Navigation apparatus and method, and navigation program

• US 20060190167A1
• Filed: 10/19/2004
• Published: 08/24/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Panasonic Corporation (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Panasonic Corporation (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Inukai, Yuu
• Application Number:
  US10/549,154
• Publication Number:
  US 20060190167A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/209
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3629 Guidance using speech or audio output, e.g. text-to-speech text to speech systems per se G10L13/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0962 having an indicator mounted inside the vehicle, e.g. giving voice messages
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096827 where the route is computed onboard
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/09685 where the complete route is computed only once and not updated
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096861 where the immediate route instructions are output to the driver, e.g. arrow signs for next turn
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096866 where the complete route is shown to the driver
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096872 where instructions are given per voice

Abstract

A navigation apparatus and method, and a navigation program are provided which allow a user to recognize a route safely in advance, without turning his or her eyes to a display screen or the like.

The navigation apparatus includes a route search section (22) for performing a search for a route from a starting point to a destination; a sound processing control section (23) for performing a guide using sound based on the route derived from the search; and a route outline generation section (25) for generating an outline of the route to be presented, prior to the guidance. The sound processing control section (23) presents a route outline by use of sound prior to the guidance via a sound processing section (19) and a loudspeaker (6). The user is able to recognize the route safely in advance, even in a situation where he or she cannot turn his or her eyes, e.g., while driving.

Claims

1. A navigation apparatus for performing a route guidance by use of sound based on a route which is set, the apparatus comprising:

a map information acquisition section for acquiring pieces of map information;

a present position detection section for detecting a present position;

a route search section for performing a search for a route from a starting point to a destination, while employing the pieces of map information acquired by the map information acquisition section, to set the route;

a route outline generation section for generating outline data of the route by appropriately selecting a piece of map information as to the route set by the route search section; and

a sound processing control section for performing a guidance of the route by use of sound based on the present position in the route set by the route search section, wherein,

based on the outline data of the route generated by the route outline generation section, the sound processing control section presents information of an outline of the route by use of sound, before performing the guidance of the route based on the present position, and

the route outline generation section assigns priority rankings to respective information types, and appropriately selects a piece of information based on the priority rankings to generate the outline data of the route.

4. The navigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in accordance with a total distance of the route set by the route search section, the route outline generation section varies the priority rankings assigned to the respective information types.

5. The navigation apparatus according to claim 4, wherein when the total distance of the route set by the route search section is relatively short, the route outline generation section performs assignment of the priority rankings such that high priority rankings are set for pieces of information as to an intersection where a turn is to be made in the route and a landmark near the intersection.

6. The navigation apparatus according to claim 4, wherein when the total distance of the route set by the route search section is relatively long, the route outline generation section performs the assignment of the priority rankings such that high priority rankings are set for pieces of information as to a distance of, an estimated driving time for, and a road name for the route.

7. The navigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the route outline generation section divides the route set by the route search section into a predetermined number of parts, and varies the priority rankings assigned to the respective information types belonging to each area obtained by division.

8. The navigation apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the route outline generation section performs the assignment of the priority rankings such that higher priority rankings are set for an information type belonging to an area including the starting point than for an identical information type belonging to another area.

2-3. -3. (canceled)

9. A navigation program to be executed by a computer in a navigation apparatus for performing a route guidance by use of sound based on a route which is set, the program causing the computer to perform:

a map information acquisition step for acquiring pieces of map information;

a present position detection step for detecting a present position;

a route search step for performing a search for a route from a starting point to a destination, while employing the pieces of map information acquired by the map information acquisition step, to set the route;

a route outline generation step for generating outline data of the route by appropriately selecting a piece of map information as to the route set by the route search step; and

a sound processing control step for performing a guidance of the route by use of sound based on the present position in the route set by the route search step, wherein,

based on the outline data of the route generated by the route outline generation step, the sound processing control step presents information of an outline of the route by use of sound, before performing the guidance of the route based on the present position, and

the route outline generation step assigns priority rankings to respective information types and appropriately selects a piece of information based on the priority rankings to generate the outline data of the route.

10. A navigation method for performing a route guidance by use of sound based on a route which is set, the method comprising:

a map information acquisition step for acquiring pieces of map information;

a present position detection step for detecting a present position;

a route search step for performing a search for a route from a starting point to a destination, while employing the pieces of map information acquired by the map information acquisition step, to set the route;

a route outline generation step for generating outline data of the route by appropriately selecting a piece of map information as to the route set by the route search step; and

a sound processing control step for performing a guidance of the route by use of sound based on the present position in the route set by the route search step, wherein

based on the outline data of the route generated by the route outline generation step, the sound processing control step presents information of an outline of the route by use of sound, before performing the guidance of the route based on the present position, and

the route outline generation step assigns priority rankings to respective information types and appropriately selects a piece of information based on the priority rankings to generate the outline data of the route.