JP2006162629A - Navigation device and route search method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve usability by providing a route relatively close to driver's request. <P>SOLUTION: Road width information representing the degree of the width of a road is inputted; a destination is inputted; road information using for retrieving a route from a predetermined origin to the destination, based on the width information is selected from road information representing the size of the road in map information, previously recorded together with the map information in a recording medium; and a route to the destination is retrieved from the map information by using the selected road information. Thus, the route to the destination can be retrieved from the map information by using the road relatively close to a driver's desired road according to a preference or the like of the road of the driver. Accordingly, usability can be improved, by providing a route relatively close to the driver's request. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a navigation device and a route search method, and is suitably applied to, for example, a car navigation device and a route search method for searching for a route from a predetermined departure place to a destination.

  Conventionally, this type of car navigation device is mounted on a vehicle, detects positioning of the vehicle by analyzing positioning information obtained from a plurality of GPS (Global Positioning System) satellites, and, for example, a CD- The map information recorded in advance in ROM (Compact Disk-Read Only Memory) is read, and the position of the detected car is superimposed on the map thus obtained, thereby visually recognizing the position of the car to the driver. It is made to be able to let you. In addition to this, in the car navigation system, the driver searches for a route (direction) from the departure point (current car position) to the destination by specifying the destination, and the obtained route is specified. By displaying on a map with colors or the like, the driver can visually recognize the route to the destination and can support the driving operation.

  By the way, in such a car navigation device, when searching for a route from the departure point to the destination, the driver inputs the destination and further charges for the expressway and ferries are required as necessary. By inputting the presence or absence of use, information on a desired waypoint from the departure point to the destination, etc., the route from the departure point to the destination is searched in consideration of the input information.

  However, in such a car navigation system, a relatively wide road is preferentially selected to search for a route to the destination, and the driver compares the widths of, for example, residential areas. Even if it is considered that a narrow road is easier to run, there is a problem that it is difficult to search for such a road as a route to the destination.

  In addition, this car navigation system can use such a road as a destination even when there is a relatively narrow road with a shorter distance than the path of a relatively wide road between the starting point and the destination. As a result, there is a problem that a driver makes the driver more tired than necessary by setting a route that goes around from the starting point to the destination.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and provides a navigation device that can provide a route that is relatively close to the driver's request and improve usability, and a route that is relatively close to the driver's request. It is intended to propose a route search method to obtain.

  In order to solve such a problem, in the present invention, the width information indicating the degree of the width of the road is input, the destination is input, and the size of the road in the map information recorded in advance together with the map information on the recording medium. Select road information to be used for searching for a route from a predetermined departure point to the destination based on the width information from the road information indicating the length, and use the selected road information to determine the route from the map information to the destination. I tried to explore.

  As a result, a route from the map information to the destination can be searched using a road relatively close to the road desired by the driver according to the driver's preference of the road.

  According to the present invention, the road information indicating the size of the road in the map information recorded in advance together with the map information on the recording medium is inputted together with the width information indicating the degree of the road width. Based on the width information, the road information used for searching the route from the predetermined departure point to the destination is selected, and the route from the map information to the destination is searched using the selected road information. Thus, it is possible to search for a route from the map information to the destination using a road that is relatively close to the road desired by the driver according to the driver's preference of the road, and thus to the driver's request. A navigation device and a route search method that can provide a relatively close route and improve usability can be realized.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a car navigation apparatus to which the present invention is applied as a whole, and various information necessary for calculation of the position of a car on which the car navigation apparatus 1 is mounted is obtained by a positioning information detection unit 2. To detect.

  In this case, in the positioning information detection unit 2, the traveling direction detector 3 sends the detection result obtained by detecting the geomagnetism to the interface circuit 5 of the main unit 4 as an analog direction information signal S1, and the angular velocity detector 6 Then, the detection result obtained by detecting the angular velocity of the automobile is sent to the interface circuit 5 as an angular velocity information signal S2 made of analog.

  The mileage detector 7 sends the detection result obtained by detecting the mileage of the automobile to the interface circuit 5 as an analog mileage information signal S3. The GPS receiver 8 transmits a plurality of GPS satellites (FIG. A radio wave obtained from (not shown) is received via the antenna 9, and the positioning information obtained by the reception is sent as an analog positioning information signal S4 to the interface circuit 5. Further, the vehicle speed detector 10 sends the detection result obtained by detecting the speed of the automobile to the interface circuit 5 as an analog speed information signal S5.

