RU2404409C1 - Map displaying device for transportation vehicles and map displaying method - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: physics.

SUBSTANCE: display device for a transportation vehicle includes: device which locates the transportation vehicle; apparatus for obtaining map data in area where the transportation vehicle is located; and display control apparatus which establishes the road marking based on the location of the transportation vehicle and map data, and which controls the display device in order to display the image of the map in the area where the transportation vehicle is located and an image of the road marking. The road marking separates traffic lanes and is placed on the road where the transportation vehicle is located.

EFFECT: higher accuracy of locating a transportation vehicle.

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Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a map display device for a vehicle that displays a map, as well as to a map display method.

BACKGROUND

Typically, the navigation device controls a display unit to display the state of a lane, such as a transit lane and a right lane at an intersection in the direction of travel, based on map information and lane information corresponding to a specific direction of the vehicle (e.g., JP-A-2004 -117044).

The device disclosed in Patent Document 1 can recognize a lane condition for entering an intersection located in a direction of travel. However, in another place other than the intersection, the device cannot provide the driver with information about the dividing lane of the road markings plotted on the road, such as the center line.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

From the point of view of the above-described problem, the objective of the present disclosure is to provide a map display device for a vehicle that provides the driver with information about a road marking of a dividing lane at a current traffic location. Another objective of the present disclosure is to provide a map display method.

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a map display device for a vehicle includes: positioning means determining a location of a vehicle; map data acquisition means receiving map data in a region of a vehicle location; and display control means defining a road marking based on the vehicle’s location and map data, and controlling a display unit for displaying a map image in the area of the vehicle’s location and an image showing the road marking.

Road marking divides lanes and is plotted on the road at the location of the vehicle.

The above device can provide the driver with information about the dividing lane of the road markings at the current location.

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a map display method includes: determining a location of a vehicle; obtaining cartographic data in the area of the location of the vehicle; determination of road markings based on the location of the vehicle and map data; and displaying a map image in the area of the location of the vehicle and an image showing road markings. Road marking divides lanes and is plotted on the road at the location of the vehicle.

The above method provides the driver with information about the dividing lane of the road markings at the current location.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description, made with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a block diagram showing a map display device for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment;

2A-2C are block diagrams showing various images representing road markings on a road;

Figure 3 is a flowchart of a control unit; and

4A-4C are block diagrams showing images changing as the vehicle in question moves.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

1 shows a map display device for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment. The map display device for the vehicle is presented in the form of a navigation device 1. The navigation device 1 includes a location detector 10, a map data input element 15, operation switches 16, an external memory 18, a display unit 19, a transmitting / receiving unit 20, a voice controller 21 , a loudspeaker 22, a speech recognition device 23, a microphone 24, a remote control sensor 25, and a control unit 17 associated with these elements.

The location detector 10 includes a conventional geomagnetic sensor 11, a conventional gyroscope 12, a conventional distance sensor 13, a conventional GPS data receiving device 14, and other sensors. Information determining the location of the vehicle in question and corresponding to the characteristics of each sensor is supplied to the control unit 17.

To the control unit 17, by means of the map data input element 15, map data is inputted for displaying a map and searching for a route. At the request of the control unit 17, the cartographic data input element 15 reads cartographic data from a non-volatile data storage medium storing the cartographic data, such as a CD, DVD, or a hard disk.

Map data includes road data, such as the section ID (section identification number) for each section, the length of the section, the width of the road, the type of road, the number of lanes and the traffic light position, map guidance data to improve location accuracy, landscape data showing the location, shape and name of the river, lake, sea, railway, as well as objects, data about the objects, showing the name, location, type of object, etc.

The operation switches 16 include a touch switch, a mechanical switch, and the like. Operation switches 16 provide signals in accordance with user instructions. The touch switch is positioned so that it is superimposed on the display screen of the display unit 19. A mechanical switch is located next to the display screen of the display unit 19.

The external memory 18 is a memory that is independent of the internal memory of the control unit 17. External memory 18 may be a storage medium such as a hard disk and a memory card.

The display unit 19 includes a display screen, such as a liquid crystal display. The display unit 19 displays the image on the display screen according to the input image signal from the control device 17.

The transmitting / receiving unit 20 transmits and receives data from the VICS (Vehicle Information and Communication System, center of transport 5.) The transmitting / receiving unit 20 receives traffic information and the like. from VICS Center 5 and transmits vehicle information, user information, etc. at VICS Center 5.

