Navigation device

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD [Detailed description of the invention]

【0001】

[Industrial application field]

The present invention relates to a navigation device mounted on a vehicle and displaying the current location of the vehicle on a display in a state of being superimposed on a map, and particularly relates to a display of traffic congestion information displayed in association with the current location.

【0002】

[Conventional technology]

In recent years, the number of vehicles owned has increased significantly. For this reason, vehicles cannot run normally on major roads due to road construction, traffic accidents, etc., causing traffic congestion, which is one of the major social problems. Therefore, it is considered to alleviate the traffic congestion by notifying the section in which the vehicle cannot normally travel in advance by some method and bypassing the section.

【0003】

Conventionally, as a means for informing the driver of a congested section in which normal driving cannot be performed due to road construction or a traffic accident, the congested section is displayed on a road sign or the congested section is notified by radio broadcasting. In the case of road signs, although simple, the place where the sign is installed is often near the place where traffic congestion is occurring. Therefore, when the driver knows, it is often impossible to bypass the congested section. Further, even if the road sign is installed in a detourable place, there is an inconvenience that the congested section cannot be geographically grasped from the sign if the driver is unfamiliar with the area where he / she is currently driving. Furthermore, when driving immediately behind or beside a large truck or the like, the driver often overlooks the sign.

【0004】

On the other hand, in the case of radio broadcasting, information can be given to the driver at a point far away from the congested section, but information cannot be obtained unless the driver has the radio on, and the radio is on. However, not only road information is broadcast. Therefore, the driver cannot obtain road information at an appropriate time. In addition, even if information is available, it is often the case that a driver who is unfamiliar with the area in which he / she is driving does not know whether or not there is a congested section in the future.

【0005】

In order to deal with the above, a navigation device mounted on a vehicle and displaying a traffic jam location on a map together with the current location of the vehicle on a display is available in JP-A-64-44599 and JP-A-4-99380. Etc. are variously disclosed. The navigation device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 64-44599 was proposed by the present applicant, and receives road information from a road information transmitter installed on the road, and the road information is included in the road information. The location of the traffic jam is highlighted on the map together with the current location of the vehicle according to the traffic jam information included.

【0006】

On the other hand, the navigation device disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 4-299380 displays the traffic jam location on a map together with the current location of the vehicle based on the traffic jam information contained in the road information obtained by communication, and also road information. The display color of the congested area is changed according to the passage of time after the acquisition of the vehicle.

【0007】

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

However, the navigation devices disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 64-44599, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-299380, etc. are effective to some extent in selecting the optimum route to the destination while avoiding the congested section. However, it is not possible to give detailed information on the congested area by simply displaying the congested area. Specifically, the degree of congestion for each lane at the congestion location is not displayed. Therefore, for example, when the left turn lane or the right turn lane is congested at an intersection where the vehicle should go straight, the driver may mistakenly enter the congested left turn lane or the right turn lane, and it may take time to go straight through the intersection. The same thing happens at highway junctions.

【0008】

Also, it is not displayed whether the traffic congestion displayed on the display is increasing or decreasing. Therefore, it is left to the driver's intuition to decide whether to bypass the congested area or proceed as it is, and as a result, it may take time to make an erroneous decision to reach the destination. In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a navigation device capable of not only displaying a congested part but also displaying detailed information of the congested part. Specifically, the first purpose is to provide a navigation device that can display the degree of congestion for each lane in a congested area. The second purpose is to provide a navigation device that can display whether the traffic congestion displayed on the display is increasing or decreasing.

【0009】

[Means for solving problems]

The problem-solving means according to claim 1 of the present invention is mounted on a vehicle, detects the current location of the vehicle, and maps the detected current location in a navigation device that displays the current location and a map read from a map memory on a display. The current location display means displayed above, the receiving means for receiving the road information transmitted from the road information transmitter installed on the road, and the road information received by the above receiving means include information related to the traffic jam location. If so, based on this information, the traffic jam display means for displaying the traffic jam on the map, and if the above road information includes information on the degree of traffic congestion for each lane, this information will be included. Based on this, it is provided with a lane-specific congestion information display means for displaying the degree of congestion for each lane in association with the congestion location displayed by the above-mentioned congestion location display means.

