JP2005077211A - Navigation system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a navigation system capable of evading misrecognition of the position of own vehicle by notifying the driver of the variation of the positioning precision capable of navigational operation without display screen. <P>SOLUTION: The navigation system comprises the positioning means for detecting the present position of the vehicle, the voice output means for informing a user of the information on present position with the voice, the precision of position detection means for calculating the positioning precision, the positioning precision information means for informing the user of the positioning precision, and the control means for controlling the precision of positional information means based on the positioning precision signal. By this constitution, the information of present position acquired by the positioning means is informed by the voice message, and the user is informed of the precision of the positioning by the positioning precision information means. Therefore, the user can get the correctness of route guiding while receiving the voice guidance. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a navigation device that supports driving of a moving body such as an automobile by providing route guidance by a detailed voice message, and in particular, notifies the driver of the current position and the accuracy of travel direction at each time point while performing the route guidance. The present invention relates to a navigation device having a function.

  A navigation device mounted on an automobile or the like has a display and a current position detecting means (positioning means), and measures the position and traveling direction of the own vehicle by the current position detecting means. A map corresponding to the current location is drawn and a symbol mark (vehicle mark) is displayed. A GPS system and / or a self-contained navigation system is used as the current position detection means.

  Conventionally, the positioning accuracy (accuracy of vehicle position detection) obtained from GPS or self-contained navigation is expressed by the shape, color, size, etc. of the symbol mark, and the user can use the symbol mark displayed on this display screen. By looking at the change, it is possible to know the change in positioning accuracy, and to determine whether the displayed vehicle position is correct, thereby avoiding misidentification. In addition, in order to avoid erroneous guidance due to degradation of positioning accuracy, when the route guidance or voice guidance is temporarily stopped, knowing that the location accuracy has deteriorated, the user's anxiety can be resolved. Can do.

In addition, as another function of the navigation device, there is a navigation device that displays other information according to a user's request accurately and quickly on a sequential display or the like and presents it to the driver. As a conventional example of such a navigation device, for example, there is one described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 05-025476.
JP 05-025476 A

  However, in the conventional navigation device, the positioning accuracy of the vehicle position can be known by looking at the change state of the symbol mark displayed on the monitor screen. After understanding it, it is necessary to pay attention to the monitor screen to check whether the symbol mark has changed. During this time, the driver's attention is deviated from the driving operation, and the driver's line of sight is shifted from the front. Will be.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and a first object of the present invention is to perform a navigation operation even without a display screen, and appropriately notify a driver of a change in positioning accuracy to It is an object of the present invention to provide a navigation device that can avoid misidentification of position and the like.

  The second object of the present invention is to notify the driver that the positioning accuracy has deteriorated when the positioning accuracy for performing the navigation operation decreases and the route guidance cannot be performed, and to feel uneasy due to the suspension of the route guidance. It is providing the navigation apparatus which can relieve.

  In order to achieve the above object, the navigation device of the present invention has positioning means for detecting the current position of the vehicle, and voice output means for notifying the user of information on the current position detected by the positioning means by a voice message. Positioning accuracy detecting means for calculating the positioning accuracy of the current position detected by the positioning means, positioning accuracy notifying means for notifying the user of the positioning accuracy obtained by the positioning accuracy detecting means, and the positioning accuracy detecting means. Control means for controlling the positioning accuracy notifying means based on the accuracy signal output from. With this configuration, information on the current position detected by the positioning means is notified by voice message from the voice output means, while the positioning accuracy obtained by the positioning accuracy detection means is notified to the user by the positioning accuracy notification means. While receiving route guidance by voice, it is possible to grasp the accuracy of the route guidance.

  In the present invention, the positioning accuracy notifying unit is configured by a light emitting unit, and in parallel with the operation of notifying the current position information detected by the positioning unit by a voice message from the voice output unit, the positioning accuracy detecting unit. The obtained positioning accuracy is notified to the user by the light emitting means. Thereby, since the route guidance is voice and the positioning accuracy is obtained by the light emitting means, the positioning accuracy at that time can be grasped while the route guidance is being executed, and a sense of security can be given to the user. .

  In the present invention, the light emitting means constituting the positioning accuracy notifying means may change the light emitting operation depending on whether the positioning accuracy obtained by the positioning accuracy detecting means is greater than or equal to a predetermined accuracy and less than the predetermined accuracy. I will let you. As a change mode of the light emission operation, the emission color can be changed according to the level of positioning accuracy, the blinking operation can be performed, or a combination thereof can be used. Thereby, the user can grasp the degree of positioning accuracy (high or low), and can provide more accurate route guidance and give a sense of security to the user.

