JP2008089483A - Navigation device for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a navigation device for a vehicle for easily grasping position relationship between a destination and a current position even when approaching the circumference of the set destination. <P>SOLUTION: The navigation device for the vehicle displays to enlarge the display contraction scale of a map screen M the nearer the vehicle is to the destination when the current position P approaches the destination D by advance of the vehicle on the map screen M displayed on a display device 10, and restricts the enlargement by fixing the display contraction scale when the display contraction scale reaches a prescribed proper limit display contraction scale. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle navigation apparatus.

JP 11-066402 A

  Conventionally, in a vehicle navigation device, when a destination of the host vehicle is set, a road map is displayed on a currently set map scale, and a guidance screen for guiding from the current location to the destination is displayed. And this guidance screen changes and displays every moment with the driving | running | working of the own vehicle. In some cases, the map scale is automatically changed so that the map is displayed in more detail when the vehicle approaches the destination more than a certain amount. In the case of this display, the map automatically becomes detailed as the destination approaches without performing troublesome operations such as manual reduction and enlargement, so that there is an advantage that the route to the destination can be easily grasped.

  However, in such a display, if the destination is too close, the surrounding buildings disappear from the map, and it may be difficult to grasp the positional relationship between the current location and the destination. In addition, since the landmark building disappears when reaching the vicinity of the destination, the information around the destination may not be known at all, for example, when going to an unknown land. In this way, if the display is enlarged too much, a troublesome operation such as reducing the map scale manually so that a map of a wider area is displayed becomes necessary.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and in a navigation device that performs guidance display that displays an enlarged scale as it approaches the destination, even when the vicinity of the set destination is approached, The purpose is to make it easy to grasp the positional relationship between the destination and the current position.

The present invention is a vehicle navigation device for solving the above-described problems,
A road map data storage unit for storing road map data;
Destination setting means for setting a destination on road map data;
Position detecting means for detecting the current position of the host vehicle;
A road map based on the road map data is displayed on the display device, and on the displayed map screen, the current position of the host vehicle and the destination set from the current position by the destination setting means according to the progress of the host vehicle A guide route display means for displaying a guide route to
A display control means for setting the display scale of the road map so that both the current position and the destination appear simultaneously on the map screen, and changing and controlling the display scale in the enlargement direction as the current position approaches the destination;
Scale enlargement restricting means for restricting the display control means from changing the display scale in the enlargement direction when the display scale reaches a predetermined appropriate limit scale smaller than the maximum scale;
It is characterized by providing.

  According to the above configuration of the present invention, the display scale of the map screen is enlarged as the destination approaches, and the display content becomes more detailed, making it easier to grasp the route to the destination, and the display scale is appropriate. When the limit scale (set smaller than the maximum scale) is reached, further enlargement of the map screen is restricted, and it is too close to the destination, making it difficult to grasp the positional relationship between the current location and the destination. There is no.

  The display control means in the above configuration is a standard in which the current position and the destination are set in advance in a state where only the current position is set to the first display scale appearing on the map screen. Change the display scale of the road map to a second display scale smaller than the first display scale so that both the current position and the destination appear on the map screen when approaching within a distance. Can be configured. According to this configuration, when the destination is set at a remote location, the map screen displayed on the display device is displayed at a fixed scale, so that it is easy to drive along the set route. On the other hand, when the destination approaches, the scale of the map screen displayed on the display device is changed and the current position and the destination are displayed simultaneously, so the positional relationship between the current position and the destination can be easily It becomes possible to grasp.

  In addition, the display control means is configured such that the current position and the destination are set at a first display scale in which only the current position is displayed on the map screen, and the current position and the destination are predetermined reference distances. When approaching, the display field of the map screen can be changed so that both the current position and the destination appear on the map screen at the same time. According to this configuration, when the destination is set at a remote location, the map screen displayed on the display device is displayed at a fixed scale, so that it is easy to drive along the set route. On the other hand, when the destination is approaching, the display field of view of the map screen displayed on the display device is changed to another field of view, and the current position and the destination are displayed at the same time. It becomes possible to easily grasp the positional relationship.

  Furthermore, the display control means, when the destination set by the destination setting means is within a predetermined distance with respect to the current position at the time of destination setting, the display scale at the start of guidance, The current position and the destination can be automatically set to a scale value that fits on the map screen. According to this configuration, when the destination is close to the current position when the destination is set, the current position and the destination are enlarged or reduced to be displayed simultaneously. The map is displayed in an easy-to-read scale that allows easy understanding of the positional relationship between the position and the destination.

  The above-described configuration of the present invention can include appropriate limit scale setting means for variably setting an appropriate limit scale based on a scale changing operation from a predetermined operation unit. According to this configuration, since the appropriate limit scale can be changed by the user, it is possible to set an appropriate limit scale according to the user.

  In the configuration of the present invention described above, the destination setting means includes destination-periphery road map display means for displaying a destination-periphery road map including the destination on the map screen as the destination is set, and the appropriate limit The scale setting means can be configured to set an appropriate limit scale on a destination-periphery road map that is a destination setting completion screen. According to this configuration, since the appropriate limit scale can be set using the destination surrounding map which is the destination setting completion screen, it is not necessary to set an appropriate limit scale setting screen separately. Further, if the appropriate limit scale is set following the destination setting, switching of the map screen can be omitted.

