JP2008070557A - Landmark display method, navigation device, on-vehicle equipment, and navigation system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a landmark display method for displaying on a map a landmark indicating an actually existing facility even when a difference arises between the content of map data and the actual geography, and to provide a navigation device, an on-vehicle equipment, and a navigation system. <P>SOLUTION: The navigation device 1 whose display section 15 displays a map correlates a landmark indicating a facility with a point on the map. The navigation device 1 takes in a photographed image obtained by photographing a specific point whose location can be specified with a camera 2, selects the land mark contained in the photographed image out of a plurality of predetermined landmarks and, when the selected land mark is not correlated with the specific point, correlates the selected landmark with the specific point. When the navigation device 1 displays a map on the display section 15, the landmark is displayed at the point correlated with the landmark on the map. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a navigation device that navigates an automobile while displaying a map, and more specifically, a landmark display method, a navigation device, and a landmark display method that can correctly display landmarks representing various facilities included in the map on the map. The present invention relates to an in-vehicle device and a navigation system.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an automobile navigation device that estimates the current position of an automobile and guides an appropriate route from the estimated current position to a destination point to an automobile driver is used. In a normal navigation device, the setting of a destination point is accepted by a user's operation, the current position of the vehicle is specified using a position specifying technology such as GPS (Global Positioning System), and stored in a storage device such as an optical disk or a hard disk. A route from the current position to the destination point is searched based on the map data. Further, as the vehicle travels, the navigation device guides the route to the driver of the vehicle while displaying a map including the position of the vehicle on the display.

The map data used by the navigation device includes information indicating various facilities included in the map. In order to represent each facility on the map displayed on the display, the navigation device displays the name of the facility, an icon representing the facility, a map symbol of the facility, or the like on the map. In addition, depending on the facility such as a store or a restaurant, a unique brand mark for identifying a company may be posted on a signboard or an outer wall. Such a brand mark may be included in the map data. In this case, the navigation apparatus displays the brand mark on the map to represent the facility. Hereinafter, an icon, a map symbol, a brand mark, or the like representing each facility on the map is referred to as a landmark. Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in which an arbitrary icon is associated with a specific facility, and the associated icon is displayed on the map when the map is displayed by the navigation device.
JP 2005-148019 A

  A certain amount of time is required to create the map data, and the navigation device continues to use the same map data for a certain period. In contrast, certain facilities such as convenience stores, restaurants or gas stations can be replaced in a short period of time. For this reason, with the passage of time, a difference occurs between the contents of the map data and the actual geography, and a problem occurs in which the landmarks included in the map displayed by the navigation device do not correspond to the actually existing facilities. This problem is not solved until the map data is properly updated, and the user of the navigation device is inconvenienced until the map data is updated. In reality, even if the map data is updated, the difference between the contents of the map data and the actual geography is not completely eliminated, and the user may continue to be inconvenienced. Patent Document 1 does not disclose means for solving such a problem.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and the object of the present invention actually exists even when a difference occurs between the contents of the map data and the actual geography. An object of the present invention is to provide a landmark display method, a navigation device, and an in-vehicle device capable of displaying a landmark representing a facility on a map.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a navigation device that can eliminate inconvenience when a user uses a map without displaying a landmark representing a facility that does not actually exist on the map. Is to provide.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a navigation system that makes it possible to easily create map data according to the actual situation by accumulating information from the navigation device.

  A landmark display method according to a first aspect of the present invention is a navigation device that performs navigation while displaying a map. The landmark display method displays a landmark visually representing a facility on a map, and stores a plurality of landmarks. , Capture a photographed image of a landscape at a specific point with the camera, select a landmark similar to the figure contained in the captured image from a plurality of stored landmarks, and select the selected landmark as the specific point The point information associated with the point is stored, and the associated landmark is displayed at the point on the map to be displayed where the landmark is associated with the point information to be stored.

