JP5564537B2 - Road sign information notification device and road sign information notification method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for notifying information relating to road signs applied to a user according to a moving means used by the user such as an automobile, a motorcycle, a bicycle, and a walk.

  In the field of car navigation, it has been considered to take in information on road signs so that it can be used for appropriate route guidance and safe driving. For example, Patent Document 1 described later discloses an invention related to a road sign database construction device for the purpose of accurately identifying road signs and creating a database. Further, Patent Document 2 described later discloses an invention relating to a route guidance device that allows a driver of an automobile to recognize information such as road signs. Patent Document 3 described later describes that road sign information may be collected and accumulated and used for alerting the driver.

JP 2007-265292 A JP 2004-205349 A JP 2006-038558 A

  In recent years, a small and simple navigation device called a PND (Portable Navigation Device) has been widely used. The PND is equipped with a small liquid crystal monitor and can be used by mounting it on a car or on a motorcycle or bicycle, or by being used by a pedestrian as a navigation device for pedestrians. You can. In addition, a navigation function can be mounted on a portable electronic device such as a high-functional mobile phone terminal called a smartphone or a tablet PC (Personal Computer). The navigation function that can be used with these portable electronic devices can also be used when driving a car, a motorcycle, a bicycle, or the like or walking.

  In such a navigation apparatus that is also used when using a moving means other than an automobile, it is conceivable to consider road signs as in the inventions described in Patent Documents 1 to 3 described above. However, at that time, a navigation device such as PND in which the user uses various means of transportation cannot specify the road sign applied to the user, so the inventions described in Patent Documents 1 to 3 are applied as they are. Can not. For example, when it is used as an automobile navigation device, it is meaningless to be notified of information related to road signs applied to motorcycles, bicycles, and pedestrians. Conversely, when it is used as a navigation device for pedestrians, it does not make sense to be notified of information related to road signs applied to automobiles, motorcycles, and bicycles.

  In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to appropriately notify information relating to road signs to be applied in accordance with moving means such as automobiles, motorcycles, bicycles, and walking.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the road sign information notification device of the invention according to claim 1 is:
Information indicating each type of road sign including restriction sign, instruction sign, warning sign, guidance sign, auxiliary sign, application target and contents of the sign is stored and retained corresponding to the application section and application point according to the installation position. Storage means for
Accepting means for accepting a user's moving means setting input;
Type accepting means for accepting a setting input of a target road sign type at the time of movement by the moving means set through the accepting means;
Current position acquisition means for acquiring the current position;
According to the current position acquired through the current position acquisition means, referring to the information in the storage means, information on road signs applied according to the user's moving means set through the reception means , and An acquisition unit for acquiring the information when there is information on a road sign corresponding to the type set through the type reception unit ;
Output processing means for outputting information to be notified to the user according to the information on the road sign acquired by the acquisition means.

According to the road sign information notifying device of the invention described in claim 1, information indicating the type of road sign, the application target, and the content of the sign are associated with the application section and the application point according to the installation position. Store in the storage means. And the setting input of a user's moving means is received through a receiving means. In addition, a setting input of a target road sign type during movement by the set moving means is received through the type receiving means. Thereafter, according to the current position acquired through the current position acquisition means, the acquisition means refers to the information in the storage means, and is information regarding road signs applied according to the set moving means of the user , which is set. If there is information related to the road sign corresponding to the type , the information is acquired. Then, the output processing means outputs information to be notified to the user in accordance with the information regarding the road sign acquired by the acquisition means.

As a result, at the current position of the user, it is possible to acquire only information relating to the road sign of the type that is applied to the user's moving means and intended by the user, and output information to be notified to the user accordingly. Therefore, the user can be provided with information related to road signs necessary for the user, and is not confused by unnecessary information.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately notify the user of information relating to road signs to be applied according to moving means such as automobiles, motorcycles, bicycles, and walking.