【0010】

The problem-solving means according to claim 2 is that, in the navigation device according to claim 1, if the road information further includes information on the degree of congestion for each lane, the congestion location can be determined by the above-mentioned congestion location display means. A selection key display means for displaying a touch key for selecting a display of a traffic congestion degree for each lane by the above-mentioned traffic congestion information display means for each lane when being displayed is provided, and a touch key displayed by the above-mentioned selection key display means. By touch-operating, the degree of traffic congestion for each lane is displayed by the traffic congestion information display means for each lane.

【0011】

The problem-solving means according to claim 3 is mounted on a vehicle, detects the current location of the vehicle, and displays the detected current location on a map in a navigation device that displays the current location and a map read from a map memory on a display. When the current location display means to be displayed, the receiving means for receiving the road information transmitted from the road information transmitter installed on the road, and the road information received by the above receiving means include information related to the traffic jam location. Is a means for displaying a traffic jam on a map, and if the above road information includes information on the degree of traffic jam on the traffic jam and information on traffic jam prediction, these Based on the information, it is provided with a traffic jam increase / decrease display means for displaying whether the traffic jam is increasing or decreasing in association with the traffic jam location displayed by the traffic jam location display means.

【0012】

The problem-solving means according to claim 4 is received by the navigation device according to claim 3, further, a storage means for storing information on the degree of congestion regarding the above-mentioned congestion location, and a storage means for storing the provision time of the information for each congestion location, and the above-mentioned receiving means. If the road information provided includes information related to the degree of traffic congestion related to the traffic jam location, but does not include information related to the traffic jam prediction, the past history of the traffic jam location stored in the above storage means. As a result, the traffic jam predicting means for predicting whether the traffic jam at the traffic jam location is increasing or decreasing in the future, and the prediction result by the traffic jam predicting means are associated with the traffic jam location displayed by the traffic jam location display means. It is equipped with a traffic jam prediction display means for displaying.

【0013】

[Action]

When the current location of the vehicle is detected in the problem-solving means according to claim 1, the current location is displayed on the map by the current location display means. In parallel with this, the receiving means receives the road information transmitted from the road information transmitter installed on the road. At this time, if the road information received by the receiving means includes information related to the congested part, the congested part is displayed on the map by the congested part display means. Further, at this time, if the road information further includes information related to the congestion degree for each lane, the congestion degree for each lane is displayed in association with the congestion location by the congestion information display means for each lane.

【0014】

In this way, the lane-specific information included in the received road information is analyzed, and the lane-specific congestion information of the congestion location based on this analysis result is displayed, so that the driver can quickly reach the destination while looking at this display. You can choose the road and lane you can reach. Therefore, it is less likely to be involved in unnecessary traffic jams. In the problem-solving means according to claim 2, when the road information further includes information on the degree of traffic congestion for each lane, when the traffic jam location is displayed, the traffic jam information for each lane is displayed by the selection key display means. Touch keys for selecting the display of the congestion degree for each lane by the display means are displayed. Then, when the touch key displayed by the selection key display means is touch-operated, the congestion degree for each lane is displayed by the congestion information display means for each lane.

【0015】

Therefore, the driver can know the traffic jam information for each lane at the traffic jam location as needed. In the problem-solving means according to claim 3, the current location of the vehicle detected by the current location display means is displayed on the map. At this time, if the road information received by the receiving means includes information related to the congested part, the congested part is displayed on the map by the congested part display means. Furthermore, at this time, if the road information further includes information on the degree of congestion regarding the congestion location and information on the congestion prediction, the congestion location indicates whether the congestion is increasing or decreasing depending on the congestion increase / decrease display means. It is displayed in association with.

