JP2019152489A - Navigation device and travel route guidance method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a navigation device and a travel route guidance method with which it is possible to uniformize the timing of branch guidance and also avoid mistaken branching due to inappropriate timing of branch guidance.SOLUTION: The navigation device comprises: a route search processing unit 22 for setting a travel route to a destination; a guidance image creation unit 42 for creating a guidance image relating to branching at a branch point on the travel route; a guidance image display determination unit 44, a display processing unit 60 for displaying an enlarged guidance image when the distance to the branch point becomes a first value; and a display mode change unit 46 which, upon approaching a branchable point located on the travel route nearer than the branch point while the enlarged guidance image is being displayed, changes the display mode of the enlarged guidance image until this branchable point is passed through.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a navigation device and a travel route guidance method for guiding a branch on a travel route of a vehicle.

  Conventionally, when there is another intersection that passes straight ahead of the branch point where the host vehicle turns right or left, the timing of guidance is changed according to the distance dx between the straight intersection and the branch point. A vehicular route guidance device is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this vehicle route guidance device, when the distance dx is longer than the predetermined value da (case 1), guidance is given when the host vehicle passes the point A having the predetermined value da, and the distance dx is equal to or less than the predetermined value da. If it is greater than or equal to the predetermined value db (<da) (case 2), guidance is provided when passing through the straight intersection, and if the distance dx is shorter than the predetermined value db (case 3), the point of the predetermined value db Guidance is given when the vehicle passes through B.

JP 7-27569 A

  By the way, in the vehicle route guidance device disclosed in the above-mentioned patent document, in the case 1 where the distance dx between the branch point and the straight-ahead intersection is long, branch guidance can be performed at an appropriate timing. In the case 2 where the distance dx is short, the guidance timing is delayed as compared with the normal timing (case 1), and there is a possibility that confusion may occur due to the variation in the guidance timing according to the distance dx. There was a problem. In addition, in case 3 where the distance dx is extremely short, guidance is performed before reaching the straight-ahead intersection, and there is a problem that the vehicle may accidentally branch at a straight-ahead intersection that passes after the guidance. .

  The present invention was created in view of the above points, and its object is to suppress fluctuations in the timing of branch guidance and to avoid erroneous branching due to inappropriate timing of branch guidance. An object of the present invention is to provide a navigation device and a travel route guidance method that can be used.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a navigation device according to the present invention includes a travel route setting unit that sets a travel route to a destination, a guide image creation unit that creates a guide image related to a branch at a branch point on the travel route, and The guide image display means for displaying the guide image when the distance to the branch point becomes the first value, and the guide image display means is displaying the guide image on the travel route and is more than the branch point. And a display mode changing unit that changes the display mode of the guide image by the guide image display unit until the branchable point in front approaches the branchable point.

  The travel route guidance method of the present invention is a travel route guidance method for performing guidance related to a branch at a branch point on the travel route while the host vehicle is traveling on the travel route to the destination. A guide image creating step for creating a guide image relating to a branch at a point by the guide image creating unit, a guide image displaying step for displaying the guide image by the guide image displaying unit when the distance to the branch point reaches a predetermined value, Display that changes the display mode of the guide image by the guide image display means by the display mode change means until the branch possible point on the route and before the branch point approaches, until the branch possible point is passed. A mode change step.

  When the distance to the branch point becomes the first value, the guidance image is displayed to guide the branch, thereby suppressing the fluctuation of the branch guidance timing. In addition, when passing through a branchable point after the start of branch guidance, by changing the display mode of the guide image until it passes from before that, an incorrect branch at the branchable point due to the start timing of the guide image display being too early Can be avoided.

  Moreover, it is desirable that the above-described guidance image is an image in which the connection state of the road at the branch point and the approach direction of the host vehicle at the branch point can be seen. Even when guiding the traveling direction at a branch point using such a guide image, the branchable point corresponds to the guide image by changing the display mode of the guide image when passing through the branchable point. Since it turns out that it differs from the branching point to perform, the wrong branching in a branchable point can be prevented reliably.

