JP2011242363A - Navigation device and destination setting method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide "a navigation device and a destination setting method therefor" which enable a user to set a plurality of destinations and via-points efficiently.SOLUTION: The navigation device has: destination setting means 300 for setting a first point as a destination of navigation; point extraction means 302 for extracting one or more other points within a prescribed range of the first point with reference to history information on points previously set; point presentation means 304 for presenting the extracted point or points to a user; route setting means 306 for enabling the user to set the presented point or points as a via-point to pass before or after the first point or another destination; and point history storage means 308 for memorizing history information on the point or points which are set as mentioned above.

Description

  The present invention relates to a destination setting method in an in-vehicle navigation device, and more particularly to a method for facilitating setting of a waypoint or an additional destination.

  The in-vehicle navigation device calculates the optimum route to the point set by the user as the destination, performs guidance by image and voice based on the route and the current value of the traveling vehicle, and guides the driver to the destination. In setting the destination, the user generally searches a point database using a search function on the system, and sets the resulting point as the destination. Specifically, the target is narrowed down while interactively searching for a destination list on the in-vehicle display by performing a 50-sound search based on the name of the destination and a search operation by destination address or telephone number. To find a desired point and set it as a destination. In addition to such a method by search, in recent years, a point that has been set by the user in the past is stored as a history, and this is presented to the user when selecting a destination, whereby the target setting Some navigation devices reduce the complexity of the user.

  On the other hand, some conventional navigation devices can set a plurality of transit points or additional destinations at the same time when setting the above destinations. Since this type of navigation apparatus can set a plurality of points in advance as waypoints or destinations, it is possible to avoid the trouble of setting the next destination every time it arrives at each destination. However, the point that you have to search and set multiple points individually as their waypoints or destinations is the same as when you set each time you arrive at each destination. Problems that require a great deal of time for the user are not improved. Since the complexity of user work in this type of in-vehicle system eventually results in the user not using the function, improvement in workability is important.

  In such a background, conventionally, a set of destinations set by the user in the past and points of the waypoints is stored, and this is presented as history information when setting the waypoints after the user sets the destination. Thus, a navigation device that improves the user's workability has been proposed.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-340724 JP 2004-77296 A

However, the method disclosed in the above document still has the following problems.
(1) When there are multiple destinations, for example, when visiting multiple sights at the destination tourist destination, or when setting a return route (the starting point is the final destination) in addition to the destination Therefore, every time the destination is reached, the second and third destinations need to be reset as new destinations.
(2) Only when a destination that has been set in the past is selected, candidates for the waypoints can be extracted. Therefore, a destination that is not so (for example, a destination that is close to a destination set in the past is set. In the case of setting a point that does not exist, it is necessary to rely on a method of extracting a waypoint by a conventional search method, and its use range is limited.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a navigation device and a method for setting the destination that allow the user to efficiently set a plurality of destinations and waypoints.

  The navigation device according to the present invention includes a destination setting unit that sets one point as a navigation destination, and one or a plurality of points within a predetermined range of the one point based on history information of points set in the past. Point extracting means for extracting other points, point presenting means for presenting the extracted one or more other points to the user, and the user placing the one or more other points in front of the one point Or it has a route setting means which makes it possible to set as a transit place or other destination to pass through, and a point history storage means for storing history information of the set one or a plurality of points.

  Preferably, the point extracting means extracts one or a plurality of points that have been set as navigation destinations in the past from the history information of the points set in the past. Preferably, the navigation device determines one or a plurality of destinations starting from one or a plurality of points within a predetermined range of the one point from other point information based on history information of the points set in the past. 2nd point extraction means to extract as. Further preferably, the navigation device extracts, from the history information of points set in the past, one or more points that have been set as waypoints for the one point as other points. It further has point extraction means. More preferably, there is provided a fourth point extracting means for extracting one or a plurality of points within a predetermined range of the one point as other points from the information of the points registered as landmarks. Preferably, the point presenting means sorts and displays a plurality of other extracted points in a predetermined order on the display.

  The destination setting method in the navigation device according to the present invention includes a destination setting step for setting one point as a navigation destination and history information of the points set in the past within a predetermined range of the one point. A point extracting step of extracting one or more other points, a point presenting step of presenting the extracted one or more other points to the user, and the user specifying the one or more other points, A route setting step for enabling setting as a transit point or other destination passing before or after one point, and a point history storing step for storing history information of the set one or more points.

