JP2005274433A - On-vehicle navigation system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an on-vehicle navigation system capable of confirming the number of display segments before coming within a range too near to a guide intersection, in the navigation system for notifying a distance up to the guide intersection to a user by changing the number of display segments in response to the distance up to the guide intersection. <P>SOLUTION: Each LED of an LED display part 20 is turned off when own vehicle is not near yet to the guide intersection when turning to the right (a). The most left side LED 20a is turned on synchronized with a voice for a preguide output when the distance to the the guide intersection comes to a preguide distance or less (b). The second LED 20b counted from the left side is thereafter turned on when the own vehicle is advanced up to a distance corresponding to 1/3 of a distance from the preguide distance to a guide distance (c), and the third LED 20b counted from the left side is turned on when the own vehicle is advanced up to a distance corresponding to 2/3 thereof (d). The second LED 20d-20i are thereafter turned on sequentially synchronized with the guide and the guide just before it, by the same manner. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an in-vehicle navigation device that guides a host vehicle to a destination according to a recommended route.

  When guiding your vehicle to your destination according to the recommended route, when your vehicle approaches a guided intersection where you want to make a turn, you can display a bar graph that changes the number of display segments according to the distance to that guided intersection. A device that informs the user of the distance up to is known (Patent Document 1).

JP-A-8-190696

  The apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 informs the user of the distance to the guidance intersection by gradually reducing the number of display segments of the bar graph as it approaches the guidance intersection. However, since the user does not always confirm the number of display segments of the bar graph during driving, the driving operation may not be in time because the user approaches the guidance intersection when viewing the bar graph.

When the vehicle-mounted navigation device according to the first aspect of the present invention guides the host vehicle to the destination according to a preset recommended route, the distance from the current location of the host vehicle to the guidance intersection on the recommended route that the host vehicle should turn next Based on the guidance intersection distance calculated by the distance calculation means for calculating (distance to guide intersection), voice output means for outputting voice guidance for the guidance intersection, display means having a plurality of display segments, and distance calculation means. A voice output control means for controlling the output timing of the voice guidance output by the voice output means, and a specific display among the plurality of display segments of the display means in synchronism with the voice guidance output timing based on the guidance intersection distance Display control means for changing the display form of the segments.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the in-vehicle navigation device of the first aspect, the voice output control means outputs the voice guidance by the voice output means a plurality of times at different output timings according to the difference in the guidance intersection distance, and the display control means. Is based on the ratio of the distance traveled by the own vehicle to the distance until the next voice guidance is output from the position of the own vehicle when the voice guidance is output. Among them, any display form other than the specific display segment is changed.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the in-vehicle navigation device according to the first or second aspect, the plurality of display segments are arranged side by side, and the display control means displays when the host vehicle turns right at the guidance intersection. The display form of the plurality of display segments of the means is changed in order from the left side to the right side, and when the vehicle turns left at the guidance intersection, the display form of the plurality of display segments of the display means is changed in order from the right side to the left side. .
The in-vehicle navigation device according to the invention of claim 4 outputs voice guidance when the distance from the current location of the host vehicle to the next guidance intersection where the host vehicle should turn is equal to or less than a predetermined value, and is synchronized with the output timing of the voice guidance. The first display segment is turned on or off in the display means having a plurality of display segments, and the host vehicle travels a predetermined distance from the position of the host vehicle when the voice guidance is output. The second display segment adjacent to the first display segment is turned on or off.

  According to the present invention, the guidance intersection distance is calculated, and based on the calculated guidance intersection distance, the voice guidance output timing for the guidance intersection is controlled, and in synchronization with the output timing, the display means specific The display form of the display segment was changed. Since it did in this way, the user can confirm the number of display segments according to the output timing of voice guidance, and as a result, the distance to the guidance intersection can be confirmed before it is too close to the guidance intersection.

-First embodiment-
A configuration of a navigation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. This navigation device is mounted on a vehicle, and when the vehicle is guided to the destination according to the searched recommended route, the vehicle turns next by using an LED (light emitting diode) lighting display and voice guidance. The user is informed of the distance to the power guidance intersection (hereinafter simply referred to as the guidance intersection) and the direction to bend at the guidance intersection. 1 includes a control circuit 11, a ROM 12, a RAM 13, a current location detection device 14, an image memory 15, a display monitor 16, an input device 17, a disk drive 18, an LED display unit 20, and an audio output unit 21. ing. The disc drive 18 is loaded with a DVD-ROM 19 in which map data is recorded.