  Further, it is desirable that the display mode changing means described above changes the display mode of the guide image when the distance to the branchable point becomes the second value. By fixing the distance for changing the display mode of the guidance image, it is possible to reliably tell the driver of the host vehicle that the vehicle is going straight without branching at a branchable point that passes next.

  Further, it is desirable that the display mode changing means described above changes the display mode of the guide image by hiding the guide image until it passes through the branchable point. Alternatively, the display mode changing means described above changes the display mode of the guide image by changing at least one of the luminance, brightness, and color of the guide image until it passes through the branchable point, thereby reducing the visibility. Is desirable. By changing the display mode in this way, the difference between the display state before the change and the display state at the time of the change can be clarified.

  Further, the display mode changing means described above changes the display mode of the guidance image when the direction of the road on which the host vehicle traveling along the travel route can enter at the branchable point includes the direction planned to travel at the branch point. It is desirable to change. As a result, the guide image display mode is not changed at the time of passage at a branchable point where there is no (or less) possibility of branching in accordance with the guide image. Can be minimized.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the navigation apparatus of one Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the display operation | movement of the guidance image mainly performed by the route guidance process part during driving | running | working toward the destination along the set guidance route. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the enlarged guidance image in highway driving | running | working. It is a figure which shows the modification of the display mode change of an expansion guide image.

  Hereinafter, a navigation device according to an embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a navigation device according to an embodiment. The navigation device shown in FIG. 1 includes a navigation controller 1, a map data storage device 3, an operation unit 4, a vehicle position detection unit 5, a display device 6, and an audio unit 7. This navigation device is mounted on a vehicle.

  The navigation controller 1 implements various functions such as a map image display operation around the own vehicle position, a facility search operation, and a route search / guidance operation by executing a predetermined operation program using a CPU, ROM, RAM, and the like. . The detailed configuration of the navigation controller 1 will be described later.

  The map data storage device 3 is a storage medium that stores map data necessary for map display, facility search, route search, route guidance, and the like, and a reading device thereof. The map data storage device 3 stores map data in units of rectangular figure leaves divided into appropriate sizes by longitude and latitude. The map data of each leaf can be specified and read by designating the leaf number. The map data storage device 3 is realized by a hard disk device or a semiconductor memory, or by a DVD and its reading device. Further, the map data storage device 3 may be replaced with a communication device to acquire map data from an external map distribution server (not shown).

  The operation unit 4 is for receiving user instructions (operations), and includes various operation buttons and operation knobs. In addition, the operation unit 4 includes a touch panel attached to the screen of the display device 6, and the user can directly perform an operation instruction by pointing a part on the screen with a finger or the like. Yes. The vehicle position detection unit 5 includes, for example, a GPS receiver, an orientation sensor, a distance sensor, and the like, detects the vehicle position (longitude, latitude) at a predetermined timing, and outputs a detection result.

  The display device 6 is composed of, for example, an LCD (liquid crystal display device), and based on a video signal output from the navigation controller 1, a map image around the vehicle position, an enlargement at a travel route or a branch point to the destination, and the like. Display a guide image. The audio unit 7 outputs a guidance voice or the like generated based on the voice signal input from the navigation controller 1 into the vehicle interior.

  Next, a detailed configuration of the navigation controller 1 will be described. A navigation controller 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a map buffer 10, a map readout control unit 12, a map drawing unit 14, a vehicle position calculation unit 20, a route search processing unit 22, a route guidance processing unit 24, a destination setting unit 30, and input processing. The unit 50 and the display processing unit 60 are included.