  A navigation device according to a second aspect of the present invention is a navigation device comprising position estimation means for estimating its own position and display means for displaying a map, and performing navigation using a map displayed by the display means. Landmark storage means for storing a plurality of landmarks visually representing facilities, point information storage means for storing point information in which any landmark is associated with a predetermined point on the map, and the position estimation means The capturing means captures from a capturing means that captures a photographed image of a landscape at a specific point whose position can be specified based on the estimated self position, and a plurality of landmarks stored in the landmark storage means. Selection means for selecting a landmark similar to the figure included in the photographed image, and the landmark selected by the selection means Storage control means for storing the spot information associated with the spot information storage means in the spot information storage means, and the display means is a spot information stored by the spot information storage means among the spots on the map to be displayed. It is characterized by having a means for displaying an associated landmark at an associated point.

  In the navigation device according to a third aspect of the present invention, the selecting means determines whether or not the photographed image includes a figure similar to each of the plurality of landmarks stored in the landmark storage means. And a means for selecting a landmark similar to the graphic when a graphic similar to any one of the landmarks is included in the captured image.

  In the navigation device according to a fourth aspect of the invention, the storage control means determines whether or not the spot information storage means stores spot information in which the landmark selected by the selection means is associated with the specific spot. Means for storing, in the spot information storage means, spot information in which the landmark is associated with the specific spot, when spot information relating the landmark to the specific spot is not stored in the spot information storage means; It is characterized by having.

  In the navigation device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the storage control means determines whether or not the spot information storing means stores the spot information in which the landmark selected by the selection means is associated with the specific spot. In the case where the spot information associated with the landmark is not stored in the spot information storage means, the same specific spot as the means for accumulating information that associates the landmark with the particular spot And, when a predetermined number of the information associated with the same landmark is continuously accumulated, the location information storage means stores the location information associating the landmark with the specific location. Features.

  A navigation device according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is a map in which any landmark is associated with point information stored in the point information storage unit within a predetermined range in which a relative position with respect to the position estimated by the position estimation unit is determined. Means for determining whether or not an upper spot is included; means for causing the capturing means to capture a captured image when the spot is included in the predetermined range; and And a means for specifying the position.

  A vehicle-mounted device according to a seventh aspect of the invention is a vehicle-mounted device including a navigation device according to any one of the second to sixth aspects for performing navigation of a vehicle, and a camera for photographing a landscape outside the vehicle, The capturing means included in the navigation device is configured to capture a captured image captured by the camera.

  A navigation system according to an eighth invention is a navigation system including a navigation device according to any one of the second to sixth inventions and a server device, wherein the storage control means is configured such that the storage control means is the point information. Means for transmitting information representing the contents of the point information stored in the storage means to the server device, wherein the server device associates a landmark with a predetermined point on the map according to the information received from the navigation device; A means for storing information is provided.

  In the first, second, and seventh inventions, the navigation device that performs navigation of a car while displaying a map takes in a photographed image obtained by photographing a specific point whose position can be specified with a camera, and photographs it from a plurality of landmarks. A landmark included in the image is selected, and the selected landmark is associated with a specific point. When the navigation device displays a map, the associated landmark is displayed at a point on the map with which any landmark is associated.

  In the third invention, the navigation device compares each of the plurality of landmarks with the photographed image, and determines whether or not the photographed image includes a figure similar to the landmark. When such a landmark is included, the landmark included in the captured image is selected.

  In the fourth invention, the navigation device determines whether or not the selected landmark is already associated with the specific point, and when the other landmark is associated, the selected landmark is associated with the specific point. If not, associate the selected landmark with a specific point.

  In the fifth invention, the navigation device accumulates information in which the selected landmark is associated with the specific point when the selected landmark is not associated with the specific point. When a predetermined number of the same information is continuously accumulated for the same specific point, that is, when a landmark not associated with the specific point is selected a predetermined number of times, the navigation device selects the selected landmark. Is associated with a specific point.

  In a sixth aspect of the invention, the navigation device uses the camera when a point associated with the landmark is included in a predetermined range in which the relative position with respect to the vehicle is determined so that the camera can capture a landscape. A captured image obtained by photographing the point is captured, and the position of the point is specified as the position of the specific point.

  In the eighth invention, the navigation device transmits information indicating the contents in which each point is newly associated with the landmark to the server device, and the server device receives the information transmitted from the plurality of navigation devices, Information that associates points with landmarks is accumulated.