  Further, the appropriate limit scale setting means in the configuration of the present invention displays a destination-periphery road map including the destination on the map screen, and any one selected by a scale change operation on the destination-periphery road map. It is possible to have an appropriate limit scale determining operation unit for determining the display scale as the appropriate limit scale. According to this configuration, the scale of the map screen is actually changed and displayed by the user's scale changing operation, and the appropriate limit scale can be set while looking at it. Therefore, it becomes possible to set the appropriate limit scale according to the user's preference. .

  In the above configuration of the present invention, a road map around the destination including the destination is displayed on the map screen, and a landmark for reaching the destination on the road map around the destination separately from the destination It shall have mark point setting means to set the mark point to be, and the appropriate limit scale setting means shall set the appropriate limit scale so that both the destination and the mark point appear on the map screen at the same time Can do. According to this configuration, when approaching the destination, the landmark location is always displayed together with the current position of the host vehicle and the destination, so the positional relationship between the destination and the current location can be determined with reference to the landmark location. It can be grasped more accurately.

  In this case, the road map data storage unit can be configured to store landmark position information for displaying a predetermined landmark on the map screen of the display device together with the road map data. Can be configured to have landmark selection means for selecting a landmark to be used as a landmark on the map screen. According to this configuration, since the user can arbitrarily select a landmark on the map screen, the landmark point that is most easily understood by the user can be easily set as the landmark.

  In this case, the landmark selection means includes a scroll operation unit for scrolling the road map on the map screen, and at least one of the landmarks stored on the map screen together with the destination by the scroll. A landmark selection screen input confirming unit for confirming input of the screen as a landmark selection screen in a state where the screen is displayed can be configured. According to this configuration, the landmark to be selected can be searched by scrolling the road map on the map screen, so that the landmark can be easily selected. Moreover, an appropriate limit scale can be set only by selecting a screen including a landmark.

  When the appropriate limit scale setting means is set so that both the destination and the landmark point appear on the map screen at the same time, the appropriate limit scale setting means includes the landmark and the destination. The maximum display scale that can be displayed simultaneously on the map screen can be set as an appropriate limit scale. Thereby, the appropriate limit scale is easily calculated and set. Also, on the map screen displayed at the appropriate limit scale, the landmark point and the destination are displayed apart from each other, so when the host vehicle reaches the vicinity of the destination, its current position is set as the destination and the landmark point. It is easy to grasp from the positional relationship.

  On the other hand, the landmark selection means can also be configured to have landmark search means for searching for landmarks existing around the destination up to a predetermined number in order close to the destination. The appropriate limit scale setting means calculates the maximum display scale at which all searched landmarks and destinations can be displayed on the map screen at the same time, and sets the display scale as the appropriate limit scale. it can. According to this configuration, the appropriate limit scale can be set without depending on the user operation. In addition, a landmark number changing operation unit for changing the number of landmarks to be set may be provided, and in this case, the number of landmarks according to the user's preference can be set according to the situation.

  The appropriate limit scale setting means in the configuration of the present invention, when setting the appropriate limit scale, sets the appropriate limit scale in a form that determines the display field of view of the road map so that the destination is fixed at the center position of the map screen. It can be set. According to this configuration, when the appropriate limit scale is set, the destination is constantly displayed at the center position of the screen, so that the position of the destination can be easily grasped.

  On the other hand, the appropriate limit scale setting means finds the maximum display scale capable of simultaneously displaying the destination and the landmark point in the form of determining the display position of the destination in the peripheral area of the map screen, and the display scale is set to the appropriate limit scale. It can also be set as According to this configuration, the set appropriate limit scale is as large as possible so that at least the landmark and the destination are displayed. Therefore, there is an extra area on the guidance screen when driving around the destination. The area around the destination can be displayed in more detail without being displayed.

  Hereinafter, a vehicle navigation device of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a vehicle navigation device (hereinafter abbreviated as a navigation device) 100. The navigation device 100 includes a position detector 1, a map data input device 6, an operation switch group 7, a remote control (hereinafter referred to as remote control) sensor 11, a voice synthesis circuit 24 for performing voice guidance, a speaker 15, a memory 9, and a display. 10, a transceiver 13, a hard disk device (HDD) 21, a LAN (Local Area Network) I / F (interface) 26, a control circuit 8 connected thereto, a remote control terminal 12, and the like. A vehicle means a vehicle equipped with the navigation device 100).

  The position detector 1 is a well-known geomagnetic sensor 2, a gyroscope 3 that detects the rotational angular velocity of the vehicle, a distance sensor 4 that detects the travel distance of the vehicle, and a GPS receiver that detects the position of the vehicle based on radio waves from a satellite. Machine 5 is provided. Since these sensors 2, 3, 4, and 5 have errors of different properties, they are configured to be used while being complemented by a plurality of sensors. Depending on the accuracy, some of the above-described sensors may be used, and further, a steering rotation sensor or a wheel sensor of each rolling wheel, such as a vehicle speed sensor 23, may be used. The position detector 1 corresponds to the position detection means of the present invention.

  As the operation switch group 7, for example, a touch panel 22 integrated with the display device 10 or a mechanical switch is used. The touch panel 22 is pressed when an electric circuit is wired in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction through a gap called a spacer on a glass substrate and a transparent film on the screen of the display 10, and the user touches the film. Since the voltage value changes due to short-circuiting of a part of the wiring, a so-called resistance film method for detecting this as a two-dimensional coordinate value (X, Y) is widely used. In addition, a known so-called capacitance method may be used. In addition to the mechanical switch, a pointing device such as a mouse or a cursor may be used. Moreover, you may arrange | position the mechanical switch of the operation switch group 7 in the escutcheon which covers the indicator 10 and its periphery and becomes a design frame.

