JPWO2010095172A1 - Navigation device - Google Patents

Abstract

By referring to the map data, by specifying the coordinates of each point existing on the route indicated by the route data stored in the route data storage unit 2, the coordinate string data of the route is created, and on the route Is provided with a route coordinate sequence data creation unit 4 for setting the importance of each point existing in the map, and while switching the map scale or scroll speed according to the importance set by the route coordinate sequence data creation unit 4, the route coordinate sequence data The route is scroll-displayed according to the coordinate string data created by the creation unit 4.

Description

  The present invention relates to a navigation device that scrolls and displays a route from a departure place to a destination.

In recent years, an increasing number of vehicles are equipped with navigation devices.
The navigation device supports a user's comfortable driving by displaying a map on a display and presenting information on a route (route) from a departure place to a destination.
The navigation device has a function of confirming a route to a destination set by the user.
This function scrolls the map along the route from the starting point to the destination.
This function also has a function of jumping to the next waypoint and a function of changing the scale of the map while scrolling.

However, since this function is for monotonically scrolling the map, if the route to the destination is a long distance, it may take a long time for the point that the user wants to see to be displayed. .
As described above, the function of changing the scale of the map during scrolling is provided, and if the user performs an operation of changing the scale of the map, the route ahead can be displayed quickly, but the troublesome operation is performed. It will force users.

In Patent Document 1 below, as a method for efficiently confirming a route, a route from a starting point to a destination is divided into a plurality of traveling sections according to road types, and when the route is scroll-displayed, each traveling section is displayed. Discloses a method for changing the scale and scroll speed of a map.
Further, a method is disclosed in which a map is enlarged around an intersection that turns right and left, and when there is no intersection that turns right and left, a scrolling speed is set to a high speed.

JP 2000-021373 (paragraph numbers [0020] to [0022], FIG. 6)

  Since the conventional navigation apparatus is configured as described above, the scale and scroll speed of the map are changed depending on the type of road and the presence or absence of an intersection. However, since the map scale and scroll speed are not changed in consideration of the point that the user wants to see, there is a problem that the point that the user wants to see cannot always be confirmed in a short time.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a navigation apparatus that can efficiently confirm a point that a user wants to see in a short time.

  The navigation device according to the present invention includes importance setting means for setting importance of each point existing on the route searched by the route search means, and the route display means has the importance set by the importance setting means. Accordingly, the route searched by the route searching means is scroll-displayed in accordance with the coordinate string data created by the coordinate string data creating means while switching the scale or scroll speed of the map.

  As a result, there is an effect that the user can efficiently confirm the point that the user wants to see in a short time.

It is a block diagram which shows the navigation apparatus by Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the processing content of the navigation apparatus by Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the production | generation process of the route coordinate sequence data in the route coordinate sequence data creation part 4. It is a flowchart which shows the importance level setting process in the route coordinate sequence data creation part 4. 6 is a flowchart showing a scroll display control process in a path scroll control unit 6; It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a display of a map. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a display of a map. It is a flowchart which shows the setting process of the importance in the route coordinate sequence data creation part 4 of the navigation apparatus by Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the setting process of the importance in the route coordinate sequence data creation part 4 of the navigation apparatus by Embodiment 3 of this invention.

Hereinafter, in order to describe the present invention in more detail, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a navigation apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
However, in FIG. 1, general components of the navigation apparatus are omitted, and only components related to the invention are described.
In FIG. 1, when a user operates a man-machine interface (not shown) or the like to set a destination and input a route search request, a route search unit 1 determines a departure location (current location) and a destination. A process for searching for a route from the departure point to the destination is performed by receiving a route search command including the route. The route search unit 1 constitutes route search means.
The route data storage unit 2 is a memory that temporarily stores route data indicating the route searched by the route search unit 1.
The route data is road connection information indicating road connections on the route, and does not hold route coordinate data (position in the map coordinate system).

The map DB 3 is a database that stores map data.
The route coordinate sequence data creation unit 4 refers to the map data stored in the map DB 3 and specifies the coordinates of each point existing on the route indicated by the route data stored in the route data storage unit 2. In addition to creating coordinate sequence data of the route, a process of setting the importance of each point existing on the route is performed.
The map DB 3 and the route coordinate sequence data creation unit 4 constitute coordinate sequence data creation means, and the route coordinate sequence data creation unit 4 constitutes importance setting means.

