JPH09210714A - Navigation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To display street names of each road on a guide display scope and easily confirm a guide route. SOLUTION: A road for conforming to the present position of a self-vehicle is detected (step SG2). In a guide route, a next road to turne is detected (step SG3). Judgement is performed on whether the road to turne exists or not (step SG4). In the case of the presence of the road, a distance up to the road to turne is calculated (step SG5). The distance up to the turne is judged whether it is shorter than a specified value or not (step SG6). If the distance is the specified value or less, a street name of the road to turne will be shown (step SG7). In addition, the street name is informed by voice (step SG8).

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a navigation device for guiding a moving body to a destination, and more particularly to a navigation device in which details of road information notified to an operator are made more detailed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a navigation system, the distance from each satellite is measured by microwaves transmitted from a plurality of orbiting satellites that orbit the earth. From the distance to each satellite, the current location such as latitude, longitude and altitude of the vehicle (moving body) equipped with the navigation device is calculated. Further, the navigation device has a CD-ROM as an information recording medium.
(Compact Disc Read Only M
memory) is provided. Road information of a predetermined range is stored in this CD-ROM. A road map is formed on the screen of the navigation device based on this road information.

Using the displayed road map, the operator inputs the destination and destination to the navigation device. The navigation device uses the road information in the CD-ROM to find the road route from the current position of the vehicle to the destination. And while the vehicle is moving,
Various information is provided to the operator by various notification means (audio and visual) (see the specification and drawings of JP-A-2-3899). As a result, the moving body (vehicle or the like) can be moved favorably from the current position to the destination. Then, various information, for example, the name of the intersection where the vehicle should turn next, the distance to the intersection, or the direction of the turn,
Provided to the operator.

[0004]

By the way, on the road,
In addition to national road names, there are roads with street names.
For example, there are Yasukuni Dori and Aoyama Dori. However, in the navigation device as described above, generally, the street name ahead at the intersection is not notified to the operator.

Therefore, when the street name is well known to the general public, it may be convenient for the operator to be notified of the street name. For example, a guide sign on the road may be displayed with a street name. In such a case, the notification of the name of the intersection to be turned is also useful, but it is easier for the operator to know the name of the intersection to be turned. Especially in various countries such as Europe and America, street names are complete. Therefore, if the information is guided by the street name, it can be easily determined whether or not the traveling direction of the own vehicle and the guidance direction of the navigation device match.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems. It is an object of the present invention to provide a navigation device in which the street name of each road can be selected to be displayed on the display screen and the guide route can be selected such that the street name is used.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a road data coded for each road, street name data indicating the street name of each road data, and position data for each road data. And the information relating to this road data is stored in association with each other, the road corresponding to the detected current position of the vehicle is determined from the position data of each of the road data, and the street name data of this determined road is stored. Is read from the road data storage means and displayed or / and output as voice based on the current position of the vehicle. As a result, the street name of the road is notified, so that the guide route can be easily confirmed.

[0008]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

1. Summary of Embodiments An embodiment according to the present invention described below is a navigation device that searches for a route to an input destination and performs route guidance according to this route, and coded road data of each road and this. Road data storage means (CD-ROM) that stores the information about the road data by associating the street name data indicating the street name of each road data with the position data of each road data.
37 guide road data 50), current position detection means (current position detection device 20) for detecting the current position of the vehicle,
Road determination means (steps SB3 and SC3) for determining the road (corresponding) corresponding to the current position of the vehicle detected by the current position detection means from the position data of each of the road data stored in the road data storage means. , S
D3, SE3, SF2, SG3, SH1, SI2),
Name data reading means (steps SB4, SC5, SD) for reading the street name data of the road determined by the road determination means from the road data storage means.
5, SE4, SF5, SF6, SG7, SG8, SH
2, SH3, SI3) and the street name data read by the name data reading means are displayed and / or output as voice based on the current position of the vehicle (steps SB5, SB6, SC7, S
C8, SD7, SD8, SE5, SE6, SF5, SF
6, SG7, SG8, SH2, SH3, SI4).

In particular, the road judged by the road judging means is the road on which the own vehicle is currently traveling, the road on the guide route on which the own vehicle is to travel next, or the own vehicle is currently traveling. It is characterized in that it is a road intersecting with a road, a road on which the own vehicle turns next in a guide route, and / or a road around the destination or a stop of the own vehicle.

Further, in the embodiment according to the present invention described below, in a navigation device which searches for a route to an input destination and performs route guidance according to this route, coded road data of each road and Road data storage means (guide road data 50 of the CD-ROM 37) that stores the information about the road data by associating the street name data indicating the street name of each road data with the position data of each road data.
A current position detecting means (current position detecting device 20) for detecting the current position of the own vehicle, and the current position of the own vehicle detected by the current position detecting means. From the road data obtained, the road on which the vehicle is currently traveling, the road on the guide route on which the vehicle will travel next, the road intersecting with the road on which the vehicle is currently traveling, and the vehicle on the guide route Road determining means (steps SB3, SC3, SD3, SE3, SF) for determining at least one road among the roads entering the vehicle next to the curve or around the destination, destination, or stop-by place of the vehicle
2, SG3, SH1, SI2) and name data reading means (steps SB4, SC5, SD5, SE4, SF5,) for reading the street name data of the road determined by the road determination means from the road data storage means.
SF6, SG7, SG8, SH2, SH3, SI3)
And the street name data read by this name data reading means, based on the current position of the own vehicle,
Information output means for display output and / or voice output (steps SB5, SB6, SC7, SC8, SD7, SD
8, SE5, SE6, SF5, SF6, SG7, SG
8, SH2, SH3, SI4).

Further, the street name of each road related to the traveling route of the vehicle is displayed in the following modes. First
In this mode, the street name of the road where the vehicle is currently located is displayed and voiced. In the second mode, the street name of the road to be turned next on the guide route is displayed / voiced. In the third mode, the street name of each road intersecting with the road currently in progress is displayed / voiced. In the fourth mode, the street name of the road around the destination or the stop-by place is displayed / voiced. In the fifth mode, the street name of the road that is linearly connected to the road currently in progress is displayed / voiced. These modes are executed in combination. As a result, the street name of the road is notified, so that the guide route can be easily confirmed.

2. Overall Circuit Diagram FIG. 1 shows an overall circuit of a navigation device according to the present invention. The central processing unit 1 controls the operation of the entire navigation device. The central processing unit 1 is a CPU (central processing unit)
2. First ROM (Read Only Memory)
3, second ROM 4, first RAM (Random Acc
ess Memory) 5, a second RAM 6, a sensor input interface 7, a communication interface 8, an image processor 9, an image memory 10, a voice processor 11 and a clock 14. And each CPU2
~ The clocks 14 are mutually connected by the CPU local bus 15, and under the control of the CPU 2, each information data is exchanged between the devices.

