JP2015161592A - Navigation device, communication device, server device, control method, program, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a navigation device, a communication device, and a server device that are able to suitably display an image of a guide point when the navigation device approaches the guide point.SOLUTION: A navigation device 1 transmits an image request signal Sr which is a request to obtain an image of an intersection imaged from a photographing object lane Ltag corresponding to a travelling direction indicated by a guide route at a next passing intersection Inx to a server device 2. Then, the navigation device 1 receives the intersection image corresponding to the image request signal Sr from the server device 2, and has a display 44 display the received intersection image.

Description

  The present invention relates to a guidance display suitable for route guidance.

  Conventionally, there is a technique for displaying an image near an intersection when approaching an intersection during route guidance. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for reading an intersection image stored in a storage unit and displaying it on a map screen when a vehicle approaches an intersection.

Patent No. 3899969

  It is preferable that the intersection image used for assisting route guidance approximates the scenery visually recognized when the vehicle displaying the intersection image actually travels. However, when there are a plurality of traveling lanes that enter the intersection, the traveling lanes may differ between the vehicle that captured the intersection image and the vehicle that displays the image. In this case, the user who visually recognizes the intersection image may feel uncomfortable in the comparison between the scenery actually seen and the intersection image.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and a navigation device, a communication device, and a server capable of suitably displaying an image of the guidance point when approaching the guidance point. The main purpose is to provide a device.

  The invention described in claim is a navigation device that moves together with a vehicle, and is imaged at a route acquisition unit that acquires a route to a destination, and current position information of the vehicle or a guide point included in the route. Transmission means for transmitting an image acquisition request to the server device, and reception for receiving from the server device a guidance point image including an image taken from a lane corresponding to the traveling direction indicated by the route at the guidance point included in the route. Means and display control means for displaying the guidance point image on a display means.

  The invention described in the claims is a communication device that moves together with a vehicle and communicates with a server device, the detection unit detecting a traveling direction of a lane in which the vehicle is traveling, and a lane in which the vehicle is traveling Transmission means for transmitting the captured forward landscape image to the server device in association with the traveling direction of the lane detected by the detection means.

  The invention described in the claims is a server device, which is an image captured from a lane corresponding to a traveling direction indicated by the route from a first vehicle at a guidance point included in the route of the first vehicle. Receiving means for receiving the acquisition request, acquiring means for acquiring the guidance point image corresponding to the acquisition request when receiving the acquisition request, and transmission means for transmitting the guidance point image to the first vehicle And.

  The invention described in the claims is a server device, a route storage unit that stores a route to a destination of the first vehicle, a receiving unit that receives current position information of the first vehicle, A guide point including an image taken from a lane corresponding to the traveling direction indicated by the route when it is determined that the route approaches the predetermined distance of the guide point included in the route based on the route and the current position information An acquisition means for acquiring an image, and a transmission means for transmitting the guide point image to the first vehicle are provided.

  The invention described in claim is a control method executed by a navigation device that moves together with a vehicle, and includes a route acquisition step of acquiring a route to a destination, current position information of the vehicle, or the route. A transmission step of transmitting an acquisition request for an image captured at a guidance point to the server device, and a guidance point image including an image captured from a lane corresponding to the traveling direction indicated by the route at the guidance point included in the route. It has the receiving process received from the said server apparatus, and the display control process which displays the said guidance point image on a display means, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  Further, the invention described in claim is a control method executed by a communication device that moves with a vehicle and communicates with a server device, the detection step detecting a traveling direction of a lane in which the vehicle is traveling, A transmission step of transmitting a forward landscape image captured in the traveling lane to the server device in association with the traveling direction of the lane detected in the detection step.

  The invention described in the claims is a control method executed by the server device, wherein the lane corresponding to the traveling direction indicated by the route from the first vehicle to the guidance point included in the route of the first vehicle. A receiving step for receiving an acquisition request for an image captured from the camera, an acquisition step for acquiring a guidance point image corresponding to the acquisition request when the acquisition request is received, and the first vehicle for the guidance point image. And a transmitting step for transmitting to.

  The invention described in the claims is a control method executed by the server device, the route storing step of storing the route to the destination of the first vehicle in the storage unit, and the current position of the first vehicle From the lane corresponding to the traveling direction indicated by the route when it is determined that the vehicle has approached within a predetermined distance of the guide point included in the route based on the receiving step of receiving information and the route and the current position information It has the acquisition process which acquires the guidance point image containing the imaged image, and the transmission process which transmits the said guidance point image to said 1st vehicle, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  The invention described in the claims is a program executed by a computer, and is imaged at a route acquisition unit that acquires a route to a destination, current position information of the vehicle, or a guide point included in the route. A transmission unit that transmits an acquisition request for the received image to the server device, and a guide point image including an image captured from a lane corresponding to the traveling direction indicated by the route at the guide point included in the route from the server device. The computer is caused to function as receiving means and display control means for displaying the guidance point image on a display means.

  The invention described in the claims is a program executed by a computer that moves together with the vehicle and communicates with the server device, the detection means for detecting the traveling direction of the lane in which the vehicle is traveling, and the traveling The computer is caused to function as a transmission unit that transmits a forward landscape image captured in the lane of the vehicle to the server device in association with the traveling direction of the lane detected by the detection unit.

  The invention described in the claims is a program executed by a computer, and is picked up from a lane corresponding to a traveling direction indicated by the route from a first vehicle at a guidance point included in the route of the first vehicle. Receiving means for receiving the acquired image acquisition request, acquiring means for acquiring the guidance point image corresponding to the acquisition request when the acquisition request is received, and transmitting the guidance point image to the first vehicle The computer is caused to function as a transmitting means.

  The invention described in the claims is a program executed by a computer, wherein a route storage means for storing a route to the destination of the first vehicle, and reception for receiving the current position information of the first vehicle. An image captured from a lane corresponding to the traveling direction indicated by the route when it is determined that the vehicle approaches within a predetermined distance of the guide point included in the route based on the means, the route and the current position information. The computer is caused to function as acquisition means for acquiring a guidance point image including the transmission means for transmitting the guidance point image to the first vehicle.

1 is a schematic configuration of an image sharing system according to an embodiment. The example of a display of the image image | photographed from the reverse vehicle is shown. The example of a display of the image image | photographed from the preceding vehicle is shown. The structure of a navigation apparatus is shown. The structure of a server apparatus is shown. 6 shows a flowchart of image request processing. The flowchart of an image provision process is shown. The flowchart which a server apparatus performs is shown. The example of a display of an intersection image is shown.

  According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is a navigation device that moves together with a vehicle, and includes route acquisition means for acquiring a route to a destination, current position information of the vehicle, or a guide point included in the route. A transmission unit that transmits a request for acquiring a captured image to the server device, and a guidance point image including an image captured from a lane corresponding to the traveling direction indicated by the route at the guidance point included in the route from the server device. Receiving means for receiving, and display control means for displaying the guidance point image on the display means.

