JP4982589B2 - Navigation device route search method and navigation device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a navigation device, and more particularly to a route search technique for an in-vehicle navigation device.

  A navigation device that searches for a recommended route from a current position to a set destination using link information is known (for example, Patent Document 1). In the navigation device described in Patent Document 1, the destination setting from the user is accepted, and the search for the recommended route to the set destination is started.

JP-A-6-331379

  By the way, in the navigation apparatus, a process for searching for a route that can reach the destination at an optimal cost is performed using the Dijkstra method or the like. In general, these route search processes often take time. In addition, it is considered that the user wants the recommended route to be presented in a short time after setting the destination.

  However, in Patent Document 1, consideration is given to simplifying the destination setting process performed by the user, but it is particularly considered that the route to the set destination is provided to the user in a short time. It has not been.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to shorten the time from setting a destination to providing a recommended route in a navigation device.

  In order to solve the above problems, one embodiment of the present invention is applied to a navigation device that is mounted on a vehicle and searches for a recommended route to a destination using link information. Then, the navigation device detects the stop of the vehicle, detects the stop of the vehicle or activates itself, detects the current position of the vehicle, and detects the current position from the detected current position. Searching for a route to an intersection within a predetermined distance using the link information, receiving a destination setting, and receiving the destination setting, from the intersection to the destination Searching for a route using the link information, and specifying a route including the route from the searched current position to the intersection and the route from the searched intersection to the destination as a recommended route; Execute.

  In order to solve the above problem, another aspect of the present invention is applied to a navigation device that is mounted on a vehicle and searches for a recommended route to a destination using link information. Here, a display device is connected to the navigation device.

The navigation device detects a current position of the vehicle, receives a destination input from the user, and receives a confirmation from the user whether there is an error in the received destination. A step of displaying a screen on the display device, a step of setting a destination when receiving data indicating that there is no error in a destination from a user, and a case of receiving an input of the destination, Searching for a route from the detected current position to the accepted destination using the link information before the location is set, and recommending the searched route when the destination is set And a step of identifying as a route.

  As described above, according to the present invention, when the navigation device detects the stop of the vehicle or when it is activated, the navigation device detects the current position of the vehicle, and detects an intersection within a predetermined distance from the detected current position. The route from the current position to the obtained intersection is searched. When the destination setting is accepted, the navigation device searches for a recommended route to the destination by using the route from the already searched current position to the obtained intersection.

  Therefore, when the destination setting is accepted, the process of searching for a route from the current position to a predetermined range of intersections can be omitted, and as a result, the search time for a recommended route to the destination can be shortened.

  In another aspect of the present invention, when an input of a destination from a user is received, a destination is set when data indicating that there is no error in the destination from the user is received. Yes. And according to the other aspect of this invention, the route search to the destination is started in the stage which received the input of the destination before the destination was set.

  Therefore, when the destination is set, the search for the recommended route to the destination has already been started, and thus the search time after the destination is finally set can be shortened.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an in-vehicle navigation device to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. It is a figure which shows typically the data structure of the map data memorize | stored in the memory | storage device of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the function structure of the arithmetic processing part of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of the arithmetic processing part of embodiment of this invention. 4 It is a figure for demonstrating the flow of the route search process performed when the navigation apparatus of embodiment of this invention is started. It is a figure for demonstrating the route search process performed when the navigation apparatus of embodiment of this invention detects that the vehicle has stopped.

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

  First, a schematic configuration of an in-vehicle navigation device to which the present embodiment is applied will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an in-vehicle navigation device (hereinafter simply referred to as “navigation device”) to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

  As shown in the figure, the navigation device includes an arithmetic processing unit 1, a display 2, a storage device 3 in which map data and the like are stored, a voice input / output device 4, an input device 5, a wheel speed sensor 6, and a geomagnetism. It has a sensor 7, a gyro 8, and a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver 9.