The speech recognition device 23 verifies the input voice signal from the microphone 24 using vocabulary data (i.e. the comparison pattern under consideration) from the recognition dictionary stored in the device 23 for speech recognition by the device 23. The device 23 outputs the result of the speech recognition to the voice controller 21 .

The voice controller 21 outputs the recognition result obtained from the speech recognition device 23 to the control unit 17. Further, the controller 21 transmits a voice signal from the control unit 17 to the loudspeaker 22. In addition, the voice controller 21 controls the loudspeaker 22 to produce sound (i.e., voice feedback output) corresponding to the voice signal received from the microphone 24.

The remote control sensor 25 receives a signal from the remote controller 25a and transmits a signal to the control unit 17. The remote controller 25a transmits a wireless signal, such as an infrared signal, according to a user command.

The control unit 17 is a computer having a CPU, ROM, RAM, input / output element, etc. The CPU in the control unit 17 performs various kinds of processing according to the program stored in the ROM. The CPU of the control unit 17 performs processes such as a map display process for displaying markings at the location of the vehicle in question, superimposed on the map in the location area of the vehicle in question, a destination determination process for determining a destination according to a user command, a route search process for finding the best navigation route from the initial location to the destination, and the process of laying the route for laying the route according to found navigation route.

Map data in the present embodiment includes various image data representing road markings on a road. Road markings include the middle line of the road (i.e., the center line), the border of the lane representing the border between the lanes, and the outer road line representing the border between the curb and the road.

2A-2C show various images representing road markings on a road. 2A is a view showing a central road line L1 in the form of a dashed line and an external road line L2 in the form of a solid line on a road having two lanes. In fact, the central road line L1 and the outer road line L2 are white. 2B is a view showing a center line L1 as a solid line, a line border line L3 as a dashed line, and an outer road line L2 as a dashed line on a road having four lanes. In fact, the center road line L1 and the outer road line L2 and the line border line L3 are white. 2C is a view showing a center road line L1 as a solid line and an outer road line L2 as a solid line on a road having two lanes. In fact, the central road line L1 and the outer road line L2 are white.

Various images representing road markings on the road are stored in the form of cartographic data and are associated with the parcel ID for each parcel and the direction of movement.

Various images representing the road markings applied to the road comply with the rules of the road, such as “prohibition of changing lanes when overtaking” and “prohibition of changing lanes”. For example, when the number of strips in the direction of motion is one, the number of strips in the opposite direction is one, and there are no restrictions, the portion corresponds to the image shown in Fig. 2A. If the number of lanes in the direction of travel is two, the number of lanes in the opposite direction is two, and there are no restrictions, then the area corresponds to the image shown in Fig.2B. If the number of lanes in the direction of travel is equal to one, the number of lanes in the opposite direction is equal to one, and there is a restriction "prohibition of changing lanes", the section corresponds to the image shown in Fig.2C.

The control unit 17 according to an exemplary embodiment determines the road markings applied to the road in the direction of travel based on the location of the vehicle in question and map data in the area of the location of the vehicle in question. Unit 17 performs the process of displaying an image on a display screen of the display unit 19, wherein the image represents road markings plotted on the road at a movement location, together with a map display image based on map data.

Figure 3 shows a flowchart of the above process. When you turn on the ignition key of the vehicle, the navigation device 1 enters an operational state so that the control unit 17 starts to execute the process shown in FIG. 2.

First, the process of determining the location of the vehicle in question is performed (step S100). The process of determining the location of the vehicle in question is the process of determining the location of the vehicle in question (i.e., the latitude and longitude of the specified vehicle) and the direction of movement of the vehicle based on information entered from the location detector 10.

Then, the control unit 17 determines whether the location of the vehicle in question is set in the process of determining the location of the vehicle (step S200). For example, if the positioning signal of the vehicle in question is not input from the GPS receiver 14, since the vehicle is moving in the tunnel, the determination in step S200 yields "no." Then, the step S100 of the location process of the vehicle in question is repeated.

If the location of the vehicle in question (i.e., the latitude and longitude of the vehicle in question) and the direction of movement of the vehicle in question are determined in the process of determining the location of the vehicle, the determination in step S200 is “YES”. Then, the process of obtaining map data is performed (step S300). In the process of obtaining cartographic data, cartographic data is obtained in the area of the location of the vehicle in question and cartographic data is determined in each given block (for example, each grid cell).

It is then determined whether map data has been obtained (step S400). For example, if the map data in the area of the location of the vehicle in question is not stored in the map database, the result of the determination in step S400 is “NO”. Then, proceeding to step S100.