  The interface circuit 5 is configured to digitize an input analog signal. The interface circuit 5 receives an azimuth information signal S1, an angular velocity information signal S2, a travel distance information signal S3, a positioning information signal S4, and a velocity information signal S5, respectively. Digitized, and thus obtained digital orientation information data D1, angular velocity information data D2, travel distance information data D3, positioning information data D4 and velocity information data D5 are sent to the control unit 12 via the internal bus 11.

  Here, the control unit 12 reads a predetermined calculation program stored in advance in a ROM (Read Only Memory) 13 as the program data D6 via the internal bus 11, and thereby, based on the read calculation program, the position of the vehicle. And so on. Actually, the control unit 12 executes a predetermined calculation using the azimuth information data D1, the angular velocity information data D2, the travel distance information data D3, the positioning information data D4, and the speed information data D5 based on the calculation program. It is possible to calculate the position (latitude, longitude, etc.) of the automobile, the amount of movement of the automobile from the departure point (or activation of the car navigation device 1) to the present time, the speed of the automobile, the traveling direction of the automobile, and the like. . The control unit 12 sends various information such as the position of the vehicle thus obtained to the graphic controller 14 as vehicle positioning data D7.

  Here, the data reproduction unit 15 is loaded with a CD-ROM in which map information is recorded in the form of digital data, for example, and reproduces the CD-ROM under the control of the control unit 12 and performs the above-described calculation. A predetermined range of map information including the calculated car position is sent to the graphic controller 14 as map information data D8.

  Incidentally, in the CD-ROM, intersections and roads are recorded as map information as a set of nodes (vertices) represented by coordinates of latitude and longitude, and each road is a toll road such as an expressway or general Information on roads is also recorded. In addition, the CD-ROM indicates the size of the road including the number of lanes of the road, the width, whether or not there is a height restriction on the traveling vehicle, the size of an intersection leading to the road, and the like. Information is added, and the road information is recorded in levels based on the size. The level of the road information is divided into, for example, five levels from level 1 to level 5 so that the level becomes level 2, level 3, etc. sequentially from 1 as the size increases.

  The graphic controller 14 generates video data D9 in units of frames from the map information data D8 so that a map including roads and intersections can be displayed on the screen of the display unit 16 which is a liquid crystal display device, and this is generated in the buffer memory 17. Keep memorized. In addition to this, the graphic controller 14 generates vehicle position data D10 corresponding to a mark such as an arrow indicating the position and traveling direction of the vehicle based on the vehicle positioning data D7, and sends this to the display control circuit 18. The video data D9 corresponding to the vehicle position data D10 is read from the buffer memory 17 and sent to the display control circuit 18.

  The display control circuit 18 synthesizes the video data D9 and the vehicle position data D10 and sends the obtained display data D11 to the display unit 16 to display a map on the screen of the display unit 16 and to display the map on the map. A mark representing the position and direction of travel of the automobile is superimposed and displayed. Thus, in the car navigation apparatus 1, the driver can visually recognize the current position of the automobile and the traveling direction of the automobile.

  By the way, the car navigation apparatus 1 is provided with an input unit 20 including a touch panel switch or a plurality of types of input keys displayed on the screen of the display unit 16.

  In this case, the input unit 20 can input vehicle information indicating the size of the vehicle, such as the vehicle width, vehicle height, total length, and number plate type (for example, 5 numbers or 3 numbers). For example, when the car information is input when the car navigation device 1 is purchased or when the car on which the car navigation device 1 is mounted is input, the car information data D13 is controlled under the control of the control unit 12. And stored in a RAM (Random Access Memory) 21.

  The input unit 20 can input various width information that represents the width of the road as being relatively narrow, relatively wide, or between them. Thus, the driver can input the width information according to the preference of the road among the various width information via the input unit 20 when searching for the route to the destination.

  Here, when the driver designates a route search via the input unit 20, the control unit 12 receives this and reads a predetermined route search program stored in advance in the ROM 13 and reads the read route search program. The route search mode is activated to search for a route to the destination.

  In this state, the control unit 12 inputs the width information desired by the driver via the input unit 20 and inputs the destination, thereby controlling the data reproduction unit 15 to reproduce the CD-ROM, and Map information including the current position of the vehicle to the destination and the corresponding road information are read as map data D14 from the CD-ROM. In addition to this, the control unit 12 reads the vehicle information stored in the RAM 21 as vehicle information data D13.

  In this case, the control unit 12 selects all the road information levels of the road on which the car can travel based on the car information from the road information level represented by the map data D14, and each level of the selected road information. Is assigned to various width information that can be input via the input unit 20, and the road information level assigned to the width information input by the driver from the road information level assigned to the various width information is set to the route to the destination. Select as the level of road information used for search.

