KR20040022742A - Road information displaying method and system thereof for a vehicle navigation system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A method for displaying the road information of a car navigation and an apparatus for the same are provided to easily recognize the traveling direction at the crossroad by supplying a visual information similar to a real shape of the crossroad to the driver. CONSTITUTION: A method for displaying the road information of a car navigation includes the steps of: determining whether the distance between the car and the approaching crossroad is below a preset distance or not; extracting a set crossroad data and at least one set crossroad image frame if the distance between the car and the approaching crossroad is below; implementing the crossroad image by synthesizing the extracted crossroad data and at least one crossroad image; and displaying the implemented crossroad image on the display device(22).

Description

ROAD INFORMATION DISPLAYING METHOD AND SYSTEM THEREOF FOR A VEHICLE NAVIGATION SYSTEM}

The present invention relates to a method of displaying road information of a vehicle navigation system, and more particularly, to a method of providing a driver with an image approximating the actual shape of a road so that the driver can easily check a traveling route.

In order to provide the convenience of driving, various vehicle navigation systems have been developed to provide the driver with information about the current position of the vehicle or road conditions, and in particular, various methods for providing the driver with information on the shape of the road or roads. Has already been presented.

The most basic function of a vehicle navigation system is to track the location of a vehicle in motion and accurately display it on a road map, and incidentally provide useful information about a major destination of interest.

In general, such a vehicle navigation apparatus includes a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver, a data storage unit, a controller, and a display device.

The controller searches for various information and routes of the destination of the vehicle by using satellite signals, signals of various sensors, and information stored in the recording medium, and provides the driver with the information through the display apparatus.

In the conventional vehicle navigation apparatus, when it is determined that there is an intersection in front of the vehicle, the data storage unit extracts information on the intersection and displays the image of the intersection on the display device.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image displays all roads and landmarks around the intersection, and mainly extracts and displays only the road outline, so that the driver may proceed at the intersection through the image information when the vehicle is traveling at high speed. There is a problem that can not easily grasp.

In particular, when the vehicle is traveling at a high speed as in a highway, there is a problem that the driver cannot grasp the direction of travel at the intersection in a short time through the road information image as described above.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a road information display method so that a driver can easily recognize a traveling direction at an intersection of a road.

1 is a schematic diagram showing a road information display device of a vehicle navigation system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a plurality of intersection image frames and an intersection image formed by synthesizing the plurality of intersection image frames according to the road information display method of the vehicle navigation system according to the present invention.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a road information display method of a vehicle navigation system according to the present invention.

Road information display method of the vehicle navigation system according to the present invention for achieving the above object

Determining whether a distance to an upcoming intersection is less than a set distance; And

If it is determined that the distance to the upcoming intersection is less than the set distance, extracting set intersection data corresponding to the upcoming intersection and at least one set of intersection image frames;

Synthesizing the extracted intersection data with at least one intersection image to implement an intersection image; And

Displaying the implemented intersection image on a display device;

Characterized in that it comprises a.

Road information display device of a vehicle navigation system according to the present invention

A map data storage unit for storing intersection data and intersection image frames for intersections of roads;

A GPS receiver for receiving a Global Positioning System (GPS) signal from a satellite;

A controller which provides road information necessary for driving of the vehicle by using the information stored in the map data storage unit and the signal of the GPS receiver unit; And

A display device that receives an image signal from the controller and displays it

Including,

The control unit

Calculating a distance to an upcoming intersection based on a signal of the GPS receiver;

A determination step of determining whether the calculated distance is less than a set distance;

Extracting intersection data stored in the map data storage unit and the intersection image frame when the calculated distance is less than the set distance;

Synthesizing an image of an intersection using the extracted intersection data and an intersection image frame; And

Displaying the synthesized intersection image on the display device;

It is characterized in that it is programmed to perform.

Preferably, the set intersection data includes data regarding a traveling direction at an intersection and data about a name of a road.

The image frame preferably comprises image frames for roads and backgrounds.

Preferably, the image frame further includes at least one of an image frame and a display direction image frame with respect to the sign.

In addition, the moving direction display image frame preferably includes an arrow-shaped moving direction display.

Preferably, the image frame further includes a remaining distance display image frame.