  It is also possible to input various instructions using the microphone 31 and the voice recognition unit 30. In this method, a voice signal input from the microphone 31 is processed by a voice recognition technique such as a well-known hidden Markov model in the voice recognition unit 30, and converted into an operation command corresponding to the result. Various instructions can be input through the operation switch group 7, the remote control terminal 12, the touch panel 22, and the microphone 31.

  The transmitter / receiver 13 is connected to a road traffic from a VICS (Vehicle Information and Communication System) center 14 by an optical beacon or a radio beacon output from a transmitter (not shown) provided along the road, for example. It is a device for receiving information or receiving FM multiplex broadcasting. Moreover, it is good also as a structure which can be connected to external networks, such as the internet, using the transmitter / receiver 13. FIG.

  Further, by communicating with the ETC on-vehicle device 17, it is possible to capture the fee information received by the ETC on-vehicle device 17 from the roadside device (not shown) into the navigation device 100. Further, the ETC on-vehicle device 17 may be connected to an external network and communicate with the VICS center 14 or the like.

  The control circuit 8 is configured as a normal computer, and includes a well-known CPU 81, ROM 82, RAM 83, input / output circuit I / O 84, A / D conversion unit 86, drawing unit 87, clock IC 88, and their configurations. A bus line 85 to be connected is provided. The CPU 81 controls the navigation program 21p and data stored in the HDD 21. The CPU 81 controls the reading / writing of data to / from the HDD 21. In addition, a program for performing a minimum necessary operation as the navigation device 100 may be stored in the ROM 82 in a case where the data read / write control from the CPU 81 to the HDD 21 becomes impossible.

  The A / D conversion unit 86 includes a known A / D (analog / digital) conversion circuit, and converts analog data input from the position detector 1 or the like to the control circuit 8 into digital data that can be calculated by the CPU 81, for example. Is.

  The drawing unit 87 generates display screen data to be displayed on the display unit 10 from map data 21m (described later) stored in the HDD 21 or the like, display data, and display color data.

  The clock IC 88 is also called a real-time clock IC, and sends or sets clock / calendar data in response to a request from the CPU 81. The CPU 81 acquires date / time information from the clock IC 88. Further, date and time information included in the GPS signal received by the GPS receiver 5 may be used. The date information may be generated based on a real-time counter included in the CPU 81. The acquired date / time information is used, for example, for travel history management.

  In addition to the navigation program 21p, the HDD 21 stores so-called map matching data for improving the accuracy of position detection, and map data 21m, which is a map database including road data representing road connections. The map data 21m stores predetermined map image information for display and road network information including link information and node information. The link information is predetermined section information constituting each road, and includes position coordinates, distance, required time, road width, number of lanes, speed limit, and the like. The node information is information that defines an intersection (branch road) and the like, and includes position coordinates, the number of right / left turn lanes, a connection destination road link, and the like. In addition, data indicating whether or not traffic is possible is set in the inter-link connection information. The map data 21m is the road map data of the present invention, and the storage area corresponds to the road map data storage unit of the present invention.

  Further, the HDD 21 can store auxiliary information for route guidance, entertainment information, and other data that can be written by the user, and is stored as user data 21u. Data and various information necessary for the operation of the navigation device 100 are also stored as the database 21d.

  The navigation program 21p, map data 21m, user data 21u, and database 21d can be added / updated from the storage medium 20 via the map data input device 6. The storage medium 20 is generally a CD-ROM or DVD based on the amount of data, but may be another medium such as a memory card. Moreover, you may use the structure which downloads data via an external network.

  The memory 9 is constituted by a rewritable device such as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable & Programmable Read Only Memory) or a flash memory, and information and data necessary for the operation of the navigation apparatus 100 are stored in the memory 9. It is remembered. The memory 9 holds the stored contents even when the navigation device 100 is turned off. Further, instead of the memory 9, information and data necessary for the operation of the navigation device 100 may be stored in the HDD 21. Further, information and data necessary for the operation of the navigation device 100 may be stored separately in the memory 9 and the HDD 21.

  The display device (display device in the present invention) 10 is composed of a known color liquid crystal display device, and includes a dot matrix LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and a driver circuit (not shown) for performing LCD display control. . The driver circuit uses, for example, an active matrix driving method in which a transistor is attached to each pixel so that the target pixel can be reliably turned on and off, and a display command sent from the control circuit 8 (drawing unit 87) and Display is performed based on the display screen data. Further, an organic EL (ElectroLuminescence) display or a plasma display may be used as the display 10. In addition, the indicator 10 is attached so that a driver | operator can visually recognize near the center panel of a vehicle.

  The speaker 15 is connected to a well-known voice synthesis circuit 24, and the digital voice data stored in the memory 9 or the HDD 21 in accordance with a command from the navigation program 21p is converted into analog voice by the voice synthesis circuit 24 and sent out. Note that speech synthesis methods include a recording / editing method in which speech waveforms are stored as they are or after being encoded and connected as necessary, and a text synthesis method in which corresponding speech is synthesized from character input information.