The first ROM 3 stores programs for various processes executed by the CPU 2, various parameters required by the programs, and the like according to the respective flowcharts described later. The programs stored in the first ROM 3 include, for example, information display control and voice guidance control. The second ROM 4 stores display graphic data and various general-purpose data. The display graphic data is data required for route guidance and map display displayed on the display 33. The various kinds of general-purpose data are data used for navigation such as voice waveform data obtained by synthesizing guide voice or recording a real voice.

The first RAM 5 stores data input from the outside, various parameters used for calculation, calculation results, navigation programs, and the like. The clock 14 has a counter and a battery backup R
It is composed of AM or EEPROM and outputs time information.

The sensor input interface 7 is an A / D
It is composed of a conversion circuit or a buffer circuit. This sensor input interface 7 is used for the current position detection device 2
0 is connected to each sensor, and sensor data of an analog signal or a digital signal is input. The sensors of the current position detection device 20 are provided with an absolute azimuth sensor 21, a relative azimuth sensor 22, a distance sensor 23, and a vehicle speed sensor 24.

The absolute azimuth sensor 21 is, for example, a geomagnetic sensor, and detects geomagnetism. Then, data indicating the north-south direction, which is the absolute azimuth, is output from the absolute azimuth sensor 21. The relative direction sensor 22 is, for example, a steering angle sensor, and the steering angle of the wheel is detected by a gyro device such as an optical fiber gyro or a piezoelectric vibration gyro. Then, the relative angle of the traveling direction of the vehicle with respect to the absolute azimuth detected by the absolute azimuth sensor 21 is
Output from The distance sensor 23 is composed of, for example, a counter or the like linked with a mileage meter. From the distance sensor 23, data indicating the traveling distance of the host vehicle is output. The speed sensor 24 is constituted by a counter or the like connected to a speed meter. Data proportional to the traveling speed of the host vehicle is output from the vehicle speed sensor 24.

An I / O data bus 28 is connected to the communication interface 8 of the central processing unit 1. This I /
The GPS of the current position detection device 20 is connected to the O data bus 28.
The receiving device 25, the beacon receiving device 26, and the data receiving device 27 are connected. Further, the touch switch 34 of the input / output device 30, the printer 35, and the information storage section 38 are connected to the I / O data bus 28. That is, the communication interface 8 controls the exchange of various data between each external accessory device and the CPU local bus 15.

The current position detection device 20 is a device for obtaining data for detecting the current position of the host vehicle. That is, the absolute azimuth sensor 21 detects the absolute azimuth, and the relative azimuth sensor 22 detects the relative azimuth with respect to the absolute azimuth. Further, the distance sensor 23 detects the traveling distance, and the vehicle speed sensor 24 detects the traveling speed of the host vehicle. With the GPS receiver 25, the GPS (Global)
Positioning System signals (microwaves from multiple orbiting satellites) are received,
Positional data such as latitude and longitude of the vehicle is detected.

Similarly, the beacon receiving device 26 receives a beacon from an information providing system such as VICS (road traffic information communication system) and outputs the received data or GPS correction data to the I / O data bus 28. To be done. In the data transmitter / receiver 27, a bidirectional current position information providing system or ATIS (traffic information service) using a cell phone, an FM multiplex signal, a telephone line, or the like.
And the like, information about the current position or information about road conditions in the vicinity of the vehicle is transmitted and received. These pieces of information are used as position detection information of the own vehicle or operation assistance information. The beacon receiving device 26 and the data transmitting / receiving device 27 may be omitted.

The input / output device 30 includes a display 33, a transparent touch panel 34, a printer 35 and a speaker 13.
Consists of The display information is displayed on the display 33 during the navigation operation. The touch panel 34 is attached on the screen of the display 33, and a plurality of transparent touch switches are arranged in a planar matrix. From the touch panel 34, information necessary for setting a destination such as a starting point, a destination, and a passing point is input to the navigation device. In the printer 35, the communication interface 8
Various types of information such as maps and facility guides output via the are printed. Each information is transmitted from the speaker 13 to the user by voice. The printer 35 may be omitted.

The display 33 is a CR
A T, liquid crystal display or plasma display capable of displaying an image is used. However, a liquid crystal display with low power consumption, high visibility, and light weight is preferable as the display 33. The image processor 9 connected to the display 33 includes a DRAM (D
dynamic RAM) or dual port DRAM
The image memory 10 is connected. Image data is written to the image memory 10 by the image processor 9. Further, under the control of the image processor 9, data is read from the image memory 10 and an image is displayed on the display 33.

The image processor 9 converts the map data and the character data into display image data according to the drawing command from the CPU 2, and writes the display image data in the image memory 10. At this time, due to the scrolling of the screen, an image around the screen displayed on the display 33 is also formed and simultaneously stored in the image memory 10.

The speaker 13 includes the CPU local bus 1
An audio processor 11, which is connected to the CPU 2 and the second ROM 4 via 5, is connected. Then, the CPU 2 inputs the voice waveform data for the guide voice read from the second ROM 4 to the voice processor 11. The voice processor 11 converts the voice waveform data into an analog signal and outputs it from the speaker 13. The audio processor 11 and the image processor 9 are composed of a general-purpose DSP (digital signal processor) or the like.

A CD-ROM 37 is stored in the information storage section 38 connected to the I / O data bus 28. In this CD-ROM 37, data necessary for navigation operation such as road map data is recorded in a nonvolatile manner. The information storage unit 38 is provided with a data transmission / reception unit 39. The data transmitter / receiver 39 is a CD-RO.
The information written in M37 is read and output to the I / O data bus 28.

The information storage device of the present invention is a CD-R.
In addition to an optical memory such as the OM37, a recording medium such as an IC memory, a semiconductor memory such as an IC memory card, a magnetic memory such as a magneto-optical disk, a hard disk, or the like may be used. When the recording medium of the information recording apparatus is changed, the data transmitter / receiver 39 is equipped with a data pickup suitable for the changed recording medium. For example, if the recording medium is a hard disk, a core head is included in the data transmitting / receiving unit 39.

The CD-ROM 37 has map data, intersection data, node data, road data, photograph data, destination data, guidance data, detailed destination data, destination reading data, house shape necessary for navigation operation. Data, other data, programs, etc. are stored. With this program, the navigation operation is executed using the road map data of the CD-ROM 37.
The navigation program is read from the CD-ROM 37 by the data transmitting / receiving unit 39,
It is written in the first RAM 5. Other data include:
There are display guidance data, voice guidance data, simplified guidance route image data, and the like.

3. Road data structure of CD-ROM 37.

2 to 8 show the structure of guide road data recorded in the CD-ROM 37 and used for route guidance. FIG. 2 shows specific data contents of the guide road data 50. Guided road data 5 in CD-ROM 37
Many 0s are stored. 1 of this guide road data 50
One is composed of road data of RD (n) roads.
One road data in this guide road data 50 is composed of road number RDN, length RDL, road attribute data RDA, shape data address FDA and guide data address GDA.