Hereinafter, a road information display method and a device of a navigation system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As shown in FIG. 2, the road information display apparatus of the navigation system according to the present invention includes a GPS receiver 12 and a function setting input unit 14 for receiving a GPS (Global Positioning System) signal from a satellite. ), A map data storage unit 18 storing road information, a map data control unit 16 controlling the map data storage unit, a display device 22 displaying road information, and a display control unit controlling the display device ( 20), the temporary data storage unit 24, and the main control unit 26.

The driver selects a desired function from the route guidance function (location tracking function, route information providing function reaching a target reach point, etc.) through the function setting input unit 14, and the function setting input unit 14 receives a signal corresponding to the selected function. Output to the main control unit 26.

The main controller 26 performs overall control for providing road information by using map data information and GPS signals of the map data storage unit 18.

The main control unit 26 is configured to communicate with the GPS receiver 12, the function setting input unit 14, the map data control unit 16, and the display control unit 20 by a conventional protocol.

In addition, the main control unit 26 includes a microprocessor and associated hardware, and can be programmed by a person skilled in the art to perform the road information displaying method of the present invention described below. Of course.

At the time of constructing the map data set in the map data storage 18, information about a specific part of the road is separately constructed on the database separately from the set map data. Part of the road means a fork or junction. Hereinafter, a method of displaying road information at an intersection of a highway will be described. Road information display method according to the present invention can be particularly useful for the intersection of the highway.

In the road information display method according to the present invention, the intersection information data of the highway which is separate from the existing map data is constructed, and the intersection information data that is separately constructed includes a map leaf (mesh), a road link ID, a common name of a road, a road It includes a unique name (unique number), map coordinates and direction information.

The whole map is divided into certain units, each of which is called a map leaf. The generic name of a road means a name of a specific road generally used by people, and a unique name of a road means a unique name used to distinguish a particular road from another road. The map coordinates refer to the coordinates on the map of the intersection, and the information on the direction is information about the direction to proceed to the specific destination at the intersection.

In addition, a plurality of image frames for forming an image of the intersection of the highway is formed, it is preferable to convert the image file of the intersection into a data file in a separate format and to store in the map data storage unit 18 in units of frames. Do.

As shown in Fig. 2, the intersection image frame to be stored includes a frame (frame 1) storing an image for a sign, a frame (frame 2) storing an image of a road and a background, a frame storing a direction indication ( Frame 3) and a frame (frame 4) that stores an indication of the remaining distance.

An image of a sign means an image of a sign for displaying information on a progress direction at a corresponding intersection, and an image of a road and a background means an image of a shape of a road at an intersection and a background of a surrounding.

In addition, the traveling direction means a direction in which the vehicle should proceed in the intersection to reach the current driving target point, the traveling direction is preferably represented by an arrow as shown in the figure. That is, to indicate the direction in which the vehicle should proceed at the intersection in order to reach the destination, when the main control unit 26 determines the direction of movement at the intersection, the corresponding arrow is selected.

The remaining distance means the distance from the current vehicle position to the intersection, and this distance can be calculated using a GPS signal. The remaining distance is calculated in real time according to the driving of the vehicle and the remaining distance is displayed.

The embodiment of the present invention may include, but is not limited to, an image frame having various information such as a road name and an intersection name, but not limited thereto.

If the distance between the current vehicle and the intersection is less than the set distance, the main control unit 26 stores the intersection information data stored in the map data storage unit and the four image frames so that the driver can easily recognize the traveling direction at the intersection. Are synthesized to form an image of the intersection as shown in FIG. 2 (e), and displayed on the display device.

Image synthesis of the intersection using the intersection information data and the plurality of intersection image frames as described above can be easily performed by those skilled in the art.

As shown in FIG. 2, the synthesized intersection image preferably includes direction information (1) at a highway intersection, a direction in which the vehicle should proceed at the intersection (2), and a residual distance (3) to the intersection. .

Image information about the intersection may be provided using the intersection information data as described above and the intersection image frame. That is, a plurality of image frames may be synthesized to form one image frame, and at the same time, necessary data among the intersection information data may be simultaneously expressed in the synthesized image frame to provide image information of the intersection.

Referring to Figure 3 will be described a highway intersection information display method of the navigation system according to the present invention.

First, when a command for displaying road information is input from the function setting input unit 14, the main control unit 26 searches for an optimal route to reach a target arrival point (step S310).

The main controller 26 acquires road map information corresponding to the searched route using the map data stored in the map data storage unit 18 (step S312).