It is a block diagram for demonstrating the structural example of the highly functional mobile telephone terminal 1 which implement | achieves the road sign notification apparatus of embodiment. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of road sign list data stored in a storage device 103. FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of the stored data of installation label | marker DB109. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a road sign information notification process executed by the high-function mobile phone terminal 1; It is a flowchart following FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the input screen etc. of the required information used in the high function mobile telephone terminal.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the apparatus and method of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The road sign information notification device of the present invention can be realized in a simple navigation device called PND or the like, or can be realized in a high-performance mobile phone terminal or a mobile terminal device such as a tablet PC called a smartphone. . In the following, a case will be described as an example in which the road sign information notification device of the present invention is realized in a high-function mobile phone terminal (smartphone) that has been widely spread in recent years.

[Configuration Example of High-Function Mobile Phone Terminal 1 Realizing Road Sign Information Notification Device]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining a schematic configuration of a high-function mobile phone terminal 1 in which the road sign information notifying device of this embodiment is realized. In FIG. 1, a wireless communication unit 101 converts a signal received through a communication network into data that can be processed by its own device (the high-function mobile phone terminal 1), or conforms various data for transmission to the protocol. Convert it into a signal and send it to your communication network. The wireless communication unit 101 is connected to a transmission / reception antenna 101A.

  The control unit 102 controls each unit of the high-function mobile phone terminal 1 and is a computer device configured by connecting a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM through a CPU bus (not shown). The control unit 102 also functions as an execution unit for various application programs. The storage device 103 includes a nonvolatile memory as a recording medium and writes / records / reads / deletes various application programs, data necessary for processing, and data obtained by various processing to the nonvolatile memory. I do. The storage device 103 also stores road sign list data.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of road sign list data stored in the storage device 103. The road sign list data used in the high-function mobile phone terminal 1 of this embodiment includes a sign number, sign image data, a sign type, and the contents of the sign. The image data of the sign is used when the sign is displayed on a display unit (to be described later) of the high function mobile phone terminal 1. The sign type indicates whether the sign is a regulation sign, an instruction sign, a warning sign, or a guidance sign.

  Here, the restriction sign is for notifying the contents of prohibition, restriction, restriction, and the like, for example, there is a notice for notifying road closure, entry prohibition, parking prohibition, stop prohibition, maximum speed, minimum speed, and the like. In addition, the instruction sign notifies a matter that needs to be protected when passing, and may include, for example, a notification that translation is possible, parking is allowed, a stop line, a pedestrian crossing, and the like. The warning sign is mainly for encouraging careful driving, for example, notifying that there is an intersection, a pedestrian crossing, a traffic light, a slippery, a possibility that an animal may jump out, and the like. In addition, information signs mainly indicate the destination, direction of the destination, distance, and location on the road. In addition to this, information on road facilities such as point guidance, shelters, and parks is provided. There is information about attached facilities. There is also an auxiliary sign that is used together with these road signs (this sign) and captures the meaning of this sign. Examples of auxiliary signs include “100m ahead”, “whole city”, “school route”, and the like.

  In the example of the road sign list data shown in FIG. 2, all of them are restriction signs and indicate a closed road as an example, but examples of different application targets of the restriction (closed road) are shown. Then, if the road sign list data shown in FIG. 2 is stored in the storage device 103, if any of the sign number, the sign image data, or the contents indicated by the sign is known, the other information of the corresponding sign is also specified. it can.

  The operation unit 104 includes hardware keys provided in the high-function mobile phone terminal 1, receives an operation input from the user, and supplies the received information to the control unit 102. The hardware keys provided in the operation unit 104 are, for example, a power on / off key and some function keys for executing basic functions. The time control unit 105 manages the current date, current day, and current time. The sensor unit 106 includes an acceleration sensor and an orientation sensor (geomagnetic sensor). The acceleration sensor detects the inclination of the high function mobile phone terminal 1 in order to specify, for example, the posture of the high function mobile phone terminal 1. The direction sensor detects which direction the high-function mobile phone terminal 1 is facing by detecting geomagnetism. With these sensor outputs, the orientation and orientation of the high-function mobile phone terminal 1 can be specified. For example, when the navigation function is used, the orientation and traveling direction of the display unit (display screen) can be specified.