The route coordinate sequence data storage unit 5 is a memory that stores the route coordinate sequence data created by the route coordinate sequence data creation unit 4.
However, the route coordinate sequence data storage unit 5 stores only the route coordinate sequence data when the route coordinate sequence data includes information indicating the importance of each point set by the route coordinate sequence data creation unit 4. However, when the information indicating the importance of each point is not included in the route coordinate string data, the information indicating the importance of each point is stored separately from the route coordinate string data.

When the user inputs a route scroll display request by operating a man-machine interface (not shown) or the like by the user, the route scroll control unit 6 reduces the scale of the map according to the importance set by the route coordinate sequence data creation unit 4. Alternatively, a process of outputting a command for scroll display of the route to the map drawing unit 7 according to the route coordinate sequence data stored in the route coordinate sequence data storage unit 5 while switching the scroll speed is performed.
Under the control of the route scroll control unit 6, the map drawing unit 7 performs a process of scrolling and displaying a map in a range centered on each point existing on the route while switching the map scale or scroll speed.
The route scroll control unit 6 and the map drawing unit 7 constitute route display means.

  In the example of FIG. 1, each of the route search unit 1, the route coordinate sequence data creation unit 4, the route scroll control unit 6, and the map drawing unit 7, which are components of the navigation device, implements dedicated hardware (for example, a CPU). In the case where the navigation device is configured by a computer, a route search unit 1, a route coordinate sequence data creation unit 4, a route scroll control unit 6 and a map are assumed. A program in which the processing content of the drawing unit 7 is described may be stored in the memory of the computer, and the CPU of the computer may execute the program stored in the memory.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the navigation device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a route coordinate sequence data creation process in the route coordinate sequence data creation unit 4, and FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an importance level setting process in the route coordinate sequence data creation unit 4.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a scroll display control process in the path scroll controller 6.

Next, the operation will be described.
First, when a user operates a man-machine interface (not shown) or the like to set a destination and input a route search request, a route search command including the departure point (current location) and the destination is route searched. Given to part 1.
When the route search unit 1 receives the route search command, the route search command refers to the route search command, recognizes the departure point and the destination, searches for a route from the departure point to the destination, and shows route data indicating the route. Is stored in the route data storage unit 2 (step ST1 in FIG. 2).
Since the route search processing in the route search unit 1 is a known technique, detailed description thereof is omitted here.

When the route search unit 1 stores the route data in the route data storage unit 2, the route coordinate sequence data creation unit 4 refers to the map data stored in the map DB 3, and calculates the coordinates of each point existing on the route. Route coordinate sequence data which is a point sequence is created, and the route coordinate sequence data is stored in the route coordinate sequence data storage unit 5 (step ST2).
That is, when the route search unit 1 stores the route data in the route data storage unit 2, the route coordinate sequence data creation unit 4 acquires the route data from the route data storage unit 2 (step ST11 in FIG. 3).
When the route coordinate sequence data creation unit 4 obtains route data from the route data storage unit 2, the route coordinate sequence data creation unit 4 obtains map data corresponding to the route data from the map DB 3 (step ST12). The map data here corresponds to road coordinate data, and does not include facility information such as public facilities and department stores.

When the route coordinate sequence data creation unit 4 acquires the map data from the map DB 3, the route coordinate sequence data creation unit 4 refers to the map data, specifies the coordinates of each point existing on the route, and connects the coordinates of each point to thereby obtain the route. Coordinate sequence data is created, and the route coordinate sequence data is stored in the route coordinate sequence data storage unit 5 (step ST13).
When connecting the coordinates of the points, the coordinates are arranged in the order from the departure point to the destination.

When the route coordinate string data creating unit 4 creates the route coordinate string data as described above, the importance level of each point existing on the route is set (step ST3 in FIG. 2).
Hereinafter, the importance setting processing by the route coordinate sequence data creation unit 4 will be described in detail.
As shown below, the importance level setting process is performed for each point existing on the route. For example, if the number of points existing on the route is 100, the importance level setting process is performed 100 times. Repeat.

The route coordinate sequence data creation unit 4 acquires one coordinate of a point existing on the route from the previously created route coordinate sequence data (step ST21 in FIG. 4).
In the first importance setting process, the coordinates of the point closest to the departure point are acquired, and in the second importance setting process, the coordinates of the point closest to the departure point are acquired, and the Nth importance In the degree setting process, the coordinates of the Nth closest point from the departure point are acquired.