  In the present invention, the positioning accuracy notifying unit is constituted by the voice output unit, and when the positioning accuracy obtained by the positioning accuracy detecting unit is equal to or higher than a predetermined accuracy, information on the current position detected by the positioning unit is obtained. While notifying by voice message from the voice output means, if the positioning accuracy obtained by the positioning accuracy detection means is less than the predetermined accuracy, information on the current position detected by the positioning means is voiced from the voice output means. The operation informed by the message is temporarily interrupted, and a warning that the positioning accuracy obtained by the positioning accuracy detecting means is low is notified from the voice output means to the user by a voice message. Thereby, when the positioning accuracy is low, not only can the route guidance information with a large error not be given to the user, but also the navigation device prevents the occurrence of a voice discontinuity state by stopping the notification operation of the current position, It is possible to prevent the user from feeling uneasy.

  According to the present invention, the positioning accuracy notifying unit includes a light emitting unit and the audio output unit, and when the positioning accuracy obtained by the positioning accuracy detecting unit is equal to or higher than a predetermined accuracy, the current position detected by the positioning unit If the positioning accuracy obtained by the positioning accuracy detecting means is less than the predetermined accuracy, the light emitting means corresponds to a situation where the positioning accuracy is low. It is turned on or blinking at the same time, and the operation of notifying the information of the current position detected by the positioning means by the voice message from the voice output means is temporarily interrupted, and the positioning accuracy obtained by the positioning accuracy detecting means is low. The warning is notified to the user by a voice message from the voice output means. As a result, when the positioning accuracy is low, not only the route guidance information with a large error can be prevented from being given to the user, but also the warning of the positioning accuracy is given by both audio and visual information, so that the user is more accurate. You can grasp.

  The present invention further includes map display means for displaying map information corresponding to the current position and a mark indicating the current position and the traveling direction, wherein the positioning accuracy notification means is constituted by a light emitting means, and the current detected by the positioning means. In parallel with the operation of notifying the position information by the voice message from the voice output means, the positioning accuracy obtained by the positioning precision detection means is notified to the user by the light emitting means. Thereby, even when the navigation apparatus performs route guidance by image display or other cases, the positioning accuracy can be notified to the user, and the reliability of the navigation apparatus can be improved. Further, instead of the map display means, there is provided an arrow mark display means for displaying only an arrow mark indicating the traveling direction of the vehicle, the positioning accuracy notification means is constituted by a light emitting means, and information on the current position detected by the positioning means In parallel with the operation of displaying the arrow mark on the arrow mark display means based on the above, the positioning accuracy obtained by the positioning accuracy detecting means can be notified to the user by the light emitting means. Thereby, when the navigation device having the arrow mark display means performs route guidance by the arrow mark display, the positioning accuracy can be notified to the user, and the reliability of the navigation device can be improved. Further, in the navigation device having the arrow mark display means, the positioning accuracy obtained by the positioning accuracy detection means is notified to the user by a voice message instead of notifying the user by the light emission means. You can also. As a result, it is possible to notify the user of the positioning accuracy by voice while performing route guidance using arrow mark display, and it is possible to achieve both improved reliability of the navigation device and safe driving.

  According to the present invention, the light emitting means constituting the positioning accuracy notifying means emits light between the case where the positioning accuracy obtained by the positioning accuracy detecting means is greater than or equal to a predetermined accuracy and the case where the positioning accuracy is less than the predetermined accuracy. The light emission operation is changed depending on whether the color is different or the blinking operation is performed. Thereby, the user can grasp the degree of positioning accuracy (high or low), and can provide more accurate route guidance and give a sense of security to the user.

  According to the present invention, the display unit has a function as a monitor of an operation other than the route guidance operation, and the positioning accuracy notification unit includes the voice output unit, and the positioning accuracy obtained by the positioning accuracy detection unit. When the accuracy is equal to or higher than a predetermined accuracy, information on the current position detected by the positioning unit is notified by a voice message from the voice output unit, while the positioning accuracy obtained by the positioning accuracy detection unit is less than the predetermined accuracy. In this case, the sound of the display means during the monitoring operation is lowered, and the operation of notifying the current position information detected by the positioning means by a voice message from the voice output means is temporarily suspended, and the positioning accuracy detecting means A warning that the positioning accuracy obtained by the above is low is notified to the user by a voice message from the voice output means.As a result, even when the monitor of the navigation device is operating for purposes other than route guidance by image display, the positioning accuracy can be clearly notified to the user, and the application range of the navigation device is expanded and the reliability is improved. be able to.

