JP2009036881A - Map display, map display program, and navigation system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a map display or the like for reducing troubles for operations in scrolling a map and changing a scale, and for reducing a search time, when operating a touch panel to search a destination on the map or the like. <P>SOLUTION: This map display for displaying a map M at a plurality of scales on a display screen 5 is provided with: the touch panel 3 provided on the display screen 5; an area setting means for dividing a detection area of the touch panel 3 into a plurality of areas A1-A3 along a direction separated from a prescribed reference position Pb, and for setting scale change operations different among the areas A1-A3; and a display changing means for scrolling the map M, on the basis of positions on the map M corresponding to touch points P1, P2 on the touch panel 3 where the touch operations are detected, when detecting the touch operations to the touch panel 3, and for executing the scale change operations set in the areas A1-A3 including the touch points P1, P2. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a map display device and a map display program for displaying a map on a display screen at a plurality of scales, and a navigation device using them.

  For example, in a map display device such as a navigation device, in order to display a map around a destination on a display screen, the map can often be scrolled in each direction. However, simply scrolling the map in a predetermined direction at a constant speed may cause inconveniences such as the need to scroll for a long time when the destination is away from the displayed area. Therefore, as a technique for quickly scrolling such a map, for example, Patent Document 1 below discloses a technique for a map scroll method as described below.

  That is, this map scrolling method monitors the time during which the scroll key for specifying the scroll direction of the map is continuously operated, and whenever the time during which the scroll key is continuously operated exceeds a predetermined time. In addition, the map is automatically and sequentially switched to a map of a wide scale, and the scroll in the designated direction is continued on the display screen. Also, in this map scrolling method, if the continuous operation of the scroll key is canceled after switching the map to a map with a wide scale, the map is displayed on the display screen when the continuous operation of the scroll key is stopped. It is also possible to automatically switch the map on the scale before the scroll key is continuously operated.

  According to this map scrolling method, the scrolling is continued while automatically switching the map to a map of a wide scale every time the time when the scroll key is continuously operated exceeds a predetermined time. There is an advantage that the scrolling time can be shortened with a simple operation, compared with the case where the map is scrolled while manually switching the map to a map of a wide scale. Also, if you cancel the continuous operation of the scroll key when the periphery of the destination appears on the display screen, the displayed map will automatically switch to the original scale map, so that the map is easier to see There is also an advantage that it is not necessary to change the scale manually.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 07-280577

  However, the map scrolling method described above can be applied only when a scroll button such as a remote controller is operated. Therefore, it cannot be applied to a map display device such as a navigation device that employs an operation method using a touch panel that has been increasing in recent years. Further, in the above map scrolling method, every time the scroll key is continuously operated for a predetermined time, the map is reduced to a wide scale, and before the continuous operation of the scroll key is stopped, the continuous operation is performed. It only switches automatically to a map of the scale. Therefore, after scrolling the map, it is necessary to manually change the scale as in the conventional case, such as when searching for a destination with a detailed map by further enlarging the map in the area after the scroll, It was inconvenient.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its purpose is to save time and effort for scrolling the map and changing the scale when searching for a destination on the map by operating the touch panel. An object of the present invention is to provide a map display device, a map display program, and a navigation device using them, which can reduce the search time.

  According to the present invention for achieving the above object, a map display device capable of displaying a map on a display screen at a plurality of scales includes a touch panel provided on the display screen and a detection area of the touch panel. When a touch operation on the touch panel is detected, an area setting unit that sets a different scale changing operation between the areas divided into a plurality of areas along a direction away from a predetermined reference position is detected. Display changing means for scrolling the map on the basis of the position on the map corresponding to the touch point that is a point on the touch panel and performing a scale changing operation set in the area to which the touch point belongs. In the point.

  According to this characteristic configuration, the detection area of the touch panel on the display screen on which the map is displayed is divided into a plurality of areas, and a different scale changing operation is set for each area. Therefore, when searching for a destination on the map by operating the touch panel, the map can be scrolled in any direction and the scale of the map can be changed by a single touch operation on the touch panel. . At this time, since different scale changing operations are set in a plurality of areas of the touch panel, different scale changing operations can be performed simultaneously with scrolling by selecting an area for touch operation on the touch panel. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the time and effort for scrolling the map and changing the scale when searching for the destination, and to shorten the search time, thereby improving the convenience for the user. .

  Also, generally, there is a difference from a certain reference position between a position on the touch panel where the user performs a touch operation for scrolling the map and a scale changing operation which is highly convenient when performed simultaneously with the scrolling. It is considered that there are many cases where the relationship according to the distance is established. According to this characteristic configuration, the detection area of the touch panel is divided into a plurality of areas along the direction away from the predetermined reference position. Therefore, it is possible to set different scale changing operations between the regions according to the distance from the reference position. Therefore, the operability of the touch panel when searching for the destination can be enhanced by appropriately associating the positional relationship between the plurality of areas of the touch panel and the scale changing operation.

  Here, it is preferable that the scale change operation is selected from one or two or more steps of enlargement operation, one or two or more steps of reduction operation, and no change operation.

  According to this configuration, one or two or more stages of enlargement operation, one or two or more stages of reduction operation, and no change operation are set in each of the plurality of regions of the touch panel. Therefore, the user can perform any one of the predetermined enlargement operation, reduction operation, and no change operation simultaneously with the scrolling of the map by selecting an area where the touch operation on the touch panel is performed. Therefore, when searching for a destination on the map by operating the touch panel, it is possible to perform operations such as enlargement, reduction, no change, etc. of the map at the same time as scrolling the map.

  In addition, it is preferable that boundaries between the plurality of regions are set in a circumferential shape surrounding the reference position.

  According to this configuration, one or two or more circumferential regions are set on the outer peripheral side of the region including the predetermined reference position. Therefore, a plurality of regions can be appropriately set on the touch panel according to the distance from the reference position.

  Further, it is preferable that the reference position is set at the center of the detection area of the touch panel.

  According to this structure, each area | region of the divided touch panel can be set so that it may have a substantially equal width | variety over a perimeter. Therefore, it is possible to set an area where the operability does not vary depending on the direction in which the user wants to scroll.

  In addition, the plurality of regions are set on a central region located on the center side of the detection region including the reference position, an intermediate region set on the outer peripheral side of the central region, and an outer peripheral side of the intermediate region. It is preferable that there are three regions including the outer peripheral region.

  According to this configuration, three areas, that is, the central area, the intermediate area, and the outer peripheral area are set according to the distance from the predetermined reference position. And it becomes possible to improve the operativity of a touch panel in the case of the search of the destination, etc. by setting a scale change operation | movement appropriately according to the positional relationship of these three area | regions, respectively.

  In the case where such three areas are set, the area setting means sets, as the scale change operation, an enlargement operation in the central area, a no-change operation in the intermediate area, and a reduction action in the outer peripheral area, respectively. Is preferred.

