1.A Platform for DVD Car Navigation Systems

Kaneko Michihiro, Suzuki Kiyomi

Summary

We have developed a new platform for DVD car navigation systems. The platform consists of hardware and system software. The hardware contains high performance devices such as a CPU, a Graphics Display Controller and so on. The system software contains a Realtime Operating System and a BIOS software and so on.
The hardware also contains an ASIC which we have developed and which integrates many I/O functions useful for navigation systems. The DVD car navigation system employing this platform, is smaller and has more functions than the former model.

2.Positioning System

Hitoshi Kaneko

Summary

Within the GPS, a newly developed LSI has been utilized to increase processing speed and achieve real hybrid processing. Also, the position detection system uses a new 3D hybrid sensor which is able to detect heiGht differentials along a route by adding an extra G sensor to the existing gyro sensor to enable road slope detection.
Finally, a "variable multi-path candidacy selection" methodology has been added to the map matching system. This uses the above-mentioned 3D hybrid sensor's output to accurately determine which road a vehicle is running on even when a raised highway and a normal road run parallel and overlapped; a determination which competitor navigation systems are unable to achieve.
Using these newly developed technologies the AVIC-D9000 series of products is able to calculate a vehicle's position 4 times every second and offers an accuracy of less than 5m; a requisite for very high zoom modes such as the 10m scale display or the drivers view display.

3.Development of a Car Television System

Kazunori Ishizu , Yoshiaki Iwai, Takahiro Shimura, Yoichi Hara, Takamasa Yamaguchi

Summary

A car television system has been developed with the aim of improving picture quality and functionality.
In order to improve picture quality, technology for a weak-field environment and an "intelligence dimmer" function which automatically adjusts the picture luminosity to compensate for external light conditions were developed. Advanced functionality was achieved by enabling two different visual sources to be viewed at the same time using a "PinP" or "PsideP" display along with a multi-source display function.

4.Development of a high-fidelity TFT Color-Liquid Crystal Display for car use

Yoshiaki Iwai, Tadashi Sasaki, Naoki Sato, Takahiro Shimura

Summary

Special attention was paid to the parameters mentioned below in order to realize a picture with high fidelity.

1. Luminance level of screen.
2. Color reproduction.
3. Gamma Characteristics.

5.Special Features of The Voice Recognition Middleware and Voice Recognition Human I/F Used In The AVIC-D9000 Series.

Kouichi Ono, Ikuo Fujita, Takahiro Iwata, Hiroshi Saito, Takashi Hanyuda

Summary

Speaker-independent voice recognition middleware has been developed and installed into the new DVD Car navigation systems (AVIC-D9000 series) launched in May,1999.
Concerns that the use of middleware would reduce the voice recognition response speed compared with previous models were addressed by overall improvements in the algorithms used. The methods used to improve response time and results obtained are also shown.
Finally,this paper introduces new features available using the voice recognition human I/F such as phone number input using connected-digit speech recognition,the utilization of large-vocabulary recognition and a convenient voice input mode named "direct start".

6.Development of a Graphics System on the Car Navigation

Takeharu Arakawa

Summary

We have developed a faster drawing process, and optimized its algorithm on the Car Navigation. As a consequence, we have introduced a much easier to understand and better operativity Car Navigation product.

7.The Map Drawing Process For Car Navigation System

Mochizuki Keisuke, Nishida Sosuke

Summary

A new scrolling method was developed utilizing the Q2SD graphic chip to achieve a smoother map scroll without compromising map detail.
Two new modes of map display were also developed in order to distinguish the Pioneer navigation system from those of its competitors. The "Driver's View" display shows the view from a driver's perspective while the "Visual City Map" shows buildings three-dimensionally based on actual height data. These two new display modes enabled the realization of a product which is visually appealing.

8.Route Guidance Algorithm for Vehicle Navigation System

Akira Sakai

Summary

We developed a new route guidance algorithm, and describe an overview of the route guidance process and how to create guidance points, that is applied to a vehicle navigation system. Particularly, the method of the creating guidance points is shown with some concrete examples. With the method shown in this paper, a simpler route guidance is obtained compared to the previous algorithm.

9.DVD-ROM-drive "MS1"

Takeshi Satou, Nobuo Ishida, Shinichi Naohara, Hitoshi Yamazaki, Kenji Wakatsuki, Kenji Uchiyama

Summary

The authors have developed the "MS1", a second generation DVD-ROM drive for Car use. This is a DVD and CD Compatible module which features double speed playback and high speed search capabilities. Using an adaptive liquid Crystal tilt servo, the drive is able to adapt to a wide variation of disc tolerances. The drive is 40% smaller (volume) than the previous generation.

10.The Development of 2st Internet Car-navigation Systems

Toshiaki Nakano, Ichiro Hatano

Summary

A natural integration of the real-time information gathering ability of the Internet with the functions of a car navigation system has been achieved which goes beyond the simple combination of a car-navigation user interface and a PC's WWW browser.
1st generation Internet car-navigation systems had only a simple WWW browser in which users viewed WWW pages by entering the URL manually via a remote controller. This was very tedious and took a large amount of time to access the required information. The 2nd generation system developed is much easier to use as the user need not enter characters manually via the remote control.
With the "Weather Live" function, weather forecast information is superimposed directly onto the car-navigation's digital map. The car-navigation system accesses the weather forecast data via the Internet and colors the map based on the information received ( ex. rain is "blue", fine is "yellow", cloudy is gray. ) "Direct Internet Access" links an institution's name with it's URL. A user can access the home-page of an institution by selecting it from the car-navigation's menu "directly".

11.The Trend In ITS Technology

Takashi Kashiwazaki

Summary

ITS(Intelligent Transport Systems) are expected to solve many of the present problems in road transportation.
In Japan pratical developement of ITS is taking place in nine pre-defined areas:

1. "Advances in navigation systems"
2. "Electronic Toll Collection Systems"
3. "for safe driving "
4. "Optimization of traffic management"
5. "Increasing in road management Efficiency"
6. "Support for Public Transport"
7. "Increasing Efficiency in commercial vehicle operations"
8. "Suport for Pedestrians"
9. "Support for Emergency Vehicle Operations"

This article explains the present state of ITS and introduces Pioneer's current activities for ITS focusing in the area of "Advances in navigation systems".

12.Development of a Helicopter Monitoring System

Adachi Masaya

Summary

The authors have developed software to monitor the position of a helicopter in flight. This Software can display the helicopter's position on a digitized map based on information received from the Aircraft Map Display System "Airmap". Used in conjunction with the "HeliTV" system, the software is able to display video taken by the helicopter alongside a digital map with the position of the helicopter superimposed, indicating the location of the videoed area.