  According to the navigation device of the present invention, the user gazes at the map display screen as to whether or not the current position is measured with a predetermined accuracy or more and information is provided based on the positioning result. It can be recognized without. As a result, the positioning accuracy can be recognized without diverting the driver's attention elsewhere, and safe driving can be performed.

  In addition, since a map display display is not required, and processing of map information to be displayed on the display is not required, the navigation device can be reduced in size, and the data processing load can be reduced.

  Further, by incorporating a display unit for map display into the navigation device of the present invention, a navigation operation by voice can be executed while using the display unit of the navigation device as a monitor for operations other than route guidance. It is possible to expand the application range of.

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

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of an in-vehicle navigation device (hereinafter simply referred to as a navigation device) according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the navigation device according to the present embodiment has a device body 1 in which a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver, a vehicle speed sensor, a direction sensor, and the like are incorporated. The front surface of the apparatus main body 1 stores a power LED 2 that displays an on / off state of power, a positioning accuracy LED 3 that is a positioning accuracy notification means for notifying (or alarming) the positioning accuracy by a light emitting operation, and map information. An SD card slot 4 for inserting an SD card as an external auxiliary storage means and a remote control light receiving unit 5 for receiving a remote control signal for operating and setting the navigation device of the present embodiment are provided. A speaker 6 as an audio output unit is provided on the upper surface portion of the apparatus main body 1. The navigation device according to the present embodiment is not provided with a display unit such as a display, and route guidance is performed by voice.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal circuit configuration of the navigation device according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 2, 11 is an azimuth sensor composed of a geomagnetic sensor that outputs vehicle azimuth data based on geomagnetism (earth magnetic field) and an angular velocity sensor that detects the angular velocity of the vehicle, and 12 is a vehicle speed sensor that detects the travel distance of the vehicle. , 13 is a sensor signal processing unit for processing signals from the direction sensor 11 and the vehicle speed sensor 12, and the direction sensor 11, the vehicle speed sensor 12, and the sensor signal processing unit 13 constitute a self-contained navigation system for the vehicle. Reference numeral 14 denotes a GPS receiver that receives radio waves from a plurality of GPS satellites, performs calculations, and generates and outputs reception status such as latitude / longitude / altitude / traveling direction data and the number of satellites received. . 15 is a system control unit for performing various processes such as computation and control necessary for navigation operation, 16 is a keyboard for inputting instructions to the system control unit 15, an operation unit such as a remote control, and 17 is map information to the system control unit 15. A map information acquisition unit 18 for sending, an SD card as an external auxiliary storage means for storing the map information supplied to the map information acquisition unit 18, and a speaker 6 for performing voice processing for performing route guidance by voice. A voice processing unit 20 for outputting a voice message signal to the lighting unit 20 is a lighting processing unit for causing the positioning accuracy LED 3 to display the positioning accuracy based on the positioning accuracy detection signal from the system control unit 15. As the external auxiliary storage means for storing the map information, various storage media such as a CD and a DVD can be used in addition to the SD card 18.

  The system control unit 15 includes a current position detection unit 21 as a positioning unit that detects the current position of the vehicle based on detection signals from the direction sensor 11, the vehicle speed sensor 12, and the GPS receiver 14, and an instruction input from the operation unit 16. A route search unit 22 for searching for a route from the departure point to the destination, a voice processing control unit 23 for performing voice processing control for performing route guidance by voice during navigation operation, and positioning in the current position detection unit 21 And a positioning accuracy detection unit 24 for detecting whether or not the accuracy is good. The voice processing control unit 23 not only performs the route guidance by voice, but also performs voice processing control for notifying the positioning accuracy by voice, and outputs a message notifying the positioning accuracy from the speaker. May be.

  The operation of the navigation device having the above configuration will be described below.

(Route guidance operation)
FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the route guidance operation in the navigation device according to the present embodiment. When the power of the navigation device is turned on, the system control unit 15 is activated, and the map information acquisition unit 17 takes in the map information from the SD card 18 by the control operation and holds the data. On the other hand, each signal necessary for the independent navigation calculation is acquired from the direction sensor 11 and the vehicle speed sensor 12, and the reception data from the GPS satellite is acquired from the GPS receiver 14 (step ST1). The current position detection unit 21 performs a predetermined calculation from the data from the direction sensor 11 and the vehicle speed sensor 12 to calculate the vehicle position and the traveling direction, and compares the calculated information with the information from the GPS receiver 14. Then, the mutual error is adjusted to detect the current position of the vehicle (step ST2). The current position data detected by the current position detection unit 21 is sent to the voice processing control unit 23, and a route guidance operation is performed by the voice processing control unit 23 (step ST3). In this case, the voice processing control unit 23 generates a voice message that notifies the current position of the vehicle based on the map information held in the map information acquisition unit 17 and sends the voice message to the voice processing unit 19. The voice processing unit 19 outputs the voice message information and outputs a voice message for route guidance from the speaker 6.

