JP2011169651A - Information processing apparatus, navigation device, navigation system, navigation method, and navigation program - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a navigation device capable of using guidance image data based on photographing by a photographing means for photographing a rear side in a traveling direction when guiding a return path.
Based on position detection means for detecting a current position of a moving body, map information supplied from a map information storage means and a position information of the moving body detected by the position detection means. The route display control means 21 for controlling the display of the guidance route to the ground on the display unit, and when a predetermined condition is satisfied in the process of moving the guidance route, the rear side of the moving direction of the moving object is photographed. An imaging control unit 21 that performs control for executing imaging by the imaging unit 40, guidance image data based on image data input from the imaging unit 40, and a detection unit that is detected by the position detection unit 22 And storage control means 21 for performing control to store the data in the data storage means 29c in association with the shooting position information at the time of shooting at 40.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing device, a navigation device, a navigation system, a navigation method, and a navigation program.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a car navigation device that stores video captured by an in-vehicle camera together with shooting position information and reproduces the video using the position information.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-94571 (see abstract, etc.)

  According to the technical contents disclosed in Patent Document 1, in order to implement the technical contents, it is necessary to install a dedicated camera in a car or the like. Further, on the return trip (return trip) after going to the destination, the direction in which the vehicle travels is different from the forward trip, for example, in the reverse direction. In other words, the scenery differs between the outbound path and the return path. For this reason, even if an image taken with an in-vehicle camera is used as it is on the return path, the image does not match the traveling direction, and the route guidance on which the image is displayed is insufficient.

  The present invention has been made on the basis of the above circumstances. The purpose of the present invention is to use image data for guidance based on photographing by photographing means for photographing the rear side in the traveling direction when guiding the return path. It is intended to provide an information processing apparatus, a navigation apparatus, a navigation system, a navigation method, and a navigation program that can improve user convenience.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a first aspect of the information processing apparatus of the present invention is supplied from a position detection unit that detects a current position of a moving body and a map information storage unit, or is supplied via a network. Based on the map information and the position information of the moving body detected by the position detecting means, the route display control means for controlling the display section to display the guidance route to the destination to be headed, and the guidance path on the moving body When a predetermined condition is satisfied in the process of moving, an imaging control unit that performs control to execute imaging with an imaging unit that captures the rear side of the moving direction of the moving body, and image data input from the imaging unit Based on the image data for guidance based on the information and the shooting position information detected by the position detection unit and captured by the shooting unit are stored in the data storage unit in association with each other. Those comprising a control means.

  In another aspect of the information processing apparatus of the present invention, in the above-described invention, it is preferable that the shooting position information includes shooting direction information indicating which direction the shooting is performed.

  In another aspect of the information processing apparatus of the present invention, in each of the above-described inventions, it is preferable that the information storage device further includes a data storage unit for storing the guide image data and the shooting position information in association with each other.

  Further, according to another aspect of the information processing apparatus of the present invention, in each of the above-described inventions, the predetermined condition is that the mobile body makes a right turn or a left turn within a predetermined range from a portion where the mobile body makes a right turn or a left turn on the guide route (hereinafter, It is preferable that the point is called a right / left turn point).

  In another aspect of the information processing apparatus of the present invention, in each of the above-described inventions, it is preferable to include an image processing unit that performs predetermined image processing on image data.

  Further, according to another aspect of the information processing apparatus of the present invention, in each of the above-described inventions, the route display control unit is stored in the data storage unit and the position information of the moving body detected by the position detection unit. It is preferable to perform control to display the guidance image data when the shooting position information matches the shooting position information with reference to the shooting position information.

  According to another aspect of the information processing apparatus of the present invention, in the above-described invention, the route display control unit performs route display of the forward route along the guidance route to the destination based on the control of the route display control unit. It is preferable to perform control to display the guidance image data on the return path from the destination.

  Furthermore, it is preferable that the navigation apparatus of the present invention includes any one of the information processing apparatuses described above.

  Further, the navigation system of the present invention is supplied from a position detection means for detecting the current position of the mobile body, a map information storage means for storing map information, and a map information storage means, or supplied via a network. Display control means for controlling the display unit to display a guidance route to the destination to be headed based on the map information to be detected and the position information of the moving object detected by the position detecting means, and the progress of the moving object An imaging unit that captures the rear side of the direction, an imaging control unit that performs control to perform imaging with the imaging unit when a predetermined condition is satisfied in the process of moving the moving body along the guide route, and an input from the imaging unit Detected by image processing means for performing predetermined image processing on the image data to be generated to create guidance image data, guidance image data, and position detection means Control means for performing control to store the shooting position information when shooting is performed in association with the shooting means, data storage means for storing the guide image data and shooting position information in association with each other, It is preferable to comprise.