  The map buffer 10 temporarily stores map data read from the map data storage device 3. The map reading control unit 12 sends a request for reading a predetermined range of map data in accordance with the vehicle position calculated by the vehicle position calculating unit 20 and the position designated by the user by operating the operation unit 4. Output to. Based on the map data stored in the map buffer 10, the map drawing unit 14 performs drawing processing necessary for displaying a map image on the display device 6 to create map image drawing data.

  The vehicle position calculation unit 20 calculates the vehicle position based on the detection data output from the vehicle position detection unit 5, and if the calculated vehicle position is not on the road of the map data, the vehicle position is calculated. Perform map matching processing to correct.

  The route search processing unit 22 performs route search processing to search for a travel route (guidance route) that connects the departure point and the destination according to a predetermined search condition. The route guidance processing unit 24 performs route guidance processing for performing travel guidance of the host vehicle along the travel route obtained by the route search processing unit 22. For this purpose, the route guidance processing unit 24 includes a guidance route image creation unit 40, a guidance image creation unit 42, a guidance image display determination unit 44, a display mode change unit 46, and a guidance voice output unit 48.

  The guide route image creation unit 40 is a travel route obtained by the route search processing by the route search processing unit 22 and represents a travel route that is displayed on the map in a superimposed manner during the route guide operation, or a route guide operation. A highway guidance image that is divided and displayed together with a map image is created in order to guide an interchange, a parking area, a service area, etc. in front of the vehicle position when traveling on a highway.

  The guide image creation unit 42 creates an enlarged guide image related to a branch point on the travel route obtained by the route search processing by the route search processing unit 22. This enlarged guide image is an image in which the connection state of the road at the nearest branch point that passes next and the direction in which the vehicle travels are visible (can be confirmed by viewing). This branching point includes a left / right turn intersection on a general road and an interchange or junction on a high travel road.

  The guide image display determination unit 44 determines the display timing of the enlarged guide image created by the guide image creation unit 42. Specifically, the guide image display determination unit 44 determines the display timing from when the distance from the vehicle position to the next branch point becomes the first value during the route guidance operation until the branch point is passed. To do. A different value is used as the first value depending on the type of road on which the vehicle is traveling. For example, 1 km is used as the first value in the case of a high travel road, and 300 m is used as the first value in the case of a general road. When the guide image display determining unit 44 determines that it is the display timing, the guide image display determining unit 44 inputs the enlarged guide image created by the guide image creating unit 42 to the display processing unit 60. Thereby, an enlarged guide image is displayed on a part of the display screen.

  The display mode change unit 46 displays the route guidance operation and displays an enlarged guide image when a branchable point in front of the next branch point approaches until it passes through this branchable point. The display mode of the enlarged guide image inside is changed. Here, the branchable point is on the travel route (guidance route) set by the route search processing unit 22, exists from the vehicle position to the next branch point, and is not instructed to branch. Such as an intersection. For example, in the case of a general road, an intersection that passes straight ahead, and in the case of an expressway, an interchange or junction that passes without using the main line while traveling corresponds to a branchable point. There are several possible cases for changing the display mode. For example, when the display state of the enlarged guide image is changed from being displayed to being hidden, or at least one of the brightness, brightness, and color of the enlarged guide image being displayed is changed so that the visibility is reduced (brightness and brightness). The color may be darker than before, or from multicolor display to gray display).

  The guidance voice output unit 48 generates guidance voice data for guiding the traveling of the vehicle along the traveling route (guidance route) set by the route search processing unit 22. The guidance voice data is input to the audio unit 7, and the corresponding guidance voice is output from a speaker (not shown) into the vehicle interior.

  The destination setting unit 30 sets a destination necessary for the route search processing performed by the route search processing unit 22. For example, when a facility extracted by a search by a facility search unit (not shown) is set as a destination, or a point on a map image directly designated by the user by operating the operation unit 4 is set as a destination. Cases can be considered.

  The input processing unit 50 outputs commands for performing operations corresponding to various operation instructions input from the operation unit 4 to each unit in the navigation controller 1.

