JP2001108475A - Navigation apparatus for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a navigation apparatus for vehicle, by which especially the operability of a map display screen is enhanced. SOLUTION: A touch panel 4 which is installed as a map display screen, a scrolling-information generation means 25 which generates scrolling information so as to correspond to the touch operation for scrolling of the tough panel, and a scrolling means 21 and a scrolling means 22 by which the scrolling operation of a map to be displayed on the map display screen is controlled on the bases of the scrolling information, are provided.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle navigation system, and more particularly to a vehicle navigation system with improved operability of a map display screen.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a vehicle navigation system, a road map is displayed on a map display screen centering on the current position of a vehicle, and when the vehicle moves, the display of the road map changes centering on the position of the vehicle. Scrolling is performed. Also,
Apart from the road display centering on the current position of the vehicle, by operating the scroll buttons to scroll the map to a desired position, it is possible to provide the user with the convenience of searching for road information and the like. (For example, JP-A-11-15371).

Further, in a vehicle navigation device,
A menu is displayed on the map display screen according to the operation of the operation button by the user, and the user can execute a menu item selected in the menu.

In addition, in a vehicle navigation device,
The operation tends to be complicated, so that buttons are arranged around the map display screen so that various operations can be performed with few buttons, the meaning of the buttons is displayed in the screen next to it, and multiple buttons are Meaning is being assigned.

[0005]

However, in scroll display, generally, there are only four keys for scroll operation, up, down, left and right, so that scrolling can be controlled in only four or eight directions. In order to be able to change the scroll speed, it is necessary to increase the number of keys or to determine the key operation time. However, increasing the number of keys increases the cost. On the other hand, in the method based on the key operation time, scrolling is slow at the moment when the key is pressed, and the speed changes depending on the length of the pressing time,
The user cannot be given a detailed operation feeling.

When displaying a destination on a map display screen by a scroll operation, the destination must be aligned with a cursor at the center of the screen, which requires an accurate operation. Therefore, it is difficult to operate the vehicle when traveling, and there is a risk of causing an accident. In addition, because of poor operability, it takes time to set a destination even when not traveling.

Further, in order to display a menu and execute a selected menu item, it is necessary to operate a confirm key in addition to a menu selection operation, and it cannot be said that operability is good. Further, the menu selection operation is usually performed while looking at the cursor on the screen using up / down / left / right keys or a joystick, so that the operation is difficult during traveling, and it cannot be said that the operation is easy even when the vehicle is stopped.

[0008] In addition, when assigning a plurality of meanings to one button, various measures are taken so that the user can understand the meaning of the button according to the scene. However, there are many design restrictions and the user is satisfied. It is hard to say that it is giving a feeling.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a vehicle navigation apparatus having excellent operability on a map display screen.

[0010]

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a navigation apparatus for a vehicle, comprising: a touch panel provided on a map display screen; and a touch panel for scrolling the touch panel. Scroll information generating means for generating scroll information in response to an operation; and scroll means for controlling scrolling of a map displayed on a map display screen based on the scroll information.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the map on the map display screen can be scroll-displayed with only one touch operation on the touch panel. At this time, since the touch panel is provided on the map display screen, the user can perform the scroll operation as if he / she is directly touching the map display screen.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle navigation device according to the first aspect, the scroll means responds to a touch operation after the scroll touch operation on the touch panel. Scroll stop means for stopping scroll control; position detection means for detecting a position on the map corresponding to the operation position of the touch panel; and storage means for storing the detected position on the map as a destination. It is characterized by the following.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the destination on the map scrolled and displayed on the map display screen can be designated and stored only by the touch operation of the touch panel, so that the user goes to the same destination later. In this case, it is not necessary to perform the setting again, and the convenience for the user is improved.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a navigation device for a vehicle, comprising: scroll means for controlling a scroll display of a map on a map display screen in response to an operation of a scroll button, and provided on the map display screen. A touch panel; a position detecting unit that detects a position on the map corresponding to an operation position of the touch panel; and a storage unit that stores the detected position on the map as a destination.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the scroll display is performed by the scroll button operation, and the destination can be reliably specified and stored by the touch operation of the touch panel. Therefore, when going to the same destination later, it is not necessary to set again, and the convenience for the user is improved.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle navigation apparatus comprising: a touch panel provided on a map display screen; menu display means for displaying a menu on the map display screen; A menu detecting means for detecting a menu item in the selected menu, and an executing means for executing the detected menu item are provided.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the menu item is executed only by selecting the menu item by the touch operation of the touch panel.

