, the data to be searched for in the Japanese syllabary is stored separately on a plurality of CDs. Unless otherwise specified, the prefecture of the current location detected by the current location detection device of the vehicle is recorded. The CD is automatically selected, and if specified, a CD in which the specified area is recorded is selected. 5
When the "return" key is selected on the zero sound input screen, the screen returns to the menu screen. When the name reading is input by the Japanese syllabary, the point of the input reading is searched in the selected CD. When the "select prefecture" key is operated, as shown in FIG. 7, the names of prefectures are displayed in a list in the order of, for example, Aiweo. When the "next" or "previous" item on the screen is operated, the screen advances or retreats by one line or one screen. On the prefecture name list display screen, for example, if Aichi prefecture is selected and Aichi prefecture is not recorded in the currently selected CD, it is exchanged for a CD in which Aichi prefecture is recorded and recorded. In this case, the screen transitions to the Japanese syllabary input screen. On this screen, "select from information of Aichi prefecture" is displayed, and a "select municipalities" key in Aichi prefecture is also displayed. When the first character “F” and the second character “J” are input on this screen, as shown in FIG. 8, the 50 sounds following “Fuji” are “I, U, K, K,
It is displayed that there are only 1950 entries as applicable registration points, and that the correction key is 50 tones. Pressing the Correction key deletes one character and re-searching.Pressing the Correction key in the state shown deletes “Ji.” Here, press the “List” key on the screen. All registered names whose first two characters are "Fuji" are displayed in a list, and if there is a target name to be updated and selected / input by key operation, remote control operation, etc., the selected point is displayed. The registered point coordinates (position coordinates) are read out, and a map is displayed centering on the coordinates. Also, if it is difficult to find the target name or location on the list display screen due to the large number of remaining lists, increasing the number of input characters will reduce the number of remaining lists. When the number decreases, a list is displayed and a target name or a point may be selected.

After the map is displayed on the display screen with the selected point as the center, although not shown, for example, when a "set" key is displayed and the key is operated, it is set as a destination or a passing point. Then, a route to the set destination or passing point is searched for by the route calculation means, and route guidance is performed by the route guidance means.

Next, referring to FIGS. 9 to 12, a description will be given of a search for a selected point using both Japanese syllabary input and area designation.
FIG. 9 shows a screen in which Aichi prefecture is selected by the Japanese syllabary input. When the reading of the name "Jiyun" is input on the Japanese syllabary input screen, it is displayed that the following Japanese syllabary and the corresponding remaining list are 2689. here,
When the list key is operated, the readings are displayed in a list of "Jiyun" (both katakana display and kanji display) as shown in FIG. In this case, there are too many remaining lists,
By operating the "Return" key to specify the area, returning to the Japanese syllabary selection screen again, and operating the "Select municipalities" key,
As shown in FIG. 11, the names of municipalities are displayed in a list. Here, when Anjo City is selected and an area is designated, it is displayed that the number of remaining lists has been narrowed down to 28. Next, the list key is operated to display a list of 28 items as shown in FIG. 12, and when a target name is selected from the list, a map centering on the selected point is displayed.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, there are 2,689 remaining lists corresponding to the reading of "Jyun".
Operate the "Selection of Municipalities" key to select Anjo City, and when the remaining list is narrowed down to 28 and displayed as a list, if there is no target point in this list, operate the "Back" key Then, the screen returns to the Japanese syllabary input screen as shown in FIG. 15, and for example, Okazaki city adjacent to Anjo city is selected. As shown in FIG. 16, there are 35 remaining lists, and when the list is displayed, if there is a target in this list, a map centering on the selected point is displayed by selecting the target. Is done.

Here, the reading "Jiyun", which was inputted when Anjo-shi was selected by operating the "Selection of municipalities" key, is left without being canceled, and is read when another municipalities is selected. Automatically search for the corresponding point. By doing so, the input operation can be easily performed even when the user mistakes the municipalities to be selected during the input operation.