The road number RDN is a number for identifying each guide road. Therefore, one guide road is specified by this road number RDN. The length RDL represents the geographical distance of this guideway.

As shown in FIG. 6, the road attribute data RDA shows the mode of this road. That is, when the road with the road number RDN is any of the elevated road, the elevated road, the underground road, and the underground road, the flag data 71 indicating these is set. Therefore, if this flag data 71 is not set, the road number RD
The N road is uniquely defined as the surface road.

An identification flag 72 indicating the number of lanes on the road is added to the road attribute data RDN. The identification flag 72 identifies the number of lanes on this road. For example, according to FIG. 6, the number of lanes of the road to which the road number RDN is attached is identified to be two lanes.

The storage start address of the shape data 55 of the CD-ROM 37 and the memory area are identified by the shape data address FDA and size FDS of FIG. Shape data 5
5 is a data group representing the outer shape on the map of the road with the road number RDN. FIG. 3 shows specific contents of the shape data 55. Each road is approximately represented by a pseudo curve that connects a plurality of nodes with a straight line. Data representing the geographical coordinates (position) of each node is stored as the shape data 55. Therefore, by using this shape data 55, the outer shape and position of the road on the map are determined.

FIG. 3 shows how the geographical coordinate data of each node is stored. In FIG. 3, the number of nodes constituting one road is identified by the number of nodes NC (m). Then, the geographic coordinates (position) of the first node is determined by the east longitude data EO and the north latitude data NO. Similarly, the east longitude data EO and the north latitude data NO of each second and subsequent nodes are stored in the memory area up to the size FDS. The connection position of each road is also determined by the geographical coordinates (position) of each node.

The guide data 60 in the CD-ROM 37 is represented by the guide data address GDA and size GDS in FIG.
The storage start address and the size of the memory area are determined.
The guidance data 60 represents characteristics associated with this road, and is, for example, the name of an intersection leading to the end of this road, attention point data, or data representing the name of this road. The state of the guidance data 60 is shown in FIG.

The guide data 60 is composed of data having the following contents. The first data is the intersection name CN. The intersection with the intersection name CN is the intersection at the end of the road with the road number RDN. The caution data AD identifies that the road with the road number RDN is a tunnel entrance, a tunnel exit, or a railroad crossing. An example of this caution data AD is shown in FIG.
Is shown in Based on the caution data AD, the driver is informed by voice or display of caution information on traveling.

The road name data RND shown in FIG. 4 includes street names, national road names (national road numbers) attached to this road,
It is character data such as a local road name (local road number) or a highway name (highway number). The street name may mean these road name data RND. Based on the road name voice data address ROA and the size ROS of the guidance data 60 of FIG. 4, the storage start address and the memory area of the voice data of this road name are discriminated. This voice data is output via the voice processor 11 and the speaker 13, whereby the operator is notified of the road name.

Destination data address DOA and size DOS in FIG. 4 indicate the storage start address and memory area of destination data 65. The destination data 65 represents a guide road connected to the road and also shows the connection relationship between the main road and other roads. That is, the destination data 65 is various data indicating each of the following roads connected to the road with the road number RDN.

FIG. 5 shows the contents of the destination data 65. The number of destinations ES (k) represents the number of roads connected to the road with the road number RDN. The destination road number ERB is a number having the same meaning as the road number RDN and represents an identification number attached to each road. The destination road name ERN is a unique name of the road to which the destination road number ERB is attached. Destination road name voice data address EDA and size EDS
Indicates the storage start address and the memory area of the voice data of the destination road name ERN.

Using this voice data, the destination road name ERN is notified to the operator by voice. The destination direction data ESA represents the connection angle (connection direction) from the road with the road number RDN to the road with the destination road number ERB. That is, the destination direction data ESA means the traveling angle (traveling direction) from the end of the road with the road number RDN to the road with the destination road number ERB. For example, if the destination direction data ESA indicates a left turn direction, the vehicle turns left and enters the road of the destination road road number ERB from the road of the road number RDN. Similarly, if the destination direction data ESA indicates a right turn direction, the host vehicle turns right and enters this destination road. The destination direction data ESA also indicates invalidity, unnecessaryness, straight ahead, rightward direction, diagonal rightward direction, rightward returning direction, leftward direction, diagonally leftward direction, leftward returning direction, and the like. Note that the connection position of each road is also determined by the above-mentioned geographical coordinates (geographical position) of each node.

In FIG. 5, the travel guidance data EID is
This shows the lane change contents necessary for entering the destination road number ERB. In other words, this destination road number E
When entering the road of RB, the driving guidance data EID on the original road indicates lane change such as “close to the right” and “close to the left” or other necessary information. FIG. 8 shows the specific contents of the travel guidance data EID. With this travel guidance data EID, travel guidance such as lane change is correctly executed.

4. Data Content of First RAM 5 FIG. 9 shows a part of a data group stored in the first RAM 5. The program recorded and stored in the CD-ROM 37 is copied to the program area PL. The current position data MP is data representing the current position of the vehicle,
It is detected by the current position detection device 20. The absolute azimuth data ZD is data indicating the north-south direction, and is obtained based on information from the absolute azimuth sensor 21. As for the relative azimuth data Dθ, the traveling direction of the host vehicle is the absolute azimuth data ZD.
It is angle data formed with respect to, and is obtained based on information from the relative orientation sensor 22.

The traveling distance data ML is the traveling distance of the own vehicle and is obtained based on the data from the distance sensor 23. The current position information PI is data relating to the current position, and is stored in the beacon receiving device 26 or the data transmitting / receiving device 2.
Input from 7. The VICS data VD and the ATIS data AD are data input from the beacon receiving device 26 or the data transmitting / receiving device 27. Using the VICS data VD, the error correction of the own vehicle position detected by the GPS receiver 25 is executed. Further, the traffic regulation and traffic congestion situation of the area are determined by the VICS data VD and the ATIS data AD.

The registered destination data TP is data regarding the destination such as the coordinate position and the name of the destination, and is registered by the user. The guidance start point data SP is map coordinate data of a point where the navigation operation is started.
Similarly, the final guidance point data ED is map coordinate data of the point where the navigation operation is ended.

As the guidance start point data SP, the node coordinates on the guide road closest to the current position of the vehicle are used. The reason why the guidance start point data SP is stored is that the current position of the host vehicle is, for example, within a site such as a golf course or a parking lot, and is not necessarily on the guide road. Similarly, the guidance end point data ED also uses the node coordinates on the guide road closest to the registered destination data TP. The reason why the guidance final point data ED is stored is that the coordinates of the registered destination data TP may not be on the guidance road.

The guide route data MW stored in the first RAM 5 indicates an optimum route to the destination or a recommended route, and is obtained by the route search process of step SA4 described later. Each road in the road map stored in the CD-ROM 37 is assigned a unique road number. The guide route data MW is a row of the road number group from the guide start point data SP to the final guide point data ED.

