JP3748042B2 - Navigation device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a navigation device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a vehicle navigation apparatus having a route search or route guidance function, it is determined whether the vehicle is running or stopped, and if it is determined that the vehicle has changed from running to running, the point search character is used. The input screen is prohibited and the search screen is shifted to the map screen of the current location. When it is determined that the search is stopped, the character input prohibition is canceled and the character input is enabled.
[0003]
In addition, there is also known an apparatus that freezes the screen so as not to accept an input when the vehicle starts moving in the middle of input, and allows an input when the vehicle stops.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
When the vehicle is running, text entry is prohibited and the screen changes to the current location map. When the user inputs an intention to search when the vehicle stops, the initial screen of the search screen is displayed and character input is resumed. Previously entered information is erased and must be re-entered from the beginning.
In addition, when the vehicle starts to move, the screen will be frozen and no input will be accepted. If you manually display the map, the information you entered will be cancelled, and you will need to enter it again from the beginning. There is a need.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the present invention, the point input operation is not complicated by making use of the information input halfway on the search screen.
To that end, the present invention provides a determination means for determining travel / stop of a vehicle, an input means for inputting information for searching, a control means for controlling prohibition / permission of input in accordance with travel / stop of the vehicle, A storage unit that stores search history information while the vehicle is stopped; and a search unit that searches for points based on the search history information stored in the storage unit when the vehicle starts to travel. The display control means for displaying a map around the point searched by the search means when the vehicle is switched from stop to running.
[0006]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a navigation device according to the present invention. An input device 1 for inputting information relating to a search point and route guidance, a current position detecting device 2 for detecting information relating to the current position of the host vehicle, and a route Information storage device 3 in which navigation data necessary for calculation, display / voice guidance data necessary for route guidance, programs (applications and / or OSs), etc. are recorded, display / required for route search processing and route guidance Central processing unit 4 that performs voice guidance processing, and further controls the entire system, for example, information related to vehicle travel, such as road information and traffic information, detection of information related to the current position of the vehicle, and further information related to the current position It is composed of an information transmitting / receiving device 5 that transmits and receives information, and an output device 6 that outputs information related to a point input screen and route guidance. That.
[0007]
The input device 1 has a function of inputting a departure point and a destination, and instructing the central processing device 4 to perform a navigation process according to the driver's will. As a means for realizing the function, a remote controller such as a touch switch or jog dial for inputting a destination by an address, a telephone number, coordinates on a map, or requesting route guidance can be used. . Further, the present invention includes a device for performing dialogue by voice input, and functions as a voice input device. A recording card reader for reading data recorded on an IC card or a magnetic card can also be added. In addition, an information center that stores data necessary for navigation and provides information via a communication line at the request of the driver, and a portable type having data such as map data, destination data, simple maps, and building shape maps A data communication device for exchanging data with an information source such as an electronic device can be added.
[0008]
The current position detection device 2 obtains the current position information of the vehicle using a satellite navigation system (GPS), an absolute direction sensor that detects the traveling direction of the vehicle in an absolute direction by using, for example, geomagnetism, a vehicle For example, a steering sensor, a relative azimuth sensor that detects the relative azimuth by using a gyro sensor, for example, a distance sensor that detects the travel distance of the vehicle from the rotational speed of the wheel.
[0009]
The information storage device 3 is an external storage device that stores navigation programs and data, and includes, for example, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, or the like. The program includes a program for performing processing such as route search, a processing program shown in the flowchart described in the present embodiment, a display output control necessary for route guidance, a program for performing interactive guidance by voice input, and necessary for it A program for performing voice output control necessary for voice guidance and necessary data for voice guidance are stored. Map data to be stored includes search data used for route search (destination data, registration point data, road data, genre-specific data, etc.), and other guidance / display data (used for route guidance) Guidance data, display data used when displaying a map, map matching data used when detecting the current position, and the like, and all data necessary for the navigation device are stored. The present invention can also be applied to a type in which only data is stored in a CD-ROM and the program is stored in a central processing unit.