  The control circuit 11 includes a microprocessor and its peripheral circuits, and performs various processes and controls by executing a control program stored in the ROM 12 using the RAM 13 as a work area. In the control circuit 11, the operations of the LED display unit 20 and the audio output unit 21 are controlled by performing processing as described later based on the map data recorded on the DVD-ROM 19.

  The current location detection device 14 is a device that detects the current location of the host vehicle. For example, a vibration gyro 14a that detects the traveling direction of the host vehicle, a vehicle speed sensor 14b that detects a vehicle speed, and a GPS sensor that detects a GPS signal from a GPS satellite. 14c and the like. The navigation device 1 can determine a route search start point described later based on the current location of the host vehicle detected by the current location detection device 14.

  The image memory 15 temporarily stores image data to be displayed on the display monitor 16. The image data includes road map drawing data for displaying a road map, various graphic data, and the like, and is created by the control circuit 11 based on the map data recorded on the DVD-ROM 19. A road map is displayed on the display monitor 16 using the image data stored in the image memory 15. The input device 17 has various input switches for the user to set a destination and a transit point (hereinafter simply referred to as a destination), which is realized by an operation panel, a remote controller, or the like. The user can set a destination by specifying a place name or a position on a map by operating the input device 17 in accordance with a screen instruction displayed on the display monitor 16.

  The disk drive 18 reads map data for displaying a road map from the loaded DVD-ROM 19. This map data represents route calculation data used for route search to the destination, route guidance data used to guide the vehicle to the destination according to the recommended route, such as intersection name and road name, and roads Includes road data. The map data also includes background data representing map shapes other than roads such as rivers, railways, various facilities on the map (landmarks), and the like.

  In the road data, the minimum unit representing a road section is called a link, and each road is composed of a plurality of links. A point connecting the links is called a node, and each node has position information (coordinate information). The link shape, that is, the shape of the road is determined based on the position information of the node. Although an example using a DVD-ROM is described here, the map data may be read from a recording medium other than the DVD-ROM, such as a CD-ROM or a hard disk.

  The LED display unit 20 includes a plurality of LEDs arranged in the horizontal direction. As a result of the control from the control circuit 11, any one or more of the LEDs has a distance from the current location of the vehicle to the guidance intersection (hereinafter referred to as a guidance intersection distance) and a direction in which the subject vehicle should bend at the guidance intersection (hereinafter referred to as the guidance intersection) , According to the guidance intersection direction). The lighting timing at this time is controlled so as to be synchronized with the output timing of voice guidance from the voice output unit 21 to be described next. In addition, the specific lighting method of each LED of the LED display unit 20 will be described later. This LED display unit is installed at a position that can be easily seen from the driver's seat of the vehicle, for example, on the dashboard in front of the steering.

  The voice output unit 21 outputs a voice guidance for guiding the user about the guidance intersection according to the guidance intersection distance and the guidance intersection direction according to the control from the control circuit 11. This voice guidance has three types of content according to the guidance intersection distance, and is called the advance guidance, the main guidance, and the last guidance in order from the one output when the guidance intersection distance is long.

  When the guidance intersection distance becomes a predetermined notice guidance distance, for example, 500 m or less, the notice guidance is output first. At this time, for example, a sound such as “approx. When the host vehicle further advances and the guided intersection distance becomes a predetermined main guide distance, for example, 300 m or less, a voice such as “300 m ahead right” is output as the main guide. Thereafter, when the guidance intersection distance becomes a predetermined previous guidance distance, e.g., 130 m or less, a voice message such as "coming soon" is output as the last guidance. If the distance from the guidance intersection to the next guidance intersection is shorter than the distance at which each voice guidance is output, any voice guidance may be omitted.

  When the user operates the input device 17 to set the destination, the navigation device 1 uses the current location detected by the current location detection device 14 as a route search start point and calculates a predetermined algorithm based on the above-described route calculation data. By doing so, a route search from the present location to the destination is performed.

  The recommended route obtained as a result of the route search is displayed on the road map so as to be distinguished from other roads by changing the display form, for example, the display color. Thus, the user can recognize the recommended route on the road map displayed on the display monitor 16. Further, the navigation device 1 notifies the user of the aforementioned guidance intersection distance and guidance intersection direction through the LED display unit 20 and the voice output unit 21 so that the host vehicle can travel along the recommended route. Thus, route guidance to the destination is performed by guiding the host vehicle to the destination according to the recommended route.