The mode set data MD is used in the guidance / display processing described later. This mode set data MD
Is incremented each time one of the touch switches 34 is pressed. For example, "0", "1", "2",
They are "3" and "4". Then, when 1 is added to "4", it returns to "0" again. That is, the mode set data MD is cyclically changed. The information content displayed on the display 33 is selected by the mode set data MD. The touch switch 34 is laminated on the display 33.

5. Overall Process FIG. 10 shows a flowchart of the overall process of the navigation device executed by the CPU 2. This process starts when the power is turned on and is forcibly ended when the power is turned off. The power is turned on and off when the navigation device is turned on or off, or the vehicle engine start key (ignition switch) is used.
Is turned on and off.

The initialization process of step SA1 in FIG. 10 is as follows. First, the CD-R
The navigation program is read from the OM 37 and copied in the program area PL of the first RAM 5.
Then, the program in the program area PL is executed. Further, the CPU 2 clears the data in each RAM such as the first RAM 5 and the image memory 10.

Then, the current position processing (step SA
2), destination setting processing (step SA3), route search processing (step SA4), guidance / display processing (step SA3)
5) and other processing (step SA6) are cyclically executed.

In the current position processing (step SA2), the geographical coordinates (east longitude, north latitude and altitude) of the vehicle on which the navigation device is loaded are detected. In other words, GPS
The receiver 25 receives signals from a plurality of satellites orbiting the earth. By the radio waves from each satellite, the coordinate position of each satellite, the radio wave transmission time in the satellite,
Also, the radio wave reception time at the GPS receiver 25 is identified. From these information, the distance to each satellite is obtained by calculation. The coordinate position of the own vehicle is calculated from the distance to each satellite, and the current position of the own vehicle is acquired. The obtained coordinate position of the own vehicle is stored in the first RAM 5 as the current position data MP. The current position data MP may be corrected by information input from the beacon receiving device 26 or the data receiving device 27.

Further, in the current position processing (step SA2), the absolute azimuth data ZD and the relative azimuth data Dθ are set.
And the travel distance data ML are obtained using the absolute direction sensor 21, the relative direction sensor 22, and the distance sensor 23. From the absolute azimuth data ZD, the relative azimuth data Dθ, and the traveling distance data ML, an arithmetic process for specifying the own vehicle position is performed. The own vehicle position obtained by this arithmetic processing is collated with the map data stored in the CD-ROM 37, and is corrected so that the current position on the map screen is accurately displayed. By this correction process,
Even when GPS signals cannot be received in a tunnel or the like, the current position of the host vehicle can be accurately obtained.

In the destination setting process (step SA3) in FIG. 10, the geographical coordinates of the destination desired by the user are set as the registered destination data TP. For example, on the road map or the residential map displayed on the display 33, the user specifies the coordinate position. Alternatively, the destination is specified by the user from the itemized list of destinations similarly displayed on the display 33. When the destination designation operation is performed by the user, the central processing unit 1 stores information data such as coordinates of the destination in the first RAM 5 as registered destination data TP.
The information data such as the coordinates of the destination also includes a stop-by place or the like that stops in the middle of the destination. This destination setting processing is jumped when a new destination or a new stop-by point is not set or changed.

Route search processing in FIG. 10 (step S
In A4), the optimum route from the guidance start point data SP to the final guidance point data ED via the stop-by place is searched. The optimum route here is, for example, a route that can reach the destination in the shortest time or the shortest distance. Alternatively, when a highway is used, the route may be a route that can reach the destination in the shortest time or the shortest distance using the highway. The same data as the current position data MP is set in the guidance start point data SP, or the node data of the guidance target road close to the current position data MP is set. When the current traveling position of the host vehicle deviates from the guidance route, the optimum route from the deviated current position to the final guidance point via the stop-by place is automatically searched again.

In the guidance / display process (step SA5) in FIG. 10, the guide route obtained in the route search process (step SA4) is displayed on the display 33 centering on the current position of the host vehicle. The guide route displayed on the display 33 is displayed together with the map screen. Further, according to this guide route, the guide information is audibly produced by the speaker 13 or the guide information is displayed on the display 33 so that the own vehicle can travel favorably.
Will be displayed at any time.

The image data for displaying the guide route is
Road map data around the current location on the CD-ROM 37,
Alternatively, housing map data around the current position is used. Switching between the road map data and the residential map data is performed under the following conditions. For example, the distance from the current position to the guidance point (destination, stop-off place, intersection, etc.), the speed of the host vehicle, the size of the displayable area, the switching of the scale, or the switch operation of the operator. Further, in the vicinity of the guidance point (destination, stop-by place, intersection, etc.), an enlarged map near the guidance point is displayed on the display 33.
Instead of the road map, the display of the geographical information may be omitted and the simplified guide route image may be displayed. In the simplified guide route image, only the minimum necessary information such as the guide route and the direction of the destination or stop-by place and the current position is displayed. After the guide / display process of step SA5, other processes are executed. (Step SA6). For example, it is determined whether or not the vehicle is traveling along the calculated guide route. When the host vehicle reaches the destination, the route guidance / display process is terminated, and the process returns to step SA2. Alternatively, it is determined whether or not a destination change command is input by the operator's switch operation. Even if there is a destination change command, the process is returned to step SA2 and is executed again from the current position process of the own vehicle. In this way, the processing from step SA2 to step SA6 is sequentially repeated.

6. Guide / Display Processing of First Embodiment (Step SA5) FIGS. 11 to 15 show a flowchart of the first embodiment of the guide / display processing executed by the navigation device of the present invention. FIG. 11 shows a flowchart of a mode in which the street name of the road currently traveling is displayed on the display 33. FIG. 12 shows a flowchart of a mode in which the street name of the next road that is linearly connected to the road currently running is displayed.
FIG. 13 shows a flowchart of a mode in which the street name of the planned road to be turned next is displayed in the guide route.

FIG. 14 shows a flowchart of the mode in which the street name of the road intersecting with the road currently running is displayed. FIG. 15 shows a flowchart of a mode in which the street names of the guide roads around the destination or the stop-by place are displayed. In the first embodiment, selection of these street name display modes is exclusively performed. That is, when one mode is selected, the street name of the road is not displayed in the other modes.

In the flowchart of FIG. 11, first, the currently set display mode is determined. That is, the street name display mode displayed on the display 33 is selected by the data set in the mode set data MD of the first RAM 5. When it is determined by the value of the mode set data MD that the "currently running street name display mode" is selected (YES in step SB2), the processes of steps SB3 to SB5 are executed. The data of the mode set data MD is set by operating the touch switch 34.

Current position data MP and CD of the first RAM 5
-By using the road data stored in the ROM 37,
A guide road that matches the current position of the vehicle is identified (step SB3). Road number RDN of this identified road
Is used as an index, and guidance data 60 (see FIG. 4)
Then, the road name data RND of this road number RDN is read out (step SB4). At this time, C indicated by the road name voice data address ROA and size ROS
The voice data of the road name is read from the memory area of the D-ROM 37.