  The vehicle speed sensor 23 includes a rotation detection unit such as a known rotary encoder. For example, the vehicle speed sensor 23 is installed in the vicinity of the wheel mounting unit to detect the rotation of the wheel and send it to the control circuit 8 as a pulse signal. The control circuit 8 converts the rotation speed of the wheel into the speed of the vehicle, calculates the expected arrival time from the current position of the vehicle to a predetermined location, and calculates the average vehicle speed for each travel section of the vehicle.

  The LAN I / F 26 is an interface circuit for exchanging data with other in-vehicle devices and sensors via the in-vehicle LAN 27. Further, data may be taken from the vehicle speed sensor 23 or connected to the ETC on-vehicle device 17 via the LAN I / F 26.

  With this configuration, when the navigation program 21p is activated by the CPU 81 of the control circuit 8, the navigation device 100 allows the user to operate the operation switch group 7, the touch panel 22, the remote control terminal 12, or the voice from the microphone 31. When a route guidance process for displaying a destination route on the display 10 is selected from a menu (not shown) displayed on the display 10 by input, the following process is performed.

  That is, first, the user searches for a destination. The destination search method includes, for example, a method of specifying an arbitrary point on the map, a method of searching from the area where the destination is located, a method of searching from the telephone number of the destination, and a name of the destination from the Japanese syllabary table There is a method of searching by inputting the number of characters, or a method of searching from what is stored in the memory 9 as a facility frequently used by the user. In addition, the destination setting means and the destination surrounding road map display means of the present invention function by executing the navigation program 21p.

  When the destination is set, the current position of the vehicle is obtained by the position detector 1, and a process for obtaining an optimum guide route to the destination from the current position is performed. A technique such as the Dijkstra method is known as a technique for automatically setting an optimum guide route in this way. When the optimum guide route is set, the guide screen display program 212p is executed, and a road map based on the map data 21m is displayed on the display device 10, and the guide route is displayed on the road map in an overlapping manner. Then, route guidance is given to the user. The route guidance is also performed by voice through the speaker 15. Further, the display device 10 and the speaker 15 can also notify a message according to the guidance during operation or the operation state.

  In the present embodiment, when a guidance route is displayed on the display 10 and route guidance is performed, at the beginning of guidance, as shown in FIG. 2A, a map scale to be displayed is set to a preset scale. Only the current position P of the vehicle and the guide route G are displayed, but when the current position of the vehicle approaches the destination, as shown in FIG. In addition, both the current position and the destination are displayed on the screen of the display 10, and the scale fixing mode is switched to the scale changing mode. In the scale change mode, as shown in FIG. 2C, the map scale is gradually enlarged as the vehicle approaches the destination while maintaining the state where both the current position and the destination are displayed. In this scale change mode, when the vehicle moves away from the destination, the map scale is gradually reduced. Then, when the destination is away from the current position by a predetermined distance, the display mode is switched from the scale change mode to the scale fixed mode. In the present embodiment, the display control means of the present invention functions by setting the scale fixed mode by the guide screen display program 212p.

  In the present embodiment, the fixed map scale in the scale fixed mode is a user selected by a user operation on the operation units 7, 12, and 22 (touch panel 22 in the present embodiment) from a plurality of scales prepared in advance. Set scale. On the other hand, in the scale change mode, when changing the scale, the scale on the change direction side of the scale is selected from the scales that are adjacent to the currently set scale from the multiple scales prepared in advance. The scale is changed in such a way. Specifically, when the current position approaches the destination, the scale is changed to a scale adjacent to the enlargement direction (the next largest scale value), and when the current position is away from the destination, the scale is changed. It is changed to a scale (next smaller scale value) adjacent in the reduction direction.

  However, the conventional vehicle having a display function such as the scale change mode has the following problems. That is, since the map scale is enlarged as it approaches the destination, as shown in FIG. 2 (e), the map is enlarged around the destination, and even the display as the surrounding landmark cannot be seen. It is difficult to grasp the positional relationship between

  Therefore, in the navigation device 100 of the present embodiment, when the display scale reaches a predetermined appropriate limit scale smaller than the maximum scale by the guide screen display program 212p, display control is performed as shown in FIG. The change of the display scale by the means in the enlargement direction can be restricted. Furthermore, by executing the guide screen display setting program 211p, the appropriate limit scale can be changed and set based on a scale change operation from a predetermined operation unit. Note that the CPU 81 executes the guide screen display program 212p to function the scale enlargement limiting unit of the present invention, and the CPU 81 executes the guide screen display setting program 211p to function the appropriate limit scale setting unit of the present invention. To do.

  Here, the flow of the guidance screen display program 212p in the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. When the guidance screen display program 212p is started, first, in S1, the current position of the vehicle is acquired from the position detector 1, and in S2, the destination set in the current navigation device is acquired. In S <b> 3, the map scale currently being displayed on the display device 10 is acquired by the user operating the operation unit such as the touch panel 22, the operation switch group 7, or the remote control terminal 12. Since the currently displayed map scale is written in a predetermined display scale storage section (a predetermined storage area of the RAM 82 in this embodiment), it is obtained from the storage section. In S4, the user setting scale is acquired. The user setting scale is stored in a predetermined user setting scale storage unit (in this embodiment, stored as a kind of user data 21u in a predetermined storage area of the HDD 21). Get by reference. The display of the map screen on the display 10 by the guide screen display program 212p is performed based on the map scale written in the RAM 82. At the start of guidance, the user setting scale is written in the storage area of the RAM 82.