  The navigation device includes a route acquisition unit, a transmission unit, a reception unit, and a display control unit. The route acquisition means acquires a route to the destination. The transmission means transmits the current position information of the vehicle or an acquisition request for an image captured at the guide point included in the route to the server device. The receiving means receives a guide point image including an image taken from a lane corresponding to the traveling direction indicated by the route at the guide point included in the route from the server device. The display control means displays the received guidance point image on the display means. According to this aspect, the navigation device can suitably display a guidance point image taken from a lane where the host vehicle is scheduled to travel when approaching a guidance point such as an intersection or a branch point.

  In one aspect of the navigation device, the display control means displays an image in which an object indicating the traveling direction is added to the guidance point image. According to this aspect, the navigation device can make the driver clearly recognize the direction to travel at the guidance point from the guidance point image.

  In another aspect of the navigation device, the navigation device further includes image acquisition means for acquiring a front landscape image obtained by imaging a front landscape, and the display control means includes the guide point image and the front landscape image. Display them side by side. As a result, the navigation device can suitably allow the driver to compare the forward scenery at the local point and the forward scenery near the guidance point.

  According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the communication device that moves together with the vehicle and communicates with the server device includes a detection unit that detects a traveling direction of the lane in which the vehicle is traveling, and the traveling lane. Transmission means for associating the forward landscape image picked up in step 1 with the traveling direction of the lane detected by the detection means to the server device.

  The communication device includes a detection unit and a transmission unit. The detecting means detects the traveling direction of the lane in which the vehicle is traveling. The transmission unit transmits the forward landscape image captured in the traveling lane to the server device in association with the detected traveling direction of the lane. According to this aspect, the communication device can suitably transmit the forward landscape image to the server device in such a manner that the captured lane can be identified.

  In one aspect of the communication apparatus, the transmission unit receives a request for acquiring an image captured from a lane corresponding to the traveling direction indicated by the route at a guidance point included in the route of the other vehicle from the other vehicle. Based on the above, the front landscape image is transmitted to the server device. Here, the “other vehicle” includes a terminal that moves with the other vehicle. According to this aspect, the communication device can suitably transmit an image that is a candidate for the guide point image requested by the other vehicle to the server device in such a manner that the captured lane can be identified.

  In another aspect of the communication apparatus, the detection unit detects a traveling direction of the lane in which the vehicle is traveling based on a road marking included in a forward landscape image captured in the traveling lane. Thereby, the communication apparatus can detect suitably the advancing direction of the lane in which the vehicle is drive | working.

  In another aspect of the communication apparatus, the transmission unit adds an object corresponding to the traveling direction of the lane to the front landscape image and transmits the object to the server apparatus. According to this aspect, when the other vehicle displays the forward landscape image supplied from the communication device via the server device, the communication device makes the driver of the other vehicle more clearly recognize the direction to travel at the guide point. be able to.

  According to still another embodiment of the present invention, the server device captures an image taken from the first vehicle from the lane corresponding to the traveling direction indicated by the route at the guidance point included in the route of the first vehicle. Receiving means for receiving the acquisition request, acquiring means for acquiring the guidance point image corresponding to the acquisition request when receiving the acquisition request, and transmission means for transmitting the guidance point image to the first vehicle And comprising.

  The server device includes a reception unit, an acquisition unit, and a transmission unit. The receiving means receives from the first vehicle an acquisition request for an image captured from a lane corresponding to the traveling direction indicated by the route at a guidance point included in the route of the first vehicle. Here, the “first vehicle” includes a terminal that moves with the vehicle. When the acquisition unit receives the acquisition request, the acquisition unit acquires a guidance point image corresponding to the acquisition request. The transmission means transmits the acquired guide point image to the first vehicle. According to this aspect, the server device can cause the first vehicle to suitably acquire the guidance point image captured from the lane corresponding to the traveling direction indicated by the route of the first vehicle.

  According to still another embodiment of the present invention, the server device includes a route storage unit that stores a route to the destination of the first vehicle, a reception unit that receives the current position information of the first vehicle, A guide point including an image taken from a lane corresponding to the traveling direction indicated by the route when it is determined that the route approaches the predetermined distance of the guide point included in the route based on the route and the current position information An acquisition means for acquiring an image; and a transmission means for transmitting the guide point image to the first vehicle.

  The server device includes a path storage unit, a reception unit, an acquisition unit, and a transmission unit. The route storage means stores a route to the destination of the first vehicle. The receiving means receives the current position information of the first vehicle. The acquisition means includes, based on the route and current position information, a guide point including an image captured from a lane corresponding to the traveling direction indicated by the route when it is determined that the guide point included in the route is within a predetermined distance. Get an image. The transmission means transmits the acquired guide point image to the first vehicle. Also according to this aspect, the server device can cause the first vehicle to suitably acquire the guidance point image captured from the lane corresponding to the traveling direction indicated by the route of the first vehicle.

  In one aspect of the server device, the server device is a vehicle different from the first vehicle, and includes a communication unit that communicates with a second vehicle approaching the guide point, and the acquisition unit includes: An imaging request for the image of the guidance point is transmitted to the second vehicle via the communication means, and the guidance point image captured in response to the imaging request is received from the second vehicle and acquired. Here, the “second vehicle” includes a terminal that moves with the vehicle. In this aspect, the server device can suitably acquire the guidance point image requested by the first vehicle by causing another vehicle to capture the guidance point image.

  In another aspect of the server apparatus, the server apparatus includes an image storage unit that stores captured images of a plurality of intersections in association with at least one piece of information of a time zone, a season, and weather at the time of imaging, and the acquisition The means acquires from the image storage means a guidance point image corresponding to the acquisition request associated with at least one of the time zone, season, and weather when the acquisition request occurs. According to this aspect, the server device can suitably supply the first vehicle with a guide point image that matches the time zone, season, and / or weather conditions and display the image.

  According to still another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a control method executed by a navigation device that moves with a vehicle, a route acquisition step of acquiring a route to a destination, current position information of the vehicle, or the route A transmission step of transmitting to the server device an acquisition request for an image captured at the guide point included in the guide point, and a guide point including an image captured from the lane corresponding to the traveling direction indicated by the route at the guide point included in the route A receiving step of receiving an image from the server device; and a display control step of displaying the guidance point image on a display means. By executing this control method, the navigation device can suitably display a guide point image taken from the lane where the host vehicle is scheduled to travel when approaching a guide point such as an intersection or a branch point. .

  According to still another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a control method executed by a communication device that moves with a vehicle and communicates with a server device, wherein the detection step detects a traveling direction of a lane in which the vehicle is traveling. A transmission step of transmitting a forward landscape image captured in the traveling lane to the server device in association with the traveling direction of the lane detected by the detection step. By executing this control method, the communication device can suitably transmit the forward landscape image to the server device in a manner that allows the captured lane to be identified.