  Each of the map DB 107, the road network DB 108, and the installation sign DB 109 is formed in, for example, a nonvolatile memory, and stores and holds predetermined data. Here, the character “DB” is an abbreviation for database. Specifically, the map DB 107 stores and holds map data for displaying a map on a display unit described later when performing navigation processing. The road network DB 108 stores and holds road network data used when performing navigation processing. The road network data includes node data and link data. The node data includes a latitude and longitude indicating the position of the node, and a node type indicating whether the node is a building or an intersection. The link data includes a node for specifying the link and a link type indicating whether the link is a road on which a car can pass or a pedestrian road.

  The installation sign DB 109 stores information indicating the type, application target, and contents indicated by the sign regarding the road sign including the restriction sign, the instruction sign, the warning sign, the guidance sign, and the auxiliary sign that are actually installed on the road or the like. , Hold corresponding to the application section and application point according to the installation position. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of data stored in the installation marker DB 109 (installation marker data). As shown in FIG. 3, in the installation sign DB 109, for each road sign actually installed on a road or the like, a node, a link, a latitude / longitude indicating the installation position, a sign number, a sign type, an application target, and a sign content Information indicating each of these is stored.

  The nodes and links correspond to the nodes and links of the road network data stored in the road network DB 108, and indicate the application points and application sections of the road signs. The latitude and longitude indicate the actual installation position of the road sign, and the sign number is identification information unique to each road sign. The sign type indicates whether the road sign is a regulation sign, an instruction sign, a warning sign, or a guidance sign, and is applicable to automobiles other than two-wheeled vehicles (large, medium, small, large special), motorcycles (Normal, large, moped, small special), bicycles, pedestrians, and other road signs. Further, the sign content indicates the content that the road sign means.

  In addition, when an auxiliary sign is used for a regulation sign, an instruction sign, a warning sign, and a guidance sign, the contents indicated by the added auxiliary sign are included in the contents of the sign. In addition, in the installed sign data for the guide signs, the sign contents are, for example, “straight ahead XX city, left turn △△ city, right turn □□ town” for direction guidance, and “100 m for facility guidance”. Character information corresponding to the contents indicated by the sign is displayed, such as “There is parking first”.

  In the case of the example shown in FIG. 3, the link L1 sandwiched between the node N1 and the node N2 is indicated by (latitude, longitude) as (X1, Y1) based on the information shown in the first line of FIG. It is indicated that the road number is the application section of the road sign 301 with the sign number installed at the position. Furthermore, according to the information shown in the first line of FIG. 3, the road sign is a restriction sign, and the provision target is “all passers-by (all cars, motorcycles, bicycles, pedestrians)”, and the road The sign content of the sign is shown to be “blocked”.

  Further, according to the information shown in the sixth line in FIG. 3, the position on the link L6 in the vicinity of the node N7 has the sign number 330 set at the position indicated by (latitude, longitude) (X6, Y6). It is shown that this is a road sign application point. Further, according to the information shown in the sixth line of FIG. 3, the road sign is a restriction sign, and the provision target is “all vehicles (automobile, motorcycle, bicycle, etc.)”. It is shown to be “paused”. As described above, the stored data in the installation sign DB 109 can be used to know where the road sign installed is the application section or application point, what is the application target, and what is the content.

  The GPS unit 110 and the GPS antenna 110A measure the current position of the own device. The display unit 111 receives various image data and video data, converts them into video signals, and displays images and videos corresponding to the video signals on its own display screen. The touch panel 112 attached to the display screen of the display unit 111 constitutes a so-called software key together with information displayed on the display screen. Therefore, the control unit 102 can recognize the instruction input from the user based on the information indicating the user's designated position from the touch panel 112 and the information displayed on the display screen of the display unit 111 corresponding to the designated position. It is like that.

  The audio output unit 113 receives supply of various image data, converts it into an audio signal, and supplies this to the speaker 114. As a result, sound corresponding to the sound data is emitted from the speaker 114. The microphone 115 collects voice from the user, converts it into an electrical signal, and supplies it to the voice input unit 116. The audio input unit 116 converts the audio signal from the microphone 115 into audio data (digital signal) and supplies it to the control unit 102. Thereby, the user can input an instruction to the high-function mobile phone terminal 1 by voice.