  In S5, whether or not the distance between the current location acquired in S1 and the destination acquired in S2 (in this embodiment, the linear distance between the current location and the destination) is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference distance d. judge. If it is determined that the distance is greater than or equal to the reference distance d, the scale fixed mode is set and the process proceeds to S6. In S6, the user-set scale is written in the display scale storage area of the RAM 82, and in S7, the map screen M is displayed on the display 10 in a form in which the scale is fixed to the user-set scale, and guidance display is performed. On the other hand, if it is determined in S5 that the distance is less than the reference distance d, the scale change mode is set and the process proceeds to S8. In S8, the scale change process is executed, and in S7, guidance display is performed at the scale set in S8. Then, after executing S7, the program is terminated. This program is repeatedly executed at predetermined intervals.

  Next, the scale change process executed in S7 will be described using the flowchart of FIG. First, it is determined whether or not the current location and the destination acquired in S1 and S2 in the process of FIG. 3 can be simultaneously displayed at the current map scale acquired in S3. If it is determined that simultaneous display is not possible, the process proceeds to S84, the currently set map scale is set to a map scale that is one step smaller, and the process proceeds to S85. In S85, it is determined whether or not the set map scale is equal to or smaller than the appropriate limit scale. If it is equal to or smaller than the appropriate limit scale, the process proceeds to S85, and the appropriate limit scale is written in the display scale storage area of the RAM 82. Then, the program is terminated and the process proceeds to S7 in FIG. If it exceeds the appropriate limit scale, the process proceeds to S89, and the changed map scale is written in the display scale storage area of the RAM 82. Then, the program is terminated and the process proceeds to S7 in FIG.

  If it is determined in S81 that simultaneous display is possible, the process proceeds to S82. In S82, it is determined whether or not there is room for enlarging the currently set map scale. Specifically, when the currently displayed map scale is set to a scale larger by one step, the case where the current position and the destination can be displayed simultaneously is determined to have room for enlargement of the scale, and determination is made based on this. . If it is determined that there is no room for enlargement of the scale, the program is terminated and the process proceeds to S7 in FIG. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is room for scale enlargement, the process proceeds to S87. In S87, it is determined whether or not the set map scale is equal to or less than the user set scale. If it is less than or equal to the user-set scale, the process proceeds to S88, and the user-set scale is written in the display scale storage area of the RAM 82. Then, the program is terminated and the process proceeds to S7 in FIG. If it exceeds the user-set scale, the process proceeds to S89, and the changed map scale is written in the display scale storage area of the RAM 82. Then, the program is terminated and the process proceeds to S7 in FIG.

  In the scale change process, the user setting scale is set as the maximum scale. However, when the user setting scale is equal to or less than the appropriate limit scale, the user limit scale is determined as the user setting scale. It may be a thing.

  According to the guide screen display program 212p as described above, when the destination is in a remote place, the scale fixing mode is set, and the map screen displayed on the display device 10 is displayed with the scale fixed. Thereby, it becomes easy to drive along the set route. On the other hand, when the destination approaches, the scale change mode is set, the scale of the map screen displayed on the display 10 is changed, and the current position and the destination are displayed simultaneously. Thereby, the positional relationship between the current position and the destination can be easily grasped.

  Here, switching of the display mode will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 5, in the state T1 and the state T2, the distance between the current position P and the destination D is equal to or greater than the reference distance d, and therefore the display mode displayed on the display 10 is the scale fixed mode. In this scale fixed mode, only the current position P of the current position P and the destination D appears on the map screen M as in the state T1 and the state T2, and the scale is the first display scale (this embodiment). In the form, it is set to a user-set scale). Then, from state T2, when the current position P and the destination D are in a state T3 that is closer than a predetermined reference distance d, the display mode is switched to the scale change mode, and as in state T5, the current position P and The display contents are switched so that both the destination D and the map screen M appear at the same time. Specifically, as in state T5 in FIG. 5, the display scale of the map screen M is changed to a second display scale so that both the current position P and the destination D appear on the map screen M at the same time ( The display contents can be switched in the form of enlargement or reduction: reduction in the case of FIG. As another method, as shown in state T4 in FIG. 5, the display field of view of the map screen M is changed to a field of view in which both the current position P and the destination D appear simultaneously on the map screen M (see FIG. 5). In the case of 5, the visual field in the state T3 can be moved to the lower left). It is also possible to perform both methods simultaneously. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the mode is switched by changing the scale.

  In the above guidance screen display program 212p, when the set destination D is within a predetermined distance d with respect to the current position P at the time of setting the target, the display scale at the start of guidance is Both the current position P and the destination D are automatically set to scale values that fit on the map screen M.

  In the guide screen display program 212p described above, the minimum scale in the scale change mode is set to the user-set scale, and the scale is prevented from becoming unnecessarily small. Note that the user-set scale can be changed to any scale by the user even during execution of the guide screen display program 212p.