A vehicle navigation device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the vehicle navigation device according to the fourth aspect, wherein the displayed menu is displayed on the map display screen in response to a moving operation by the touch panel. Moving means for moving to a predetermined position.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the menu display position can be moved to an arbitrary position that does not hinder the map confirmation by the movement operation by touching the touch panel.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle navigation device according to the fourth aspect, the displayed menu is displayed on the map display screen in accordance with a moving operation by an input device. Moving means for moving to a predetermined position.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the menu display position can be moved to an arbitrary position that does not hinder the check of the map by operating the input device.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle navigation device according to the fifth or sixth aspect, the displayed menu includes a menu moving operation area together with a menu item. Is provided.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, since the menu is provided with the menu moving operation area, the display position of the menu can be easily moved.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle navigation apparatus according to any one of the fifth to seventh aspects, the storage means for storing the moved menu display position. , Is provided.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the display position of the moved menu can be stored, so that the subsequent menu can always be displayed at a place where there is no problem in checking the map.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle navigation device, a touch panel provided on the map display screen and a corresponding position on the map display screen are detected in response to a touch operation on the touch panel. Position detecting means, and menu displaying means for displaying a menu at a position on the detected map display screen in response to a touch operation on the touch panel performed after an operation for displaying a menu. .

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the menu display position can be displayed in advance at an arbitrary position which does not hinder the map confirmation by the touch operation of the touch panel.

[0028]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of a vehicle navigation device according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a vehicle navigation apparatus according to this embodiment includes a map data memory 1 for storing map data, a control unit 2 for realizing various functions of the apparatus under program control, and various types of control. And a touch panel 4 provided on the display screen of the display unit 2, and an operation unit 5 for the user to perform various input operations.

The operation section 5 shows scroll buttons 51 according to this embodiment.

The control unit 2 has a read control unit 21 for reading map data from the map data memory 1 and generating map data for display from the map data read by the read control unit 21 as functions of the part according to this embodiment. A map data generation unit 22 to be touched, a touch operation detection unit 23 that detects a touch operation of the touch panel, a storage unit 24, and a position and content of the touch operation detected by the touch operation detection unit 23 and an operation content of the scroll button 51 are analyzed. Then, the read control unit 21 and the map data generation unit 22 are controlled in accordance with the operation content to cause the map display screen of the display unit 3 to perform a desired display, and the storage unit 24 stores the destination and the menu display position. An analysis unit 25 is provided.

The correspondence between the above configuration and the claims is as follows. Touch panel 4
Corresponds. The whole of the touch operation detecting unit 23 and the operation analyzing unit 25 correspond to the scroll information generating unit. The scrolling means includes a read control unit 21 and a map data generation unit 22.
The whole corresponds. The operation analysis unit 25 mainly corresponds to the scroll stop unit.

The position detecting means includes a touch operation detecting unit 23
Corresponds to the entire operation analysis unit 25. The storage unit 24 corresponds to the storage unit. The entire operation analysis unit 25 and map data generation unit 22 correspond to the menu display means. The entirety of the touch operation detection unit 23 and the operation analysis unit 25 corresponds to the menu detection unit. The operation analysis unit 25 mainly corresponds to the execution unit. The operation analysis unit 25 and the entire map data generation unit 22 mainly correspond to the moving means.

The operation of this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. First, an example of an operation of displaying a map including a destination on a map display screen and setting a destination will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 2 is an operation flowchart of scroll display and destination setting by touch panel operation.

First, in a map display on the map display screen of the display unit 3, which is a basic display operation, the read control unit 21 reads map data from the map data memory 1, and the map data generation unit 22 reads the map data from the map data. The display data is generated and given to the display unit 3.

In this state, in order to display a map of the area including the destination on the map display screen of the display unit 3, when the user touches a predetermined position on the touch panel 4, the touch operation detection unit 23 detects the touch operation. (Step ST1),
The operation analysis unit 2 transmits a touch operation detection notification including operation position information.
Give 5

The operation analysis unit 25 includes a touch operation detection unit 23
When the touch operation detection notification is received from, it is first determined whether or not a scroll operation is performed based on the duration of the touch operation (step ST2). If the duration of the touch operation is, for example, 3 seconds or more, it is determined that the touch operation is a scroll operation.

If the detected touch operation is not a scroll operation (step ST2: N)
O) Perform processing other than scrolling (for example, designation of destination). On the other hand, if the detected touch operation is a scroll operation (step ST2: YE
In S), scroll information containing the direction and speed is generated (step ST4).

Specifically, the scroll direction is obtained from the direction of the line segment between the touch operation position and the center of the screen (the inclination angle from the horizontal direction). Also, the scroll speed is
It is determined from the length of the line segment and the length of the duration of the touch operation.
That is, the scroll speed is determined so that the touch operation position gradually increases as the touch operation position moves away from the center of the screen to the peripheral portion. In addition, the scroll speed is set so that the duration of the touch operation is, for example, 5 seconds, which is faster than that of 3 seconds.