  Further, the navigation method of the present invention is detected by the position detection step for detecting the current position of the moving body and the map information and position detection step supplied from the map information storage means or supplied via the network. Based on the position information of the mobile object, a route display step for displaying a guide route to the destination to be headed on the display unit, and when the mobile object travels along the guide route when a predetermined condition is satisfied, the mobile object A photographing step for performing photographing by a photographing means for photographing the rear side of the traveling direction, guidance image data based on the image data input in the photographing step, and photographing detected by the position detecting step And a storage step of associating and storing in the data storage means the shooting position information when shooting was performed in the step. .

  According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the convenience for the user by using the guidance image data based on the photographing by the photographing means for photographing the rear side in the traveling direction at the time of guidance on the return path.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the navigation apparatus which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows a process in case imaging | photography with a camera apparatus is made in the navigation apparatus of FIG. It is a figure which shows the image of imaging | photography in the vicinity of the right-left turn point. It is a figure which shows the image of a trimming process. It is a flowchart which shows the process in the case of the route guidance in the return route which returns from the destination. It is a figure which shows an image when the display based on image data for guidance is made on a display part with map data. It is a flowchart which shows the process in the case of route guidance other than the return route which returns from the destination.

  Hereinafter, a navigation apparatus 10, a navigation system, a navigation method, and a navigation program corresponding to an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

<Configuration of the navigation device 10>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a navigation device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the navigation device 10 includes a microcomputer 21, a GPS antenna 22, an autonomous navigation unit 23, an input unit 24, a display unit 25, a voice control unit 26, a speaker 27, a temporary memory 28, a storage device 29, A camera control circuit 30, a camera drive unit 31, an image processing circuit 32, and the like are provided. Further, the camera device 40 is connected to the navigation device 10 as an external device.

  In addition, since the navigation apparatus 10 is not normally provided in the camera apparatus 40, the camera apparatus 40 excluding the camera apparatus 40 corresponds to the concept of the navigation apparatus 10. And a navigation system corresponds to what includes both the camera device 40 and the navigation device 10. However, the camera device 40 may be included in the concept of the navigation device 10. Further, in any of the presence or absence of the camera device 40 as described above, the GPS antenna 22, the autonomous navigation unit 23, the input unit 24, the display unit 25, the voice control unit 26, the speaker 27, the storage device 29, and the image processing circuit 32. A device excluding at least one of them may be used as the navigation device 10.

  Further, at least one of the GPS antenna 22 and the autonomous navigation unit 23 and the microcomputer 21 constitute position detecting means. The microcomputer 21 corresponds to a main component of the route display control means. The camera control circuit 30, the camera drive unit 31, and the microcomputer 21 correspond to the components of the imaging control unit. The microcomputer 21 corresponds to a component of storage control means. The storage device 29 corresponds to the data storage means. Among them, the storage area 29c corresponds to the main components of the data storage means. The image processing circuit 32 corresponds to a main component of the image processing unit, but the microcomputer 21 may be included in the component of the image processing unit.

  The microcomputer 21 includes a memory, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an input / output port, and the like (not shown). A GPS antenna 22, an autonomous navigation unit 23, an input unit 24, a display unit 25, a voice control unit 26, a temporary memory 28, and a storage device 29 are connected to the input / output port. The CPU of the microcomputer 21 reads and executes a control program (not shown) from the memory, the storage device 29, or the like.

  For example, the microcomputer 21 searches for a guidance route from the departure point to the destination based on data input via the GPS antenna 22, the autonomous navigation unit 23, the input unit 24, and the like, and displays the search result on the display unit. 25. The microcomputer 21 calculates a predicted travel time and a predicted arrival time to the destination when the vehicle (corresponding to the moving body) travels on the searched guidance route, and displays the calculation result on the display unit 25. Anyway. Moreover, the microcomputer 21 performs guidance processing such as enlarging the display of the intersection when approaching an intersection to bend, for example, when the vehicle approaches the guidance route of the vehicle.

