JP4134448B2 - In-vehicle navigation device destination setting device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a destination setting device that is provided in an in-vehicle navigation device and sets a destination based on an input from a user.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, when a destination is input by a user via an input device such as an operation switch or a remote control terminal, the in-vehicle navigation device receives the input from the currently detected vehicle position (current position of the vehicle). An optimum route to the destination is automatically obtained by calculation, and the obtained route (guide route) is guided to the user.
[0003]
Here, in the conventional in-vehicle navigation device, as a function for a user to set a destination, a search function by item such as a facility index search, an address index search, a telephone number index search, and a zip code index search is provided. It has been. When searching for a desired place as a destination, the user first selects a search item, such as whether to search for a facility or an address, and then specialized for each search item. Locations are narrowed down in a hierarchical structure, and finally a target location (point) is found and specified.
[0004]
For example, when a user selects a facility index search, a list of character strings of facility names is displayed on a display device such as a CRT or a liquid crystal display, and the user desires as a destination from the displayed facility names Is selected via the input device, the location of the selected facility is set as the destination.
[0005]
Further, for example, when a user selects a facility index search and then inputs a character string of a desired facility name via the input device, the facility name candidates including the character string are displayed in a list on the display device. A configuration is also conceivable in which when the user selects a facility name desired as a destination from among the candidates displayed in a list, the position of the selected facility is set as the destination.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-described conventional in-vehicle navigation device, when setting the destination, the user means the character string that the user is trying to find (that is, the character string indicating the place that the user is thinking of as the destination). It is necessary to accurately identify which type of search item such as facility or address corresponds to the type of search, and then select a search item that matches that type. When it is not, the user is forced to be inconvenienced by searching with various search items. For this reason, the problem that the usability was not very good has arisen.
[0007]
For example, Hollywood in California, USA, is a place name, but not an official City name (city name). However, the people who live there think that they live in Hollywood. For this reason, the user tries to find “Hollywood” by searching the address index, but since it is not an official City name, the index is displayed on the display device (in the list of addresses including the City name). can not find.
[0008]
Therefore, the user repeats the operation of selecting another search item and searching for “Hollywood” next, and adopts it when information suitable for the point he / she is looking for is adopted. Occurs.
There is a similar thing in Japan. For example, there is an area called “Women's Daikoji” in the downtown area of Naka-ku, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, but this is not an address (in large letters).
[0009]
However, since “Women's Daikoji” is generally used as a name indicating the area, a user who does not know the above fact tries to search for a place called “Nagoya-shi Women's Okoji” in the address index search, but cannot find it. It will be. Then, an operation of searching again with another search item is repeated. For example, if there is “Women's University Kouji” in the intersection name, the facility index search is first performed to find this, and the location is known.
[0010]
The present invention has been made in view of these problems, and a vehicle-mounted navigation device that allows a user to efficiently set a desired destination without knowing the type of meaning of a character string indicating a location. It aims to provide a destination setting device.
[0011]
[Means for solving the problems and effects of the invention]
The destination setting device of the present invention according to claim 1 made to achieve the above object is provided in an in-vehicle navigation device, and uses the destination of a guide route that is calculated by the in-vehicle navigation device. A point where a plurality of character strings indicating a place, a type of meaning of the character string, and a position coordinate of the place indicated by the character string are stored in association with each other. Information storage means is provided.
[0012]
In addition, as a character string which shows a place, character strings, such as a facility name, an address name, a telephone number, and a postal code, can be considered. Also, the types of meanings of character strings may include types such as facilities, addresses, telephone numbers, and postal codes.
In the destination setting device of the present invention, when the user inputs a character string through the predetermined input means, the search result display means displays the character string including the input character string as the point information. While searching from the storage means, the searched character strings are displayed in a list on a predetermined display means so that the type of meaning of the character string can be identified based on the stored contents of the point information storage means.
[0013]
Further, when any one of the character strings displayed on the display means by the search result display means is selected by the user via the input means, the setting means corresponds to the selected character string. Then, the position coordinates stored in the point information storage means are set as the destination. Note that the in-vehicle navigation device obtains the optimum guide route from the current position of the vehicle to the position coordinates set as the destination by the setting means by calculation.
[0014]
In such a destination setting device of the present invention, if the user inputs an arbitrary character string via the input means, the character string indicating the location including the character string is the type of meaning of the character string. Are displayed in a list on the display means so that they can be identified. That is, on the display means, each character string indicating a place including the character string input by the user is displayed so that the type such as the facility name and the address name can be understood. Then, the user selects a character string at a location that suits his / her preference, including the type of meaning, among the character strings displayed in a list on the display means, so that the position of the location indicated by the selected character string is displayed. The coordinates can be set as the destination of the guidance route required by the in-vehicle navigation device.
