JP3354851B2 - Navigation device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a navigation apparatus for providing guidance on a traveling route of a vehicle, and more particularly, to a navigation apparatus capable of easily searching for a desired facility and providing guidance.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional navigation device. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a process performed by a control unit of a conventional navigation device. Hereinafter, description will be made with reference to the drawings. Reference numeral 11 denotes a position detection unit including a GPS system, an independent navigation system that detects the position of the vehicle using a vehicle speed sensor, a direction sensor, and the like. Reference numeral 12 denotes a CD-ROM reader (CD-R) on which map information is recorded.
OM drive). 3
Is a control unit including a microcomputer that performs processing for specifying the position of the vehicle based on the map information of the position detection unit 11 and the corresponding map database 12, display processing, route search processing, and the like. Reference numeral 5 denotes a display unit such as a liquid crystal for displaying map information and the like based on a signal from the control unit 3. An operation unit 4 performs various operations, such as a switch for selecting and instructing a desired use facility.

Next, the operation of the navigation device will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Step S91
Then, it is determined whether or not the facility designating switch of the operation unit 4 has been operated. If the switch has been operated, the process proceeds to step S92. If the switch has not been operated, the process proceeds to another process.
That is, the type of facility used corresponding to the switch selected by the user is determined. For example, a convenience store or the like is designated corresponding to the switch S1. Step S
At 92, the current position is confirmed, and the routine goes to Step S93. That is, the current position is detected by the position detection unit 11. In step S93, the current position is displayed, and the routine goes to step S94. That is, the map information corresponding to the current position detected by the position detection unit 11 is read from the map database 12, displayed on the display unit 5, and waits for a user's instruction (switch selection). At this time, landmarks indicating various facilities are also displayed on the map.

In step S94, it is determined whether or not the facility selection input has been completed in accordance with the landmark displayed on the map. When the input has been completed, the process proceeds to step S95.
If not, wait. That is, when the user operates the switch corresponding to the convenience store, the landmarks of the plurality of convenience stores are displayed on the display unit 5 together with the map. The user selects an intended convenience store from these, and sets the position as a destination. Use the zoom-in and zoom-out keys to zoom in and out of the map, and use the arrow keys to set the location on the map (location of the destination convenience store)
Is specified.

In step S95, a search is started, and the flow advances to step S96. That is, similarly to a normal navigation device, a route to a designated destination, that is, a convenience store is searched so as to be, for example, the shortest distance. In step S96, it is determined whether or not the search is completed. If the search is completed, the process proceeds to step S97, and if not, the process is continued.

In step S97, route guidance is started, and the flow advances to step S98. That is, the control unit 3 reads the map information corresponding to the position of the own vehicle from the map database 12 and displays the map information on the display unit 5 in the same manner as a normal navigation device. Then, route guidance from the current location to the convenience store is provided. In step S98, it is determined whether or not the destination has been reached. If the destination has been reached, the process proceeds to another process. If the destination has not been reached, guidance is continued.

[0007]

In route guidance by a conventional navigation device, a user must select a predetermined switch corresponding to a desired facility. Further, there is a problem that the user has to set the position of a desired use facility among the use facilities displayed on the map as a destination, which is troublesome. In particular, the latter must perform cumbersome processing such as enlarging the map, changing the reduced display, and setting the position using arrows.

The present invention provides a navigation device capable of automatically searching for a route and providing guidance without the hassle of searching for a desired use facility and setting the position of the use facility in a time zone desired by the user. The purpose is to do.

[0009]

To solve the above problems, the present invention provides a position detecting means for detecting a position of a vehicle,
In a navigation device including a map information storage unit in which map information is stored, and a route search unit for searching and guiding a route from a current position to a designated position, data of a time zone and facilities used by a user's operation. Is stored correspondingly, time zone detecting means for detecting that the current time is in the storage time zone stored in the facility data storing means, and the current time is determined by the time zone detecting means. Facility selection means for selecting, from the use facilities stored in the facility data storage means, a use facility stored corresponding to the storage time zone having a current time when it is detected that the facility time is in the storage time zone; And a facility search means for searching for a use facility closest to the current position from the use facilities selected by the facility selection means.