  The arithmetic processing unit 1 is a central unit for processing various types of information provided to the user by the navigation device. For example, the current position is detected based on information output from the various sensors 6 to 8 and the GPS receiver 9. The arithmetic processing unit 1 reads out map data around the detected current position from the storage device 3, develops the read map data in graphics, and displays a mark indicating the current position on the display 2 in a superimposed manner.

  In addition, the arithmetic processing unit 1 performs a process of searching for a route connecting two points between the current position of the vehicle and an intersection included in a predetermined range from the current position in advance before accepting the destination setting. . Then, when the destination is set, the arithmetic processing unit 1 searches for a recommended route to the destination by using the route to the intersection included in the predetermined range searched in advance. The recommended route search process to the destination will be described in detail later.

  The display 2 is a unit that displays the image data generated by the arithmetic processing unit 1 and includes a CRT, a liquid crystal display, or the like. The signal S1 between the arithmetic processing unit 1 and the display 2 is generally connected by an RGB signal or an NTSC (National TV Standards Committee) signal.

  The storage device 3 is a unit that stores data such as map data corresponding to a multi-stage scale map from an overall view of the Japanese archipelago to detailed views of municipalities throughout the country. As the storage device 3, for example, a DVD device or a hard disk device can be used.

  Here, the structure of the map data will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating the data structure of the map data stored in the storage device 3.

  As shown in the drawing, the map data 310 is classified for each mesh region obtained by dividing the map into a plurality of parts. The map data 310 includes a mesh ID 311 for identifying a mesh area, and link data 312 of each link constituting a road included in the mesh area. Further, the map data 310 includes a mesh size list 330 in which each mesh ID 311 is associated with the data size (mesh size) of the link data 312 of the mesh area specified by the mesh ID.

  The link data 312 includes a link ID 3121 for identifying a link, coordinate information 3122 of two nodes (start node and end node) constituting the link, and whether the road to which the link belongs is a “toll road” or “general road”. Road type 3123 indicating whether there is a link, link length information 3124 indicating the length of the link, link travel time (or travel time) information 3125, and link IDs of links connected to two nodes (start node and end node), respectively (Connection link ID) 3126 and the like.

  The mesh size list 330 is used to check the data size of map data read from the storage device 3 when the arithmetic processing unit 1 performs a route search. Specifically, the arithmetic processing unit 1 reads the mesh size list 312 from the storage device 3 and holds it when the navigation device is activated. Note that the map data 310 also includes information (name, type, coordinate information, etc.) of map components other than roads included in the corresponding mesh area.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the description will be continued. The voice input / output device 4 converts the message to the user generated by the arithmetic processing unit 1 into a voice signal and outputs it, recognizes the voice uttered by the user, and transfers the recognized content to the arithmetic processing unit 1. To do.

  The input device 5 is a unit that receives instructions from the user for selecting various functions of the navigation device, setting a destination, and the like. Hard switches such as a scroll key and a scale change key, Joystick, a touch panel pasted on the display 2, and the like Consists of.

  The sensors 6 to 8 and the GPS receiver 9 are used by the navigation device to detect the current position. The wheel speed sensor 6 measures the distance from the circumference of the wheel and the measured rotational speed of the wheel, and further measures the angle at which the moving body is bent from the rotational speed of the paired wheel. The geomagnetic sensor 7 detects the magnetism held by the earth and detects the direction in which the moving body is heading. The gyro 8 is composed of an optical fiber gyro and a vibration gyro, and detects an angle at which the moving body rotates. The GPS receiver 9 receives a signal from a GPS satellite and measures the distance between the mobile body and the GSP satellite and the rate of change of the distance with respect to three or more satellites to thereby determine the current position, travel direction, and travel of the mobile body. Measure orientation.

  Next, functions of the arithmetic processing unit 1 of the navigation device described above will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a functional configuration of the arithmetic processing unit 1 of the present embodiment.