  In the car navigation system 1, for example, radio waves obtained from a road traffic information communication station (not shown) that operates, for example, a VICS (Vehicle Information and Communication System) service are transmitted by a traffic information receiver 23 via an antenna 22. The traffic information receiver 23 sends traffic information such as traffic jams and accidents obtained by reception to the interface circuit 5 as an analog traffic information signal S7. The interface circuit 5 digitizes the traffic information signal S <b> 7 and sends the obtained traffic information data D <b> 16 composed of digital to the control unit 12 via the internal bus 11.

  As a result, the control unit 12 causes the road on the road where traffic congestion or an accident has occurred based on the traffic information represented by the traffic information data D16 from the road information level selected based on the vehicle information when the road information level is selected. Except for the information level, the road information level is selected based on the width information input by the driver from the remaining various road information levels. Thus, the control unit 12 uses the level of the road information obtained by selection to preferentially select the road corresponding to the level from the map information, so that the current vehicle position and destination from the map information. Search for the route between.

  However, since the content of the traffic information changes from moment to moment, the control unit 12 sets the route to the destination and sets the destination from the current location of the vehicle even while the vehicle is traveling toward the destination. When it is detected that a traffic jam or accident has occurred along the route to the ground, the route is searched again in the same manner as described above.

  In this way, the control unit 12 sends the route information set by the search to the graphic controller 14 via the internal bus 11 as route information data D17. Accordingly, the graphic controller 14 generates route data D18 that can distinguish the route represented by the route information data D17 from other roads by color or the like, and sends the route data D18 to the display control circuit 18. Thus, the display control circuit 18 displays the map and the position of the car on the screen of the display unit 16 as described above, and further displays the route from the departure point to the destination so that it can be distinguished from other roads. .

  In this way, the control unit 12 approaches the intersection where the position of the vehicle needs to change its traveling direction (for example, right turn or left turn) while the vehicle is traveling along the route to the destination. Then, direction change data D20 representing the change contents of the traveling direction (for example, right turn, left turn, etc.) is sent to the voice control circuit 25 via the internal bus 11.

  The voice control circuit 25 controls the data reproducing unit 15 based on the azimuth change data D20 to reproduce the CD-ROM. Among the various notification information such as a right turn and a left turn recorded in advance on the CD-ROM, the change contents The notification information corresponding to is read as notification information data D21. Thus, the voice control circuit 25 generates a voice signal S10 representing a notification sound such as a right turn or a left turn represented by the notification information data D21, amplifies it to the speaker drive signal level via the amplifier 26, and sends it to the speaker 27. Then, a notification sound corresponding to the audio signal S10 is generated from the speaker 27. Thus, in this car navigation apparatus 1, when the automobile needs to change the heading direction while the automobile is traveling along the route to the destination, a notification sound is generated prior to this, The change of the heading direction can be audibly recognized by the driver.

  In addition, in the car navigation system 1, in addition to the notification sound when the vehicle changes its heading direction at an intersection or the like, a notification sound is generated to make the driver recognize this when the vehicle arrives at the destination. . In the car navigation device 1, the driver can set in advance whether or not a notification sound is generated via the input unit 20.

  Actually, in this car navigation apparatus 1, when the driver designates a route search through the input unit 20, the control unit 12 enters the route search mode, starts the route search processing procedure RT1 shown in FIG. 2, and starts step SP1. To step SP2. In step SP2, the control unit 12 inputs the width information desired by the driver via the input unit 20, and when the driver inputs the destination via the input unit 20 in the subsequent step SP3, the control unit 12 receives the data. The reproduction unit 15 is controlled to read out map information including the current position of the vehicle to the destination and the corresponding road information as map data D14, and read out the vehicle information stored in advance in the RAM 21 as vehicle information data D13.

  Next, the control unit 12 proceeds to step SP4, and selects the level of road information used for searching for the route to the destination based on the vehicle information, the traffic information, and the width information from the level of the road information represented by the map data D14.

  Subsequently, the control unit 12 proceeds to step SP5, and uses the road corresponding to the selected road information level preferentially to search the map information for the current position of the vehicle and the route between the destinations. As a result, the control unit 12 sends the route information set by the search to the graphic controller 14 as route information data D17. Thus, the display control circuit 18 displays the route along with the position of the automobile on the map of the screen of the display unit 16. Thereafter, the control unit 12 proceeds to step SP6 and ends the route search processing procedure RT1.