[0010] Further, a navigation provided with position detecting means for detecting the position of the vehicle, map information storing means in which map information is stored, and route searching means for searching for and guiding a route from the current position to the designated position. In the apparatus, the facility data storage means in which data of the time zone, the facility group used, and the facility used are stored in correspondence with the user's operation, and the current time is in the storage time zone stored in the facility data storage means. Time zone detecting means for detecting that the current time is in the storage time zone when the time zone detecting means detects that the current time is in the storage time zone. A facility group selecting means for selecting a used facility group stored corresponding to the certain storage time zone; a selection group display means for displaying a used facility group selected by the facility group selecting means; The processing target specifying means for the user to specify the use facility group to be processed from the use facility group displayed by the selection group display means, and the current use facility corresponding to the use facility group specified by the processing target specification means from the use facility group. Facility search means for searching for a use facility closest to the position.

[0011]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a navigation apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a process performed by the control unit of the navigation device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 3A and 3B show the contents of the use facility database of the navigation device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
Is a case where both the map database and the use facility database are used. Hereinafter, description will be made with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, when a predetermined time period is reached, the nearest available facility is automatically searched from among preset facilities such as restaurants to provide route guidance.

Reference numeral 11 denotes a position detecting section comprising a GPS system, a self-sustained navigation system for detecting the position of the own vehicle by a vehicle speed sensor, a direction sensor and the like. Reference numeral 12 denotes a map database including a CD-ROM on which map information is recorded, a reading device (CD-ROM drive), and the like. Reference numeral 3 denotes a control including a microcomputer for performing processing for specifying the position of the vehicle based on the corresponding map information in the position detection unit 11 and the map database 12, display processing, processing for searching for facilities to be used, processing for searching for routes and guidance, and the like. Department. Reference numeral 5 denotes a display unit such as a liquid crystal display that displays map information, applicable facility information, and the like based on a signal from the control unit 3. Reference numeral 4 denotes an operation unit for instructing selection of a desired use facility, and includes a push-button switch, a direction indicator such as a joystick, a touch panel switch displayed on a navigation screen, and the like. Reference numeral 21 denotes a memory in which time zone and data (location codes, identification codes, and the like) of use facilities are associated with each other and stored as a use facility database. Reference numeral 22 denotes a timer for detecting a time, that is, a time zone.

Next, the operation of the navigation device will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This process is repeatedly performed while the navigation device is being controlled. In step S11, it is determined whether or not search execution of a use facility is instructed. If search execution is instructed, step S12 is performed.
If not instructed, the process proceeds to another process. This determination is made based on whether the user has previously operated a search execution instruction switch of the operation unit 4 (for example, the switch S1 is made to correspond to the execution instruction switch).

In step S12, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time zone has been reached. If the predetermined time zone has been reached, the process proceeds to step S13. If not, the process proceeds to another process. That is, it is determined whether or not the time period is set by the timer 22 in advance. This time zone is registered in the memory 21 as a utilization facility database by the user in advance. For example, as shown in FIG.
If it's between hours, it's the breakfast time zone, so A1 shop to C3
If the store is in the time zone between 11:00 and 13:00, it is the lunch time zone, and therefore the D1 to F3 stores are stored in the memory 21. In addition, use facilities (stores) corresponding to each time zone
May be stored in the map database 12 as shown in FIG. 3 (b) to correspond to all the fast food stores belonging to the company A, or may be stored as the type of facility such as a restaurant. That is, the facilities may be stored individually, or may be stored at various levels (such as business type or affiliated store). This makes it easier for the user to create the usage facility database. When the user creates the usage facility database without using the usage facilities stored in the map database 12, it is necessary to store the positions corresponding to the usage facilities (each store) in the memory 21.