  As shown in the figure, the arithmetic processing unit 1 includes a setting unit 10, a current position detection unit 11, a data reading unit 12, a map match processing unit 13, a route search unit 14, a route guidance unit 15, a map display processing unit 16, graphics. A processing unit 17 and a mesh size list acquisition unit 18 are included.

  The setting unit 10 receives a request from a user input to the input device 5 or the voice input / output device 4, and controls the arithmetic processing unit 1 so that processing corresponding to the requested content is executed. For example, when the user requests a search for a recommended route to go to the destination via the input device 5, the user requests the route search unit 14 to search for a recommended route from the current position to the destination.

  The current position detection unit 11 uses the distance data and the angle data obtained as a result of integrating the distance pulse data S5 measured by the wheel speed sensor 6 and the angular velocity data S7 measured by the gyro sensor 8, respectively. By integrating with the shaft, the current position (X ′, Y ′), which is the position after the vehicle travels, is periodically calculated from the initial value (X, Y). The current position detection unit 11 outputs the calculated current position to the map display processing unit 16 and outputs the calculated current position to the map match processing unit 13 every predetermined number of calculations. When the current position detection unit 11 acquires correction data for the current position from the map match processing unit 13 described later, the current position detection unit 11 outputs the correction data for the current position to the map display processing unit 16. Further, when the current position is requested from the route guidance unit 15, the current position detection unit 11 outputs the current position (or correction data for the current position) to the route guidance unit 15.

  Here, the current position detection unit 11 integrates the azimuth data S6 obtained from the geomagnetic sensor 7 and the angular velocity data S7 obtained from the gyro 8 in order to match the relationship between the rotation angle of the host vehicle and the traveling direction. With reference to the angle data, the absolute direction of the direction in which the vehicle is traveling is estimated. As the current position detector 11 integrates the data S5 of the wheel speed sensor 6 and the data S7 of the gyro 8 respectively, errors accumulate, so that the position data S8 obtained from the GPS receiver 9 in a certain time is also stored. A process for canceling the accumulated error is performed to obtain data on the current position.

  The data reading unit 12 reads from the storage device 3 the map data 31 in an area requested to be displayed on the display 2 and an area required for route search (including the current position and destination).

  The map match processing unit 13 performs map match processing for matching the map data around the current position read by the data reading unit 12 and the current position periodically detected by the current position detection unit 11. The map match processing unit 13 periodically corrects the current position and outputs data indicating the corrected current position to the current position detection unit 11.

  The route search unit 14 uses the Dijkstra method or the like to search for a route that reaches the destination at an optimal cost connecting two points (for example, the current position and the destination) using the link data 312 (see FIG. 2). . The route search unit 14 outputs data indicating the recommended route to the map display processing unit 16 in order to display the route obtained as a result of the search as a recommended route on the display 2. Further, the route search unit 14 outputs data indicating the searched recommended route to the route guidance unit 15.

  Furthermore, the route search unit 14 of the present embodiment acquires the mesh size list 310 in the map data 310 stored in the storage device 3 via the data reading unit 12 when the navigation device is activated. . Then, the route search unit 14 stores the acquired mesh size list 310 in a predetermined area of the RAM 22 (see FIG. 4). The route search unit 14 refers to the mesh size list 330 stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 22 when performing the route search, and determines whether or not the mesh link data 312 used for the route search can be expanded on the RAM 22. Check. The route search unit 14 acquires the link data 312 via the data reading unit 12 after it is confirmed that the mesh link data 312 used for route search can be expanded on the RAM 22.

  Thus, in this embodiment, when the navigation device is activated, the route search unit 14 reads the mesh size list 330 from the storage device 3 and stores it in a predetermined area of the RAM 22. Then, when acquiring the link data 312, the route search unit 14 refers to the mesh size list 330 stored in the RAM 22 to check whether the link data 312 can be expanded on the RAM 22. Yes. That is, in the present embodiment, when the link data 312 is acquired, whether or not the link data 312 can be expanded on the RAM 22 can be realized without accessing the storage device 3. That is, in the present embodiment, it is possible to reduce the time for the acquisition process of the link data 312 that is performed during the route search process.