  In the first, second, and seventh inventions, the navigation device displays landmarks included in a photographed image obtained by photographing the outside of the automobile on a map, thereby representing landmarks that actually exist. Can be displayed on the map.

  In the third invention, the navigation device includes the photographed image by selecting a landmark from the photographed image by determining whether or not the photographed image includes a figure similar to the landmark. You can select a landmark.

  In the fourth aspect of the invention, when the landmark included in the photographed image obtained by photographing the specific point is not associated with the specific point, the navigation device associates the landmark included in the photographed image with the specific point. By storing, it is possible to display an accurate landmark without displaying a landmark representing a facility that does not actually exist, and to eliminate inconvenience when the user uses the map.

  In the fifth invention, the navigation device may select an erroneous landmark due to an error in image processing. Therefore, when the same landmark is selected a predetermined number of times in succession, the landmark is set as a point. By associating, it is possible to prevent as much as possible that an erroneous landmark is displayed on the map.

  In the sixth aspect of the invention, the navigation device captures the correctness of the landmark by capturing the captured image when a spot associated with the landmark is included in a predetermined range in which a landscape can be captured by the camera. Can be reliably determined, and the position of the point can be easily specified.

  In the eighth aspect of the invention, the server device that receives the information transmitted by the navigation device accumulates information indicating the association between each point and the landmark updated by the navigation device. The present invention has an excellent effect, for example, by updating the map data according to the information accumulated by the server device, it becomes possible to easily create map data in accordance with the actual situation of the facility.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings showing embodiments thereof.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the in-vehicle device of the present invention. The in-vehicle device of the present invention includes the navigation device 1 of the present invention and a camera 2 placed on an automobile. The navigation device 1 is installed in a navigation target vehicle and performs navigation for guiding an appropriate route to a destination point while estimating the position of the vehicle (own vehicle position). The navigation device 1 includes a control processing unit 11 that uses a CPU for performing calculations. The control processing unit 11 is connected to a RAM 12 that stores temporary information associated with the calculation and a ROM 13 that stores a control program. Has been.

  The control processing unit 11 is connected to a display unit 15 such as a liquid crystal display and an input unit 16 through which various instructions are input by a user operation. The display unit 15 displays a map, an image, and characters necessary for navigation. The input unit 16 is configured using a touch panel combined with the display unit 15, various switches, voice recognition means, and the like. The control processing unit 11 is connected to a storage unit 14 that is configured by a hard disk, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory, or the like and that stores map data that is original data of a map displayed by the display unit 15. Further, the storage unit 14 stores landmark data including a plurality of types of landmarks to be displayed on the map, and point information in which any landmark is associated with a predetermined point on the map. Thus, the memory | storage part 14 functions as the landmark memory | storage means and point information memory | storage means in this invention. The storage unit 14 may be a memory that temporarily stores map data received from the outside or map data and spot data read from a recording medium such as an optical disk.

  Further, the control processing unit 11 acquires a position information acquisition unit that acquires position information necessary for estimating the vehicle position, such as a GPS signal transmitted from a GPS satellite, vehicle acceleration, vehicle direction, or vehicle speed pulse. 17 is connected. The position information acquisition unit 17 includes a receiving unit that receives a GPS signal, an interface that receives a vehicle speed pulse from an automobile, an acceleration sensor that detects acceleration, an orientation sensor that detects an orientation, and the like. The control processing unit 11 estimates the own vehicle position by calculating the own vehicle position based on the position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit 17 and further performing map matching using the map data stored in the storage unit 14. Perform the process. In this way, the control processing unit 11 functions as position estimation means in the present invention.

  The control processing unit 11 is connected to a transmission / reception unit 18 that receives traffic information indicating traffic congestion or traffic regulation and transmits the information to the outside. The transmission / reception unit 18 receives traffic information transmitted using a beacon, an FM broadcast wave, or the like. The control processing unit 11 performs processing for causing the display unit 15 to display the contents of the traffic information received by the transmission / reception unit 18 with images or characters. Further, the transmission / reception unit 18 can transmit predetermined information to the outside using wireless communication.

