JP2012117955A - Navigation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a portable navigation device which enables a user to surely recognize a route.SOLUTION: A portable navigation device 1 carried by a user searches a route to a preset destination and performs route guidance according to the searched route. The portable navigation device 1 comprises force generation means 9 for notifying the user of the direction to turn by generating a force acting on a case 10. The force generation means 9 notifies the user of a point to turn by increasing the force acting on the case 10 as the user approaches the point to turn.

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable navigation device.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a portable navigation device that is carried by a user and retrieves a route from information on a departure point and a destination input by the user and performs route guidance according to the route (see, for example, Patent Document 1). . This type of navigation device displays a map on the display screen of the navigation device, displays an arrow indicating the direction of travel on the map, and provides route guidance by notifying the point of turn and the direction of the turn.

JP 2003-329479 A

However, this type of portable navigation device needs to be formed in a small size that can be held by the hand so that the user can use it by hand when moving on foot. Therefore, when the display screen is small and it is used while walking, it is necessary to pay attention to the surrounding environment, so display information such as arrows indicating the direction of travel on the map displayed on the display screen is visually displayed. It was difficult to recognize and the user had the problem of missing the way and direction to go. In addition, when the sunlight is strong, there is a problem that the map information displayed on the display screen becomes invisible.
In addition, this type of portable navigation device performs route guidance by voice together with map information displayed on the display screen, but the user may miss this voice guidance audibly due to ambient noise or the like. was there.
An object of the present invention is to provide a portable navigation device that solves the above-described problems of the conventional technology and enables a user to recognize a route with certainty.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a mobile navigation device that is carried by a user, searches for a route to a preset destination, and performs route guidance according to the route, and the force acting on the housing. And a force generating means for generating the force, informing the direction to be bent by the force acting on the case, and intensifying the force acting on the case as the point to bend is approached to notify the point to be bent. .

  In this configuration, it may be configured to include a determination unit that determines whether or not the vehicle travels according to route guidance, and a warning unit that warns that the vehicle has deviated from the route when the determination unit determines that the vehicle has deviated from the route. . Moreover, when the said determination means determines with having reached the point which should bend, it is good also as a structure which notifies the point which should bend by vibrating the said housing | casing. Further, the determination means may detect the number of intersections up to a point to be bent and notify the point to be bent by vibrating the housing when the number of intersections is larger than a preset number. good.

  According to the present invention, there is provided force generating means for informing the direction to bend according to the direction of the force acting on the casing, and the point to bend is strengthened as the force generating means acts on the casing closer to the point to be bent. To inform, the user can recognize the direction to bend tactilely from the point before the point to bend, and can be careful that the point to bend is approaching, so the route to follow reliably There is an effect that can be recognized.

It is an external appearance front view of the navigation device concerning this embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of a navigation apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of a navigation apparatus. It is a figure which shows operation | movement of a navigation apparatus.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is an external view of a navigation device 1 according to an embodiment to which the present invention is applied.
The navigation device 1 is a portable navigation device 1 that is used by being carried by a user, and the user can use the navigation device 1 while holding it in a hand when moving on foot. The navigation device 1 includes a housing 10 and a display panel 18 that occupies most of the front area of the housing 10. The navigation device 1 uses the route guidance map displayed on the display panel 18 to visually guide the route to the destination.

  The display panel 18 is composed of a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. A touch panel 17 is disposed on the display panel 18 so as to be superimposed on the display panel 18. Thus, the user can perform various operations of the navigation device 1 by touching the position corresponding to the operation button displayed on the display panel 18 with a fingertip or the like. In addition, the navigation device 1 may be configured to include a plurality of operation terminals around the display panel 18 although illustration is omitted.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the navigation device 1.
The navigation device 1 includes a control unit 2, a position detection unit 3, a storage unit 4, an operation unit 5, a display unit 20, an audio output unit 6, a gyroscope 8, and a gyrocube census 9. Yes.
The control unit 2 centrally controls the navigation device 1 and includes a CPU as a calculation execution unit and a ROM that stores a basic control program executed by the CPU in a computer-readable form in a nonvolatile manner, A RAM that temporarily stores a program executed by the CPU, data related to the program, and other peripheral circuits are provided. The control unit 2 also functions as a determination unit that determines whether the user is following the route guidance performed by the navigation device 1.

  The position detection unit 3 includes a GPS receiver 31 and an electronic compass 32. The GPS receiver 31 receives GPS radio waves from GPS satellites via a GPS antenna (not shown), and obtains current location information indicating the longitude and latitude of the current position of the vehicle from a GPS signal superimposed on the GPS radio waves by calculation. Output to the control unit 2. The electronic compass 32 detects geomagnetism, calculates the direction in which the user is facing, and outputs the calculated direction to the control unit 2.