  In addition, the route search unit 14 according to the present embodiment is configured so that, before the setting unit 10 accepts the destination setting from the user, the current position of the vehicle and the intersection included in the predetermined range from the current position. A process for searching for a route connecting two points is performed. Then, when the destination is set, the route search unit 14 searches for a recommended route to the destination by using the route to the intersection included in the predetermined range searched in advance. Thus, in the present embodiment, a route search around the current position of the vehicle is performed before the destination setting is accepted. Therefore, when the destination is set, the search time for searching for the recommended route to the destination can be omitted.

  The route guidance unit 15 guides the user so as to reach the destination through the searched recommended route. Specifically, the route guidance unit 15 periodically acquires the current position from the vehicle position detection unit 11. The route guidance unit 15 uses the acquired current position, the data indicating the recommended route acquired from the route search unit 14, and the map data read from the storage device 3 via the data reading unit 12. To the destination. In the present embodiment, the specific method for guiding the user to the destination performed by the route guidance unit 15 is not particularly limited. For example, the route guidance unit 15 displays a screen in which the recommended route searched by the route search unit 14 is superimposed on the map 2 and displays information necessary for the vehicle to travel on the recommended route (for example, Information such as whether or not to make a turn at the next intersection is notified to the user via the voice input / output device 4.

  The map display processing unit 16 receives the map data 310 in the area requested to be displayed on the display 2 from the storage device 3 via the data reading unit 12. The map display processing unit 16 receives the recommended route searched from the route search unit 14 and receives information on the current position from the current position detection unit 11. Then, the map display processing unit 16 generates a map drawing command for drawing a road, other map components, a current position, a destination, and a mark such as an arrow for route guidance on the screen of the display 2, The result is output to the graphics processing unit 17.

  The graphics processing unit 17 displays image data on the screen of the display 2 using the map drawing command generated by the map display processing unit 16.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the arithmetic processing unit 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the arithmetic processing unit 1.

  As shown in the figure, the arithmetic processing unit 1 includes a CPU (central processing unit) 21, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 22 that temporarily stores programs and data executed by the CPU 21, and the above-described units (setting unit 10, A program for executing the functions of the current position detection unit 11, data reading unit 12, map match processing unit 13, route search unit 14, route guidance unit 15, map display processing unit 16, and graphics processing unit 17) A ROM (Read Only Memory) 23 stored in advance, a DMA (Direct Memory Access) 24 that transfers data between the memories and between the memory and each device, and a drawing controller that executes graphic drawing and performs display control 25, VRAM (Video Random Access Memory) 26 for storing graphics image data, and RGB data for image data A color palette 27 for converting to an analog signal, an A / D converter 28 for converting an analog signal into a digital signal, an SCI (Serial Communication Interface) 29 for converting a serial signal into a parallel signal synchronized with the bus, and a parallel signal on the bus A PIO (Parallel Input / Output) 30 that is placed on the bus in synchronization and a counter 31 that integrates the pulse signal are included. Then, each of the above units (setting unit 10, current position detecting unit 11, data reading unit 12, map match processing unit 13, route searching unit 14, route guiding unit 15, map display processing unit 16, and graphics processing unit 17). The function is realized by the CPU 21 loading a program for executing the function of each of the units stored in the ROM 23 into the RAM 22 and executing the program.

  Next, processing for searching for a recommended route performed by the navigation device of the present embodiment will be described. First, route search processing that is performed when the navigation device is activated will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a flow of a route search process performed when the navigation device of the present embodiment is activated.

  Now, the route search part 14 of the arithmetic processing part 1 starts the following processes, when a navigation apparatus is started (S100).

  First, the route search unit 14 acquires the mesh size list 330 stored in the storage device 3 via the data reading unit 12, and stores it in a predetermined area of the RAM 22 (S101). The mesh size list 330 is used every time the route search unit 14 acquires the mesh link data 312 necessary for the route search via the data reading unit 12.

