JP3805397B2 - Navigation destination position information expression device for navigation - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial application fields]
In the present invention, when setting a destination or the like, a method for reading out and using the destination position information from information recorded on a map information storage medium (CD-ROM) or the like, and various communication means are used. The present invention relates to a navigation system for an automobile or the like using a method for obtaining information on a position from the outside. In particular, the present invention relates to an information expression format that improves the accuracy of position information of a destination when the destination is set.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Navigation is a system that has road map information and the like, displays a current position on a screen together with a map, and guides a route to a destination selected and set by a driver by screen display or voice.
Conventionally, when a driver sets a destination, there are various methods as follows. For example, when information is stored for each type of famous amusement park, golf course, hotel, etc. in the map record data portion of the navigation system, it can be set by selecting a desired destination from the menu format. . Also, if the desired destination is not stored as individual information in the recording medium, such as in an acquaintance's house, the address etc. is selected from the menu, the map is displayed on the screen, and the driver himself presses the cursor key. The designated position can be arbitrarily set by operating and moving the designated position.
[0003]
In addition, as a system that uses automobile telephones or business radios to communicate information with infrastructure equipment and receive the information, taxi, delivery trucks, etc., as in JP-A-5-181866, Therefore, a system for transmitting information related to the next destination by various communication means has been proposed. It is expected that these systems will eventually be developed into systems for general vehicles using car phones and road-to-vehicle communications.
[0004]
As described above, setting the destination is an important function for the navigation system, and naturally, it is required to have high accuracy.
Here, when information is stored in the map record data part of the navigation system for each type of famous amusement park, golf course, hotel, etc., the location accuracy of the destination is set in accordance with the accuracy of the map. . When the driver himself operates the cursor key to set the destination position while viewing the map, the accuracy of the destination position information is mainly determined only by the driver's own operation.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in general, when the location information related to the destination such as a vacation place or golf course is stored together with the map information, the driver extracts the location information of the destination and sets the destination information. Can be set. This position accuracy is determined only depending on the information accuracy originally recorded. At this time, if the destination is large, such as an amusement park or golf course, if you can reach the surroundings, the facility will be noticeable and you will check the parking lot and the entrance guide plate to reach the destination accurately. can do.
[0006]
However, if the destination is a restaurant in a building, a small store, or an acquaintance's house in a residential area, the destination is not conspicuous in the vicinity, so the current location accuracy can reach the vicinity of the destination. However, there is a problem that the exact position of the destination (for example, in front of the entrance of the restaurant) cannot be reached. This is because, in a situation where roads in urban areas are close to each other, it is unclear on which side of which road the destination exists only with the exact position coordinates of the destination. For this reason, the driver will roam around the destination.
[0007]
In other words, the driver does not want the accuracy of the coordinates of the destination, but on the map displayed on the screen, which road, how far away from a certain intersection, which side, which side It wants information on whether it is (right side, left side, end), and accurate coordinate position information is not necessarily accurate information for any map information.
[0008]
Next, when the map information and the position information of the destination are created by the same manufacturer, the position information of the destination can be optimally set as described above in accordance with the accuracy of the map information.
However, in a system that uses automobile telephones or road-to-vehicle communications to send information about the location of a desired destination from infrastructure equipment, the map information provided for each unspecified number of navigations varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. Further, since the position information of the destination to be transmitted does not necessarily have an accuracy suitable for each, it becomes a further serious problem.
[0009]
Therefore, in the present invention, in view of the above-described problems, even when roads are close to each other or when position information of a destination is transmitted from the outside to an unspecified number of navigation devices, the position of the destination is more finely defined. An object of the present invention is to provide a navigation destination position information expression device capable of improving the position specifying accuracy of a destination on a map of a large number of unspecified vehicles.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In the present invention, in a navigation system that has map information storage means and displays the current position on a map, reference position information recording means for storing in advance landmarks around the destination as reference position information;
As the relative position information of the landmark locations and destination, and information of the destination direction and the relative distance as seen from the landmark locations, the relative positional relation information recording means for storing the direction information contact destination with respect to the road is provided. Position information representation means processes the relative position information based on a reference position information representing the relative positional relationship between the landmark locations and destination on the map.
[0012]
Further, the relative positional relationship between the information recording unit may store the relative position information for a plurality of landmarks locations.
Moreover, you may receive the positional information on the destination from the outside.
[0014]
[Action]
According to the present invention, the reference position information recording means for storing the landmarks around the destination in advance as reference position information, and the relative position information of the destination and the landmark as relative to the direction of the destination as viewed from the landmark. the distance information and the relative positional relation information recording means for storing the direction information contact destination is provided for the road, position information representation means on the map by processing the relative position information based on a reference position information By expressing the relative positional relationship between the destination and the landmark, the location information of the destination can be expressed more accurately with respect to the map information prepared for each manufacturer's navigation device. In addition, the range of application is expanded by using the relative position information with respect to a plurality of landmarks.
[0016]
【Example】
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a navigation destination position information expression apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, a navigation destination position information expression device mounted on a vehicle includes an external information storage medium 1 in which map information and destination information are stored together in a CD-ROM or the like, and data information from now on. Is provided in the navigation main body 2.
[0017]
The navigation body 2 is connected to a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiving means 31, a display 32, and an operation switch 33. Then, the navigation body 2 calculates the optimum route based on the current position calculation means 21 for calculating the current position based on the input data from the GPS reception means 31, the initial position data of the vehicle, the position data of the destination, and the road map data. The route search means 22 for searching for the vehicle, the guidance control means 23 for performing the guidance control of the vehicle based on the current position data of the vehicle and the position data of the destination, and the input for inputting the position data of the destination of the vehicle from the operation switch 33 From the means 24, the display control means 25 for controlling the road map data and the current position data of the vehicle to be scroll-displayed on the display 32 sequentially in accordance with the progress of the vehicle heading to the destination, and the external information storage medium 1. External information reading means 26 for reading out the external information, current position calculation means 21, route search means 22, guidance control means 23, input means 24, display Control means 25 comprises a main control device 27 for controlling the external information reading means 26. Further, the overall control means 27 is provided with destination position information expression means 41 described later.
[0018]
The external information storage medium 1 is configured on a CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory) and is generally commercially available, and stores information on maps and destinations.
The external information recording medium 1 will be described in more detail. The external information storage medium 1 stores map information storage means 11 that stores information such as road shapes and place names, and information and position information on resorts, golf courses, hotels, restaurants, etc. as coordinate values. And destination information storage means 12. The destination information storage unit 12 includes a reference position information recording unit 13 and a relative positional relationship information recording unit 14.
[0019]
The reference position information recording means 13 has the position information of the destination and the landmark as coordinates as reference position information.
The relative positional relationship information recording means 14 stores the relative positional relationship information between the destination and the road and the relative positional relationship information between the destination and the landmark.
FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining information stored in the destination information storage means 12 of FIG. As shown in this figure (a), when the side roads B, C, and D are out of the main road A and the destination display is on the building at the position of X, when the vehicle comes from the main road A, In the method, one of the side roads B and C must be selected. For this reason, even if the destination position information itself is accurate, it is not accurate information for the navigation device as described above.
[0020]
As shown in this figure (b), if the reference position is the destination position itself, the relative positional relationship information recording means 14 determines the direction information in contact with the surrounding road, for example, the entrance of the building X as the destination. Since it is in contact with either road B or C, the direction in contact with the road (arrow in the figure) is stored as relative positional relationship information. For example, when the destination is a building street, the direction information indicating which side of the road a restaurant or small store in the building street is stored is stored. Or the relative positional relationship information recording means 14 may memorize | store the road name in which the position of the destination touches a surrounding road, for example, the name of the road C.
[0021]
As shown in FIG. 4C, the relative positional relationship information recording means 14 sets the landmark a as a relatively large intersection with a traffic signal that serves as a landmark around the destination if the reference position is the landmark. Simple route information from the place of mark to the destination, for example, the relative positional relationship information indicating which direction is entered, how much distance is advanced, and on which side is stored. Furthermore, the relative positional relationship information recording means 14 may be a combination of a plurality of the above route information. This is because it is possible to provide not only a simple route but also a winding route information. As described above, it is conceivable to receive location information of a destination even in road-to-vehicle communication and communication using a telephone line, which are expected to be put to practical use in the future. At this time, since the accuracy of the map information provided in each navigation device is different for each manufacturer and different from the actual road shape, the location information of the destination to be transmitted does not have an accuracy suitable for each. Further, when the destination is from the main road, even a fine road is not displayed on the screen depending on the scale of the map information. This is also effective in such cases.
[0022]
In the above embodiment, the information medium is a CD-ROM external information medium. However, the same effect can be obtained by using an internal information medium such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) incorporated in the navigation main body. In this case, the location of the acquaintance's house in the residential area, the direction information indicating which side of the acquaintance's house faces the road, and the like can be stored via the operation switch 33.
[0023]
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining information read from the destination information storage means 12 of FIG. This figure (a) shows the example of position expression data in case the reference position in the case of FIG. 2 (b) is the destination itself. FIG. 2B shows an example of position expression data when the reference position in the case of FIG.
Therefore, a case where the destination information relating to the destination is read from the external information storage medium 1 in which the map information and the destination information of FIG. 1 are stored together will be described below.
[0024]
4 and 5 are flowcharts for explaining the data processing operation of the destination position information expression means 41 in FIG. 1 (No. 1 and No. 2).
In step S100, first, a process for recognizing and confirming the name of the destination is performed.
In step S101, it is automatically determined from the contents of the header portion indicating the information format whether the reference position information is information related to “destination” or “marking place”, and the reference position is “destination”. If YES in step S111, the process advances to step S111. If YES in step S111, the process advances to step S121.
[0025]
If the reference position information is “destination” in step S111, a process of recognizing the coordinate position of “destination” as the position on the map is performed.
In step S112, it is automatically determined from the information format header contents whether the relative information is “the direction of contact with the road” or “the name of the road that is in contact with”. In the case of “contact road name”, the process proceeds to step S116.
[0026]
In step S113, a process for recognizing the road connected to the “destination” from the “direction of contact with the road” information is performed.
In step S114, a process of recognizing which side of the road is in contact is performed.
In step S115, a process for recognizing the right or left side of the road or the end of the road is performed, and the relative positional relationship is expressed on the map at the same time as the “destination” position. The process of recognizing them is performed, and all the processes are finished.
[0027]
In step S116, processing for recognizing the road connected to the “destination” from the road name information is performed.
In step S117, a process of recognizing which side of the road is in contact is performed.
In step S118, a process of recognizing whether the road is in contact with the left or right side of the road or the end of the road is performed, and the relative positional relationship is expressed on the map simultaneously with the position of the “destination”. The process of recognizing them is performed, and all the processes are finished.
[0028]
In step S121, when the reference position information is “marking place”, a process of recognizing the coordinate position of “marking place” as the position on the map is performed.
In step S122, it is automatically determined from the information format contents whether the relative information relates to “a simple route in contact with the direction and relative distance” or “a combination route”. In the case of the relative positional relationship expression of “simple path in the direction in contact with the direction and relative distance”, the process proceeds to step S123, and in the case of the relative positional relation expression of “combination path”, the process proceeds to step S126.
[0029]
In step S123, a recognition process for a road connected to the “marking place” is performed.
In step S124, a process of recognizing the relative distance away from the “marking place” on the road is performed.
In step S125, the process of recognizing the “contact direction” such as the right and left of the road and the end of the road is performed, the relative positional relationship is expressed on the map simultaneously with the position of the “destination”, and the process ends.
[0030]
In step S126, recognition processing of the road connected to the “marking place” is performed.
In step S127, processing for recognizing a relative distance away from the “marking place” on the road is performed.
In step S128, it is determined whether there is “direction change information”. If there is a direction change, steps S126 and S127 are repeated, and the relative distance away from the connected road is sequentially recognized. The process proceeds to step S129.
[0031]
In step S129, a process of recognizing the “contact direction” such as the right and left of the road and the end of the road is performed, and the relative positional relationship is expressed on the map simultaneously with the position of the “destination”. The process of recognizing is performed, and all the processes are terminated.
In the above embodiment, the location information of the destination is obtained from the external information storage medium 1. However, for example, when the driver himself / herself wants to set a specific destination such as an acquaintance's home, When a driver sets his / her home as a destination, the driver himself / herself decides what to select as reference position information or relative positional relationship information, and stores the acquaintance's house or home as a new destination. Also good. Thereby, it becomes possible to express the position information of the destination more finely and more accurately than the setting only on the map.
[0032]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, in advance and stored for the reference position information recording means, as the relative position information of the landmark locations and destination, the destination direction and the relative viewed from landmark locations landmarks locations in the periphery of the destination as the reference position information the distance information and the relative positional relation information recording means for storing the direction information contact destination is provided for the road, position information representation means on the map by processing the relative position information based on a reference position information Since the relative positional relationship between the destination and the landmark is expressed, the positional information of the destination can be expressed more accurately with respect to the map information prepared in each manufacturer's navigation device .
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an apparatus for representing location information of a navigation destination according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining information stored in a destination information storage unit 12 in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining information read from the destination information storage unit 12 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a data processing operation of a destination position information expression unit 41 in FIG. 1 (part 1);
FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the data processing operation of the destination position information expression means 41 of FIG. 1 (part 2);
[Explanation of symbols]
11 ... Map information storage means 13 ... Reference position information recording means 14 ... Relative positional relationship information recording means 41 ... Position information expression means

Claims (3)

In a navigation system having map information storage means and displaying the current position on a map,
Reference position information recording means for preliminarily storing landmarks around the destination as reference position information;
As the relative position information of the landmark locations and destination, and the destination direction and the relative distance information as seen from the landmark locations, the relative positional relation information recording means for storing the direction information contact destination for the road,
Navigation destination location information representation device, characterized in that it comprises a position information representation means for the reference position information to process the relative positional information based on representing the relative positional relationship between the destination and landmarks locations on a map . 2. The navigation destination position information expression device according to claim 1, wherein the relative position relationship information recording means stores relative position information with respect to a plurality of landmarks.   3. The navigation destination position information expression apparatus according to claim 1, wherein position information of the destination is received from outside.

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