[0015]
Therefore, according to the destination setting device of the present invention, the user can efficiently set a desired destination without knowing in advance the type of meaning of the character string indicating the place. In other words, even if you do not know from the beginning whether the character string indicating the place you are thinking of as a destination means a facility or an address, the type of meaning can be displayed on the display means. By selecting a character string indicating a desired location from the character strings to be displayed, the location indicated by the character string can be set as the destination.
[0016]
By the way, some character strings indicating locations indicate a plurality of different locations even with the same contents. For example, there are many such names in facilities such as restaurants and coffee shops. And about the character string which shows a some place in this way, a some position coordinate will be memorize | stored correspondingly in a point information storage means.
[0017]
Here, when a character string indicating a plurality of places is displayed on the display means by the search result display means, and the character string is selected by the user, the destination cannot be uniquely set. .
Accordingly, the destination setting device according to claim 2 is provided with a determination unit and a second search result display unit with respect to the destination setting device according to claim 1, and the determination unit is selected by the user. It is determined whether or not there are a plurality of position coordinates stored in the point information storage means corresponding to the written character string. Then, when the determination unit determines that there are a plurality of position coordinates, the second search result display unit causes the display unit to display a list of identification information that can distinguish each location of each position coordinate.
[0018]
Further, in the destination setting device according to claim 2, when the determination unit determines that there are a plurality of position coordinates, the setting unit displays on the display unit by the second search result display unit. When any of the identified identification information is selected by the user via the input means, the position coordinates corresponding to the selected identification information are set as the destination. When the determination unit determines that there are not a plurality of position coordinates, the setting unit corresponds to the character string selected by the user among the character strings displayed on the display unit by the search result display unit. The position coordinates stored in the point information storage means are set as the destination.
[0019]
And according to such a destination setting device of claim 2, even when there are a plurality of places indicated by the character string selected by the user, the user can select one of the places, The destination intended by the user can be set reliably.
Next, in the destination setting device according to claim 3, in the destination setting device according to claims 1 and 2, the setting means sets the position to be set as the destination before setting the destination. Confirmation information for allowing the user to confirm whether or not the coordinates can be set as the destination is displayed on the display means, and then the user inputs an approval for approval through the input means. In this case, the destination is set.
[0020]
According to the destination setting apparatus of the third aspect, it is possible to prevent a destination unintended by the user from being set due to an input error of the user.
The confirmation information to be displayed on the display means by the setting means may be an address or a telephone number of the position coordinate to be set as the destination, but the confirmation information as claimed in claim 4. As a result, it is more effective if the display means displays a map including the location of the position coordinates to be set as the destination. In other words, the user can easily recognize the place that is about to be set as the destination, and can quickly confirm whether or not the place is set as the destination. .
[0021]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an in-vehicle navigation device according to an embodiment to which a destination setting device of the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings.
First, FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of the in-vehicle navigation device of the present embodiment.
[0022]
As shown in FIG. 1, the in-vehicle navigation device of the present embodiment is a map from a position detector 1 for detecting the current position of the vehicle (vehicle position) and a storage medium 15 such as a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM. A map data input device 6 for reading data 14, an operation switch group 7 for a user to input various information such as characters, and a control device 8 connected thereto are provided. Further, the control device 8 includes an external memory 9 storing information other than the map data 14, a color display device 10 including a CRT or a liquid crystal display for displaying an image, and an external information input / output device 11. And a remote control sensor 12 for receiving a signal from a remote control terminal (hereinafter referred to as a remote controller) 13 for inputting various information such as characters by the user.
[0023]
As the position detector 1, a known geomagnetic sensor 2, a gyroscope 3, a distance sensor 4, and a GPS receiver 5 that receives positioning radio waves from a GPS (Global Positioning System) satellite are provided.
The control device 8 is configured with a well-known microcomputer having a CPU, ROM, RAM, an I / O interface and the like as the center, and the sensors 2, 3, 4 constituting the position detector 1. , 5 based on the detection results, the vehicle position is sequentially detected.
[0024]
Further, the control device 8 reads the map data 14 in the storage medium 15 via the map data input device 6, displays a road map including the vehicle position on the display device 10, and sets the vehicle position on the road map. The vehicle position mark shown is displayed.
Further, when the destination is set by the user operating the operation switch group 7 or the remote controller 13, the control device 8 knows the optimum route from the current vehicle position to the destination. By obtaining a guidance route by calculation based on the Dijkstra method, etc., and displaying the obtained guidance route on the road map displayed on the display device 10 in an identifiable manner, the route guidance to the user is displayed. I do.