  Under the control of the control unit 102, the navigation processing unit 117 acquires necessary information and performs guidance processing to the destination in response to an instruction input from the user received through the touch panel 112. The navigation processing unit 117 transmits map data, road network data, and installation sign data of a corresponding area based on information such as a departure place and a destination received from the user received through the touch panel 112 to a predetermined map through the wireless communication unit 101. Obtain from the server.

  Thus, the map data, road network data, and installation sign data acquired by the function of the navigation processing unit 117 are stored and used in the map DB 107, the road network DB 108, and the installation sign DB 109. Of course, when the storage capacity of the map DB 107, the road network DB 108, and the installation sign DB 109 is large, map data, road network data, and installation sign data of a relatively wide area can be stored in advance.

  The navigation processing unit 117 displays map information on the display unit 111 based on the map data in the map DB 107 under the control of the control unit 102. Further, the navigation processing unit 117 performs a route search using the road network data of the road network DB 108 based on the departure place and the destination from the user, and displays the result on the map displayed on the display unit 111. . Then, the navigation processing unit 117 displays the current position of the own device on the map displayed on the display unit 111, performs voice guidance through the voice output unit 113 and the speaker 114, and performs road guidance processing (navigation processing). .

  The current position acquisition unit 118 acquires the current position of the own device through the GPS unit 110 under the control of the control unit 102. The current position acquired by the current position acquisition unit 118 is used in the navigation processing performed by the navigation processing unit 117 described above, and also used when guiding information related to road signs.

  The sign information acquisition unit 119 and the sign information output processing unit 120 function when the high function mobile phone terminal 1 of this embodiment is instructed to output information about road signs. The sign information acquisition unit 119 also considers the current position acquired through the current position acquisition unit 118, the moving means and the type of sign set by the user, which will be described later, and the traveling direction detected by the sensor unit 106. Then, refer to the installation sign DB 109. Then, installation marker data that is or will be applied to the user of the device is acquired.

  The sign information output processing unit 120, when there is installation sign data acquired by the sign information acquisition part 119, according to the installation sign data, information to be notified to the user by voice or display image Output and notify the user. Further, the sign information output processing unit 120 notifies the user that there is no corresponding installation sign data when the installation sign data acquired by the sign information acquisition unit 119 does not exist. Note that the functions of the navigation processing unit 117, the current position acquisition unit 118, the sign information acquisition unit 119, and the sign information output processing unit 120 can also be realized by software executed in the control unit 102.

  Under the control of the control unit 102, the call processing unit 121 decodes the voice data from the other party received through the wireless communication unit 101, converts it into a voice signal, and supplies this to the receiver 121R. In addition, the call processing unit 121 converts the user's voice collected by the transmitter 121 </ b> S into voice data and transmits the voice data to the other party through the wireless communication unit 101.

  The high-function mobile phone terminal 1 having such a configuration can be used on a dashboard of an automobile, attached to a handle part of a motorcycle or a bicycle, or held in a hand when walking. Then, the high-function mobile phone terminal 1 displays information regarding the installation sign according to the current position of the own apparatus, the moving means of the user using the own apparatus, and the sign type indicating the target road sign for the user. Get from. And the information which needs to notify a user according to the information regarding the acquired installation sign is specified, and the function which notifies this to a user is implement | achieved.

  As described above, since the user's moving means can be taken into consideration, information on the road sign corresponding to the user's moving means can be notified. That is, when the high-function mobile phone terminal 1 is used by being attached to an automobile, information regarding road signs related to motorcycles, bicycles, and pedestrians is not notified.

  Further, as described above, the road signs include a regulation sign, an instruction sign, a warning sign, and a guide sign. For this reason, in the high-function mobile phone terminal 1 of this embodiment, the road corresponding to the set sign type is set in advance by setting the sign type indicating which type of road sign is notified. Information about the sign can be notified.