  According to this configuration, when searching for a destination outside the display area of the map being displayed on the display screen, etc., using the user's operation to touch the outer peripheral area of the touch panel in the destination direction, A map reduction operation can be performed together with the scrolling of the map in the direction of the destination. Then, when there are a plurality of touch operations on the outer peripheral area of the touch panel, the map can be scrolled while the scale of the map is sequentially reduced and changed. On the other hand, when searching for a destination in the vicinity of a predetermined reference position in the display area of the map being displayed on the display screen, the operation of the user touching the center area of the touch panel near the reference position is used. The map can be enlarged while scrolling to the touch point. When there are a plurality of touch operations on the center area of the touch panel, the scale of the map can be scrolled while being sequentially enlarged and changed to the detailed side. Further, when the user touches an intermediate area between the outer peripheral area and the central area, only the scroll can be performed without changing the scale of the map. Therefore, according to the positional relationship along the direction away from the reference position of each of the center area, the intermediate area, and the outer peripheral area set on the touch panel, the scale changing operation that is highly convenient by performing simultaneously with scrolling is appropriately performed. Will be set. Therefore, it is possible to improve the operability of the touch panel when searching for a destination and to improve the convenience for the user.

  The plurality of regions are preferably two regions, a central region located on the center side of the detection region including the reference position, and an outer peripheral region set on the outer peripheral side of the central region. .

  According to this configuration, two areas of the central area and the outer peripheral area are set according to the distance from the predetermined reference position. Then, by appropriately setting the scale changing operation according to the positional relationship between these two regions, even when the display screen and the touch panel are relatively small in area, the touch panel when searching for the destination, etc. It becomes possible to improve the operability.

  Further, the area setting means includes a first setting for setting an enlargement operation in the central area, a reduction action in the outer peripheral area, a no change operation in the central area, a second setting for setting a reduction action in the outer peripheral area, and It is preferable that any one of the third settings for setting an enlargement operation in the central region and a no-change operation in the outer peripheral region is set as the scale change operation.

  According to this configuration, the convenience of performing simultaneously with the scrolling according to the positional relationship between the inner central region and the outer peripheral region along the direction away from the reference position, that is, two regions set on the touch panel. A scale change operation with a high is appropriately set. Therefore, it is possible to improve the operability of the touch panel when searching for a destination and to improve the convenience for the user.

  The area setting means preferably sets the entire detection area of the touch panel as one area and sets an enlargement operation as the scale change operation when the scale of the map displayed on the display screen is a minimum scale. It is.

  According to this configuration, when the scale of the map displayed on the display screen is the minimum scale, that is, when the map of the widest area is displayed, the map corresponding to the touch point by the user in the entire area of the touch panel. The operation of enlarging the map with the upper position as a reference is performed. Therefore, an appropriate scale change operation is set for the entire detection area of the touch panel in accordance with the situation where there is no further reduction of the map and scrolling over a long distance is not often performed. Therefore, it is possible to improve the operability of the touch panel when searching for a destination and to improve the convenience for the user.

  Further, the area setting means preferably sets the entire detection area of the touch panel as one area when the scale of the map displayed on the display screen is the maximum scale, and sets the reduction operation as the scale change operation. It is.

  According to this configuration, when the scale of the map displayed on the display screen is the maximum scale, that is, when the most detailed map is displayed, the map corresponding to the touch point by the user in the entire area of the touch panel. The operation of reducing the map is performed based on the upper position. Therefore, an appropriate scale changing operation is set for the entire detection area of the touch panel in accordance with the situation where there is no further enlargement of the map. Therefore, it is possible to improve the operability of the touch panel when searching for a destination and to improve the convenience for the user.

  In addition, the area setting means, when the scale of the map displayed on the display screen is the minimum scale, the detection area of the touch panel is a central area located on the center side of the detection area including the reference position And an outer peripheral region set on the outer peripheral side of the central region, and an enlargement operation is set in the central region and a no-change operation is set in the outer peripheral region.

  According to this configuration, when the scale of the map displayed on the display screen is the minimum scale, that is, when the map of the widest area is displayed, the enlargement operation is set in the central area and the outer peripheral area is not changed. The operation is set, and the reduction operation is not set in the detection area of the touch panel. Therefore, an appropriate scale changing operation is set for each of the plurality of areas of the touch panel in accordance with the situation where there is no further reduction of the map. Therefore, it is possible to improve the operability of the touch panel when searching for a destination and to improve the convenience for the user.

  In addition, the area setting means, when the scale of the map displayed on the display screen is the maximum scale, the detection area of the touch panel is a central area located on the center side of the detection area including the reference position And an outer peripheral region set on the outer peripheral side of the central region, and it is preferable to set a no change operation in the central region and a reduction operation in the outer peripheral region.

  According to this configuration, when the scale of the map displayed on the display screen is the maximum scale, that is, when the most detailed map is displayed, no change operation is set in the center area, and the scale is reduced to the outer area. The operation is set, and the enlargement operation is not set in the detection area of the touch panel. Accordingly, an appropriate scale change operation is set for each of the plurality of areas of the touch panel in accordance with the situation where the map cannot be further enlarged. Therefore, it is possible to improve the operability of the touch panel when searching for a destination and to improve the convenience for the user.

  In addition, it is preferable that the display changing unit is configured to display a frame line representing boundaries of the plurality of areas on the display screen when a touch operation on the touch panel is detected.

  According to this configuration, the user can perform an operation while visually confirming a plurality of areas set as the detection areas of the touch panel. Therefore, an operation mistake by the user can be prevented, and the operability of the touch panel can be further enhanced.

  Further, it is preferable that the display changing unit is configured to change the display method of the frame line according to a case where the scale changing operation involves a change of the map type and a case where the change of the map type is not accompanied.

  According to this configuration, when a map of a plurality of map types can be displayed, such as a general map and a city map having more detailed information than this general map, the scale change operation changes the map type. It can be notified to the user by the display method of the frame line. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the map type from being changed unintentionally by the user, and the convenience for the user can be further improved.

  Further, it is preferable that the area setting means is configured to change the positions and sizes of the plurality of areas in accordance with the scale of the map displayed on the display screen.

  According to this configuration, according to the scale of the map displayed on the display screen, it is possible to appropriately adjust the position and size of each of the plurality of areas where the scale changing operation is set. Accordingly, it is possible to further improve the operability of the touch panel when searching for a destination and to improve the convenience for the user.

  It is preferable that the apparatus further includes an area adjusting unit that receives an input for changing the position and size of the plurality of areas and changes the position and size of the plurality of areas based on the input.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to adjust the position and size of each of the plurality of areas in which the scale changing operation is set according to the user's preference. Accordingly, it is possible to further improve the operability of the touch panel when searching for a destination and to improve the convenience for the user.

  A characteristic configuration of a navigation device according to the present invention is a map displayed on the display screen, including a map display device having the above-described configuration, and own position information acquisition means for acquiring own position information indicating the own position. In addition, a self position mark representing the self position indicated in the self position information is superimposed and displayed.