The storage unit 4 stores data in a rewritable manner, and includes a flash memory or the like. The storage unit 4 stores map data and route search data such as an optimum route or a detour route.
The display unit 20 includes the display panel 18 described above, and displays various information such as map information and operation menus related to route guidance on the display panel 18 under the control of the control unit 2. Thereby, the navigation apparatus 1 can perform visual route guidance.
The operation unit 5 includes a touch panel 17 disposed in a state of being superimposed on the display panel 18 described above, and an operation terminal (not illustrated) provided around the display panel 18.
The audio output unit 6 includes a D / A converter, an amplifier, and the like, and outputs audio from a speaker (not shown) provided in the navigation device 1 under the control of the control unit 2. The sound output from the sound output unit 6 may be performed from headphones connected to the navigation device 1 via a headphone connection terminal (not shown) of the navigation device 1. Thereby, the navigation apparatus 1 can perform route guidance audibly.

  The gyroscope 8 detects an inclination angle of the navigation device 1 with respect to a reference surface such as the ground. As the gyroscope 8, a 3-axis MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) gyroscope or the like is used.

  The gyro cube census 9 can generate a translational force and a rotational force in an arbitrary direction in a three-dimensional space, and presents a tactile force sense in virtual reality. Although not shown, the gyrocube census 9 includes, for example, two eccentric rotating bodies and a motor that rotates each rotating body, and the control unit 2 controls the rotation direction and phase of the rotating body synchronously. A force that makes the user feel a tactile sensation such as being pushed in a direction, pulled, or lifted can be generated.

The control unit 2 detects the tilt angle of the navigation device 1 with respect to a reference surface such as the ground by the gyroscope 8 and controls the direction of the force sense to be presented to the gyro cube census 9 based on the tilt angle of the navigation device 1. be able to.
Although not shown, the gyrocube census 9 is provided in a state of being fixed inside the housing 10, and the force generated by the gyrocube census 9 is applied to the housing 10. The control unit 2 controls the direction of the force generated by the gyrocube census 9 and presents the direction to be advanced to the user carrying the case 10 by the direction of the force applied to the case 10.

In the present embodiment, the route guidance is visually and audibly, and the user can tactilely guide the route by using the force generated by the gyro cube census 9 acting on the housing 10. It is a thing. That is, the control unit 2 includes destination information input and set in advance by the user via the operation unit 5, user's current location information detected by the position detection unit 3, a user's direction, and a storage unit. The optimum route is searched from the map data and route search data stored in FIG.
Further, the control unit 2 controls the direction of the force generated by the gyro cube census 9 based on the tilt angle of the navigation device 1 detected by the gyroscope 8. Then, the control unit 2 provides route guidance to the user visually, audibly, and tactilely using the display unit 20, the audio output unit 6, and the gyro cube census 9 according to the searched route. The control unit 2 and the gyro cube census 9 function as force generation means for informing the user of the direction to bend by the direction of the force applied to the housing 10.

  According to this configuration, since the direction of the force generated by the gyrocube census 9 is controlled based on the tilt angle of the navigation device 1 detected by the gyroscope 8, the user cares about the orientation of the navigation device 1 and the portable place. The tactile route guidance function using the force generated by the gyro cube census 9 can be used with the navigation device 1 without the need.

The operation of the navigation device 1 during route guidance will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 3 and FIG.
The control unit 2 receives the input from the position detection unit 3, determines at any time which position on the route guidance the user's current point is, and outputs the determination result to the display unit 20. For example, when the current location of the user is the location A in FIG. 1, the current location information of the user is reflected and displayed on the display panel 18 as shown in FIG. At this time, the control unit 2 controls the gyrocube census 9 to generate a force that makes the user feel as if the user is pulling in the direction of travel, and allows the user to recognize that the route is a road.

  When the control unit 2 detects that the current position of the user is within a preset distance D1 (for example, D1 = 10 m) of a point on the route (a point D in FIG. 1) (step S1), The control unit 2 controls the gyrocube census 9 to generate a force indicating a bending direction, for example, a force that feels a rotational force toward the bending direction (step S2). This force is transmitted to the user's hand holding the navigation device 1 as shown in FIG.

  This allows the user to recognize the direction of tactile bending. Further, by generating a force that informs the gyrocube census 9 of a direction to bend from a point to bend, for example, 10 m before the point to bend, the user can be alerted that there is a point to bend ahead. In the present embodiment, the force for informing the gyrocube census 9 of the direction to bend is generated from 10 m before the point to bend, but the distance D1 to the point to bend that starts to generate the force for informing the direction of bend is as follows. The configuration may be arbitrarily set by the user.