  In the case of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, if the width information input by the driver corresponds to level 2 road information, for example, the control unit 12 sets the starting point and the destination to level 0, respectively. , Sequentially search for roads corresponding to level 1 and level 2 road information connected to the departure point and destination respectively, and correspond to new level 2 road information connecting level 2 roads obtained by the search The whole route is searched like a road. As shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 12, for example, assumes that the width information input by the driver corresponds to level 5 road information, and road information from level 1 to level 5 connected to the departure place and the destination respectively. The entire route is searched by sequentially searching for roads corresponding to, and searching for roads corresponding to new level 5 road information connecting the roads corresponding to level 5 road information obtained by the search. .

  In the above-described configuration, in the car navigation system 1, a CD-ROM in which map information and road information added to roads in the map information are recorded in advance is loaded into the data reproducing unit 15 and the input unit 20 Is stored in the RAM 21 in advance. In this state, in the car navigation system 1, road width information and destination are input by the driver via the input unit 20, and traffic information obtained from the road traffic information communication station is received by the traffic information receiver 23. Of the road information used for searching for the route to the destination based on the vehicle information, the traffic information and the width information from the level of the road information recorded on the CD-ROM by the control unit 12. Select a level.

  In this manner, the car navigation apparatus 1 searches for the current position of the vehicle and the route between the destinations from the map information by preferentially using the road corresponding to the level of the road information selected by the control unit 12.

  As a result, in the car navigation device 1, the road on which the automobile on which the car navigation device 1 is mounted can travel and the road desired by the driver based on the road on which the automobile can travel is used. The route from the map information to the destination can be searched using a remarkably close road. Thus, in this car navigation apparatus 1, a road that is markedly close to the road desired by the driver can be set as a route to the destination on the basis of the road on which the automobile can travel.

  In addition to this, in this car navigation device 1, the content of traffic information that changes from moment to moment is used to search for a route to the destination, and when a traffic jam or accident occurs along the route obtained by searching, By re-searching the route by avoiding roads where traffic jams and accidents occurred until the car arrives at the destination, the roads desired by the driver on the basis of the roads on which the cars can travel are described. In addition, a road on which the driver can travel comfortably can be searched as a route to the destination.

  According to the above configuration, the road width information desired by the driver via the input unit 20 and the vehicle information stored in the RAM 21 in advance using the CD-ROM in which the map information and the road information are recorded. When the destination is input and the traffic information is received by the traffic information receiver 23, the control unit 12 determines from the level of the road information to the destination based on the vehicle information, the traffic information, and the width information. By selecting the road information level to be used for route search and preferentially using the road corresponding to the selected road information level, the route from the map information to the destination is searched. The route from the map information to the destination can be searched using a road that is remarkably close to the road desired by the driver based on the road on which the driver can travel. Remarkably it is possible to realize a car navigation system capable of improving the usability provides close path.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the driver inputs the vehicle information via the input unit 20 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the RAM 21 or the like in the car navigation device 1 is used. The vehicle information of multiple types of vehicles is stored and held in advance along with additional information such as the manufacturer name, model name, model year, model, and displacement of the vehicle, and the driver or the like stores all or part of the additional information. By inputting the vehicle information, the control unit 12 may select the vehicle information corresponding to the input additional information from the RAM 21 or the like.

  In the car navigation system 1, the car is divided into ranks such as small cars, ordinary cars (medium-sized cars), and large cars, and car information set in advance corresponding to the ranks is stored in the RAM 21 or the like in advance. When the driver inputs the rank information via the input unit 20, the control unit 12 may select the vehicle information corresponding to the input rank information.

  Further, in the car navigation system 1, the car is divided into ranks by number plates such as 5 numbers and 3 numbers, and car information set in advance corresponding to the ranks is stored and held in the RAM 21 or the like in advance. By inputting the rank information, the control unit 12 may select the vehicle information corresponding to the input rank information.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the vehicle information is used for searching for a route to the destination has been described. Parking information consisting of car information of cars that can be parked in advance is recorded in advance, and a parking lot where cars can be parked based on the car information input via the input unit 20 from the parking information is provided to the driver. You may make it guide, and, thereby, the convenience of a driver | operator can be improved further.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the degree of the width of the road represented by the width information is set to be relatively narrow, relatively wide, or between these has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto, Depending on the degree of width desired by the other driver, the degree of width of the road represented by the width information can be varied, for example, even in a narrow road (in a situation where a wide road or an ordinary road is used preferentially). You may make it set to a content. As a result, a route closer to the driver's request can be searched.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the level of road information recorded in advance on the CD-ROM is set to five levels has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the level of road information is set to 5 levels. You may make it set to a predetermined step like the step more than a step or less than five steps.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the route search is made based on the level of the selected one road information (FIGS. 3 and 4) has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, width information is input for each predetermined area such as an urban area or a suburb, or as shown in FIG. 6, a time zone in consideration of the traffic volume of a car, a time zone in consideration of driver fatigue, etc. You may make it input width information for every predetermined time slot | zone. Thereby, it is possible to further improve the usability of the car navigation device 1 by searching for a route closer to the driver's request.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the traffic information is obtained from the road traffic information communication station that operates the VICS service has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the traffic information is not converted to ATIS (Advanced Traffic Information Service). ) May be obtained from various other road traffic information communication stations such as the road traffic information communication station.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the vehicle information, the traffic information, and the width information are used for selecting the road information level is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and only the vehicle information or the width information is used. You may make it use only.

