JP2005106741A - Navigation system, method and program thereof, and method and program for creating database for searching - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a navigation system, a method and a program thereof, and a method and a program for creating a database for searching, by which superior usability is realized, where a user is previously informed a spot at which a path searching process cannot be carried out. <P>SOLUTION: About the spot at which the path searching process cannot be carried out, a disapproval information outputting section 45 gives the user such disapproval information that it is impossible to carry out the path searching process, at not less one of timings when the spot is output as a searching result, when the spot is selected as a destination and when the path searching process is designated. Furthermore, the disapproval information outputting section 45 outputs contents of reason information along with the disapproval information or as the disapproval information. For example, if a hotel named "Kamikochi ## Hotel" which is in a zone prohibiting public vehicles from entering, is designated as the destination, or the path searching process is operated about there, such a message that the path searching process can not be carried out because this area is the zone prohibiting the public vehicles from entering, is output by using a screen image, a synthesized speech or the like, without carrying out the path searching process such as a disk accessing process or the like. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a navigation system, a method and a program, and a search database creation method and a program which realize excellent usability by informing a user in advance of points where a route cannot be searched.

  In recent years, navigation system technology has become widespread against the background of the spread of automobiles and the development of digital technology. The navigation system displays the position of the vehicle for a moving body such as a vehicle in real time using a GPS (Global Positioning System) or a gyro, and displays it on a map of the surroundings. The route is searched and guided. The road and map data used by the navigation system is called road map data. The road map data is stored in advance in a vehicle such as a DVD in the in-vehicle device, and all processing such as route search is completed in the in-vehicle device (onboard). There is a type (offboard) in which processing such as holding all or a part of road map data and route search is outsourced to a server facility separated by wireless access such as a mobile phone line.

  In addition, search data including genre, name, address, telephone number, etc. is prepared for various points such as accommodation facilities, restaurants, entertainment facilities, etc. so that the user can easily set the destination by conditional search or hierarchical selection etc. There are also configured (see, for example, Patent Document 1), and the points in this case include, for example, Kamikochi in Nagano Prefecture, which is famous as a tourist destination, and Oshima Airport in Izu Oshima.

In a conventional navigation system, a point included in these search data can be selected as a destination, but when a route search is instructed, there is a case where a route to that point cannot be searched. For example, in the Kamikochi area (FIG. 3), entry of general vehicles is currently restricted for environmental conservation. In addition, for Oshima Airport on Izu Oshima (Fig. 4), there are roads on the island, but passengers' cars cannot be boarded on the ferry with the mainland, so it is not connected to the mainland by ferry on the road map data. ing. In these cases, even a route search algorithm such as bidirectional search cannot find a route connecting the current location and the destination, and an error message such as “cannot be searched” is output.
JP 2002-340596 A

  However, in the navigation system of the prior art, it is not possible to search for a point output as a search result only after actually selecting the destination or instructing a route search and waiting for the end of the route search operation such as data access. Since it was found to be a point, these operations and waiting time were wasted, and there was a problem that the usability was poor.

  The present invention solves the above-described problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a navigation system, a method and a program, and a search database for realizing excellent usability by informing a user in advance of a point where a route cannot be searched. It is providing the preparation method and program.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is characterized in that, based on search data prepared in advance, means for searching for a destination point according to a given operation, and a route to the specified destination In a navigation system for a moving body, wherein a computer realizes a means for searching and setting a route based on road map data prepared in advance and a means for performing guidance guidance based on the set route. The data includes data on whether or not a route search is possible for each point, and for points that cannot be searched for a route, when the search results are output, when a destination is selected, or when a route search is instructed The computer is provided with means for notifying the user that the route cannot be searched at at least one of the above points.

  The invention of claim 4 captures the invention of claim 1 from the viewpoint of a method. Based on search data prepared in advance, a process for searching for a destination point according to a given operation and a designation The computer executes a process for searching and setting a route based on road map data prepared in advance and a process for performing guidance guidance based on the set route for a mobile object. In the navigation method, the search data includes data on whether or not a route search is possible for each point, and for a point where the route search is not possible, a time point of output as a search result, a time point selected as a destination, or It includes a process in which the computer informs the user that the route search is impossible at least at any time point when the route search is instructed.