  According to this feature configuration, when searching for a destination on the map by operating the touch panel, the effort of scrolling the map and changing the scale can be reduced, and the destination can be searched quickly and easily. Can be done. In addition, when displaying the own position, by setting a reference position in the vicinity of the position on the touch panel corresponding to the own position on the map, a plurality of detection areas of the touch panel are arranged along the direction away from the own position. Accordingly, different scale changing operations are set between the areas according to the distance from the own position. Therefore, in a navigation device having a relatively small area of the display screen and the touch panel, it is possible to improve the operability of the touch panel when searching for a destination.

  According to the present invention, a feature configuration of a map display program for causing a computer to execute a process of displaying a map at a plurality of scales on a display screen provided with a touch panel is a direction in which the detection area of the touch panel is separated from a predetermined reference position. The touch panel is detected when a touch operation is detected when the touch operation on the touch panel is detected based on an area setting in which different scale changing operations are set between the areas. The map is scrolled on the basis of the position on the map corresponding to the touch point, and the computer is caused to execute display change processing for performing the scale changing operation set in the area to which the touch point belongs. .

  According to this characteristic configuration, the detection area of the touch panel on the display screen on which the map is displayed is divided into a plurality of areas, and a different scale changing operation is set for each area. Therefore, when searching for a destination on the map by operating the touch panel, the map can be scrolled in any direction and the scale of the map can be changed by a single touch operation on the touch panel. . At this time, since different scale changing operations are set in a plurality of areas of the touch panel, different scale changing operations can be performed simultaneously with scrolling by selecting an area for touch operation on the touch panel. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the time and effort for scrolling the map and changing the scale when searching for the destination, and to shorten the search time, thereby improving the convenience for the user. .

  Also, generally, there is a difference from a certain reference position between a position on the touch panel where the user performs a touch operation for scrolling the map and a scale changing operation which is highly convenient when performed simultaneously with the scrolling. It is considered that there are many cases where the relationship according to the distance is established. According to this characteristic configuration, the detection area of the touch panel is divided into a plurality of areas along the direction away from the predetermined reference position. Therefore, it is possible to set different scale changing operations between the regions according to the distance from the reference position. Therefore, the operability of the touch panel when searching for the destination can be enhanced by appropriately associating the positional relationship between the plurality of areas of the touch panel and the scale changing operation.

1. First Embodiment A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a case where the map display device 2 according to the present invention is applied to an in-vehicle navigation device 1 will be described as an example. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a navigation device 1 including a map display device 2 according to the present embodiment. The map display device 2 includes a display device 4 provided with a touch panel 3, and is configured to be able to display a map M on a display screen 5 of the display device 4 at a plurality of scales. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the map M displayed on the display screen 5 of the display device 4. When the touch operation on the touch panel 3 is detected, the map display device 2 uses the position on the map M corresponding to the touch point that is a point on the touch panel 3 where the touch operation is detected as a reference. , And the scale change operation set for the area of the touch panel 3 to which the touch point belongs is performed. In addition, the navigation device 1 is configured to perform predetermined navigation operations such as destination search, own position display, route guidance, and the like, using the map M displayed on the display screen 5 in this way. Hereinafter, the structure of each part of the navigation apparatus 1 including the map display apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail.

2. Display Device The display device 4 is a device that displays various images for functioning as the navigation device 1 such as the map M on the display screen 5. As the display device 4, various display devices such as a liquid crystal display, a plasma display, an organic EL (electroluminescence) display, a field emission display, and a CRT (cathode-ray tube) display can be used. An image generated by the arithmetic processing unit 11 described later is displayed on the display screen 5 of the display device 4. Examples of such images include various images necessary for the navigation device 1 such as a map M image as shown in FIG. 2, a search screen for destinations, and setting screens for changing various settings. There is. In the present embodiment, such an image is generated by the display program 14 of the navigation calculation unit 12 described later and input to the display device 4. In addition, the display device 4 includes an operation switch 6 provided adjacent to the display screen 5. Here, the operation switch 6 is a switch for operating the navigation device 1, and for example, commands such as turning on / off the power of the navigation device 1, switching display contents to the display screen 5, calling a search menu, and the like. It is a switch for the user to input.

3. Touch Panel The touch panel 3 is an operation input device provided on the display screen 5 of the display device 4 and detects the position of the touch point (contact point) when the user performs a touch operation. Although the touch panel 3 is shown separately from the display device 4 in FIG. 1, actually, as shown in FIG. 2 and the like, the touch panel 3 is integrally fixed and arranged on the display screen 5 of the display device 4. Yes. The touch panel 3 has a detection area that covers the entire display screen 5 of the display device 4. That is, the detection area of the touch panel 3 is a rectangle (rectangle) having the same shape as the outer shape of the display screen 5. The detection area of the touch panel 3 is made of a transparent or translucent material so that the user can visually recognize the image displayed on the display screen 5. Specifically, the touch panel 3 is configured by matrix switches of various methods, and outputs a signal corresponding to the position of the touch point that is a point on the touch panel where the touch operation by the user is detected. This signal is a signal representing a two-dimensional coordinate value (XY coordinate value) of a touch point based on a predetermined position (any corner or center) of the detection area of the touch panel 3. As a specific method of the touch panel 3, various known methods such as an electromagnetic induction method, an electric resistance method, a capacitance method, and a pressure sensitive method can be used. Note that the touch operation on the touch panel 3 may be performed using a finger of the user or an instruction member such as a touch pen. And the detection signal by this touch panel 3 is output to the arithmetic processing unit 11 mentioned later.

4). Self-Location Information Acquisition Unit The navigation device 1 includes a GPS receiver 7, a direction sensor 8, and a distance sensor 9 as self-location information acquisition unit 21 that acquires self-location information indicating the self-location. Here, the GPS receiver 7 is a device that receives a GPS signal from a GPS (Global Positioning System) satellite. The azimuth sensor 8 is a sensor that detects a traveling azimuth at its own position or a change in the traveling azimuth. This azimuth sensor 8 is composed of, for example, a gyroscope, a geomagnetic sensor, or the like. The distance sensor 9 is a sensor that detects a moving speed and a moving distance of the own position. The distance sensor 9 is, for example, a vehicle speed pulse sensor that outputs a pulse signal every time a drive shaft or wheel of the host vehicle rotates by a certain amount, a yaw / G sensor that detects acceleration of the host vehicle, and integration of the detected acceleration. Configured by a circuit or the like. Then, the GPS receiver 7, the azimuth sensor 8, and the distance sensor 9 output the received signals and detection results to the arithmetic processing device 11. In the navigation calculation unit 12 of the calculation processing device 11, calculation for specifying the own position is performed by a known method based on the outputs from the GPS receiver 7, the direction sensor 8, and the distance sensor 9.

  Further, the navigation calculation unit 12 has a map matching program (not shown) as the application program 13, and performs its own map matching based on map information acquired from the map database 10 described later. Is also corrected to fit on the road shown in the map information. In this way, the navigation calculation unit 12 acquires the current position information including the current own position represented by coordinates (latitude and longitude) and information on the traveling direction thereof. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the GPS receiver 7, the azimuth sensor 8, the distance sensor 9, and the navigation calculation unit 12 constitute a local position information acquisition unit 21.