[0025]
Since the sensors 2 to 5 have errors of different properties, the control device 8 detects the vehicle position while interpolating the detection results of the sensors 2 to 5 with each other. Depending on the detection accuracy, a part of the sensors 2 to 5 may be provided. Furthermore, in order to detect the vehicle position, a steering rotation sensor, a wheel sensor for each wheel, or the like may be used in combination.
[0026]
On the other hand, the external information input / output device 11 receives information provided from a communication device outside the vehicle (for example, an infrastructure such as a VICS system) and transmits information to the communication device outside the vehicle. Information received from the outside of the vehicle by the external information input / output device 11 is processed by the control device 8. If necessary, information processed by the control device 8 is output from the external information input / output device 11 to the outside of the vehicle.
[0027]
Here, as shown in FIG. 2, the map data 14 stored in the storage medium 15 includes display map data for displaying a road map on the display device 10, route search data for obtaining the guide route, vehicle position, and the like. Is comprised of so-called map matching data for improving the detection accuracy, and point search data used for allowing the user to search for a desired destination.
[0028]
And the point search data includes a plurality of character strings (facility name, address name, telephone number, zip code, etc.) indicating the location, and the meaning type of the character string is facility, address, telephone number, zip code, etc. Is a group of data that is recorded in association with the location information indicated by the character string and the location information of the location indicated by the character string. The coordinates (position coordinates) of the place indicated by the character string are recorded. For example, for a character string indicating a facility, the address and telephone number of the facility are also recorded as the location information. Furthermore, for character strings indicating a plurality of different locations (for example, character strings of facility names such as restaurants and coffee shops that are chain stores), location information for each corresponding location is recorded for each character string. Has been.
[0029]
By the way, as shown in FIG. 3A, it is conceivable that the point search data is created by classification for each type of meaning of the character string. In FIG. 3, the facility index data is a data group obtained by grouping information on the character string of the facility name, and the address index data is a data group obtained by grouping information on the character string of the address name. Similarly, the telephone number index data is a data group obtained by grouping information on the character string of the telephone number, and the zip code index data is a data group obtained by grouping information on the character string of the zip code.
[0030]
Further, as shown in FIG. 3B, the point search data may be created without being classified for each type of meaning of the character string. That is, if type information indicating the type of meaning is recorded for each character string, the data groups such as the facility index data and the address index data can be mixed without being particularly distinguished.
[0031]
Next, in the in-vehicle navigation device of the present embodiment configured as described above, the processing executed by the control device 8 when setting the destination of the guidance route according to the user's input operation will be described with reference to FIG. It demonstrates according to a flowchart.
In the following description, various inputs by the user are performed by operating the operation switch group 7 or the remote controller 13. The destination setting process shown in FIG. 4 is started when the user inputs that the destination is set.
[0032]
As shown in FIG. 4, when the destination setting process is started, first, in step (hereinafter, simply referred to as S) 110, it waits for the user to input an arbitrary character string.
When a character string is input by the user, a character string including the character string input by the user is searched from the point search data in the storage medium 15 in the next S120, and then in S130. Each of the retrieved character strings is displayed in a list on the display device 10 so that the type of meaning of the character string can be identified.
[0033]
For example, if the user inputs a character string “HOLYWOOD”, the display device 10 displays a list of character strings including the character string “HOLYWOOD” as illustrated in FIG. Along with each character string, a symbol (icon) indicating the type of meaning of the character string is displayed.
[0034]
In FIG. 5A, the symbol P in □ indicates that the character string displayed on the line indicates a facility, and the symbol S in □ indicates the character string displayed on the line. Represents an address. That is, in the example of FIG. 5A, “HOLYWOOD”, “PLANET HOLYWOOD”, and “WEST HOLYWOOD” are facility names, and “HOLYWOOD BLVD” and “WEST HOLYWOOD AVE” are address names. Further, instead of displaying such a symbol, the display color of each character string may be changed for each meaning type.
[0035]
Thus, after each character string searched from the point search data is displayed in a list on the display device 10, the user selects one of the character strings displayed on the display device 10 in the next S 140. Wait for a choice. The character string is selected by, for example, operating the arrow keys provided on the operation switch group 7 or the remote controller 13 to move the cursor on the screen of the display device 10 and to change the cursor to a desired character string. In the combined state, the procedure is performed by pressing a confirmation key provided on the operation switch group 7 or the remote controller 13.
