JP3482832B2 - Navigation device and system - 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 device and system for providing guidance information when a preset pointer is reached.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a navigation device that provides guidance information when a set pointer is reached,
"Movement guide device" described in JP-A-7-78298
It has been known.

When a vehicle reaches a check point, this provides guidance information unique to that check point.

[0004]

However, in such a conventional "moving body guide device", one check point must be set for each information type such as tourist guide information and convenience store information. Therefore, when a plurality of information types are concentrated at the same point, they must be installed so that the check points do not overlap each other, and there is a drawback that the timing of providing information is shifted.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide a navigation device and system capable of accurately providing guidance information even when a plurality of information types are densely packed at the same point. To provide.

[0006]

The invention according to claim 1 is
In order to solve the above problems, the current position of the vehicle is measured,
A navigation device that provides guidance information when a vehicle reaches a guidance information provision point, and assigns a plurality of guidance information to at least one pointer information that is the provision point information. Provision point information storage means for storing the category name information indicating the category of each guide information in association with the pointer information, selecting means for selecting one category name information according to the operation, and the selected category name information. The gist of the present invention is to have a control means for controlling so as to provide the guidance information to which it belongs.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 2 has a route search means for searching a travel route from the current position to the destination, and the control means is a providing point existing on the travel route. The gist is to control so that the guidance information belonging to the selected category name information is provided to the pointer information.

In order to solve the above problems, the invention according to claim 3 has a route search means for searching a travel route from the current position to the destination, and the control means is present on the travel route, The gist of the present invention is to control the pointer information of the providing point located near the point for each predetermined distance to provide the guidance information belonging to the selected category name information.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 4 includes a route searching means for searching a traveling route from the current position to the destination, and a distance calculating means for calculating a distance from the current position to the providing point. A speed limit information storage unit for storing speed limit information of the travel route, and an arrival time calculation unit for calculating an estimated arrival time from the current position to the providing point based on the distance information and the speed limit information. The control means provides guidance information belonging to the selected category name information to pointer information of a provision point which is present on the traveling route and is located near a point reached from the present location at predetermined time intervals. The point is to control.

[0010]

[0011]

[0012]

[0013]

According to the present invention as set forth in claim 1, a plurality of pieces of guidance information can be assigned to one piece of pointer information, which is provided point information, and a category of each piece of guidance information assigned to the pointer information. Since the category name information indicating is attached to the pointer information and stored, it is not necessary to set an individual pointer for each information type even when a plurality of information types are concentrated at the same point, Guidance information can be provided accurately.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the travel route from the current position to the destination is searched and the selected category name information is added to the pointer information of the providing point on the travel route. By controlling so as to provide the guidance information to which the information belongs, effective guidance information can be accurately provided.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the pointer of the providing point existing on the traveling route by searching the traveling route from the current position to the destination and located near the point at a predetermined distance from the present position. By controlling the information so that the guidance information belonging to the selected category name information is provided, it is possible to accurately provide the effective guidance information.

According to the present invention, the travel route from the current position to the destination is searched, while the distance information from the current position to the providing point is calculated, and the calculated distance information and the speed limit are calculated. The estimated arrival time from the current position to the providing point is calculated based on the speed limit information stored in the information storage means. Then, by controlling the pointer information of the providing point located near the point which is present on the traveling route and is reached at every predetermined time from the current location, the guidance information belonging to the selected category name information is controlled. , It is possible to accurately provide effective guidance information.

[0017]

[0018]

[0019]

[0020]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a system configuration of a navigation system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. This navigation system is composed of a navigation device 1 mounted on each of a number of vehicles and an information center 41 installed at a remote place.

In the figure, GPS (Global Positionin
g System) The receiver 3 is a receiver for measuring the current position represented by latitude and longitude based on the radio wave from the satellite received via the antenna, and the current position measured by the GPS receiver 3 The data is given to the system controller 5.
The system control unit 5 includes a ROM (Read-Only) in the memory unit 7.
The entire device is controlled according to a predetermined control program stored in the memory).

The vehicle speed sensor 9 detects the traveling speed of the vehicle by generating a pulse signal corresponding to the rotation speed of the mission with a rotary encoder provided in the mission. The azimuth sensor 11 has a built-in geomagnetic sensor or gyroscope to detect the azimuth.

