JP2003240583A - Route guidance device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] To provide a route guidance device capable of improving the visibility near an intersection for which a route is guided. When an own vehicle approaches a vicinity (within X [m]) of an intersection requiring guidance on a recommended route (search route), an enlarged image of the intersection is displayed on a right screen of a display unit. . At this time, in the enlarged image, a road connected to the search route or a road connected to an intersection requiring guidance is preferentially displayed, and other roads are omitted from display. Therefore, the complexity of the enlarged image is eliminated, and the occupant of the vehicle can visually recognize only the road data necessary for driving the vehicle, and the visibility is improved.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention is mounted on a vehicle,
The present invention relates to a route guide device that guides a traveling route to a destination by displaying the traveling position of the vehicle on a map image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a route guidance device such as a navigation system mounted on a vehicle, a vehicle position mark indicating the position of the vehicle is superimposed on a map image and displayed on a screen so that the route from the current position to the destination is displayed. Induce. In such a route guidance device, since particularly detailed map information is required when the vehicle approaches the intersection, conventionally, by enlarging the map image of the intersection existing on the route to the destination, A device designed to give detailed guidance has been devised.

[0003]

However, if the map image of the intersection is enlarged and displayed as it is, the display of the enlarged image becomes complicated and the visibility is poor.

The present invention has been made to solve such conventional problems, and the purpose thereof is to:
It is an object of the present invention to provide a route guidance device that can improve the visibility of an enlarged intersection image.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention as set forth in claim 1 of the present invention is a route guidance device for displaying a location of a vehicle on a map to guide a route, and a traveling position of the vehicle. A vehicle position detection means for detecting the vehicle position, a map data storage means for storing map data, and a vehicle position detected by the vehicle position detection means on the map data stored in the map data storage means. A vehicle position display control means for performing control to display, a route search means for searching a recommended route from the vehicle position to the destination when the destination is set by the operator, and the route search means. An intersection image creating means existing on the obtained recommended route and creating an enlarged image of the intersection requiring guidance, and the intersection image creating means when the own vehicle approaches the intersection requiring the guidance. Created intersection An intersection enlarged view display control means for performing control to display an enlarged image of the vehicle, the vehicle position display control means, and a display means for displaying image data output from the intersection enlarged view display control means, The intersection image creation means is characterized in that the roads other than the recommended route are simplified to generate an enlarged image.

The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the intersection image creating means creates an image which does not display a road which is not connected to the recommended route.

The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that the intersection image creating means creates an image displaying only a connecting portion of a road connecting to the recommended route.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the intersection image creating means generates an image so that the display position of the intersection on the screen of the display means is moved according to the traveling direction of the recommended route. Characterize.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the intersection image creating means moves the center of the intersection to the upper right of the screen of the display means when the recommended route turns left at the intersection.
When the recommended route turns right at an intersection, an image is generated so that the center of the intersection is moved to the upper left of the screen of the display means.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the intersection image creating means creates a plurality of intersection enlarged images according to the distance to the guidance intersection, and the intersection enlarged view display control means is provided for the guidance intersection. It is characterized in that a plurality of intersection enlarged images are switched and displayed according to the distance to.

[0011]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the vehicle approaches the intersection on the recommended route which requires guidance, an enlarged image of the intersection is displayed in parallel with the map image. Therefore, the occupant of the vehicle can immediately recognize the situation near the intersection. At this time, the enlarged image is not an image of all the map data included in the map image, but an image of the road data necessary for guidance.
The complexity can be eliminated and the visibility can be improved.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the roads not connected to the recommended route searched by the route searching means are not displayed, unnecessary road data included in the enlarged image can be deleted and the visibility is improved. Can be made.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since only the connecting portion of the road connected to the recommended route searched by the route searching means is displayed, unnecessary road data can be deleted and the visibility is improved. Can be made.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the display position of the intersection requiring guidance moves in accordance with the traveling direction of the host vehicle, so that the required area near the signal route can be enlarged and displayed with emphasis. it can.

According to the fifth aspect of the invention, when turning left at an intersection requiring guidance, the center of the intersection is moved to the upper right side of the screen, and when turning left, the center of the intersection is at the upper left of the screen. Since it is moved to the side, the necessary area can be enlarged and displayed with emphasis.

According to the invention of claim 6, the display of the enlarged image in the vicinity of the intersection is changed according to the distance to the intersection requiring guidance, so that the enlarged image suitable for the approaching situation to the intersection is displayed. The visibility can be improved.

[0017]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a route guiding device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the route guidance device 1 includes a vehicle position detection unit (vehicle position detection unit) 2 that detects the position of the vehicle and a map data storage unit (map data storage unit) that stores map data. ) 3 and the vehicle position for generating an image in which the vehicle position marker is superimposed and displayed on the vehicle position detected by the vehicle position detection unit 2 on the map data stored in the map data storage unit 3. And a display control section (vehicle position display control means) 5.