In step S13, a relevant facility is searched for and the process proceeds to step S14. In other words, use facilities corresponding to the current time zone are stored in the memory (use facility database).
Read from 21. For example, if the time zone is between 7:00 and 9:00 by the timer 22, the A1 store to the C3 store are read. In step S14, the current position is confirmed, and the process proceeds to step S15. That is, the current position is detected by the position detection unit 11. In step S15, the nearest use facility is searched,
The result is displayed on the display unit 5 and the process proceeds to step S16.
That is, the map information corresponding to the current position detected by the position detection unit 11 is read from the map database and displayed on the display unit 5. Further, one of the use facilities searched from the use facility database of the memory 21 is searched for the use facility closest to the current location, and its name and position are displayed on the display unit 5. The search for the nearest use facility is determined by the straight-line distance in order to reduce the search time. In addition, similarly to the route search of a normal navigation device, a use facility located at the shortest distance from the current location along the traveling route may be searched.

In step S16, it is determined whether or not the searched facility is determined as a use facility. If it is determined, the process proceeds to step S17. If not, the process proceeds to step S17.
Return to 15. This determination is made based on whether or not the user looks at the nearest use facility displayed on the display unit 5 and performs an operation of determining the use facility with the operation unit 4 therefrom. For example, the switch S2 is made to correspond to a switch for instructing the search for the next use facility. If the switch S2 is not operated within 5 seconds, it is determined that the searched facility is determined as the use facility, and the process proceeds to step S17. If the switch S2 is operated within seconds, the process returns to step S15 to search for the second closest facility. The switch function may be reversed, or a determination-specific YES key or NO key may be provided.

In step S17, a route search for the determined use facility is started, and the flow advances to step S18. That is, the route is determined so as to be the shortest distance as in the case of the route search by the normal navigation device. Step S1
At step 8, it is determined whether or not the route search has been completed. If the search is completed, the process proceeds to step S19. If not, the route search is continued.

At step S19, route guidance is started, and the routine goes to step S20. That is, the control unit 3 reads the map information corresponding to the position of the own vehicle from the map database 12 and displays the map information on the display unit 5 in the same manner as a normal navigation device. Then, route guidance from the current location to the use facility (destination) is performed. In step S20, it is determined whether or not the destination has been reached.
If the destination has not been reached, the guidance is continued.

As described above, in the present embodiment, it is possible to automatically search for and guide the corresponding use facility during a predetermined time zone without the need for the user to search for the use facility and set the position. become. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a process performed by the control unit of the navigation device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 shows the contents of the use facility database of the navigation device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, description will be made with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, when a predetermined time period is reached, a group of use facilities such as a restaurant is displayed in advance, and the nearest use facility is searched from the group of use facilities designated by the user to provide route guidance. In this example, the user's selection range is expanded as compared with the first embodiment. Further, the configuration of the apparatus is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the description is omitted.

Next, the operation of the navigation device will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This process is repeatedly performed while the navigation device is being controlled. In step S31, it is determined whether or not search execution of a use facility is instructed. If search execution is instructed, step S32 is performed.
If not instructed, the process proceeds to another process. This determination is made based on whether the user has previously operated a search execution instruction switch of the operation unit 4 (for example, the switch S1 is made to correspond to the execution instruction switch).

In step S32, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time zone has been reached. If the predetermined time zone has been reached, the process proceeds to step S33. If not, the process proceeds to another process. That is, it is determined whether or not the time period is set by the timer 22 in advance. This time zone is registered in the memory 21 as a utilization facility database by the user in advance. For example, if the time zone is from 7:00 to 9:00 as shown in FIG. 5, it is a breakfast time zone, so the group of facilities used is a fast food restaurant of A company affiliated, a convenience store of B company affiliated, etc. Facility group,
Are stored in the memory 21 in correspondence with. If the time zone is between 11:00 and 13:00,
Since it is a lunch time zone, a plurality of use facility names are stored in the memory 21 corresponding to the family restaurant belonging to the company D, the family restaurant belonging to the company E, and other use facility groups. I have.

In step S33, a corresponding facility group is searched for, the search result is displayed on the display unit 5, and step S33 is performed.
Move to 34. That is, the use facility corresponding to the current time zone is read from the memory (use facility database) 21.
For example, if the time zone is between 7:00 and 9:00, the timer 22 reads out the facility group, and displays the store name (series name) in a list format on the display unit 5 and waits for an instruction from the user (use beforehand). Key selection of switches S1, S2, S3 set corresponding to the facility group.

