JP2004245610A - System and method for analyzing passing of vehicle coming from opposite direction, and navigation device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To support the passing of a vehicle in a narrow road by presenting to a driver whether the vehicle is difficult or not to pass a car coming from the opposite direction in the narrow road such as a mountanous road beforehand. <P>SOLUTION: Based on road width data, the vehicle width data on the vehicle, and vehicle width simulation data on various types of vehicles, a district 1 where the vehicle is hard to be passed is detected, and the detected hard-to-pass district 1 and a passable point 2 are displayed on a map image and notified to a user. Thus, whether the vehicle is hard or not to pass the vehicle coming from the opposite direction in the narrow road such as the mountainous road and, when the passing is hard, a position where the passing is allowed can be informed to a driver before the vehicle actually runs on the road. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an opposing vehicle passing analysis system and method, and a navigation device, and is particularly suitable for use in a system for analyzing and presenting a passing vehicle on a narrow road such as a mountain road.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In general, an in-vehicle navigation device detects the current position of a vehicle using a self-contained navigation sensor, a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver, or the like, reads map data near the vehicle from a recording medium, and displays it on a screen. Then, by superimposing and displaying a vehicle position mark indicating the vehicle position at a predetermined position on the screen, it is possible to see at a glance where the vehicle is currently traveling.
[0003]
This type of navigation device not only displays a map around the current location, but also detects a rival vehicle by means of wireless communication means or radar detection means on a narrow road such as a mountain road, for example. There has also been proposed a system in which a point at which a car and a host vehicle pass each other is estimated and presented to both vehicles (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-11-83508
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
According to the related art described in Patent Literature 1, it is possible to make the drivers of both the own vehicle and the oncoming vehicle recognize the estimated passing point, and to ensure safety. However, even if the estimated passing point is presented in advance, there is a problem that, when the passing point is actually passed, the road width is narrower than expected and it is difficult to pass.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in order to solve such a problem, and by presenting in advance to a driver whether or not it is difficult to pass an oncoming vehicle on a narrow road such as a mountain road, the present invention can be used for narrow roads. The purpose is to be able to support each other.
In addition, the present invention provides a driver with information such as how to drive on a road where it is difficult to pass oncoming vehicles and where to pass oncoming vehicles to a driver in advance, thereby narrowing down narrow roads. The purpose is to be able to support each other in passing.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a method for controlling a road that passes a predetermined condition based on road width data relating to a plurality of roads, vehicle width data of a host vehicle, and vehicle width data of various other vehicles. The section is detected, and the detected passing difficult section is notified to the user. Preferably, a passing point that satisfies a predetermined condition in the passing difficult section is further detected, and the detected passing point is reported.
[0008]
ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention comprised in this way, it becomes possible to notify a driver whether it is difficult to pass an oncoming vehicle on a narrow road such as a mountain road before actually traveling on the road. In the case of a narrow road where it is difficult to pass, it is possible to notify the driver in advance of points at which passing is possible.
[0009]
In another aspect of the present invention, image data captured when vehicles of various vehicle widths are traveling in a difficult-to-pass section are stored in a server device, and when a request for image data is made from a certain vehicle, Image data of a vehicle having substantially the same width as the vehicle is transmitted from the server device to the requesting vehicle and displayed on the screen.
[0010]
According to the present invention configured as described above, a running image captured by another vehicle that has previously traveled in the same difficult-to-pass section and has the same vehicle width as the own vehicle is displayed. Can be confirmed in advance.
[0011]
In another aspect of the present invention, when a vehicle approaches a difficult-to-pass section within a predetermined distance or is running, whether or not there is an oncoming vehicle approaching or traveling to the difficult-to-pass section within a predetermined distance. Is detected, and when there is such an oncoming vehicle, an optimal passing point is estimated and calculated from one or more passing points, and is notified.
[0012]
According to the present invention configured as described above, when an oncoming vehicle actually exists on a narrow road where it is difficult to pass the oncoming vehicle, the traveling position of the own vehicle and the oncoming vehicle, the passing position of the own vehicle and the oncoming vehicle, It is possible to notify the driver of the optimal passing point before the actual traveling according to the actual traveling situation such as the distance to the point (further, the traveling speed of the own vehicle and the traveling speed of the oncoming vehicle can be used). .
[0013]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
(1st Embodiment)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the navigation device according to the first embodiment.
[0014]
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 11 denotes a map storage medium such as a DVD-ROM, which stores various map data necessary for map display, route search, and the like. Here, the DVD-ROM 11 is used as a recording medium for storing map data, but another recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a hard disk may be used. A DVD-ROM control unit 12 controls reading of map data from the DVD-ROM 11.
[0015]
Here, details of the map data will be described. The map data recorded on the DVD-ROM 11 is managed in a hierarchy of units called levels, from a high-level map for overlooking a wide area to a low-level map describing a narrow area in detail. Each level is divided in units of a rectangular area called a section divided by predetermined longitude and latitude. The map data of each section is specified by specifying a section number, and can be read out.