[0010]
The central processing unit 4 determines whether the vehicle is running / stopped, a search unit 11, search history information (information input on the search screen (for example, an address or telephone number), and a search that is being input from the initial search screen. A storage unit (RAM) 12 for storing search results based on a series of screen connections to the screen) and information in the middle of input, and displaying search history information stored when the vehicle stops on the search screen, When the vehicle starts traveling, it is searched based on the information input so far, and includes a control unit 14 including a display control unit 13 that changes the display screen to the point setting screen or the current location map screen according to the search result In addition to route search processing, route guidance information output control, control of information output to the output device, a CPU that executes various arithmetic processing, and a CD-ROM of the information storage device 3 Flash memory, the flash memory program checks to store read the ram, ROM for storing a program to perform the update process (program reading means), the point coordinates of a set destination, road name code No. The RAM is a RAM that temporarily stores searched route guidance information and the like and data being processed. In addition to this, although not shown in the figure, dialogue processing by voice input from the input device 1 is performed, or voice, phrase read out from the information storage device 3 based on a voice output control signal from the CPU is one. A speech processor that synthesizes a set of sentences, sounds, etc., converts them into analog signals and outputs them to a speaker, a communication interface for exchanging input / output data by communication, and a sensor input interface for capturing sensor signals of the current position detection device 2 In addition, it has a clock for entering date and time in internal diagnosis information. Note that a program for performing the above-described update processing may be stored in an external storage device.
[0011]
The program according to the present invention and other programs for executing navigation may all be stored in a CD-ROM which is an external storage medium, or a part or all of these programs may be stored in the ROM 42 on the main body side. Good. Various navigation functions are realized by inputting data and programs stored in the external storage medium as external signals to the central processing unit of the navigation apparatus main body and performing arithmetic processing.
[0012]
In addition, the program according to the present invention, other programs for executing navigation, and part or all of the map data are transmitted from an information center (Internet server, navigation server) to a plurality of base stations (Internet provider terminals and vehicles). To the connected communication station). Then, the central processing unit 4 on the terminal side receives information transmitted from the base station by the information transmitting / receiving device, downloads it to a readable / writable memory (for example, RAM, flash memory, hard disk) in the central processing unit 4 and programs By executing the above, various navigation functions may be realized. Here, the program may be stored in a flash memory, and the map data may be stored in a separate readable / writable memory so that the map data is stored in a RAM, or may be stored in the same readable / writable memory. May be. Alternatively, a part or all of the program and map data can be downloaded from an information center to a removable storage medium (for example, a memory stick or a floppy disk) from a home personal computer, and the storage medium is connected to the central processing unit 4 to store the storage medium. Various navigation functions may be realized by executing the program.
[0013]
The navigation device of the present invention reads a program from a CD-ROM of an external storage device as described above, or performs a startup process of a relatively large-capacity flash memory and CD for reading a program downloaded from an information center or the like. A small-capacity ROM storing a program (program reading means) is incorporated. The flash memory is a non-volatile storage means that retains stored information even when the power is turned off. Then, as a CD start-up process, a program of ROM that is a program reading means is activated and the program stored in the flash memory is checked, and the CD management information of the CD-ROM of the information storage device 3 is read. The program loading process (update process) is performed based on this information and the state of the flash memory.
[0014]
The information transmitter / receiver 5 uses a satellite navigation system (GPS) to obtain current position, date, time information, etc., and obtains traffic information, etc. using FM multiplex broadcasting, radio wave beacons, optical beacons, etc. By using a VICS information receiving device, a mobile phone, a personal computer, etc., a data transmitting / receiving device for bidirectionally communicating information with an information center (for example, ATIS) and other vehicles is used.
[0015]
The output device 6 has a function of outputting guidance information by voice and / or a screen when the driver needs it, and printing out data subjected to navigation processing by the central processing unit 4. For this purpose, input data is displayed on the screen, a display that displays a route guidance screen, a printer that prints out data processed by the central processing unit 4 or data stored in the information storage unit 3, and voice guidance for route guidance. A speaker for output is provided.