5). Map database The map database 10 is a database in which map information is stored. Here, the map information is divided into a plurality of levels from high-level information for displaying a wide-area map at a small scale to low-level information for displaying a detailed map at a large scale. Managed. Each level of information is divided in units of rectangular areas called sections divided by predetermined longitude and latitude. The map information of each section can be read by designating a section identification code such as a section number set for each section. The map information for each section includes a drawing unit having various information necessary for map display, a road unit having information necessary for various processes such as map matching, route search, and route guidance, and an intersection consisting of detailed information on the intersection. Units etc. are included. The drawing unit includes information on a background layer necessary for displaying buildings, rivers, and the like, information on a character layer necessary for displaying a city name, a road name, and the like.

  The arithmetic processing unit 11 to be described later reads out map information of a predetermined section from the map database 10 according to the application program 13, and executes arithmetic processing for navigation such as map display, map matching, and route search. At this time, the display program 14 of the navigation calculation unit 12 performs a process of displaying a map on the display screen 5 of the display device 4 at a plurality of scales using the map information divided into a plurality of levels as described above. . That is, for example, when a small display scale is selected, a detailed map in a relatively narrow range is displayed on the display screen 5 based on lower-level map information. On the other hand, when a large display scale is selected, a relatively wide range of maps is displayed on the display screen 5 based on high-level map data. The map database 10 is a hard disk drive, a DVD drive equipped with a DVD-ROM, a CD drive equipped with a CD-ROM, and a device having a recording medium capable of storing information and its drive means. As a hardware configuration.

6). Arithmetic Processing Device The arithmetic processing device 11 is a device that performs arithmetic processing for realizing each function of the navigation device 1 including the map display device 2, and is connected to each part of the navigation device 1 so as to be able to exchange information. ing. In the present embodiment, the arithmetic processing device 11 includes a navigation arithmetic unit 12, an area setting unit 15, and a display changing unit 18 as functional units. The functional units of the arithmetic processing unit 11 are functional units for performing various processes on input data using arithmetic processing means such as mutually common or independent CPUs as core members. It is implemented by software (program) stored in a storage means such as a memory or both. Each of these functional units is configured to exchange information with each other. Hereinafter, each functional unit of the arithmetic processing unit 11 will be described.

6-1. Navigation Calculation Unit The navigation calculation unit 12 operates according to the application program 13, and displays a map, displays its own position on the map, searches for a route from the departure point to the destination, provides route guidance to the destination, searches for the destination, and the like. It is the arithmetic processing part which performs the navigation function of. Here, the application program 13 includes a display program 14. This display program 14 is used as the navigation device 1 such as a map M around the position specified by the user such as the vicinity of the own position and the destination, a search screen for the destination, etc., and a setting screen for changing various settings. Various necessary images are generated and displayed on the display screen 5 of the display device 4.

  In the present embodiment, the display program 14 generates an image of the map M at one scale selected from a plurality of scales based on the processing of the display change unit 18 described later and displays the image on the display screen 5. . On the map M displayed on the display screen 5, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, an own position mark S, a scale display R, a map orientation display D, and the like are superimposed and displayed. The own position mark S is a mark for displaying the own position on the map M. As the position of the self position mark S, the self position information specified based on the outputs from the GPS receiver 7, the direction sensor 8, and the distance sensor 9 and corrected by the map matching program included in the application program 13 is used. The self-position shown is used. The scale display R is a display showing the scale of the map M being displayed on the display screen 5. For example, when “200 m” is displayed, the scale display R indicates that the length of the display frame corresponds to the length of 200 [m] on the map M. The map orientation display D is a display showing the orientation of the map M being displayed on the display screen 5. In the example of FIG. 2, the map orientation display D indicates that the map M is displayed with north as the top. In addition to this, although not shown, a navigation route for navigation, an operation menu, and the like may be superimposed on the map M and displayed.

  Although not described in detail, the display program 14 generates other images such as a search screen for destinations and setting screens for changing various settings based on the operation of the operation switch 6 by the user. Then, a process of displaying on the display screen 5 of the display device 4 is performed. At this time, the search screen, the setting screen, and the like are displayed on the display screen 5 so as to be superimposed on the map M image or instead of the map M image.

  Although not shown, the application program 13 has a plurality of programs such as a map matching program, a route search program, a guidance program, and a search program in addition to the display program 14. Here, the map matching program performs a map matching process for matching the own position specified based on the outputs from the GPS receiver 7, the direction sensor 8, and the distance sensor 9 on the road indicated by the map information. The route search program searches for a route such as a route from its own position to a destination set and input by the user. The guidance program is based on the map M displayed on the display screen 5 according to the route to the destination determined by the route search, the guidance route superimposed on the map M, or voice guidance using a voice output unit (not shown). Then, a process of guiding an appropriate course to the user is performed. The search program performs a process of searching for a point on the map M that can be a destination based on various search conditions such as an address, a telephone number, a facility name, and a genre. Input of search conditions at this time is performed by the user touching the touch panel 3 in accordance with the search screen displayed on the display screen 5 of the display device 4. Since the operation processing of the navigation device 1 by these programs is well known, detailed description is omitted.

6-2. Region Setting Unit The region setting unit 15 functions as a region setting unit that divides the detection region of the touch panel 3 into a plurality of regions along the direction away from the predetermined reference position Pb and sets different scale changing operations between the regions. In the present embodiment, the reference position Pb is set at the center of the detection area of the touch panel 3. Here, the center of the detection area of the touch panel 3 is an intersection of diagonal lines of the detection area of the rectangular touch panel 3. The area setting unit 15 includes an area dividing unit 16 and an operation setting unit 17. Hereinafter, each of the area dividing unit 16 and the operation setting unit 17 will be described.

  The area dividing unit 16 is a functional unit that performs setting for dividing the detection area of the touch panel 3 into a plurality of areas along a direction away from the reference position Pb. In other words, the area dividing unit 16 divides the detection area of the touch panel 3 into a plurality of areas by setting one or more boundaries at a predetermined distance from the reference position Pb to the outer periphery side of the detection area. . In the present embodiment, the boundaries of the plurality of regions are set in a circumferential shape surrounding the periphery of the reference position Pb. That is, in the example shown in FIG. 2, the detection area of the touch panel 3 includes a center area A1 that is located on the center side of the detection area including the reference position Pb along the direction away from the reference position Pb, and the center area A1. The region is divided into three regions: an intermediate region A2 set on the outer peripheral side and an outer peripheral region A3 set on the outer peripheral side of the intermediate region A2. As described above, the detection area of the touch panel 3 has a rectangular (rectangular) outer shape. In accordance with this, in this example, the boundaries of these three regions A1 to A3 are rectangular frame lines that are obtained by reducing the outer shape of the detection region at a predetermined rate, as shown by broken lines in FIG. Yes. Here, since the reference position Pb is set at the center of the detection area of the touch panel 3 as described above, each of the areas A1 to A3 has an equal width (width) in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. Is arranged. As a result, it is possible to set the region in which the operability does not differ depending on the direction in which the user wants to scroll. In the present embodiment, the boundary lines of the areas A1 to A3 indicated by broken lines in FIG. 2 are not actually displayed on the display screen 5. The area dividing unit 16 includes storage means such as a memory (not shown), and stores the settings of the plurality of areas A1 to A3 as described above.