[0016]
The map data for each section includes a drawing unit composed of various data required for map display, a road unit composed of data necessary for various processes such as map matching and route search, and an intersection unit composed of detailed data of intersections. And are included. The above-described drawing unit includes data of a background layer necessary for displaying a building or a river, and data of a character layer required for displaying a municipal name, a road name, and the like.
[0017]
The above-mentioned road unit connects between a node on the road and another node adjacent to the connection node table, which stores detailed data of nodes corresponding to points where multiple roads intersect, such as intersections and branches. And a link table containing detailed data of links corresponding to roads, lanes, and the like. In the present embodiment, nodes include points where the road width changes in addition to intersections and branches.
[0018]
For example, on a mountain road, there are wide and narrow roads on the same road. In some cases, shelters are provided for passing. The feature of the present embodiment lies in that nodes are set also in portions where the road width changes in this way. The node corresponding to the point where the road width changes does not need to be set for all roads, but only for narrow roads of a predetermined width or less.
[0019]
In the above connection node table, for each of the existing nodes, a. Node normalized longitude / latitude, b. Node attribute flags, c. The number of connected nodes, d. Number of traffic regulations, e. Connection node record, f. Traffic regulation records, g. Information such as the storage position and size of the intersection record is included.
[0020]
a. The normalized longitude / latitude of the node indicates a relative position in the longitude / latitude direction with respect to the section. b. The attribute flag of the node includes an intersection identification flag indicating whether the node is an intersection node and a road width change point identification flag indicating whether or not the node is a road width change point node. c. The number of connected nodes indicates the number of nodes forming the other end of each link when there is a link having that node as one end of the link.
[0021]
d. The number of traffic restrictions indicates the number of traffic restrictions when there is a traffic restriction such as a right turn prohibition or a U-turn prohibition on the link connected to the node. e. The connection node record indicates the link number of each link of which the node is at one end by the number of links. f. The traffic regulation record indicates the specific contents of the traffic regulation corresponding to the number of the above-mentioned traffic regulations, if any. g. When the node is an intersection node, the storage location and size of the intersection record indicate the storage location and size of the corresponding intersection record in the intersection unit.
[0022]
The link table contains a. First and second node numbers, b. Link distance, c. Link cost, d. Link width, e. Road attribute flag, f. Information such as a road type flag is included.
[0023]
a. The first and second node numbers indicate numbers that specify two nodes located at both ends of the link. b. The link distance indicates the actual distance of the actual road corresponding to the link. c. The link cost is obtained by calculating the required time for traveling on the link from the road type or the like, and indicating the time required for passing through the link, for example, in minutes.
[0024]
d. The road width of the link indicates the actual road width of the road corresponding to the link. e. The road attribute flag indicates various attributes related to the link. f. The road type flag indicates a type such as whether the actual road corresponding to the link is an expressway or a general road.
[0025]
Reference numeral 13 denotes a position measuring device for measuring the current position of the vehicle, which is composed of a self-contained navigation sensor, a GPS receiver, a position calculation CPU, and the like. The self-contained navigation sensor outputs a pulse every predetermined traveling distance to detect a moving distance of the vehicle (a distance sensor), and an angular velocity sensor such as a vibration gyro for detecting a rotation angle (moving direction) of the vehicle. (Relative direction sensor). The self-contained navigation sensor detects the relative position and direction of the vehicle using the vehicle speed sensor and the angular speed sensor.
[0026]
The position calculation CPU calculates the absolute vehicle position (estimated vehicle position) and the vehicle direction based on the relative position and direction data of the vehicle output from the self-contained navigation sensor. In addition, the GPS receiver receives radio waves transmitted from a plurality of GPS satellites with a GPS antenna, performs three-dimensional positioning processing or two-dimensional positioning processing, and calculates the absolute position and direction of the vehicle (vehicle direction is , Based on the current vehicle position and the current vehicle position one sampling time ΔT ago).
[0027]
A map information memory 14 temporarily stores map data read from the DVD-ROM 11 under the control of the DVD-ROM control unit 12. That is, the DVD-ROM control unit 12 inputs information on the current vehicle position from the position measurement device 13 and outputs a read instruction of map data in a predetermined range including the current vehicle position, thereby displaying a map or a guidance route. The map data necessary for the search is read from the DVD-ROM 11 and stored in the map information memory 14. This map information memory 14 constitutes the map data storage means of the present invention.
[0028]
Reference numeral 15 denotes a vehicle width memory, which stores vehicle width data registered by the user. Reference numeral 16 denotes a vehicle width memory for other vehicles, which stores simulation data of vehicle widths for various vehicle types in advance. For example, various vehicles are divided into the following three classes A, B, and C according to their sizes, and the vehicle widths of the various vehicles are averaged for each class to obtain simulation data. The own vehicle width memory 15 and the other vehicle width memory 16 constitute a vehicle width data storage unit of the present invention.
A: Mini car, compact car
B: Passenger car-RV (Recreation Vehicle)
C: Truck, bus
[0029]
Reference numeral 17 denotes an operation unit such as a remote controller (remote controller), which allows a user to set various information (for example, a destination of a guidance route and a vehicle width of the own vehicle) and various operations (for example, Various controls (buttons, joysticks, etc.) for performing menu selection operations, enlargement / reduction operations, manual map scrolling, numerical input, etc. are provided. Reference numeral 18 denotes a remote control interface, which receives an infrared signal from the remote control 17 according to the operation state.