  The invention of claim 6 captures the inventions of claims 1 and 4 from the viewpoint of a computer program. By controlling the computer, the purpose of the invention is in accordance with a given operation. Search for a point to be a ground, search for and set a route to a specified destination based on road map data prepared in advance, and perform guidance guidance based on the set route, In a navigation program for a mobile object, the search data includes data indicating whether or not a route can be searched for each point, and the program outputs to the computer as a search result for a point where the route cannot be searched. It is impossible to search for a route at the point of time, when it is selected as a destination, or when a route search is instructed. Characterized in that to notify the user.

  The invention of claim 3 captures the inventions of claims 1, 4 and 6 from the viewpoint of a method for creating a search database, and includes search data including information on a plurality of points for use in searching for points for navigation. In a method for creating a search database that records a computer-readable recording medium, prior to the recording, a route search from one or more predetermined points to each point of the search data is performed, and the result is Based on this, data indicating whether or not a route search is possible is added to the generation and search data, and the added search data is recorded on the recording medium.

  The invention of claim 8 captures the inventions of claims 1, 4, 6 and 3 from the viewpoint of a computer program. By controlling the computer, it is possible to search for a plurality of points for navigation. In a search database creation program for recording search data including information on a computer-readable recording medium, the program allows the computer to search the search data from one or more predetermined points prior to the recording. The route search to each point is performed, data indicating whether the route search is possible or impossible is added to the generation and search data based on the result, and the added search data is recorded on the recording medium. And

  In these aspects, information on whether or not a moving object such as a vehicle cannot be reached and a route cannot be searched is added in advance to the search data, so that the output time point as the search result, the time point selected as the destination, When the route calculation is instructed, it can be notified that the route cannot be searched, so that unnecessary operations and waiting times for actually trying to find the route can be avoided, and the user can shift the destination point, etc. Handling is also easier and usability is improved. As a result, complaints and inquiries such as “cannot be searched. Is it a failure?” From the user to the manufacturer, etc. can be reduced, and the cost for the user can be reduced.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the navigation system according to the first aspect, the search data is accompanied by reason information indicating the reason why the route cannot be searched for a point where the route cannot be searched, and the computer outputs the contents of the reason information. It is provided with.

  The invention according to claim 5 captures the invention according to claim 2 from the viewpoint of a method, and in the navigation method according to claim 4, the search data represents a reason for not being able to search for a point where the route cannot be searched. The method includes a process in which a computer outputs the contents of the reason information together with information.

  The invention of claim 7 captures the inventions of claims 2 and 5 from the viewpoint of a computer program. In the navigation program of claim 6, the search data cannot search for a point where a route cannot be searched. With the reason information indicating the reason, the program causes the computer to output the contents of the reason information.

  In these aspects, the reason why the route cannot be searched is provided to the user in more detail using character strings, graphic symbols, etc., so the user can be satisfied and can easily consider other options depending on the reason. , User convenience and satisfaction are improved.

  According to the present invention as described above, it is possible to provide a navigation system, a method and a program, and a search database creation method and program that realize excellent usability by informing a user in advance of a point where a route cannot be searched.

  Next, the best mode for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter referred to as “embodiment”) will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. In addition, although this embodiment is realizable by controlling the computer provided with the peripheral device by the program, the implementation | achievement aspect of the hardware and program in this case can be variously changed. In addition to the navigation system and method, the present invention can be grasped as a program as described above and a computer-readable storage medium storing such a program. Therefore, in the following description, virtual circuit blocks that realize the functions of the present invention and the present embodiment are used.

[1. Constitution〕
[1-1. overall structure〕
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of a navigation system (hereinafter referred to as “the present system”) in the present embodiment. This system is a navigation system for a vehicle that is a moving body, and includes the following elements shown in FIG.

  That is, the absolute position / orientation detection unit 1 calculates the absolute position coordinates and direction on the ground surface with respect to the current position of the automobile (referred to as the own vehicle) on which the present system is mounted, that is, the own vehicle position. This is a part for receiving GPS radio waves transmitted from GPS satellites with an antenna or a receiver. The relative orientation detection unit 2 is a part for detecting the relative orientation of the host vehicle using a gyro or the like. Moreover, the vehicle speed detection part 3 is a part which calculates the speed of the own vehicle by processing the vehicle speed pulse obtained from a motor vehicle.

  The main CPU and its peripheral circuit 4 are parts that serve as a control circuit for controlling the entire system. The memory group M is a variety of memories necessary for the operation of the system. For example, the ROM 5 for storing programs is accessed by the main CPU when the system is activated. A main program is loaded into a dynamic RAM (DRAM) 6 that provides a work area and the like. An SRAM (static RAM) 7 is a storage means for storing information including settings and map data, and is backed up by the battery even when the main power is turned off, and provides memory contents when the power is turned on. However, it can be replaced by other storage means such as a flash memory or a hard disk drive. A display VRAM (video RAM) 8 stores bitmap data of an image to be displayed on the display unit 10.