  Here, in the car navigation system, when only the vehicle information is used for selecting the road information level, the road information level corresponding to a relatively narrow road on which the vehicle can travel is set according to the size of the vehicle. Can be selected, so that there is a relatively narrow road and a relatively short road where the car can travel between the starting point and the destination. It is possible to reduce the driver's unnecessary fatigue due to a detour route set between the ground.

  Further, in the car navigation system, when only the width information is used for selecting the road information level, the road information level corresponding to the road relatively close to the road desired by the driver can be selected. The route to the destination can be searched using a road relatively close to the desired road.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where a liquid crystal display device is applied as the display unit 16 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various other types such as a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), for example. A display unit may be applied.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which a CD-ROM is applied as a recording medium on which map information and road information indicating the size of the road in the map information are recorded. The invention is not limited to this, and various other recording media such as an IC (Integrated Circuit) card and a memory card may be applied.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the RAM 21 is applied as the storage holding means for storing and holding the vehicle information including the size of the vehicle has been described. In addition, various other memory holding means may be applied.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the width information representing the degree of the width of the road is input and the input unit 20 is applied as input means for inputting the destination has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various other input means may be applied.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, road information to be used for searching for a route from a predetermined departure place to a destination is selected based on vehicle information from road information, and from the map information using the selected road information. Although the case where the control unit 12 is applied as route search means for searching for a route has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and various other route search means may be applied.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the antenna 22 and the traffic information receiver 23 are applied as receiving means for receiving traffic information transmitted from a predetermined road traffic information communication station has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various other receiving means may be applied.

  The present invention can be used for a navigation device such as a car navigation device.

It is a block diagram which shows one Embodiment of the car navigation apparatus by this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the route search processing procedure by a control part. It is a basic diagram with which it uses for description of the search of the path | route to the destination by a control part. It is a basic diagram with which it uses for description of the search of the path | route to the destination by a control part. It is a basic diagram with which it uses for description of the search of the path | route which added the area by other embodiment. It is a basic diagram with which it uses for description of the search of the path | route which added the time slot | zone by other embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Car navigation apparatus, 2 ... Side position information detection part, 4 ... Main part, 12 ... Control part, 13 ... ROM, 15 ... Data reproduction part, 20 ... Input part, 21 ... RAM, 22 ... antenna, 23 ... traffic information receiver.

Claims (6)

A recording medium on which map information and road information indicating the size of the road in the map information are recorded;
Input means for inputting the width information indicating the degree of the width of the road and inputting the destination;
Based on the width information from the road information, the road information used for searching a route from a predetermined departure point to the destination is selected, and the route is searched from the map information using the selected road information. A navigation apparatus comprising: a route searching means for performing Receiving means for receiving traffic information transmitted from a predetermined road traffic information communication station, wherein the route search means includes the road information from the starting point to the destination based on the width information and the traffic information. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the road information used for route search is selected. The input means inputs the width information for each predetermined area or every predetermined time zone from the departure place to the destination,
The route search means selects the road information to be used for searching the route from the departure place to the destination based on the width information corresponding to each area or each time zone from the road information. The navigation device according to claim 1. Based on the width information from the road information indicating the size of the road in the map information recorded in advance together with the map information on the recording medium, the width information indicating the width of the road is input and the destination is input. Selecting the road information to be used for searching for a route from a predetermined departure place to the destination, and searching the route from the map information using the selected road information. . The road information used for searching for the route from the starting point to the destination based on the width information and the traffic information from the road information received from traffic information transmitted from a predetermined road traffic information communication station The route search method according to claim 4, wherein the route search method is selected. The width information is input for each predetermined area or predetermined time zone from the departure place to the destination, and from the departure place based on the width information corresponding to each area or each time zone from the road information. The route search method according to claim 4, wherein the road information used for searching the route to the destination is selected.

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