  Next, the flow of the guide screen display setting program 211p in the present embodiment will be described using the flowchart of FIG. The guidance screen display setting program 211p of FIG. 6 executes the guidance screen display setting process A, and is executed following the destination setting process by the navigation program 21p. As the destination D is set, the destination surrounding road map M1 including the set destination D is displayed on the map screen M of the display 10 as a destination setting completion screen. An appropriate limit scale setting screen using the destination surrounding road map M1 is displayed. In S22, the display scale of the destination-periphery road map M1 displayed on the display unit 10 is changed to a state that can be changed by a user's scale change operation, and the display scale of the destination-periphery road map M1 is changed according to the operation. . Specifically, an operation unit (an operation unit for changing the scale in the present invention, which is provided as the touch panel 22 in the present embodiment) 52 is provided in any of the touch panel 22, the operation switch group 7, the remote control terminal 12, and the like. , 53 are operated by the user (scale changing operation), and the displayed destination-periphery road map M1 is displayed at a scale changed according to the operation. When the displayed destination surrounding road map M1 is to be set to an appropriate limit scale, it is determined as an appropriate limit scale provided on any of the touch panel 22, the operation switch group 7, the remote control terminal 12, and the like. Is set by operating an operation unit 51 (an appropriate limit scale determining operation unit in the present invention, which is provided as the touch panel 22 in the present embodiment) (S23).

  In the guidance screen display setting process A, the appropriate limit scale is set in such a manner that the display field of the road map is determined so that the destination D is fixed at the center position of the map screen M. Thereby, the appropriate limit scale can be easily set only by the scale changing operation and the appropriate limit scale determining operation.

  In the guidance screen display setting process A, the destination surrounding road map M1 including the destination D is displayed on the map screen M, and the destination D and the destination are displayed on the destination surrounding road map M1. An appropriate limit scale can be determined such that a landmark point L for reaching the destination D, which is different from the ground D, is displayed at the same time. For example, as shown in FIG. 7A, the destination-periphery road map M1 displayed on the display 10 is a scale suitable as an appropriate limit scale, and a landmark L as a landmark is also displayed at an appropriate position. If so, the appropriate limit scale determining operation unit 51 is operated to set the current display scale as the appropriate limit scale. As shown in FIG. 7B, when the destination D and the landmark L are displayed too close to each other, the detailed button (enlargement operation unit) 52 of the operation units 52 and 53 is operated. Then, the map scale is updated, and when the destination D and the landmark L are displayed at appropriate positions, the appropriate limit scale determining operation unit 51 is operated, and the display scale at that time is set as the appropriate limit scale. . As shown in FIG. 7C, when the destination D and the landmark L are too far away or the landmark L is not displayed, the wide area buttons ( The map scale is updated by operating the reduction operation section) 53, and when the destination D and the landmark L are displayed at appropriate positions, the appropriate limit scale determination operation section 51 is operated, and the display scale at that time is displayed. Is set as the appropriate limit scale. As a result, when the current location approaches the destination and the display scale of the display 10 becomes an appropriate limit scale, not only the destination but also the landmark point is displayed, so the position between the destination and the current location The relationship becomes easy to grasp.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, these are only illustrations to the last, and this invention is not limited to these, A various change is possible unless it deviates from the meaning of a claim. .

  For example, the guide screen display setting process A in the above embodiment may be a guide screen display setting process B shown in FIG. In the guidance screen display setting process B, the destination surrounding road map M1 including the destination D is displayed on the map screen M, and the destination D is separated from the destination D on the destination surrounding road map M1. An appropriate limit scale is set so that a landmark point that should be a landmark for reaching the destination is set so that both the landmark point L and the destination D appear simultaneously on the map screen M.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of the guide screen display setting process B. The guide screen display setting process B is executed following the destination setting process by the navigation program 21p. As the destination D is set, the destination surrounding road map M1 including the set destination D is displayed on the map screen M of the display 10 as a destination setting completion screen. Then, an appropriate limit scale setting screen using the destination surrounding road map M1 is displayed. In S32, the display scale of the destination-periphery road map M1 displayed on the display 10 is changed to a state that can be changed by a scale change operation and a scroll operation by the user, and the display scale of the destination-periphery road map M1 according to the operation. And change the display field of view. The scroll operation is an operation of a predetermined scroll operation unit for scrolling the road map on the map screen M (destination surrounding road map M1), and the scroll operation unit is the touch panel 22, the operation switch group 7, or the remote control terminal. 12 or the like. Then, on the displayed destination-periphery road map M1, a mark point and a point to be set are selected. When this selection operation is performed, a maximum display scale capable of simultaneously displaying the destination D and the landmark point L on the map screen M is calculated, and the calculation result is automatically set as an appropriate limit scale. In addition, after the automatic setting, both the mark point L and the destination D may be displayed on the map screen M at the set appropriate limit scale, and the setting may be confirmed.

  Further, in this guidance screen display setting process B, the user does not select an arbitrary landmark on the map screen M, but a landmark (marker spot) registered in advance in the navigation device 100 is displayed on the map screen M. It may be performed in such a way that it is displayed and the user selects from among them. Specifically, landmark position information for displaying a predetermined landmark on the map screen of the display 10 is stored in advance in the HDD 21 together with the map data 21m, and a landmark to be used as a landmark is displayed on the map. It is displayed on the screen M, and this is performed by the user selecting it. In addition, the guide point display setting process in this invention functions by performing the guidance screen display setting process B.