【0016】

In this way, if the road information includes information related to traffic jam prediction, that information is displayed in association with the displayed traffic jam location, so whether the traffic jam at the displayed traffic jam location is increasing or decreasing. It will be easier for the driver to see what is inside, and the driver will be able to accurately determine whether to bypass the congested area or proceed as it is. As a result, the optimum route to the destination can be selected, and no wasted time is spent to reach the destination.

【0017】

In claim 4, the information on the degree of congestion regarding the congestion location and the provision time of the information are stored for each congestion location by the storage means. Then, when the road information received by the receiving means includes information related to the degree of traffic congestion regarding the traffic jam location, but does not include information related to the traffic jam prediction, the traffic jam predicting means stores the information in the storage means. Based on the past history of the memorized traffic jam, it is predicted whether the traffic jam at the traffic jam is increasing or decreasing in the future, and the prediction result is displayed in association with the traffic jam by the traffic jam prediction display means. To.

【0018】

In this way, even if the road information does not include information related to traffic congestion prediction, the traffic congestion at the traffic jam location is increasing or decreasing based on the past history of the traffic congestion location that is stored. Since the prediction information is associated with the traffic jam location and displayed in a state that is easy for the driver to see, the driver can accurately select the optimum route to the destination. As a result, the destination can be reached in a short time.

【0019】

[Example]

First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a navigation device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. With reference to the figure, the navigation device of this embodiment includes a distance orientation sensor 10 that detects the mileage and orientation of the vehicle, a CD drive 30 that is loaded with a map memory 20 that stores road map data, and the like. A beacon receiver 50 that receives road information from a beacon 40 installed on the road, a navigation ECU 60 that reads road information from the map memory 20 and generates display data for driving support, and a graphic display on the CRT 70. It is equipped with a graphic generator 80 that creates the program of.

【0020】

As the distance directional sensor 10, an appropriate GPS (Global Positioning System), a geomagnetic sensor, a vehicle speed sensor, or the like is selected according to its application. A CD-ROM, which is a large-capacity storage medium, is used for the map memory 20, and the display map data for dividing the road map into meshes and graphically displaying the road form, coordinate position, etc. in each mesh unit is used. It is stored, and road network data for map matching is stored for each mesh. As display map data, multiple maps with different scales are prepared according to the size of the ratio when the road map is divided into mesh shapes, and these maps include place name columns, famous facilities, railways, etc. Contains point data that identifies a specific point. Road network data includes combination data of nodes representing branch points and links of road segments, distance data of links, time required to run through links, and road type data such as highways, highways, and city roads. It is also composed of road width data.

【0021】

A distance directional sensor 10, a CD drive 30, and a beacon receiver 50 are connected to the navigation ECU 60. Furthermore, the CRT70 is connected to the ECU60 via the graphic generator 80. Therefore, the navigation ECU 60 estimates the current location of the vehicle based on the information of the distance / direction sensor 10, and displays the current location on the CRT 70 together with the map read from the map memory 20. In addition, the ECU 60 displays various road information on the CRT 70 based on the road information from the beacon 40 received by the beacon receiver 50.

【0022】

The beacon 40 has a conventionally known structure, and in road information, information on a traffic jam location in the lane connected to the lane in the direction in which the beacon is installed, information on the degree of traffic jam for each lane, and traffic jam. Information related to the forecast is included and transmitted. The beacon receiver 50 has a conventionally known structure, and can distinguish between a beacon signal installed in the traveling lane of a vehicle and a beacon signal installed in the opposite lane. Therefore, it is possible to select and receive only the road information of the beacon installed in the traveling lane of the vehicle and corresponding to the traveling direction of the vehicle.