  The display processing unit 60 receives the map image drawing data created by the map drawing unit 14 and displays a predetermined range of map images on the screen of the display device 6 based on the drawing data. In addition, when drawing data indicating a guidance route image, an expressway guidance image, or an enlarged guidance image created by the route guidance processing unit 24 is input, the display processing unit 60 displays the guidance route image so as to overlap the map image. The map image displayed on the screen of the device 6, the map image on which the guidance route image is superimposed, the highway guide image and the enlarged guide image are displayed side by side on the screen of the display device 6.

  The route search processing unit 22 described above is a travel route setting unit, the guide image creation unit 42 is a guide image creation unit, the guide image display determination unit 44, the display processing unit 60 is a guide image display unit, and the display mode change unit 46 is Each corresponds to a display mode changing means.

  The navigation device of this embodiment has such a configuration, and the operation thereof will be described next.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a guide image display operation performed mainly by the route guidance processing unit 24 while traveling toward the destination along the set guidance route.

  The guidance image display determination unit 44 determines whether or not the route guidance operation is being performed (route guidance is being performed) (step 100). If the route guidance operation is not being performed, a negative determination is made and the route guidance operation is started. This determination is repeated until If the route guidance operation is in progress, an affirmative determination is made in step 100.

  Next, the guidance image display determination unit 44 determines the type of road that is running (highway / general road) (step 102). When the host vehicle is traveling on an expressway, the guidance image display determination unit 44 is 1 km (corresponding to the expressway) to the next branch point (the next interchange or junction that needs to branch to reach the destination). It is determined whether or not it is within the first value (step 104). If it is more than 1 km from the vehicle position to the next branch point, a negative determination is made, and the process returns to step 100 to repeat the determination as to whether the route guidance operation is in progress.

  On the other hand, when the host vehicle is traveling on a general road, the guide image display determination unit 44 corresponds to the general road to the next branch point (the next intersection that needs to branch to reach the destination). It is determined whether or not it is within the first value (step 106). If the distance from the vehicle position to the next branch point is 300 m away, a negative determination is made, and the process returns to step 100 to repeat the determination of whether the route guidance operation is in progress.

  Further, when the value becomes equal to or less than the first value until the next branch point, an affirmative determination is made in the determination in step 104 or the determination in step 106. Next, the guide image creation unit 42 creates an enlarged guide image for guiding the driver about the connection state of the road and the direction in which the host vehicle travels at the nearest branch point that passes next, and determines the guidance image display determination. The unit 44 inputs this enlarged guide image to the display processing unit 60. As a result, an enlarged guide image is displayed on the screen of the display device 6 (step 108).

  Next, the display mode changing unit 46 determines whether or not another branchable point exists between the own vehicle position and the next branch point that is the target of the enlarged guide image display along the guidance route. (Step 110). If it exists, a positive determination is made. Next, the display mode changing unit 46 determines whether or not the branchable point has been approached (step 112). For example, it is determined that the vehicle has approached when the distance from the vehicle position to the next branchable point reaches a second value (for example, 100 m). In this case, a positive determination is made in the determination of step 112.

  Next, the display mode change unit 46 sends an instruction to the guide image creation unit 42 and / or the guide image display determination unit 44 to change the display mode of the enlarged guide image being displayed (step 114). For example, by sending an instruction to the guide image display determining unit 44 to hide the enlarged guide image being displayed, or sending an instruction to the guide image creating unit 42 to change the brightness, brightness, color, etc. of the enlarged guide image. The display mode of the enlarged guide image is changed.

  Next, the display mode changing unit 46 determines whether or not the host vehicle has passed a branchable point (step 116). If not, a negative determination is made, and the process returns to step 114 to continue changing the display mode of the enlarged guide image. Further, when the host vehicle passes through a branchable point, an affirmative determination is made in the determination of step 116. Next, the display mode changing unit 46 sends an instruction to the guide image creating unit 42 and / or the guide image display determining unit 44 to restore the display mode of the enlarged guide image (step 118). Thereafter, returning to step 110, the operations after the determination of the presence / absence of a branchable point are repeated.