[0016]
The display is composed of a simple liquid crystal display, etc., and an enlarged intersection map screen, an enlarged branch map screen based on map data and guide data processed by the central processing unit 4, a current route during traveling, and a new search Route information, destination information on each route, destination name, time, distance, direction arrow, anthropomorphized character image, and the like are displayed. Since the image data sent to the display is binary image data (bitmap data), a communication line used for serial communication or the like is used instead of a dedicated image signal line. A communication line can also be used. The display is provided with a memory that temporarily holds bitmap data.
[0017]
This display is provided in an instrument panel in the vicinity of the driver's seat, and the driver can check the current location of the host vehicle and obtain information on the route from now on by looking at the display. Alternatively, a tablet including a touch panel, a touch screen, or the like may be used as a display screen of the display, and a point input, a road input, or the like may be performed by touching the screen or tracing the screen. In this embodiment, search history information during stoppage (information input on the search screen (for example, address, telephone number, etc.) and a series of screen connection information from the initial search screen to the search screen in the middle of input) Is stored in the RAM, and the search screen is changed to the point setting screen or the current location map screen according to the result of the search based on the stored contents at the start of traveling, and the search screen stored during the input when the vehicle stops. So that the search screen operation is not complicated.
[0018]
The overall system flow of the navigation device of the present invention will be described. When a program is read from the information storage device 3 to the central processing unit 4 and a route guidance program is started, the current position detection device 2 detects the current position. In addition to displaying the map around the current position, the name of the current position and the like are displayed. Next, a destination is set using a target name such as a place name or facility name, a telephone number or address, a registration point, a road name, etc., and a route search from the departure position to the destination is performed. When the route is determined, route guidance is performed while tracking the current position by the current position detection device 2.
[0019]
Next, screen control when the vehicle travels and stops when the display screen is the search screen will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a processing flow of screen control when it is determined that the vehicle has switched from stop to running, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a processing flow of screen control when it is determined that the vehicle has stopped, and FIG. As a result of the search, a screen transition diagram when a point is searched, and FIG. 5 is a screen transition diagram when a point is not searched as a result of the search.
[0020]
When the vehicle travels in the middle of inputting information (address, telephone number, etc.) for searching on the search screen, as shown in FIG. It is determined whether or not there is an input (step S1). If there is an input even halfway, a search process is performed based on the content (step S2), and it is determined whether or not the map can be displayed as a result of the search. (Step S3). This judgment is
(1) When a point is searched by search information (address, telephone number, etc.) in the middle of input, it is determined that a map can be displayed, and when it is not searched, it is determined that a map cannot be displayed.
(2) If the search information (address, telephone number, etc.) in the middle of input is information that searches for a representative point in the prefecture or region, a map display is impossible, and a representative point in the administrative division below the city is searched. In the case of information to be performed, it is determined that map display is possible.
Either of these may be used. And if a map is displayable, it will change to a point setting screen and will display a map (step S4). When the user specifies a point using this map (a map displayed based on the searched point and surrounding the point) (set as a destination, register as a memory point, etc.), it is stored. Search results based on search history information or information being input may be deleted from the memory. In addition, when the scale of the searched map is changed or a point other than the searched point is specified by scrolling, the point is specified using the searched map. If there is no search input in step S2, and there is no map that can be displayed in step S3, the current location map screen is displayed and a map is displayed (step S5).
[0021]
When the vehicle stops, as shown in FIG. 3, the search results stored in the memory and the search results based on the information in the middle of reading are read out, and a transition is made to the screen interrupted in the middle of the input (step S11). ).
[0022]
Note that the vehicle travel / stop determination may be any of the following.
(1) Judgment is made based on whether the vehicle speed is 0 or other than 0, and 0 is set to stop. (2) Judgment is made based on whether the vehicle speed is equal to or higher than the fine speed. If the speed is less than 5 km / h, the vehicle is stopped. .