  In this case, for example, when the landmark L1 as a landmark is selected on the screen in the state as shown in the left diagram of FIG. 8A, the same display scale as the present is calculated as a result of the calculation of the maximum display scale. Based on this, a map screen M as shown in the right figure of FIG. 8A is displayed. By operating the enter button 51 in this state, the display scale of the right figure of FIG. 8A is set as the appropriate limit scale. Further, when the landmark L2 as a landmark is selected in the state as shown in the left diagram of FIG. 8B, there is still room for enlargement even when the destination D and the landmark L2 are simultaneously displayed on the map screen M. Therefore, when the maximum display scale is calculated, a scale that is larger than the display scale before calculation is calculated, and a map screen M as shown in the right diagram of FIG. 8B is displayed. The Then, by operating the determination button 51, the display scale shown in the right diagram of FIG. 8B is set as the appropriate limit scale. In both cases of FIGS. 8A and 8B, the landmark to be selected is displayed on the destination-periphery road map M1, and therefore the operation for selecting the displayed landmark is performed. However, in the state as shown in the left diagram of FIG. 8C, it is necessary to operate the wide area button (reduction operation unit) 53 to enlarge the map scale so that the display field of the map screen M is expanded. There is. Then, as shown in the right figure of FIG. 8C, after enlarging until the landmark L1 to be selected is displayed, the maximum display scale is calculated by selecting the landmark L1. After the calculation, the map screen is displayed at the calculated maximum display scale in the same manner as described above, and the appropriate limit scale is set by operating the decision button 51 at that time. By operating the determination button 51, the above-described guide screen display program 212p is executed.

  In FIG. 8, after the landmark is selected, the appropriate limit scale is determined and set by operating the decision button 51. However, the landmark selection operation determines and sets the appropriate limit scale. It may be an operation.

  In the guidance screen display setting process B, the number of landmarks that can be selected may be one or more. In addition, the user can switch the display contents of the displayed road map M1 around the destination and select the screen including the landmark by scrolling and changing the scale without directly selecting the landmark on the screen. Thus, all landmarks (marking points) L included in the selection screen may be selected. In this case, the maximum display scale capable of simultaneously displaying all the selected landmarks L and destinations D on the map screen M is calculated, and the calculation result is automatically set as an appropriate limit scale. By executing this process, the landmark selection screen input confirmation means of the present invention functions.

  The guide screen display setting processes A and B in the above embodiment may be a guide screen display setting process C described below. In the guidance screen display setting process C, when setting an appropriate limit scale, the landmarks L that exist around the destination D are searched up to a predetermined number in the order close to the destination D. The landmark L is stored in advance in the form of a landmark list 210d in the navigation device 100 (in this embodiment, it is stored in advance in the database 21d of the HDD 21), and the search is registered in the landmark list. It is done in the form of searching for landmarks. Then, a maximum display scale that can display all the searched landmarks and destinations simultaneously on the map screen is calculated, and the display scale is set as an appropriate limit scale. The landmark L registered in the landmark list 210d stores landmark position information to be displayed on the map screen M of the display device 10 together with the map data 21m in the HDD. Thereby, all the landmarks L registered in the list can be displayed on the map screen of the display 10 based on the landmark position information. Further, the number of landmarks to be searched can be set by the user. Thereby, the user can change the appropriate limit scale to be set. Note that the landmark search means of the present invention functions by executing the guide screen display setting process C.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of the guide screen display setting process C. The guidance screen display setting process C is executed following the destination setting process by the navigation program 21p. As the destination D is set, the destination surrounding road map M1 including the set destination D is displayed on the map screen M of the display 10 as a destination setting completion screen. First, an appropriate limit scale setting screen using the destination surrounding road map M1 is displayed. In S42, the number of landmarks to be searched (hereinafter referred to as the number of search landmarks) is set. The number of search landmarks is set by reading a predetermined value stored as user data 21. Note that the number of search landmarks may be set by a user operating a landmark search number setting operation unit provided in any of the touch panel 22, the operation switch group 7, the remote control terminal 12, and the like. You may make it set in S42. When the number of search landmarks is set, the process proceeds to S43. In S43, the landmarks having the set number of search landmarks are selected from the landmarks L included in the landmark list 210d stored in the HDD 21 in the order closer to the destination. In S44, the maximum display scale that can simultaneously display the selected landmark list (marking point) L and the destination D on the map screen M is calculated, and the calculation result is automatically set as an appropriate limit scale.

  In addition, after the automatic setting of the appropriate limit scale, both the mark point L and the destination D may be displayed on the map screen M at the set appropriate limit scale to confirm the setting. In that case, an appropriate limit scale is set at a scale as shown in FIG. In the case of FIG. 11, the appropriate limit scale is determined by operating the confirmation button, and guidance is started. In addition, when it is desired to change the appropriate limit scale to another scale, it can be performed by changing the number of search landmarks.

  In all the guidance screen display setting processes, the appropriate limit scale is set in such a manner that the display field of the road map is determined so that the destination D is fixed at the center position of the map screen M on the appropriate limit scale setting screen. Although set, as shown in FIG. 12, the display position of the destination D is determined in the peripheral area of the map screen M, and the display around the destination is displayed widely while setting the display scale of the map screen M as large as possible. You can also

  In the guidance screen display setting processes B and C, when the appropriate limit scale is set, the destination D is within a predetermined distance d with respect to the current position P at the time of setting the target, and the appropriate limit scale setting screen ( When both the current location and the destination are displayed at the same time on the destination vicinity map screen), as shown in FIG. 13, all of the current location, the destination, and the landmark can be displayed simultaneously. The maximum display scale may be found and the display scale may be set as an appropriate limit scale. In this case, the map screen M displayed on the display 10 is displayed in the scale change mode from the start of guidance.