  Here, the concrete lighting method of the LED display part 20 and the concrete content of the audio | voice guidance from the audio | voice output part 21 are demonstrated using FIG. 2 and 3. FIG. FIGS. 2A to 2J show the lighting state of the LED display section 20 when viewed from the driver's seat side when turning right, and FIGS. 3A to 3J when turning left. ing. Note that the right turn and the left turn mentioned here include a case of turning in an oblique direction. That is, the host vehicle makes a right turn or a left turn at the guidance intersection.

  First, the right turn in FIG. 2 will be described. When the host vehicle has not yet approached the guidance intersection, each LED of the LED display unit 20 is turned off as shown in FIG. When the vehicle approaches the guidance intersection and the guidance intersection distance becomes less than or equal to the above-mentioned notice guidance distance, the voice output section 21 outputs the notice notice voice as described above and further synchronizes with the notice guidance. As shown in 2 (b), the leftmost LED 20a is turned on.

  Furthermore, when the own vehicle approaches the guidance intersection, it starts from the position where the above-mentioned notice guidance is performed, and advances 67m corresponding to about 1/3 of the distance (500-300 = 200 m) from there to the position where the main guidance is performed. At that time, that is, when the guidance intersection distance is 433 m or less, as shown in FIG. 2C, the second LED 20b from the left is turned on. After that, when proceeding 134m, which is about 2/3 from the position where the preliminary guidance was given to the position where the main guidance was given, that is, when the guidance intersection distance was 366m or less, it is shown in FIG. Thus, the third LED 20c from the left is turned on.

  After the lighting display as described above is performed for the advance guidance, the main guidance and the previous guidance are performed in the same manner. That is, when the guidance intersection distance is equal to or shorter than the main guide distance, the voice output unit 21 outputs the main guide voice as described above, and in synchronization with the main guide, as shown in FIG. The fourth LED 20d from the left is turned on. Also, starting from the position where the main guidance was performed, the host vehicle traveled 57m, which is about 1/3 of the distance (300-130 = 170m) from the position where the last guidance was performed, and the guidance intersection distance was 243m or less. When this happens, as shown in FIG. 2 (f), the fifth LED 20e from the left is turned on. Thereafter, when the vehicle travels 114 m, which is approximately 2/3 from the position where the main guidance is performed to the position where the previous guidance is performed, that is, when the guidance intersection distance is 186 m or less, as shown in FIG. The sixth LED 20f from the left is turned on.

  Further, when the guidance intersection distance becomes equal to or shorter than the previous guidance distance, the voice output unit 21 outputs the voice of the previous guidance as described above, and synchronizes with the previous guidance as shown in FIG. The seventh LED 20g from the left is turned on. In addition, when the vehicle travels through 43m, which is about 1/3 of the previous guidance distance (130m), and the guidance intersection distance becomes 87m or less, as shown in FIG. 2 (i), the eighth LED 20h from the left is turned on. To do. Thereafter, when 86m, which is about 2/3 of the previous guidance distance, is advanced and the guidance intersection distance becomes 44m or less, the rightmost LED 20i is turned on as shown in FIG. 2 (j).

  As described above, when the guidance intersection direction is the right direction, when voice guidance is output, and when the distance of 1/3 and 2/3 to the next voice guidance are advanced, respectively Further, the LEDs of the LED display unit 20 are turned on in order from the left side to the right side. In addition, in said description, it is preferable to change each luminescent color about LED20a-20c lighted at the time of guidance guidance, LED20d-20f lighted at the time of this guidance, and LED20g-20i lighted at the time of last guidance. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the LEDs 20a to 20c emit light in green, the LEDs 20d to 20f emit yellow, and the LEDs 20g to 20i emit red. By doing in this way, it can inform a user that it is approaching the guidance intersection more appropriately. Of course, other colors may be used.