  The display unit 10 is a part for displaying various information such as a map and an operation menu on a liquid crystal display screen (not shown), and is preferably used in combination with speech synthesis. The input unit 11 is a part for a user to input information such as a command from a switch or the like, and includes a touch sensor function, a remote control unit, an infrared transmission / reception unit, and the like, but is configured integrally with the display unit 10 as a touch panel. It is desirable. The user interface unit 9 is a user interface that connects the display unit 10 and the input unit 11 to the main CPU and its peripheral circuit 4 using an I / O control circuit, a device driver, or the like.

  The HDD control unit 12 is means for reading various data such as a navigation program recorded in a hard disk (mass storage device) from a database, road map data representing a network structure of a road or a road section in advance, an airport Stores search data for searching for a location such as a facility such as a hotel or a historic spot. As shown in FIG. 2, the search data in the present embodiment has a “search” flag that is data indicating whether or not a route search is possible for each point. “0” is taken, and “−1” is taken for other points where the route cannot be searched. In addition, the search data is accompanied by reason information such as a character string (reason character string) indicating a reason why the route cannot be searched, a graphic image, and a reason code for a point where the route cannot be searched.

  The FM multiplex reception and processing unit 13 is a part that receives FM broadcast waves and extracts desired data such as traffic information of the VICS service from the broadcast waves. The traffic information includes traffic jam information. The optical / beacon reception and processing unit 14 is a part that receives and processes information such as identification information of each beacon and traffic information of the VICS service from an optical beacon or a radio wave beacon installed on a roadside.

[1-2. Role of main CPU and its peripheral circuits]
Further, the main CPU and its peripheral circuit 4 are configured to realize the roles as the following parts shown in FIG. 1 by the action of the program as described above. That is, the current position detection unit 40 is means for sequentially calculating the own vehicle position, and specifically, is configured to calculate the own vehicle position by combining GPS navigation positioning and autonomous navigation positioning. .

  Here, in GPS navigation positioning, the current position is calculated using information obtained by the absolute position / orientation detection unit 1 based on radio waves from an artificial satellite. In the autonomous navigation positioning, the current position is calculated using information obtained from the relative bearing detection unit 2 and the vehicle speed detection unit 3 based on the geomagnetism and the speed of the host vehicle.

  The destination designation unit 41 is a means for accepting designation of a destination, that is, input by facility search from a database in which the road map data is recorded, cursor designation on a map, or the like. Based on this, it is means for searching for a point such as a facility as a destination according to a given operation. The route setting unit 42 is a means for searching for and setting a route to a designated destination based on road map data prepared in advance. Specifically, the route setting unit 42 reaches the destination passed from the destination designation unit 41. Is calculated on the basis of road map data or entrusted to a predetermined external server via communication such as a mobile phone line, and the resulting route is set.

  Further, the map display unit 43 three-dimensionally displays the own vehicle position on the surrounding map and at least a part of the route on the display unit 10 based on the calculated own vehicle position and the road map data. The guidance control unit 44 is a means for displaying in another mode, and is a means for performing guidance guidance based on a set route. The guidance guidance is controlled by the combined use. Further, the impossibility information output unit 45 is configured as a unit that operates as described later by the operation of the program as described above.

[2. Action and effect)
In the present embodiment, the impossibility information output unit 45 outputs at least one of the time point of output as a search result, the time point selected as the destination, or the time point when the route search is instructed for a point where the route search is impossible. Then, the user is notified that the route search is impossible. Moreover, the impossibility information output part 45 outputs the content of reason information like the reason character string shown in FIG. 2 with the notification or as the notification. For example, if you specify “Destination” for “Kamikoji 〇 Hotel” in the general vehicle entry prohibited area or perform a route search operation, you will be prompted with “ A message such as "Cannot find a route because the area is prohibited from entering ordinary vehicles" is output. Similarly, if you specify “Oshima Airport” as the destination while you are in the mainland, or if you perform a route search operation, a message such as “Ferry to Oshima cannot be searched because ordinary vehicles are not available” will be output. The

  In this embodiment, by adding information on whether or not a moving object such as a vehicle cannot be reached and a route cannot be searched in advance to the search data, the search result is selected as the output time point and the destination. When a route calculation is instructed or when a route calculation is instructed, it is possible to notify that the route cannot be searched. Handling such as shifting is also facilitated, improving usability. As a result, complaints and inquiries such as “cannot be searched. Is it a failure?” From the user to the manufacturer, etc. can be reduced, and the cost for the user can be reduced.