  Further, an interface unit (capture means) 21 connected to the camera 2 mounted on the automobile is connected to the control processing unit 11. The camera 2 is configured using an image sensor, captures a landscape outside the automobile, and generates image data representing the captured image. The interface unit 21 connected to the camera 2 takes in the image data generated by the camera 2 from the camera 2. The camera 2 is installed in the automobile with a viewing angle, a focal length, and the like determined so as to photograph a predetermined range in front of the automobile.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the navigation system of the present invention including the navigation device 1 of the present invention. The navigation system is configured to include a plurality of navigation devices 1, 1,... The server device 3 includes a CPU 31 that performs a calculation, a RAM 32 that stores information associated with the calculation, and a storage unit 33 that includes a hard disk. The storage unit 33 stores a computer program, and the CPU 31 loads the computer program from the storage unit 33 to the RAM 32 as appropriate, and executes processing according to the loaded computer program. The server device 3 includes a communication unit 34 connected to a communication network N such as the Internet. The navigation device 1 is configured to transmit information to the server device 3 via the communication network N by the transmission / reception unit 18. The server device 3 is configured to receive information transmitted from the navigation devices 1, 1,... Via the communication network N by the communication unit 34.

  Next, processing performed by the navigation device 1 and the navigation system configured as described above will be described. The control processing unit 11 of the navigation device 1 performs a process of estimating the vehicle position using the position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit 17 and the map data stored in the storage unit 14, and determines the location of the estimated vehicle position. A map image including the map data is created based on the map data and displayed on the display unit 15. At this time, the control processing unit 11 causes the display unit 15 to display an associated landmark at a point where a landmark visually representing the facility is associated with the point information among points on the map. In this way, the control processing unit 11 and the display unit 15 function as display means in the present invention.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a landmark. 3A is a rhombus mark, FIG. 3B is a concentric double circle mark, and FIG. 3C is a binary image representing a rice field mark. A plurality of types of landmarks as shown in FIG. 3 are included in the landmark data stored in the storage unit 14. In the landmark data, each landmark is classified according to the category of facilities such as a convenience store, a gas station, or a family restaurant represented by the landmark. For example, the convenience store category includes a landmark representing a convenience store of company A, a landmark representing a convenience store of company B, and the like.

  FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of the contents of the spot information stored in the storage unit 14. Information indicating one of the landmarks included in landmark data and the category of the facility that exists at that point is associated with the coordinates of the point where a given point can be identified on the map It has been. For example, a convenience store is associated with a point of coordinates (x1, y1) in the facility category, and information 1B indicating one of the landmarks is associated therewith. Here, it is assumed that the information 1B indicating the landmark indicates the landmark shown in FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a map displayed on the display unit 15. In the figure, an example in which coordinates (x1, y1) are located around the own vehicle position is shown. A symbol indicating the position of the vehicle estimated by the control processing unit 11 is displayed on the map, and the land as shown in FIG. 3B associated with the position of the coordinates (x1, y1) by the point information. The mark is displayed. The user can check the map displayed on the display unit 15 and know that the facility represented by the landmark exists around the vehicle position.

  The navigation apparatus 1 according to the present invention performs processing for updating point information so that an accurate landmark can be displayed when a landmark representing a facility different from the actual one is displayed. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing executed by the navigation device 1. The control processing unit 11 of the navigation device 1 executes the following processing according to the control program stored in the ROM 13.

  The control processing unit 11 performs a process of estimating the vehicle position using the position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit 17 and the map data stored in the storage unit 14, and a relative position with the estimated vehicle position is determined. It is determined whether or not the predetermined range includes a point associated with a landmark of a predetermined category in the point information (S1). This predetermined category is a facility that displays a mark that matches a landmark such as a brand mark, and a category of a facility that has a relatively high possibility that a company or a brand will be replaced within the same category over time. It has been established. For example, a category such as a convenience store, a gas station, or a family restaurant. The relative position between the predetermined range and the vehicle position is set to a distance at which the landmarks posted at the points within the predetermined range can be photographed by the camera 2 with a size sufficient for image recognition. Therefore, this relative position is appropriately determined according to the imaging capability of the camera 2 and the image processing capability of the navigation device 1. For example, the relative position is set to 10 m left front of the automobile.