Then, the road name data RND is written in the image memory 10 under the control of the image processor 9. As a result, the road name data RND is displayed in the street name display area displayed on the display 33 (step SB5). Also, road name data RND
The voice data of is generated by the speaker 13 under the control of the voice processor 11 (step SB6). In addition,
The voice data may be repeatedly sounded at a constant distance or at a constant time. Alternatively, the voice data may be sounded only once when the host vehicle enters the currently traveling road from a road having a different road name.

FIG. 22 shows an example in which the name of the currently running street is displayed on the display 33.
In FIG. 22, at the bottom of the map display area 122,
A street name display area 121 is provided. Road name data RND is displayed in the street name display area 121. Therefore, the street name display area 121 itself shows the correspondence relationship (relevance) between the vehicle and the road on which the name is output. In this way, the street name of the road currently traveling is displayed by the processing of steps SB3 to SB6. After this, the determination of step SC1 in FIG. 12 is executed. Since the mode is the "street name display mode of the current road" in the determination in step SC1, the determination is NO. That is, the series of processing in FIG. 12 is not executed and is passed.

Next, the determination of step SD1 in FIG. 13 is executed. Similarly in this determination, since the mode is different, it is determined to be NO. As a result, step S in FIG.
The processing of D2 to step SD8 is not performed. Similarly, the series of processing in FIG. 14 is also passed because the mode is different. Finally, the judgment in step SF1 in FIG.
It is determined to be O, and step SF7 in FIG. 15 is executed. In the "other guidance / display processing" of step SF7, the following processing is executed. For example,
A road map including a guide route is displayed on the display 33, and a distance to a point where the course should be changed, such as a right turn or a left turn, is displayed and notified. When the process of step SF7 ends, the process returns to the main flow of FIG.

Next, the case where the "next street name display mode" is selected according to the value of the mode set data MD will be described. In the case of this mode, the determination in step SB2 of FIG. 11 is NO because the mode is different. Further, YES is determined in step SC1 in FIG. Therefore, step SC in FIG.
The processing from 2 to step SC8 is executed.

First, the current position data M of the first RAM 5
P and the road data stored in the CD-ROM 37 are used to identify the guide road that matches the current position of the vehicle (step SC2). Further, from the guide route obtained in the route search process of the main flow (see FIG. 10), a road which is linearly continuous with the current road and whose street name is changed is detected (step SC3). In this detection, the road numbers RDN of the guide road data 50 (see FIG. 2) and the destination road number ERB of the destination data 65 (see FIG. 5) are matched. Further, the destination road number ERB of the road whose destination direction data ESA in the destination data 65 represents “straight ahead” is selected. Thereby, step S
Roads that meet the conditions of C3 are detected. When a road with a different street name is determined (extracted) in step SC3, YES is determined in step SC4.

Then, the destination road name ERN of the detected road is read from the destination data 65 (see FIG. 5) (step SC5). At this time, road name voice data is read from the memory area of the CD-ROM 37 indicated by the destination road name voice data address EDA and size EDS. Further, the geographical distance from the current position to the detected road is obtained (step SC6).

Then, the destination road name ERN and the calculated distance data are written in the image memory 10 under the control of the image processor 9. This allows the display 33
The destination road name ERN and the distance to the road are displayed in the next street name display area provided in (step SC7). Further, the voice data of the road name data RND is sounded from the speaker 13 under the control of the voice processor 11 (step SC8). The voice data may be repeatedly sounded at a predetermined distance to the next street, a constant distance, or a constant time.

If the determination in step SC4 is no, the processes from step SC5 to step SC8 are not executed. That is, if a road which is linearly connected to the current road and whose road name is changed is not detected in the guide route, the road name is not displayed on the display 33. An example in which the street name of the next road is displayed on the display 33 is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 22, the street name of the next road and the distance to the road are displayed in the display area 123 above the display 33. Therefore, the distance itself to this street name display area 123 and this road shows the correspondence relationship (relevance) between the vehicle and the road on which the name is output.

When the processes of steps SC2 to SC8 are executed, the determinations of step SD1 of FIG. 13, step SE1 of FIG. 14 and step SF1 of FIG. 15 are executed. In these steps SD1, SE1 and SF1, since the modes are different, it is determined to be NO. Then, step SF7 of FIG. 15 is executed. This step SF
The guide processing is executed by the "other guide / display processing" of 7 and a road map including the guide route is displayed on the display 33, and the distance to the point where the course should be changed such as right turn or left turn is displayed and notified. To be done. When the process of step SF7 ends, the process returns to the main flow of FIG.

Further, the case where the display mode is the "next turn street name display mode" will be described.
In this case, since the determinations in step SB2 of FIG. 11 and step SC1 of FIG. 12 are NO, the processes of FIGS. 11 and 12 are not executed. However, the determination in step SD1 in FIG. 13 is YES, so step S
The processing from D2 to step SD8 is executed.

The current position data MP of the first RAM 5 and C
Using the road data stored in the D-ROM 37,
A guide road that matches the current position of the vehicle is identified (step SD2). Furthermore, the main flow (see Fig. 10)
From the guide routes obtained in the route search process of
Next, a newly entering road such as a right turn or a left turn is detected (step SD3). The turn progression identified in step SD3 includes not only right turn and left turn but also turn progress such as diagonal right and diagonal left. This step SD
If a road traveling in a turn is detected in 3, it is determined as YES in step SD4.

Then, the destination road name ERN of the detected road is read from the destination data 65 (see FIG. 5) (step SD5). At this time, road name voice data is read from the memory area of the CD-ROM 37 indicated by the destination road name voice data address EDA and size EDS. Further, the geographical distance from the current position to the detected road on which the vehicle is going to turn is calculated (step SD6).

The destination road name ERN and the calculated distance data are written in the image memory 10 under the control of the image processor 9. This allows the display 33
The destination road name ERN and the distance to the road are displayed in the next street name display area provided at (step SD7). Further, the voice data of the road name data RND is sounded from the speaker 13 under the control of the voice processor 11 (step SD8). The voice data may be repeatedly sounded at a predetermined distance to the next turn street, at a constant distance, or at a constant time. In particular, this voice data may be repeatedly sounded when the vehicle approaches an intersection where a turn is planned.

If the determination in step SD4 is no, the processes in steps SD5 to SD8 are not executed. In other words, if no curving road is detected in the guide route, the street name of the curving road is not displayed. In addition, an example in which the street name of this curved road is displayed on the display 33 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 19, the display 33
In the upper display area 91 of, the street name of the road to be turned next is displayed. In addition, the distance to the road on which the vehicle is turning is displayed on the display 33 as a display value 92. In addition, in FIG. 19, an enlarged view of a bent intersection is shown together with a street name display of a traveling road. Therefore, the display area 91 and the display numerical value 92 themselves show the correspondence (relationship) between the own vehicle and the road on which the name is output.