The main controller 26 causes the road map data searched under the control of the display control unit 20 to be displayed on the display device 22, and on the other hand, the road map data stored in the temporary data storage unit 24 is stored. (Step S314 and step S316).

The route guidance is continued using the road map data stored in the temporary data storage unit 24, and it is determined whether the route guidance is completed (steps S318 and S320).

Whether the route guidance is finished may be determined by whether the distance between the target point and the current vehicle is less than or equal to the set distance. Here, the set distance is a distance that can be said that no longer the route guidance in close proximity to the target point is a preset value, for example, may be set to 100m, or 150m.

If it is determined in step S320 that the route guidance is ended, the method for displaying road information according to the present invention ends, and if it is determined in step S320 that the route guidance is not terminated, the main controller 26 determines the distance between the current vehicle and the highway intersection. It is determined whether is less than the set distance (step S322).

The set distance may be set to a suitable distance for the driver to recognize that the intersection is located in front, for example, may be set to 1 km.

If it is determined in step S322 that the distance between the current vehicle and the highway intersection is not less than the set distance, the voice information on the remaining distance to the intersection is provided when the current vehicle position is a highway and up to the intersection in the case of a general road. Providing the voice information for the distance of the street and displays the enlarged intersection (step S324).

If it is determined in step S322 that the distance between the current vehicle and the intersection is less than the set distance, the main controller 26 acquires intersection information data for the corresponding highway intersection stored in the map data storage unit 18 (step S326). ).

As described above, the intersection information data means a road normal name, a road unique name, map coordinates, direction information, and the like at the intersection as described above.

In addition, the main controller 26 acquires the intersection image frames stored in the map data storage unit 18, and then synthesizes the highway intersection information data and the intersection image frame to generate image information of the intersection (S328). .

As a result, as shown in the figure, an intersection image including direction information and a direction indication at the intersection is implemented, and the intersection image is similar to an actual intersection so that the driver can easily recognize the direction of the intersection at the intersection. You can do it.

In this case, the intersection image frame includes a frame storing an image of a road and a background, a frame storing an image of a sign, a frame storing a progress indication, and a frame storing an indication of a remaining distance, as described above. do.

In addition, the main controller 26 displays the generated intersection image on the display device 22 and provides voice guidance on the remaining distance to the intersection for the convenience of the driver (step S330).

According to the road information display method of the navigation system of the present invention as described above, by providing the driver with visual information similar to the actual shape of the intersection of the road, the driver can easily recognize the direction of travel at the intersection.

Claims (12)

Determining whether a distance to an upcoming intersection is less than a set distance; And If it is determined that the distance to the upcoming intersection is less than the set distance, extracting set intersection data corresponding to the upcoming intersection and at least one set of intersection image frames; Synthesizing the extracted intersection data with at least one intersection image to implement an intersection image; And Displaying the implemented intersection image on a display device; Road information display method of a vehicle navigation system comprising a. In claim 1, The set intersection data includes data on a traveling direction at an intersection and data on a name of a road. In claim 1, And the image frame includes an image frame for a road and a background. In claim 3, The image frame may further include at least one of an image frame and a moving direction display image frame for the sign. In claim 4, And the progress direction display image frame includes an arrow-shaped progress direction display. In claim 4, And the image frame further comprises a residual distance display image frame. A map data storage unit for storing intersection data and intersection image frames for intersections of roads; A GPS receiver for receiving a Global Positioning System (GPS) signal from a satellite; A controller which provides road information necessary for driving of the vehicle by using the information stored in the map data storage unit and the signal of the GPS receiver unit; And A display device that receives an image signal from the controller and displays it In the road information display device of the vehicle navigation system comprising: The control unit Calculating a distance to an upcoming intersection based on a signal of the GPS receiver; A determination step of determining whether the calculated distance is less than a set distance; Extracting intersection data stored in the map data storage unit and the intersection image frame when the calculated distance is less than the set distance; Synthesizing an image of an intersection using the extracted intersection data and an intersection image frame; And Displaying the synthesized intersection image on the display device; Road information display device of a vehicle navigation system, characterized in that it is programmed to perform. In claim 7, The intersection data includes data on the direction of travel at the intersection and data on the name of the road. In claim 7, And the image frame includes an image frame for a road and a background. In claim 9, The image frame may further include at least one of an image frame and a moving direction display image frame for the sign. In claim 10, And the moving direction display image frame includes an arrow-shaped moving direction display. In claim 10, And the image frame further comprises a residual distance display image frame.