  If it is determined in step S1 that the spot associated with the landmark of the predetermined category is not included in the predetermined range (S1: NO), the control processing unit 11 estimates the position of the host vehicle, and the landmark of the predetermined category. The process of determining whether or not the point associated with is included in the predetermined range is repeated. In step S1, when the spot associated with the landmark of the predetermined category is included in the predetermined range (S1: YES), the control processing unit 11 interfaces the captured image captured by the camera 2 with the outside of the automobile. The data is taken into the unit 21 (S2). Next, the control processing unit 11 selects one landmark classified into the same category as the landmark associated with the spot included in the predetermined range, among the landmarks included in the landmark data stored in the storage unit 14. Is selected (S3).

  Next, the control processing unit 11 determines whether or not the photographed image includes a graphic similar to the selected landmark by performing image processing of the photographed image captured from the camera 2 by the interface unit 21. (S4). FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a captured image. When the front side of the vehicle is photographed with the camera 2 installed in the vehicle, the landscape farther from the vehicle is usually located higher in the photographed image, and the nearer landscape is located lower in the photographed image. Therefore, the scenery at a predetermined distance from the automobile is included in a predetermined position in the captured image. The control processing unit 11 extracts a graphic having a predetermined size or more included in a predetermined position in the photographed image, compares the extracted graphic and the shape pattern of the selected landmark, and within a predetermined error range. The process of step S4 is executed by determining whether or not the shape patterns match. In the processing executed by the control processing unit 11, a known method may be used, such as extracting a figure by edge detection and comparing shape patterns by pattern matching processing.

  In step S4, when a figure similar to the selected landmark is not included in the captured image (S4: NO), the control processing unit 11 determines all the landmarks classified in the same category. It is determined whether or not (S5). If there is a landmark that has not been determined yet (S5: NO), the control processing unit 11 returns the process to step S3, and has not yet performed a determination among landmarks classified in the same category. Select a landmark. If all the landmarks classified in the same category are determined in step S5 (S5: YES), the control processing unit 11 ends the process, assuming that no landmark has been detected. After the process is completed, the control processing unit 11 performs a process for estimating the vehicle position and starts the process from step S1.

  If a figure similar to the selected landmark is included in the captured image in step S4 (S4: YES), the control processing unit 11 selects this landmark as a landmark to be displayed on the map. The position of the specific point where the landmark is photographed is specified as the position of the point included in the predetermined range in step S1 (S6). Next, the control processing unit 11 refers to the spot information stored in the storage unit 14 and determines whether or not the same landmark as the selected landmark is associated with the specific spot (S7). When the same landmark as the selected landmark is associated with the specific point (S7: YES), since the accurate landmark is displayed on the map, the control processing unit 11 ends the process. After the process is completed, the control processing unit 11 performs a process for estimating the vehicle position and starts the process from step S1.

  In step S7, when another landmark is associated with the specific point in the point information (S7: NO), the control processing unit 11 stores correspondence information in which the specific point is associated with the selected landmark. 14 (S8). Next, the control processing unit 11 determines whether or not correspondence information of the same content associated with the same landmark has been continuously accumulated a predetermined number of times for a specific point (S9). If the correspondence information having the same content has not been continuously accumulated a predetermined number of times (S9: NO), the processing is terminated while keeping the correspondence information accumulated in the storage unit 14. After the process is completed, the control processing unit 11 performs a process for estimating the vehicle position and starts the process from step S1.

  When the correspondence information having the same contents is continuously accumulated a predetermined number of times in step S9 (S9: YES), the control processing unit 11 updates the landmark associated with the specific point to the landmark selected in step S6. The new location information is stored in the storage unit 14 (S10). Next, the control processing unit 11 causes the transmission / reception unit 18 to transmit new point information to the server device 3 via the communication network N (S11), and ends the processing. After the process is completed, the control processing unit 11 performs a process for estimating the vehicle position and starts the process from step S1.