In step S34, it is determined which facility group has been selected, and a facility group to be processed is determined. For example, when the switch S1 is selected, it is considered that an instruction has been issued to search among fast food restaurants belonging to the company A belonging to the utilization facility group, and the fast foods belonging to the company A belonging to the map database are designated. The following processing is performed for all stores.

In step S35, a relevant facility is searched for, and the flow advances to step S36. That is, all the fast food stores belonging to the company A in the use facility group are read. Unlike the first embodiment, when the predetermined time period is reached, the user facility group is displayed first, so that the user can narrow down the selection targets in advance. For example, if you want to eat breakfast at a fast food restaurant today, you can select a group of facilities, and if you want to buy a lunch at a convenience store, select a group of facilities to reduce the time required to decide on a facility to use.

Since the processing from step S36 to step S42 in this embodiment corresponds to the processing from step S14 to step S20 in the first embodiment, only necessary processing is described and detailed. Description is omitted.
In step S36, the current position is confirmed and step S37
Move on to In step S37, the nearest use facility is searched, the result is displayed on the display unit 5, and the process proceeds to step S38. In step S38, it is determined whether or not the use facility has been determined. If it is determined, the process proceeds to step S39. If not, the process returns to step S37.

In step S39, a route search is started, and the flow advances to step S40. In step S40, it is determined whether or not the route search has been completed. If the search has been completed, the process proceeds to step S41. If not, the route search is continued. In step S41, route guidance is started, and the process proceeds to step S42. In step S20, it is determined whether or not the destination has been reached. If the destination has been reached, the process proceeds to another process. If the destination has not been reached, guidance is continued.

As described above, in the present embodiment, it is possible to automatically search for and guide the corresponding use facility during a predetermined time zone without requiring the user to search for the use facility and set the position. become. Further, the search time can be reduced.

[0028]

As described above, according to the present invention, a desired use facility is automatically searched, route search and guidance are performed,
It is possible to provide a convenient navigation device that does not bother setting the position of the use facility during driving or the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a navigation device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a process performed by a control unit of the navigation device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows the contents of a use facility database of the navigation device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a process performed by a control unit of the navigation device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows contents of a use facility database of the navigation device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional navigation device.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a process performed by a control unit of a conventional navigation device.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 ··· Position detector, 22 ··· Timer, 12 ··· Map database, 4 ···
..Operation unit, 3 control unit, 5
······ Display unit, 21 ··· Use facility database.

Continuation of the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G01C 21/00 G08G 1/0969 G09B 29/00-29/10

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A position detecting means for detecting a position of a vehicle;
In a navigation device including a map information storage unit in which map information is stored, and a route search unit for searching and guiding a route from a current position to a designated position , data of a time zone and facilities used by a user's operation. Is compatible
Facility data storage means that is stored as data, and a storage time in which the current time is stored in the facility data storage means.
A time zone detecting means for detecting that the current time is in the storage time zone by the time zone detecting means.
Is detected in the facility data storage means.
The storage time zone where the current time is stored from the remembered use facilities
Facility selecting means for selecting a facility used corresponding to the user
And the current position from the use facility selected by the facility selection means.
Facility search means for searching for a facility closest to the location
A navigation device characterized by the following. 2. A position detecting means for detecting the position of the vehicle,
Map information storage means in which map information is stored, and whether the current location
Route search means to search for and guide the route from the route to the specified position
In the navigation device equipped with a door, by the operation of the user, the use of facilities and time zone and use the facility group
Facility data storage means in which data is stored correspondingly, and a storage time in which the current time is stored in the facility data storage means
A time zone detecting means for detecting that the current time is in the storage time zone by the time zone detecting means.
Is detected in the facility data storage means.
The storage time with the current time from the remembered use facility group
Facility group selection to select the user facility group stored corresponding to the obi
Display means and a facility group selected by the facility group selecting means.
From the selected group display means to be executed and the use facility group displayed by the selected group display means.
Processing target finger for which the user specifies a group of facilities to be processed
Setting means and the use facility group specified by the processing target specifying means.
Search for the closest facility to the current location from the corresponding facility
Navigation of the facility searching means, characterized by comprising
Device.