[0036]
When any one character string is selected by the user, in the next S150, whether or not there are a plurality of locations indicated by the character string selected by the user in S140 is selected. The determination is made based on whether or not there are a plurality of position coordinates (location information) stored in the point search data corresponding to the character string.
[0037]
If there are a plurality of locations (that is, if there are a plurality of position coordinates stored in the point search data corresponding to the character string selected by the user), the process proceeds to S160. The display device 10 displays a list of identification information that can distinguish the respective locations.
[0038]
In addition, as this identification information, it extracts from each place information memorize | stored in the point search data corresponding to the character string selected by the user, and the address (City name) and telephone number of the place information Etc. are adopted. That is, in S160, the location information of each location that is a destination candidate is displayed as a destination candidate list.
[0039]
For example, assume that the user selects a character string “PLANET HOLYWOOD” from the display state of FIG. In this example, “PLANET HOLYWOOD” is the name of the coffee shop, and there are a plurality of locations. Therefore, as illustrated in FIG. Each city name is listed as identification information.
[0040]
After the identification information is displayed as a list on the display device 10 in this way, the user waits for the user to select any of the identification information displayed on the display device 10 in the next S170. The selection of identification information by the user is performed in the same procedure as the selection operation in S140.
[0041]
When any one piece of identification information is selected by the user, the destination candidate is specified as one. Therefore, the process proceeds to S180, and the position coordinates corresponding to the identification information selected in S170 (that is, the position information) , The position coordinates stored as the location information together with the selected identification information) are stored as final destination candidates, and a map including the location of the stored position coordinates is displayed on the display device 10.
[0042]
This is to allow the user to finally confirm whether or not the position coordinates stored as the location information together with the identification information selected by the user may be set as the destination for calculating the guide route. A map including the location of the position coordinates is displayed on the display device 10 as confirmation information.
[0043]
For example, if the user selects the City name “SAN FRANCISCO” from the display state of FIG. 5B, the display device 10 displays “PLANET HOLYWOOD” in San Francisco as illustrated in FIG. 5C. A map including the location of the coffee shop is displayed, and a mark (in this example, + sign) indicating the location of “PLANET HOLYWOOD” is also displayed on the displayed map.
[0044]
After the map as the confirmation information is displayed on the display device 10 in this way, in the next S190, an input indicating that the user approves the setting of the location indicated on the display device 10 as the destination. (Hereinafter referred to as approval input). This approval input is performed, for example, by pressing a confirmation key provided on the operation switch group 7 or the remote controller 13.
[0045]
When the approval is input by the user, the process proceeds to the next step S200, where the position coordinates stored as the final destination candidate in step S180 are set as the destination for calculating the guide route, and then the process ends. .
On the other hand, when it is determined in S150 that there are not a plurality of places (that is, there are not a plurality of position coordinates stored in the point search data corresponding to the character string selected by the user in S140). In the case), since there is only one destination candidate, the process directly proceeds to S180. In S180 in this case, the position coordinates stored in the point search data corresponding to the character string selected by the user in S140 are stored as final destination candidates, and the stored position coordinates Is displayed on the display device 10 as confirmation information.
[0046]
For this reason, when it is determined in S150 that there are not a plurality of places, if the user inputs an approval in S190, it is stored in the point search data corresponding to the character string selected by the user in S140. One position coordinate that has been set is set as a destination for calculating a guide route.
[0047]
It should be noted that in S190, the user does not input approval and inputs to return to the previous stage (that is, rejects setting the location indicated on the display device 10 as the destination). Is entered), the process returns to S160.
In S170, if the user inputs to return to the previous stage without selecting any of the identification information, the process returns to S130.
[0048]
In S140, when the user inputs to return to the previous stage without selecting any of the character strings searched from the point search data, the process returns to S110. It waits for a new character string to be input by the user.
On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the display device 10 corresponds to display means, the operation switch group 7 and the remote controller 13 correspond to input means, and the storage medium 15 corresponds to point information storage means. The processes of S120 and S130 correspond to the search result display means, the process of S150 corresponds to the determination means, the process of S160 corresponds to the second search result display means, and the processes of S180 to S200 serve as the setting means. It corresponds.
[0049]
In the in-vehicle navigation device of the present embodiment as described above, if the user inputs an arbitrary character string via the operation switch group 7 or the remote controller 13, the character string indicating the location including the character string is A list is displayed on the display device 10 so that the type of meaning can be identified (S120, S130). That is, each character string indicating a place including a character string input by the user is displayed on the display device 10 so that the type of facility name, address name, or the like can be understood.