Thereby, from a speaker, for example,
“I ’ll pass XX Street soon,”
A message such as “I will soon reach △△ Bridge” is output.

Further, when the departure point and the destination are input from the operation unit 16, the route search unit 22 performs a route search. As a result, in the route guidance operation,
A message such as “Turn right at the next intersection” is also output.

In the navigation device according to the present embodiment, route guidance is performed by voice and no display is used. Therefore, the voice message for the route guidance is comparable to the navigation device using the display for the route guidance. It is generated in detail as much as you want. After the route guidance operation in step ST3 is performed, the system control unit 15 checks whether or not the vehicle has arrived at the destination (step ST4). If the vehicle has not arrived at the destination, the routine returns to step ST1 to repeat the route guidance operation routine. On the other hand, if the vehicle has arrived at the destination, the series of processing ends. In step ST4, instead of checking whether or not the vehicle has arrived at the destination, it may be checked whether or not there has been an instruction to interrupt route guidance, or both processes may be combined. You may run back and forth.
(Positioning accuracy notification operation 1)
Next, the positioning accuracy notification operation will be described. This positioning accuracy notification operation is executed in parallel with the route guidance operation. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the positioning accuracy notification operation using the positioning accuracy LED 3 as the light emitting means in the navigation device according to the present embodiment. In this processing operation, the operation from step ST1 to step ST2 is the same as the operation from step ST1 to step ST2 in the above-described route guidance operation. In step ST <b> 2, output data from the current position detection unit 21 is sent to the voice processing control unit 23, and is also sent to the positioning accuracy detection unit 24. Therefore, the positioning accuracy notification operation after step ST2 is executed in parallel with the route guidance operation. The positioning accuracy detection unit 24 detects the accuracy of the current position data detected by the current position detection unit 21 based on the output data from the current position detection unit 21, and determines whether or not the positioning accuracy is accurate (step). ST5). In this determination operation, when the positioning accuracy is accurate, the lighting processing unit is instructed to perform normal lighting (step ST6). As a result, the positioning accuracy LED 3 lights up in a color indicating that the positioning accuracy is accurate. On the other hand, when the positioning accuracy is not accurate, the lighting processing unit 20 is instructed to turn on the warning (step ST7). As a result, the positioning accuracy LED 3 lights up or blinks in a color indicating that the positioning accuracy is not accurate. After the process in step ST6 or step ST7 ends, the system control unit 15 ends the positioning accuracy detection process 1 and repeats this series of processes at predetermined time intervals.

  Therefore, the route guidance operation is performed in combination with the positioning accuracy notification operation 1 to perform route guidance by voice, and the processing operation for performing the notification of the positioning accuracy in the meantime using the light emitting means such as the positioning accuracy LED 3 is executed. be able to. As the light emitting means, a normal lamp or the like can be used in addition to the LED.

  A plurality of types are set for the instruction of the lighting processing unit 20 and the lighting of the positioning accuracy LED 3 based on the instruction when the positioning accuracy is accurate and when it is not accurate. FIG. 5 is a chart showing examples of various lighting operations of the positioning accuracy LED 3. As is clear from this figure, the positioning accuracy LED 3 is 31 when not lit, 32 when lit green, 33 when blinking green, and 34 when lit red. When it is flashing red, 35 is set. When it is not lit, 31 indicates that the power is off. When it is lit in green, 32 indicates that the positioning accuracy of the detected current position is accurate when the current position detection operation is performed, and corresponds to the normal lighting in step ST6. When it is blinking in green, 33 indicates that the positioning by the GPS receiver 14 is performed when the current position detection operation is being performed, but the calculation result by the self-contained navigation is being corrected. When the light is red, 34 indicates that the current position is not measured when the current position detection operation is being performed. When flashing in red 35 indicates that the current position detection operation is being performed, after the abnormality of the vehicle speed pulse output from the vehicle speed sensor 12 is detected, the situation has not yet been recovered.