Further, a route searching unit (route searching means) 4 for searching a recommended route from the current position of the vehicle to the destination based on the information of the destination set by the vehicle occupant, and this route searching unit 4 The intersection image creation unit (intersection image creation means) 6 for creating an enlarged image of the intersection existing on the recommended route obtained in step 6, and the intersection expansion control for displaying the intersection enlarged image created by the intersection image creation unit. A diagram display control unit (intersection enlarged view display control means) 7, a vehicle position display control unit 5, and a display unit (display unit) 8 for displaying image data output from the intersection enlarged view display control unit 7 on a screen. It is equipped with.

Next, the operation of the route guiding device 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 2 and the explanatory diagram shown in FIG.

When an occupant of the vehicle inputs a desired destination in the route search unit 4, the route search unit 4 searches for a recommended route from the current position of the vehicle to the destination, and the own vehicle position display control unit 5 Reads the map data indicating the recommended route from the map data stored in the map data storage unit 3. Then, an image in which a mark indicating the vehicle position detected by the vehicle position detection unit 2 is superimposed on the recommended route is generated. This image is displayed on the screen of the display unit 8 (step ST
1). As a result, an image as shown in FIG. 3A is displayed.

Next, when there is an intersection requiring route guidance on the recommended route, it is judged whether or not the host vehicle is within a predetermined distance (X [m]) before this intersection (step ST2). ). If it is within X [m] (YES in step ST2), the intersection image creating unit 6 creates an enlarged image of this intersection, and each road existing in the enlarged image guides the route. It is determined whether or not the road is connected to the road (step ST3).

When the road is connected to the route to be route-guided (YES in step ST3), the road to be route-guided and N links to the recommended roads among the roads to be connected to this route are displayed. Yes (step ST
4).

If the road is not connected to the route to be routed (NO in step ST3), it is determined whether or not this road is connected to the intersection to be routed (step ST5), and the road is connected to the intersection. If it is a road to be connected, this road is left (step ST6), and if it is not a connecting road, this road is deleted (step ST7).

Then, the image obtained by the process of step ST4 and the image obtained by the process of step ST6 are displayed and combined (step ST8) and displayed on the display unit 8. At this time, an enlarged image of the intersection is displayed on the right side of the screen (step ST9). As a result, an image as shown in FIG. 3 (b) is obtained. In the figure, reference numeral A1 indicates a map image in the vicinity of the traveling position of the own vehicle, and reference numeral A2 indicates an enlarged image of an intersection where the own vehicle is approaching.

As can be seen from the enlarged image indicated by reference numeral A2 in the figure, the enlarged image of this intersection is displayed by extracting only the roads that are considered necessary for the road guidance, and is unnecessary for the road guidance. Roads that are considered to be omitted are omitted. Also, the roads connected to the recommended route are
Only the connection with the recommended route is displayed. Therefore,
The complexity of the enlarged image can be eliminated, and the enlarged image can be displayed with good visibility.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The route guidance device according to the second embodiment has the same configuration as the route guidance device 1 according to the first embodiment described above, and thus the description of the configuration is omitted. The operation of the second embodiment will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In the flowchart of FIG. 4, the processes of steps ST1 to ST8 are the same as the processes shown in FIG.

In the present embodiment, the enlarged image near the intersection obtained by the display combining process of step ST8 is reduced (step ST11) and displayed on the right screen of the display unit 8 (step ST12). As a result, an image as shown in FIG. 3C can be obtained. In the figure, reference numeral B1
Indicates a map image in the vicinity of the traveling position of the own vehicle, and the code B2
Is an enlarged image of an intersection where the vehicle is approaching (Fig. 3
An image smaller than the image indicated by the symbol A2 in (b) is shown.

Compared to the first embodiment, the present embodiment can display an enlarged image of a wider range near the intersection, so that it is possible to grasp a wide range of road conditions centering on the intersection. It is convenient.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The route guidance device according to the third embodiment has the same configuration as the route guidance device 1 according to the first embodiment described above, and thus the description of the configuration is omitted. The operation of the third embodiment will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In the flowchart of FIG. 5, the processes of steps ST1 to ST8 are the same as the processes shown in FIG.

In the present embodiment, when an enlarged image near the intersection is obtained by the display combining process (step ST8),
Then, it is determined whether or not to turn left at the intersection for route guidance (step ST21). Then, if it is a left turn (YES in step ST21), a process of shifting the intersection center position of the displayed enlarged image in the upper right direction is performed (step ST22). As a result, as shown in FIG. 3D, it is possible to display the image C1 in the vicinity of the traveling position of the own vehicle and the enlarged image C2 of the intersection where the own vehicle is approaching. At this time, the enlarged image indicated by the reference symbol C2 is displayed in a wide range in the vicinity of the road that is the traveling route of the own vehicle, and the visibility can be improved.