  Next, the left turn in FIG. 3 will be described. In the case of a left turn, the LEDs of the LED display unit 20 are lit in order from the right side to the left side, contrary to the right turn described above. That is, starting from a state in which each LED shown in FIG. 3A is turned off and when the distance is less than or equal to the advance guidance distance, the audio output unit 21 outputs an audio of the advance guidance and synchronizes with the advance guidance. As shown in FIG. 3B, the rightmost LED 20i is turned on. From then on, each time a distance of 1/3 to the next voice guidance is advanced, as shown in FIGS. 3C to 3J, the LEDs 20a to 20h are turned on sequentially from the right side. At this time, the LED 20d lights up in synchronization with the voice of the main guidance, and the LED 20g lights up in synchronization with the voice of the previous guidance.

  In the case of a left turn, it is preferable that the arrangement of the emission colors of the LEDs is reversed from that in the right turn. That is, it is preferable that the LEDs 20g to 20i that are lit at the time of the advance guidance emit green, the LEDs 20d to 20f that are lit at the time of the main guidance are yellow, and the LEDs 20a to 20c that are lit at the time of the previous guidance are red. By doing in this way, it is possible to notify the user more accurately that the vehicle is approaching the guidance intersection at the time of the left turn as in the case of the right turn.

  As described above, FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of processing executed in the control circuit 11 when the LED display unit 20 is turned on and voice guidance is output from the voice output unit 21. This processing flow is executed when a recommended route to the destination is set in advance by the route search described above and the host vehicle is guided according to the recommended route. In step S1, guidance information for the set recommended route is acquired from the map data. By obtaining this guidance information, information on the guidance intersection is read into the control circuit 11.

  In step S2, based on the guidance information acquired in step S1, it is determined whether the guidance intersection direction is the right direction or the left direction. When turning rightward, it progresses to step S3, and in step S3, the lighting order of the LED display part 20 is set so that each LED may light sequentially from left to right. In this case, as described with reference to FIG. 2, the LEDs 20a to 20i are sequentially lit up. On the other hand, if the vehicle turns leftward, the process proceeds to step S4. In step S4, the lighting order of the LED display unit 20 is set so that each LED is lit in order from right to left. In this case, as described with reference to FIG. 3, the LEDs 20i are sequentially turned on from the LEDs 20i to 20a. When either step S3 or S4 is executed, the process proceeds to step S5.

  In step S5, it is determined whether or not the guidance intersection distance at that time is equal to or less than a predetermined notice guidance distance. While the guidance intersection distance is larger than the notice guidance distance, this step S5 is repeated, and when it becomes less than the notice guidance distance, the process proceeds to the next step S6. In step S6, the audio output unit 21 outputs a notice of advance notice. In the next step S100, a lighting control process for the LED display unit 20 is performed. Specific processing contents at this time will be described later with reference to FIG. After executing Step S100, the process proceeds to Step S7.

  In steps S7 and S8, the same processing as in steps S5 and S6 is performed for the main guidance. In step S7, it is determined whether or not the guidance intersection distance at that time is equal to or less than a predetermined main guidance distance. This step S7 is repeated as long as the guidance intersection distance is larger than the main guidance distance, and if it is less than the main guidance distance, the process proceeds to the next step S8. In step S8, the guidance is output from the voice output unit 21. After step S8 is executed, step S100 is executed again, and then the process proceeds to step S9.

  In steps S9 and S10, the same processing as in steps S5 and S6 and steps S7 and S8 is performed for the previous guidance. In step S9, it is determined whether or not the guidance intersection distance at that time is equal to or less than a predetermined immediately preceding guidance distance. This step S9 is repeated as long as the guidance intersection distance is larger than the previous guidance distance, and if it is less than the previous guidance distance, the process proceeds to the next step S10. In step S <b> 10, the last guidance is output from the voice output unit 21. After executing step S10, execute step S100 again, and then proceed to step S11.

  In step S11, it is determined whether or not the vehicle has passed the guidance intersection. If it passes through the guidance intersection, the process proceeds to the next step S12. In step S12, it is determined whether or not the destination has been reached. If the destination has been reached, the processing flow of FIG. 4 is terminated. If the destination has not been reached, the process returns to step S1, and information on the next guidance intersection is acquired in step S1 and the above process is repeated. In this manner, the processing flow of FIG. 4 is executed until the destination is reached, and the lighting of the LED display unit 20 and the output of voice guidance from the voice output unit 21 are controlled.