  According to still another embodiment of the present invention, the control method executed by the server device corresponds to the traveling direction indicated by the route from the first vehicle at the guidance point included in the route of the first vehicle. A reception step of receiving an acquisition request for an image captured from a lane, an acquisition step of acquiring a guide point image corresponding to the acquisition request when the acquisition request is received, and the guide point image as the first A transmitting step of transmitting to the vehicle. By executing this control method, the server device can cause the first vehicle to suitably acquire the guidance point image captured from the lane corresponding to the traveling direction indicated by the route of the first vehicle.

  According to still another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a control method executed by the server device, the route storing step of storing the route to the destination of the first vehicle in the storage unit, and the first vehicle Corresponding to the traveling direction indicated by the route when it is determined that the vehicle is approaching within a predetermined distance of the guide point included in the route based on the receiving step of receiving current location information and the route and the current location information An acquisition step of acquiring a guidance point image including an image captured from a lane, and a transmission step of transmitting the guidance point image to the first vehicle. The server device can also cause the first vehicle to suitably acquire the guidance point image captured from the lane corresponding to the traveling direction indicated by the route of the first vehicle by executing this control method.

  According to still another embodiment of the present invention, a program executed by a computer includes route acquisition means for acquiring a route to a destination, current position information of the vehicle, or a guide point included in the route. A transmission unit that transmits a request for acquiring a captured image to the server device, and a guidance point image including an image captured from a lane corresponding to the traveling direction indicated by the route at the guidance point included in the route from the server device. The computer is caused to function as receiving means for receiving and display control means for displaying the guidance point image on the display means. By executing this program, the computer can suitably display a guidance point image taken from the lane where the host vehicle is scheduled to travel when approaching a guidance point such as an intersection or a branch point.

  According to still another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a program executed by a computer that moves with a vehicle and communicates with a server device, the detection means detecting a traveling direction of a lane in which the vehicle is traveling, The computer is caused to function as a transmission unit that transmits a forward landscape image captured in a traveling lane to the server device in association with the traveling direction of the lane detected by the detection unit. By executing this program, the computer can suitably transmit the forward landscape image to the server device in a manner that allows the captured lane to be identified.

  According to still another embodiment of the present invention, a program executed by a computer, the lane corresponding to a traveling direction indicated by the route from a first vehicle to a guidance point included in the route of the first vehicle. Receiving means for receiving an acquisition request for an image picked up from, acquisition means for acquiring a guide spot image corresponding to the acquisition request when the acquisition request is received, and the guide spot image for the first vehicle The computer is caused to function as transmission means for transmitting to the computer. By executing this program, the computer can cause the first vehicle to suitably acquire the guide point image captured from the lane corresponding to the traveling direction indicated by the route of the first vehicle.

  According to still another embodiment of the present invention, a program executed by a computer, receiving route storage means for storing a route to a destination of the first vehicle, and current position information of the first vehicle. When it is determined that the vehicle is approaching within a predetermined distance of the guide point included in the route based on the receiving means, the route and the current position information, the image is taken from the lane corresponding to the traveling direction indicated by the route. The computer is caused to function as an acquisition unit that acquires a guidance point image including an image and a transmission unit that transmits the guidance point image to the first vehicle. The computer can also preferably cause the first vehicle to acquire the guidance point image captured from the lane corresponding to the traveling direction indicated by the route of the first vehicle by executing this program. Preferably, these programs are stored in a storage medium.

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

[Overview of image sharing system]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration of an image sharing system according to the present embodiment. The image sharing system is a system that is preferably used for route guidance by sharing an image (also referred to as an “intersection image”) obtained by photographing the intersection in front of the intersection among the navigation devices existing in each vehicle. The image sharing system includes a plurality of navigation devices 1 (1A, 1B,...), A server device 2, a network 3, and cameras 4 (4a, 4b,...) That supply images taken from the front of the vehicle to each navigation device 1. ). Each navigation device 1 is connected to the server device 2 via the network 3.

  The navigation device 1 performs route guidance to the destination set by the user. Further, when the navigation apparatus 1 approaches an intersection on the next guidance route that passes through (also referred to as “next passing intersection Inx”), the lane corresponding to the traveling direction based on the guidance route (“photographing target lane Ltag”). The server device 2 is requested to obtain an intersection image obtained by photographing the next passing intersection Inx. When the navigation apparatus 1 receives an instruction signal (also referred to as “imaging instruction signal Si”) indicating that an image should be taken from the server apparatus 3, the navigation apparatus 1 transmits the image taken by the camera 4 to the server apparatus 3. . The navigation device 1 is, for example, a stationary navigation device mounted on a vehicle or a portable terminal that performs route guidance. The next passing intersection Inx is an example of the “guidance point” in the present invention, and the intersection image is an example of the “guidance point image” in the present invention.

  The server device 2 is connected to each navigation device 1 via the network 3 and performs processing necessary for each navigation device 1 approaching the intersection to acquire an intersection image. For example, the server apparatus 2 recognizes the position of each navigation apparatus 1 by receiving current position information from each navigation apparatus 1 at predetermined or indefinite intervals. When the server device 2 receives a signal requesting an intersection image from the navigation device 1 (also referred to as an “image request signal Sr”), the server device 2 can capture the intersection image designated by the image request signal Sr (“ Also referred to as “shooting target road Rtag”.) The shooting instruction signal Si is transmitted to the navigation device 1 existing on the road. When the image received based on the shooting instruction signal Si is an image shot from the shooting target lane Ltag, the server device 2 transmits the image as an intersection image to the navigation device 1 that requested the image request signal Sr. To do.

  The camera 4 generates an image obtained by photographing the front direction of the vehicle, and supplies the generated image to each navigation device 1. Hereinafter, an image captured by the camera 4a is referred to as “captured image Ima”, an image captured by the camera 4b is referred to as “captured image Imb”, and images captured by the camera 4 are collectively referred to as “captured image Im”.

  In the example of FIG. 1, since the navigation device 1A of the vehicle Va has approached the next passing intersection Inx to be turned left where the traffic signal 91 is located, the image request signal Sr is transmitted to the server device 3, and the server device 3 transmits the vehicle Va. The imaging instruction signal Si is transmitted to the vehicle Vb preceding the vehicle. The navigation device 1B transmits the captured image Imb to the server device 3 based on the imaging instruction signal Si, and the navigation device 1A receives the captured image Imb from the server device 3 as an intersection image.

  Here, the captured image Im generated in the example of FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 2 shows a display example of the captured image Ima generated in the case of FIG. In FIG. 2, the vehicle Va is traveling in the leftmost lane 81A on the road 81 having three lanes 81A to 81C. In this case, the driver of the vehicle Va cannot clearly recognize the next passing intersection Inx that turns leftward on the captured image Ima shown in FIG.

  FIG. 3 shows a display example of the captured image Imb supplied to the navigation device 1A as an intersection image. In FIG. 3, the vehicle Vb is traveling on a lane 81 </ b> A that is on the road 81 that is the imaging target road Rtag and that is the imaging target lane Ltag whose traveling direction is the left direction. In the captured image Imb shown in FIG. 3, since the vehicle Vb is traveling at a position immediately before reaching the next passing intersection Inx, the next passing intersection Inx is clearly displayed. Therefore, the navigation device 1 </ b> A of the vehicle Va receives the captured image Imb via the server device 2 and displays it on the screen, so that the driver can clearly recognize the mode of the next intersection. A specific process for the navigation device 1A to acquire the captured image Imb will be described later.