When the coordinates of the point existing on the route (hereinafter referred to as “route point”) are acquired, the route coordinate sequence data creation unit 4 and the coordinates of the route point and the reference point (departure point, waypoint, destination, And the distance D between the route point and the reference point is calculated.
For example, if the starting point, waypoint, destination, and right / left turn point are closest to the route point, for example, the route point is calculated by calculating the distance D between the route point and the waypoint. If the closest is the destination, for example, the distance D between the route point and the destination is calculated.
When the distance D between the route point and the reference point is calculated, the route coordinate sequence data creation unit 4 sets the importance of a larger value to the route point as the distance D is closer, and the smaller the value as the distance D is farther away. The importance is set to the route point (step ST23).

  Thus, since the route coordinate sequence data creation unit 4 repeatedly sets the importance of each route point according to the distance D between the route point and the reference point, the importance greatly differs between adjacent route points. Absent.

When a user inputs a route scroll display request by operating a man-machine interface (not shown) or the like, a route scroll start command is given to the route scroll control unit 6.
When receiving the route scroll start command, the route scroll control unit 6 stores the map in the route coordinate sequence data storage unit 5 while switching the map scale or the scroll speed according to the importance set by the route coordinate sequence data creation unit 4. A command for scrolling and displaying the route according to the route coordinate string data being output is output to the map drawing unit 7.
Under the control of the route scroll control unit 6, the map drawing unit 7 scrolls and displays a map in a range centered on each point existing on the route while switching the map scale or scroll speed (FIG. 2). Step ST4).

Hereinafter, the scroll display process by the route scroll control unit 6 and the map drawing unit 7 will be specifically described.
As shown below, the scroll display process is performed for each point existing on the route. For example, if the number of points existing on the route is 100, the scroll display process is repeated 100 times.

When the route scroll control unit 6 receives the route scroll start command, it reads the route coordinate sequence data stored in the route coordinate sequence data storage unit 5, and from the route coordinate sequence data, the coordinates of the points existing on the route and the important points Get one degree each.
In the first scroll display process, the coordinates and importance of the point closest to the departure point are acquired. In the second scroll display process, the coordinates and importance of the point closest to the departure point are acquired, and the Nth time. In the scroll display process, the coordinates and importance of the Nth closest point from the departure point are acquired.
Further, the route scroll control unit 6 refers to the coordinates of the acquired point, and obtains map data around the point (data including facility information such as a road line and a convenience store) from the map DB 3. get.

Next, the route scroll control unit 6 sets the scale of the map or the scroll speed according to the importance of the acquired point.
In other words, the route scroll control unit 6 sets the scale of the map to a large scale in order to enlarge and display the map around the point (step ST32) if the importance is a large value (step ST31 in FIG. 5). ). Alternatively, the scroll speed is set to a low speed.
On the other hand, if the importance is a small value (step ST31 in FIG. 5), the scale of the map is set to a small scale (step ST33) in order to quickly scroll. Alternatively, the scroll speed is set to a high speed.

When the scale or scroll speed of the map is set, the route scroll control unit 6 outputs a display command including the setting contents of the scale or scroll speed and map data around the point to the map drawing unit 7.
When the map drawing unit 7 receives a display command from the route scroll control unit 6, the map drawing unit 7 is based on the map data included in the display command at the scale or scroll speed of the map indicated by the setting content included in the display command. A map is drawn (step ST34).

Here, FIG.6 and FIG.7 is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a display of a map. 6 and 7, S is a departure place, G is a destination, and a bold line is a route.
In the example of FIG. 6, since the point on the route (point at the center of the screen) is close to the starting point which is the reference point, for example, the importance of a large value is set, and the map is displayed in an enlarged manner. It is easy to understand the surrounding situation.
On the other hand, in the example of FIG. 7, since the point on the route (the point at the center of the screen) is far from, for example, a transit point that is the reference point, the importance of a small value is set and the map is displayed in a reduced size. , Scrolling is progressing fast.
As described above, since the importance does not greatly differ between adjacent points, the scale is not changed suddenly, and the user does not know which point is scrolling.

  If the scrolling speed is set to low when the importance level is large, and the scrolling speed is set to high speed when the importance level is small, the scrolling time at the important point for grasping the route becomes long. Therefore, it becomes easy to confirm the point that the user wants to see. In addition, since the scroll time of a point that is not very important in grasping the route is shortened, the time required until the point that the user wants to see is displayed is shortened.