  In the present embodiment, the reason why the route cannot be searched is provided to the user in more detail using a character string or a graphic symbol, so that the user can easily deal with consideration of other options depending on the reason. Therefore, user convenience and satisfaction are improved.

[3. Other embodiments]
In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, Other embodiments which are illustrated below are included. For example, the above-described embodiment is onboard, but can also be applied to offboard by placing search data on a server. The present invention can also be realized as a search database creation method or creation program. For example, such a search database creation method creates a search database in which search data including information on a plurality of points is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a DVD for use in searching for a point for navigation. In the method, prior to the recording, a route search from one or more predetermined points to each point of the search data is performed, and data indicating whether or not the route search is possible is generated and searched based on the result. The search data added to the recording medium is recorded on the recording medium.

The functional block diagram which shows the structure of embodiment of this invention. The conceptual diagram which shows the structural example of the data for a search in embodiment of this invention. The conceptual diagram which illustrates the case where a route search cannot be performed. The conceptual diagram which illustrates the case where a route search cannot be performed.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Absolute position and direction detection part 2 ... Relative direction detection part 3 ... Vehicle speed detection part 4 ... Main CPU and its peripheral circuit 5 ... ROM
6 ... DRAM
7 ... SRAM
8 ... VRAM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 9 ... User interface part 10 ... Display part 11 ... Input part 12 ... HDD control part 13 ... FM multiplex reception and processing part 14 ... Light / beacon reception and processing part 40 ... Current position detection part 41 ... Destination designation part 42 ... Path Setting unit 43 ... Map display unit 44 ... Guidance control unit 45 ... Impossible information output unit M ... Memory group

Claims (8)

Based on search data prepared in advance, means for searching for a destination point according to a given operation, and route search and setting based on road map data prepared in advance for a route to a specified destination In a navigation system for a moving body, in which a computer realizes means for performing guidance guidance based on a set route,
The search data includes data indicating whether or not a route search is possible for each point.
For a point that cannot be searched for a route, the user is informed that the route cannot be searched at least at the time when the search result is output, when the destination is selected, or when the route search is instructed. A navigation system comprising means for notifying by a computer. The search data includes reason information indicating a reason for not being able to search for a point where the route cannot be searched,
2. The navigation system according to claim 1, further comprising means for outputting a content of the reason information by a computer. In a method for creating a search database for recording search data including information on a plurality of points on a computer-readable recording medium for use in searching for a point for navigation,
Prior to the recording, a route search from one or more predetermined points to each point of the search data is performed, and data indicating whether or not the route search is possible is generated and searched for based on the result. A method for creating a search database, wherein the search data is added and recorded in the recording medium. Based on search data prepared in advance, a process for searching for a destination point according to a given operation, and a route search and setting based on road map data prepared in advance for a route to a specified destination In a navigation method for a moving object, in which a computer executes processing for performing guidance processing based on a set route and guidance processing,
The search data includes data indicating whether or not a route search is possible for each point.
For a point that cannot be searched for a route, the user is informed that the route cannot be searched at least at the time when the search result is output, when the destination is selected, or when the route search is instructed. A navigation method comprising a process of notifying by a computer. The search data includes reason information indicating a reason for not being able to search for a point where the route cannot be searched,
5. The navigation method according to claim 4, further comprising a process in which a computer outputs the contents of the reason information. By controlling the computer
Based on the search data prepared in advance, the destination point is searched according to the given operation, the route to the specified destination is searched and set based on the road map data prepared in advance, In a navigation program for a moving object that performs guidance guidance based on a set route,
The search data includes data indicating whether or not a route search is possible for each point.
The program is stored in the computer,
For a point that cannot be searched for a route, the user is informed that the route cannot be searched at least at the time when the search result is output, when the destination is selected, or when the route search is instructed. A navigation program characterized by causing notification. The search data includes reason information indicating a reason for not being able to search for a point where the route cannot be searched,
The program is stored in the computer.
The navigation program according to claim 6, wherein the content of the reason information is output. In a search database creation program for recording search data including information on a plurality of points on a computer-readable recording medium to control a computer for searching for a point for navigation,
The program is stored in the computer,
Prior to the recording, a route search from one or two or more predetermined points to each point of the search data is performed, and data on whether or not the route search is possible is generated and searched based on the result. And a search database creation program that records the added search data on the recording medium.

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