[Details of road sign information notification processing]
Next, details of the road sign information notification processing performed in the high-function mobile phone terminal 1 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. 4 and 5 are flowcharts for explaining the road sign information notification process, and FIG. 6 is a view for explaining an example of a display screen used in the road sign information notification process.

  In the following, it is assumed that necessary data is already stored in each of the map DB 107, the road network DB 108, and the installation sign DB 109. Storage of necessary data in the map DB 107, the road network DB 108, and the installation sign DB 109 is performed by the navigation processing unit 117 functioning as described above or by a predetermined data acquisition process.

  4 and 5 select an item for executing road sign information notification processing through the touch panel 112 from a predetermined menu or the like displayed on the display unit 111 of the high-function mobile phone terminal 1. Is executed in the control unit 102. When the road sign information notification process is executed, the control unit 102 reads display data for forming a necessary information input screen prepared in advance in the storage device 103, and supplies the display data to the display unit 111. The input screen is displayed on the display unit 111 (step S101).

  FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating an example of an input screen for the necessary information. As shown in FIG. 6A, the input screen includes a selection button (selection item) for moving means and a selection button (selection item) for sign type. There are four selection buttons for the moving means, “automobile”, “bike”, “bicycle”, and “walk”. When “automobile” is selected, although not shown, selection buttons of “normal vehicle”, “medium-sized vehicle”, “large-sized vehicle”, and “large-sized special” are displayed and can be selected. When “Bike” is selected, although not shown, selection buttons of “Normal”, “Large”, “Moped”, and “Small special” are displayed and can be selected.

  In addition, there are provided four types of sign type selection buttons: “regulation sign”, “instruction sign”, “warning sign”, and “guidance sign”. Therefore, when only the notification about the regulation sign is necessary, only the “regulation sign” button is selected. When the notification about the regulation sign and the instruction sign is necessary, the “regulation sign” button and the “indication sign” are selected. It can be said that a button is selected. Through such an input screen, the user can select and input his / her transportation means and the type of road sign requiring notification.

  The control unit 102 receives a selection input of the moving means and the marker type through the input screen (FIG. 6A) displayed on the display unit 111 and the touch panel 112 (step S102). Then, the control unit 102 determines whether all necessary information has been input and the “OK” button has been selected (step S103). In the determination process in step S103, if all the necessary information has not been input or if the “OK” button has not been selected, the process from step S102 is repeated, and selection input of the moving means and the marker type is continued. .

  In the determination process in step S103, when it is determined that all necessary information has been input and the “OK” button has been selected, the control unit 102 operates the storage device 103 according to the selected information, for example. A mode is set (step S104). FIG. 6B is a diagram for explaining a display screen of information regarding the operation mode displayed on display unit 111 in step S104.

  In the example shown in FIG. 6A, in the process of step S102, “car” and “ordinary car”, that is, “ordinary car” is selected as the moving means, and “regulatory sign” and “instruction sign” are designated as the sign types. "And a" warning sign "are shown as an example. This selection state is set in the storage device 103 as an operation mode, and thereafter, a notification process of information related to the road sign specified by the selected sign type, which is applied to the selected moving means, is performed.

  Then, the control unit 102 controls the current position acquisition unit 118 to acquire the current position from the GPS unit 110 (step S105). Next, the control unit 102 controls the sign information acquisition unit 119 to refer to the road network DB 108 and the installation sign DB 109 based on the current position acquired in step S105 and acquire the installation sign data corresponding to the operation mode. (Extract) (Step S106).

  Next, the control unit 102 determines whether or not it is in violation of the traffic rules from the current position acquired in step S105, the installation marker data acquired in step S106, and the operation mode (step S102). S107). The installation sign data to be considered in this case includes information relating to the restriction sign (regulation sign information) and information relating to the instruction sign (indication sign information). The current position, installation sign data, and operations, such as when a car enters a road where traffic is prohibited, or when a car is parked on a road where parking is prohibited It is determined from the mode whether the traffic rule is violated.

  Note that, for example, a history in which the current position is associated with its acquisition time is stored, and based on this, the movement distance is grasped on the map, and the movement distance is taken to move the movement distance. By dividing by the time, the approximate moving speed can be grasped. Therefore, based on the approximate moving speed, it may be determined whether or not the maximum speed applied to the road during traveling or the minimum speed is violated.