【0023】

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the navigation ECU. With reference to the figure, the navigation ECU 60 reads out the current location detecting means 61 that detects the current location of the vehicle from the output signal from the distance direction sensor 10 and the map related to the current location detected by the current location detecting means 61 from the map memory 20. , The current location display means 62 for displaying the current location on the CRT70 in a state where the current location is superimposed on the read map is provided. Further, the ECU 60 determines that the road information includes the information related to the congested part in the road information by the road information type determining means 63 for determining the type of the road information received by the beacon receiver 50 and the road information type determining means 63. If so, the traffic jam display means 64 for processing this information and displaying the traffic jam on the map in a state of being superimposed on the map, and the road information type determination means 63 further lanes in the road information. If information related to another congestion level is included, this information is processed and the congestion level for each lane is displayed in association with the congestion location displayed by the congestion location display means 64. It is equipped with a display means 65. Further, when the ECU 60 is determined by the road information type determining means 63 that the information related to the congested part is included in the road information, when the congested part is displayed by the congested part displaying means 64, the ECU60 is displayed. The CRT 70 is provided with a selection key display means 66 for displaying touch keys such as the [Detailed Information] key 71 and the [NEXT] key 72. The [Detailed Information] key 71 is a key for selecting the display of the congestion degree for each lane by the congestion information display means 65 for each lane, and the [NEXT] key 72 is a key for sequentially displaying multiple congestion points displayed on the CRT 70. The feed key for selection.

【0024】

In the navigation device, the current location of the vehicle is estimated based on the information of the distance / direction sensor 10, and the map related to the current location is read from the map memory 20 by driving the CD drive 30. Then, the current location symbol S (see Fig. 3) is displayed on the CRT70 in a state of being superimposed on the read map. In parallel with this, the beacon receiver 50 receives the road information from the beacon 40.

【0025】

At this time, if the received road information includes information related to the congested part, as shown in FIG. 3, the congested part is highlighted on the CRT70 in a state of being overlapped on the map. Further, at this time, if the road information further includes information on the degree of congestion for each lane, the [Detailed Information] key 71 and the [NEXT] key 72 are displayed at the corners of the CRT70.

【0026】

When the [Detailed Information] key 71 and the [NEXT] key 72 appear on the screen, the traffic jam location closest to the current location is blinking. If you want to get detailed information on the traffic jam location closest to your current flashing location, touch the [Detailed Information] key 71 to place the CRT70 in a predetermined position (on the right side in the figure) by lane, as shown in Fig. 4. The degree of congestion is displayed.

【0027】

Further, when it is desired to obtain detailed information on another traffic jam location, by touching the [NEXT] key 72, the traffic jam location having detailed information blinks in sequence as shown in FIG. In other words, the blinking display changes in the order of congestion location congestion location congestion location congestion location congestion location. Then, if you touch the [Detailed Information] key 71 while the traffic jam location for which you want to know detailed traffic jam information is blinking, the traffic jam level for each lane is displayed on the CRT70 as shown in Fig. 4. Regarding the display of traffic jam information by lane, when the [Detailed information] key 71 is pressed, the display screen may be changed so that the information by lane of the selected traffic jam location is displayed.

【0028】

In this way, in the navigation device, the lane-specific information included in the received road information is analyzed, and the lane-specific congestion information of the congestion location based on the analysis result is displayed as necessary, so that the driver You can select the road and lane to get to your destination quickly while looking at this display, and you will be less likely to get caught in unnecessary traffic. Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9.

【0029】

FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of the navigation ECU of the navigation device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. With reference to the figure, the navigation ECU 60 of the navigation device according to the present embodiment is configured to be able to display whether the traffic congestion displayed on the CRT 70 is increasing or decreasing. That is, in the navigation ECU 60, in addition to the current location display means 62 and the congestion location display means 64, the road information type determination means 63 further includes the congestion degree related to the congestion location and the information related to the congestion prediction in the road information. In the case, this information is processed and the congestion increase / decrease display is displayed on the CRT70 in association with the congestion location whether the congestion at the congestion location is increasing or decreasing displayed by the congestion location display means 64. It is equipped with means 67. Further, the ECU 60 uses a storage means 68 that stores information on the degree of traffic congestion regarding the traffic jam location and the time for providing the information for each traffic jam location, and a road information type determination means 63 to display the traffic congestion degree regarding the traffic jam location in the road information. If it is determined that the information related to the traffic jam is included but the information related to the traffic jam prediction is not included, the traffic jam at the traffic jam location stored in the storage means 68 is recorded in the past history. Congestion prediction means 69A that predicts whether it is increasing or decreasing in the future, and congestion for displaying the prediction result by the congestion prediction means 69A on the CRT70 in association with the congestion location displayed by the congestion location display means 64. It is equipped with a predictive display means 69B. The other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