FIG. 17 shows a process for displaying the number of remaining lists when the Japanese syllabary is input. When the reading is input by the Japanese syllabary on the input screen, the search processing of the number of remaining lists is performed every time one character is input. When the number of lists is more than 1, the number of remaining lists is displayed on the screen. Then, it is determined whether or not the list display key has been operated, and it is determined whether to perform the list display processing or to continue the input processing. If the list display key is not operated, input processing is performed, and if the list display key is operated, list display is instructed and all applicable names are displayed, and the target name is searched for and selected. Then, a map around the selected point is displayed. When the number of lists becomes one, a map centering on the selected point is displayed automatically or by key operation.

FIG. 18 shows a process of searching for the number of remaining lists by head-on comparison. If there is an input of the Japanese syllabary, the name list is searched, and the prefix of the input reading and the name of the name list are compared with each other. Until the search for all data is completed, and outputs the number of lists when the search for all data is completed.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the head-match comparison,
It is also possible to search by inputting a name other than the official name. For example, as shown in FIG. 19, the name of the destination data is divided into words, and whether the divided words include a place name, a person name, a classification name (school, city hall, station, park, hotel, etc.) Check. For example, if it is known that the place names include the place names of Tokyo and Ryogoku, it is divided into Tokyo Disneyland: Tokyo / Disneyland Ryogoku Kokugikan: Ryogoku / Kokugikan . Next, assuming that the search can be performed from the beginning of each of the divided words, all the name lists in which the order of the words is changed are created. For example, Tokyo Disneyland registered multiple readings for one formal name, such as Tokyo University Land Ryogoku Land Ryogoku Kokugikan, and Ryokugoku Kokugikan.
The list of names is stored in the CD-ROM. 1
When storing a plurality of readings for one formal name on a CD-ROM, the readings are sorted in the reading order. Thus, the CD-R
FIG. 20 shows an example of the name list stored in the OM. FIG.
As can be seen from the formal name "Ryogoku Kokugikan",
Two readings, "Ryogoku Kokugikan" and "Kokugikan Ryogoku" are registered, and for the official name "Tokyo Disneyland", the two readings "Tokyo Destiny Land" and "Depo" `` Zuniland Tokyo '' is registered, so even if you input with a non-official name such as `` Kokugikan Ryogoku '' or `` Dezuni Land Tokyo '', you can enter `` Ryogoku Kokugikan '', `` Tokyo Disneyland '' Is searchable. In addition, since a plurality of readings are stored in the reading order on the CD-ROM, it is possible to perform a high-speed search with a head-on match. When the remaining number is displayed at the time of input, the number is displayed in the number registered in the name list. In addition, the readings in the list are registered except for the voiced dots, and, for example, by identifying “ga” and “oka”, it is possible to reduce the number of characters input and selected by the user.

When setting the target name, if the input target name includes a place name, a person name, and a classification name, the word is divided into words, excluding the place name, the person name, and the classification name. In the above example,
It is also conceivable to create a name list by performing a partial match comparison between “Kokugikan” and “Disneyland” and target name data and searching.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a flow of the Japanese syllabary search processing according to the present invention. When the user selects the Japanese syllabary input on the menu screen shown in FIG. 6, the Japanese syllabary search processing starts, the Japanese syllabary search screen as shown in FIG. 6 is displayed, and a message prompting the user to input the name reading is displayed. Is performed (step 11). At this time, the system selects one CD containing the prefecture to which the current location belongs, and waits for whether or not the touch switch on the screen has been operated (step 12). Here, the area to be searched is designated. Then, points included in the designated area among the extracted registered points are primarily extracted (steps 13 and 14).
Here, when the registration point is stored for each area in a plurality of CDs and an area not stored in the currently selected CD is designated, the CD is switched to the corresponding CD.
Next, if there is an input of the Japanese syllabary, a search is performed for the one containing the reading input from the currently extracted registration point (step 1).
5 and 16) When there is a correction, the reading is deleted by one character and the search is performed again (steps 17 and 18). At this time, the Japanese syllabary search screen shows only the switch corresponding to the character of the next candidate reading, that is, only the key switch of the next candidate character for the candidate of the registration point including the reading input so far. Is displayed (step 11).
If the "return" key is operated without selecting anything from the Japanese syllabary search screen, the process ends (step 1).
9). Next, when the "list" key is operated, the extracted registered points are displayed in a list arranged in the order of the Japanese syllabary, and the operation of the touch switch is awaited (steps 20 to 2).
2). When the "return" key is operated in this state, 5
Returning to the 0 sound search screen display, when an item is selected, the coordinates of the selected registered point are acquired, and a map is displayed with the acquired coordinates as the center (steps 23 to 26).