  As is apparent from the above, according to the first embodiment, the coordinates of each point existing on the route indicated by the route data stored in the route data storage unit 2 are specified with reference to the map data. The route coordinate sequence data creation unit 4 for creating the coordinate sequence data of the route and setting the importance of each point existing on the route is provided, and the importance set by the route coordinate sequence data creation unit 4 is provided. Since the route is scroll-displayed according to the coordinate sequence data created by the route coordinate sequence data creation unit 4 while switching the scale or scroll speed of the map according to There is an effect that can be confirmed.

  In addition, according to the first embodiment, when the map scale is switched according to the importance set by the route coordinate sequence data creation unit 4, the map scale is increased if the importance of the currently displayed point is high. On the other hand, if the scale of the currently displayed point is low, the scale of the map is set to a small scale and the scroll speed is switched according to the importance set by the route coordinate sequence data creation unit 4 If the importance of the point being displayed is high, the scroll speed is set to a low speed, while if the importance of the currently displayed point is low, the scroll speed is set to a high speed. This makes it easy to check the time and shortens the time required until the user wants to see the desired spot.

  Moreover, according to this Embodiment 1, it comprised so that the importance of each point might be set according to the distance from each point which exists on a path | route to a departure place, a stopover, a destination, or a right-and-left turn point As a result, it is possible to facilitate confirmation of the departure point, the waypoint, the destination, and the left and right turn points.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
In the first embodiment, the route coordinate sequence data creation unit 4 sets the importance of each point according to the distance from each point existing on the route to the departure point, waypoint, destination, or left and right turn point. Although shown about the thing, you may make it the route coordinate sequence data creation part 4 set the importance of each point according to the curvature of the road in each point which exists on a route.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing importance setting processing in the route coordinate sequence data creation unit 4 of the navigation device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.
Hereinafter, the importance setting processing by the route coordinate sequence data creation unit 4 will be described in detail.
Also in the second embodiment, the importance setting process is performed for each point existing on the route as shown below. For example, if the number of points existing on the route is 100, 100 is set. Repeat the importance setting process.

The route coordinate sequence data creation unit 4 acquires one coordinate of a point existing on the route from the previously created route coordinate sequence data (step ST41).
In the first importance setting process, the coordinates of the point closest to the departure point are acquired, and in the second importance setting process, the coordinates of the point closest to the departure point are acquired, and the Nth importance In the degree setting process, the coordinates of the Nth closest point from the departure point are acquired.

When the coordinates of the point existing on the route (hereinafter referred to as “route point”) are acquired, the route coordinate sequence data creation unit 4 uses the coordinates of the route point and the coordinates of the point adjacent to the route point. Then, the curvature of the road at the route point is calculated (step ST42).
Alternatively, the curvature of the road at the route point is calculated with reference to the map data corresponding to the route point.
When calculating the curvature of the road at the route point, the route coordinate sequence data creation unit 4 sets the importance of a larger value to the route point as the curvature is higher, and the importance of a smaller value as the curvature is lower. The route point is set (step ST43).
As a result, the route is greatly bent, so that a map is enlarged and displayed at a point where a large operation is required for driving, and a map is reduced and displayed at a point where the route is small and a large operation is not required.

  As apparent from the above, according to the second embodiment, the route coordinate sequence data creation unit 4 is configured to set the importance of each point according to the curvature of the road at each point existing on the route. As a result, it is possible to efficiently grasp a map of a point requiring a large driving operation.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
In the first embodiment, the route coordinate sequence data creation unit 4 sets the importance of each point according to the distance from each point existing on the route to the departure point, waypoint, destination, or left and right turn point. As shown above, the number of intersections or facilities (for example, facilities such as convenience stores and department stores) existing around each point on the route, or the roads around each point. The importance of each point may be set according to the degree of congestion.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing importance setting processing in the route coordinate sequence data creation unit 4 of the navigation device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.
Hereinafter, the importance setting processing by the route coordinate sequence data creation unit 4 will be described in detail.
Also in the third embodiment, the importance setting process is performed for each point existing on the route as shown below. For example, if the number of points existing on the route is 100, 100 is set. Repeat the importance setting process.

The route coordinate sequence data creation unit 4 acquires one coordinate of a point existing on the route from the previously created route coordinate sequence data (step ST51).
In the first importance setting process, the coordinates of the point closest to the departure point are acquired, and in the second importance setting process, the coordinates of the point closest to the departure point are acquired, and the Nth importance In the degree setting process, the coordinates of the Nth closest point from the departure point are acquired.