[0030]
Reference numeral 19 denotes a processor (CPU), which controls the entire navigation device. Reference numeral 20 denotes a ROM that stores various programs (a guidance route search program, a passing vehicle passing analysis program, and the like). A RAM 21 temporarily stores data obtained in the course of various processes and data obtained as a result of various processes.
[0031]
The CPU 19 performs a process of searching for a guidance route with the lowest cost from the current location to the destination by using the map data stored in the map information memory 14 in accordance with the guidance route search program stored in the ROM 20. . A guidance route memory 22 stores guidance route data searched by the CPU 19 (corresponding to each node from the current position to the destination, the position of each node, an intersection identification flag, and a road width change point identification flag. ) Is stored.
[0032]
The CPU 19 also performs a process of guiding the vehicle to the destination based on the guidance route data stored in the guidance route memory 22. That is, by controlling the later-described guide route generating unit 27, the guide route is drawn thicker in a different color from other roads on the map screen while the vehicle is running. In addition, when the vehicle approaches a guidance intersection on the guidance route within a certain distance, the vehicle guides the traveling direction by voice, and displays the guidance image of the intersection by enlarging and displaying an arrow indicating the traveling direction. Provide intersection guidance.
[0033]
Reference numeral 23 denotes an intersection enlarged view memory, which temporarily stores enlarged map data of all the guidance target intersections in the guidance route (an enlarged view of an intersection for guiding a vehicle to a destination, an image of a destination, and an arrow of a traveling direction). To be stored. The data of the intersection enlarged view is also appropriately read from the DVD-ROM 11 under the control of the DVD-ROM control unit 12.
[0034]
The CPU 19 further executes an analysis simulation on the passing of the subject vehicle and the passing vehicle according to the passing vehicle analysis program stored in the ROM 20. That is, the CPU 19 determines the road width data included in the map data stored in the map information memory 14, the vehicle width data registered in the vehicle width memory 15, and the other vehicle width memory 16. For example, based on the vehicle width simulation data of various vehicles stored in the section, road sections that are difficult to pass, which satisfy the condition of the following equation (1), are detected.
1m (meter) ≥ road width-(own vehicle width + other vehicle simulation width) ... (1)
[0035]
Further, the CPU 19 further detects points that can pass each other that satisfy the condition of the following expression (2) in the passing difficult section that satisfies the expression (1).
1m (meter) <road width-(own vehicle width + other vehicle simulation width) ... (2)
In the present embodiment, a node is set at a point where the road width changes, and the passing difficult section is detected based on the node. Therefore, the passing point is basically detected at both ends of the passing difficult section. However, if there is a shelter or the like in the middle of the difficult-to-pass section, the shelter is also detected as a passing point. As described above, the CPU 19 constitutes the passing analysis means of the present invention.
[0036]
Numeral 24 is an analysis result memory, which stores the results of the simulation of the opposing vehicle passing analysis performed by the CPU 19 (the start point and the end point of the difficult passing section, and a set of nodes that collect the passing points).
[0037]
A display controller 25 generates map image data necessary for display on the display device 32 based on the map data stored in the map information memory 14. Reference numeral 26 denotes a video RAM, which temporarily stores map image data generated by the display controller 25. That is, the map image data generated by the display controller 25 is temporarily stored in the video RAM 26, and the map image data for one screen is read and output to the image synthesizing unit 31.
[0038]
The above-described guidance route generation unit 27 generates drawing data of the guidance route using the processing result of the guidance route search program stored in the guidance route memory 22. That is, from the guidance route data stored in the guidance route memory 22, those included in the map area drawn on the video RAM 26 at that time are selectively read, and the guidance which is superimposed on the map image in a predetermined color and emphasized thickly is displayed. Draw a route. Further, when the own vehicle approaches within a predetermined distance from the guidance intersection located in front of the guidance route, based on the intersection enlarged map data stored in the intersection enlarged map memory 23, an intersection enlarged view of the approaching intersection is displayed. draw.
[0039]
Reference numeral 28 denotes a passing difficult section generation unit, which generates drawing data of the passing difficult section using the processing result of the rival vehicle passing analysis program stored in the analysis result memory 24. In other words, the passing difficult section detected by the passing analysis is drawn on the map image so as to be distinguishable from other sections, and the passing point is drawn on the passing difficult section. As described above, the passing difficult section generation unit 28 constitutes the notification unit and the image drawing unit of the present invention.
[0040]
Reference numeral 29 denotes a menu generation unit which generates and outputs a menu image necessary for performing various operations using the remote controller 17. Reference numeral 30 denotes a mark generation unit which generates and outputs a vehicle position mark displayed at the vehicle position, various landmarks indicating a gas station, a convenience store, and the like.