  According to the present invention, when one destination is set, points set in the past in the vicinity thereof can be selected as the next destination or waypoint. Such a point is highly likely to be selected by the user as its destination or waypoint, thus improving user convenience.

  In the present invention provided with the second point extraction means, the final destination can be selected from the history of the past destinations starting from the periphery of the set destination. Such a point is highly likely to be selected as a final destination when the user sets a return route at the time of departure, so that convenience for the user is improved.

It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the navigation apparatus which concerns on the Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows each data structure of the point database (A) used for destination setting, a route point database (B), and a landmark database (C). It is a functional block diagram of the destination setting program of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the 1st aspect (neighboring destination extraction) of the point candidate extraction process in destination setting. It is a flowchart which shows the 2nd aspect (neighboring origin departure destination extraction) of the point candidate extraction process in destination setting. It is a flowchart which shows the 3rd aspect (route point extraction) of the point candidate extraction process in destination setting. It is a flowchart which shows the 4th aspect (landmark extraction) of the point candidate extraction process in destination setting. It is the schematic of the whole screen structure produced | generated by the destination setting program. It is a figure which shows the display mode of the extraction point list display area of FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a display mode of the route setting area.

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

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a navigation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, a navigation device 100 includes a bus interface (I / F) 102 that receives various signals relating to the state of a vehicle from an in-vehicle bus, and a GPS that receives a signal from a GPS satellite and detects its own vehicle position. A receiver 104, a VICS receiver 106 that receives road traffic information distributed from a VICS center, an input unit 108 that receives input from a user, a communication control unit 116 that performs data communication with an external device wirelessly or by wire, and a large-capacity hard disk A storage unit 118 including a storage medium, a sound output unit 120 that outputs sound from the speaker 122, a display control unit 124 that displays an image such as a road map on the display 126, a program memory 130 that stores a program, and data temporarily The data memory 140 stored in the Configured to include a control unit 160 for controlling.

  The bus interface 102 receives a detection signal from a self-contained navigation sensor (for example, a vehicle speed sensor, an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, etc.), a signal indicating on / off of parking, a signal indicating on / off of a direction indicator, and the like. Is provided to the control unit 160. The VICS receiver 106 receives road traffic information distributed from the VICS center side by optical beacon, radio wave beacon, FM multiplex broadcasting, etc., and provides it to the control unit 160.

  The input unit 108 includes an operation panel 110 that enables the user to input by touching the display 126, a voice input unit 112 that enables input by voice, and a remote controller 114. The storage unit 118 stores road map data necessary for navigation. The road map data includes link data for identifying roads, node data for identifying intersections, facility data for identifying POIs such as facilities, and administration for identifying boundaries or ranges of administrative divisions of municipalities. Information about sections, information indicating the correspondence between VICS link information and link data included in road map data, and the like are included.

  The program memory 130 determines the vehicle position based on a detection signal from the road traffic information presentation program 132 that presents the road traffic information received by the VICS receiver 106 using images and sounds, a self-contained navigation sensor, and the GPS receiver 104. A vehicle position calculation program 134 for calculating, a destination setting program 136 for setting one or a plurality of destinations and waypoints by an interactive procedure with the user, an optimum from the vehicle position and other start positions to the destination A route search program 138 for searching for a simple route.

  The data memory 140 includes road traffic information 142 received by the VICS receiver 106, road map data 144 around the vehicle position read from the storage unit 118, vehicle position information 146 calculated by the vehicle position calculation program 134, purpose A point database 148 and a route point database 150 set by the land setting program 136, a landmark database 152 which is information of points registered as landmarks, guidance route information 154 searched by the route search program 138, and the like are stored.

  Next, the destination setting in the navigation device 100 having the above configuration will be described. In the navigation device 100, when the user performs destination setting for route guidance, this is realized by interactively operating the operation panel 110 while confirming the display on the display 126. First, when the user selects a destination setting item from the menu screen, the destination setting program 136 is started.