  The server device 3 receives the point information transmitted via the communication network N from each of the navigation devices 1, 1,. The CPU 31 generates information associating each spot with a landmark according to the spot information received by the communication unit 34 and accumulates the generated information in the storage unit 33. The storage unit 33 stores association data obtained by accumulating information that associates each point with a landmark.

  By the above processing, the navigation device 1 associates the landmark included in the captured image with the specific point when a landmark different from the landmark included in the captured image obtained by capturing the specific point is associated with the specific point. Store point information. When the navigation device 1 subsequently displays a map on the display unit 15, the navigation device 1 displays landmarks associated with each point with the newly stored point information on the map. FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the contents of the updated point information. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the information indicating the landmark 1A is associated with the point of the coordinates (x1, y1) associated with the information indicating the landmark 1B in the example shown in FIG. It is assumed that the information 1A indicating the landmark indicates the landmark shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a map displayed on the display unit 15 after the location information is updated. The landmarks updated according to the new point information are displayed, and the diamond-shaped landmarks representing the facilities that actually exist are displayed at the points where the concentric double circle landmarks were displayed in the example shown in FIG. Yes.

  Further, the server device 3 accumulates information in which each point is associated with a landmark according to the point information updated by the navigation device 1. Since the information accumulated by the server device 3 indicates the actual state of existence of the facility, when updating the map data, the map data is updated according to the accumulated information, thereby updating the map data according to the actual situation. Can be easily created.

  As described above in detail, in the present invention, the navigation device 1 displays landmarks that are actually present on the map by displaying the landmarks included in the photographed image of the outside of the automobile on the map. It is possible to display on the top. The navigation device 1 stores point information in which a landmark included in the captured image is associated with the specific point when a landmark different from the landmark included in the captured image of the specific point is associated with the specific point. Accordingly, it is possible to always display an accurate landmark without displaying a landmark representing a facility that does not actually exist, and to eliminate inconvenience when the user uses the map. Further, in the present invention, the navigation device 1 does not update the point information only once a landmark different from the landmark associated with a certain point is selected, and the same landmark is continuously repeated a predetermined number of times. When selected, by associating the selected landmark with the point, even if a wrong landmark may be selected by mistake due to image processing, the wrong landmark is displayed on the map. It is possible to prevent display as much as possible.

  In the present embodiment, the navigation device 1 has been described as performing a process of replacing landmarks associated with points only within a predetermined category, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the navigation device of the present invention. 1 may be a form in which processing for replacing landmarks is performed without limiting categories. That is, the navigation device 1 may perform selection and determination processing for all landmarks without limiting the categories in the processing of step S3 and step S5.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the navigation apparatus 1 has shown the form in which the process is executed when the spot associated with the landmark is included in the predetermined range that can be captured by the camera 2, but the present invention is not limited to this. The navigation device 1 of the invention may be configured to execute processing as needed. That is, the navigation device 1 omits step S1, captures captured images at any time in step S2, stores the vehicle position estimated at the time of shooting, and identifies the position of a specific point based on the vehicle position in step S6. You may perform the process to do. In the case of this form, the navigation apparatus 1 can newly associate landmarks not only at points that have already been associated with landmarks but also at points that have not yet been associated with landmarks.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the navigation device 1 has shown the form in which the process of associating the landmark with the spot is performed when the same landmark is selected a predetermined number of times in succession, but the present invention is not limited to this. Instead, the navigation device 1 of the present invention may be configured to perform processing for associating a landmark with a point once the landmark has been selected. That is, the navigation device 1 may perform the process in which steps S8 and S9 are omitted.

  Moreover, in this Embodiment, although the navigation apparatus 1 showed the form which performs the process which transmits point information in the step which memorize | stored new point information, it is not restricted to this. For example, the navigation apparatus 1 may be configured to perform a process of transmitting point information at another timing, such as executing the process without step S11 and transmitting the point information at a specific time. Further, the navigation device 1 may be configured to transmit no point information.