(Positioning accuracy notification operation 2)
FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a processing operation in which the voice processing unit 19 and the speaker 6 are also used for positioning accuracy notification in the navigation device according to the present embodiment. In this flowchart, the processing operation from step ST1 to step ST5 is the same as the processing operation of each step in the flowchart shown in FIG. If the positioning accuracy is accurate in the operation of determining whether the positioning accuracy is accurate in step ST5, the system control unit 15 immediately ends the positioning accuracy detection process 2 without performing the positioning accuracy notification operation by voice. To do. On the other hand, in the operation of determining whether or not the positioning accuracy is accurate in step ST3, if the positioning accuracy is not accurate, the voice processing control unit 23 is instructed to output a warning voice (step ST8). As a result, the voice processing control unit 23 switches the operation of the voice processing unit 19 from the previous route guidance operation to the positioning accuracy warning operation, and the voice processing unit 19 outputs a warning voice. Thereby, the voice output of the route guidance is temporarily stopped, and from the speaker 6, for example,
“Current positioning accuracy is slightly lower. Please be careful when driving.”
A voice message such as is output.

Also for this voice message, the content of the message may be changed depending on the degree of deterioration (or deterioration) of the positioning accuracy, as shown in FIG. 5 depending on the degree of positioning accuracy. For example, when the current position cannot be detected at a certain time,
A voice message such as “Current position cannot be measured.” Is output. "
And after the process of said step ST8 is complete | finished, the positioning precision detection process 2 is complete | finished. Further, the series of positioning accuracy detection processes are repeated at predetermined time intervals.

  Therefore, by performing the route guidance operation and the positioning accuracy notification operation 2 in combination or in cooperation, while performing the route guidance by voice, the positioning accuracy at that time is detected, while the positioning accuracy is accurate. The route guidance operation can be continued without performing the positioning accuracy notification operation. On the other hand, when the positioning accuracy is lowered, the route guidance operation is temporarily stopped, and instead, a processing operation for notifying by voice that the positioning accuracy is lowered can be executed.

(Embodiment 2)
The navigation device described in the first embodiment is of a type that does not have a display as a display means for performing route guidance and performs route guidance by voice. On the other hand, the navigation device according to the second embodiment proposes a navigation device that has a display as display means and performs route guidance by voice on the display.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an internal circuit configuration of the navigation device according to the present embodiment. Since the internal circuit configuration of the navigation device shown in FIG. 7 is basically the same as that of the navigation device of the first embodiment, only the different components will be described, and the common components will be the same. Detailed description will be omitted with reference numerals.

  The navigation device according to the present embodiment further includes a display unit 25 having a function of displaying the map information corresponding to the current position and the mark of the current position and the traveling direction on the navigation device according to the first embodiment. And a display control unit 26 that controls image display of the display unit 25. The display unit 25 is composed of a display such as a liquid crystal or a CRT. In addition, the display unit 25 has a function as a monitor that displays not only map information necessary for route guidance but also video such as a CD and a DVD by operation switching under the control of the system control unit 15.

The operation of the navigation device having the above configuration will be described below. In the present embodiment, a display navigation operation for displaying route information by displaying map information on the display unit and a voice navigation operation for performing route guidance by voice are realized by switching. When the navigation apparatus is powered on, when an operation other than the display navigation operation is being performed (for example, when no image is displayed on the display unit or a DVD image is displayed). In some cases, a voice navigation operation is performed. In the following description of the operation, the voice navigation operation and the positioning accuracy detection process during the operation will be described.
(Voice navigation operation [route guidance operation])
FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the voice navigation operation in the navigation apparatus according to the present embodiment. When the power of the navigation device is turned on, the system control unit 15 checks whether the display navigation operation is being executed as the current operation mode (step ST11). If the display navigation operation is not being executed in this check process, the map information acquisition unit 17 takes in the map information from the SD card 18 by the control operation of the system control unit 15 and holds the data. On the other hand, each signal necessary for the independent navigation calculation is acquired from the direction sensor 11 and the vehicle speed sensor 12, and the reception data from the GPS satellite is acquired from the GPS receiver 14 (step ST12). The current position detection unit 21 performs a predetermined calculation from the data from the direction sensor 11 and the vehicle speed sensor 12 to calculate the vehicle position and the traveling direction, and compares the calculated information with the information from the GPS receiver 14. Then, the current position of the vehicle is detected by adjusting the mutual error (step ST13).

  When the current position of the vehicle is detected, it is next checked whether or not the display unit 25 is performing a monitoring operation (step ST14). Here, that the display unit 25 is in a monitoring operation refers to a situation where the navigation apparatus according to the present embodiment is used as a monitor for displaying a playback image such as a CD or a DVD. Under this circumstance, it is normal that sound corresponding to the video is output along with the playback of the video, so it is checked whether or not the monitoring operation is being performed. Here, when the display unit 25 is not in a monitoring operation, the current position data detected by the current position detection unit 21 is sent to the voice processing control unit 23, and a route guidance operation is performed by the voice processing control unit 23 (step). ST15). On the other hand, when the display unit 25 is in the monitoring operation, the sound output by the display unit 25 by the monitoring operation is lowered (step ST16). When the sound is lowered, there is a method in which the sound for monitoring is completely turned off, or the sound for monitoring is reduced to such an extent that the voice of route guidance by voice can be sufficiently heard by the user. After performing the process of reducing the sound output from the display unit 25 by the monitor operation, the process proceeds to the process of step ST15.