As a method of specifying a region for searching for a registered point, in the present embodiment, a plurality of CDs are used as storage media, and each CD is divided by region, so that a target CD can be selected. For example, when a prefectural municipal is selected, only those included in the prefectural municipal are extracted in advance, but the user specifies the area in advance instead of the administrative area as described above. May be.

For the designation of the area, for example, a predetermined distance to the center point is input by manual input by the user,
A registered point within a predetermined distance from the center point may be made searchable, or the user may input by tracing input or cursor input. When it is ambiguous, a plurality of prefectures and municipalities may be input in advance, and a search with a certain width may be performed. In addition, for example, a limited condition of being within the currently displayed map may be set, and an area may be designated by inputting a telephone number (only an area code or an area code or a local area code) or a postal code. .

Further, if the information on what the national highway is is known, a road name such as the name of the national highway may be input. In this case, for example, one within a predetermined distance from the national highway may be searched, or the name of the road to be faced may be stored in the registered point data as shown in FIGS. Information may be input, and only the road facing the input road may be searched. Further, the area designation and the designation of the road name as described above may be used together.

Also, the area previously input by the user may be ambiguous.

For example, although it is thought that it is Anjo City, the input may be in fact located in the adjacent Okazaki City. For example, if the user remembers the name of a store that he has only been to once, but cannot remember the location, he searches using the Japanese syllabary, but he enters that assuming that the store is located in Anjo City. Is located in Okazaki city. In such a case, even if the user inputs "Anjo City", the search may be extended to the surrounding municipalities. For example, when Anjo City is input, the search is expanded to the municipalities adjacent to that city. If the location of each point is described in the list of searched points together, it becomes easier to select.

In the above embodiment, each CD is completely divided into regions. For example, tourist destinations and the like are famous, but it may not be possible to know in which prefecture they are located. It is often far from the current position. Therefore, the CD may be located on a CD different from the currently activated CD. Therefore, for such a point, if the names are stored in all CDs, it is possible to search for the Japanese syllabary while any CD is running. However, since too much information cannot be duplicated and stored in all CDs, town page (occupational telephone directory) data, which is often searched for only in areas such as shops and companies, is stored only in CDs in that area. Store.

FIG. 22 is a view for explaining such a data structure.
, And the town page data and the like are stored only in each CD as area-limited data. For example, no. The third CD stores data relating to the Chubu region, and each CD stores information relating to nationwide registered point data of famous facilities, sightseeing spots, golf courses, and the like. No. The CD No. 3 includes registered point data nationwide and town page data (stores, companies, etc.) included in the Chubu region.

That is, the registration point data has a hierarchical structure,
Information of an upper layer such as nationwide registered point data is stored in all storage media, and data limited to an area such as town page data is divided into regions of lower layer as information of a lower layer and stored in the storage medium.

In the above-described embodiment, the registration point data is stored in a plurality of CDs in each area.
Of course, all data is stored on one CD and 50
You may make it input a sound. Further, in the above embodiment, the Japanese syllabary input (reading input) has been described, but the same applies to character string input such as English alphabet input.