If map data in the area of the location of the vehicle in question is obtained, the determination in step S400 is “YES”. Then, the road markings applied to the road are determined at the location of movement (step S500). More precisely, based on the location of the vehicle in question and map data, determine the site ID for the site on which the vehicle in question is located, and the direction of movement in this area. An image representing road markings plotted on the road at a location of movement is determined with reference to map data. Thus, at the location of movement of the vehicle in question, the road markings applied to the road are determined.

Then, an image representing the road markings plotted on the road at the movement location, together with the map image based on the map data, is displayed on the display screen of the display unit 19 (step S600). More specifically, an image representing a road marking on a road at a traffic location determined in step S500 is read from the map data. An image representing the road markings plotted on the road at the location of movement, together with a sign representing the location of the vehicle in question, is displayed in such a way that it overlays the map image in the area of the location of the vehicle in question. The above process is constantly repeated, and thus, the image displayed on the display screen of the display unit 19 is updated as the vehicle moves.

4A-4C show displayed images that change as the vehicle in question moves. 4A-4C show display images at a location P of the vehicle in question illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4C. As shown in FIG. 4A, if the vehicle in question is located at location P of the vehicle in FIG. 4A, a map display image based on map data is displayed together with an image D1 representing road markings plotted on the road at a traffic location. As shown in FIG. 4B, if the vehicle in question moves to the location P of the vehicle in FIG. 4B, another image D2 representing road markings plotted on the road at the traffic location is displayed. As shown in FIG. 4C, if the vehicle in question moves to the location P of the vehicle in FIG. 4C, another image D3 representing road markings plotted on the road at the movement location is displayed. Thus, as the vehicle moves, the display images change.

In the above device, various images representing road markings applied to the road are tied to the identification number of the section of each section and the direction of movement and stored. The identification number of the site for the site in which the vehicle in question is located, and the direction of movement in this site are determined based on the location of the vehicle in question. An image is determined that represents the lane-dividing road markings printed on the road at a traffic location. An image representing road markings plotted on the road at a traffic location, together with a map display image based on map data, are displayed on a display screen. Accordingly, the driver can recognize the lane-dividing road markings printed on the road at the location of movement.

Thus, even if the driver, due to snow, cannot visually determine the center line on the road or the border between the lanes, or even if the center line on the road or the border between the lanes is erased, the driver can recognize the road markings, such as the center line of the road, and the border between the bands in the image displayed on the display screen of the display device 19. Moreover, this device prevents the driver from violating traffic rules, for example, in which the vehicle is prohibited from crossing the center line of the road.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Within the scope of the present invention, various aspects thereof may be provided.

For example, in the above embodiment, an image representing a road marking applied to a road at a traffic location, together with a location sign of the vehicle in question, is displayed so that it overlays the map image in the location area of the vehicle in question. Alternatively, an image representing a road marking plotted on a road at a traffic location and a map image in a location region of a vehicle in question that is superimposed with a location sign of the vehicle in question may be displayed adjacent to each other.

In the above embodiment, the display screen of the display unit 19 displays a map image in the location area of the vehicle in question, overlaid with an image representing the road markings plotted on the road at the traffic location, and the location sign of the vehicle in question. Alternatively, an image representing a road marking may be displayed on other display devices, such as a display device capable of reading the displayed information without tilting the head.

In the above embodiment, an image representing a road marking printed on a road at a movement location is displayed on a display screen of a display unit 19. Alternatively, for example, the device can determine whether the location of the vehicle in question is located in a section that has traffic rules, such as “prohibition of changing lanes when overtaking” and “prohibition of changing lanes”. If the device determines that the location of the vehicle in question is located in a section having traffic rules, an image representing road markings plotted on the road at the movement location is displayed on the display screen of the display device of the display device 19. If the device determines that the location of the vehicle in question is not in a section having traffic rules, an image representing road markings plotted on the road at a traffic location is not displayed on the display screen.

In the above embodiment, various images representing the road markings applied to the road are associated with the identification number of the section of each section and the direction of movement of the vehicle and are stored in a map database. The control unit 17 controls the determination and display of the image on the display screen based on the plot ID for the portion in which the vehicle in question is located and the direction of movement of the vehicle in question, the image representing lane-dividing road markings plotted on the road at a traffic location. Alternatively, for example, the number of lanes and traffic information representing traffic rules, such as “prohibition of changing lanes when overtaking” and “prohibition of changing lanes” at a traffic location can be obtained from map data. The device determines the type and color of the dividing strip of the road markings plotted on the road, and the number of lanes in the traffic location based on information about the rules and the number of lanes in the traffic location. Using a certain number of lanes and a certain type and color of dividing lane road markings, an image representing lane dividing road markings plotted on the road at a driving location can be displayed on a display screen of a display device.