Therefore, when the user desires the scroll display, the user performs a touch operation at a predetermined position in the direction in which the user wants to scroll when viewed from the center of the screen of the touch panel 4 for a predetermined time.

Next, the operation analysis unit 25 controls the read control unit 21 based on the obtained scroll direction and speed to change the map data read from the map data memory 1.
As a result, the map data generation unit 22 switches and generates the display data, so that the map to be displayed is scrolled and displayed at a predetermined speed in the direction designated by the user on the map display screen of the display unit 3 ( Step ST5). This scroll display operation is performed when the user touches the touch panel 4 again.
Is repeated (step ST6). At this time, the scroll-displayed map is scrolled from the start to the end of the scroll at a constant speed obtained at the start of the scroll.

Then, a map including the destination is displayed on the map display screen, and when the user touches a position on the touch panel 4 corresponding to the destination while watching the display on the map display screen (step ST6: YES), The operation analysis unit 25 controls the read control unit 21 to stop scrolling (step ST7), and stores the position on the map corresponding to the touch operation position in the storage unit 24 as the destination (step ST7).
8).

Here, since the touch panel 4 is provided on the map display screen of the display unit 3, the user operates the touch panel 4 as if touching the display screen directly. Can be given. In addition, scrolling can be performed in an arbitrary direction at an arbitrary speed only by a touch operation on the touch panel 4, thereby improving operability and realizing a low-cost scroll function. Further, the destination can be easily set at any time regardless of whether the vehicle is traveling or stopped.

Next, another example of the operation of displaying a map including the destination on the map display screen and setting the destination will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is an operation flowchart of scroll display by scroll button operation and touch panel operation and destination setting.

In the figure, the user operates the scroll button 51 of the operation unit 5 to display a map of the area including the destination while the map is displayed on the map display screen of the display unit 3 in the above-described procedure. Then (step ST11), the operation analysis unit 25 controls the read control unit 21 based on the scroll information input from the scroll buttons 51, and changes the map data read from the map data memory 1.

As a result, the map data generating section 22 switches and generates the display data, so that the map is scroll-displayed on the map display screen of the display section 3 (step ST12). When the user can confirm that the map of the area including the destination is scroll-displayed, the operation of the scroll button 51 is stopped (step ST1).
3), the operation analysis unit 25 stops the scroll display (step ST14), and waits for a user's touch operation on the touch panel 4 (step ST15).

When the user touches the position on the touch panel 4 corresponding to the destination while watching the display on the map display screen (step ST15: YES), the operation analysis unit 25
Detects the location on the map corresponding to the touch operation location,
The detected position is stored in the storage unit 24 as the destination (step ST16).

At this time, since the touch panel 4 is provided so as to overlap the display screen of the display unit 3, the user operates the touch panel 4 as if touching the display screen directly. Can give a feeling.
Further, the destination can be easily set at any time by only touch operation of the touch panel 4 irrespective of whether the vehicle is traveling or stopped.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the map including the destination is scroll-displayed by operating the touch panel 4 or the scroll button 51 when the vehicle is running, and the destination is easily designated and stored by operating the touch panel 4. it can.
Therefore, when the vehicle that stores this destination goes to the same destination thereafter, the stored destination can be used, which is very convenient.

Next, an example of menu display will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is an operation flowchart of the menu display. 5 and 6 show display examples of the map display screen.

In the figure, when the power of the apparatus is turned on, the map display screen of the display unit 3 becomes the screen of the initial state. This initial screen is a state where only a predetermined map is displayed, for example, as shown in FIG. A lunch bar 55 is displayed at the lower end of the map display screen. Various buttons such as a “menu” button and a “help” button are displayed on the lunch bar 55.

FIG. 1 does not show the input path of the button operation on the launch bar 55, but all of the operation analysis unit 2
Enter 5 Therefore, when the "menu" button of the launch bar 55 is operated (step ST21), the operation analysis unit 25 controls the map data generation unit 22 to generate menu display data and display it on the map display screen ( Step ST22), and waits for a user's touch panel operation (step ST23).

On the map display screen, as shown in FIG. 6, for example, a menu 56 is displayed on the map in a superimposed manner. The displayed menu 56 includes a plurality of menu items 57 and a menu moving operation area 58. Note that, among the menu items 57, an item having a solid arrow at the right end indicates that there is a further small item.

Next, a touch operation on the touch panel 4 by the user is detected (step ST23), and the operation analysis unit 2
5 checks whether the touch operation position is on the menu item 57 (step ST24). As a result, when the touch operation position is on the menu item 57 (step ST24: YES), the operation analysis unit 25 generates control information for executing the menu item and passes it to the corresponding processing unit. As a result, the menu item is executed (step ST25). Here, an extra operation such as a confirmation operation is unnecessary.