【0030】

In the navigation device, as shown in FIG. 7, the current location symbol S is displayed on the CRT 70 in a state of being superimposed on the read map. At this time, if the beacon receiver 50 receives the road information from the beacon 40, the received content is analyzed and processed, and if there is an item to be displayed, the content is displayed on the CRT 70. If the received road information includes information related to the congested area, as shown in FIG. 7, the congested area is highlighted on the CRT70 in a state of being superimposed on the map. At this time, if the road information further includes information on the degree of congestion regarding the location of congestion and information on the prediction of congestion, the congestion displayed on the CRT 70 as shown in FIGS. 8 (a) and 8 (b). It is displayed whether the traffic congestion at the location is increasing or decreasing in the future.

【0031】

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the R portion surrounded by the middle circle in FIG. 7, FIG. 8 (a) shows the transition of the display pattern indicating that the traffic congestion is increasing, and FIG. 7 (b) shows the transition of the display pattern. Shows the transition of the display pattern indicating that is decreasing. With reference to the figure, the number of display blocks B indicating the degree of congestion following the end of the congestion location displayed on the CRT70 is displayed with a stepwise change according to the increase or decrease in congestion. When the traffic congestion is on the increase, as shown in Fig. 8 (a), the number of traffic congestion degree display blocks B is gradually increased by changing the display pattern in the order of ... Is displayed. On the other hand, when the congestion is decreasing, the number of congestion degree display blocks B is gradually decreased by changing the display pattern in the order of ... as shown in FIG. 8 (b). Is displayed.

【0032】

Further, regarding the road having the traffic jam information, the traffic jam degree and the information provision time are stored for each traffic jam location. Then, when the road information includes information related to the degree of traffic congestion related to the traffic jam location, but does not include information related to traffic congestion prediction, as shown in FIGS. 9 (a), (b), and (c). In addition, from the past history of the traffic jam location stored from the information from the beacon 40 inside the navigation ECU 60, the future traffic jam prediction of the traffic jam location is estimated, and the estimation result is displayed on the CRT70 as shown in Fig. 8 (a) and (b). Is displayed.

【0033】

FIG. 9 shows a histogram related to the prediction of the degree of congestion. FIG. 9 (a) is a histogram in which an increase in traffic congestion is predicted, FIG. 9 (b) is a histogram in which a decrease in traffic congestion is predicted, and FIG. Is a histogram in which no change in traffic congestion is predicted. With reference to the figure, go back by a predetermined time T (for example, 40 minutes) from the current time, and T₀~ T₁The future congestion degree is predicted from the distribution state of the congestion degree per unit time t (for example, 5 minutes) up to. As shown in Figure 9 (a), T₀~ T₁If the distribution state of the degree of congestion up to is on the increase, it is judged that the degree of congestion is increasing, and the degree of congestion in the future is predicted from the slope of this distribution. As a result, as shown in FIG. 8A, it is displayed that the traffic congestion at the displayed congestion area is increasing. As shown in Figure 9 (b), T₀~ T₁If the distribution state of the congestion degree up to is decreasing, it is judged that the congestion degree is decreasing, and the future congestion degree is predicted from the slope of this distribution and the like. As a result, as shown in FIG. 8 (b), it is displayed that the congestion in the displayed congestion area is decreasing. As shown in Figure 9 (c), T₀~ T₁If each of the traffic jams up to is distributed within the range of the deviation ΔX based on the most recent traffic jam, it is judged that there is no change in the traffic jam at the displayed traffic jam location.

【0034】

In this way, if the road information includes information related to traffic jam prediction, that information is displayed in association with the displayed traffic jam location, so whether the traffic jam at the displayed traffic jam location is increasing or decreasing. It will be easier for the driver to see what is inside, and the driver will be able to accurately determine whether to bypass the congested area or proceed as it is. As a result, the selection of the optimum route to the destination is accurate, and no wasted time is spent to reach the destination.