  Further, when there is no branchable point between the vehicle position and the next branch point (negative determination in step 110), or when there is a branchable point but the host vehicle is not approaching (in step 112) Next, the guidance image display determination unit 44 determines whether or not the host vehicle has passed the branch point (step 120). If not, a negative determination is made, and the process returns to step 108 and the enlarged guide image display is continued.

  If the host vehicle passes through the branch point, an affirmative determination is made in the determination of step 120. Next, the guide image display determination unit 44 ends the display of the enlarged guide image by terminating the input of the enlarged guide image to the display processing unit 60 (step 122). Thereafter, the process returns to step 100 and the determination of whether or not the route guidance operation is being performed is repeated.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a display example of an enlarged guide image during traveling on an expressway. When driving on the expressway (Metropolitan Expressway) and the distance to the next branch point, Ginza Exit (Ginza IC) is within 1 km, there is a road entering the left side at this Ginza Exit and this road An enlarged guide image showing entry is displayed in the right area (FIG. 3A). In the example shown in FIG. 3, there is a Kyobashi junction (JCT) as a branchable point between the vehicle position at this time and the Ginza exit as the next branch point. In addition, the guidance route is shown by the dotted line in the map image of the left area of FIG.

  When the travel position of the host vehicle advances and the distance to the next branchable point, Kyobashi Junction, is less than 100 m, the display of the enlarged guidance image related to the Ginza exit displayed so far is temporarily stopped (non- The display state is set (FIG. 3B). In the example shown in FIG. 3, when the enlarged guidance image is not displayed, a map image including a guidance route is displayed in the left area of the screen, an expressway guidance image is displayed in the right area, and the enlarged guidance image is not displayed. When the display state is reached, the highway guidance image that has been displayed so far (the display content is updated as the vehicle position progresses) is displayed again.

  When the traveling position of the host vehicle further advances and passes through the Kyobashi junction, which is the next branchable point, the display of the enlarged guidance image relating to the Ginza exit, which is the next branch point, is resumed (FIG. 3C).

  As described above, in the navigation device according to the present embodiment, when the distance to the branch point becomes the first value (for example, 1 km for the highway and 300 m for the general road), the enlarged guidance image regarding the branch point is displayed. Thus, by performing branch guidance, fluctuations in branch guidance timing (start timing) can be suppressed. In addition, when the vehicle passes through a branchable point after the branch guidance starts (after the enlarged guide image display starts), the enlarged guide image display start timing is changed by changing the display mode of the enlarged guide image from before that. It is possible to avoid erroneous branching at a branchable point by being too early.

  In addition, the enlarged guidance image regarding the branch point is an image in which the road connection state at the branch point and the approach direction of the vehicle at the branch point can be visually confirmed, and the traveling direction at the branch point using such an enlarged guide image Even if it guides, because it can be seen that this branchable point is different from the branch point corresponding to the enlarged guide image by changing the display mode of the enlarged guide image when passing through the branchable point, It is possible to reliably prevent erroneous branching at a branchable point.

  Further, when the distance to the branchable point becomes the second value (for example, 100 m), the display mode of the enlarged guide image is changed, and the distance for changing the display mode of the enlarged guide image is constant. Thus, it is possible to reliably tell the driver of the host vehicle that the vehicle travels straight without branching at a branchable point that passes next. Note that a different second value may be set for each road type such as an expressway and a general road. Even in this case, it can be said that the second value is constant for each road type.