[0041]
The above-described image synthesizing unit 31 outputs each of the map image data read by the display controller 25 from the guidance route generating unit 27, the passing difficult section generating unit 28, the menu generating unit 29, and the mark generating unit 30. The image data is superimposed to perform image synthesis and output to the display device 32. As a result, on the screen of the display device 32, map information around the own vehicle is displayed together with vehicle position marks, various landmarks, and the like. A guidance route is displayed on this map, and an enlarged view of the intersection is displayed when the position of the vehicle approaches the vicinity of the intersection. Further, if there is a passing difficult section, the section is displayed so as to be distinguishable from other sections.
[0042]
Reference numeral 33 denotes a voice generation unit which generates voices for intersection guidance and various operation guidance voices. Reference numeral 34 denotes a speaker, which outputs the sound generated by the sound generation unit 33 to the outside. Reference numeral 35 denotes a bus, which is used for exchanging data between the various functional configurations described above.
[0043]
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a navigation screen displayed on the display device 32. On this navigation screen, a map image of a mountain road is displayed. In this map image, a road indicated by a bold line is a passing difficult section 1, and a position indicated by a predetermined mark is a passing point 2. The passing difficult section 1 is drawn thick, for example, by changing its color so as to be distinguishable from other sections.
[0044]
Here, the display color of the passing difficulty section 1 may be changed according to the passing difficulty level. For example, equation (1) is calculated using the vehicle width simulation data corresponding to the three classes A to C described above, and when it is difficult to pass the vehicle with the class A vehicle, the degree of difficulty is high. Each display color can be changed as the degree of difficulty is determined to be medium when the passing is difficult, and the degree of difficulty is determined to be small when the passing is difficult.
[0045]
As described in detail above, according to the first embodiment, a road section that is difficult to pass and a passing point are detected based on the road width of the road and the vehicle widths of the own vehicle and various other vehicles, and these are detected on a map. Since it is displayed on the image, whether it is difficult to pass on an oncoming vehicle on a narrow road such as a mountain road, and in the case of a narrow road where it is difficult to pass, it actually travels at a position where it can pass You can inform the driver before. As a result, the driver can drive safely with reference to the passing situation reported in advance.
[0046]
In the first embodiment, an example is described in which the passing difficult section generating unit 28 is used as a means for notifying the passing difficult section and the passing point, but the voice generating unit 33 may be used. In other words, when the vehicle position approaches the difficult-to-pass section within a predetermined distance, it is also possible to provide voice guidance to that effect or to notify the passing point by voice. The passing difficult section is not presented by the image, and at least one of the passing difficult section and the passing point may be guided only by voice.
[0047]
(Second embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a competing vehicle passing analysis system according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 3, portions having the same functions as the functional blocks shown in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.
[0048]
As shown in FIG. 3, the competing vehicle passing analysis system of the present embodiment enables the navigation device (communication navigation) 100 having a communication function and the server device of the data center 200 to communicate with each other via a wireless network. Connected and configured. A camera 101 as an imaging unit is mounted at a position near the driver's seat in front of the vehicle, and is connected to the communication navigation 100.
[0049]
The camera 101 is installed facing the front of the vehicle, and can capture an image of a running scene viewed from the driver's seat. The communication navigation system 100 includes the function blocks 11 to 35 shown in FIG. 1 (however, some of the function blocks are not shown. In addition, the display controller 25 has an additional function described later instead of this. A communication controller 36 is provided.
[0050]
The communication unit 36 transmits image data captured by the camera 101 to the data center 200 while traveling in the difficult-to-pass section described in the first embodiment. The imaging by the camera 101 may be performed when the user gives an explicit instruction to start and end the imaging by operating the remote controller 17, or may be automatically performed in the passing difficult section obtained as a result of the analysis by the CPU 19. The imaging may be started and ended at the beginning.
[0051]
In the latter case, the CPU 19 determines whether or not the own vehicle has entered the passing difficult section based on the data of the own vehicle position measured by the position measuring device 13 and the data of the passing difficult section stored in the analysis result memory 24. Is detected, and the imaging operation of the camera 101 is started when it is detected that the image has entered. Further, the CPU 19 detects whether or not the own vehicle has passed through the difficult-to-pass section, and stops the imaging operation of the camera 101 when detecting that the vehicle has passed.
[0052]
When the display of the past passage history image is requested by the operation of the remote controller 17, for example, the communication unit 36 performs an operation of selecting a desired passing difficult section 1 during the display of the navigation screen as shown in FIG. When it is touched, it requests the data center 200 to acquire the image data and receives it from the data center 200. At this time, the communication unit 36 acquires image data captured by the camera 101 of the vehicle having substantially the same width as the own vehicle based on the vehicle width data of the own vehicle stored in the own vehicle width memory 15. Request to the data center 200.
[0053]
Thus, the communication unit 36 constitutes the data acquisition unit, the data transmission unit, and the data reception unit of the present invention. Here, the example in which the communication unit 36 is provided in the navigation device has been described, but the communication unit 36 is not limited to this. For example, a dedicated communication device or a mobile phone having a communication function is prepared outside the navigation device, and a communication unit 36 is provided in the external device so that the external device and the navigation device are connected by a communication interface. Is also good.