[Configuration of navigation device]
FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the navigation device 1. As shown in FIG. 4, the navigation device 1 includes a self-contained positioning device 10, a GPS receiver 18, a system controller 20, a disk drive 31, a data storage unit 36, a communication interface 37, a communication device 38, a display unit 40, and an audio output. A unit 50 and an input device 60 are provided.

  The autonomous positioning device 10 includes an acceleration sensor 11, an angular velocity sensor 12, and a distance sensor 13. The acceleration sensor 11 is made of, for example, a piezoelectric element, detects vehicle acceleration, and outputs acceleration data. The angular velocity sensor 12 is composed of, for example, a vibrating gyroscope, detects the angular velocity of the vehicle when the direction of the vehicle is changed, and outputs angular velocity data and relative azimuth data. The distance sensor 13 measures a vehicle speed pulse composed of a pulse signal generated with the rotation of the vehicle wheel.

  The GPS receiver 18 receives radio waves 19 carrying downlink data including positioning data from a plurality of GPS satellites. The positioning data is used to detect the absolute position of the vehicle from latitude and longitude information.

  The system controller 20 includes an interface 21, a CPU 22, a ROM 23, and a RAM 24, and controls the entire navigation device 1. For example, when the system controller 20 approaches the next passing intersection Inx within a predetermined distance, the system controller 20 receives the image request signal Sr including information specifying the next passing intersection Inx and information on the traveling direction before and after the next passing intersection Inx. It transmits to the server device 2. Further, when the system controller 20 receives an intersection image based on the transmission of the image request signal Sr, the system controller 20 causes the display unit 40 to display the intersection image.

  Further, when the system controller 20 receives the imaging instruction signal Si, the system controller 20 recognizes the traveling direction indicated by the road marking of the traveling lane from the captured image by a known image recognition technique. Then, the system controller 20 uses information on the traveling direction corresponding to the traveling lane (also referred to as “lane direction information”) and shooting point information indicating the current position generated by the GPS receiver 18 as a shot image Im. At the same time, the data is transmitted to the server device 2.

  The interface 21 performs an interface operation with the acceleration sensor 11, the angular velocity sensor 12, the distance sensor 13, and the GPS receiver 18. From these, vehicle speed pulses, acceleration data, relative azimuth data, angular velocity data, GPS positioning data, absolute azimuth data, and the like are input to the system controller 20. The CPU 22 controls the entire system controller 20. The ROM 23 includes a nonvolatile memory (not shown) in which a control program for controlling the system controller 20 is stored. The RAM 24 stores various data such as route data preset by the user via the input device 60 so as to be readable, and provides a working area to the CPU 22.

  A system controller 20, a disk drive 31 such as a CD-ROM drive or a DVD-ROM drive, a data storage unit 36, a communication interface 37, a display unit 40, an audio output unit 50, and an input device 60 are mutually connected via a bus line 30. It is connected to the.

  The disk drive 31 reads and outputs content data such as music data and video data from a disk 33 such as a CD or DVD under the control of the system controller 20. The disk drive 31 may be either a CD-ROM drive or a DVD-ROM drive, or may be a CD and DVD compatible drive.

  The data storage unit 36 is configured by, for example, an HDD and stores various data used for navigation processing such as map data. The map data includes road data represented by links corresponding to roads and nodes corresponding to road connecting portions (intersections), facility information about each facility, and the like.

  The communication device 38 is configured by, for example, an FM tuner, a beacon receiver, a mobile phone, a dedicated communication card, and the like, and via a communication interface 37, a traffic jam distributed from a VICS (Vehicle Information Communication System (registered trademark) center) Receive road traffic information such as traffic information and other information. In the present embodiment, the communication device 38 performs transmission / reception processing of the captured image Im, transmission processing of the image request signal Sr, reception processing of the imaging instruction signal Si, and the like based on the control of the system controller 20. Further, the communication device 38 transmits the current position information generated by the GPS receiver 18 to the server device 2 at predetermined or indefinite intervals.

  The display unit 40 displays various display data on a display device such as a display under the control of the system controller 20. Specifically, the system controller 20 reads map data from the data storage unit 36. The display unit 40 displays the map data read from the data storage unit 36 by the system controller 20 on a display screen such as a display. The display unit 40 includes a graphic controller 41 that controls the entire display unit 40 based on control data sent from the CPU 22 via the bus line 30 and a memory such as a VRAM (Video RAM), and can display image information that can be displayed immediately. A buffer memory 42 that temporarily stores, a display control unit 43 that controls display of a display 44 such as a liquid crystal display or a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) based on image data output from the graphic controller 41, and a display 44 are provided. . The display 44 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display device having a diagonal of about 5 to 10 inches and is mounted near the front panel in the vehicle.

  The audio output unit 50 is a D / A converter that performs D / A conversion of audio digital data sent from the CD-ROM drive 31, DVD-ROM 32, RAM 24, or the like via the bus line 30 under the control of the system controller 20. 51, an amplifier (AMP) 52 that amplifies the audio analog signal output from the D / A converter 51, and a speaker 53 that converts the amplified audio analog signal into sound and outputs the sound into the vehicle. Yes.

  The input device 60 includes keys, switches, buttons, a remote controller, a voice input device, and the like for inputting various commands and data. The input device 60 is disposed around the front panel and the display 44 of the main body of the in-vehicle electronic system mounted in the vehicle. When the display 44 is a touch panel system, the touch panel provided on the display screen of the display 44 also functions as the input device 60.

  The system controller 20 is an example of a “route acquisition unit”, “transmission unit”, “reception unit”, “display control unit”, “image acquisition unit”, and a computer that executes a program of the navigation apparatus according to the present invention. is there. The system controller 20 is an example of a computer that executes a “detection unit”, a “transmission unit”, and a program of the communication apparatus according to the present invention.

[Configuration of server device]
FIG. 5 shows a schematic configuration of the server device 2. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the server device 2 includes a communication unit 22, a storage unit 23, and a control unit 24. The communication unit 22, the storage unit 23, and the control unit 24 are connected to each other via the bus line 21.

  The communication unit 22 communicates various data with the navigation device 1 via the network 3 based on the control of the control unit 24.

  The storage unit 23 stores a program for controlling the operation of the server device 3 and holds information necessary for the operation of the server device 3. For example, the storage unit 23 stores map data including intersection position information. In addition, the storage unit 23 stores the communication address of each navigation device 1 that communicates with the server device 2 and the current position information received from each navigation device 1 at constant or indefinite intervals. In addition, the storage unit 23 is a database (also referred to as “photographed image DB”) in which the photographed image Im transmitted from each navigation device 1 is associated with the photographing point information and lane direction information transmitted together with the photographed image Im. Remember.