1 is a block diagram schematically showing an overall configuration of a navigation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The figure explaining the transition of the guidance screen by a navigation apparatus. The flowchart which shows the flow of a guidance screen display process. The flowchart which shows the flow of a scale change process. The figure explaining switching of a display mode. The flowchart which shows the flow of the 1st Example of a guidance screen display setting process. The figure explaining the display screen in FIG. The flowchart which shows the flow of the 2nd Example of a guidance screen display setting process. The figure explaining the display screen in FIG. The flowchart which shows the flow of the 3rd Example of a guidance screen display setting process. The figure explaining the display screen in FIG. The figure explaining another display form of a suitable limit scale setting screen. The figure explaining the suitable limit scale setting screen at the time of the destination approach.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Navigation apparatus 1 Position detection part 8 Control circuit 81 CPU
82 RAM
83 ROM
10 Display (display device)
21 Hard disk drive (HDD)
7, 22, 12 Operation unit

Claims (14)

A road map data storage unit for storing road map data;
Destination setting means for setting a destination on the road map data;
Position detecting means for detecting the current position of the host vehicle;
A road map based on the road map data is displayed on a display device, and set on the displayed map screen by the destination setting means from the current position of the host vehicle and the current position according to the progress of the host vehicle. Guidance route display means for displaying a guidance route to the destination,
The display scale of the road map is set so that both the current position and the destination appear on the map screen at the same time, and the display scale is controlled to change in the enlargement direction as the current position approaches the destination. Display control means for
Scale enlargement restricting means for restricting change of the display scale in the enlargement direction by the display control means when the display scale has reached a predetermined appropriate limit scale smaller than the maximum scale;
A vehicle navigation device comprising:   The display control means sets the current position and the destination in advance in a state where only the current position of the current position and the destination is set to a first display scale that appears on the map screen. The road map display scale is smaller than the first display scale so that both the current position and the destination appear simultaneously on the map screen when approaching within a set reference distance. The vehicle navigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the navigation scale is changed to a second display scale.   The display control means sets the current position and the destination in advance in a state where only the current position of the current position and the destination is set to a first display scale that appears on the map screen. The display field of view of the map screen is changed so that both the current position and the destination appear simultaneously on the map screen when approaching within a predetermined reference distance. Vehicle navigation system.   The display control means displays the display scale at the start of guidance when the destination set by the destination setting means is within a predetermined distance from the current position at the time of destination setting. The vehicle navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the current position and the destination are automatically set to a scale value that fits on the map screen.   The vehicle navigation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising an appropriate limit scale setting unit that variably sets the appropriate limit scale based on a scale change operation from a predetermined operation unit. The destination setting means comprises destination surrounding road map display means for displaying the destination surrounding road map including the destination on the map screen as the destination is set,
6. The vehicle navigation apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the appropriate limit scale setting means sets the appropriate limit scale on the destination-periphery road map that is the destination setting completion screen.   The appropriate limit scale setting means displays a destination surrounding road map including the destination on the map screen, and displays an arbitrary display scale selected by the scale changing operation on the destination surrounding road map. The vehicle navigation apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, further comprising an appropriate limit scale determining operation unit that determines the appropriate limit scale. A destination road map including the destination is displayed on the map screen, and a mark to be a mark for reaching the destination separately from the destination on the road around the destination It has a mark point setting means for setting a point,
The said appropriate limit scale setting means determines the said appropriate limit scale so that both the said destination and the said mark point may appear simultaneously on the said map screen, The said any one of Claim 5 thru | or 7 The vehicle navigation apparatus described. The road map data storage unit stores landmark position information for displaying a predetermined landmark on the map screen of the display device together with the road map data.
The vehicle navigation apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the mark point setting unit includes a landmark selection unit that selects a landmark to be the mark point on the map screen.   The landmark selecting means includes a scroll operation unit for scrolling the road map on the map screen, and at least one of the landmarks stored by the scrolling on the map screen together with the destination. The vehicle navigation apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising: a landmark selection screen input confirmation means for confirming input of the screen as a landmark selection screen in a state where the screen appears.   The said appropriate limit scale setting means sets the maximum display scale which can display the said destination and the said mark point simultaneously on the said map screen as said appropriate limit scale. The vehicle navigation apparatus described. The landmark selection means includes landmark search means for searching the landmarks present around the destination up to a predetermined number in order of proximity to the destination,
The appropriate limit scale setting means calculates a maximum display scale at which all searched landmarks and the destination can be displayed simultaneously on the map screen, and sets the display scale as the appropriate limit scale. The vehicle navigation device according to claim 9.   The appropriate limit scale setting means sets the appropriate limit scale in such a manner that a display field of view of the road map is determined so that the destination is fixed at the center position of the map screen when setting the appropriate limit scale. The vehicle navigation device according to any one of claims 6 to 12, wherein the navigation device for a vehicle is used.   The appropriate limit scale setting means finds the maximum display scale capable of simultaneously displaying the destination and the landmark point in a form that defines the display position of the destination in the peripheral area of the map screen, and the display scale is The vehicle navigation device according to any one of claims 6 to 12, which is set as an appropriate limit scale.

Images