CD-ROM (Compact-Disk as Read-Only
The memory) drive device 13 is a device that has a drive mechanism that drives a CD-ROM, and that drives and reads out map data representing a position using the latitude / longitude recorded in the CD-ROM or a format equivalent thereto. The map data read by the CD-ROM drive 13 is transmitted by the system control unit 5 using a transmission method such as serial communication or parallel communication.
Sent to. It should be noted that the CD-ROM, together with the map data, has pointer information indicating an installation position of a pointer installed to provide guidance information when the vehicle arrives and a pointer number assigned to identify the pointer. Is recorded. The guide information includes rest information indicating real-time empty parking areas, etc., such as parking areas, tourist information for nearby tourist information, tourist information for displaying a detailed map, restaurant menus, opening hours, and parking information. There is meal information, etc., indicating that the parking lot is full. The guide information is read from the CD-ROM via the CD-ROM drive device 13 or received from the information center via the communication device.

The display control unit 15 includes a system control unit 5 and V
The image data is exchanged with a RAM (Video Random Acess Memory) unit 17, the image data is drawn and stored in the VRAM unit 17, and the image data stored in the VRAM unit 17 is read at a display rate. Display 1
Display on 9. The VRAM unit 17 expands and stores map data and the like that can be displayed on the display unit 19. The display unit 19 is
It has a liquid crystal display panel and the like, and displays the display data created by the display controller 15.

D / A (Digital-to-Analog) converter 21
Reads audio data stored in the memory unit 7 at an audio conversion rate, converts the audio data into an audio signal, and outputs the audio signal from the speaker 23. The operation input unit 25 includes a portable remote controller, a touch panel, operation keys, and the like, and inputs destination data and the like required for menu selection and route search according to the operation of the operator.

The calculation unit 29 is, for example, a CPU (Central Pro
A microcomputer having a cessing unit) or the like is used to perform various calculations. Incidental information control unit 3
Reference numeral 1 is for performing control such as reading out the supplementary information stored in the supplementary information storage device 33. The supplementary information storage device 33 stores the supplementary information indicating the category name of the guide information such as breaks, sightseeing, and meals, and supplementary information indicating the function performed to provide the guide information, in association with each pointer information. ing. One or more category name information is stored in association with one pointer. The incidental information includes detailed map display information for displaying detailed map data of the surrounding area, information center connection information for connecting to the information center, and CD.
-CD-RO for reading guidance information from ROM
M read information and the like. The communication device 35 is, for example, a mobile phone, and communicates with the information center 41 side.

The information center 41 includes a communication device 43, a database management unit 44, and a database 45.
The communication device 43 performs communication with the communication device 35 of each vehicle and processes related to communication. In addition, the database management unit 44
It manages the database 45. In the database 45, a data table in which pointer information, category name information, and guide information are associated with each other is registered.

Next, the operation of the navigation system according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. The control program according to this flowchart is controlled by the system control unit 7. In advance, the system control unit 5 reads menu screen data for selecting a function to be executed from the memory unit 7, stores it in the VRAM unit 17 via the display control unit 15, and the menu from the VRAM unit 17 via the display control unit 15. It is assumed that the screen data is read at the display rate and displayed on the display unit 19.

In step S10, the destination setting function is selected from the menu screen data according to the operation of the operator, and the destination setting screen is displayed. Then, according to the display on the screen, the operation input unit 25 inputs the destination data and the like required for the route search. Furthermore, the system control unit 5
Is a CD-ROM based on the current position data measured by the GPS receiver 3 via the CD-ROM drive device 13.
Search the map data recorded in the
The map data is read in correspondence with the azimuth angle detected by the display unit 1, and the map data stored in the VRAM unit 17 is read at the display rate via the display control unit 15.
9 is displayed.

Next, in step S20, the current position data measured by the GPS receiver 3 and the destination data designated by the operator via the operation input unit 25 are made to correspond to each other,
Based on the well-known Dijkstra method or the like, a node or road link recorded in the CD-ROM is searched to create route data of a recommended traveling route from the current position to the destination. Next, the route data is stored in the VRAM unit 17 via the display control unit 15. At the same time, the route data is superimposed on the map data stored in the VRAM unit 17 via the display control unit 15 and read at the display rate to display the traveling route on the display unit 19.

In step S30, a desired mode is selected from the "rest mode", "sightseeing mode" and "meal mode" which are displayed in advance as a pop-up menu. If the "rest mode" is selected, step S4
Go to 0.