  The control unit 24 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like (not shown), and performs various controls on each component in the server device 3. For example, when receiving the image request signal Sr, the control unit 24 transmits the shooting instruction signal Si to the navigation device 1 existing on the shooting target road Rtag based on the image request signal Sr. In addition, when the control unit 24 receives the captured image Im or the like from the navigation apparatus 1 that is the transmission destination of the imaging instruction signal Si, the control unit 24 captures the image captured from the imaging target lane Ltag corresponding to the traveling direction specified by the image request signal Sr. It is determined whether or not the image is Im. And the control part 24 transmits only the picked-up image Im image | photographed from the imaging target lane Ltag to the navigation apparatus 1 of the transmission origin of the image request signal Sr. Further, when the control unit 24 cannot detect the captured image Im that is an intersection image from the captured image Im received based on the capturing instruction signal Si, the control unit 24 captures the captured image Im captured from the capturing target lane Ltag. And transmitted to the navigation device 1 that is the transmission source of the image request signal Sr.

  The control unit 24 is an example of a “reception unit”, “acquisition unit”, “transmission unit”, and a computer that executes a program in the present invention.

[Processing flow]
Next, the flow of processing necessary for acquiring an intersection image will be described in detail.

(1) Image Request Process FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an image request process which is a process to be executed by each navigation device 1 as an intersection image request source. The navigation device 1 repeatedly executes the process shown in FIG.

  First, the navigation device 1 determines whether or not the host vehicle is approaching the next passing intersection Inx within a predetermined distance (step S101). Specifically, the navigation device 1 recognizes the position of the next passing intersection Inx from the map data, and determines whether the distance from the current position measured by the GPS receiver 18 or the like is within a predetermined distance. The predetermined distance is set in advance based on, for example, experiments. If the navigation apparatus 1 determines that the host vehicle is approaching the next passing intersection Inx within a predetermined distance (step S101; Yes), the navigation apparatus 1 determines that an intersection image needs to be acquired, and the process proceeds to step S102. To proceed. On the other hand, when the navigation apparatus 1 determines that the host vehicle has not approached the next passing intersection Inx within a predetermined distance (step S101; No), the navigation apparatus 1 determines that there is no need to acquire an intersection image, and performs the processing of the flowchart. finish.

  Next, in step S102, the navigation device 1 includes information on the traveling direction before and after passing through the next passing intersection Inx recognized based on the set guidance route information and the like, and information specifying the next passing intersection Inx. The image request signal Sr is transmitted to the server device 2 (step S102). And the navigation apparatus 1 determines whether the intersection image was received from the server apparatus 2 (step S103).

  And the navigation apparatus 1 displays an intersection image on the display 44, when an intersection image is received from the server apparatus 2 (step S103; Yes) (step S104). The display example of step S104 will be described in detail in the section “Display Example”.

  On the other hand, when the intersection image is not received from the server device 2 (step S103; No), the navigation device 1 sends a response signal indicating that a predetermined time has elapsed from the transmission of the image request signal Sr or that there is no intersection image. It is determined whether it has been received (step S105). When the navigation apparatus 1 determines that a predetermined time has elapsed from the transmission of the image request signal Sr or that a response signal indicating that there is no intersection image has been received (step S105; Yes), the intersection image cannot be acquired. The process of the flowchart is terminated. On the other hand, when the navigation apparatus 1 has not received a response signal indicating that there is no intersection image before the elapse of a predetermined time since the transmission of the image request signal Sr (step S105; No), the navigation apparatus 1 can still receive the intersection image. The process returns to step S103.

(2) Image Providing Process FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an image providing process that is a process to be executed by each navigation device 1 as an intersection image providing source. Each navigation device 1 repeatedly executes the process shown in FIG. 7 in parallel with the image request process shown in FIG.

  First, the navigation device 1 determines whether or not the imaging instruction signal Si has been received from the server device 2 (step S201). When the navigation apparatus 1 has not received the shooting instruction signal Si from the server apparatus 2 (step S201; No), the navigation apparatus 1 continues to monitor whether the shooting instruction signal Si has been received from the server apparatus 2.

  On the other hand, when the navigation apparatus 1 receives the imaging instruction signal Si from the server apparatus 2 (step S201; Yes), whether the traveling direction of the lane in which the host vehicle is traveling (also referred to as “traveling lane”) can be recognized. (Step S202). Specifically, the navigation device 1 performs a process of detecting a road marking in the traveling lane by a known image recognition process based on the captured image Im and recognizing the direction indicated by the road marking as lane direction information. When the navigation device 1 can recognize the traveling direction of the traveling lane (step S202; Yes), the shooting position information indicating the current position measured by the GPS receiver 18 and the lane direction indicating the direction recognized in step S202. Information is transmitted to the server apparatus 2 together with the captured image Im (step S203).

  On the other hand, when the navigation device 1 cannot recognize the traveling direction of the traveling lane due to lack of a program for recognizing the road marking image (step S202; No), the server device displays the captured image Im together with the imaging position information. 2 (step S204). In addition, when the server apparatus 2 receives the captured image Im to which no lane direction information is added, the server apparatus 2 performs an image recognition process for recognizing the road marking on the received captured image Im instead of the navigation apparatus 1, and the imaging is performed. Recognize the direction of travel corresponding to the lane in which it was made.

(3) Processing of Server Device FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing processing executed by the server device 2. The server device 2 repeatedly executes the process shown in FIG.

  First, the server device 2 determines whether an image request signal Sr has been received (step S301). When the image request signal Sr is received (step S301; Yes), the server apparatus 2 advances the process to step S302. On the other hand, when the image request signal Sr has not been received (step S301; No), the server device 2 continues to determine whether or not the image request signal Sr has been received in step S301.

  After receiving the image request signal Sr, the server device 2 determines whether there is a vehicle before passing through the next passing intersection Inx designated by the image request signal Sr (step S302). Specifically, the server device 2 first determines from the road connected to the next passing intersection Inx based on the information on the next passing intersection Inx and the information on the traveling direction before passing the next passing intersection Inx included in the image request signal Sr. The imaging target road Rtag is recognized. Then, the server device 2 has a navigation device 1 in which the current location exists on the shooting target road Rtag and is within a predetermined distance from the next passing intersection Inx based on the current location information received from each navigation device 1. Judge whether to do. In this case, the predetermined distance may be set to a distance shorter than the predetermined distance in step S101 of FIG.

  If the server device 2 determines that there is a vehicle before passing the next passing intersection Inx (step S302; Yes), the server device 2 transmits a photographing instruction signal Si to the target navigation device 1 (step S303). And the server apparatus 2 receives the picked-up image Im, lane direction information, etc. from the navigation apparatus 1 which transmitted the imaging | photography instruction | indication signal Si (step S304).