  Subsequently, the route search unit 14 acquires the current position of the vehicle from the current position detection unit 11 and obtains an intersection existing within a predetermined distance from the vicinity of the current position. Then, the route search unit 14 searches for a route from the current position to the calculated intersection (S102).

  Specifically, the route search unit 14 specifies a mesh included in a range of a predetermined distance from the current position. The route search unit 14 acquires the link data 312 of the identified mesh from the storage device 3 via the data reading unit 12. The route search unit 14 refers to the mesh size list 330 stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 22 when acquiring the link data 312 of the identified mesh. The route search unit 14 confirms the data size of the link data 312 and the capacity of the RAM 22 of the identified mesh associated with the mesh size list 330, and sequentially acquires the link data 312 that can be expanded in the RAM 22.

  Then, the route search unit 14 obtains an intersection existing within a predetermined distance range from the current position using the acquired link data 312. The route search unit 14 searches for a route from the current position to the obtained intersection using the acquired link data 312. When there are a plurality of intersections within a predetermined distance range from the current position, the route search unit 14 searches for a route from the current position to each intersection for each of the plurality of intersections. Then, the route search unit 14 holds a route from the searched current position to the intersection.

  Subsequently, the route search unit 14 proceeds to S104 when receiving the destination input from the user via the setting unit 10 (S103).

  In S104, the route search unit 14 displays on the display 2 a screen (confirmation screen) for accepting confirmation from the user as to whether or not the input destination has an error. Further, the route search unit 14 starts searching for a recommended route to the destination accepted in S103 at a stage before accepting data (destination determination data) indicating that there is no error in the destination from the user. .

  Specifically, the route search unit 14 specifies a mesh to be used for route search using the current position and the received destination. The route search unit 14 refers to the mesh size list 330 stored in the RAM 22 and confirms the data size of link data of the identified mesh associated with the mesh size list 330 and the data size that can be expanded in the RAM 22. To do. As a result of the confirmation, the route search unit 14 sequentially acquires the link data 312 that can be expanded in the RAM 22 via the data reading unit 12. The route search unit 14 uses the acquired link data 312 to search for a route from the intersection determined in S102 to the destination. Further, the route search unit 14 obtains a route including the route from the current position obtained in S102 to the intersection and the route obtained from the intersection to the destination.

  Subsequently, the route search unit 14 proceeds to the process of S106 when “destination determination data” from the user is received. Here, when the route search started in S104 has not ended, the route search unit 14 continues the processing. On the other hand, when the route search unit 14 receives “data indicating that there is an error at the destination” from the user, the route search unit 14 cancels the route search process started in S104 or has already performed the route search process. If completed, the searched route is cleared (erased), and the process returns to S103.

  In S106, the route search unit 14 specifies a route obtained as a result of the route search process started in S104 as a recommended route, and displays the specified recommended route on the display 2. Further, the route search unit 14 outputs the specified recommended route to the route guidance unit 15 and ends the process.

  In the above description, the case where the user inputs data indicating the destination to the navigation device is taken as an example, but the present invention is not particularly limited to this. For example, the setting unit 10 is provided with a search function for receiving search conditions such as “address” and “phone number” and searching for a destination according to the received search conditions. When the destination is searched for by the search function, the setting unit 10 outputs the searched destination to the route search unit 14. Then, the route search unit 14 may start a route search to the destination received from the setting unit 10 at a stage before the confirmation of the destination searched by the setting unit 10 is received from the user.

  Next, route search processing that is performed when the navigation device of the present embodiment detects that the vehicle is stopped will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a route search process performed when the navigation device of this embodiment detects that the vehicle is stopped.

  Now, the route search part 14 of a navigation apparatus acquires the information from a vehicle speed sensor (not shown) regularly, and detects whether the vehicle has stopped (S200). If the route search unit 14 detects that the vehicle is stopped, the route search unit 14 proceeds to the process of S102. On the other hand, the route search part 14 repeats the process of S200, when not detecting that the vehicle has stopped.