  The operation setting unit 17 is a functional unit that sets a different scale changing operation for each of the plurality of regions divided by the region dividing unit 16 from the other regions. Here, the scale change operation set in each region is selected from one or more stages of enlargement operation, one or more stages of reduction operation, and no change operation. In the present embodiment, the enlargement operation and the reduction operation are each in only one stage, and a total of three operations including these and no change operation are set in the above three regions A1 to A3, respectively. That is, in the example shown in FIG. 2, as indicated by a broken line in the lower right corners of the regions A1 to A3, the operation setting unit 17 performs an enlargement operation in the central region A1 and an operation without change in the intermediate region A2 as the scale change operation. The reduction operation is set for each of the outer peripheral areas A3. In the present embodiment, the content of the change operation set in each of the areas A1 to A3 indicated by broken lines in FIG. 2 is not actually displayed on the display screen 5. The operation setting unit 17 includes storage means such as a memory (not shown), and stores the contents of the scale change operation set in each of the plurality of regions A1 to A3 as described above. .

  By the way, the area dividing unit 16 can change the detection area dividing method of the touch panel 3 depending on the scale of the map M displayed on the display screen 5. In the present embodiment, as will be described later, the area dividing unit 16 divides the map M into areas different from the above-described three areas A1 to A3 when the scale of the map M is the minimum scale and the maximum scale. It is set. Accordingly, the operation setting unit 17 also sets the scale change operation for each region set by the region dividing unit 16 for each of the case where the scale of the map M is the minimum scale and the case where the scale is the maximum scale. ing. The area dividing unit 16 and the operation setting unit 17 store in the storage unit the area division setting corresponding to each scale of the map M and the setting of the scale changing operation for each of the plurality of areas corresponding to each scale. is doing. Hereinafter, the detection area division setting of the touch panel 3 and the scale change operation setting of each divided area stored in the area setting unit 15 including the area dividing unit 16 and the operation setting unit 17 will be described below. Is simply referred to as “area setting”. In the present embodiment, the area setting corresponding to the minimum scale of the map M is set as the area setting for the minimum scale, the area setting corresponding to the maximum scale of the map M is set as the area setting for the maximum scale, and the scale of the map M is set. The area setting corresponding to the case where is not the minimum scale or the maximum scale is stored in the area setting unit 15 as a normal area setting. The area setting for the minimum scale and the area setting for the maximum scale will be described in detail later with reference to FIGS.

6-3. Display Change Unit When the touch operation on the touch panel 3 is detected, the display change unit 18 scrolls the map M on the basis of the position on the map M corresponding to the touch point, and moves the map to the area to which the touch point belongs. It functions as a display changing means for performing the set scale changing operation. In addition, the display changing unit 18 performs a process of outputting a command for scrolling the map M and a scale changing operation to the navigation calculating unit 12 in accordance with the user's touch operation detected by the touch panel 3. As a result, the display program 14 of the navigation calculation unit 12 scrolls the map M being displayed on the display screen 5 of the display device 4 and changes the scale. In the present embodiment, the display change unit 18 includes a scroll processing unit 19 and a scale change processing unit 20. Hereinafter, each of the scroll processing unit 19 and the scale change processing unit 20 will be described.

  The scroll processing unit 19 is a functional unit that performs processing for scrolling the map M on the basis of the position on the map M corresponding to the touch point when a touch operation on the touch panel 3 is detected. In the present embodiment, the scroll processing unit 19 scrolls the map M so that the position on the map M corresponding to the touch point detected by the touch panel 3 becomes the center of the display screen 5 after scrolling. Is generated. Then, the scroll processing unit 19 outputs the generated scroll command to the navigation calculation unit 12. Thus, the display program 14 of the navigation calculation unit 12 scrolls the map M being displayed on the display screen 5 of the display device 4. Here, the scroll command has, as its content, vector information representing the distance and direction from the position corresponding to the touch point to the center point of the display screen 5 on the map M being displayed on the display screen 5. It is preferable.

  The scale change processing unit 20 is a functional unit that performs processing for executing the scale change operation set in the region to which the touch point belongs by the region setting unit 15 when a touch operation on the touch panel 3 is detected. . In the present embodiment, the scale change processing unit 20 first detects the position (coordinates) of the touch point indicated by the output signal from the touch panel 3 when the touch operation on the touch panel 3 is detected. It is determined which one of the plurality of areas A1 to A3 of the touch panel 3 set by. Next, the scale change processing unit 20 reads the contents of the scale change operation set for the region to which the position of the touch point belongs from the storage unit of the operation setting unit 17. Then, when the scale change operation set in the area to which the position of the touch point belongs is an operation other than the no-change operation, the scale change processing unit 20 displays the scale of the map M being displayed on the display screen 5. A scale change command to be changed is generated. Thereafter, the scale change processing unit 20 outputs the generated scale change command to the navigation calculation unit 12. Accordingly, the display program 14 of the navigation calculation unit 12 changes the scale of the map M being displayed on the display screen 5 of the display device 4. Here, it is preferable that the scale change command has, as the contents thereof, the contents of the scale change operation for enlargement or reduction and the information for changing the scale (one stage in this example).

7). Map Display Changing Operation Next, a specific example shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 is used for the display changing operation of the map M by the touch operation on the touch panel 3 in the navigation device 1 including the map display device 2 according to the present embodiment. I will explain. Here, the case where the touch operation of the touch panel 3 is performed from the place where the map M displayed on the display screen 5 of the display device 4 is in the state illustrated in FIG. 2 will be described as an example.

  For example, when a touch operation is detected in the outer peripheral area A3 among a plurality of areas A1 to A3 that divide the detection area of the touch panel 3, as indicated by a broken line x mark touch point P1 in FIG. The changing unit 18 simultaneously scrolls and reduces the map M. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a display state of the map M after the display change on the display screen 5 when the touch operation on the touch point P1 on the map M shown in FIG. 2 is detected. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the touch point P <b> 1 is detected in the right portion of the outer peripheral area A <b> 3 of the detection area of the touch panel 3. When a touch operation on the touch panel 3 is detected, the scroll processing unit 19 of the display changing unit 18 maps the position on the map M corresponding to the touch point P1 to the center of the display screen 5 after scrolling. A scroll command for scrolling M is generated. Then, the display program 14 of the navigation calculation unit 12 scrolls the map M in accordance with this scroll command.