  In the present embodiment, the embodiment using the camera 2 that captures the front of the automobile is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the in-vehicle device of the present invention may be in other directions such as the side or the rear of the automobile. The form using the camera 2 which image | photographs may be sufficient. In the present embodiment, the map data, the landmark data, and the point information are individually stored in the storage unit 14. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the navigation device 1 of the present invention is not limited to the landmark data. Or the form which memorize | stores the map data containing a part or all of point information in the memory | storage part 14 may be sufficient. In the case of this form, the navigation apparatus 1 performs the process which rewrites map data by step S10.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the vehicle-mounted apparatus of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the navigation system of this invention containing the navigation apparatus of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of a landmark. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the example of the content of the point information which a memory | storage part memorize | stores. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of the map which a display part displays. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process which a navigation apparatus performs. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of a picked-up image. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the example of the content of the updated point information. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of the map which a display part displays after updating point information.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Navigation apparatus 11 Control processing part 14 Storage part 15 Display part 17 Position information acquisition part 18 Transmission / reception part 21 Interface part (take-in means)
2 Camera 3 Server device N Communication network

Claims (8)

In a landmark display method for displaying a landmark that visually represents a facility on a map with a navigation device that performs navigation while displaying a map,
Memorize multiple landmarks,
Import a shot image of a landscape at a specific point with the camera,
Select a landmark that is similar to the figure included in the captured image from the stored landmarks,
Stores point information relating the selected landmark to the specific point,
A landmark display method, comprising: displaying an associated landmark at a spot associated with a stored spot information among spots on a map to be displayed. In a navigation apparatus that includes position estimation means for estimating its own position and display means for displaying a map, and performs navigation using the map displayed by the display means,
Landmark storage means for storing a plurality of landmarks visually representing facilities on a map;
Point information storage means for storing point information that associates any landmark with a predetermined point on the map;
Capture means for capturing a photographed image of a landscape at a specific point where the position can be identified based on the position estimated by the position estimation means;
A selection unit that selects a landmark similar to a figure included in the captured image captured by the capturing unit from a plurality of landmarks stored in the landmark storage unit;
Storage control means for storing, in the spot information storage means, spot information relating the landmark selected by the selection means to the specific spot,
The display means includes
A navigation apparatus comprising means for displaying an associated landmark at a point associated with a landmark in the point information stored in the point information storage means among points on the map to be displayed. . The selection means includes
Means for determining whether or not a figure similar to each of the plurality of landmarks stored in the landmark storage means is included in the captured image;
The navigation apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising means for selecting a landmark similar to the graphic when a graphic similar to any one of the landmarks is included in the captured image. The storage control means
Means for determining whether or not the spot information storage means stores spot information in which the landmark selected by the selector is associated with the specific spot;
Means for storing, in the point information storage means, the point information in which the landmark is associated with the specific point, if the point information relating the landmark to the specific point is not stored in the point information storage means; The navigation device according to claim 2, wherein the navigation device has a navigation device. The storage control means
Means for determining whether or not the spot information storage means stores spot information in which the landmark selected by the selector is associated with the specific spot;
Means for accumulating information associating the landmark with the specific point, when the point information storing means does not store the point information associating the landmark with the specific point;
Means for storing, in the point information storage means, point information that associates the landmark with the specific point when the predetermined number of pieces of information associated with the same landmark are continuously accumulated for the same specific point. The navigation device according to claim 2, further comprising: Whether a point on the map associated with any landmark in the point information stored in the point information storage unit is included in the predetermined range in which the relative position to the position estimated by the position estimation unit is determined Means for determining
Means for causing the capture means to capture a captured image when the point is included in the predetermined range;
The navigation device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, further comprising means for specifying the position of the point as the position of the specific point. The navigation device according to any one of claims 2 to 6, which performs navigation of an automobile;
An in-vehicle device including a camera for photographing a landscape outside the automobile,
The take-in means provided in the navigation device,
A vehicle-mounted device configured to capture a photographed image photographed by the camera. A navigation system including the navigation device according to any one of claims 2 to 6 and a server device,
The navigation device
Means for transmitting information representing the contents of the spot information stored in the spot information storage means by the storage control means to the server device;
The server device
A navigation system comprising: means for storing information associated with landmarks at predetermined points on a map according to the information received from the navigation device.

Images