On the other hand, when the touch operation position is on the menu movement operation area 58 (step ST26: YE
S), the operation analysis unit 25 generates control information for moving the display position of the menu 56 in accordance with the movement operation (so-called drag operation) by the user's touch, and generates the map data generation unit 22.
Give to. As a result, the menu 56 is moved to and displayed at the position where the user stops the movement operation by touch (the position where the drop operation is performed) (step ST27). Then, the operation control unit 25 stores the movement position on the map display screen in the storage unit 24, and prepares for later use (step ST2).
8).

That is, it is necessary to move the display position of the menu when the displayed menu is a hindrance to checking the map. In this embodiment, the user
The menu can be moved to an unobstructed position by the moving operation by the touch panel 4 described above.
In addition, since the moving position is stored, when the vehicle is subsequently used, the menu can be easily displayed at a position where it does not interfere by setting the display position of the menu to the stored display position.

The touch panel operation position is neither on the menu item 57 (step ST24: NO) nor on the menu movement operation area 58 (step ST2).
6: NO), it is considered that an operation error has occurred in FIG. 4, and the process returns to step ST23 to wait for another touch operation.

Next, another example of menu display will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7 is an operation flowchart of another example of the menu display.

In the figure, in another example, the menu button of the lunch bar 56 is operated (step ST3).
With only 0), the menu 56 is not displayed on the map display screen. When the user enters the lunch bar 56
When the user touches a position on the touch panel 4 corresponding to a desired position on the map display screen after the menu button operation (step ST31), the operation analysis unit 25 causes the The position is detected (step ST32), and control information for displaying the menu 56 at the detected position is provided to the map data generation unit 22.

Thus, the menu 56 is displayed at a position desired by the user on the map display screen. Needless to say, the menu display position in this case is a position that does not hinder the user from checking the map.

[0061]

As described above, according to the present invention,
A touch panel is provided on the map display screen, and the user can perform a scroll instruction, a destination setting, a menu display and a movement operation by touch operation that gives a sense of directly operating the map display screen. Therefore, the operability to perform various displays on the map display screen is further improved. In addition, since it can be realized almost only by adding a touch panel, cost can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of a vehicle navigation device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an operation flowchart showing a processing procedure of scroll display and destination setting by touch panel operation in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a scroll display and a destination setting by a scroll button operation and a touch panel operation in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of menu display in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example (initial screen) of a map display screen.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example (menu display screen) of a map display screen.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of another example of menu display in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Map data memory 2 Control part 3 Display part 4 Touch panel 5 Operation part 21 Reading control part 22 Map data generation part 23 Touch operation detection part 24 Storage part 25 Operation analysis part 55 Launch bar 56 Menu 58 Menu movement operation area

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A touch panel provided on a map display screen, scroll information generating means for generating scroll information in response to a scroll touch operation of the touch panel, and a map displayed on a map display screen based on the scroll information Scrolling means for controlling scrolling of the vehicle. 2. The vehicle navigation device according to claim 1, wherein: a scroll stop unit that stops the scroll control by the scroll unit in response to a touch operation after the scroll touch operation of the touch panel; A vehicular navigation device comprising: a position detection unit that detects a position on a map corresponding to an operation position; and a storage unit that stores the detected position on the map as a destination. 3. A scroll means for controlling a scroll display of a map on a map display screen in response to an operation of a scroll button, a touch panel provided on the map display screen, and a map corresponding to an operation position of the touch panel. A vehicle navigation device comprising: a position detection unit that detects the position of the vehicle; and a storage unit that stores the detected position on the map as a destination. 4. A touch panel provided on a map display screen, menu display means for displaying a menu on the map display screen, and a menu for detecting a menu item in the menu selected by a touch operation on the touch panel A navigation device for a vehicle, comprising: a detection unit; and an execution unit that executes the detected menu item. 5. The vehicle navigation device according to claim 4, further comprising: a moving unit configured to move the displayed menu to a predetermined position on the map display screen according to a moving operation by the touch panel. Vehicle navigation device. 6. The vehicle navigation device according to claim 4, further comprising: a moving unit configured to move the displayed menu to a predetermined position on the map display screen according to a moving operation by an input device. Vehicle navigation device. 7. The vehicular navigation device according to claim 5, wherein the displayed menu includes a menu item,
A navigation device for a vehicle, wherein a menu movement operation area is provided. 8. The vehicle navigation device according to claim 5, further comprising: storage means for storing the moved menu display position. 9. A touch panel provided on a map display screen; position detecting means for detecting a corresponding position on the map display screen in response to a touch operation on the touch panel; A menu display means for displaying a menu at a position on the detected map display screen in response to a touch operation of the touch panel touched.