  As shown in FIG. 4C, the gyro cube census 9 is controlled so as to gradually increase the force for informing the direction to bend as the user approaches the point to bend. As a result, the gyrocube census 9 generates a force that informs the user of the direction to bend, and the force generated by the gyrocube census 9 is gradually increased as the user turns closer (for example, point C in FIG. 1). Strengthen. Therefore, the user can tactilely recognize that he is approaching the point to bend, and the possibility of overlooking the point to bend is reduced.

Next, the control unit 2 crosses between a point B (see FIG. 1) where the gyrocube census 9 starts to generate a force that informs the direction to bend and a point D (see FIG. 1) where the user should bend. The number of (alleys) is detected (step S3), and then it is determined whether or not the number of intersections between point B and point D is greater than a preset number of intersections X (step S4). .
If the number of intersections between the point B where the gyro-cube census 9 starts to generate a force for informing the direction to bend and the point D where the user should bend is greater than the preset number X of the intersections, the control unit If 2 is determined (step S4: Yes), the control unit 2 sets a vibration flag that causes the gyrocube census 9 to present a vibration sensation (step S5), and waits until the user reaches a point D to bend. To do. This vibration flag holds a determination result as to whether or not to generate a force for presenting a vibration sensation to the gyro cube census 9 when the user reaches a point to bend.

When the vibration flag is set when the user reaches a point to bend, the control unit 2 controls the gyro cube census 9 to generate a force for presenting a vibration sensation to the gyro cube census 9. When the vibration flag is not set, the control unit 2 does not generate a force for presenting the vibration sense to the gyro cube census 9.
The number of intersections between the point B where the control unit 2 starts to present the force to inform the gyrocube census 9 of the direction to bend and the point D where the user should bend is greater than the preset number X of intersections. If it determines with few (step S4: No), the control part 2 will wait until it arrives at the point D which a user should turn without setting a vibration flag.

When the control unit 2 determines that the user has reached the point D to bend (step S6), the control unit 2 next determines whether a vibration flag is set (step S7). When the control unit 2 determines that the vibration flag is set (step S7: Yes), the control unit 2 generates a force for presenting a vibration sensation to the gyro cube census 9 (step S8). When the gyro cube census 9 generates a force for presenting a vibration sensation, the user can feel the vibration sensation via the housing 10 as shown in FIG. Thereby, the user can recognize by tactile sense that the point to be bent has been reached as well as the direction to be bent. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the user will not bend at the point where the user should bend and will deviate from the route.
In step S7, when the control unit 2 determines that the vibration flag is not set (step S7: No), the control unit 2 proceeds to step S9 without generating a force for presenting a vibration sensation to the gyro cube census 9.

  The number X of intersections between the point B and the point D for determining whether or not to set the vibration flag can be set to an arbitrary number by the user. Thereby, for example, there are a plurality of intersections (alleys) between the point B where the presentation of the haptic sensation by the gyro cube census 9 and the point D where the user should turn, and the force generated by the gyro cube census 9 Only when it is difficult for the user to reliably recognize the point to bend, the control unit 2 generates a force to present a vibration sensation to the gyro cube census 9 so that the user can recognize the point to bend. It is also possible to make it possible.

Next, the control unit 2 determines whether the user bends in the direction to bend at the point where the user should bend according to the route from the current location information of the user input from the position detection unit 3 and the direction that the user is facing (step S9). ).
When the control unit 2 determines that the user has gone off the route without turning, or the user has deviated from the route, such as turning in a direction different from the direction at which the user should bend (step) S9: No), the control unit 2 outputs a warning sound via the audio output unit 6 to notify the user that the user has deviated from the route (step S10). According to this configuration, the user can audibly recognize that he / she did not turn at the intersection to be bent or has turned in a direction different from the direction to bend.

  In step S9, when the control unit 2 determines that the user bends in the direction to bend at the point where the user should bend according to the route (step S9: Yes), the control unit 2 continues to the point where the next user should bend. It is determined whether or not the distance is shorter than a preset distance D1 (step S11). When the control unit 2 determines that the distance to the point where the user should turn next is shorter than the preset distance D1 (step S11: Yes), the control unit 2 corresponds to the direction in which the user should turn next. Then, a force is continuously generated in the gyro cube census 9 (step S12), and the process returns to step S5 to set a vibration flag.

According to this configuration, even when the user has to make a turn at an intersection where the user should make a turn and immediately turn at another intersection, the gyrocube census 9 is caused to generate a force that informs the user of the direction to turn, It is possible to tactilely recognize the direction to be bent, and it is possible to reliably recognize that the point to be bent has been reached by generating a force for presenting a vibration sensation to the gyrocube census 9.
In step S11, when the control unit 2 determines that the distance to the point where the user should turn next is longer than the preset distance D1 (step S11: No), the control unit 2 stops the gyro cube census 9 ( Step S13).