  If it is determined in step S107 that the vehicle is in violation of the traffic rules, the control unit 102 performs notification processing indicating that the vehicle is in violation (step S108). The processing from S105 is repeated. In step S108, the control unit 102 can notify the user that the traffic rule is violated by one or both of voice and display.

  Specifically, the control unit 102 supplies the voice output unit 113 with voice data for notifying a traffic rule violation prepared in the storage device 103 and voice data for emitting a warning sound. Thereby, a voice message or a warning sound corresponding to the voice data can be emitted from the speaker 114. In addition, the control unit 102 supplies the display unit 111 with display data for displaying a display message for notifying a traffic rule violation prepared in the storage device 103. Thereby, the target display message can be displayed on the display unit 111.

  If it is determined in the determination process in step S107 that the self does not violate the traffic rule, the control unit 102 receives an instruction input from the user (step S109). In step S109, touch input through the touch panel 112 and voice input through the microphone 115 and the voice input unit 116 are accepted.

  Then, the process proceeds to the process shown in FIG. 6, and the control unit 102 determines whether or not a guidance instruction is received from the user in step S109 (step S110). The guidance instruction is a touch operation on the touch panel 112 or a voice input such as “sign guide” or “sign check”.

  When it is determined in the determination process of step S110 that the guidance instruction from the user has been received, the control unit 102 controls the sign information output processing unit 120 to determine whether or not there is information regarding the installation sign to be notified to the user. Is discriminated (step S111). In other words, the determination process of step S111 is a process of determining whether or not related installation marker data can be acquired in the process of step S106.

  It is assumed that it is determined in the determination process in step S111 that there is information regarding an installation sign to be notified to the user. In this case, the sign information output processing unit 120 forms information (message) to be notified to the user based on the installation sign data, and performs a process of outputting the information (step S112). The processing from step S105 is repeated. In step S112, the sign information output processing unit 120 can notify the user of information related to the installation sign by one or both of voice and display.

  That is, the sign information output processing unit 120 forms voice data for emitting a voice message of information (contents) to be notified to the user based on the installation sign data acquired in step S106, This is supplied to the output unit 113. Thereby, a voice message corresponding to the voice data can be emitted from the speaker 114. For example, “100 meters away, no roads allowed”, “This road is not allowed to park”, “Beyond this road is not allowed to ride by motorcycle”, etc. I can sound. Also, the sign information output processing unit 120 acquires image data of a corresponding sign from the road sign list data in the storage device 103 based on the acquired sign number of the installation sign data, and supplies this to the display unit 111 To do. Thereby, a road sign image corresponding to the image data can be displayed on the display unit 111.

  Also, in the determination process in step S111, it is determined that there is no information related to the installation sign to be notified to the user. In this case, the sign information output processing unit 120 forms a message notifying that there is no information related to the installation sign to be notified, and performs a process of outputting the message (step S113). Thereafter, step S105 in FIG. Repeat the process from. Also in step S113, the sign information output processing unit 120 can notify the user of information related to the installation sign by one or both of voice and display.

  In step S <b> 113, the sign information output processing unit 120 forms voice data for emitting a voice message such as “There is no sign information to be notified” and supplies the voice data to the voice output unit 113. Thereby, a voice message corresponding to the voice data can be emitted from the speaker 114. Also, display data having the same contents is formed and supplied to the display unit 111. Thereby, the display message according to the display data can be displayed on the display unit 111.

  Further, it is assumed that it is determined that the guidance instruction from the user is not accepted in the determination process in step S110. In this case, the control unit 102 determines whether or not a predetermined end operation from the user for ending the road sign information notification process shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 has been received (step S114). When it is determined in step S114 that the predetermined end operation has been accepted, predetermined end processing such as clearing the operation mode set in step S104 is executed (step S115). The road sign information notification process shown is terminated. If it is determined in the determination process in step S114 that the predetermined end operation has not been received, the control unit 102 repeats the process from step S105 in FIG.