[0050]
Then, the user selects a character string at a location that suits his / her preference, including the type of meaning, among the character strings displayed in a list on the display device 10, so that the location indicated by the selected character string is displayed. The position coordinates can be set as the destination of the guidance route that is automatically obtained.
[0051]
Therefore, according to the in-vehicle navigation device of the present embodiment, the user can efficiently find and set a desired destination without knowing in advance the type of meaning of the character string indicating the place. become. That is, it is possible to identify the type of meaning on the display device 10 without knowing from the beginning whether the character string indicating the place that is conceived as the destination means a facility or an address. By selecting a character string indicating a desired location from the displayed character strings, the location indicated by the character string can be set as the destination.
[0052]
In the in-vehicle navigation device of the present embodiment, when a character string indicating a plurality of locations is selected by the user (S150: YES), identification information that can distinguish each location is further displayed on the display device. 10 is displayed as a list (S160). Then, the user can set the location coordinates of the location corresponding to the selected identification information as the destination of the guidance route by selecting the identification information of the location that suits the wish from the identification information. it can.
[0053]
For this reason, even when there are a plurality of locations indicated by the character string selected by the user, the user can select one of the locations and reliably set the destination intended by the user. it can.
Furthermore, in the vehicle-mounted navigation device of the present embodiment, before the destination is finally set in S200 of FIG. 4, a map including the location of the position coordinate that is the final candidate of the destination is displayed on the display device 10. Since the user is asked to confirm whether or not the location can be set as the destination, a destination that is not intended by the user may be set due to an input error by the user. Can be prevented in advance.
[0054]
As mentioned above, although one Embodiment of this invention was described, it cannot be overemphasized that this invention can take a various form.
For example, the confirmation information to be displayed on the display device 10 in S180 of FIG. 4 is set as the destination (stored as the final candidate of the destination) instead of the map illustrated in FIG. 5C. ) It may be a location address or a telephone number. However, displaying the map is more effective because the user can easily recognize the place to be set as the destination.
[0055]
In S130 and S160 of FIG. 4, when displaying a list of character strings and location identification information searched from the point search data, a time required from the current position is calculated next to the character strings and identification information. It can also be configured to display.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of an in-vehicle navigation device according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating map data stored in a storage medium.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining point search data.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing processing executed to set a destination.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of an action by the process of FIG. 4;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Position detector 2 ... Geomagnetic sensor 3 ... Gyroscope
4 ... Distance sensor 5 ... GPS receiver 6 ... Map data input device
7 ... Operation switch group 8 ... Control device 9 ... External memory 10 ... Display device
11 ... External information input / output device 12 ... Remote control sensor 13 ... Remote control
15. Storage medium

Claims (4)

A destination setting device provided in an in-vehicle navigation device, for setting a destination of a guide route that is calculated by the in-vehicle navigation device based on an input from a user,
A point information storage unit that stores a plurality of character strings indicating a location, a type of meaning of the character string, and a position coordinate of the location indicated by the character string in association with each other;
When a character string is input by a user through a predetermined input means, a character string including the input character string is searched from the point information storage means, and the searched character string is converted to the point information. Search result display means for displaying a list on a predetermined display means so that the type of meaning of the character string can be identified based on the storage contents of the storage means;
When any one of the character strings displayed on the display means by the search result display means is selected by the user via the input means, the point information storage is stored corresponding to the selected character string. Setting means for setting the position coordinates stored in the means as the destination;
A destination setting device for a vehicle-mounted navigation device. In the in-vehicle navigation device destination setting device according to claim 1,
Determination means for determining whether or not there are a plurality of position coordinates stored in the point information storage means corresponding to the selected character string;
A second search result display means for displaying, on the display means, a list of identification information capable of distinguishing the location of each position coordinate when the determination means determines that there are a plurality of position coordinates;
The setting means includes
If the determination means determines that there are a plurality of position coordinates, any one of the identification information displayed on the display means by the second search result display means may cause the user to input the input means. Setting the position coordinates corresponding to the selected identification information as the destination,
A destination setting device for a vehicle-mounted navigation device. In the destination setting device of the in-vehicle navigation device according to claim 1 or 2,
The setting means includes
Before setting the destination, confirmation information for allowing the user to confirm whether or not the position coordinates to be set as the destination may be set as the destination is displayed on the display means. Is configured to set the destination when the user inputs to approve via the input means,
A destination setting device for a vehicle-mounted navigation device. The destination setting device for an in-vehicle navigation device according to claim 3,
The setting means includes
Causing the display means to display a map including the location of the position coordinates to be set as the destination as the confirmation information;
A destination setting device for a vehicle-mounted navigation device.

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