  Next, the flowchart of the lighting control process of the LED display part 20 shown in FIG. 5 is demonstrated. This processing flow is executed in step S100 of FIG. 4 as described above, and includes steps S101 to S105. In step S101, the first segment of the LED display unit 20 is turned on. In addition, the 1st segment here is LED which should be lighted 1st when step S100 of this time is performed. This means that different LEDs correspond to the first segment depending on the lighting order of each LED set in step S3 or S4 in FIG. 4 and at which point in the flowchart in FIG. 4 step S100 is executed.

  Specifically, when step S100 is executed after step S6, LED 20a (when step S3 is executed and the lighting order is set from left to right) or LED 20i (step S4 is executed and the lighting order is changed from the right). (When set to the left) corresponds to the first segment here. Further, after step S8, LED 20d (when step S3 is executed) or LED 20f (when step S4 is executed) corresponds to the first segment, and after step S10, LED 20g (when step S3 is executed). Or LED20c (when step S4 is performed) corresponds to a 1st segment.

  When the first segment is turned on as described above, in the next step S102, the distance of 1/3 or more from the position where the previous voice guidance is performed to the position where the next voice guidance is performed is It is determined whether or not. While the distance of 1/3 or more is not advanced, this step S102 is repeated, and when the distance of 1/3 or more is advanced, the process proceeds to the next step S103. When the next voice guidance is not performed, that is, when step S102 is performed after the previous guidance is performed, whether or not the distance from the position where the previous guidance was performed to the guidance intersection is more than 1/3. Determine whether.

  Specifically, when step S100 is executed after step S6 in FIG. 4, it is calculated whether or not the vehicle travels a distance of 1/3 or more from the position where the notice guidance is given to the position where the main guidance is given. judge. That is, in the above-described example, it is determined whether the guidance intersection distance is 433 m or less. Similarly, after step S8, whether or not the vehicle has traveled a distance of 1/3 or more from the position where the main guidance is performed to the position where the last guidance is performed, that is, in the above example, the guidance intersection distance is 243 m. It is determined whether or not the following has occurred. In addition, after step S10, whether or not the vehicle has traveled a distance of 1/3 or more to the guidance intersection from the position where the previous guidance was performed, that is, in the above example, the guidance intersection distance has become 87 m or less. Determine whether or not.

  In step S103, the second segment of the LED display unit 20 is turned on. Here, the second segment is a second LED to be lit when step S100 is executed this time. Similar to the first segment described above, the second LED differs depending on the lighting order of the LEDs set in step S3 or S4 in FIG. 4 and the point in time in step S100 in the flowchart in FIG. It falls under the segment.

  Specifically, when step S100 is executed after step S6, LED 20b (when step S3 is executed and the lighting order is set from left to right) or LED 20h (step S4 is executed and the lighting order is changed from the right). (When set to the left) corresponds to the second segment. Further, after step S8, the LED 20e (common when step S3 and step S4 are executed) corresponds to the second segment, and after step S10, the LED 20h (when step S3 is executed) or the LED 20b (step S4). Corresponds to the second segment.

  When the second segment is lit as described above, in the next step S104, the distance from the own vehicle to a distance of 2/3 or more from the position where the previous voice guidance is performed is calculated. It is determined whether or not. While the distance of 2/3 or more is not advanced, this step S104 is repeated, and when the distance of 2/3 or more is advanced, the process proceeds to the next step S105. If the next voice guidance is not performed, that is, if this step S104 is executed after the previous guidance, the 2/2 from the position where the previous guidance was performed to the guidance intersection as in step S102 described above. It is determined whether the vehicle has traveled a distance of 3 or more.

  Specifically, when step S100 is executed after step S6 in FIG. 4, it is calculated whether or not the vehicle has traveled a distance of 2/3 or more from the position where the preliminary guidance is performed to the position where the main guidance is performed. judge. That is, in the above example, it is determined whether or not the guidance intersection distance is 366 m or less. Similarly, after step S8, whether or not a distance of 2/3 or more from the position where the main guidance is performed to the position where the last guidance is performed, that is, in the above example, the guidance intersection distance is 186 m. It is determined whether or not the following has occurred. In addition, after step S10, whether or not the distance of 2/3 or more to the guidance intersection has been calculated from the position where the previous guidance was performed, that is, in the above example, the guidance intersection distance has become 44 m or less. Determine whether or not.

  In step S105, the third segment of the LED display unit 20 is turned on. Here, the third segment is a third LED to be lit when step S100 is executed this time. Similar to the first and second segments described above, this differs depending on the lighting order of each LED set in step S3 or S4 in FIG. 4 and at which point in the flowchart in FIG. 4 step S100 is executed. Falls under the third segment.