[0047]

As described above, according to the present invention, the reading of the name of the registration point or the information on the character string of the name and the information on the area where the registration point exists are stored, and the reading of the name is performed. Alternatively, by inputting a part or the front part of the character string of the name, the registered point is searched and limited and displayed in a list, so that the user can easily select. In addition, by specifying a region in advance and performing primary extraction from all search symmetry, reading the name, or inputting a part or the front part of the name character string, the search symmetry can be limited. Or a search process for searching for spot data corresponding to the character string of the name can be reduced. When a plurality of CDs classified by region are used, nationwide common data and regional data are stored for each CD. Searching by inputting a character string becomes possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing one embodiment of a vehicle navigation device to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a road data file.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the flow of the entire system of the navigation device according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a registration point data structure.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a destination setting menu screen and a transition from the menu screen to a Japanese syllabary input screen.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a transition from a prefecture selection screen to a Japanese syllabary input screen.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a list display having a reading of “Fuji”.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a screen on which a reading of “Jyun” is input.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a transition from a list display screen having a reading of “Jiyun” to a Japanese syllabary input screen.

FIG. 11 is a transition diagram from a municipal selection screen to a Japanese syllabary input screen.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing point selection from a list display screen having a reading of “Jyun”.

FIG. 13 is a transition diagram from a Japanese syllabary input screen to a municipal selection screen.

FIG. 14 is a transition diagram from a Japanese syllabary input screen to a list display screen.

FIG. 15 is a transition diagram from a Japanese syllabary input screen to a municipal selection screen.

FIG. 16 is a transition diagram from a Japanese syllabary input screen to a list display screen.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a remaining list number display process.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a search process of the number of remaining lists.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating search processing by word division.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a name list.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a Japanese syllabary search processing flow.

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure.

[Explanation of symbols]

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 input / output device, 2 current position detecting device, 3 information storage device, 4 central processing device, 11 touch switch, 12
... Display, 13 ... Printer, 16 ... Speaker, 2
1 ... GPS receiver, 22 ... beacon receiver, 23 ...
Data transmission / reception device, 40 CPU, 41 flash memory, 42 ROM, 43 RAM, 44 image memory, 45 image processor, 46 audio processor, 4
7: Communication interface, 48: Sensor input interface, 49: Clock.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Takeshi Yanagikubo Inside Aisin AW Co., Ltd. 10 Takane, Fujii-cho, Anjo-shi, Aichi Prefecture