[0054]
The display controller 37 of the present embodiment generates a map image based on the map data stored in the map information memory 14, and further, based on the image data acquired from the data center 200 by the communication unit 36, makes it difficult to pass the map image. It has a function of generating a passage history image while traveling in a section. Normally, a map image as shown in FIG. 2 is generated and output to the video RAM 26. However, when a display request of the passage history image is made by operating the remote controller 17, the passage history image is generated and stored in the video RAM 26. Output. Thus, the display controller 37 of the present embodiment constitutes the image display means of the present invention.
[0055]
On the other hand, the server device of the data center 200 includes a communication unit 41, a DB control unit 42, and an image DB 43, which are connected by a bus 44. The communication unit 41 receives imaged image data of the camera 101 sent from various vehicles. In addition, the image data extracted from the image DB 43 is transmitted to the vehicle for which the data acquisition request has been issued.
[0056]
The DB control unit 42 stores image data received from various vehicles by the communication unit 41 in the image DB 43. When a data acquisition request is made by the communication navigation 100, image data captured by the camera 101 of a vehicle having substantially the same width as the requesting vehicle is extracted from the image DB 43 and supplied to the communication unit 41. As described above, the image DB 43 forms an image storage unit of the present invention, and the communication unit 41 and the DB control unit 42 form an image supply unit of the present invention.
[0057]
Next, the operation of the opposing vehicle passing analysis system configured as described above will be described. While the vehicle is running, the communication navigation 100 performs the passing analysis in the same manner as described in the first embodiment, and displays a map image including the passing difficult section 1 and the passing point 2 as shown in FIG. 32. In this state, when it is desired to check any of the passing difficult sections 1 in detail, the user stops the vehicle once and operates the remote controller 17 to select a desired passing difficult section 1.
[0058]
When any one of the difficult-to-pass sections 1 is selected, the communication unit 36 determines, based on the vehicle width data of the vehicle stored in the vehicle width memory 15, the vehicle having the same vehicle width as the vehicle. A request is made to the data center 200 to acquire image data captured by the camera 101. In the data center 200 receiving this request in the communication unit 41, the DB control unit 42 extracts the image data of the corresponding vehicle width from the image DB 43, and transmits the image data to the requesting vehicle by the communication unit 41.
[0059]
In the communication navigation 100 of the requesting vehicle, the communication unit 36 receives the image data sent from the data center 200. Then, this is supplied to the display controller 37 to generate a passage history image and displayed on the display device 32 via the video RAM 26 and the image synthesizing unit 31. By viewing the passage history image, the user can confirm in advance how to drive in the passing difficult section to be driven in the future.
[0060]
If the imaging by the camera 101 is to be automatically performed during traveling in a passing difficult section, after performing the above-described preliminary confirmation, or when traveling in a passing difficult section without performing the preliminary confirmation, The running scene is imaged by the camera 101. Image data captured by the camera 101 is sent from the communication navigation 100 to the data center 200 and stored in the image DB 43.
[0061]
As described above in detail, according to the second embodiment, a passage history image is transmitted from the data center 200 to the communication navigator 100 and displayed on the screen in response to an image display request made by a certain vehicle. Therefore, the driver can confirm in advance how to drive in the passing difficult section to be driven from now on the basis of the past driving performance image. Since the passing history image displayed at this time is adapted to the vehicle width of the own vehicle, it is possible to confirm the appearance of the oncoming vehicle or the road in substantially the same manner as when actually traveling.
[0062]
In the second embodiment, the camera 101 is mounted on the vehicle of the user, and an image of the user traveling in the difficult-to-pass section is taken and sent to the data center 200. However, this is not always necessary. That is, the camera 101 is mounted only on the vehicle prepared on the data center 200 side to capture an image of a section in which passing is difficult, and the required image (for example, one for each different vehicle width) is registered in the image DB 43 in advance. You may put it.
[0063]
In the second embodiment, the image data corresponding to the vehicle width of the host vehicle is acquired from the data center 200. However, the image data corresponding to the right handle or the left handle is acquired. May be.
[0064]
In the second embodiment, the example in which the map image and the passage history image are switched and displayed on the display device 32 has been described. However, these may be displayed simultaneously on two screens. In this case, a virtual vehicle position mark may be displayed on the section of the map image that is difficult to pass, and may be moved in conjunction with the reproduction of the passage history image. By doing so, it is possible to confirm the traveling method in the passing difficult section while comparing the map image with the passage history image.
[0065]
(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an opposing vehicle passing analysis system according to the third embodiment. In FIG. 4, portions having the same functions as the functional blocks shown in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.
[0066]
As shown in FIG. 4, the competing vehicle passing analysis system according to the third embodiment includes a navigation device (communication navigation) 300 having a communication function. _-1 , 300 _-2 Are provided in each vehicle, and these are connected so as to be able to communicate with each other via a wireless network. Communication navigation 300 for each vehicle _-1 , 300 _-2 Are functional blocks 11 to 35 shown in FIG. 1 (however, some functional blocks are not shown. In addition, the passing difficult section generation unit 28 has an additional function described later instead of this. A communication section 38 is provided in addition to the passing difficult section generation section 39.