Here, a method of selecting a pointer will be described with reference to FIGS. In FIG. 3, K is the travel route searched in step S20, D is another road,
G is the current position of the vehicle. Further, P1 is a pointer 1 installed at a point deviating from the travel route, P2 is a pointer 2 installed at a point about 10 [Km] from the current position on the travel route, and P3 is near the current position on the travel route. It shows the pointer 3 installed at the point. FIG. 4 shows a category of guidance information provided by each pointer. Pointer 1
Provides break information and meal information, pointer 2 provides break information, sightseeing information and meal information, and pointer 3 provides break information and sightseeing information.

In step S40, the system controller 5
Searches for valid pointers P2 and P3 existing on the travel route and providing break information from the CD-ROM via the CD-ROM drive 13. Then, in the currently displayed map data, the current position mark of the vehicle and the pointers P2 and P that are valid at the corresponding position on the map information are displayed.
The icon indicating the presence of the item 3 is drawn and displayed on the display unit 21.

Returning to the flowchart shown in FIG. 2, in step S50, the pointer is narrowed down by the operation of the operator. For example, when the operator wants to take a break every 10 [Km] running, the operator uses the operation input unit 25 to search for the pointer at intervals of 10 [Km]. When input by the operation input unit 25, the pointers installed near the point every 10 [Km] based on the current position are validated from the pointers P2 and P3 searched in step S40. In FIG. 3, the pointer P2 is valid. The activated position of the pointer P2 is displayed on the display unit 19 by being superimposed on the map data by an icon.

In step S60, the current position data detected by the GPS receiver 3 is updated along with the movement of the current position of the vehicle, and the map data corresponding to the narrow area map around the current position is stored in the CD-ROM driving device. CD-RO through 13
The VRAM unit 1 is read out from M and is transmitted via the display control unit 15.
Expand the narrow area map data to 7. Next, the display controller 15
The route data and the current position mark are superposed on the map data stored in the VRAM unit 17 via the, and read at the display rate to display the traveling route and the current position mark on the display unit 19. At this time, for example, the direction in which the vehicle should run such as right / left / straight ahead is displayed.

In step S70, it is determined whether or not the current position of the vehicle has reached a valid pointer. If it has arrived, the process proceeds to step S80, and the incidental information attached to the pointer information of the arrived pointer is added to the incidental information storage device 33.
Read from. For example, when the incidental information is the information center connection information, the process proceeds to step S90, and the system control unit 5 transmits a break information request signal together with the pointer information to the information center 41 side via the communication device 35. on the other hand,
On the information center 41 side, when the break information request signal is received via the communication device 43, the database management unit 44 searches the database 45 for the break information of the corresponding pointer, and retrieves the searched break information from the communication device 43. To the vehicle side via. Next, in step S100, the vehicle side stores the break information received via the communication device 35 in the memory unit 7.

In step S110, if the break information stored in the memory unit 7 is display data, the display data is read from the memory unit 7, stored in the VRAM unit 17 via the display control unit 15, and the display control is performed. V via section 15
The display data is read from the RAM section 17 at the display rate and displayed on the display section 19. When the rest information is voice data, the voice data is sequentially read from the memory unit 7 at the voice conversion rate, given to the D / A converter 21, and the voice guidance is output from the speaker 23. On the other hand, step S
If the "sightseeing mode" is selected from the pop-up menu in 30, the process proceeds to step S210.

Here, a method of selecting a pointer will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. System control unit 5
Searches for valid pointers P2 and P3 existing on the travel route and providing tourist information from the CD-ROM via the CD-ROM driving device 13. Then, in the currently displayed map data, the current position mark of the vehicle and the pointers P2 and P that are valid at the corresponding position on the map information are displayed.
The icon indicating the presence of the item 3 is drawn and displayed on the display unit 21.

Returning to the flowchart shown in FIG. 2, in step S220, the GP is moved in accordance with the movement of the current position of the vehicle.
The current position data detected by the S receiver 3 is updated, and the map data corresponding to the narrow area map around the current position is displayed on the CD-R.
Read from CD-ROM via OM drive 13,
The narrow area map data is expanded in the VRAM unit 17 via the display control unit 15. Next, through the display control unit 15, the VRAM
The route data and the current position mark are superimposed on the map data stored in the unit 17 and read at the display rate to display the traveling route and the current position mark on the display unit 19. At this time, for example, the direction in which the vehicle should run such as right / left / straight ahead is displayed.