  Specifically, when step S100 is executed after step S6, LED 20c (when step S3 is executed and the lighting order is set from left to right) or LED 20g (step S4 is executed and the lighting order is changed from the right). (When set to the left) corresponds to the third segment here. Further, after step S8, the LED 20f (when step S3 is executed) or the LED 20d (when step S4 is executed) corresponds to the third segment, and after step S10, the LED 20i (when step S3 is executed). Or LED20a (when step S4 is performed) corresponds to the third segment.

  If the first to third segments are sequentially turned on as described above, the processing flow of FIG. 5 is terminated and the processing flow of FIG. 4 is returned to. By executing such processing in step S100 after step S6, step S8 and step S10 in FIG. 4, each LED of the LED display unit 20 is lit in order from the end. That is, when turning right, the LEDs 20a, 20b and 20c are lit in order after step S6, the LEDs 20d, 20e and 20f are lit in order after step S8, and finally the LEDs 20g, 20h and 20i are lit in order after step S10. Conversely, when turning left, LEDs 20i, 20h, and 20g are sequentially turned on after step S6, LEDs 20f, 20e, and 20d are turned on sequentially after step S8, and LEDs 20c, 20b, and 20a are turned on sequentially after step S10.

  As described above, the output timing of each of the guidance guidance, the main guidance and the immediately preceding guidance is controlled based on the guidance intersection distance, and the LED display unit is synchronized with the output timing of each voice guidance. As the first segment of 20, LEDs 20a, 20d and 20g are turned on when turning right, and LEDs 20i, 20f and 20c are turned on when turning left.

According to the first embodiment described above, the following operational effects can be obtained.
(1) A guidance intersection distance is calculated to determine whether or not the distance is equal to or less than a predetermined distance (steps S5, S7, and S9). ) Is output from the voice output unit 21, and the first segment of the LED display unit 20 is turned on in synchronization with the output timing of the voice guidance to change the display form. (Step S101). Since it did in this way, the user can confirm the number of display segments according to the output timing of voice guidance, and as a result, the distance to the guidance intersection can be confirmed before it is too close to the guidance intersection.

(2) LED display unit 20 when the distance from the position of the host vehicle when the voice guidance is output is advanced by a distance of 1/3 to the position where the next voice guidance is output (step S102). The second segment is turned on (step S103). Moreover, when the distance of 2/3 to the position where the next voice guidance is output is advanced (step S104), the third segment of the LED display unit 20 is turned on (step S105). Since it did in this way, the distance to a guidance intersection can be displayed more easily.

(3) By determining whether the guidance intersection direction is the right direction or the left direction (step S2), it is determined whether the vehicle makes a right turn or a left turn at the guidance intersection. When the host vehicle turns right, the LEDs of the LED display unit 20 are set to light up in order from the left side to the right side (step S3). When turning left, the LEDs of the LED display unit 20 are sequentially turned from the right side to the left side. The lighting is set to be lit (step S4). Since it did in this way, it can represent in which direction the own vehicle bends.

-Second Embodiment-
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment described above, the first segment of the LED display unit 20 is turned on in synchronization with the output of each of the guidance guidance, the main guidance, and the previous guidance, and then the next voice guidance. An example has been described in which the second segment and the third segment are turned on when the distance of 1/3 and 2/3 of the position where the operation is performed are advanced.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the first segment is not turned on when each voice guidance is output, and the first segment is moved when a distance of 1/3 to the position where the next voice guidance is performed is advanced. Light. Thereafter, the second segment is turned on when a distance of 2/3 to the position where the next voice guidance is performed, and the third segment is turned on when the next voice guidance is reached. That is, in the present embodiment, the third segment is turned on in synchronization with the output of the voice guidance. The configuration of the navigation device according to this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a flowchart of processing executed in the control circuit 11 in place of the flowchart of FIG. 4 in the second embodiment. Here, the processing steps for executing the same processing contents as those in FIG. 4 have the same step numbers. As shown in FIG. 6, the flowchart executed in the present embodiment is executed in the first embodiment except that step S110 is executed instead of step S100, and the processes of steps S7, S9, and S11 are not executed. This is the same as the flowchart of FIG. The reason why the processes in steps S7, S9 and S11 are not executed in this embodiment will be described later.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the lighting control process of the LED display unit 20 executed in step S110 of FIG. Here, the processing steps for executing the same processing contents as in FIG. 5 have the same step numbers. As shown in FIG. 7, in this embodiment, each processing step is executed in the order of steps S102, S101, S104, S103, S106, and S105. Of these, steps S101 to S105 execute the same contents as those executed in the first embodiment, and therefore only the contents of step S106 will be described below.