  The GPS antenna 22 receives GPS signals transmitted from a plurality of GPS satellites launched into the earth orbit. The GPS antenna 22 receives GPS signals transmitted from at least three GPS satellites and outputs them to the microcomputer 21.

  The autonomous navigation unit 23 includes an acceleration sensor, a vehicle speed sensor, and the like. The acceleration sensor detects the angular velocity of the vehicle (the rotation angle in the horizontal direction per unit time) and calculates the amount of change in the moving direction. The vehicle speed sensor detects a pulse signal output in accordance with the rotation of the wheel, and calculates the amount of movement of the vehicle and / or the speed of movement of the vehicle. The autonomous navigation unit 23 outputs the angular velocity signal output from these acceleration sensors and the vehicle speed pulse signal output from the distance sensor to the microcomputer 21.

  The input unit 24 includes various keys associated with various functions for using navigation in addition to character keys, numeric keys, and search keys, and outputs an operation signal for the operated key to the microcomputer 21. Further, the input unit 24 may include a touch panel provided so as to cover the display unit 25 constituted by a color liquid crystal display or the like, and a touch instruction is performed based on a coordinate reading principle such as an electromagnetic induction type, a magnetostriction type, or a pressure sensitive type. The detected coordinates can be detected, and the detected coordinates can be output to the microcomputer 21 as a position signal. Or the input part 24 is good also as a structure provided with input devices, such as a remote controller and a microphone.

  The display unit 25 is composed of a color liquid crystal display or the like, and displays the input contents in the input unit 24 and display information for navigation input from the microcomputer 21.

  The sound control unit 26 causes the speaker 27 to output a sound signal corresponding to the signal input from the microcomputer 21.

  The temporary memory 28 is composed of a RAM or the like, and forms a work area for temporarily storing various programs executed by the microcomputer 21 and data related to these various programs.

  The storage device 29 is composed of, for example, a hard disk driver including a hard disk, and stores various applications of the navigation device 10 executed by the microcomputer 21. In addition, the storage device 29 stores various settings related to the route traveled in the past and the operation of the navigation device 10. The storage device 29 is not limited to the one stored in the hard disk, the one stored in the flash memory, the one stored in the rewritable DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), the rewritable disc (DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), What is stored in Blu-Ray (registered trademark) or the like may be the storage device 29.

  The storage device 29 also detects the current position of the vehicle, searches for the route to the destination, calculates the predicted travel time, etc., and displays map data 29a used for display of navigation, roads, facilities, sea, lakes, etc. The various symbol data 29b are stored. In addition, the storage device 29 is provided with a storage area 29c for storing guide image data after image processing to be described later.

  As will be described later, the camera control circuit 30 controls the operation of the camera device 40 via the camera drive unit 31.

  The camera drive unit 31 operates the camera device 40 based on the control of the camera control circuit 30. The camera drive unit 31 also has a function of operating the image sensor 41 based on the control of the camera control circuit 30. The camera drive unit 31 may not be present on the navigation device 10 side but may be present on the camera device 40 side.

  The image processing circuit 32 is a processing circuit for performing predetermined image processing on the image data output from the camera device 40. The predetermined image processing performed by the image processing circuit 32 includes, for example, trimming processing for cutting out a part of image data input from the camera device 40. The predetermined image processing includes white balance correction processing, contrast correction processing, and camera shake correction processing. Further, instead of the trimming process, an image conversion process by linear interpolation such as a bilinear method, a nearest neighbor method, or a bicubic method may be performed. The processed image data processed by the image processing circuit 32 is stored in the storage area 29c of the storage device 29.

  The camera device 40 corresponds to a photographing unit. The camera device 40 is a camera attached to any part on the rear side of the vehicle so as to be able to photograph the rear side of the vehicle, so-called a rear view monitor. . The camera device 40 includes an image sensor 41. The image sensor 41 may include an image sensor that employs any imaging method, such as a CCD sensor or a CMOS sensor. good.

  The operation of the camera device 40 is controlled through the camera driving unit 31 under the control of the camera control circuit 30. The camera device 40 preferably performs wide-angle shooting with a wider angle of view than when viewed with human eyes, but it does not matter whether a wide-angle lens is present. In addition, the camera device 40 may be provided with a telephoto function that can be enlarged and viewed as compared with the human eyes. In this case, the right and left turn points may be intersections or the like. Then, the camera device 40 may be used to take a picture from a position farther than the case of the wide angle.