  As described above, the high-function mobile phone terminal 1 according to the present embodiment acquires the current position in its own device at a predetermined timing by executing the road sign information notification process shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The installation marker data related to the own machine corresponding to the current position is acquired. Then, based on the acquired installation marker data related to the own device, the user can be notified of information related to the installation marker.

[Effect of the embodiment]
According to the road sign information notification device realized by the high-function mobile phone terminal 1 according to the above-described embodiment, information on road signs that are applied according to the moving means used by the user such as an automobile, a motorcycle, a bicycle, and a walk. Properly notify users. In addition, it is possible to provide information on road signs specified by the sign type selected by the user among the regulation signs, instruction signs, warning signs, and guidance signs. Therefore, the user is not provided with information on road signs that are not relevant to the user or that the user does not need.

  Moreover, when it is determined that the user is in a state of violating the traffic rule, this can be notified to the user, so that the user can quickly avoid the state of violating the traffic rule. In addition, when a road sign is overlooked, it is possible to accurately notify the user that a traffic rule has been violated, thereby avoiding troubles such as traffic accidents.

  In addition, the present invention is effective when a road sign is suddenly changed by using it on a passing road or the like. In addition, the road sign information notification device realized by the high-function mobile phone terminal 1 according to the above-described embodiment is particularly effective when used at a travel destination that is not passed.

  In addition, it is possible to accurately provide the user with information on road signs to be notified to the user based on information on the installation signs without being affected by obstacles such as weather, time zones, and large vehicles. Even if the road sign is an image, the meaning content can be notified by a voice message or a display message. For example, in the case of a warning sign of a deer picture, it is possible to accurately notify the user of the contents of the sign that “an animal may jump out”.

[Modification]
In the above-described embodiment, as described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the user is notified of the information on the installation sign only when the user instructs the information on the installation sign. I tried to do it. However, it is not limited to this. Based on the current position of the user and the operation mode (moving means, type of sign) set by the user, if there is installation sign data related to the user, information on the installation sign even without guidance from the user You may make it perform notification of. In this way, even when a road sign is overlooked, information regarding the overlooked road sign can be reliably provided to the user.

  Moreover, although the high-function mobile phone terminal 1 according to the above-described embodiment has been described as having a navigation function by including the navigation processing unit 117, the present invention is not limited to this. The navigation processing is not performed, but the road sign information notification processing may be performed.

  Further, the installation sign data stored in the installation sign DB 109 can be created in advance using various methods and can be made into a database. For example, a camera, a GPS device, and the like are mounted on a car, a motorcycle, a bicycle, and the like to move, take an image of a road sign, acquire the shooting location, and store them in association with each other. Based on this stored information, installation marker data can be formed. In addition, when the residential map is surveyed, the investigator also surveys the installation status of road signs, so that installation sign data can be formed even in areas where roads such as residential areas and downtowns are complicated. In particular, in residential areas and downtown areas, there are many cases where one-way traffic, restrictions on vehicles that can pass through, and time zones during which traffic can pass are determined in detail. For this reason, the convenience of the user can be greatly improved by making the present invention usable in such a place.

  In addition, when notifying the information on the installation sign, it may be determined whether or not the notification is performed in consideration of information such as season and time based on the information provided by the time control unit 105. For example, during the summer months from July to September, the sign “Freeze Caution” is not provided. Also, at midnight (for example, from 0:00 am to 3:00 am), the sign “Attention to school children” is not guided. It is also possible. That is, it is possible to determine whether or not to perform notification in consideration of the situation at the time of notification of information regarding the installation sign.

  The present invention can also be applied to various portable information terminals such as a navigation device and a tablet PC called a small and simple PND that can be used by automobiles, motorcycles, bicycles, pedestrians, and the like.