  In the route guidance operation, the voice processing control unit 23 generates a voice message for notifying the current position of the vehicle based on the map information held in the map information acquisition unit 17 and sends the voice message to the voice processing unit 19. The voice processing unit 19 outputs the voice message information and outputs a voice message for route guidance from the speaker 6.

Thereby, from a speaker, for example,
“I ’ll pass XX Street soon,”
A message such as “I will soon reach △△ Bridge” is output.

Further, when the departure point and the destination are input from the operation unit 16, the route search unit 22 performs a route search. As a result, in the route guidance operation,
A message such as “Turn right at the next intersection” is also output. These route guidance operations are the same as the voice route guidance operations in the first embodiment.

In the voice navigation operation according to the present embodiment, the route guidance is performed by voice and no display is used. Therefore, the voice message for the route guidance is a navigation device in which the content of the route guidance uses the display. The content is generated to a level that is comparable to After the route guidance operation in step ST15 is performed, the system control unit 15 checks whether or not the vehicle has arrived at the destination (step ST16). If the vehicle has not arrived at the destination, the process returns to step ST11 to repeat the route guidance routine, while the series of processes ends when the vehicle has arrived at the destination. In step ST16, instead of checking whether or not the vehicle has arrived at the destination, it may be checked whether or not there has been an instruction to interrupt route guidance, or both processes may be combined. You may run back and forth. In step ST11, when it is determined that the display navigation operation is being executed as the current operation mode, the process directly proceeds to step ST16 in order to preferentially execute the display navigation operation, or immediately The processing operation is terminated.
(Positioning accuracy notification operation during voice navigation [voice warning])
FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining a positioning accuracy notification operation accompanied by a voice warning during execution of the voice navigation operation of the navigation device according to the present embodiment.

  In this operation, when the power of the navigation device is turned on, the map information acquisition unit 17 takes in the map information from the SD card 18 by the control operation of the system control unit 15 and holds the data. On the other hand, each signal necessary for the independent navigation calculation is acquired from the direction sensor 11 and the vehicle speed sensor 12, and the reception data from the GPS satellite is acquired from the GPS receiver 14 (step ST21). The current position detection unit 21 performs a predetermined calculation from the data from the direction sensor 11 and the vehicle speed sensor 12 to calculate the vehicle position and the traveling direction, and compares the calculated information with the information from the GPS receiver 14. Then, the current position of the vehicle is detected by adjusting the mutual error (step ST22).

  The positioning accuracy detection unit 24 receives the output data from the current position detection unit 21, detects the accuracy of the current position data detected by the current position detection unit 21, and determines whether or not the positioning accuracy is accurate (step ST23). ). In this determination operation, when the positioning accuracy is accurate, the system control unit 15 ends the positioning accuracy detection process without performing the positioning accuracy notification operation by voice. On the other hand, in the determination operation for determining whether or not the positioning accuracy is accurate in step ST23, if the positioning accuracy is not accurate, it is checked whether or not the display unit 25 is performing the monitoring operation (step ST24). Here, the content that the display unit 25 is performing the monitoring operation is the same as that described in the operation of FIG. If the display unit 25 is not in a monitoring operation, the audio processing control unit 23 is instructed to output a warning audio (step ST25), and then the positioning accuracy detection process is terminated. Thereby, the voice processing control unit 23 switches the operation of the voice processing unit 19 from the route guidance operation so far to the positioning accuracy warning operation, and the voice processing unit 19 outputs a warning voice. On the other hand, when the display unit 25 is in the monitoring operation, the sound output by the display unit 25 by the monitoring operation is lowered (step ST26). When the sound is lowered, there is a method in which the sound for the monitor operation is completely turned off, or the sound for the monitor operation is reduced to such an extent that the sound of the positioning accuracy warning by voice can be sufficiently heard by the user. After performing the process of reducing the sound output from the display unit 25 by the monitor operation, the process proceeds to step ST25.

When performing the positioning accuracy warning operation, the route guidance voice output is temporarily stopped, and the speaker 6 can, for example,
“Current positioning accuracy is slightly lower. Please be careful when driving.”
A voice message such as is output.