(3) Judge whether the parking brake is on or off, and turn it off.
(4) Judgment is made based on whether the shift range of the automatic transmission is P (parking) or N (neutral), and P or N is stopped.
[0023]
In FIG. 4, when it is determined that the vehicle has traveled when “Okazaki City, Aichi Prefecture” is entered in the search by address, a map of Okazaki City searched for “Okazaki City, Aichi Prefecture” is displayed, and the vehicle stops. If it is determined that the search has been performed, the screen transitions to a search screen that has been input up to “Okazaki City, Aichi Prefecture”. In addition, if it is determined that the vehicle has traveled when the phone number is entered up to “05652887”, a representative map of the station number 0565-28 (map near Yamanote, Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture) is displayed and the vehicle stops. If it is determined that the search has been performed, the screen shifts to a search screen in which “05652887” is input. The searched map will be displayed while driving, but in this embodiment, the set (key for designating a point), wide area, details, and a scroll instruction key that is not on the screen are input even while driving. It is supposed to be possible.
[0024]
Further, in FIG. 5, if it is determined that the vehicle has traveled before inputting anything on the address search screen, a map around the current location is displayed. If it is determined that the vehicle has stopped, the address input screen is displayed. To do. In addition, if it is determined that the vehicle has traveled when “0902351” is entered in the search by telephone number, the information being entered is a mobile phone number, so it is determined that the search is not possible, and a map around the current location is displayed. If it is displayed and it is determined that the vehicle is stopped, the screen transitions to a search screen in which "0902351" is entered.
[0025]
In the above example, search history information is stored, but a search result in the middle of a search may also be stored. For example, when the user wants to search for “Yamada Shoten”, after entering “Yamadashi”, when the vehicle starts running, the number of searches to “Yamadashi” (for example, 50), the name of the search result, The position and the like may also be stored. Further, when the vehicle starts to travel in the middle of the search based on the input information, the search up to the input position may be performed and stored on the back while displaying a map around the current position.
[0026]
【The invention's effect】
As is apparent from the above description, the present invention provides a determination means for determining travel / stop of a vehicle, an input means for inputting information for searching, and prohibition / permission of input according to the travel / stop of the vehicle. Control means and storage means for storing search history information, and the control means displays a map when the vehicle is switched from the stop to the travel, and when the vehicle is switched from the travel to the stop By having the display control means for displaying the search screen based on the history information stored in the storage means, the point information input halfway can be utilized without being wasted, and can be used to eliminate the complexity of the input operation. .
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a navigation device according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a processing flow of screen control when it is determined that a vehicle has traveled on a search screen.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a processing flow of screen control when it is determined that the vehicle has stopped.
FIG. 4 is a screen transition diagram when a point is searched as a result of search.
FIG. 5 is a screen transition diagram when a point is not searched as a result of the search.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Input device, 2 ... Current position detection device, 3 ... Information storage device, 4 ... Central processing unit, 5 ... Information transmission / reception device, 6 ... Output device, 11 ... Running / stop determination part, 12 ... Search process storage part, 13 ... Display control unit, 14 ... Search point input control unit.

Claims (4)

Determining means for determining whether the vehicle is running / stopping;
An input means for inputting information for searching;
Control means for controlling prohibition / permission of input in accordance with running / stopping of the vehicle;
Storage means for storing search history information while the vehicle is stopped ;
Search means for searching for a point based on search history information stored in the storage means when the vehicle starts to travel ;
The navigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means includes display control means for displaying a map around the spot searched by the search means when the vehicle is switched from stop to running. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the display control means displays a search screen based on history information stored in the storage means when the vehicle is switched from running to stop. Wherein the display control unit, a navigation device according to claim 1, wherein displaying the map around the current position on condition that the point is not found by the searching means. 3. The navigation according to claim 1, wherein the control unit deletes search history information stored in the storage unit when a point is set on a map around the searched point. 4. apparatus.

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