In contrast to this, when the current position of the host vehicle and the distance to this bent intersection are long, the enlarged view of the intersection is not displayed on the display 33. At this time,
On the display 33, a map including the guide route is displayed with the position of the vehicle as the center of the screen. However, the street name of the next curved road may be constantly displayed in the display area 91 at the top of the screen of the display 33.

In the case of FIG. 19, only the street name of the road traveling in a turn is displayed in the display area 9 of the display 33.
1 is displayed. However, when the street names of the roads in the four directions surrounding the intersection 93 are different from each other, the street names of the roads may be displayed in the map screen of the display 33. This state is shown in FIG.

FIG. 21 shows an example of a screen in which all street names of roads in four directions centering on an intersection are displayed. In this process, in the process of step SD5, k destination road names ERN included in the destination data 65 are included.
Are all read. In addition, the street name of the road currently running is the road name data RN of the guidance data 60.
D is read. These k destination road names ERN
And road name data RND are displayed on the display 33. As a result, the street name of each road centering on the turning intersection is displayed on the screen. Therefore, each of the roads displayed in this figure shows the correspondence (relevance) between the own vehicle and the road whose name is output.

When the destination road name ERN and the road name data RND are directly displayed on the map screen of the display 33, the destination road name ERN and the road name data RND are displayed at a position considering the font size of the character data. That is, as shown in FIG. 21, the street names 112 of the road 111 are displayed at positions with intervals proportional to the display character font. As a result, the road 111 and the name 112 are overlapped with each other, and the reduction in visibility is prevented.

When the processes of steps SD2 to SD8 are executed, the determinations of step SE1 of FIG. 14 and step SF1 of FIG. 15 are executed. In these steps SE1 and SF1, since the modes are different, it is determined to be NO. Then, step SF7 of FIG. 15 is executed. "Other guidance / display processing" in step SF7
Displays a road map including the guide route on the display 33 or displays other necessary information on the display 3
3 is displayed above. When the process of step SF7 ends, the process returns to the main flow of FIG.

Next, the case where the display mode is the "street name display mode of intersecting roads" will be described. In this case, NO is determined in step SB2 of FIG. 11, step SC1 of FIG. 12 and step SD1 of FIG. Therefore, the processes of FIGS. 11, 12 and 13 are not executed. However, since the determination in step SE1 in FIG. 14 is YES, steps SE2 to S
The processing up to E6 is executed.

The current position data MP of the first RAM 5 and C
The road data stored in the D-ROM 37 is used to identify the guide road that matches the current position of the vehicle (step SE2). Further, a plurality of intersecting roads are detected in the middle of the road at the present position and the guide route linearly connected to the road (step SE3). In detecting this intersecting road, the guide road data 50 (see FIG. 2) is used.
And destination data 65 (see FIG. 5) are used. That is, in each guide road, data of each road connected to the road is stored as the destination data 65. Therefore, if this destination data 65 is used, the road intersecting the guide route is detected.

Then, the destination road name ERN of the detected road is read from the destination data 65 (see FIG. 5) (step SE4). At this time, voice data of the road name is simultaneously read from the memory area of the CD-ROM 37 indicated by the destination road name voice data address EDA and the size EDS. Then, the destination road name ERN is written in the image memory 10 under the control of the image processor 9. As a result, the street name of the intersecting road is displayed on the display 33 (step S
E5).

Further, the voice data of the road name data RND is controlled by the voice processor 11 so that the speaker 13
Is pronounced from (step SE6). The voice data is produced only when the vehicle approaches the intersecting road within a predetermined range. Alternatively, the sound may be repeatedly pronounced at a predetermined distance to the intersecting road, at a constant distance, or at a constant time. Further, even after passing the intersecting road, the street name sound of this road may be pronounced again. FIG. 20 shows an example of a screen on which street names of intersecting roads are displayed. As shown in FIG. 20, street names are displayed in the display area 101 at the top of the screen. FIG. 23 shows another screen display example.

In FIG. 23, the area 13 of the screen 132 is
4 or area 135 displays the street name of the intersecting road. When the street name is displayed in the area 134, a part of the intersecting road 136 is hidden. However, if the street name is displayed in area 135,
The intersecting road 136 is not hidden. Therefore, any display method is selected according to the scale of the map displayed on the display 33. Further, when street names are displayed directly on the map screen as shown in FIG. 23, street names of all roads intersecting with the guide route may be displayed on the displayed map. The display area 101,
Reference numerals 134 and 135 indicate the correspondence (relationship) between the own vehicle and the road on which the name is output.

As described above, step SE2 to step S
When the processing up to E6 is executed, step SF in FIG.
The judgment of 1 is executed. In this step SF1, since the modes are different, NO is determined. Then, step SF7 of FIG. 15 is executed. By this "other guide / display processing" in step SF7, a road map including the guide route is displayed on the display 33, and other necessary information is displayed on the display 33. When the process of step SF7 ends, the process returns to the main flow of FIG.

Further, the case where the display mode is the "destination / stopover street name display mode" will be described. In this case, NO is determined in step SB2 of FIG. 11, step SC1 of FIG. 12, step SD1 of FIG. 13 and step SE1 of FIG. Therefore, in FIG.
The processes of FIGS. 12, 13 and 14 are not executed. However, since the determination in step SF1 in FIG. 15 is YES, the processes in steps SF2 to SF7 are executed.

From the final guidance point data ED stored in the first RAM 5, the road on the guidance route closest to the destination or the stop-by place is detected (step SF2). The road name data RND of the detected road is the guide data 6
It is read from 0 (see FIG. 4) (step SF3).
At this time, road name voice data is read from the memory area of the CD-ROM 37 indicated by the road name voice data address ROA and size ROS.

Then, a road map around the destination / stop-by place is displayed on the display 33 (step SF
4). Further, the road name data RND read in step SF3 is displayed on the display 33 (step SF5). As a result, the street name of the guide route close to the destination or the stop-by place is displayed on the screen.

The display position of the street name on the screen may be displayed in a display area dedicated to the upper part of the screen. Alternatively, it may be displayed directly on the map screen. Furthermore, in the display mode of the street name of this destination / stop-by place,
All street names of roads around the stop-by place may be displayed. In this case, the street name is displayed corresponding to each street figure. The street figure itself indicates the correspondence (relevance) between the own vehicle and the road on which the name is output. Then, the destination / stop-by point itself shows the correspondence or association with the own vehicle.

Then, the street name sound of the road detected in step SF2 is generated (step SF
6). This street name is pronounced only once along with the display of the map screen in step SF4.

The processing from step SF2 to step SF6 is executed, or NO in the determination in step SF1.
In the case of, step SF7 is executed. This step S
By "Other guidance / display processing" of F7, a road map including the guidance route is displayed on the display 33, and other necessary information is displayed on the display 33.
When the process of step SF7 ends, the process returns to the main flow of FIG.