  Thereafter, the route search unit 14 performs the same processing as S102 to S106 described in FIG.

  Thus, in this embodiment, when the navigation device is activated, the route search unit 14 reads the mesh size list 330 from the storage device 3 and stores it in a predetermined area of the RAM 22. Therefore, the route search unit 14 can realize processing for confirming whether or not mesh link data necessary for the search can be expanded on the RAM 22 when the route search is performed without accessing the storage device 3. Therefore, in the present embodiment, as a result, the time for the route search process can be shortened.

  In addition, the route search unit 14 according to the present embodiment is configured so that, before the setting unit 10 accepts the destination setting from the user, the current position of the vehicle and the intersection included in the predetermined range from the current position. A route connecting two points is searched for. Then, when the destination is set, the route search unit 14 performs a route search to the destination using the route to the intersection included in the predetermined range searched in advance. That is, in this embodiment, a route search around the current position of the vehicle is performed before the destination setting is received. Therefore, when the destination is set, the route search from the current position to the intersection can be omitted, and as a result, the search time for searching for the recommended route to the destination can be shortened.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, when the navigation device accepts the destination setting, the route search to the destination is started at a stage before accepting from the user confirmation that the inputted destination is correct. ing. Therefore, when the confirmation of the destination from the user is accepted, the search for the recommended route to the destination has already been started. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the search time after the destination is finally set can be shortened.

  Thus, according to this embodiment, in the navigation device, it is possible to shorten the time from setting the destination to presenting the recommended route to the user.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention. For example, in this embodiment, when a destination is set, a route search is made using a route from the current position to the intersection that was searched before the destination was set in advance. However, this is not particularly limited. For example, the route search unit 14 retains candidate routes that have not been adopted when searching for a recommended route to the destination even after the guidance of the recommended route finally adopted is started. . Then, when a deviation of the vehicle is detected, the route search unit 14 may perform a process of re-searching the route to the destination using the stored route candidate. By reusing the route candidates that have been searched once in this way, the search time for performing auto-reroute can be shortened.

  In the present embodiment, the route from the current position to the intersection in the predetermined range is searched before the destination is set, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a route from the current position to the main road may be searched.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Arithmetic processing part, 2 ... Display, 3 ... Memory | storage device, 4 ... Voice input / output device, 5 ... Input device, 6 ... Wheel speed sensor, 7 ... Geomagnetic sensor, 8 ... Gyro, 9 ... GPS receiver, 10 ... Setting unit 11 Current position detection unit 12 Data reading unit 13 Map match processing unit 14 Route search unit 15 Route guidance unit 16 Map display processing unit 17 Graphics processing unit 21 ... CPU, 22 ... RAM, 23 ... ROM, 24 ... DMA, 25 ... Drawing controller, 26 ... VRAM, 27 ... Color palette, 28 ... A / D converter, 29 ... SCI, 30 ... PIO, 31 ... Counter

Claims (2)

A route search method in a navigation device mounted on a vehicle and searching for a recommended route to a destination using link information,
A display device is connected to the navigation device,
The navigation device
Detecting a current position of the vehicle;
Receiving a destination input from a user; displaying a screen for receiving confirmation from the user on the display device whether the received destination is correct; and
A step of setting a destination when data indicating that there is no error in the destination from the user is received;
When receiving the destination input, before setting the destination, searching for a route from the detected current position to the received destination using the link information;
And a step of specifying the searched route as a recommended route when the destination is set. A navigation device mounted on a vehicle and searching for a recommended route to a destination using link information,
Means for detecting the current position of the vehicle;
Means for receiving an input of a destination from the user, means for displaying information for receiving confirmation from the user whether there is an error in the received destination,
Means for setting a destination when receiving data indicating that there is no error in the destination from the user;
Means for searching for a route from the detected current position to the received destination using the link information before the destination is set when receiving the destination input;
And a means for specifying the searched route as a recommended route when the destination is set.

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