In step S230, it is determined whether or not the current position of the vehicle has reached a valid pointer. If it has arrived, the process proceeds to step S240, and the incidental information attached to the pointer information of the reached pointer is read from the incidental information storage device 33. For example, when the additional information is the detailed map display information, the process proceeds to step S250, and the map data corresponding to the detailed map around the current position is stored in the CD-ROM.
The detailed map data is read out from the CD-ROM via the drive unit 13 and expanded in the VRAM unit 17 via the display control unit 15. Next, the map data stored in the VRAM unit 17 is read at the display rate and displayed on the display unit 19.

In step S260, the tourist information request signal is sent from the system control section 5 together with the pointer information to the information center 41 via the communication device 35 by the operation of the operator.
Send to the side. On the other hand, on the information center 41 side, when the tourist guide information request signal is received via the communication device 43, the database management unit 44 searches the database 45 for the tourist guide information of the corresponding pointer, and the retrieved tourist guide information. Is transmitted to the vehicle side via the communication device 43. Next, in step S270, the vehicle stores the tourist guide information received via the communication device 35 in the memory unit 7.

In step S280, if the tourist guide information stored in the memory unit 7 is display data, the display data is read from the memory unit 7, stored in the VRAM unit 17 via the display control unit 15, and displayed. The display data is read from the VRAM unit 17 via the control unit 15 at the display rate and displayed on the display unit 19. If the tourist guide information is voice data, the voice data is sequentially read from the memory unit 7 at the voice conversion rate, given to the D / A converter 21, and the voice guide is output from the speaker 23. On the other hand, if "meal mode" is selected from the pop-up menu in step S30, the process proceeds to step S310.

Here, a method of selecting a pointer will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. System control unit 5
Searches the CD-ROM via the CD-ROM drive 13 for a pointer P2 that provides meal information existing on the travel route and validates it. Then, on the currently displayed map data, an icon indicating the current position mark of the vehicle and the existence of the pointer P2 that is valid at the corresponding position on the map information is drawn and displayed on the display unit 21.

Returning to the flowchart shown in FIG. 2, in step S320, the GP is moved as the current position of the vehicle moves.
The current position data detected by the S receiver 3 is updated, and the map data corresponding to the narrow area map around the current position is displayed on the CD-R.
Read from CD-ROM via OM drive 13,
The narrow area map data is expanded in the VRAM unit 17 via the display control unit 15. Next, through the display control unit 15, the VRAM
The route data and the current position mark are superimposed on the map data stored in the unit 17 and read at the display rate to display the traveling route and the current position mark on the display unit 19. At this time, for example, the direction in which the vehicle should run such as right / left / straight ahead is displayed.

In step S330, it is determined whether the current position of the vehicle has reached a valid pointer. If it has arrived, the process proceeds to step S340, and the additional information attached to the pointer information of the reached pointer is read from the additional information storage device 33. For example, when the incidental information is the information center connection information, the process proceeds to step S350, and the system control unit 5 transmits the meal information request signal together with the pointer information to the information center 41 side via the communication device 35. On the other hand, on the information center 41 side, when the meal information request signal is received via the communication device 43, the database management unit 44 searches the database 45 for the meal information of the corresponding pointer, and retrieves the retrieved meal information from the communication device. It transmits to the vehicle side via 43. Next, in step S360, the vehicle side stores the meal information received via the communication device 35 in the memory unit 7.

In step S370, if the meal information stored in the memory unit 7 is display data, the display data is read from the memory unit 7, stored in the VRAM unit 17 via the display control unit 15, and the display control is performed. V via section 15
The display data is read from the RAM section 17 at the display rate and displayed on the display section 19. When the meal information is voice data, the voice data is sequentially read from the memory unit 7 at the voice conversion rate, given to the D / A converter 21, and the voice guidance is output from the speaker 23.

As described above, a plurality of category name information is stored by being attached to the pointer information, and when the category name information is selected by the operation of the operator, the pointer corresponding to the selected category name is validated, When the vehicle reaches the valid pointer, the supplementary information is read and the detailed map information is displayed based on the supplementary information, or the information center 41 and the communication device 43 are connected to obtain and display the guide information. Alternatively, the operator can obtain information accurately by providing guidance by voice. Moreover, since the guide information is acquired from the information center 41, new information can be provided at all times.