  In step S106, it is determined whether or not the host vehicle has advanced to a position where the next voice guidance is performed. If it is determined that the vehicle has advanced to the position where the next voice guidance is performed, the third segment is turned on in the next step S105, the processing flow in FIG. 7 is terminated, and the processing flow returns to FIG. If the processing in steps S7, S9, and S11 is subsequently executed as in the first embodiment, these processing steps are always positively determined because step S106 in FIG. 7 is positively determined. The Rukoto. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is not necessary to execute the processes of steps S7, S9, and S11.

  The next voice guidance in the above description of step S106 has the same meaning as explained in the first embodiment, and after the advance notice is given, the present guidance is given. If so, it means the last guidance. In addition, after the last guidance, when the next voice guidance is not performed, the position of the guidance intersection is replaced with the position where the next voice guidance is performed. That is, in the determination in step S106, it is determined whether or not the host vehicle has advanced to any one of the position where the main guidance is performed, the position where the last guidance is performed, or the position of the guidance intersection.

  By executing the processing described above in step S110 after each of step S6, step S8, and step S10 in FIG. 6, each LED of the LED display unit 20 is moved from the end as in the first embodiment. It lights up in order. In this way, the output timing of each of the guidance guidance, the main guidance, and the immediately preceding guidance is controlled based on the guidance intersection distance, and the output timing of the main guidance and the immediately preceding guidance among the respective voice guidance is synchronized. As a third segment of the LED display unit 20, the LEDs 20c and 20f are turned on when turning right, and the LEDs 20g and 20d are turned on when turning left.

  According to the second embodiment described above, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, all the LEDs of the LED display unit 20 are initially turned off, and an example of turning on as approaching the guidance intersection has been described. However, on the contrary, all the LEDs of the LED display unit 20 are initially lit, and may be extinguished as they approach the guidance intersection. Alternatively, other methods such as changing the display color may be used. Any method may be used as long as the display form of each LED changes as it approaches the guidance intersection.

-Third embodiment-
A third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first and second embodiments described above, an example in which the LED of the LED display unit 20 is turned on in synchronization with voice guidance to notify the user of the guidance intersection distance and the guidance intersection direction has been described. . In contrast, in the present embodiment, an arrow having a shape corresponding to the direction of the guidance intersection is displayed on the display monitor 16. Further, the arrow is divided into a plurality of parts, and the divided parts are sequentially erased in synchronization with voice guidance according to the guidance intersection distance, thereby informing the user of the guidance intersection distance and the guidance intersection direction. The configuration of the navigation device according to this embodiment is the same as that of the first and second embodiments shown in FIG. The LED display unit 20 may not be provided.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image displayed on the display monitor 16 in the present embodiment. Thus, in this embodiment, the arrow 80 having a shape corresponding to the guidance intersection direction is displayed beside the map image 81. This figure shows an example when the direction of the guidance intersection is the right direction, and the shape of the arrow 80 varies depending on the direction of the guidance intersection.

  The linear portion indicated by the arrow 80 is divided into the divided portions 80a to 80i. As approaching the guidance intersection, in the above-described first or second embodiment, voice guidance and voice guidance are performed according to the guidance intersection distance in the same manner as the LEDs 20a to 20i of the LED display unit 20 are lit in order from the end. The divided parts 80a to 80i are deleted in order in synchronization. At this time, it is preferable that the arrow 80 becomes shorter as approaching the guidance intersection by erasing first from the divided portion 80a side.

  According to the third embodiment described above, the same effects as those of the first and second embodiments can be obtained.

  In the third embodiment described above, the example in which each divided portion of the arrow 80 is erased as it approaches the guidance intersection has been described, but the display color may be changed. Any method may be used as long as the display form of each divided portion changes as it approaches the guidance intersection.