  In addition, the camera device 40 includes an image sensor driver 42. The image sensor driver 42 takes in an analog electrical signal from the image sensor 41 and forms a digital signal corresponding to the amount of charge. Based on this digital signal, image data having RGB gradation values for each pixel is obtained. Form. The formed image data is output to the image processing circuit 32 of the navigation device 10. Note that the image sensor driver 42 may control the operation of the image sensor 41 via the camera drive unit 31.

<Operation of the navigation device 10>
Next, the operation of the navigation device 10 having the above configuration will be described. In the following description of the operation, (1) processing related to shooting by the camera device 40, (2) route guidance based on guidance image data on the return path after shooting by the camera device 40, and (3) guidance on a route other than the return path. The explanation will be divided into route guidance based on image data.

(1) Processing related to photographing by the camera device 40 The photographing by the camera device 40 is performed in a processing flow as shown in FIG. Here, it is assumed that the navigation device 10 performs route guidance. At this time, the navigation device 10 is in a state where data relating to the guidance route is being constructed in the temporary memory 28. The camera device 40 is in a standby state waiting for a signal from the camera driving unit 31.

  In a state where data relating to such a guidance route is being constructed, the microcomputer 21 performs an operation for specifying the current position coordinates based on the GPS signal from the GPS antenna 22 and / or the signal input from the autonomous navigation unit 23. (S10). Then, the microcomputer 21 determines whether it has arrived at the destination on the guidance route based on the current position information (S20). If it is determined in S20 that the destination has been reached (in the case of Yes), the microcomputer 21 terminates the processing related to shooting by the camera device 40.

  If it is determined in S20 that the vehicle has not arrived at the destination (Yes), then the microcomputer 21 determines whether or not the next right / left turn point has been reached in the guidance route (S30). If it is determined in S30 that the next right / left turn point has not been reached (No), the process returns to S20. Further, whether or not a right or left turn point has been reached corresponds to whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied.

  If it is determined in S30 that the right / left turn point has been reached (in the case of Yes), the microcomputer 21 subsequently takes a picture when traveling at the right / left turn point in the past. It is determined whether or not guidance image data based on this exists (S40). This determination is made because there is no need to re-shoot when guidance image data based on past shooting is present in the storage area 29c at the right or left turn point currently reached. However, it may be set so that a picture is taken every time the right or left turn point is reached. For example, when the microcomputer 21 determines that a predetermined time (for example, one year) has passed, the picture is taken again and the image is taken You may make it perform the setting which overwrites data.

  In the above-described determination of S40, if guidance image data based on past shooting exists (in the case of No), the process returns to S20. Further, the right / left turn point means that the vehicle turns right or left from the road that has traveled up to that point in the guidance route displayed on the display unit 25 and travels on a different road from the road that has traveled up to that point. , Refers to a branch like an intersection. Here, taking into account the use of the guidance image data on the return path, the right / left turn point is set by turning the intersection to the right or left and shooting the landscape behind the vehicle with the camera device 40 in a completely turned state. It is preferable to do. Further, the range of the right and left turn points may be variously changed depending on the setting. For example, there is a range within 50 m immediately after the intersection has been completely bent, or halfway through the turn.

  If it is determined in the above-described determination of S40 that there is no guidance image data based on past shooting (in the case of Yes), the microcomputer 21 outputs a control signal to that effect to the camera control circuit 30. Then, the camera control circuit 30 operates the camera device 40 via the camera drive unit 31 immediately or after a predetermined timing, and performs shooting near the right / left turn point (S50). It should be noted that the camera device 40 may capture an image at a right / left turn point as a state in which the camera device 40 is always operated (so as to perform continuous shooting).

  An image of shooting in the vicinity of the right / left turn point is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, when there is a right / left turn point indicated by an asterisk in the guidance route indicated by a broken line, the microcomputer 21 performs shooting by operating the camera device 40 in the vicinity of the right / left turn point, A control signal is output to the camera control circuit 30. As shown in FIG. 3, the shooting in the present embodiment indicates so-called capture in which a still image is shot and then stored in the storage area 29c. However, when a sufficient capacity of the storage area 29c can be secured, a moving image may be stored in the storage area 29c.

  When shooting is performed by the camera device 40 in S50, the image sensor driver 42 forms image data having RGB gradation values for each pixel based on the output from the image sensor 41 of the camera device 40. The formed image data is output to the image processing circuit 32 of the navigation device 10. Then, the image processing circuit 32 performs predetermined image processing such as trimming processing as shown in FIG. 4 on the image data delivered from the image sensor driver 42 (S60). Thereby, guidance image data that can be displayed during route guidance is created.