[0067]
The communication unit 38 performs various data communications between nearby vehicles. The inter-vehicle communication using the communication unit 38 is performed using communication means such as a so-called wireless LAN, Bluetooth, and a specific power-saving wireless device. In these communication means, a communicable distance range is finite. In the present embodiment, communication of the vehicle position information and the like measured by the position measuring device 13 is performed between vehicles within the communicable range.
[0068]
Here, an example in which the communication unit 38 is provided in the navigation device has been described, but the communication unit 38 is not limited to this. For example, a dedicated inter-vehicle communication device may be prepared outside the navigation device, and the communication device 38 may be provided in the external device, and the external device and the navigation device may be connected by a communication interface.
[0069]
In the present embodiment, based on the current position information of the own vehicle measured by the position measurement device 13 of the own vehicle and the current position information of the other vehicle received by the communication unit 38, the CPU 19 determines the section where the own vehicle is difficult to pass. When the vehicle is approaching within a predetermined distance or traveling in a difficult-to-pass section, it is detected whether or not there is an oncoming vehicle approaching or traveling within a predetermined distance from the opposite direction in the same difficult-to-pass section.
[0070]
When detecting the presence of such an oncoming vehicle, the CPU 19 further estimates and calculates an optimal passing point based on the current position information of the own vehicle, the current position information of the oncoming vehicle, and the positional information of the passing point. That is, the optimum passing point is calculated based on the distance information from the own vehicle position to the passing point and the distance information from the oncoming vehicle to the passing point. As described above, the CPU 19 constitutes the oncoming vehicle detecting means and the optimum point calculating means of the present invention.
[0071]
For example, consider a situation as shown in FIG. In the example of FIG. 5, the own vehicle 3 has not yet entered the difficult-to-pass section 1, and the oncoming vehicle 4 has already traveled in the difficult-to-pass section 1. First passing point 2 from own car 3 _-1 And the next passing point 2 from oncoming vehicle 4 _-2 When compared with the distance to, the latter is shorter, so the car 3 is the first passing point 2 _-1 In the meantime, the oncoming vehicle 4 moves to the next passing point 2 _-2 Is likely to have already passed. Therefore, in this case, passing point 2 _-1 Is determined as the optimal passing position, and the information is stored in the analysis result memory 24.
[0072]
The passing difficult section generation unit 39 generates drawing data of the passing difficult section using the passing analysis result stored in the analysis result memory 24. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the passing difficult section 1 is drawn on the map image so as to be distinguishable from other sections, and a plurality of passing points 2 are placed on the passing difficult section 1. _-1 , 2 _-2 , ... are drawn. At this time, the best passing point 2 _-1 Is drawn so that it can be distinguished from others.
[0073]
In this way, the passing difficult section generation section 39 constitutes the second notification means of the present invention. Note that, similarly to the first embodiment, the sound generation unit 33 may be used as the second notification unit. That is, when the vehicle position approaches the difficult-to-pass section within a predetermined distance, or when the vehicle is traveling in the difficult-to-pass section, the optimal passing point can be notified by voice.
[0074]
As described in detail above, according to the third embodiment, when a certain vehicle approaches the difficult-to-pass section within a predetermined distance or is running in the difficult-to-pass section, the vehicle moves within the predetermined distance to the difficult-to-pass section. Detects whether there is an oncoming vehicle approaching or running, and when such an oncoming vehicle is present, estimates the optimal passing point and reports it. When an oncoming vehicle actually exists on the road, the driver can be notified of an optimal passing point in accordance with the actual driving situation. As a result, the driver can drive safely with reference to the notified optimal passing point.
[0075]
In the third embodiment, an example of using the position information of the own vehicle, the position information of the oncoming vehicle, and the distance information from the own vehicle and the opposing vehicle to the passing point when calculating the optimal passing point is described. As described above, in addition to these, the optimal passing point may be estimated and calculated using the traveling speed information of the own vehicle and the oncoming vehicle.
[0076]
In the case of the example shown in FIG. 5 described above, since the own vehicle 3 has not yet entered the difficult-to-pass section 1 where the road width is narrow, the vehicle 3 travels at a higher speed than the oncoming vehicle 4 that is traveling in the difficult-to-pass section 1. May be. Therefore, the oncoming vehicle 4 is at the next passing point 2 _-2 Car 3 is the first passing point 2 earlier than _-1 There is also the possibility of passing. Therefore, in such a case, passing point 2 _-2 Is determined as the optimal passing position.
[0077]
In addition, speed information is added only when only one of the own vehicle 3 and the oncoming vehicle 4 is traveling in the passing difficult section 1, and both the own vehicle 3 and the oncoming vehicle 4 are in the difficult passing section 1. If the vehicle is traveling outside or both are traveling in the difficult-to-pass section 1, it is also possible to estimate and calculate the optimal passing point without considering the speed information.
[0078]
Further, in the third embodiment, an example has been described in which the presence or absence of an oncoming vehicle is detected by vehicle-to-vehicle communication to search for an optimal passing point. May be detected to search for an optimal passing point.