  At the same time, the scale change processing unit 20 of the display change unit 18 performs a scale change operation of the map M. Specifically, the scale change processing unit 20 first determines that the touch point P1 belongs to the outer peripheral region A3 among the plurality of regions A1 to A3 of the touch panel 3 based on the setting by the region dividing unit 16. . Next, the scale change processing unit 20 reads a reduction operation, which is a scale change operation set in the outer peripheral area A3, from the area setting unit 15 (operation setting unit 17). As a result, the scale change processing unit 20 generates a scale change command for reducing the scale of the map M, that is, reducing the scale of the map M to widen the area. Then, in accordance with this scale change command, the display program 14 of the navigation calculation unit 12 reduces the map M, and displays a map M in a wider range (wide area) than the state shown in FIG. In the example of FIG. 3, the scale is reduced by one step from the scale “200 m” of FIG. 2 and changed to the scale “500 m”. As described above, the map M is scrolled and reduced at the same time. As shown in FIG. 3, the map M is scrolled to the right and the scale is reduced (widened) with respect to the state shown in FIG. It is displayed on the screen 5. In the state shown in FIG. 3, since the scale of the map M is neither the minimum scale nor the maximum scale, the area setting is the same as the example shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, for example, when a touch operation in the center area A1 is detected among a plurality of areas A1 to A3 that divide the detection area of the touch panel 3 as shown by a broken line x touch point P2 in FIG. The display changing unit 18 simultaneously scrolls and enlarges the map M. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a display state of the map M after the display change on the display screen 5 when the touch operation on the touch point P2 on the map M illustrated in FIG. 2 is detected. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the touch point P <b> 2 is detected at the left portion of the center area A <b> 1 of the detection area of the touch panel 3. When a touch operation on the touch panel 3 is detected, the scroll processing unit 19 of the display changing unit 18 maps the position on the map M corresponding to the touch point P2 to the center of the display screen 5 after scrolling. A scroll command for scrolling M is generated. The display program 14 of the navigation calculation unit 12 scrolls the map M in accordance with this scroll command.

  At the same time, the scale change processing unit 20 of the display change unit 18 performs a scale change operation of the map M. Specifically, the scale change processing unit 20 first determines that the touch point P <b> 2 belongs to the central region A <b> 1 among the plurality of regions A <b> 1 to A <b> 3 of the touch panel 3 based on the setting by the region dividing unit 16. . Next, the scale change processing unit 20 reads out an enlargement operation that is a scale change operation set in the center area A1 from the area setting unit 15 (operation setting unit 17). Thereby, the scale change processing unit 20 generates an enlargement operation, that is, a scale change command for enlarging and refining the scale of the map M. Then, according to the scale change command, the display program 14 of the navigation calculation unit 12 enlarges the map M, and displays the detailed map M in a narrower range than the state shown in FIG. In the example of FIG. 4, the scale is enlarged by one step from the scale “200 m” in FIG. 2 and changed to the scale “100 m”. Thus, the map M is scrolled and enlarged simultaneously, and as shown in FIG. 4, the map M is scrolled to the left and expanded (detailed) to the scale shown in FIG. It is displayed on the screen 5. In the state shown in FIG. 4, since the scale of the map M is neither the minimum scale nor the maximum scale, the area setting is the same as that in the example shown in FIG.

  Although illustration is omitted, when a touch operation into the intermediate area A2 is detected among the plurality of areas A1 to A3 that divide the detection area of the touch panel 3, only the scrolling of the map M is performed by the display change unit 18. Is done. That is, when a touch operation on the touch panel 3 is detected, the scroll processing unit 19 of the display change unit 18 sets the position on the map M corresponding to the touch point as the center of the display screen 5 after scrolling. A scroll command for scrolling the map M is generated. Then, the display program 14 of the navigation calculation unit 12 scrolls the map M in accordance with this scroll command. At the same time, the scale change processing unit 20 of the display changing unit 18 first detects the touch point based on the setting by the region dividing unit 16 among the plurality of regions A1 to A3 of the touch panel 3. It is determined that it belongs to A2. Next, the scale change processing unit 20 reads from the region setting unit 15 (operation setting unit 17) the no-change operation that is the scale change operation set in the intermediate region A2. In this way, when the scale change operation set in the area of the touch panel 3 to which the touch point belongs is a no-change operation, the scale change processing unit 20 does not generate a scale change command. Therefore, when a touch operation in the intermediate area A2 is detected, only the scroll of the map M is performed.

  By performing the display change operation of the map M as described above, when the destination on the map M is searched by operating the touch panel 3, the map scrolls in any direction and the scale change operation of the map Can be performed by a single touch operation on the touch panel 3. At this time, when searching for a destination outside the display area of the map M being displayed on the display screen 5, for example, by touching the outer peripheral area A3 of the touch panel 3 in the direction of the destination, The scrolling of the map M in the direction and the reduction operation (widening) of the map M can be performed simultaneously. When there are a plurality of touch operations on the outer peripheral area A3, the scale of the map M can be scrolled while being sequentially reduced and changed to the wide area side. On the other hand, when searching for a destination in the vicinity of the reference position Pb in the display area of the map M displayed on the display screen 3, by touching the center area A1 of the touch panel 3 in the vicinity of the reference position Pb, The scrolling to the touch point and the enlargement operation (detailing) of the map M can be executed simultaneously. Then, when there are a plurality of touch operations on the central area A1, the scale of the map M can be scrolled while being sequentially enlarged and changed to the detailed side. Further, when the user touches the intermediate area A2 between the outer peripheral area A3 and the central area A1, only the scroll can be performed without changing the scale of the map M. Accordingly, an appropriate scale changing operation is set according to the positional relationship between the center area A1, the intermediate area A2, and the outer peripheral area A3 set on the touch panel. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the effort of scrolling the map and changing the scale when searching for the destination, to shorten the search time, and to improve the operability of the touch panel.

8). When the Map Scale is the Minimum Scale and the Maximum Scale Next, the region setting by the region setting unit 15 when the map M is the minimum scale and the maximum scale according to this embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, when the scale of the map M is the minimum scale and when the scale is the maximum scale, the division setting of the detection area of the touch panel 3 and the setting of the scale changing operation to each area are different from those of other intermediate scales. It is supposed to be. This will be specifically described below with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the map M displayed by the area setting unit 15 and the display screen 5 when the scale of the map M is the minimum scale. In this example, the minimum scale is “100 km”. As shown in this figure, in this embodiment, when the scale of the map M displayed on the display screen 5 is the minimum scale, the area setting unit 15 displays the entire detection area of the touch panel 3 as one area. The enlargement operation is set as the scale change operation. That is, the region dividing unit 16 sets the whole as one region without dividing the detection region of the touch panel 3 (no boundary is provided) only when the scale of the map M is the minimum scale. For this reason, the area dividing unit 16 stores such area settings in the storage unit together with a condition that the scale of the map M is the minimum scale. In addition, the operation setting unit 17 sets an enlargement operation as a scale change operation for the one region when the scale of the map M is the minimum scale. For this reason, the operation setting unit 17 stores the setting of such a scale changing operation in the storage unit together with the condition that the scale of the map M is the minimum scale. That is, the region setting unit 15 stores such region setting and scale change operation setting as a region setting for the minimum scale together with a condition that the scale of the map M is the minimum scale.