The above disclosure has the following aspects.

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a map display device for a vehicle includes: positioning means determining a location of a vehicle; map data acquisition means receiving map data in a region of a vehicle location; and display control means establishing road markings based on the vehicle’s location and map data, and controlling a display unit for displaying a map image in the area of the vehicle’s location and the image showing the road markings. Road marking divides lanes and is plotted on the road at the location of the vehicle.

The above device determines the lane-dividing road markings plotted on the road at the current location of movement, based on the location of the vehicle and map data. The display unit displays an image showing the road markings plotted on the road at the current location of the movement, together with a map display image based on map data.

Thus, the device can provide the driver with information about the lane-dividing road markings at the current traffic location.

Alternatively, the map data may include an image showing a road marking. The image is associated with the site identification number for the site and the direction of movement. The display control means determines the identification number of the section for the section in which the vehicle is located, and the direction of movement in the section based on the location of the vehicle, and the display control determines the image showing the road markings.

Thus, various images are saved showing road markings applied to the road, signs associated with the identification number of the section for that section and the direction of movement. Determine the identification number of the site for the site in which the vehicle in question is located, and the direction of movement on the site, based on the location of the vehicle in question. Thus, an image is determined showing lane-dividing road markings plotted on the road at the current location of the vehicle.

Alternatively, the positioning means may include a geomagnetic sensor for determining the geomagnetic field, a gyroscope for determining the orientation of the vehicle, a distance sensor for determining the distance of travel, and a GPS receiver for receiving a signal from the GPS satellite. The map data obtaining means reads the map data from the data medium, and the display control means is a computer.

Alternatively, the map display device may be a navigation device mounted on a vehicle.

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a map display method includes: determining a location of a vehicle; obtaining cartographic data in the area of the location of the vehicle; determination of road markings based on the location of the vehicle and map data; and displaying a map image in the area of the location of the vehicle and an image showing road markings. Road marking divides lanes and is plotted on the road at the location of the vehicle.

The above method provides the driver with information and lane-sharing road markings at the current location.

Alternatively, vehicle positioning can be performed using GPS. Obtaining map data includes reading the map data from the data medium of the navigation aid, and displaying the map image and displaying the road marking image is performed using the display screen of the navigation device.

Although the invention has been described in preferred embodiments, it is apparent that the invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments and designs. The present invention is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent devices. In addition, although various preferred combinations and configurations are disclosed, other combinations and configurations including more elements, fewer elements or only one element are also within the scope of the present invention and correspond to its essence.

Claims (6)

1. A map display device for a vehicle, comprising: means for determining a location (11-14) determining a location of a vehicle; means (15) for obtaining cartographic data, receiving cartographic data in the region of the specified location of the vehicle; and image control means (17) determining the road marking based on the indicated vehicle location and map data, and controlling the display unit (19) for displaying a map in the region of the specified vehicle location and the image showing the road marking image, said road marking separates lanes and is plotted on the road at the indicated location of the vehicle. 2. The map display device according to claim 1, wherein the map data includes an image showing a road marking, wherein said image is associated with an area identification number for a given area and a direction of travel, wherein said display control means (17) determines an identification number site for the site in which the vehicle is located, and the direction of movement in this area, based on the specified location of the specified vehicle, and e device (17) determines the display control image showing a road marking. 3. The map display device according to claim 1 or 2, in which the means (11-14) for determining the location includes: a geomagnetic sensor (11) for determining the geomagnetic field, a gyroscope (12) for determining the orientation of the vehicle, a distance sensor (13 ) for detecting a distance of movement and a GPS receiver (14) for receiving a signal from a GPS satellite, wherein the means (15) for receiving map data reads the map data from the data medium, and wherein the means (17) for display control is a computer. 4. The map display device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the map display device (1) is a navigation device mounted on a vehicle. 5. A method for displaying a map comprising the steps of: determining a location of a vehicle; get map data in the region of the specified location of the vehicle; determining road markings based on the location of the vehicle and map data; and displaying a map in the area of the vehicle’s location and an image showing the road markings, said road marking separating lanes and plotted on the road at the location of the vehicle. 6. The map display method according to claim 5, wherein determining the location of the vehicle is performed using GPS, wherein obtaining map data includes reading map data from a storage medium of the navigation device (1), and displaying a map image and an image showing road marking is performed using the display screen of the navigation device (1).

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