  The guide image data is stored in the temporary memory 28 when the image processing of S60 is executed. The microcomputer 21 performs a process for storing the guide image data after the image processing is performed in the storage area 29c of the storage device 29 based on a predetermined signal output from the image processing circuit 32 ( S70). In this processing, the microcomputer 21 uses the GPS signal from the GPS antenna 22 and / or the signal input from the autonomous navigation unit 23 as a result of the calculation to obtain the position information (shooting position) of the right / left turn point created in S10. Information) and shooting direction information indicating which direction was shot is stored in association with the guidance image data. When the next guidance route is used, the shooting position information associated with the right / left turn point is referred to when the right / left turn point is reached, and the guidance image data associated with the shooting position information is obtained. It is read into the microcomputer 21 or read into the temporary memory 28 under the control of the microcomputer 21.

  In addition, after the process of S70 is completed, the process returns to S20 again.

(2) Regarding Route Guidance Using Guidance Image Data on the Return Path after Shooting by the Camera Device 40 Next, route guidance based on guidance image data on the return path after shooting by the camera device 40 will be described. This route guidance is performed like a processing flow as shown in FIG.

  Here again, it is assumed that the navigation apparatus 10 performs route guidance. That is, the navigation device 10 is in a state in which data related to the guidance route is being built in the temporary memory 28.

  In the state in which the data regarding the guidance route is being constructed, the microcomputer 21 first determines whether the data relating to the constructed guidance route corresponds to the return route corresponding to the forward route guidance (S01). In this determination, when the return route from the destination does not correspond (in the case of No), a processing flow as shown in FIG. 7 described later is executed.

  If it is determined that the data related to the guidance route constructed in the determination in S01 corresponds to the return route of the destination (in the case of Yes), subsequently, calculation for specifying the current position coordinates is performed in the same manner as in S10. Further, after S11, it is determined whether or not the vehicle has arrived at the destination as in S20 (S21). If it is determined in S21 that the destination has been reached (Yes), the microcomputer 21 terminates the processing related to route guidance.

  If it is determined in S21 that the vehicle has not arrived at the destination (in the case of Yes), the microcomputer 21 then determines whether or not the next right / left turn point has been reached (S31), as in S30. . If it is determined in S31 that the next right / left turn point has not been reached (No), the process returns to S21.

  If it is determined in the above-described determination of S31 that the next right / left turn point has been reached (in the case of Yes), the microcomputer 21 subsequently reads out the guidance image data corresponding to the right / left turn point (S81). . When the guidance image data is read, shooting position information associated with the guidance image data is referred to. That is, when storing the guide image data in the storage area 29c, the shooting position information of the right and left turn points is stored in association with each other. Therefore, by searching the storage area 29c with reference to the shooting position information, it is possible to find the guidance image data corresponding to the shooting position information, and to read the guidance image data.

  After the process of S81, the microcomputer 21 performs a process of displaying the guidance image data on the display unit 25 (S91). This is shown in FIG. In FIG. 6, an image display 120 based on the guidance image data is displayed together with the enlarged display 110 of the guidance route.

  After the process of S91, the microcomputer 21 determines whether or not the vehicle has passed the right / left turn point based on the GPS signal from the GPS antenna 22 and / or the signal input from the autonomous navigation unit 23 (S101). Note that whether or not the vehicle has passed the right / left turn point may be determined to have passed immediately when it has been detected that the vehicle has passed the right / left turn point, and whether or not the vehicle has traveled a predetermined distance after passing. Or based on whether a predetermined time has passed after passing.

  If it is determined in S101 that the vehicle has not passed the turning point (in the case of No), the determination in S101 is continued again.

  If it is determined in S101 that the left / right turn point has been passed (in the case of Yes), the microcomputer 21 ends displaying the image display 120 on the display unit 25 (S111). Then, after the process of S111, the process returns to S21 again.

(3) Regarding route guidance based on guidance image data on routes other than the return route Next, route guidance based on guidance image data on routes other than the return route will be described. This route guidance is performed like a processing flow as shown in FIG. Note that the processing flow shown in FIG. 7 is subsequently executed when it is determined in S01 of FIG. 5 that it does not correspond to the return path from the destination (in the case of No).