  When the touch operation on the touch panel 3 is detected in a state where the scale of the map M is the minimum scale, the display change unit 18 simultaneously performs scrolling and enlargement of the map M by the display change unit 18. . That is, the scroll processing unit 19 of the display changing unit 18 generates a scroll command for scrolling the map M so that the position on the map M corresponding to the touch point becomes the center of the display screen 5 after scrolling. The map M is scrolled by the display program 14 of the unit 12. At the same time, the scale change processing unit 20 of the display change unit 18 performs an enlargement operation of the map M. Specifically, the scale change processing unit 20 reads an enlargement operation, which is a scale change operation set for the entire detection area of the touch panel 3, from the area setting unit 15 (operation setting unit 17). Accordingly, the scale change processing unit 20 generates an enlargement operation, that is, a scale change command for enlarging and refining the scale of the map M, and enlarges the map M by the display program 14 of the navigation computing unit 12. A detailed map M in a narrower range than the state shown in FIG. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, there is no further reduction (widening) of the map M, and the area setting is appropriately performed even in the minimum scale state where the long distance scrolling is not often performed. Will be done. Therefore, it is possible to improve the operability of the touch panel when searching for a destination and to improve the convenience for the user.

  On the other hand, FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the map M displayed on the display screen 5 and the region setting by the region setting unit 15 when the scale of the map M is the maximum scale. In this example, the maximum scale is “25 m”. As shown in this figure, in this embodiment, when the scale of the map M displayed on the display screen 5 is the maximum scale, the area setting unit 15 sets the detection area of the touch panel 3 as the reference position Pb. Including the central area A1 located on the center side of the detection area and the outer peripheral area A3 set on the outer peripheral side of the central area A1, the central area A1 is operated without change, and the outer area A3 is reduced. The operation is set. That is, only when the scale of the map M is the maximum scale, the area dividing unit 16 reduces the number of divisions of the detection area of the touch panel 3 and divides the whole into two areas, the central area A1 and the outer peripheral area A3. Set to. For this reason, the area dividing unit 16 stores such area settings in the storage unit together with a condition that the scale of the map M is the maximum scale. Further, the operation setting unit 17 sets the no change operation in the center region A1 and the reduction operation in the outer peripheral region A3 as the scale change operation for the two regions when the scale of the map M is the maximum scale. For this reason, the operation setting unit 17 stores the setting of such a scale changing operation in the storage unit together with a condition that the scale of the map M is the maximum scale. That is, the area setting unit 15 stores such area division settings and scale change operation settings as area settings for the maximum scale together with the condition that the scale of the map M is the maximum scale. As described above, the reference position Pb is set at the center of the detection area of the touch panel 3.

  Then, when the touch operation on the touch panel 3 is detected in a state where the scale of the map M is the maximum scale, the display changing unit 18 performs scrolling and scale changing operation of the map M by the display changing unit 18. Are performed simultaneously. That is, the scroll processing unit 19 of the display changing unit 18 generates a scroll command for scrolling the map M so that the position on the map M corresponding to the touch point becomes the center of the display screen 5 after scrolling. The map M is scrolled by the display program 14 of the unit 12. At the same time, the scale change processing unit 20 of the display change unit 18 executes the scale change operation set in the area to which the touch point belongs. Specifically, the scale change processing unit 20 first determines which of the two regions A1 and A3 of the touch panel 3 the touch point belongs to based on the setting by the region dividing unit 16. Next, the scale change processing unit 20 reads the contents of the scale change operation set for the region to which the touch point belongs from the storage unit of the operation setting unit 17. Here, when a touch point is detected in the outer peripheral area A3, the scale change processing section 20 reads and displays a reduction operation that is a scale changing operation set in the outer peripheral area A3. A scale change command for reducing the scale of the map M being displayed on the screen 5 is generated. As a result, the display program 14 of the navigation calculation unit 12 reduces the map M, and displays the map M in a wider range (wide area) than the state shown in FIG. On the other hand, when a touch point is detected in the center area A1, the scale change processing unit 20 reads the no-change operation that is the scale change operation set in the center area A1. In this case, since the scale change processing unit 20 does not generate a scale change command, only the scroll of the map M is performed. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, the region is appropriately set even in the maximum scale state where there is no possibility of further enlargement (detailing) of the map M. Therefore, it is possible to improve the operability of the touch panel when searching for a destination and to improve the convenience for the user.

9. Procedure of Map Display Change Processing Next, a procedure of map M display change processing executed in the map display device 2 included in the navigation device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the entire procedure of the display change process of the map M according to the present embodiment. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the minimum scale processing in FIG. 7, and FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the maximum scale processing in FIG. The procedure of the display change process of the map M described below is executed by hardware or software (program) or both constituting each functional unit of the arithmetic processing unit 11. When each functional unit of the arithmetic processing unit 11 is configured by a program, the arithmetic processing unit 11 operates as a computer that executes the map display program that configures each functional unit described above.

  In the description of the display change processing of the map M, the operation of the touch panel 3 is started from the state where the map M is displayed on the display screen 5 of the display device 4 as shown in FIG. In this case, as shown in FIG. 7, when a touch operation is performed on the touch panel 3 (step # 01: Yes), first, whether or not the scale of the map M displayed on the display screen 5 is the minimum scale. Is determined (step # 02). When the scale of the map M being displayed is the minimum scale (step # 02: Yes), the process for minimum scale is performed (step # 03). The minimum scale processing procedure will be described later with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. If the scale of the map M being displayed is not the minimum scale (step # 02: No), it is next determined whether or not the scale of the map M displayed on the display screen 5 is the maximum scale (step #). 04). When the scale of the map M being displayed is the maximum scale (step # 04: Yes), the maximum scale processing is performed (step # 05). The maximum scale processing procedure will be described later with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  When the scale of the map M displayed on the display screen 5 is neither the minimum scale nor the maximum scale (step # 02: No, # 04: No), the area setting unit 15 sets the area for normal use. Is read (step # 06). In the present embodiment, as described above, the normal area setting is performed by dividing the detection area of the touch panel 3 into three areas of the central area A1, the intermediate area A2, and the outer peripheral area A3, and as a scale changing operation of each area. The enlargement operation is set in the central area A1, the non-change operation is set in the intermediate area A2, and the reduction operation is set in the outer peripheral area A3. Next, based on the normal area setting read out in this way, the display change unit 18 determines that the touch point that is the point on the touch panel 3 where the touch operation detected in step # 01 is detected is 3 Processing to determine which of the two areas A1 to A3 belongs is performed (steps # 07 and # 08).

  When a touch point is detected in the outer peripheral area A3 (step # 07: Yes), the display changing unit 18 scrolls the map M with reference to the position on the map M corresponding to the touch point (step #). 09). In the present embodiment, the scroll processing unit 19 of the display changing unit 18 generates a scroll command for scrolling the map M so that the position on the map M corresponding to the touch point becomes the center of the display screen 5 after scrolling. The map M is scrolled by the display program 14 of the navigation calculation unit 12 in accordance with the scroll command. At the same time, the display changing unit 18 performs a reduction operation (widening) of the map M being displayed on the display screen 5 (step # 10). In the present embodiment, the scale change processing unit 20 of the display changing unit 18 generates a scale change command for reducing the scale of the map M, and the map M is executed by the display program 14 of the navigation computing unit 12 according to the scale change command. Is reduced and displayed on the display screen 5.