【0035】

In addition, since the information on the degree of congestion regarding the congestion location and the provision time of the information are stored for each congestion location, even if the road information does not include the information related to the congestion prediction, the stored congestion location is stored. Based on the past history of, it is predicted whether the traffic jam at the traffic jam location is increasing or decreasing in the future, and the predicted information is displayed in a state that is easy for the driver to see in association with the traffic jam location. Therefore, the driver can accurately select the optimum route to the destination. As a result, the destination can be reached in a short time.

【0036】

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above examples, and it goes without saying that many modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the present invention. In the above embodiment, the same information can be acquired not only by the beacon but also by the FM multiplexing method, the teleterminal method, or the like. However, since the classification of the information related to the traveling direction of the vehicle and the information related to the opposite direction is not always clear, these information must be classified by some means. For example, it is possible by utilizing the position and direction identification function of the navigation device.

【0037】

Further, the first embodiment and the second embodiment may be combined to display the traffic congestion information for each lane and the traffic congestion increase / decrease information.

【0038】

[Effect of the invention]

As is clear from the above description, according to claim 1 of the present invention, the lane-specific information included in the received road information is analyzed, and the lane-specific congestion information of the congestion location is displayed based on the analysis result. The driver can select the road and lane to reach the destination quickly while looking at this display, and is less likely to get caught in unnecessary traffic.

【0039】

In claim 2, the driver can know the traffic jam information for each lane at the traffic jam location as needed. According to claim 3, if the road information includes information related to the traffic jam prediction, the information is displayed in association with the displayed traffic jam location, so that the traffic jam at the displayed traffic jam location is increasing. It becomes easier for the driver to see whether it is decreasing or decreasing. Therefore, as a result of being able to accurately determine whether the driver should bypass the congested area or proceed as it is, the optimum route to the destination can be accurately selected, and wasted time to reach the destination. I don't spend it.

【0040】

In claim 4, even if the road information does not include information related to the traffic jam prediction, the traffic jam at the traffic jam location tends to increase or decrease based on the past history of the traffic jam location that is stored. Since it is predicted whether there is a traffic jam and the predicted information is displayed in a state that is easy for the driver to see in relation to the traffic jam location, the driver can accurately select the optimum route to the destination and reach the destination in a short time. Will be.

[Simple explanation of drawings]

[Figure 1]

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the navigation device which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention.

[Figure 2]

It is a functional block diagram of a navigation ECU.

[Fig. 3]

It is a figure which shows the display of the traffic jam place.

[Fig. 4]

It is a figure which shows the display of the traffic jam information by lane.

[Fig. 5]

It is a figure which shows the transition pattern of the traffic jam part display.

[Fig. 6]

It is a functional block diagram of the navigation ECU of the navigation device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

[Fig. 7]

It is a figure which shows the display of the traffic jam place.

[Fig. 8]

Fig. 7 is an enlarged view of the R part surrounded by a middle circle. Fig. 7 (a) shows the transition of the display pattern indicating that the traffic congestion is increasing, and Fig. 7 (b) shows the transition of the display pattern indicating that the traffic congestion is decreasing. It shows the transition of the display pattern indicating that there is.

[Fig. 9]

A histogram related to the prediction of the degree of congestion is shown. Figure (a) shows a histogram where traffic congestion is predicted to increase, Figure (b) shows a histogram where traffic congestion is predicted to decrease, and Figure (c) shows no change in traffic congestion. Is the predicted histogram.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Distance directional sensor 20 map memory 30 CD drive 40 Beacon 50 Beacon receiver 60 Navigation ECU 61 Current location detection means 62 Current location display means 63 Road information type discrimination means 64 Congestion location display means 65 Information display means by lane 66 Selection key display means 67 Congestion increase / decrease display means 68 Memories 69A Congestion prediction means 69B Congestion forecast display means 70 CRT 71 [Detailed information] key 72 [NEXT] key 80 graphics generator