  That is, in the determination of S01 in FIG. 5, when it is determined that the data related to the constructed guidance route does not correspond to the return route of the destination (in the case of Yes), subsequently, in order to specify the current position coordinate as in S10. An operation is performed (S12). Further, after S12, it is determined whether or not the vehicle has arrived at the destination as in S20 (S22). When it is determined that the destination has been reached in the determination of S22 (in the case of Yes), the microcomputer 21 ends the process related to route guidance.

  When it is determined in S22 that the vehicle has not arrived at the destination (in the case of Yes), the microcomputer 21 subsequently determines whether or not the next left / right turn point has been reached (S32), similarly to S30. If it is determined in S32 that the next right / left turn point has not been reached (No), the process returns to S22.

  When it is determined in the above-described determination of S32 that the next right / left turn point has been reached (in the case of Yes), the microcomputer 21 performs past shooting (past shooting) at the right / left turn point, similarly to S40. It is determined whether or not there is guidance image data based on (S42).

  If guidance image data based on past photographing exists in the determination of S42 described above (No), next, guidance image data corresponding to the right / left turn point is read out as in S81. (S82).

  If it is determined in S42 that there is no guidance image data based on past shooting (No), the microcomputer 21 reads the intersection enlarged data (S122). This intersection enlarged data is not image data based on the actual image of the camera device 40 but image data created by, for example, schematically modeling the intersection. Further, as the intersection enlargement data, data for image processing in three-dimensional computer graphics may be read. In addition, after the process of S122 is complete | finished, it progresses to the process of S92.

  Even if guidance image data based on past shooting exists, if only the shooting direction of the stored guidance image data is different from the direction in which guidance is to be performed, the guidance image data is stored. The process proceeds assuming that there is no image data.

After the process of S82 or S122, the microcomputer 21 is similar to S91.
A process of displaying the guidance image data on the display unit 25 is performed (S92). Next, similarly to S101, the microcomputer 21 determines whether or not the vehicle has passed the right / left turn point (S102). If it is determined in S102 that the vehicle has not passed the turning point (in the case of No), the determination in S102 is continued again.

  If it is determined in S102 that the vehicle has passed the right / left turn point (Yes), the microcomputer 21 ends displaying the image display 120 on the display unit 25 (S112). Then, after the process of S112, the process returns to S22 again.

  Further, even when the route guidance is not performed, information that can be used to determine when the turn signal switch from the vehicle is turned off, that is, when the turn is finished, is obtained, and the guidance image is obtained based on the obtained information. Data can also be stored.

<Effect>
According to the navigation device 10 configured as described above, the guide image data is created based on the photographing of the camera device 40 on the outbound route to the destination, and the guidance image data is used as the photographing position information where the photographing is performed. The data is stored in the storage area 29c in association with each other. Therefore, on the return route from the destination, it is possible to perform route guidance by displaying image data for guidance based on photographing by the camera device 40 on the display unit 25. As a result, it is possible to provide easy-to-understand guidance based on live action in the guidance route. In addition, it is possible to further improve the convenience for the user by performing such guidance route guidance.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the rear side of the vehicle is photographed by the camera device 40 in the forward path of the guidance route to the destination. For this reason, on the return route returning from the destination based on the guidance route, route guidance can be performed based on the guidance image data taken on the outward route.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the guide image data and the shooting position information are associated with each other and stored in the storage area 29c. Therefore, based on the current position calculated on the basis of the GPS signal from the GPS antenna 22 and / or the signal input from the autonomous navigation unit 23 and the shooting position information, it is determined whether or not they are encoded. It becomes possible to easily search for the guidance image data associated with the position information.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the microcomputer 21 determines whether or not to perform shooting by the camera device 40 based on whether or not a right / left turn point has been reached. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the amount of data stored in the storage area 29c as compared with the case where shooting is performed by the camera device 40 even when a right / left turn is not performed. Further, as described above, since shooting is performed by the camera device 40 at the right / left turn point, it is possible to appropriately perform the route guidance at the right / left turn point where guidance by an enlarged display is required on the return path.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the route based on the guidance image data photographed by the camera device 40 as described above when the vehicle returns to the destination, or in the other case, the vehicle turns to the right / left turn point. It is possible to provide guidance. Therefore, it is possible to provide easy-to-understand guidance based on live-action at the right and left turn points.