  Thereafter, the server device 2 determines whether or not there is a captured image Im captured from the capturing target lane Ltag in the received captured image Im (step S305). Specifically, the server device 2 determines whether or not the direction indicated by the lane direction information received together with the captured image Im matches the traveling direction after passing the next passing intersection Inx specified by the image request signal Sr. To do. Then, when there is a captured image Im captured from the capturing target lane Ltag (step S305; Yes), the server device 2 transmits the captured image Im as an intersection image to the navigation device 1 that is the transmission source of the image request signal Sr. (Step S306).

  On the other hand, when there is no vehicle immediately before approaching the next passing intersection Inx (step S302; No), or there is no captured image Im captured from the capturing target lane Ltag among the captured images Im received (step S305). No), the server device 2 determines the presence or absence of the photographed image Im photographed from the photographing target lane Ltag from the photographed image Im registered in the photographed image DB (step S307). For example, in this case, the server device 2 is on the shooting target lane Ltag and within a predetermined distance from the next passing intersection Inx based on the shooting position information and the lane direction information registered together with the shot image Im in the shot image DB. The photographed image Im that has been photographed is searched. If the server device 2 determines that there is a photographed image Im photographed from the photographing target lane Ltag (step S307; Yes), the navigation device 1 that is the transmission source of the image request signal Sr with the photographed image Im as an intersection image. (Step S306). On the other hand, when the server device 2 determines that there is no captured image Im captured from the capturing target lane Ltag in the captured image DB (step S307; No), the transmission source of the image request signal Sr indicates that there is no intersection image. Is transmitted to the navigation device 1 (step S308).

[Display example]
Next, in the example shown in FIG. 1, an example of a display surface that the navigation device 1A displays on the display 44 will be described.

  FIG. 9 shows an example of a display screen displayed on the display 44 by the navigation device 1A. In the example of FIG. 9, the navigation device 1 </ b> A performs two-screen display in which the left screen 44 </ b> L and the right screen 44 </ b> R of the display 44 are divided.

  First, the navigation device 1A displays the captured image Ima shown in FIG. 2 on the left screen 44L, and displays the guidance route image 89A indicating the guidance route on the captured image Ima. In the example of FIG. 9, the navigation device 1 </ b> A displays a guide route image 89 </ b> A in which a road that is a guide route is turned upside down to an empty position. As described above, the navigation device 1A displays the left screen 44L by superimposing a guide image for assisting route guidance on the captured image Ima that is a real image.

  Further, the navigation device 1A displays a map around the next passing intersection Inx on the right screen 44R. At this time, the navigation device 1A displays a balloon 88 indicating the captured image Imb, which is an intersection image, in association with the next passing intersection Inx on the map. Further, the navigation device 1A displays a guidance route image 89B indicating that it should proceed to the left, superimposed on the captured image Imb in the balloon 88. That is, in this case, the navigation device 1A recognizes that it will make a left turn at the next passing intersection Inx based on the guidance route information, and shows a guidance indicating that it will turn left as in the guidance route image 89A displayed in the captured image Ima. A route image 89B is displayed. In this case, the navigation device 1A may identify a road serving as a guidance route from the photographed image Imb by image recognition, and display the guidance route image 89B in a range obtained by inverting the road upside down.

  Thus, in the example of FIG. 9, the navigation device 1 </ b> A transmits the image request signal Sr to the server device 2 when approaching the next passing intersection Inx, so that the camera 4 b mounted on the vehicle Vb takes a picture. The captured image Imb is acquired and displayed as an intersection image. Thereby, 1 A of navigation apparatuses can make a driver | operator recognize visually the lane which should drive | work before passing the next passing intersection Inx while making a driver recognize the mode of the next passing intersection Inx beforehand.

  In FIG. 9, the navigation device 1A displays the captured image Imb, which is an intersection image, along with the captured image Ima, so that the driver can see the front landscape at the current position and the front landscape near the next passing intersection Inx. Can be compared. Further, the navigation device 1A displays the photographed image Imb in association with the next passing intersection Inx by the balloon 88 on the map displayed on the right screen 44R, thereby indicating the position of the intersection displayed in the photographed image Imb. The driver can be preferably recognized above.

  Furthermore, the navigation device 1A displays the guidance route image 89B on the captured image Imb in the balloon 88, thereby allowing the driver to accurately grasp the direction to proceed at the next passing intersection Inx. In the example of FIG. 9, the navigation device 1A may display an arrow image that turns to the left on the captured image Imb, instead of the guidance route image 89B. The guide route image 89B and the arrow image described above are examples of the “object” in the present invention.

  As described above, the navigation apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment receives the image request signal Sr that is an acquisition request for an intersection image captured from the imaging target lane Ltag corresponding to the traveling direction indicated by the guidance route at the next passing intersection Inx. It transmits to the server device 2. Then, the navigation device 1 receives an intersection image corresponding to the image request signal Sr from the server device 2 and causes the display 44 to display the received intersection image. Thereby, the navigation apparatus 1 can display suitably the guidance point image image | photographed from the lane which the own vehicle is going to drive when approaching the next passing intersection Inx.

[Modification]
Hereinafter, each modification of the embodiment will be described. These modifications may be applied in combination to the above-described embodiments.

(Modification 1)
In the image request process of FIG. 6, the navigation apparatus 1 transmits the image request signal Sr in step S102 when it is determined in step S101 that the next passing intersection Inx is within a predetermined distance. Instead of this, for example, the navigation apparatus 1 may transmit an image request signal Sr for requesting an intersection image of an arbitrary intersection on the guidance route designated by the user.

  In this case, the navigation device 1 receives an input designating an arbitrary intersection on the guidance route by the input device 60, and transmits an image request signal Sr when there is an input designating an intersection where an intersection image should be displayed. . At this time, the navigation device 1 transmits, as the image request signal Sr, information specifying the designated intersection and information indicating the traveling direction before and after passing through the intersection to the server device 2 in step S103 of FIG. Thereby, the navigation apparatus 1 can acquire and suitably display an intersection image of an arbitrary intersection on the guidance route designated by the user.

  In another example, the navigation device 1 may limit the target of the next passing intersection Inx that determines whether or not the vehicle has approached within a predetermined distance in step S101 to an intersection that requires a right or left turn. In this case, when it is determined that the navigation device 1A has approached the next passing intersection Inx that requires a right or left turn within a predetermined distance based on the guidance route information, the navigation apparatus 1A transmits the image request signal Sr and acquires the intersection image of the intersection. And display.

  The intersection designated by the above-mentioned user and the next passing intersection Inx that requires a right / left turn are examples of the “guide point” in the present invention.

(Modification 2)
In the image providing process of FIG. 7, when the navigation apparatus 1 reaches a predetermined intersection instead of transmitting the captured image Im or the like to the server apparatus 2 in response to the image request signal Sr, the navigation apparatus 1 You may upload the picked-up image Im image | photographed just before passage to the server apparatus 2 with imaging | photography position information and lane direction information.