Also for this voice message, the content of the message may be changed depending on the degree of deterioration (or deterioration) of the positioning accuracy, as shown in FIG. 5 depending on the degree of positioning accuracy. For example, when the current position cannot be detected at a certain time,
A voice message such as “Current position cannot be measured.” Is output. "
And after the process of said step ST25 is complete | finished, a positioning precision detection process is complete | finished. Furthermore, the series of positioning accuracy detection processes described above are repeated at predetermined time intervals.

  Therefore, by executing the route guidance operation and the positioning accuracy notification operation during the voice navigation operation in combination or in cooperation with each other, the display unit 25 of the navigation device can be used as a monitor for DVD playback and the like. It is possible to continue the route guidance operation without performing the positioning accuracy notification operation while detecting the positioning accuracy at that time while performing the route guidance by voice in various ways. On the other hand, when the positioning accuracy is lowered, the voice output and route guidance operation of the monitor is temporarily stopped, and instead, a processing operation for notifying by voice that the positioning accuracy is lowered can be executed.

  Note that the positioning accuracy warning operation can also be displayed using a light emitting means such as the positioning accuracy LED 3 without depending on the sound. The display of the positioning accuracy using this light emitting means can be executed by the same method as described in the positioning accuracy notifying operation 1 in the first embodiment, and therefore the description is omitted in this embodiment. To do.

  Further, in the above description regarding the present embodiment, the display unit 25 functions as a monitor for displaying map information corresponding to the current position, a mark for the current position and the traveling direction, and a CD or a DVD. It has been described as having a function (ie, a map / video display). However, not only such a display function but also an arrow mark display means for displaying only an arrow mark indicating the traveling direction of the vehicle may be used for the display unit 25. This arrow mark display means is composed of a display having a size smaller than that of the map display. However, even in a navigation apparatus having such a display unit, notification of positioning accuracy is performed by light emitting means or by voice message. Thus, the effect of the present invention can be achieved. In a navigation apparatus using such an arrow mark display means, route guidance is performed with voice while the arrow mark is displayed on the display means, and positioning accuracy is determined by light emitting means or by voice output means. The operation to notify can be executed. In this case, when the positioning accuracy is notified by the voice output means, the driver does not need to visually confirm the positioning accuracy, which is useful for safe driving.

  Although the present invention has been described based on the preferred embodiments shown in the drawings, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be easily made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The present invention includes such modifications.

  The route guidance operation by the navigation device is performed by voice, which is useful for safe driving. Then, by notifying the driver of the positioning accuracy at the time of route guidance by the light emitting means or the voice output means, it is possible to ensure the reliability of the route guidance and avoid misidentification of the vehicle position and the like. In addition, when positioning accuracy is reduced and route guidance cannot be performed by voice, it is possible to relieve anxiety due to suspension of route guidance and to concentrate on driving by notifying the driver that the positioning accuracy has decreased. Is.

The perspective view which shows the external appearance structure of the vehicle-mounted navigation apparatus of Embodiment 1 of this invention. The block diagram which shows the circuit structure inside the navigation apparatus which concerns on the said Embodiment 1. FIG. Flowchart for explaining a route guidance operation in the navigation device according to the first embodiment. The flowchart explaining the positioning accuracy notification operation using the positioning accuracy LED in the navigation device according to the first embodiment. The table | surface which shows the example of various lighting operation | movement of positioning accuracy LED3 in the navigation apparatus which concerns on the said Embodiment 1. FIG. The flowchart explaining the processing operation which uses an audio | voice processing part and a speaker for a positioning precision notification in the navigation apparatus which concerns on the said Embodiment 1. FIG. The block diagram which shows the circuit structure inside the navigation apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. Flowchart for explaining voice navigation operation in the navigation device according to the second embodiment. The flowchart explaining the positioning accuracy notification operation accompanied by the voice warning during the voice navigation operation of the navigation device according to the second embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1 Main unit 2 Power LED
3 Positioning accuracy LED
4 SD card slot 5 Remote control light receiving unit 6 Speaker 11 Direction sensor 12 Vehicle speed sensor 13 Sensor signal processing unit 14 GPS receiver 15 System control unit 16 Operation unit 17 Map information acquisition unit 18 SD card 19 Audio processing unit 20 Lighting processing unit 21 Present Position detection unit 22 Route search unit 23 Voice processing control unit 24 Positioning accuracy detection unit 25 Display unit 26 Display control unit

Claims (12)