  Further, in the present embodiment, image data for guidance is created by performing image processing such as trimming on the image data captured by the camera device 40 by the image processing circuit 32. Therefore, it is possible to create guide image data having an appropriate size corresponding to the size of the image display 120 based on the guide image data as described above. Further, depending on the type of image processing, it is possible to improve the visibility of the user and to perform processing such as reducing the data size of the guidance image data.

<About modification>
As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to these embodiment, It is possible to implement various deformation | transformation.

  In the above-described embodiment, for example, shooting is performed by the camera device 40 when a right or left turn point is reached on the outbound route of the destination regardless of the time zone, such as day and night. However, there are many cases where the impression of the right / left turn point is different if the time zone for photographing with the camera device 40 is different. Therefore, for example, referring to a timer provided in the navigation device 10, the camera device 40 may perform shooting only when the timer is determined to be a daytime time zone. Further, for example, the favorite image data may be stored in the storage area 29c separately for the daytime period and the nighttime period. In this case, a flag for identifying whether it is a day time zone or a night time zone is used, and the flag is associated with the guidance image data, for example, information on the day time zone or the night time zone. It is preferable that the information regarding is associated with the guidance image data.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the camera device 40 performs shooting when the left or right turn point is reached on the outbound route of the destination regardless of the weather. However, when the weather is different, the impression of turning points is often different. Therefore, for example, when the weather is sunny, in the case of rain, in the case of snow, or in each case, photographing by the camera device 40 may be performed. In addition, when shooting is performed with the camera device 40 in each weather, it is preferable that the favorite image data is stored in the storage area 29c separately for each weather in accordance with the shooting. In this case, information relating to the weather may be associated with the guidance image data by using a flag for identifying weather such as sunny, rainy, or snow and associating the flag with the guidance image data. preferable.

  In addition, in order to discriminate day and night and the weather, the navigation apparatus 10 may be configured to include an illuminance sensor that detects ambient illuminance.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the navigation device 10 is used as the information processing device has been described. However, the information processing apparatus is not limited to the navigation apparatus 10. As the information processing apparatus, various computers such as a mobile phone terminal, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), and a personal computer may be used as the information processing apparatus.

  The information processing apparatus includes a position detecting unit that detects a current position of the moving body and a moving body that is supplied from the map information storage unit or that is detected by the map information and the position detecting unit that are supplied via a network. Based on the position information, the route display control means for controlling the display unit to display the guidance route to the destination to go to, and when a predetermined condition is satisfied in the process of moving the guidance route, Detected by an imaging control unit that performs control for executing imaging by an imaging unit that captures the rear side of the moving direction of the moving body, guidance image data based on image data input from the imaging unit, and a position detection unit And a storage control unit that performs control for associating and storing in the data storage unit the shooting position information when shooting is performed by the shooting unit.

  Further, the navigation program in the present invention corresponds to a program that causes the computer to function as the above-described photographing control means and storage control means by being installed in the computer.

  The navigation device 10 includes both a type fixed to a vehicle or the like and a PND (Personal Navigation Device) that can be easily detached from the vehicle and can be carried.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, there may be a case where there is an obstacle in shooting of the camera device 40 due to, for example, another vehicle (particularly a large vehicle) immediately behind the vehicle. In that case, not only the right / left turn point but also right after passing the range defined as the right / left turn point, the image may be taken again. In addition, the camera device 40 is not limited to one time at the right / left turn point, and a predetermined number of times are taken at different timings, and the microcomputer 21 or the user appropriately displays the image on the image display 120. The image data for guidance should be determined. In addition, when the image is taken again immediately after passing the range defined as the right / left turn point, and / or when taking a predetermined number of times at different timings at the right / left turn point, the camera device is installed at the travel distance of a vehicle or the like. Forty zoom functions may be linked.

  Further, the image processing circuit 32 according to the above-described embodiment may have a function of correcting overexposure and blackout. As such a correction, there is a correction for level correction of R, G, B gradation values.

  In the above-described embodiment, the map data 29 a stored in the storage device 29 is read out and displayed on the display unit 25. However, the map data 29a and / or other data (for example, the symbol data 29b) may be supplied to an information processing apparatus such as the navigation apparatus 10 via a network such as the Internet.

  Further, whether or not the predetermined condition in the above-described embodiment is satisfied corresponds to whether or not the vehicle has reached a right or left turn point. However, the predetermined condition is not limited to this. For example, it may be determined whether or not the predetermined condition is satisfied based on whether or not the vehicle has reached an intersection. Also, whether or not a predetermined point is satisfied may be determined based on whether or not the vehicle has reached a junction of a general road and an expressway. Further, whether or not a specific spot such as a historic spot has been reached may be determined as satisfying a predetermined condition.