[Others]
As can be seen from the above-described embodiment, the function of the storage means of the road sign information notification apparatus is realized by the installation sign DB 109 of the high-function mobile phone terminal 1, and the function of the acquisition means of the road sign information notification apparatus is high. The sign mobile phone terminal 1 mainly implements a sign information acquisition unit. The function of the reception means of the road sign information notification device is realized mainly by the touch panel 112 of the high-function mobile phone terminal 1, and the function of the current position acquisition means of the road sign information notification device is that of the high-function mobile phone terminal 1. The GPS unit 110 is realized. Further, the function of the output processing means of the road sign information notification device is realized mainly by the sign information output processing unit 120 of the high-function mobile phone terminal 1.

  Further, the function of the instruction input reception means of the road sign information notification device is realized by the touch panel 112 of the high-function mobile phone terminal 1 or the microphone 115 and the voice input unit 116. Further, the touch panel 112 of the high-performance mobile phone terminal 1 realizes the function of the type receiving means of the road sign information notification device. The function of the notification means of the road sign information notification device is realized by the cooperation of the control unit 102, the audio output unit 113, the speaker 114, and the display unit 111 of the high-function mobile phone terminal 1.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... High performance mobile telephone terminal (road sign information notification apparatus), 101A ... Transmission / reception antenna, 101 ... Wireless communication part, 102 ... Control part, 103 ... Memory | storage device, 104 ... Operation part, 105 ... Time control part, 106 ... Sensor 107: Map DB, 108 ... Road network DB, 109 ... Installation sign DB, 110 ... GPS unit, 110A ... GPS antenna, 111 ... Display unit, 112 ... Touch panel, 113 ... Audio output unit, 114 ... Speaker, 115 ... Microphone, 116 ... voice input unit, 117 ... navigation processing unit, 118 ... current position acquisition unit, 119 ... sign information acquisition unit, 120 ... sign information output processing unit, 121 ... call processing unit, 121R ... handset, 121S ... transmission vessel

Claims (5)

Information indicating each type of road sign including restriction sign, instruction sign, warning sign, guidance sign, auxiliary sign, application target and contents of the sign is stored and retained corresponding to the application section and application point according to the installation position. Storage means for
Accepting means for accepting a user's moving means setting input;
Type accepting means for accepting a setting input of a target road sign type at the time of movement by the moving means set through the accepting means;
Current position acquisition means for acquiring the current position;
According to the current position acquired through the current position acquisition means, referring to the information in the storage means, information on road signs applied according to the user's moving means set through the reception means , and An acquisition unit for acquiring the information when there is information on a road sign corresponding to the type set through the type reception unit ;
An output processing means for outputting information to be notified to the user according to the information related to the road sign acquired by the acquisition means. The road sign information notification device according to claim 1,
Comprising an instruction input receiving means for receiving an instruction input for instructing the user to output information to be notified;
The road sign information notification device, wherein when the instruction input is received through the instruction input reception unit, at least the output processing unit functions to output information to be notified to the user. The road sign information notification device according to claim 1 or 2,
The acquisition means is information relating to a road sign applied according to a user's moving means set through the accepting means, and information relating to the road sign according to the type set through the type accepting means A road sign information notification device that acquires information on the road sign when it is useful information at the present time based on the season and time . The road sign information notification device according to claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3,
When there is a possibility that a rule has been violated from the current position acquired through the current position acquisition unit and the information on the road sign acquired by the acquisition unit, a notification unit is provided to notify this. Road sign information notification device. Information indicating each type of road sign including restriction sign, instruction sign, warning sign, guidance sign, auxiliary sign, application target and contents is stored and retained in correspondence with the applicable section and application point according to the installation position. A road sign information notification method used in a road sign information notification apparatus comprising a storage means,
An accepting step for accepting a setting input of the user's moving means through the accepting means;
A type receiving step for receiving a setting input of a target road sign type at the time of movement by the moving unit set in the receiving step through a type receiving unit;
A current position acquisition step of acquiring the current position of the aircraft through the current position acquisition means;
Acquisition means, according to the current position acquired at the current position obtaining step, the information in the storage means, met information on road signs applied in accordance with the moving means of the user set in the accepting step And when there is information relating to a road sign corresponding to the type set in the type reception step, an acquisition unit for acquiring the information;
An output processing means, comprising: an output processing step of outputting information to be notified to a user in accordance with information on the road sign acquired in the acquisition step.

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