As described above, in the first embodiment, the mode in which the street name is displayed on the screen is one of the five modes.
However, this may be selected as follows. For example, the street name display of the road currently running in FIG. 11, the street name display next to FIG. 13, and the street name display of the road intersecting with the road currently running in FIG. 14 are always displayed. FIG. 23 shows a screen display example in this case.

Further, all the processes shown in FIGS. 11 to 15 may be performed. That is, each step S
In B2, SC1, SD1, SE1 and SF1, the judgment is unconditionally YES. As a result, street names of all roads are displayed on the screen.

7. Guide / Display Processing of Second Embodiment (Step SA5) FIGS. 16 and 17 are flowcharts of the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, in the street name display mode of the road to turn next, the display content is switched according to the distance from the current position to the curved road. The main flow chart is the same as that of the first embodiment and is shown in FIG. Further, in the flow chart of the guidance / display processing in the second embodiment, FIG.
The parts other than 6 and FIG. 17 are the same as those in the first embodiment. That is, FIGS. 11, 12 and 15 are also used in the second embodiment. The description of the same parts as those of the first embodiment will be omitted, and the description of the first embodiment will be referred to for the contents other than those described here. Also in the second embodiment, the street name mode displayed on the display 33 can be selected, and the mode set data MD can be selected.
Is determined by

The flow charts shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 are executed when the display mode is the "next turn street name display mode". In this case, NO is determined in step SB2 of FIG. 11 and step SC1 of FIG. 12, so the processes of FIGS. 11 and 12 are not executed. However, the determination in step SG1 in FIG. 16 is Y.
Since it becomes ES, the processing of step SG2 and thereafter is executed.

The current position data MP of the first RAM 5 and C
The road data stored in the D-ROM 37 is used to identify the guide road that matches the current position of the vehicle (step SG2). Further, from the guide route obtained in the route search process of the main flow (see FIG. 10), a road to be newly entered by making a right turn, a left turn, or the like is detected (step SG3). The turn progression identified in step SG3 includes not only right turn and left turn but also turn progression in the right diagonal direction, the left diagonal direction, and the like. In this step SG3, when a road traveling in a turn is detected, it is determined as YES in step SG4.

Then, the geographical distance from the current position to the detected road on which the vehicle is going to turn is found (step SG5). Note that NO is determined in step SG4,
In other words, if no road to be turned is detected,
The process of step SH1 of FIG. 17 is executed.

Then, it is determined whether or not the distance to the road on which the vehicle is going to turn, which is obtained in step SG5, is shorter than a predetermined value (step SG6). That is, when the distance to the road to be bent is long, the street name of the road to be bent is not displayed, but the street name of the intersecting road is displayed. Therefore, when the distance is long, if NO is determined in step SG6, step S of FIG.
The processing of H1 is executed.

However, if the distance to the road on which the vehicle is turning is within a predetermined value, the next step SG7 is executed. The destination road name ERN of the detected road is read from the destination data 65 (see FIG. 5). At this time, road name voice data is read from the memory area of the CD-ROM 37 indicated by the destination road name voice data address EDA and size EDS. Then, the destination road name ERN and the calculated distance data are written in the image memory 10 under the control of the image processor 9.

As a result, the destination road name ERN and the distance to the road are displayed in the next street name display area provided on the display 33 (step SG7). Further, the voice data of the road name data RND is sounded from the speaker 13 under the control of the voice processor 11 (step SG8). The voice data may be repeatedly sounded at regular intervals. In particular, this voice data may be repeatedly sounded when the vehicle approaches an intersection where a turn is planned.

In addition, steps SG4 and SG6
If NO is determined in any of the above, the processes in steps SG5 to SG8 are not executed. That is, in the guide route, the road name of the curved road is not displayed when the curved road is not detected and when the distance to the curved road is long. Then, the processes after step SH1 in FIG. 17 are executed.
In step SH1, a plurality of intersecting roads are detected in the middle of the road at the current position and in the middle of the guide route linearly connected to this road.

In detecting the intersecting road, the guide road data 50 (see FIG. 2) and the destination data 65 (see FIG. 5) are used.
Is used. That is, in each guide road, data of each road connected to the road is stored as the destination data 65. Therefore, using this destination data 65, the road intersecting with the guide route is detected.

Then, the destination road name ERN of the detected road is read from the destination data 65 (see FIG. 5). At this time, the CD-ROM 3 indicated by the destination road name voice data address EDA and the size EDS
The voice data of the road name is read from the memory area 7 at the same time. Then, the destination road name ERN is written in the image memory 10 under the control of the image processor 9. As a result, the street name of the road intersecting the display 33 is displayed (step SH2).

Further, the voice data of the road name data RND is controlled by the voice processor 11 so that the speaker 13
Is sounded from (step SH3). The voice data is produced only when the vehicle approaches the intersecting road within a predetermined range. Further, the voice data may be repeatedly sounded at a predetermined distance to the intersecting road, at a constant distance, or at a constant time. Furthermore, after passing the intersecting road, the street name sound of the intersecting road may be pronounced again.

When the processing of steps SG2 to SH3 is executed, the determination of step SF1 of FIG. 15 is executed. In this step SF1, the mode is different, so NO
Is determined. Then, step SF7 of FIG. 15 is executed. By this "other guide / display processing" in step SF7, a road map including the guide route is displayed on the display 33, and other necessary information is displayed on the display 33. When the process of step SF7 ends, the process returns to the main flow of FIG.

As described above, in the second embodiment, in the street name display mode of the road to turn next, the display contents are switched according to the distance from the current position to the curved road. That is, when the distance to the road on which the vehicle is turning is long, the street name of the road that intersects with the road that is currently traveling is displayed on the display 33. On the contrary, when the distance to the road on which the turn is proceeding is short, the street name of the road on which the turn is proceeding is displayed. In addition, in the display of the street name, a display for identifying whether the road having the street name is an intersecting road or a road that is going through a turn is also displayed. Also in the second embodiment, the street name display of the road currently in progress in FIG. 11 and the street name display of the next turning road in FIGS. 16 and 17 may be displayed at the same time.

As described above, according to this embodiment, since the street name display mode can be selected, the guide route can be easily confirmed. In particular, when the street name of each road is maintained in an urban area or the like, the route is guided by the street name, and the own vehicle can be expected to operate more smoothly.

8. Guide / Display Processing of Third Embodiment (Step SA5) FIG. 18 is a flow chart of the third embodiment. Third
In the embodiment, the street name of each road is displayed on all or some of the roads displayed on the screen. For the contents other than those described here, refer to the description of the first and second embodiments. First, the current position data M of the first RAM 5
By P, a road map centering on the current position of the vehicle is displayed on the display 33 (step SI
1). The scale of the map in this map display is selected by the operator. As for this map scale, a plurality of scales such as a maximum enlarged view, an intermediate enlarged view and a minimum enlarged view are cyclically selected.