When the vehicle turns right at the intersection (NO in step ST21), contrary to the above case,
A process of moving the intersection center position to the upper left is performed (step ST23). As a result, the vicinity of the traveling route of the host vehicle can be widely displayed.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The route guidance device according to the fourth embodiment has the same configuration as the route guidance device 1 according to the above-described first embodiment, and thus the description of the configuration is omitted. The operation of the fourth embodiment will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

When the occupant of the vehicle inputs a desired destination in the route search unit 4, the route search unit 4 searches for a recommended route from the current position of the vehicle to the destination, and the own vehicle position display control unit 5 Reads the map data indicating the recommended route from the map data stored in the map data storage unit 3. Then, an image in which a mark indicating the vehicle position detected by the vehicle position detection unit 2 is superimposed on the recommended route is generated. This image is displayed on the display unit 8 (step ST3).
1). As a result, an image as shown in FIG. 3A is displayed.

Next, it is judged whether or not the own vehicle is on the recommended route and is within Y [m] before the intersection for route guidance (step ST32). And Y
If it is within [m], a simple image between the intersections is displayed (step ST33). That is, as indicated by reference numeral D2 in FIG. 7A, an image in which roads linked to the guide route are simply displayed as straight lines is displayed on the right side of the map image D1.

Thereafter, it is judged whether or not the host vehicle has entered the intersection p1 (step ST34), and if it has entered (YES in step ST34), a simple image of the intersection is displayed (step ST35). That is, FIG.
As indicated by reference numeral E2 in (b), the road linked to the guide route is simply displayed as a straight line, and the image is displayed on the right side of the map image E1. Subsequently, the simple images are displayed in the order of FIGS. 7C and 7D.

Then, it is determined whether or not the vehicle has exited the intersection (step ST36). If the vehicle has escaped, it is determined whether or not the vehicle has entered within X [m] before the intersection for route guidance (step ST37). , X [m] (YES in step ST37), the enlarged image near the intersection is displayed on the right side of the screen in the same procedure as in the first embodiment described above (steps ST38 to ST4).
4).

In this way, in this embodiment, when Y [m] before the intersection to be route-guided is reached,
Alternatively, a map image in the intersection is simply displayed, and when it enters within X [m] before the intersection for route guidance, an enlarged image in the vicinity of the intersection is displayed. Therefore, the occupant of the vehicle can visually confirm the route to reach the intersection for route guidance.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a route guiding device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the route guiding device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which a map image near an intersection is enlarged and displayed.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a route guiding device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a route guiding device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a route guiding device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of simply displaying a map image near an intersection.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 route guidance device 2 own vehicle position detection unit (own vehicle position detection means) 3 map data storage unit (map data storage means) 4 route search unit (route search means) 5 own vehicle position display control unit (own vehicle position display control) Means) 6 Intersection image creation unit (Intersection image creation unit) 7 Intersection enlarged view display control unit (Intersection enlarged view display control unit) 8 Display unit (Display unit)

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Yoshinori Yagi             Nissan, Takaracho, Kanagawa-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa Nissan             Inside the automobile corporation (72) Inventor Tsuyoshi Imai             Nissan, Takaracho, Kanagawa-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa Nissan             Inside the automobile corporation F term (reference) 2C032 HB03 HC08 HC24 HC26 HC30                       HD03 HD07 HD21 HD29                 2F029 AA02 AC02 AC14 AC19                 5H180 AA01 FF03 FF23 FF27 FF35

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A route guidance device for displaying a vehicle position on a map to guide a route, a vehicle position detection means for detecting a traveling position of the vehicle, and a map data storage means for storing map data. Own vehicle position display control means for performing control to display the own vehicle position detected by the own vehicle position detection means on the map data stored in the map data storage means, and a destination set by the operator When it is done, a route search means for searching a recommended route from the vehicle position to the destination, and an enlarged image of an intersection existing on the recommended route obtained by the route search means and requiring guidance are created. An intersection image creation means, and an intersection enlarged view display control means for performing control to display an enlarged image of the intersection created by the intersection image creation means when the own vehicle approaches the intersection requiring the guidance, Previous The vehicle position display control means and the display means for displaying the image data output from the intersection enlarged view display control means, and the intersection image creation means simplifies and enlarges a road other than the recommended route. A route guidance device characterized by generating an image. 2. The route guidance device according to claim 1, wherein the intersection image creating unit creates an image that does not display roads that are not connected to the recommended route. 3. The route guidance according to claim 1, wherein the intersection image creating means generates an image displaying only a connecting portion of a road connecting to the recommended route. apparatus. 4. The intersection image creating means generates an image so that the display position of the intersection on the screen of the display means is moved according to the traveling direction of the recommended route. The route guidance device according to claim 3. 5. The intersection image creating means moves the intersection center to the upper right of the screen of the display means when the recommended route turns the intersection left, and when the recommended route turns the intersection right the intersection. The route guide device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein an image is generated to move the center to the upper left of the screen of the display means. 6. The intersection image creating means creates a plurality of intersection enlarged images according to the distance to the guidance intersection, and the intersection enlarged view display control means, according to the distance to the guidance intersection, The route guidance device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a plurality of intersection enlarged images are switched and displayed.