  The functions of the various circuits described above (camera control circuit 30, image processing circuit 31, etc.) may be realized by software.

  In addition, the moving body described above includes various moving objects such as motorcycles. When the information processing apparatus and / or the navigation apparatus are portable, people and animals may be included in the concept of the moving body.

10. Navigation device (corresponding to information processing device)
21... Microcomputer (corresponds to part of position detection means, part of path display control means, part of photographing control means, storage control means, part of image processing means)
22 ... GPS antenna (corresponds to a part of position detecting means)
23 ... Autonomous navigation unit (corresponds to a part of position detection means)
24 ... Input unit 25 ... Display unit 26 ... Audio control unit 27 ... Speaker 28 ... Temporary memory 29 ... Storage device (corresponding to data storage means)
29a ... Map data 29b ... Symbol data 29c ... Storage area 30 ... Camera control circuit (corresponds to a part of photographing control means)
31 ... Camera driving unit (corresponding to a part of photographing control means)
32. Image processing circuit (corresponding to a part of image processing means)
40. Camera device (corresponding to imaging means)
41 ... Image sensor 42 ... Image sensor driver 110 ... Enlarged display 120 ... Image display

Claims (10)

Position detecting means for detecting the current position of the moving body;
Based on the map information supplied from the map information storage means or supplied via the network and the position information of the moving body detected by the position detection means, the guidance route to the destination to be displayed is displayed. Route display control means for performing control to be displayed on the unit;
An imaging control means for performing control to perform imaging with an imaging means for imaging the rear side of the moving direction of the moving body when a predetermined condition is satisfied in the process of moving the moving body along the guide path;
Data associating image data for guidance based on image data input from the photographing means with photographing position information detected by the position detecting means and photographed by the photographing means Storage control means for performing control to be stored in the storage means;
An information processing apparatus comprising: The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
The shooting position information includes shooting direction information indicating which direction the shooting is performed on,
An information processing apparatus characterized by that. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
The data storage means for storing the guidance image data and the shooting position information in association with each other;
An information processing apparatus characterized by that. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The predetermined condition is when the mobile body has reached a point to turn right or left within a predetermined range from a site where the mobile body turns right or left on the guidance route.
An information processing apparatus characterized by that. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Image processing means for performing predetermined image processing on the image data;
An information processing apparatus characterized by that. An information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The route display control means refers to the position information of the moving object detected by the position detection means and the shooting position information stored in the data storage means, and the position information and the shooting position. If the information matches, control to display the guidance image data,
An information processing apparatus characterized by that. An information processing apparatus according to claim 6,
The route display control means displays the guidance image data on the return path from the destination after displaying the forward route along the guidance route to the destination based on the control of the route display control means. Do control,
An information processing apparatus characterized by that.   A navigation apparatus comprising the information processing apparatus according to claim 1. Position detecting means for detecting the current position of the moving body;
Map information storage means for storing map information;
Based on the map information supplied from the map information storage means or supplied via the network and the position information of the moving body detected by the position detection means, the guidance route to the destination to be headed is determined. Route display control means for performing control to be displayed on the display unit;
Photographing means for photographing the rear side of the moving direction of the moving body;
Photographing control means for performing control to perform photographing with the photographing means when a predetermined condition is satisfied in the process of moving the moving body along the guide route;
Image processing means for performing predetermined image processing on the image data input from the imaging means to create image data for guidance;
Control means for performing control to store the guidance image data and the shooting position information detected by the position detection means and photographed by the photographing means in association with each other;
Data storage means for storing the guidance image data and the shooting position information in association with each other;
A navigation system comprising: A position detection step for detecting the current position of the moving body;
Based on the map information supplied from the map information storage means or supplied via the network and the position information of the moving body detected in the position detection step, the guide route to the destination to be displayed is displayed. Route display step to be displayed on the part,
An imaging step of performing imaging with imaging means for imaging the rear side of the moving direction of the moving body when a predetermined condition is satisfied in the process of moving the moving body along the guide path;
Data associating the guide image data based on the image data input at the shooting step with the shooting position information detected at the position detection step and shot at the shooting step. A storage step to be stored in the storage means;
A navigation method comprising: