JP4241214B2 - Navigation system and program - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a navigation system and a program.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, in a navigation device, for example, a current position of a vehicle, that is, a current position, is detected by GPS (Global Positioning System), and a rotation angular velocity of a vehicle detected by a gyro sensor, that is, based on a turning angle, The direction of the vehicle, that is, the vehicle direction is detected, map data is read from the data recording unit, a map screen is formed on the display unit, and the current location, a map around the current location, and the vehicle direction are displayed on the map screen. It is displayed. Therefore, the driver who is an operator can drive the vehicle according to the current location displayed on the map screen, the map around the current location, and the direction of the vehicle.
[0003]
Further, when the driver inputs a destination and sets search conditions, a route from the departure point to the destination represented by the current location is searched based on the search conditions. The searched route, that is, the searched route is displayed together with the current location and the destination on the searched route display screen formed on the display of the display unit. Therefore, the driver can drive the vehicle according to the displayed search route.
[0004]
By the way, the navigation device includes a communication unit, and provides a navigation system that can communicate with an information center through the communication unit while driving a vehicle and receive information such as news. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).
[0005]
In the navigation system, for example, the navigation device and an information center are connected, and the information center provides the navigation device with the information. When the navigation device receives the information, the navigation device forms a predetermined display screen on the display of the display unit, displays the information on the display screen using characters, images, etc., and provides the information to the driver. .
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-109771 A
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional navigation system, when the information is transmitted, the navigation device automatically forms a predetermined display screen and displays the information on the display screen. It is difficult to recognize the provided information when the driver concentrates on the operation of the vehicle, the understanding of the surrounding situation, etc., as in the case of traveling at the point where the change is made.
[0008]
It is an object of the present invention to provide a navigation system and a program that can solve the problems of the conventional navigation system and can reliably recognize the provided information.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
Therefore, in the navigation system of the present invention, the search route is divided into a plurality of regions according to information acquisition processing means for acquiring a plurality of information and information recognition ease indicating the ease of recognition of information by the driver, Information providing area setting processing means for setting each area as a plurality of types of information providing areas, and information selection processing means for classifying each of the plurality of information and selecting information belonging to the corresponding type for each information providing area And information construction processing means for allocating information that can be provided for each of the plurality of areas and constructing information to be provided to the driver.
[0014]
In the program of the present invention, the computer divides the search route into a plurality of regions according to information acquisition processing means for acquiring a plurality of information, information recognition ease indicating the ease of information recognition by the driver, Information provision area setting processing means for setting an area as a plurality of types of information provision areas, information selection processing means for classifying each of the plurality of information, and selecting information belonging to a corresponding type for each of the information provision areas, and Information that can be provided is assigned to each area, and functions as information construction processing means for constructing information to be provided to the driver.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0016]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a navigation system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0017]
In the figure, 61 is a personal computer as a user terminal, 62 is an information center as an information provider, and the personal computer 61 and the information center 62 are connected via a network 43. The information center 62 establishes a site for providing various types of information in addition to the navigation data representing the navigation information on the server of a predetermined provider.
[0018]
Reference numeral 14 denotes a navigation device as an in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle. The navigation device 14 includes a navigation processing unit 17, a data recording unit 16 as an information recording unit, a communication unit 38, and the like. The navigation device 14, the network 43, the personal computer 61, the information center 62, etc. constitute a navigation system.
[0019]
The personal computer 61 includes a CPU 71 as an arithmetic device and a control device, a display unit 72 as a notification device for notifying an operator of various information, an operation unit 73, a recording device 74, a communication unit 75, and the like. The communication unit 75 includes a modem (not shown) for connecting the personal computer 61 to the information center 62, an access point (not shown) for connecting the personal computer 61 to the navigation device 14 via the communication unit 38, and the like. .
[0020]
In the present embodiment, the CPU 71 is used as the arithmetic device and the control device, but an MPU or the like can be used instead of the CPU 71. The display unit 72 may be a display such as a CRT display, a liquid crystal display, or a plasma display.
[0021]
As the operation unit 73, a keyboard, a mouse, or the like can be used, and a touch panel formed on the display can also be used. A bar code reader, a remote control device for remote operation, a joystick, a light pen, a stylus pen, or the like can also be used. In the touch panel, an operation area such as various keys, switches, and buttons is formed on the display, and input can be performed by touching (pressing) the operation area.
[0022]
In addition to the built-in RAM, ROM, flash memory and the like as an internal storage device, the recording device 74 is provided with a recording medium and a hard disk as an external storage device. As the recording medium and the external storage device, a flexible disk, magnetic tape, magnetic drum, CD-ROM, CD-R, MD, DVD, optical disk, MO, IC card, optical card, memory card, etc., instead of a hard disk Can also be used. In order to use the hard disk, the recording device 74 is provided with a reading device for reading data recorded on the hard disk and a writing device for recording data.
[0023]
In the present embodiment, a personal computer 61 is used as the user terminal. Instead of the personal computer 61, an electronic notebook, a mobile phone, a mobile terminal, a PDA (personal personal digital assistant), a television set is used. A device that can be connected to the network 43 and can perform two-way communication, such as a telephone or a game machine, can also be used.
[0024]
The information center 62 includes a server 63, a database (DB) 64 that is connected to the server 63 and records navigation data. The database 64 includes a map data file in which map data for displaying a map is recorded, a search data file in which search data for searching for a route is recorded, and a facility data file in which facility data relating to various facilities are recorded. Etc. A data file such as a road data file, an intersection data file, and a node data file is formed in the map data file, and road data representing information on each road (road link) is stored in the road data file. Intersection data representing information is recorded in the node data file, and node data representing information of set node points along each road is recorded. The map data, search data, facility data, etc. constitute navigation data.
[0025]
As the road data, data representing the width, slope, cant, bank, road surface condition, number of road lanes, places where the number of lanes decreases, places where the width becomes narrower, crossings, etc. However, regarding the corner, the data indicating the radius of curvature, the intersection, the T-junction, the entrance and the exit of the corner, etc., the road attribute, the data indicating the downhill road, the uphill road, etc., the road type, the national road, the prefectural road, the narrow street In addition to general roads, etc., data representing expressways and toll roads such as expressways, city expressways, and toll roads are recorded. In addition, for highway / toll roads, data indicating the entrance and exit attachment roads (rampways), toll gates, etc. are recorded.
[0026]
The intersection data includes data indicating the name of the intersection, the shape of the intersection, the main facilities adjacent to the intersection, the name of the main place ahead of the intersection, the distance between the intersections at the continuous intersection, and the like. In addition, the node data includes data representing an actual road branch point (including an intersection, a T-junction, and the like), a node point, a link between node points that connect the node points, and the like.
[0027]
Further, as the node data, actual road branch points (including intersections, T-junctions, etc.), node point coordinates (positions) set for each road according to a radius of curvature, etc. Data representing node point links connecting the node points, the height (altitude) of each node point, and the like are recorded.
[0028]
And as the said facility data, the data showing facilities, such as a hotel of each area, a gas station, a parking lot, and a tourist facility, are recorded. The database 64 also records audio output data for outputting predetermined information by an audio output unit (not shown) of the navigation device 14.
[0029]
By the way, the information center 62 is transmitted from a traffic information transmission center as a traffic information provider among information providers, for example, a VICS (registered trademark) (Vehicle Information and Communication System) center (not shown). In addition to traffic information consisting of information such as traffic congestion information, regulation information, parking lot information, traffic accident information, service area congestion status etc., received general information such as news, weather forecasts, e-mail, etc. It is possible to receive image information such as television programs or music information transmitted from broadcast stations, content distributors, etc. as information providers, and the traffic information and general information. Various information such as image information, music information, text data, audio data The data format such as image data can be sent as it is to the personal computer 61 via the network 43, or once (once) recorded in the database 64 and then sent to the personal computer 61 via the network 43. Yes.
[0030]
Further, a statistical data file (not shown) is formed in the database 64, and past traffic information, general information, etc. are recorded as statistical data in time series as historical data, and past traffic information, general information, etc. Data is processed, predetermined processing is performed on the original data, and processing data is created and recorded. As the processed data, predicted traffic information for predicting traffic conditions on a predetermined route, for example, traffic jam prediction information, is created.
[0031]
In creating the processed data, detailed conditions such as date and time, day of the week, weather, various events, seasons, facility information (whether there are large facilities such as department stores and supermarkets) are included in the history information as necessary. Is added or general information is referred to.
[0032]
The information center 62 may be any one of an individual, a company, a group, a local government, a government related organization, and the like. The information center 62 creates the navigation data by itself or purchases it from another information creator and distributes it.
[0033]
The network 43 includes a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), an intranet, a cellular phone line network, a telephone line network, a public communication line network, a dedicated communication line network, a communication line network such as the Internet, etc. Various communication means consisting of can be used. Communication means using CS broadcasting, BS broadcasting, terrestrial digital television broadcasting, FM multiplex broadcasting, etc. by a broadcasting satellite can also be used. Furthermore, it is possible to use communication means such as a non-stop automatic toll payment system (ETC) and a boundary communication system (DSRC) that are used in an intelligent road traffic system (ITS). The personal computer 61, the server 63, the provider server, the navigation processing unit 17 and the like function as a computer based on a predetermined program, data, and the like independently or in combination of two or more.
[0034]
Next, the navigation device 14 having the above configuration will be described.
[0035]
FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the navigation device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0036]
As shown in the figure, the navigation device 14 includes a current location detection processing unit 15 that detects a current location and the like, a data recording unit 16 in which various types of data are recorded, and a navigation that performs various arithmetic processes based on input information. The processing unit 17, the input unit 34 as the first operation unit, the display unit 35 as the first information providing unit for providing various information to the operator, the voice input unit 36 as the second operation unit, the operator And a voice output unit 37 and a communication unit 38 as a second information providing unit for providing various types of information. A vehicle speed sensor 41 is connected to the navigation processing unit 17.
[0037]
The current location detection processing unit 15 includes a GPS 21 as a current location detection unit, a geomagnetic sensor 22, a distance sensor 23, a steering sensor 24, a gyro sensor 26 as an orientation detection unit, an altimeter (not shown), and the like.
[0038]
The GPS 21 detects the present location on the earth by receiving radio waves generated by artificial satellites, the geomagnetic sensor 22 detects the vehicle direction by measuring geomagnetism, and the distance sensor 23 A distance between predetermined positions on the road is detected. Examples of the distance sensor 23 include a sensor that measures the rotational speed of a wheel (not shown) and detects a distance based on the rotational speed, a sensor that measures acceleration, integrates the acceleration twice, and detects a distance. Can be used.
[0039]
The steering sensor 24 detects a rudder angle, and the steering sensor 24 is, for example, an optical rotation sensor, a rotation resistance sensor, or a wheel attached to a rotating portion of a steering wheel (not shown). An angle sensor or the like is used.
[0040]
The gyro sensor 26 detects a turning angle. As the gyro sensor 26, for example, a gas rate gyro, a vibration gyro, or the like is used. Further, by integrating the turning angle detected by the gyro sensor 26, the vehicle direction can be detected.
[0041]
The GPS 21 can detect the current location independently. Then, the present location is determined by combining the distance detected by the distance sensor 23 with the vehicle direction detected by the geomagnetic sensor 22, the turning angle detected by the gyro sensor 26, or the steering angle detected by the steering sensor 24. It can also be detected.
[0042]
The navigation processing unit 17 includes an arithmetic unit that controls the entire navigation device 14 and a CPU 31 as a control unit, a RAM 32 that is used as a working memory when the CPU 31 performs various arithmetic processes, a control program, and the like. A ROM 33 in which various programs for searching a route to a destination, route guidance, determination of a specific section, etc. are recorded, and a database for recording navigation data transferred from the personal computer 61 (FIG. 1). An internal storage device such as a flash memory 30 as a recording medium is provided. The navigation processing unit 17 is connected to the input unit 34, the display unit 35, the voice input unit 36, the voice output unit 37, and the communication unit 38. A semiconductor memory, a magnetic core, or the like is used as the RAM 32, ROM 33, flash memory 30, or the like. An MPU or the like can be used instead of the CPU 31 as the arithmetic device and the control device.
[0043]
The data recording unit 16 can set a recording medium and a hard disk (not shown) as an external storage device. The data recording unit 16 reads a predetermined program, data, and the like recorded on the hard disk, and stores a predetermined hard disk on the hard disk. A recording head (not shown) is provided as a driver for writing the data.
[0044]
In this embodiment, a hard disk is used as a recording medium and an external storage device, but a magnetic disk such as a flexible disk can be used instead of the hard disk, or a memory card, magnetic tape, magnetic drum, CD, MD, A DVD, an optical disk, an MO, an IC card, an optical card, or the like can also be used.
[0045]
In the present embodiment, various programs are recorded in the ROM 33, and various data are recorded in the data recording unit 16, but the programs, data, and the like are recorded on a hard disk, It is also possible to read a program, data, etc. from the hard disk and write it into the flash memory 30. Therefore, the program, data, etc. can be updated by replacing the hard disk. When an automatic transmission control device is mounted to control an automatic transmission (not shown) mounted on the vehicle, the external storage device also stores control programs, data, and the like for the automatic transmission control device. Can be recorded.
[0046]
The input unit 34 is for correcting the current location at the start of traveling, inputting a departure point as a guidance start point and a destination as a guidance end point, and operating the communication unit 38. It consists of operation switches (not shown) such as various keys, switches and buttons. As the input unit 34, a keyboard, a mouse, a barcode reader, a remote control device for remote operation, a joystick, a light pen, a stylus pen, or the like can be used. Furthermore, the input unit 34 may be configured by operation switches such as various keys, switches, and buttons displayed as images on a display screen formed on a display (not shown) of the display unit 35. In that case, an input is performed by touching the operation switch.
[0047]
The display screen formed on the display includes operation guidance, an operation menu, key guidance, a search route from the current location to the destination, guidance information along the search route, traffic information, general information, image information, Music information etc. are displayed. As the display unit 35, a display such as a CRT display, a liquid crystal display, or a plasma display can be used, or a hologram device that projects a hologram on a windshield of a vehicle can be used.
[0048]
The voice input unit 36 includes a microphone (not shown) and the like, and can input necessary information by voice. Furthermore, the voice output unit 37 includes a voice synthesizer and a speaker (not shown), and the search route, guidance information, and the like are output from the voice output unit 37 as voice synthesized by the voice synthesizer, for example. In addition to the voice synthesized by the voice synthesizer, various kinds of sound, various kinds of guidance information recorded in advance on a tape, a memory, etc. can be outputted as voice.
[0049]
The communication unit 38 includes information such as traffic jam information, regulation information, parking lot information, traffic accident information, and service area congestion transmitted from the traffic information transmission center, for example, the VICS (registered trademark) center. A beacon receiver as a first receiving device for receiving traffic information comprising a radio beacon device, an optical beacon device, etc. (not shown) disposed along the road as a radio beacon, an optical beacon, etc. In addition, an FM receiver serving as a second receiving device that receives FM multiplexed information including information such as news and weather forecasts as FM multiplexed broadcast via the FM broadcast station is provided. The beacon receiver and the FM receiver are unitized and arranged as a VICS receiver, but may be arranged separately.
[0050]
The communication unit 38 can also receive various data such as D-GPS information for detecting a detection error of the GPS 21. Note that position information can be received based on a radio wave beacon, an optical beacon, or the like, and the current location can be detected. In this case, the beacon receiver functions as a current location detection unit.
[0051]
The navigation device 14 and the personal computer 61 are connected by a wireless LAN so that bidirectional communication can be performed. For this reason, an access point is provided in the communication unit 75 as described above, and Slots (not shown) such as PCMCIA slots and PC card slots are formed in the communication unit 38, and a wireless card is inserted into the slots. In this embodiment, the navigation device 14 and the personal computer 61 are connected by a wireless LAN. In other embodiments, the navigation device 14 and the personal computer 61 are connected by a wired LAN. Is done. In this case, a hub (not shown) is disposed in the communication unit 75, and the hub and the communication unit 38 are detachably connected by a cable.
[0052]
Next, the operation of the navigation system having the above configuration will be described.
[0053]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the navigation system according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing the operation of the navigation system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0054]
First, for example, when the operator operates the operation unit 73 of the personal computer 61 (FIG. 1) and sends an information acquisition request for requesting various types of information to the information center 62, in the information center 62, An information acquisition processing unit (not shown) performs information acquisition processing, reads map data and the like with reference to a map data file and the like in the database 64, and reads and acquires information such as traffic information and general information from the database 64. Then, the information acquisition processing means reads information such as image information and music information from the database 64 as needed based on an information acquisition request from the operator.
[0055]
When the operator inputs the departure point and the destination, the search condition setting processing unit (not shown) of the CPU 71 performs a search condition setting process, sets the departure point and the destination as the search conditions, and sets the search conditions as information. Transmit to the center 62. In addition, instead of the personal computer 61, for example, a PDA or the like is used as the user terminal, and a GPS card can be set in a slot such as a PCMCIA slot or PC card slot of the PDA. It is also possible to set the detected current location as a departure location.
[0056]
In the information center 62, when the search condition is received by the server 63, the information acquisition processing unit of the server 63 reads the search data by referring to the search data file of the database 64, and refers to the statistical data file. The statistical data is read, and the information necessary for searching the route is acquired by reading the traffic information transmitted from the VICS (registered trademark) center.
[0057]
Subsequently, search processing means (not shown) of the server 63 performs search processing, searches for a route based on search data, statistical data, traffic information, etc. according to the search conditions, route data representing the search route, search route Map data representing the map of the surrounding area, voice output data for guiding the searched route by the voice output unit 37 (FIG. 2), and the like are output as route guidance data. The route data includes road data (road type, road attribute, etc.) constituting the searched route.
[0058]
When the route guidance data is output in this way, information transmission processing means (not shown) of the server 63 performs information transmission processing, and transmits the route guidance data to the personal computer 61 together with the traffic information and statistical data. The information transmission processing means also transmits information such as general information, image information, and music information requested by the operator to the personal computer 61.
[0059]
In the personal computer 61, a reception processing means (not shown) of the CPU 71 performs reception processing to receive the route guidance data, traffic information, statistical data, general information, image information, music information, and the like. Information recording processing means (not shown) of the CPU 71 performs information recording processing, downloads the information to the hard disk of the recording device 74, and records it.
[0060]
Next, an information acquisition processing unit (not shown) of the CPU 71 performs an information acquisition process, reads the route by reading route guidance data from the hard disk, and reads predicted traffic from the traffic information and statistical data on the searched route. Read information.
[0061]
Information provision area setting processing means (not shown) of the CPU 71 performs information provision area setting processing, and represents information that indicates ease of recognition of information by the driver based on the searched route, traffic information, and predicted traffic information. The recognition ease is determined, the search route is divided into a plurality of areas according to the information recognition ease, and each area is set as a plurality of types of information providing areas. Each information providing area is set by coordinates at which the area is started and coordinates at which the area is ended.
[0062]
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, on the searched route Rt, for example, an area where traffic congestion has occurred or where traffic congestion is predicted to occur is determined by the driver operating the vehicle and surroundings. It is considered that there is little need to concentrate on grasping the situation, etc., and it is set as the first type of information provision area AR1, the area where the traffic volume per unit time is small and the inter-vehicle distance can be secured sufficiently, It is considered that the driver needs to concentrate on the operation of the vehicle, grasping the surrounding situation, etc., and is set as the second type information provision area AR2, the area before and after the point where the course is changed, unit In areas where there is a large amount of traffic per hour and it is difficult to secure a sufficient distance between vehicles, it is considered that the driver needs to concentrate on the operation of the vehicle and the understanding of the surrounding conditions. Information provision area AR3 It is set in.
[0063]
Next, the travel time calculation processing means (not shown) of the CPU 71 performs travel time calculation processing, reads the distance of each area of the search route Rt with reference to road data, and traffic information and prediction on the search route Rt. Based on the traffic information, the average vehicle speed when traveling in each area is predicted, and based on the distance and average vehicle speed of each area, the time required for the vehicle to travel in each area, that is, the required travel time Is calculated.
[0064]
Subsequently, the information provision required time calculation processing means (not shown) of the CPU 71 performs information provision required time calculation processing, and traffic information and general information to be provided to the driver among information recorded on the hard disk. For information such as image information and music information, the time required to read the data size representing the amount of data and provide each information to the driver in the navigation device 14 based on the data size and the processing speed of the CPU 31 That is, the time required for providing information is calculated.
[0065]
Next, an information selection processing unit (not shown) of the CPU 71 performs information selection processing, classifies information for each information to be provided to the driver based on the type of information, and searches the route Rt. The information which can be provided is selected corresponding to each information provision area AR1-AR3 above.
[0066]
In this case, it is relatively difficult for the driver to recognize image information composed of moving image data such as TV programs and image information composed of still image data such as traffic information when the vehicle is provided while the vehicle is running. It is considered that the general information that is set as the first type of information IF1 and is composed of text data such as news is relatively easy for the driver to recognize when provided while the vehicle is traveling. It is considered that music information or the like that is set as the second type of information IF2 and is composed of audio data such as a music program is easily recognized by the driver when provided while the vehicle is running. The third type of information IF3 is set.
[0067]
Then, the information selection processing means selects, as information that can be provided from the information IF1 in the information provision area AR1 as information that can be provided, which is shorter than the required travel time, and in the information provision area AR2, the information IF2 The information providing time required to be shorter than the travel required time is selected as information that can be provided, and the information providing area AR3 can provide the information providing time shorter than the travel required time from the information IF3. Select as information.
[0068]
Subsequently, an information construction processing unit (not shown) of the CPU 71 performs an information construction process to determine whether there is information that can be provided on the search route Rt. Allocate information that can be provided, construct information to be provided to the driver, and record it on the hard disk.
[0069]
When the information is thus constructed, the operator operates the operation unit 73 to transfer the information recorded on the hard disk to the navigation device 14 when the vehicle is accommodated in the garage, for example ( For example, in the flash memory 30 in the navigation processing unit 17.
[0070]
Therefore, when the operator operates the operation unit 73 to command activation of the navigation device 14, the navigation device activation processing unit (not shown) of the CPU 71 performs navigation device activation processing and turns on the power of the navigation device 14 (not shown). Then, the navigation device 14 is activated. Subsequently, information transfer processing means (not shown) of the CPU 71 performs information transfer processing, reads information from the hard disk, and transfers it to the navigation device 14. Accordingly, in the navigation device 14, an information acquisition processing unit (not shown) of the CPU 31 performs an information acquisition process, receives and acquires information transferred from the personal computer 61, and an information recording processing unit (not shown) of the CPU 31 An information recording process is performed, and the information is recorded in the flash memory 30. When there is no information that can be provided on the searched route Rt, the information transfer processing means transfers only the route guidance data in the information.
[0071]
When the information is recorded in the flash memory 30, the navigation device stop processing means (not shown) of the CPU 71 performs the navigation device stop processing, stops the navigation device 14, and can use the information, that is, the standby state. To migrate. In transferring information from the personal computer 61 to the navigation device 14, the information can be compressed as necessary to reduce the data size of the information.
[0072]
In the present embodiment, the information provision area setting process, the required travel time calculation process, the information provision required time calculation process, the information selection process, the information construction process, and the like are performed in the personal computer 61. In the embodiment, the information center 62 can perform an information provision area setting process, a required travel time calculation process, an information provision required time calculation process, an information selection process, an information construction process, and the like. For this purpose, the server 63 includes information provision area setting processing means, travel required time calculation processing means, information provision required time calculation processing means, information selection processing means, information construction processing means, and the like. In this case, mainly general information, traffic information, and the like are targets of information provided to the driver. The constructed information is transmitted from the information center 62 to the navigation device 14.
[0073]
In the present embodiment, the constructed information is recorded in the flash memory 30 by transferring the constructed information to the navigation device 14 via the wireless LAN. However, in the other embodiments, the constructed information is recorded. Is once recorded on a memory card or the like, and the memory card is set in the data recording unit 16 of the navigation device 14 and similarly recorded on the hard disk or the like of the data recording unit 16.
[0074]
Next, the operation of the navigation device 14 when driving the vehicle will be described.
[0075]
First, the information acquisition processing unit of the CPU 31 receives and acquires in advance information transferred from the personal computer 61 or information transmitted from the information center 62.
[0076]
Subsequently, when an ignition switch (not shown) of the vehicle is turned on, the navigation device 14 is activated, and a navigation initialization processing means (not shown) of the CPU 31 performs navigation initialization processing and is detected by the current location detection processing unit 15. In addition to reading the current location and the vehicle direction detected by the gyro sensor 26, various data are initialized. The matching processing means (not shown) of the CPU 31 performs matching processing, and based on the trajectory of the read current location and the shape, arrangement, etc. of each road link constituting the surrounding road, The current location is specified by determining whether the current location is located.
[0077]
Subsequently, display processing means (not shown) of the CPU 31 performs display processing, forms a map screen on the display unit 35, and displays a map around the current location on the map screen according to the map data of the information. At the same time, the current location and the vehicle direction are displayed on the map. Therefore, for example, the driver who is the operator can drive the vehicle according to the surrounding map, the current location, and the vehicle direction.
[0078]
Further, when the vehicle is driven according to the searched route Rt, route guidance processing means (not shown) of the CPU 31 performs route guidance processing, reads route guidance data in the information from the hard disk of the data recording unit 16, and Based on the data, in addition to the surrounding map, the current location, and the vehicle direction, the search route Rt around the current location is displayed on the map screen, and the search route Rt is notified to the driver by a message from the voice output unit 37. Route guidance.
[0079]
Therefore, the driver can drive the vehicle according to the surrounding map, the current location, the vehicle direction, and the search route Rt displayed on the map screen.
[0080]
By the way, for information other than the information used for displaying the surrounding map, the search route Rt, etc. on the map screen among the information acquired by the information acquisition processing means, for example, the vehicle has started running It can be provided to the driver by displaying it on an information providing screen or outputting a voice at a predetermined later timing.
[0081]
For this purpose, the information provision processing means (not shown) of the CPU 31 performs the information provision processing and, when reaching each area on the search route Rt, reads each information assigned in correspondence with each area from the hard disk and informs the driver. Provide information.
[0082]
For this purpose, the information provision processing means forms an information provision screen on the display unit 35, displays the constructed information on the information provision screen, and outputs a voice by the voice output unit 37.
[0083]
In this manner, the search route Rt is divided into a plurality of areas according to the information recognition ease by the driver, and information provided to the driver is constructed according to the type of information providing area to which each area belongs. Can be reliably provided to the driver. Therefore, information can be efficiently provided to the driver.
[0084]
Information that is considered to be relatively difficult for the driver to recognize in an area belonging to the information provision area AR1 where the driver is less likely to concentrate on the operation of the vehicle, grasping the surrounding situation, and the like. It is relatively easy for the driver to recognize in the area belonging to the information provision area AR2 where IF1 is provided and the driver needs to concentrate on the operation of the vehicle, grasping the surrounding situation, etc. In the area belonging to the information provision area AR3 where it is considered that the information IF2 is considered to be provided and the driver needs to concentrate on the operation of the vehicle, the understanding of the surrounding situation, etc., the driver recognizes Information IF3 that is considered easy is provided.
[0085]
Therefore, the driver can surely recognize the provided information.
[0086]
In addition, when there is a guidance point where route guidance is performed in the area belonging to the information provision area AR3, the guidance point is displayed for a while before the vehicle reaches the guidance point, or the guidance of the guidance point is output by voice. The load applied to the CPU 31 increases. Therefore, when the information IF1 and IF2 are provided in the area belonging to the information provision area AR3, the load applied to the CPU 31 is further increased. However, in this embodiment, since the information IF1 and IF2 are not provided in the area, it is possible to suppress an increase in the load applied to the CPU 31.
[0087]
The information acquisition processing means of the CPU 31 receives and acquires the information transferred from the personal computer 61 or the information transmitted from the information center 62 in advance before the vehicle starts to travel. Therefore, information can be reliably constructed. Therefore, the driver can easily recognize the provided information.
[0088]
In the present embodiment, the information IF3 is provided in the area belonging to the information provision area AR3. However, the provision of information may be prohibited in the area belonging to the information provision area AR3.
[0089]
Next, a flowchart will be described.
Step S1: The search route Rt is read.
Step S2 Read traffic information and predicted traffic information on the searched route Rt.
Step S3: Select information that can be provided on the searched route Rt.
Step S4: It is determined whether there is information that can be provided. If there is information that can be provided, the process proceeds to step S6. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S5.
Step S5: Transfers only the route guidance data and ends the process.
Step S6: Build information.
Step S7: Transfer the information and end the process.
[0090]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
[0091]
FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing the operation of the navigation system in the second embodiment of the present invention.
[0092]
In this case, the information selection processing means of the CPU 71 (FIG. 1) as the arithmetic device and the control device can provide the information providing area AR1 having the information provision time shorter than the travel time in the information IF1. One or more information is selected, and one or more pieces of information that can be provided in the information provision area AR2 as information that can be provided from the information IF2 that is shorter than the required travel time are selected. One or more pieces of information that can be provided are selected from the IF 3 as information that can be provided with a time required for providing information shorter than a required time for traveling.
[0093]
That is, as long as the sum of the information provision time for each information is shorter than the travel time, it can be selected as information that can provide a plurality of information.
[0094]
In each of the above embodiments, historical traffic information, general information, and the like are recorded as historical data in the database 64 as statistical data. It is also possible to record the required travel time for each road link constituting a travel route such as a commute route in a predetermined time zone as history information.
[0095]
In this case, the information recognition ease can be determined based on the travel history. The degree of information recognition can be determined by combining the searched route, traffic information, predicted traffic information, and travel history.
[0096]
In each of the above embodiments, the information IF1 is provided in the area belonging to the information provision area AR1, the information IF2 is provided in the area belonging to the information provision area AR2, and the information IF3 is provided in the area belonging to the information provision area AR3. However, the information IF1 to IF3 can be provided in the area belonging to the information provision area AR1, the information IF2 and IF3 can be provided in the area belonging to the information provision area AR2, and the information IF3 can be provided in the area belonging to the provision area AR3. .
[0097]
In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, It can change variously based on the meaning of this invention, and does not exclude them from the scope of the present invention.
[0098]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, according to the present invention, for each information provision area, information belonging to the corresponding type is selected, and information that can be provided for each area is allocated and provided to the driver. The acquired information can be surely provided to the driver. Therefore, the driver can surely recognize the provided information.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a navigation system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a navigation device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of the navigation system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing the operation of the navigation system in the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing an operation of the navigation system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
14 Navigation device
15 Current location detection processing unit
17 Navigation processor
31, 71 CPU
43 Network
61 PC
62 Information Center
63 servers
AR1-AR3 Information provision area
IF1-IF3 information
Rt search route

Claims (7)

An information acquisition processing means for acquiring a plurality of information, by dividing the search path into a plurality of areas by the information recognition easiness representing the ease of recognition of the information by the driver, the information providing area of the plurality of types of respective regions Information providing area setting processing means to be set as, information selection processing means for classifying each of the plurality of information, and selecting information belonging to the corresponding type for each information providing area, and information that can be provided for each area And an information construction processing means for constructing information to be provided to the driver.   The navigation system according to claim 1, wherein the information recognition ease is determined based on at least one of traffic information and predicted traffic information. The navigation system according to claim 1, wherein the information provision area setting processing unit sets an area where traffic congestion has occurred as a type of information provision area different from other areas based on traffic information. The navigation system according to claim 1, wherein the information provision area setting processing means sets an area where traffic congestion is predicted to occur as a type of information provision area different from other areas based on the predicted traffic information. The information selection processing means selects information that can be provided based on a travel time required to travel in each area and an information provision time required to provide each information. Navigation system . Before SL information selection processing means, the navigation system according to claim 1 which provides a plurality of information in one information providing section. A computer is divided into a plurality of areas according to information acquisition processing means for acquiring a plurality of information, information recognition ease indicating the ease of information recognition by the driver, and each area is classified into a plurality of types of information. Information provision area setting processing means to be set as a provision area, information selection processing means for categorizing the plurality of pieces of information, and selecting information belonging to the corresponding type for each information provision area , and each area can be provided Assign the such information, features and to Help program to function as an information constructing processing means for constructing the information to be provided to the driver.

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