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. A vehicle navigation device capable of inputting a reading of a name of a registered point and searching for a corresponding registered point, wherein information relating to reading of each registered point and information relating to an area where the registered point exists are provided as registered point information. An information storage unit for storing a part or all of the reading of the registered point and an input unit for inputting information for specifying an area for searching the registered point; and a part or all of the reading input by the input unit. A search unit for searching for a corresponding registered point from the registered points stored in the information storage unit; and a display unit for displaying a list of the searched registered points, wherein the search unit determines a registered point by the input unit. When information for specifying an area to be searched is input, a vehicle navigation device is searched for a registered point corresponding to the input area. . 2. A vehicular navigation device which inputs a reading of a name of a registered point so that the corresponding registered point can be searched and displays a map including the searched registered point. Information storage means for storing information relating to the reading of the point and information relating to the area where the registered point including the position coordinates of the registered point is located; a part or all of the reading of the registered point and an area for searching the registered point; Input means for inputting information; search means for searching a registered point corresponding to part or all of the reading input by the input means from the registered points stored in the information storage means; and the searched registered point Is displayed in a list, and when one of the registered points displayed in the list is selected, the position coordinates of the registered point stored in the storage means are read out. Display means for displaying a map based on the position coordinates, wherein, when information for specifying an area to search for the registered point is input by the input means, the registered point corresponds to the input area. A navigation device for a vehicle, characterized by searching. 3. A vehicular navigation device for inputting a reading of a registered point name to search for a corresponding registered point, setting the searched registered point as a destination or a passing point, and performing route guidance. Information storage means for storing information about the reading of each registered point as map information and registered point information and information about the area where the registered point exists, including the position coordinates of the registered point; and part or all of the reading of the registered point and Input means for inputting information for designating an area to search for a registered point; and searching for a registered point corresponding to part or all of the reading input by the input means from the registered points stored in the information storage means. Means, display means for displaying a list of the searched registered points, current position detecting means for detecting the current position of the vehicle, and registration displayed in the list. When one of the points is selected, the position coordinates of the registered point stored in the storage means are read out, and the position coordinates are guided based on the current position detected as the destination or the passing point. Means for searching for a registration point corresponding to the input area when information specifying an area to search for a registration point is input by the input means. apparatus. 4. The vehicle navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the information storage means stores the registered point information in a plurality of storage media for each regional hierarchy, and the search means inputs the information by the input means. A vehicle navigation device for selecting a storage medium to be searched among a plurality of storage media based on information specifying a region in which a registered point is searched. 5. The vehicular navigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information storage means has a hierarchical structure of the registered point information, stores information of an upper hierarchy in all of a plurality of storage media, and stores information of a lower hierarchy. Wherein the information is divided into regions and stored in a storage medium. 6. The vehicular navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the information input by the input means for designating an area in which to search the registered point is:
A vehicular navigation device characterized by an administrative area unit. 7. The vehicular navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the information that is input by the input unit and that specifies an area in which to search the registered point is:
A vehicular navigation device characterized by an area designated by a user. 8. The vehicle navigation device according to claim 7, wherein the user designates an area designated by the user by setting a center of the area and a predetermined distance from the center.
A navigation device for a vehicle, which is located within a predetermined distance from a center. 9. The vehicle navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the information for specifying the area to be searched for the registered point input by the input means is:
A vehicle navigation device characterized by an area code of a telephone number, or an area code or an area code. 10. The vehicle navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the information that specifies the area in which the registered point is searched by the input means is a postal code. Navigation device. 11. The vehicle navigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information input by the input means for specifying an area in which to search for the registered point is a road name. Navigation device. 12. The vehicle navigation device according to claim 11, wherein said search means searches for a registered point within a predetermined distance from said input road. 13. A vehicle navigation device capable of inputting a character string of a name of a registered point to search for a corresponding registered point, wherein information on a character string of each registered point and information on an area where the registered point exists are provided as registered point information. Information storage means for storing information; input means for inputting information for designating a part or all of the character string of the registered point and an area for searching the registered point; and a part of the character string input by the input means Or a search unit for searching registered points corresponding to all from the registered points stored in the information storage unit; and a display unit for displaying a list of the searched registered points in a list. When information for designating an area to search for a registered point is input, the vehicle searches for a registered point corresponding to the input area. ® down apparatus. 14. A storage medium storing a program capable of retrieving a registration point corresponding to a name input by an external input, wherein information relating to reading of each registration point and information relating to an area where the registration point exists are included as registration point information. And information that specifies a part or all of the reading of the registered point and an area to search for the registered point as an external input signal, and the registered point corresponding to a part or all of the input reading A storage medium storing a program for searching for a registered point in a corresponding area, and displaying a list of the searched registered points. 15. A storage medium storing a program capable of retrieving a registration point corresponding to a name input by an external input, wherein information on a character string of the name of each registration point and the existence of the registration point are included as registration point information. Information about the area to be registered is stored, and part or all of the character string of the name of the registered point and information specifying the area to search for the registered point are input as an external input signal, and part of the input character string Alternatively, a storage medium storing a program for searching for registered points corresponding to all, searching for registered points in a corresponding area, and displaying a list of the searched registered points.