  FIG. 2 shows data structures of the point database 148, the route point database 150, and the landmark database 152 stored in the data memory 140. Among these data, the point database 148 and the route point database 150 are so-called history data generated in accordance with the execution of the destination setting program 136, while the landmark database 152 is a sightseeing spot or the like registered in advance in the system. It is the data of the initial setting point. These databases are accessed as appropriate when the destination setting program 136 is executed, and each piece of data is used to set one or more destinations and waypoints.

  The point database 148 stores each point information of one or a plurality of destinations and waypoints set by the destination setting program 136. As shown in FIG. A point ID that makes each data unique, a point type that indicates the type of facility at that point, such as a gas station or a restaurant, a point coordinate consisting of a point name, longitude and latitude, the date and time of registration of the point data in the database, and the point Contains the date and time of the last access to the data. However, some of the information may be entrusted to the map data in the storage unit 118. The route point database 150 stores the route information of the points set by the destination setting program 136, that is, a series of point information from the departure point to the destination through the waypoint. As shown in FIG. 4, the data structure includes a route point ID that makes each data unique, a point ID of one or more destinations, a point ID of a departure point, and a point ID of one or more waypoints. Each point ID is a point ID in the point database 148. The landmark database 152 stores information on points previously set in the system as landmarks, and the data structure is basically the same as the point database 148. Of course, if the system allows the user to register additional landmarks, the landmark database 152 may include such additional data.

  FIG. 3 shows a functional block diagram of the destination setting program 136. As shown in the figure, the destination setting program 136 is related to the first destination setting function 300 for setting the first destination, from the history of the points based on the information of the set first destination. A point candidate extraction function 302 for extracting one or a plurality of points, a point list display function 304 for displaying the extracted points on the display, and the user can select one or more destinations / points from the point list displayed on the display. It has a route setting function 306 that allows a transit point to be selected and set, and a route information storage function 308 that stores a plurality of points set by the user and route information as their connection in the storage unit 118.

  The first destination setting function 300 displays one or more spot names on the display 126 based on a user's operation, and finally the user selects one of them to set the first destination of navigation. It can be so. For this purpose, the first destination setting function 300 is a function for narrowing down various points by an existing method, for example, a 50 sound search function, a search function by destination address or telephone number, a past destination, An extraction function from a history can be provided. Note that the destination set here is not necessarily the first destination finally set by the destination setting program 136, but for the sake of explanation, the destination set here will be referred to as "first destination" hereinafter. Called.

  The point candidate extraction function 302 accesses the point database 148, the route point database 150, and the landmark database 152 in the data memory 140, and extracts one or a plurality of points related to the first destination. In the embodiment, the point candidate extraction function 302 basically has four different search functions. When the point candidate extraction function is activated, these four search functions are executed in parallel, and each of the above data And one or a plurality of points according to each criterion are extracted. The first of these search functions is one or more points within a predetermined range of the first destination (for example, within 10 km centered on the destination) among the points that have been set as destinations in the past. (Hereinafter referred to as “neighboring destination extraction function”). The second search function is one or a plurality of points within a predetermined range of the first destination (for example, within 10 km centered on the destination) among points that have been set as departure points in the past. Are extracted, and one or a plurality of points determined as those destinations at that time are finally extracted (hereinafter, referred to as “peripheral local departure destination extraction function”). The third function of the search function is to extract one or a plurality of points as the waypoints when the same destination as the first destination is set in the past (hereinafter referred to as “route points”). "Extraction function"). The fourth search function is to extract one or a plurality of landmarks within a predetermined range of the first destination (for example, within 10 km centered on the destination) (hereinafter referred to as “landmark”). "Extraction function"). Specific processing in each extraction function in the point candidate extraction function 302 will be individually described later using a flowchart.

  The spot list display function 304 sorts the spot information extracted by each of the extraction functions into a predetermined arrangement order and displays it on the display 126. In the preferred embodiment, the list of points extracted in four different ways each have a separate display window, either of which can be displayed by a user selection operation. In this case, the extracted spot information can be sorted in the order of new registration information based on the data registration date / time information in the spot database 148 or the latest access order based on the last access date / time information. It is preferable that can be set freely by operating. The plurality of points displayed on the display 126 by the point list display function 304 can be selected as one or more other destinations and / or waypoints by the user. A specific display configuration by the point list display function 304 will be described later.