When the coordinates of a point existing on the route (hereinafter referred to as “route point”) are acquired, the route coordinate sequence data creation unit 4 refers to the map data around the route point, and surrounds the route point ( For example, the number of intersections or facilities existing within a radius of 1 km from the route point) is counted (step ST52). Alternatively, the density of roads around each point is calculated with reference to map data around the route point.
When the number of intersections or facilities existing around the route point is counted, the route coordinate sequence data creation unit 4 sets the importance of a larger value to the route point as the number of the intersections or facilities increases. Alternatively, the smaller the number of facilities, the smaller the importance is set for the route point (step ST53).
Further, when the route coordinate sequence data creation unit 4 calculates the density of roads around each point, the higher the density, the greater the importance set for the route point, and the lower the density. The importance of a small value is set for the route point.
As a result, the map is enlarged and displayed at urban points where there are many intersections, etc., or in urban areas where the degree of congestion is high, and the surrounding situation can be easily understood.

  As is apparent from the above, according to the third embodiment, the route coordinate sequence data creation unit 4 has the number of intersections or facilities existing around each point existing on the route, or the road around each point. Since the degree of importance of each point is set according to the degree of congestion, it is possible to efficiently grasp the situation around the route in the urban area.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
In the first embodiment, the route coordinate sequence data creation unit 4 sets the importance of each point according to the distance from each point existing on the route to the departure point, waypoint, destination, or left and right turn point. Although shown about a thing, the route coordinate sequence data creation part 4 may be provided with the input device which receives designation | designated of the importance of each point which exists on a route from a user.
This allows the user to customize the importance of each point present on the route.
Accordingly, by operating the input device, the user can set, for example, to increase the importance of a spot where there is a tourist attraction to be visited, and a map of the spot that the user wants to see is enlarged.

  As is apparent from the above, according to the fourth embodiment, the route coordinate sequence data creation unit 4 is configured to include an input device that receives designation of the importance of each point existing on the route from the user. The effect which can confirm efficiently the point which a user wants to see is produced.

Embodiment 5 FIG.
In the first embodiment, the route coordinate sequence data creation unit 4 sets the importance of each point according to the distance from each point existing on the route to the departure point, waypoint, destination or left and right turn point. In the second embodiment, the route coordinate string data creation unit 4 sets the importance of each point according to the curvature of the road at each point existing on the route. In the third embodiment, the path coordinate string The data creation unit 4 shows how to set the importance of each point according to the number of intersections or facilities existing around each point on the route, or the density of roads around each point However, it goes without saying that the importance setting methods in the first to third embodiments may be appropriately combined.
For example, each point considering the distance from each point to the departure point, etc., A%, the curvature of the road at each point, B%, the number of intersections around each point, etc., or the road congestion, C% Set the importance of. However, A% + B% + C% = 100%.

  As described above, the navigation device according to the present invention is suitable for a navigation device having a function of scrolling and displaying a route from a departure place to a destination.

Claims (7)

  The route search means for searching for the route from the starting point to the destination, and the coordinates of the route by specifying the coordinates of each point existing on the route searched by the route search means with reference to the map data Coordinate string data creating means for creating column data, importance setting means for setting importance of each point existing on the route searched by the route searching means, and importance set by the importance setting means And a route display means for scrolling and displaying the route searched by the route search means in accordance with the coordinate string data created by the coordinate string data creation means while switching the map scale or scroll speed according to the above.   When the map display scale is switched according to the importance set by the importance setting means, the route display means sets the map scale to the large scale if the importance of the currently displayed point is high, while the current display If the importance of the point is low, set the scale of the map to a small scale and switch the scrolling speed according to the importance set by the importance setting means, if the importance of the currently displayed point is high, 2. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the scroll speed is set to a low speed while the scroll speed is set to a high speed if the importance of the point currently being displayed is low.   The importance level setting means sets the importance level of each point according to the distance from each point existing on the route to the departure point, waypoint, destination or left and right turn point. Navigation device.   2. The navigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the importance setting means sets the importance of each point according to the curvature of the road at each point existing on the route.   The importance setting means sets the importance of each point according to the number of intersections or facilities existing around each point existing on the route or the density of roads around each point. The navigation device according to claim 1.   2. The navigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the importance level setting unit includes an input device that receives designation of importance levels of points on the route from the user.   The importance setting means is the distance from each point on the route to the starting point, waypoint, destination or left / right turn point, or the curvature of the road at each point on the route, or on the route The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the importance of each point is set according to the number of intersections or facilities existing around each point or the density of roads around each point.

Images