  In each of the embodiments described above, a plurality of display segments are represented by each LED of the LED display unit 20 or each divided portion of the arrow 80 displayed on the display monitor 16. The display form of the plurality of display segments is changed according to the distance of the guidance intersection. However, a plurality of display segments may be represented by other methods. For example, a navigation device and a mobile phone may be connected, and a plurality of display segments may be represented on the mobile phone screen. At this time, if the mobile phone is fixed to, for example, a holder installed on an instrument panel of the vehicle, each display segment can be displayed at a position that is easy to see from the driver.

  Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the distances of 1/3 and 2/3 from the position where the voice guidance of the advance guidance, the main guidance, and the immediately preceding guidance is output to the position where the next voice guidance is performed. When each of the steps proceeds, each of the nine display segments (LEDs 20a to 20i) of the LED display unit 20 or the nine display segments (divided portions 80a to 80i) displayed on the display monitor 16 is turned on or off. I was trying. However, the ratio of the number of display segments and the distance when any one of these display segments is turned on or off (starting from the position where each voice guidance is output, the vehicle for the distance to the position where the next voice guidance is performed is The ratio of the advanced distance) may be another combination. For example, when the number of display segments is 12, and the distances of 1/4, 2/4 and 3/4 from the position where each voice guidance is output to the position where the next voice guidance is performed are respectively advanced In addition, any of the display segments can be turned on or off.

  In the above embodiment, an example is described in which the navigation device performs a route search based on map data recorded on a storage medium such as a DVD-ROM and guides the host vehicle according to the recommended route searched. The present invention is not limited to this content. For example, the present invention can be applied to a communication navigation apparatus that downloads map data from an information distribution center using wireless communication using a mobile phone or the like.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and other modes conceivable within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention are also included in the scope of the present invention.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the navigation apparatus by one Embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which showed the mode of the lighting of the LED display part at the time of a right turn. It is the figure which showed the mode of the lighting of the LED display part at the time of a left turn. In 1st Embodiment, it is a flowchart of the process performed when turning on an LED display part and outputting voice guidance. In 1st Embodiment, it is a flowchart of the subroutine process performed in the lighting control process of an LED display part. 6 is a flowchart of processing executed in place of FIG. 4 in the second embodiment. In 2nd Embodiment, it is a flowchart of the subroutine process performed in the lighting control process of an LED display part. It is the figure which showed the example of the image displayed on a display monitor in 3rd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1 Navigation device 11 Control circuit 12 ROM
13 RAM
14 Current location detection device 15 Image memory 16 Display monitor 17 Input device 18 Disk drive 19 DVD-ROM
20 Lighting indicator 21 Audio output section

Claims (4)

Distance calculation that calculates the distance (guided intersection distance) from the current location of the vehicle to the next guided intersection on the recommended route when the vehicle is guided to the destination according to a preset recommended route Means,
Voice output means for outputting voice guidance for the guidance intersection;
Display means having a plurality of display segments;
Voice output control means for controlling the output timing of voice guidance output by the voice output means based on the guidance intersection distance calculated by the distance calculation means;
Display control means for changing the display form of a specific display segment among the plurality of display segments of the display means in synchronization with the output timing of the voice guidance based on the guidance intersection distance. Car navigation system. The in-vehicle navigation device according to claim 1,
The voice output control means outputs the voice guidance by the voice output means a plurality of times at different output timings according to the difference in the guidance intersection distance,
The display control means starts from the position of the host vehicle when the voice guidance is output, and depends on a ratio of a distance traveled by the host vehicle to a distance until the voice guidance is output next. An in-vehicle navigation device characterized by changing any display form other than the specific display segment among the plurality of display segments of the display means. The in-vehicle navigation device according to claim 1 or 2,
The plurality of display segments are arranged side by side in a horizontal direction,
The display control means includes
When the host vehicle turns right at the guidance intersection, the display form of the plurality of display segments of the display means is changed in order from the left side to the right side,
An in-vehicle navigation device characterized in that when the host vehicle turns to the left at the guidance intersection, the display form of the plurality of display segments of the display means is changed in order from the right side to the left side. When the distance from the current location of the vehicle to the next intersection where the vehicle should turn is less than a predetermined value, voice guidance is output.
In synchronization with the output timing of the voice guidance, the first display segment is turned on or off in the display means having a plurality of display segments,
The second display segment adjacent to the first display segment is turned on or off when the host vehicle travels a predetermined distance from the position of the host vehicle when the voice guidance is output. In-vehicle navigation device characterized.

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