  The route setting function 306 allows the user to select and set one or a plurality of destinations / routes from the point list displayed on the display by the point list display function 304. For this purpose, the route setting function 306 has at least means for allowing the user to select a plurality of displayed points via the operation panel 110, means for rearranging or canceling the plurality of selected points, Means for designating whether a plurality of selected points are destinations or waypoints, and means for finally determining a route including a plurality of points from a starting point to a final destination constructed by a user . This specific display configuration will be described later.

  The route information storage function 308 stores a plurality of points finally selected and constructed by the user and route information as their connection according to the data structure shown in FIG. To store. These stored data are called and used as history information by the point candidate extraction function 302 when the destination setting program 136 is started next time.

  Next, specific processing of the four extraction functions in the point candidate extraction function 302 will be described using a flowchart. 4 to 7 are flowcharts showing the four extraction functions in the point candidate extraction function 302, that is, the functions of the peripheral destination extraction function, the peripheral destination extraction function, the waypoint extraction function, and the landmark extraction function. . Each process shown in these four flowcharts is started in parallel by starting the destination setting program 136 and setting the first destination by the user.

  First, specific processing of the peripheral destination extraction function will be described with reference to FIG. When the processing 400 is started, first, the coordinates of the first destination set by the user are specified (step S402). Next, the system accesses the point database 148, refers to the point coordinates of each point data, and selects one or a plurality of points having coordinates within a predetermined area range (for example, within 10 km range) from the coordinate point of the first destination. Extract (step S404). Next, by accessing the route point database 150 and referring to the point ID of the destination of each route information and leaving only the point ID of the extracted point that matches it, the destination is previously set by the user. The determined points are extracted (step S406). Through the above processing, points that have been set as destinations in the past around the first destination are extracted as selection candidates for the user.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 5, specific processing of the surrounding local departure destination extracting function will be described. When the process 500 is started, first, the coordinates of the first destination set by the user are specified (step S502). Next, the system accesses the point database 148, refers to the point coordinates of each point data, and selects one or a plurality of points having coordinates within a predetermined area range (for example, within 10 km range) from the coordinate point of the first destination. Extract (step S504). Next, the route point database 150 is accessed, the point ID of the departure point of each route information is referred to, and the route information whose point ID matches the extracted point information is extracted (step S506). Then, the point database 148 is accessed, and information on the point set as the destination is extracted from the extracted route information (step S508). As a result of the above processing, points that have been designated as destinations in the past when the vicinity of the first destination is set as the departure point are extracted as user selection candidates.

  Next, specific processing of the waypoint extraction function will be described with reference to FIG. When the process 600 is started, first, the coordinates of the first destination set by the user are specified (step S602). Next, the system accesses the route point database 150 and extracts route information whose destination is the same as the first destination (step S604). Here, when a plurality of destinations are set for one route information, the route information whose one is the first destination is targeted. Next, the point database 148 is accessed, and information on points that are transit points is extracted from the extracted route information (step S606). Here, when a plurality of waypoints are set for one route information, all of them are to be extracted. As a result of the above processing, a point that was set as a transit point when the first destination was set in the past is extracted as a user selection candidate.

  Next, specific processing of the landmark extraction function will be described with reference to FIG. When the process 700 is started, first, the coordinates of the first destination set by the user are specified (step S702). Next, the system accesses the landmark database 152, refers to the point coordinates of the respective point data, and has one or more points having coordinates within a predetermined area (for example, within 10 km) from the coordinate point of the first destination. Is extracted (step S704). Through the above processing, points registered as landmarks around the first destination are extracted as user selection candidates.

  Next, a display screen configuration example generated by the destination setting program 136 is shown. Note that the screen configuration example shown below is only one embodiment of the screen configuration generated by the present invention. When setting the purpose of navigation, examples of the screen configuration for allowing the user to select and set one or more destinations and waypoints can be considered in various forms from the viewpoint of operability within the range of existing technologies. FIG. 8 schematically illustrates the entire screen configuration generated by the destination setting program 136. The screen configuration 800 for destination setting is extracted and generated by the first destination display area 802 for displaying the first destination set first by the user, the point candidate extraction function 302, and the point list display function 304. An extracted point list display area 804 for displaying a list of a plurality of points, and a route setting area 806 for displaying a point selected by the user from the point list and setting this as a route from the starting point to the final destination. Have.