[0079]
When the presence or absence of an oncoming vehicle is detected by the server device, each vehicle sequentially transmits own vehicle position information to the server device during traveling. In the server device, based on the respective current position information sent from each vehicle, when a certain vehicle has approached the difficult passing section within a predetermined distance or when traveling in the difficult passing section, the same passing difficult section It is detected whether there is an oncoming vehicle approaching or traveling within a predetermined distance from the opposite direction.
[0080]
In addition, when the server device estimates and calculates an optimal passing point, it is necessary that the server device hold information on the passing difficult section and a plurality of passing points. These information may be transmitted from each vehicle to the server device. Alternatively, the server device may obtain the information by the server device itself by performing a simulation of the analysis of the passing vehicle.
[0081]
In recent years, there is a navigation device in which map data is stored in a server device, and only necessary data is obtained and used when needed. In this type of communication navigation, since the server device has detailed map data, the vehicle width data of each vehicle is registered in advance in the server device from each vehicle, and the vehicle position information is sequentially stored in the server device during traveling. If it is transmitted, it is possible to execute an opposing vehicle passing analysis in the server device.
[0082]
In this case, the server device provides information on the passing difficult section and the passing point analyzed for the vehicle to the vehicle. Also, information on the optimal passing point analyzed for a certain vehicle and an oncoming vehicle is provided to both vehicles.
[0083]
In addition, each of the above-described embodiments is merely an example of the embodiment for carrying out the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be interpreted in a limited manner. That is, the present invention can be embodied in various forms without departing from the spirit or main features thereof.
[0084]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the present invention detects a road section that is difficult to pass based on the road width data and the vehicle width data of various vehicles including the own vehicle, and notifies the user of the detected difficult-to-pass section and the possible passing points. Before driving on a narrow road such as a mountain road, it is necessary to inform the driver before passing on the narrow road where it is difficult to pass. Can be. As a result, the driver can safely drive with reference to the notified passing difficult sections and passing points.
[0085]
According to another feature of the present invention, image data captured when the vehicle is traveling in a difficult-to-pass section is stored in the server device, and in response to a request from a certain vehicle, the vehicle width is substantially the same as that of the vehicle. Is transmitted from the server device to the requesting vehicle and displayed on the screen, so how can the driver travel in the difficult-to-pass section to be traveled from now on? Can be checked in advance by looking at the image of the running results.
[0086]
According to another feature of the present invention, when a vehicle enters or is traveling in a difficult-to-pass section, it is detected whether or not there is an oncoming vehicle traveling in or near the difficult-to-pass section. When there is an oncoming vehicle, the optimal passing point is estimated and calculated from one or more passing points, and the information is notified, so that the driver is informed in advance where the vehicle should pass the oncoming vehicle. be able to. As a result, the driver can safely drive with reference to the notified optimum passing point.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a navigation device according to a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a navigation screen according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an opposing vehicle passing analysis system according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an opposing vehicle passing analysis system according to a third embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a navigation screen according to a third embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Passing difficult section
2 Passing points
2 _-1 The best passing point
11 DVD-ROM
12 DVD-ROM control unit
13 Position measuring device
14 Map information memory
15 Vehicle width memory
16 Other vehicle width memory
17 Remote control
18 Remote control interface
19 CPU
20 ROM
21 RAM
22 Guidance route memory
23 Intersection enlarged map memory
24 Analysis result memory
25 Display controller
26 Video RAM
27 Guidance route generator
28 Passing difficult section generator
29 Menu generator
30 Mark generator
31 Image synthesis unit
32 display device
33 sound generator
34 speakers
35 Bus
36 Communication unit
37 Display controller
38 Communication unit
39 Passing difficult section generation section
41 Communication unit
42 DB control unit
43 Image DB
100 Communication Navigation
200 Data Center
300 _-1 , 300 _-2 Communication navigation

Claims (13)

Map data storage means for storing map data including road width data of each link, including nodes corresponding to points where a plurality of roads intersect and points where the road width changes, and links connecting adjacent nodes; ,
Vehicle width data storage means for storing vehicle width data of various vehicles including the own vehicle,
Based on the road width data stored in the map data storage unit and the vehicle width data of the various vehicles stored in the vehicle width data storage unit, a road section that is difficult to pass by satisfying a predetermined condition is detected. Passing analysis means,
A navigation device, comprising: a notifying unit that notifies a user of a passing difficult section detected by the passing analysis unit. The passing analysis means further detects a passing point satisfying a predetermined condition in the passing difficult section,
The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the notifying unit notifies the passing point detected by the passing analysis unit. The notifying means draws the difficult passing section detected by the passing analyzing means so as to be distinguishable from other sections on the map image, and the image drawing means draws the passing point on the difficult passing section. The navigation device according to claim 2, further comprising: Accessing a server device in response to a request from a user, and based on the vehicle width data of the host vehicle stored in the vehicle width data storage means, a vehicle having substantially the same vehicle width as the host vehicle is difficult to pass. Data acquisition means for acquiring image data taken while traveling in the section from the server device,
4. An image display device according to claim 1, further comprising: an image display device that displays an image of the vehicle traveling in the difficult-to-pass section based on the image data acquired by the data acquisition device. A navigation device as described. Own vehicle position detecting means for detecting the current position of the own vehicle,