Then, along with this road map display, the road number RDN of each road displayed on the map is stored in the CD-ROM.
It is detected using the data of 37 (step SI2).
The street name of each road is read based on this road number RDN (step SI3). Then, the street name of each road is displayed on the map screen displayed in step SI1 (step SI4). The display position of each street name is displayed close to the corresponding road. The situation is shown in FIG. In this figure, the street name 142 of the road 141 is the road 14
It is displayed at a position on the screen 140 that is separated from the line segment 1 by an interval 143. The spacing 143 is approximately 10% of the font height used for displaying the street name 142 or other spacing. Further, the display character size of the street name 142 is set to a character size that matches the scale of the map displayed on the screen 140.

Thereafter, step SI5 is executed. By this "other guidance / display processing" in step SI5, a guidance route or the like is displayed on the display 33,
Other necessary information is displayed on the display 33. When the process of step SI5 ends, the process is returned to the main flow of FIG. As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the street names of the roads are displayed for all the roads displayed on the screen, the current position of the host vehicle can be more easily confirmed. The road whose street name is displayed is selected according to the main road, the number of lanes, the elevated road, the underpass, the surface road, the highway, the national road, etc. among the roads displayed on the display 33. Good. In this case, the data shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 to 6 are used.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the street name of the road near the final guidance point may always be displayed at the top of the screen, and the street name of the road where the vehicle is currently located may be displayed at the bottom of the screen. That is, at least two or more modes among the modes shown in FIGS. 11 to 17 may be simultaneously executed.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, the navigation program is read from the CD-ROM 37, written in the first RAM 5, and executed by the CPU 2. This program is stored in advance in the first ROM 3 as in the conventional case, and is stored in any CD-ROM 37
However, navigation processing such as route search may be executed by the same program.

However, as in the above embodiments, the CD-R
When the latest program is loaded from the OM 37 to the first RAM 5, the following advantages are obtained. CD-R
When the data construction method of the road map data of the OM 37 is changed in the future, the program is also changed, so that the newly constructed data is used more efficiently and the navigation operation becomes more optimal.

Furthermore, the type of the first RAM 5 may be a dynamic RAM, a static RAM, or a readable / writable RAM such as a memory card. In addition, in the current position detecting device 20, the GPS receiving device 2
5, one or two of the beacon receiving device 26 and the data receiving device 27 may be omitted. The printer 35 can also be omitted.

[0114]

As described above in detail, since the street name of the road is notified according to the present invention, the guide route can be easily confirmed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an entire circuit of a navigation device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a structure of guide road data 50 read from a CD-ROM 37.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the contents of shape data 55.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a structure of guidance data 60.

5 is a diagram showing the structure of destination data 65. FIG.

6 is a diagram showing the contents of road attribute data 70. FIG.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the contents of caution data 75.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the content of travel guidance data 80.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing data stored in the first RAM 5.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a main flowchart.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a street name display mode of a current road.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a street name display mode of a road on which the vehicle is next traveling.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a street name display mode of a road that turns next.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a street name display mode of a road that intersects with a current road.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of a street name display mode of a road near a destination or a stop-off place.

FIG. 16 is a flow chart diagram of a street name display mode of a road to turn next in the second embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a flow chart diagram of a street name display mode of a road to turn next in the second embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a flow chart diagram of a street name display mode in the third embodiment.

19 is a diagram showing a display example of the display 33. FIG.

20 is a diagram showing a display example of the display 33. FIG.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a display example of the display 33.

22 is a diagram showing a display example of the display 33. FIG.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a display example of a display 33.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a display example of a display 33.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Central processing unit, 2 ... CPU, 3 ... First ROM, 4 ... Second ROM, 5 ... First RAM, 7 ... Sensor input interface, 8 ... Communication interface, 9 ... Image processor, 10 ... Image memory, 11 ... Voice processor , 13 ...
Speaker, 20: current position detecting device, 21: absolute direction sensor, 22: relative direction sensor, 23: distance sensor, 24
... vehicle speed sensor, 37 ... CD-ROM, 39 ... data transmission / reception section.

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. Search for a route to an input destination,
In a navigation device that provides route guidance according to this route, the road data coded for each road, the street name data indicating the street name of each road data, and the position data of each road data are made to correspond to each other. Road data storage means for storing information about the vehicle, a current position detection means for detecting the current position of the host vehicle, and a road corresponding to the current position of the host vehicle detected by the current position detection means as the road data storage means. Road judging means for judging from the position data of each of the road data stored in the road data, name data reading means for reading the street name data of the road judged by the road judging means from the road data storing means, and this name data reading means Street name de read by The data, based on the current position of the vehicle, the navigation apparatus characterized by comprising an information output means for displaying the output and / or audio output. 2. The road determined by the road determining means is a road on which the own vehicle is currently traveling, a road in a guide route on which the own vehicle is scheduled to travel next, or a current vehicle. 2. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the navigation device is a road that intersects with a road, is a road on which the vehicle enters next in a guide route, and / or a road around a destination or a stop of the vehicle. 3. Searching the route to the input destination,
In a navigation device that provides route guidance according to this route, the road data coded for each road, the street name data indicating the street name of each road data, and the position data of each road data are made to correspond to each other. Based on the current position of the vehicle detected by the current position detection means, the road data storage means for storing information about From the stored road data, the road on which the host vehicle is currently traveling, the road on the guide route on which the host vehicle is scheduled to travel next, the road intersecting with the road on which the host vehicle is currently traveling, and the road on the guide route. At least one of the road around which the vehicle turns and the destination of the vehicle or the road around the stop Road determining means for determining a road; name data reading means for reading the street name data of the road determined by the road determining means from the road data storage means; and street name data read by the name data reading means. A navigation device comprising: an information output unit that outputs a display and / or outputs a voice based on the current position of the host vehicle. 4. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the road determination means determines all or part of the roads displayed by the output means. 5. The road judging means selects a road to be judged,
The roads according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the roads are selected by switching.
A navigation device as described. 6. The road determining means calculates a distance between a planned position where the vehicle is to be turned in the guide route and the current position of the vehicle. If the distance is equal to or more than a predetermined value, the vehicle is currently traveling. 3. A road intersecting with a running road is determined, and if this distance is smaller than a predetermined value, it is determined which road the vehicle on the guide route will turn into next.
The navigation device according to 3, 4, or 5. 7. The navigation device further comprises a destination setting means for setting a destination or a stop-by place, and the destination setting means based on the current position of the vehicle detected by the current position detecting means. A route setting means for searching and setting a route to the destination or the stop point based on the road data of the road data storing means; and a sending means for sending the route data set by the route setting means to the output means. 7. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the navigation device is provided. 8. The road data storage means further stores the shape of the road data, the connection relationship between the roads, the connection direction between the roads, or the connection position between the roads, and the information output means outputs the information. 6. The output or / and voice output of the correspondence or relevance between the street name data and the own vehicle is output.
6. The navigation device according to 6 or 7.