  In this case, the navigation device 1 stores in advance information on the intersection to which the captured image Im is to be transmitted, and if it is determined in step S201 that the intersection to which the captured image Im is to be transmitted is within a predetermined distance, step S202 is performed. Proceed to the process. Then, when the server device 2 registers the captured image Im or the like transmitted from each navigation device 1 in the captured image DB and determines that the image request signal Sr is received in step S301 in FIG. 8, the server device 2 immediately performs step S307. By executing, the photographed image Im designated by the image request signal Sr is searched from the photographed image DB.

(Modification 3)
In the image providing process of FIG. 7, the captured image Im that performs the image recognition of the road marking in step S202 may be different from the captured image Im that is transmitted to the server apparatus 2 in step S203. For example, the navigation device 1 performs the image recognition of the road marking from the photographed image Im in step S202, and then, when determining that the next passing intersection Inx is within a predetermined distance, the navigation apparatus 1 uses the photographed image Im acquired from the camera 4 as a server. You may transmit to the apparatus 2.

(Modification 4)
In the image providing process of FIG. 7, in step S202, the navigation device 1 recognizes the traveling direction of the traveling lane by recognizing the road marking in the captured image Im, based on the current position information and the map data. The traveling direction of the traveling lane may be recognized. Specifically, the navigation device 1 refers to the map data in which the position information and the traveling direction for each lane are registered, so that the position and the traveling direction of the traveling lane are determined based on the current position measured by the GPS receiver 18. recognize. And the navigation apparatus 1 transmits the lane direction information which shows the recognized advancing direction with the picked-up image Im etc. by step S203. Also by this, the navigation apparatus 1 can acquire lane direction information suitably.

(Modification 5)
In step S203 of the image providing process of FIG. 7, the navigation device 1 may transmit the captured image Im on which the guide image indicating the traveling direction of the traveling lane recognized in step S202 is superimposed to the server device 2.

  For example, in the example of FIG. 9, instead of the navigation device 1 </ b> A performing the process of superimposing the guide route image 89 </ b> B on the captured image Imb received from the server device 2, the navigation device 1 </ b> B that is the provider of the captured image Imb is the server device. Before transmitting the captured image Imb to 2, the process of superimposing the guide route image 89B on the captured image Imb is performed. In this case, when the navigation device 1B provides route guidance by superimposing a guidance image on the captured image Imb, which is a live-action image, like the left screen 44L of the navigation device 1A, a display image for the route guidance is displayed. May be uploaded to the server device 2 in step S203.

  Thus, even if the navigation device 1 that provides the intersection image adds the guide image indicating the traveling direction of the traveling lane to the captured image Im, the navigation device 1 that displays the intersection image is suitable for the driver. Can recognize the direction of travel.

(Modification 6)
Instead of transmitting the shooting instruction signal Si to the navigation apparatus 1 existing on the shooting target road Rtag, the server device 2 specifies the navigation apparatus 1 existing on the shooting target lane Ltag and transmits the shooting instruction signal Si. Also good.

  In this case, for example, in step S302 of FIG. 8, the server device 2 first refers to the map data in which the position information and the traveling direction are recorded for each lane, and the shooting target lane corresponding to the traveling direction indicated by the image request signal Sr. Recognize the position of Ltag. Then, based on the current position information received from each navigation device 1, the server device 2 determines whether or not there is a navigation device 1 that is traveling in the shooting target lane Ltag. Then, when there is a navigation device 1 traveling in the shooting target lane Ltag, the server device 2 transmits a shooting instruction signal Si to the navigation device 1. In this case, the navigation device 1 that has received the imaging instruction signal Si transmits the captured image Im together with the imaging position information to the server device 2 without performing processing for recognizing the road marking. When the server device 2 receives the captured image Im from the navigation device 1 that has transmitted the imaging instruction signal Si, the server device 2 does not determine whether the image is captured from the imaging target lane Ltag, but the navigation device 1 that is the transmission source of the image request signal Sr. The received captured image Im is transmitted.

  Thus, also by this modification, the server apparatus 2 can acquire an appropriate intersection image according to the image request signal Sr and transmit it to the transmission source of the image request signal Sr.

(Modification 7)
The server device 2 receives, from the navigation device 1, information on the shooting date and time of the captured image Im and weather information at the shooting location, together with the captured image Im. The server device 2 captures the captured image Im in the shooting time zone, the shooting season, and the shooting time. It may be registered in the photographed image DB in association with the weather. That is, the server device 2 classifies the received captured image Im by time zone, season, and weather, and records them in the captured image DB. Note that the server device 2 may recognize the time information generated by itself when the captured image Im is received as information about the captured date and time of the captured image Im, instead of receiving the above-described captured date and time information from the navigation device 1. . Similarly, the server device 2 may acquire the above-described weather information by, for example, specifying the position information of the navigation device 1 and inquiring another server.

  When the server device 2 searches the captured image DB for the intersection image from the captured image DB in step S307 of FIG. 8, the server device 2 transmits the image request signal Sr at the time zone, the season, and the transmission source of the image request signal Sr. The photographed image Im satisfying these conditions is searched from the photographed image DB. In this case, the server device 2 may recognize the above-described time zone based on the time information and weather information included in the image request signal Sr, and acquire the time information and weather information in the same manner as when the captured image Im is registered. By doing so, the above-mentioned time zone or the like may be recognized. Thereby, the server apparatus 2 can transmit to the navigation apparatus 1 an intersection image that matches the time zone and season when the image request signal Sr is transmitted. Therefore, the navigation device 1 can appropriately recognize the state of the next passing intersection Inx without causing the driver to feel uncomfortable by displaying the intersection image.

  Instead of the above example, the server device 2 may register at least one of the time zone, season, and weather in the captured image DB in association with the captured image Im. Further, when the server device 2 searches the captured image DB for the captured image Im that is an intersection image, the server device 2 determines at least one of the time zone, the season, and the weather as a search condition, and selects the captured image Im as the captured image DB You may search from.

(Modification 8)
If it is determined in step S305 or step S307 in FIG. 8 that there is no captured image Im captured from the target lane Ltag, the server device 2 replaces the captured image Im captured from another lane on the same road. May be transmitted as an intersection image.

(Modification 9)
The processing of the server device 2 described in the embodiment may be executed by a server system including a plurality of server devices. For example, the server device having the captured image DB and the server device that executes the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 8 may be separate. And in this modification, each server apparatus of a server system performs the process allocated by communicating with another server apparatus. In this case, the server system described above is an example of the “server device” in the present invention.

(Modification 10)
The navigation device 1 acquires an image obtained by photographing the point by sending an image request signal Sr to the server device 2 when approaching an arbitrary point requiring guidance such as a branch point, not limited to an intersection. May be displayed. In this case, an arbitrary point requiring guidance such as a branch point is an example of the “guidance point” in the present invention.

(Modification 11)
The server device 2 has a map data DB for storing map data, receives destination information set by the user via the navigation device 1, and the server device 2 searches for a guidance route to the destination. Good. The guidance route searched for by the server device 2 is transmitted to the navigation device 1 and stored in the server device 2. The navigation device 1 executes route guidance to the destination based on the guidance route received from the server device 2.