Position information of the own vehicle detected by the own vehicle position detecting means, position information of the other vehicle obtained from another vehicle passing by the passing difficult section, and a position of the passing point detected by the passing analyzing means 4. The navigation device according to claim 2, further comprising: a second notification unit configured to notify a user of an optimal passing point estimated and calculated based on the information. 5. Own vehicle position detecting means for detecting the current position of the own vehicle,
Position information of the own vehicle detected by the own vehicle position detecting means, position information of the other vehicle obtained from another vehicle passing by the passing difficult section, and a position of the passing point detected by the passing analyzing means 4. A second notifying means for notifying a user of an optimum passing point estimated and calculated based on the information and the traveling speed information of the own vehicle and the other vehicle, 4. A navigation device according to claim 1. An opposing vehicle passing analysis system configured so that a navigation device in the vehicle and a server device outside the vehicle can communicate,
The navigation device includes nodes corresponding to points where a plurality of roads intersect and points where the road width changes, and links connecting adjacent nodes, and stores map data including road width data of each link. Map data storage means,
Vehicle width data storage means for storing vehicle width data of various vehicles including the own vehicle,
Based on the road width data stored in the map data storage unit and the vehicle width data of the various vehicles stored in the vehicle width data storage unit, a road section that is difficult to pass by satisfying a predetermined condition is detected. Passing analysis means,
Imaging means mounted toward the front of the vehicle,
A data transmission unit that transmits image data captured by the imaging unit to the server device while traveling in the difficult-to-pass section;
A data reception request is made to the server device based on the vehicle width data of the host vehicle stored in the vehicle width data storage unit, and an image captured by an imaging unit of a vehicle having substantially the same vehicle width as the host vehicle. Data receiving means for receiving and acquiring data from the server device;
Based on the image data acquired by the data receiving means, comprising an image display means for displaying an image of the traveling of the difficult passing section on the screen,
The server device is an image storage unit that stores image data transmitted by the data transmission unit of various vehicles,
When the data reception request is made, the image data taken by the imaging means of the vehicle having substantially the same vehicle width as the vehicle for which the data reception request was made is taken out from the image storage means and supplied to the request source. An opposing vehicle passing analysis system, comprising: an image supply unit. Map data storage means for storing map data including road width data of each link, including nodes corresponding to points where a plurality of roads intersect and points where the road width changes, and links connecting adjacent nodes; ,
Vehicle width data storage means for storing vehicle width data of various vehicles;
Vehicle position detecting means for detecting the current position of the vehicle;
Based on the road width data stored in the map data storage unit and the vehicle width data stored in the vehicle width data storage unit, a road section that is difficult to pass that satisfies a predetermined condition is detected. A passing analysis means for detecting one or more passing points satisfying a predetermined condition in the difficult section;
When a vehicle approaches the difficult-to-pass section detected by the passing analysis means within a predetermined distance, or when a vehicle is running in the difficult-to-pass section, the vehicle approaches the difficult-to-pass section within a predetermined distance. Oncoming vehicle detecting means for detecting whether there is an oncoming vehicle running or running,
When the oncoming vehicle is detected by the oncoming vehicle detecting means, an optimal passing point is estimated and calculated based on the positional information of the certain vehicle, the positional information of the oncoming vehicle, and the positional information of the passing point. An opposing vehicle passing analysis system comprising point calculation means. The optimal point calculating means is configured to calculate the optimal passing based on the traveling information of the own vehicle and the oncoming vehicle in addition to the positional information of the certain vehicle, the positional information of the oncoming vehicle, and the positional information of the passing vehicle. 9. The system for analyzing passing of opposing vehicles according to claim 8, wherein points are estimated and calculated. Based on road width data relating to a plurality of roads and vehicle width data of various vehicles, a road section that is difficult to pass that satisfies a predetermined condition is detected, and the detected difficult-to-pass section is reported to a user. Analysis method for passing a rival vehicle. The passing vehicle passing analysis method according to claim 10, wherein a passing point that satisfies a predetermined condition is further detected in the passing difficult section, and the detected passing point is reported. The image data taken during the traveling of the difficult-to-pass section by the image pickup means mounted toward the front of various vehicles is transmitted to the server device and accumulated,
When a certain vehicle makes a data reception request to the server device, the server device obtains image data captured by an imaging unit of a vehicle having substantially the same width as the vehicle for which the data reception request was made. To the above-mentioned vehicle,
The opposing vehicle passing analysis according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the certain vehicle displays an image of the vehicle traveling in the passing difficult section on the screen based on the image data acquired from the server device. Method. When a certain vehicle has approached the difficult-to-pass section within a predetermined distance or is traveling in the difficult-to-pass section, it is detected whether or not there is an oncoming vehicle that has approached or is traveling within the predetermined distance to the difficult-to-pass section. Then, when there is such an oncoming vehicle, based on the positional information of the certain vehicle, the positional information of the oncoming vehicle, and the positional information of the passing point, the optimum passing point is estimated and calculated and reported. The opposing vehicle passing analysis method according to claim 11, wherein:

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