  In addition to showing the intersection to be turned to the user by using the force generated by the gyro cube census 9, there should be a stairway to go up or down when there is a subway entrance or pedestrian bridge in the route. It is good also as a structure which can show. In this case, the control unit 2 controls the gyrocube census 9 to present a vibration sensation, for example, with the gyrocube census 9, and after drawing the user's attention, the user moves his hand up or down. It is good also as a structure which generate | occur | produces the force felt as it is pulled.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the force generation means 9 that informs the direction of the force to be applied to the casing 10 is provided, and the force that the force generation means 9 applies to the casing 10 should be bent. In order to strengthen and inform the point to bend as the point is approached, it is difficult for the user to visually recognize the map information displayed on the display panel 18, or the route guidance performed by voice is audibly recognized. Even in difficult situations, it is possible to recognize the direction to bend tactilely. Further, since the force applied to the housing 10 increases as the point to be bent becomes closer, the user can be aware that the point to be bent is ahead of the point to be bent, and approach the point to be bent. Can be tactilely recognized. Therefore, the user can recognize the point where the route guidance should bend more reliably.
Moreover, according to this embodiment, the direction which should bend to a user by the force which acts on the housing | casing 10, and the point which should be bent are not depended on the map information displayed on the display panel 18, or the route guidance performed with an audio | voice. Since it can be presented, it is possible to notify a user who is visually or auditorily incapacitated of a point to be bent and a direction to be bent tactilely.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, the control unit 2 functions as a determination unit that determines whether or not the user is following the route guidance. When the user leaves the route, the control unit 2 warns that the user has left the route. Since the sound is immediately notified to the user, the user can immediately recognize that the user is off the route. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the user from proceeding without noticing that the user has deviated from the route.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, when the user reaches a point where the user should turn, the control unit 2 generates a force for presenting a vibration sensation to the force generating unit so as to notify the user that the point where the user should turn is reached. The user can tactilely recognize that the point to be turned has been reached, can not recognize the intersection to be turned and does not pass through, and can turn at the intersection to be surely turned according to the route.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, when the control unit 2 detects the number of intersections up to the point to bend and determines that the number of intersections is larger than a preset number, In order to generate a force that informs the user that the point to bend is reached with a vibration sense, the user bends when there are many intersections before the point to bend and it becomes difficult for the user to recognize the point to bend It can be shown that the point has been reached.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated based on embodiment, this invention is not limited to this. In the present embodiment, the control unit 2 notifies the user with a warning sound when the user does not turn at an intersection to bend or turns in a direction different from the direction to bend and deviates from the route. The step of determining whether the vehicle is bent according to the route is repeated. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the control unit 2 informs the user that the vehicle is off the route with a warning sound, and then passes a preset distance or time. Alternatively, when the user is off the route, the route to the destination may be re-searched and route guidance may be started according to the re-searched route.

Alternatively, after the control unit 2 determines that the user has deviated from the route and notifies the user that the user has deviated from the route with a warning sound, the control unit 2 determines whether the gyro is in accordance with the current position and the direction of the user. The direction of the force generated in the cube census 9 may be changed to guide the user so that the user can follow the route.
In the present embodiment, the gyro-cube census 9 is configured to generate a force for presenting a vibration sensation. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the vibrator controlled by the control unit 2 is fixed to the housing 10 as a force generation unit. And it is good also as a structure which notifies a user that it reached | attained the intersection which should be bent with the force applied to the housing | casing 10 by the vibration of this vibrator.
The above-described embodiment is merely an aspect of the present invention, and can be arbitrarily modified and applied within the scope of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Navigation apparatus 2 Control part (determination means, force generation means)
3 Position detection unit 6 Audio output unit 9 Gyrocube census (force generation means)
10 housing 20 display unit 31 GPS receiver 32 electronic compass

Claims (4)

In a portable navigation device that is carried by a user and searches for a route to a preset destination and performs route guidance according to the route,
Force generating means for informing the direction to bend according to the direction of the force acting on the housing, and the force generating means intensifies the force acting on the housing as it approaches the point to bend, and informs the point to bend. Navigation device.   2. A determination means for determining whether or not the vehicle is moving in accordance with route guidance, and a warning means for warning that the vehicle has deviated from the route when it is determined that the determination device has deviated from the route. The navigation device described in 1.   2. The determination unit according to claim 1, wherein when the determination unit determines that a point to be bent has been reached, the force generation unit vibrates the case with a force acting on the case and notifies the point to be bent. 3. The navigation device according to 2.   The determination means detects the number of intersections up to a point to bend, and when the number of intersections is larger than a preset number, the force generating means causes the case to be applied to the case. 4. The navigation device according to claim 3, wherein the navigation device notifies a point to bend by vibrating.

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