  The extracted spot list display area 804 switches and displays the four types of spot lists extracted and generated by the spot candidate extracting function 302 in accordance with a so-called tab display format by pressing selection by the user. FIGS. 9A to 9D show display examples of a list of points selected by different extraction functions, respectively, a peripheral destination extracting function, a peripheral local destination extracting function, a waypoint extracting function, It is an example of a display concerning a landmark extraction function. The user displays a list of points by pressing the tab and directly presses one or more points from the list to select other destinations and waypoints. In the extraction point list display area 804, in consideration of the case where an appropriate destination / route is not selected by each of the above methods, a search function based on a 50-sound search function, a destination address and a telephone number, and a past destination history It is preferable to prepare a tab selection (tab E in FIG. 8) for selecting points by an existing method, such as an extraction function from.

  In the route setting area 806, the points selected in the extraction point list display area 804 are sequentially added according to the selection order. In this display area, the user can specify whether each point is a stopover or a destination, and edit operations such as switching the order of the points and deleting the points, and operating the operation buttons 810 on the display. Can be done. When the route is confirmed, when the user presses the setting button 808, information on each selected point and route information is recorded on the system side, route search is executed based on the information, and navigation starts. Will be.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above. However, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the gist of the invention described in the claims. It can be changed.

100: Navigation device 102: Bus interface 104: GPS receiver 106: VICS receiver 108: Input unit 110: Operation panel 112: Audio input unit 114: Remote control 116: Communication control unit 118: Storage unit 120: Audio output unit 122: Speaker 124: Display control unit 126: Display 130: Program memory 132: Road traffic information presentation program 134: Own vehicle position calculation program 136: Destination setting program 138: Route search program 140: Data memory 142: Road traffic information 144: Road Map data 146: Vehicle position information 148: Point database 150: Route point database 152: Landmark database 154: Guide route information 160: Control unit 300: First destination setting function 302: Point candidate extraction function 304: Point list display Function 30 : Routing Function 308: route information storage function

Claims (12)

Destination setting means for setting one point as a navigation destination;
Point extraction means for extracting one or a plurality of other points within a predetermined range of the one point from history information of points set in the past;
Point presentation means for presenting the extracted one or more other points to the user;
Route setting means for allowing a user to set the one or more other points as a waypoint or other destination passing before or after the one point;
Point history storage means for storing history information of the set one or more points;
A navigation device. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the point extracting unit extracts one or a plurality of points that have been set as navigation destinations in the past from history information of points set in the past. . Second point extraction for extracting one or more destinations starting from one or more points within a predetermined range of the one point as other points from the history information of points set in the past The navigation device according to claim 1, further comprising means. The system further comprises third point extraction means for extracting one or a plurality of points that have been set as waypoints of the one point as other points from the history information of the points set in the past. The navigation device according to any one of 1 to 3. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising fourth point extraction means for extracting one or more points within a predetermined range of the one point as other points from the information of the points registered as landmarks. The navigation device according to any one of the above. The navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the point presentation unit sorts and displays a plurality of other extracted points in a predetermined order on a display. A destination setting step for setting one point as a navigation destination;
A point extracting step of extracting one or more other points within a predetermined range of the one point from history information of points set in the past;
A point presentation step of presenting the extracted one or more other points to the user;
A route setting step that allows a user to set the one or more other points as a waypoint or other destination that passes before or after the one point;
A point history storage step for storing history information of the set one or more points;
A destination setting method in a navigation device having The navigation device according to claim 7, wherein the point extracting step extracts one or a plurality of points that have been set as navigation destinations in the past from history information of points set in the past. Destination setting method. Second point extraction for extracting one or more destinations starting from one or more points within a predetermined range of the one point as other points from the history information of points set in the past The destination setting method in the navigation device according to claim 7, further comprising a step. The method further comprises a third point extracting step of extracting one or a plurality of points that have been set as transit points of the one point as other points from the history information of the points set in the past. The destination setting method in the navigation device according to any one of 7 to 9. 11. The method according to claim 7, further comprising a fourth point extracting step of extracting one or a plurality of points within a predetermined range of the one point as other points from the information of the points registered as landmarks. The destination setting method in the navigation apparatus as described in any one. The destination in the navigation device according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein in the point presentation step, the plurality of other extracted points are sorted and displayed in a predetermined order on a display. Setting method.

Images