A navigation device comprising positioning means for detecting a current position of a vehicle, and voice output means for notifying a user of information on the current position detected by the positioning means by a voice message,
Positioning accuracy detecting means for calculating the positioning accuracy of the current position detected by the positioning means;
Positioning accuracy notification means for notifying the user of the positioning accuracy obtained by the positioning accuracy detection means;
Control means for controlling the positioning accuracy notification means based on the accuracy signal output from the positioning accuracy detection means,
While notifying the current position information detected by the positioning means from the voice output means by a voice message,
A navigation apparatus, wherein the positioning accuracy obtained by the positioning accuracy detecting means is notified to a user by the positioning accuracy notifying means.   The positioning accuracy notifying means is composed of light emitting means, and the positioning accuracy obtained by the positioning accuracy detecting means in parallel with the operation of notifying the current position information detected by the positioning means from the voice output means by a voice message. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting unit notifies the user.   The light emitting means constituting the positioning accuracy notifying means changes the light emitting operation between when the positioning accuracy obtained by the positioning accuracy detecting means is equal to or higher than a predetermined accuracy and when it is lower than the predetermined accuracy. The navigation device according to claim 2.   The light emitting means constituting the positioning accuracy notifying means is characterized in that the emission color is different when the positioning accuracy obtained by the positioning accuracy detecting means is equal to or higher than a predetermined accuracy and when it is lower than the predetermined accuracy. The navigation device according to claim 3.   5. The navigation device according to claim 3, wherein the light emitting means constituting the positioning accuracy notifying means performs a blinking operation when the positioning accuracy obtained by the positioning accuracy detecting means is less than a predetermined accuracy. . The positioning accuracy notification means is constituted by the voice output means,
When the positioning accuracy obtained by the positioning accuracy detection means is equal to or higher than a predetermined accuracy, the information on the current position detected by the positioning means is notified from the voice output means by a voice message,
When the positioning accuracy obtained by the positioning accuracy detecting means is less than the predetermined accuracy, the operation of notifying the current position information detected by the positioning means from the voice output means by a voice message is temporarily suspended, The navigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a warning that the positioning accuracy is low obtained by the positioning accuracy detection means is notified to the user by a voice message from the voice output means. The positioning accuracy notifying means includes a light emitting means and the sound output means,
When the positioning accuracy obtained by the positioning accuracy detection means is equal to or higher than a predetermined accuracy, the information on the current position detected by the positioning means is notified from the voice output means by a voice message,
When the positioning accuracy obtained by the positioning accuracy detection means is less than the predetermined accuracy, the light emitting means is lit or blinks in an emission color corresponding to a situation where the positioning accuracy is low, and the current position detected by the positioning means The operation of notifying the information from the voice output means by a voice message is temporarily interrupted, and a warning that the positioning accuracy obtained by the positioning precision detection means is low is notified to the user by a voice message from the voice output means. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein: Map display means for displaying map information corresponding to the current position and a mark indicating the current position and the traveling direction;
The positioning accuracy notifying means is composed of light emitting means, and the positioning accuracy obtained by the positioning accuracy detecting means in parallel with the operation of notifying the current position information detected by the positioning means from the voice output means by a voice message. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting unit notifies the user. It further comprises arrow mark display means for displaying only the arrow mark indicating the traveling direction of the vehicle,
The positioning accuracy notifying means is constituted by a light emitting means, and obtained by the positioning accuracy detecting means in parallel with the operation of displaying the arrow mark on the arrow mark display means based on the information of the current position detected by the positioning means. 2. The navigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the positioning accuracy is notified to the user by the light emitting means.   Instead of notifying the user of the positioning accuracy obtained by the positioning accuracy detecting means by the light emitting means, notifying the user of the positioning accuracy obtained by the positioning accuracy detecting means by a voice message. The navigation device according to claim 9, wherein:   Whether the light emitting means constituting the positioning accuracy notifying means makes the emission color different between the case where the positioning accuracy obtained by the positioning accuracy detecting means is equal to or higher than a predetermined accuracy and the case where the positioning accuracy is less than the predetermined accuracy. The navigation device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the light emitting operation is changed depending on whether the blinking operation is performed. The map display means has a function as an operation monitor other than the route guidance operation, and the positioning accuracy notification means is constituted by the voice output means,
When the positioning accuracy obtained by the positioning accuracy detection means is equal to or higher than a predetermined accuracy, the information on the current position detected by the positioning means is notified from the voice output means by a voice message,
When the positioning accuracy obtained by the positioning accuracy detection means is less than the predetermined accuracy, the sound of the display means during the monitoring operation is lowered, and information on the current position detected by the positioning means is sent from the sound output means. The operation of notifying by a voice message is temporarily interrupted, and a warning that the positioning accuracy obtained by the positioning accuracy detection means is low is notified from the voice output means to the user by a voice message. 9. The navigation device according to 8.

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