  Then, the server device 2 recognizes the position of the navigation device 1 by receiving the current position information from the navigation device 1 at predetermined or indefinite intervals, and the navigation device 1 approaches within a predetermined distance from the next passing intersection Inx. In this case, an intersection image obtained by photographing the next passing intersection Inx from the photographing target lane Ltag corresponding to the traveling direction based on the stored guidance route is transmitted to the navigation device 1.

  In this modification, the navigation device 1 does not need to transmit the image request signal Sr that is a signal for requesting the intersection image to the server device 2, and the server device 2 does not receive the image request signal Sr from the navigation device 1. The process which acquires the intersection image used as object and transmits to the navigation apparatus 1 can be performed.

1, 1A, 1B Navigation device 2 Server device 3 Network 4, 4a, 4b Camera 10 Autonomous positioning device 12 GPS receiver 20 System controller 22 CPU
36 Data storage unit 38 Communication device 40 Display unit 44 Display 60 Input device

Claims (20)

A navigation device that moves with a vehicle,
Route acquisition means for acquiring a route to the destination;
Transmitting means for transmitting to the server device an acquisition request for the current position information of the vehicle or an image captured at a guide point included in the route;
Receiving means for receiving, from the server device, a guidance point image including an image taken from a lane corresponding to the traveling direction indicated by the route at the guidance point included in the route;
Display control means for displaying the guidance point image on a display means;
A navigation device comprising:   The navigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit displays an image in which an object indicating the traveling direction is added to the guidance point image. It further comprises image acquisition means for acquiring a front landscape image obtained by imaging the front landscape,
The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit displays the guidance point image and the front landscape image side by side. A communication device that moves with a vehicle and communicates with a server device,
Detecting means for detecting a traveling direction of a lane in which the vehicle is traveling;
A transmission unit that transmits a forward landscape image captured in the traveling lane to the server device in association with the traveling direction of the lane detected by the detection unit;
A communication apparatus comprising:   The transmission means transmits the front landscape image to the server device based on receiving from the server device a photographing request from a lane corresponding to the traveling direction indicated by the route at a guidance point included in the route of another vehicle. The communication device according to claim 4, wherein:   6. The detection unit according to claim 4, wherein the detection unit detects a traveling direction of a lane in which the vehicle is traveling based on a road marking included in a front landscape image captured in the traveling lane. The communication device described.   The communication device according to claim 4, wherein the transmission unit adds an object corresponding to a traveling direction of the lane to the front landscape image and transmits the object to the server device. . Receiving means for receiving an acquisition request for an image captured from a lane corresponding to the traveling direction indicated by the route at a guidance point included in the route of the first vehicle from the first vehicle;
When the acquisition request is received, an acquisition unit that acquires a guide point image corresponding to the acquisition request;
Transmitting means for transmitting the guide point image to the first vehicle;
A server device comprising: Route storage means for storing a route to the destination of the first vehicle;
Receiving means for receiving current position information of the first vehicle;
A guide point including an image taken from a lane corresponding to the traveling direction indicated by the route when it is determined that the route approaches the predetermined distance of the guide point included in the route based on the route and the current position information An acquisition means for acquiring an image;
Transmitting means for transmitting the guide point image to the first vehicle;
A server device comprising: The vehicle is different from the first vehicle, and includes communication means for communicating with the second vehicle approaching the guide point,
The acquisition unit transmits an imaging request for the image of the guidance point to the second vehicle via the communication unit, and receives the guidance point image captured in response to the imaging request from the second vehicle. The server device according to claim 8, wherein the server device is acquired as follows. Image storage means for storing captured images of a plurality of intersections in association with at least one information of a time zone, a season, and weather at the time of imaging;
The acquisition unit acquires a guide point image corresponding to an acquisition request associated with at least one of a time zone, a season, and a weather when the acquisition request is generated from the image storage unit. Item 10. The server device according to Item 8 or 9. A control method executed by a navigation device that moves with a vehicle,
A route acquisition process for acquiring a route to the destination;
A transmission step of transmitting to the server device an acquisition request for the current position information of the vehicle or an image captured at a guide point included in the route;
A receiving step of receiving, from the server device, a guide point image including an image taken from a lane corresponding to the traveling direction indicated by the route at the guide point included in the route;
A display control step of displaying the guidance point image on a display means;
A control method characterized by comprising: A control method executed by a communication device that moves with a vehicle and communicates with a server device,
A detecting step of detecting a traveling direction of a lane in which the vehicle is traveling;
A transmission step of transmitting a forward landscape image captured in the traveling lane to the server device in association with the traveling direction of the lane detected by the detection step;
A control method characterized by comprising: A control method executed by a server device,
A receiving step of receiving an acquisition request for an image captured from a lane corresponding to a traveling direction indicated by the route at a guidance point included in the route of the first vehicle from the first vehicle;
When receiving the acquisition request, an acquisition step of acquiring a guide point image corresponding to the acquisition request;
A transmission step of transmitting the guidance point image to the first vehicle;
A control method characterized by comprising: A control method executed by a server device,
A route storing step of storing a route to the destination of the first vehicle in the storage unit;
A receiving step of receiving current position information of the first vehicle;
A guide point including an image taken from a lane corresponding to the traveling direction indicated by the route when it is determined that the route approaches the predetermined distance of the guide point included in the route based on the route and the current position information An acquisition process for acquiring images;
A transmission step of transmitting the guidance point image to the first vehicle;
A control method characterized by comprising: A program executed by a computer,
Route acquisition means for acquiring a route to the destination;
Transmitting means for transmitting to the server device an acquisition request for the current position information of the vehicle or an image captured at a guide point included in the route;
Receiving means for receiving, from the server device, a guidance point image including an image taken from a lane corresponding to the traveling direction indicated by the route at the guidance point included in the route;
A program for causing the computer to function as display control means for displaying the guidance point image on a display means. A program executed by a computer that moves with the vehicle and communicates with the server device,
Detecting means for detecting a traveling direction of a lane in which the vehicle is traveling;
A program that causes the computer to function as a transmission unit that transmits a forward landscape image captured in the traveling lane to the server device in association with a traveling direction of the lane detected by the detection unit. A program executed by a computer,
Receiving means for receiving an acquisition request for an image captured from a lane corresponding to the traveling direction indicated by the route at a guidance point included in the route of the first vehicle from the first vehicle;
When the acquisition request is received, an acquisition unit that acquires a guide point image corresponding to the acquisition request;
A program for causing the computer to function as transmission means for transmitting the guidance point image to the first vehicle. A program executed by a computer,
Route storage means for storing a route to the destination of the first vehicle;
Receiving means for receiving current position information of the first vehicle;
A guide point including an image taken from a lane corresponding to the traveling direction indicated by the route when it is determined that the route approaches the predetermined distance of the guide point included in the route based on the route and the current position information An acquisition means for acquiring an image;
A program for causing the computer to function as transmission means for transmitting the guidance point image to the first vehicle.   A storage medium storing the program according to any one of claims 16 to 19.

Images