  Further, as a specific example of changing the display mode of the enlarged guide image, the case where the enlarged guide image is not displayed can be considered. By changing the display mode, the display state before change and the display at the time of change The difference from the state can be clarified.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various deformation | transformation implementation is possible within the range of the summary of this invention. For example, FIG. 3B described above shows an example in which the display mode is changed by hiding the enlarged guide image. However, as shown in FIG. 4, the display state of the enlarged guide image is maintained. The display mode may be changed by changing at least one of the brightness, brightness, and color of the entire enlarged guide image in a direction in which the visibility is lowered. Even when such a display mode is changed, the difference between the display state before the change and the display state at the time of the change can be clarified.

  In the above-described embodiment, when it is determined whether there is another branchable point between the own vehicle position and the next branch point that is the target of the enlarged guide image display along the guidance route. (Step 110 in FIG. 3), no particular condition was imposed on the shape of the branchable point (road connection information), but the direction of the road where the vehicle traveling along the guide route can enter at the branchable point, You may make it change the display mode of an expansion guide image only about the branch possible point when the direction of a travel plan is included in a branch point. For example, assuming a case of traveling on a general road and assuming a right turn at the next branch point, an intersection (T-shaped) as a branchable point where only a left turn is possible until the next branch point. Even if there is a road), even if the enlarged guidance image regarding the branch point is seen, there is no possibility of accidentally turning to the left at this T-shaped road. Excluding such a branchable point from the determination target in step 110 in FIG. 3 does not cause any particular inconvenience. Rather, a reduction in the visibility of the enlarged guide image due to a change in the display mode can be minimized.

  As described above, according to the present invention, when the distance to the branch point becomes the first value, the guide image is displayed to guide the branch, thereby suppressing the fluctuation of the branch guidance timing. Can do. In addition, when passing through a branchable point after the start of branch guidance, by changing the display mode of the guide image until it passes from before that, an incorrect branch at the branchable point due to the start timing of the guide image display being too early Can be avoided.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Navigation controller 3 Map data storage device 4 Operation part 5 Vehicle position detection part 6 Display apparatus 7 Audio part 10 Map buffer 12 Map reading control part 14 Map drawing part 20 Vehicle position calculation part 22 Route search process part 24 Route guidance process part 30 Destination setting unit 40 Guide route image creation unit 42 Guide image creation unit 44 Guide image display determination unit 46 Display mode change unit 48 Guide voice output unit 50 Input processing unit 60 Display processing unit

Claims (7)

A travel route setting means for setting a travel route to the destination;
A guide image creating means for creating a guide image relating to a branch at a branch point on the travel route;
Guidance image display means for displaying the guidance image when the distance to the branch point becomes a first value;
While the guide image is displayed by the guide image display means, when a branchable point on the travel route and in front of the branch point approaches, the guidance is continued until the branchable point is passed. Display mode changing means for changing the display mode of the guide image by the image display means;
A navigation device comprising:   The navigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the guide image is an image in which a connection state of a road at the branch point and an approach direction of the host vehicle at the branch point are visible.   3. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the display mode changing unit changes a display mode of the guide image when a distance to the branchable point becomes a second value. 4.   The display mode changing unit changes the display mode of the guide image by hiding the guide image until it passes through the branchable point. The navigation device described in 1.   The display mode changing means changes the display mode of the guide image by changing at least one of brightness, brightness, and color of the guide image until passing through the branchable point, thereby reducing visibility. The navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein   The display mode changing means displays the guidance image when the direction of the road on which the host vehicle traveling along the travel route can enter at the branchable point includes the direction of travel planned at the branch point. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the navigation device is changed. A travel route guidance method for performing guidance related to a branch at a branch point on the travel route while the vehicle is traveling on a travel route to a destination,
A guide image creating step for creating a guide image regarding a branch at a branch point on the travel route by a guide image creating means;
A guide image display step of displaying the guide image by a guide image display means when the distance to the branch point becomes a predetermined value;
When the branchable point on the travel route and before the branch point approaches, the display mode of the guide image is changed by the guide image display unit until the branchable point is passed. A display mode changing step to change by means;
A travel route guidance method comprising:

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