In the present embodiment, the pointers are searched at predetermined distance intervals in the narrowing down in step S50, but the present invention is not limited to such a case, and the speed limit of the travel route is limited. The pointer may be searched so as to arrive at a predetermined time interval based on information, distance information from the current position to the pointer, or the like.

By changing the installation position of the pointer, the incidental information, and the category name information according to the time zone, it is possible to provide the information suitable for the time zone. For example, during the closing time of the restaurant, the restaurant can be provided. It is possible to invalidate the pointer that provides the information so that the information is not provided.

Further, in step S20, the route within the predetermined range from the current position to the destination is validated after selecting the menu without searching / displaying the route, and the route having many valid pointers is set as the route. By setting
For example, a route with many tourist points can be set as a travel route.

(Second Embodiment) A navigation system according to a second embodiment of the present invention is applicable to the system configuration of the navigation system shown in FIG. A feature of this navigation system is that the pointer information is transmitted from the information center 41 without being stored in the CD-ROM. Here, the operation of the navigation system will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, step S40 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 2 is changed to steps S33 to S35, step S210 is changed to steps S203 to S205, and step S310 is changed to steps S303 to S305.

If "rest mode" is selected from the pop-up menu in step S30, step S3
3, the system controller 5 transmits a break pointer information request signal to the information center 41 side via the communication device 35 together with the route data of the travel route. On the other hand, on the information center side, when the break pointer information request signal is received via the communication device 43, the database management unit 44 searches the database 45 for a pointer that provides break information existing on the transmitted route data. , And transmits the rest pointer information including the pointer information of the retrieved pointer and the incidental information to the vehicle side via the communication device 43.

Next, in step S35, the vehicle stores the rest pointer information received via the communication device 35 in the memory unit 7 and validates the pointer. Then, on the currently displayed map data, an icon indicating the current position mark of the vehicle and the existence of the pointer that is valid at the corresponding position on the map information is drawn and displayed on the display unit 21.

Similarly, when the "sightseeing (meal) mode" is selected from the pop-up menu in step S30, the system control section 5 transmits a sightseeing (meal) pointer information request signal, and the information center side visits (sightseeing). A process of receiving the meal) pointer information and validating the pointer is performed.

In this way, when the category name information is selected by the operation of the operator, the pointer information request signal is transmitted to the information center 41 together with the route data of the traveling route. Upon receiving the pointer information request signal, the information center 41 transmits the pointer information existing on the traveling route to the vehicle side. Then, by validating the pointer information transmitted from the information center 41, the operator can accurately obtain the guidance information.

Although the pointer information is received after the menu selection in the present embodiment, the present invention is not limited to such a case, and the pointer information is within a predetermined range from the current position before the menu selection. It is also possible to collectively receive the pointer information of.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a system configuration of a navigation system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the navigation system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a pointer selection method.

FIG. 4 is a table showing category name information of each pointer shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the navigation system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Navigation device 5 System control unit 13 CD-ROM drive 19 Display 23 speakers 25 Operation input section 29 Operation part 33 Additional information storage device 35,43 Communication device 45 database

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Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A navigation device that provides guidance information when the current position of the vehicle is measured and the vehicle reaches the guidance information providing point, and the navigation device provides at least one pointer information that is the providing point information. Compound
Allocate a number of guide information, and assign to the pointer information
The category name information indicating the category of each guide information that has been
Providing point information storage means for storing the information related to the group information, selecting means for selecting one category name information according to the operation, and control means for controlling to provide guidance information belonging to the selected category name information. And a navigation device. 2. A route search means for searching a travel route from a current position to a destination, wherein the control means responds to pointer information of a provision point existing on the travel route.
The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the navigation device is controlled so as to provide guidance information belonging to the selected category name information. 3. A route search means for searching a travel route from a current position to a destination, wherein the control means is present on the travel route and near a point at a predetermined distance from the current position.
2. The navigation device according to claim 1 , wherein the pointer information of the providing point located at is controlled so as to provide guidance information belonging to the selected category name information. 4. A route search means for searching a travel route from a current position to a destination, a distance calculation means for calculating a distance from the current position to a service point, and speed limit information for storing speed limit information of the travel route. Storage means, based on the distance information and the speed limit information, has an arrival time calculation means for calculating the estimated arrival time from the current position to the provision point, the control means, on the travel route, Reach from the current location every predetermined time
Relative pointer information provision point located at a point near,
The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the navigation device is controlled to provide guidance information belonging to the selected category name information.