  On the other hand, when the touch point is not detected in the outer peripheral area A3 (step # 07: No) and is detected in the central area A1 (step # 08: Yes), the display changing unit 18 displays the map corresponding to the touch point. The map M is scrolled with reference to the position on M (step # 11). This process is the same as step # 09 described above. At the same time, the display changing unit 18 performs an enlargement operation (detailing) of the map M being displayed on the display screen 5 (step # 12). In the present embodiment, the scale change processing unit 20 of the display changing unit 18 generates a scale change command for enlarging the scale of the map M, and the map M is executed by the display program 14 of the navigation computing unit 12 according to the scale change command. Is enlarged and displayed on the display screen 5. When the touch point is not detected in the outer peripheral area A3 (step # 07: No) and is not detected in the central area A1 (step # 08: No), the display change unit 18 determines that the touch point is in the intermediate area. The map M is determined to be detected at A2, and the map M is scrolled with reference to the position on the map M corresponding to the touch point (step # 13). This process is the same as step # 09 described above. In this case, the map scale changing operation is not performed. Above, the display change process of the map M is complete | finished.

  Next, the procedure of minimum scale processing will be described. As described above, when the scale of the displayed map M is the minimum scale (step # 02: Yes), the area setting for the minimum scale is read from the area setting unit 15 as shown in FIG. # 21). In the present embodiment, as described above, the area setting for the minimum scale is that the entire detection area of the touch panel 3 is set as one area, and the enlargement operation is set as the scale changing operation. Based on the minimum scale area setting read out in this way, the display changing unit 18 scrolls the map M with reference to the position on the map M corresponding to the touch point (step # 22). This process is the same as step # 09 described above. At the same time, the display changing unit 18 performs an enlargement operation (detailing) of the map M being displayed on the display screen 5 (step # 23). This process is the same as step # 12 above. This completes the minimum scale processing.

  Next, the maximum scale processing procedure will be described. As described above, when the scale of the map M being displayed is the maximum scale (step # 04: Yes), the area setting for the maximum scale is read out from the area setting unit 15 as shown in FIG. # 31). In the present embodiment, as described above, the maximum scale area setting is performed by dividing the detection area of the touch panel 3 into two areas of the central area A1 and the outer peripheral area A3. It is assumed that the reduction operation is set in A3. Then, based on the maximum scale area setting read out in this way, the display changing unit 18 touches a touch point that is a point on the touch panel 3 where the touch operation detected in step # 01 of FIG. 7 is detected. Performs a process of determining which of the two areas A1 and A3 belongs (step # 32).

  When the touch point is detected in the outer peripheral area A3 (step # 32: Yes), the display changing unit 18 scrolls the map M with reference to the position on the map M corresponding to the touch point (step #). 33). This process is the same as step # 09 described above. At the same time, the display changing unit 18 performs a reduction operation (widening) of the map M being displayed on the display screen 5 (step # 34). This process is the same as step # 10 described above. On the other hand, when the touch point is not detected in the outer peripheral area A3 (step # 32: No), the display changing unit 18 determines that the touch point is detected in the central area A1, and corresponds to the touch point. The map M is scrolled with reference to the position on the map M (step # 35). This process is the same as step # 09 described above. In this case, the map scale changing operation is not performed. This completes the maximum scale processing.

10. Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the map M displayed on the area setting and display screen 5 by the area setting unit 15 of the navigation apparatus 1 including the map display apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, in the navigation device 1 according to this embodiment, the area setting by the area setting unit 15 is different from that in the first embodiment, and the detection area of the touch panel 3 is along the direction away from the reference position Pb. Divided into two areas. Hereinafter, differences from the first embodiment will be described. Note that the configuration of the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, unless otherwise described.

  As shown in FIG. 10, in the navigation device 1 according to the present embodiment, the region dividing unit 16 of the region setting unit 15 includes the reference position Pb along the direction in which the detection region of the touch panel 3 is away from the reference position Pb. Thus, it is set to be divided into two areas, a central area A1 located on the center side of the detection area and an outer peripheral area A3 set on the outer peripheral side of the central area A1. In this example, the boundary between these two regions A1 and A3 is a rectangular frame line that is obtained by reducing the outer shape of the detection region at a predetermined rate, as indicated by a broken line in FIG. Here, since the reference position Pb is set at the center of the detection area of the touch panel 3, the areas A1 and A3 are arranged so as to have an equal width (width) in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. ing.

  Further, the operation setting unit 17 of the region setting unit 15 performs an enlargement operation on the center region A1, as shown by a broken line at the lower right corner of each region A1 to A3 in FIG. A reduction operation is set for each of the outer peripheral areas A3. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when a touch operation within the outer peripheral area A3 of the touch panel 3 is detected, the display changing unit 18 simultaneously performs the scrolling and reduction operation (widening) of the map M. On the other hand, when a touch operation in the center area A1 of the touch panel 3 is detected, the display changing unit 18 simultaneously scrolls the map M and enlarges (details) it.

  Although illustration is omitted, as described above, when the detection area of the touch panel 3 is set to be divided into two areas of the central area A1 and the outer peripheral area A3, the scale changing operation of each of the areas A1 and A3 is performed. As another preferred embodiment of the present invention, setting a change-free operation in the center region A1 and a reduction operation in the outer peripheral region A3. In addition, as a scale changing operation for each of the regions A1 and A3, it is also one of preferred embodiments of the present invention to set an enlargement operation in the central region A1 and a no-change operation in the outer peripheral region A3.

11. Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a map M displayed on the display screen 5 of the navigation device 1 including the map display device 2 according to the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, the navigation device 1 according to the present embodiment displays frame lines F1 and F2 representing boundaries of a plurality of regions A1 to A3 of the touch panel 3 indicated by the region setting by the region setting unit 15 as display devices. It differs from said 1st embodiment made into the structure which does not display the boundary of such several area | region A1-A3 by the point which set it as the structure which can be displayed on the display screen 5 of 4. FIG. Hereinafter, differences from the first embodiment will be described. Note that the configuration of the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, unless otherwise described.

  As shown in FIG. 11, in the navigation device 1 according to the present embodiment, the display change unit 18 represents the boundaries of the plurality of areas A1 to A3 on the display screen 5 when a touch operation on the touch panel 3 is detected. Processing to display the frame lines F1 and F2 is performed. In the example shown in FIG. 11, as in the first embodiment, the area dividing unit 16 of the area setting unit 15 moves the detection area of the touch panel 3 along the direction away from the reference position Pb, the center area A1, and the intermediate area. It is set to be divided into three areas, area A2 and outer peripheral area A3. When the touch operation on the touch panel 3 is detected during the display of the map M on the display screen 5, the display change unit 18 displays a first frame line F1 that represents the boundary between the center area A1 and the intermediate area A2, And the process which displays the 2nd frame line F2 showing the boundary of intermediate | middle area | region A2 and outer periphery area | region A3 on the display screen 5 is performed. Specifically, the display changing unit 18 generates a frame line display command for displaying the first frame line F1 and the second frame line F2 when a touch operation on the touch panel 3 is detected, and is used for navigation. The result is output to the calculation unit 12. Accordingly, the display program 14 of the navigation calculation unit 12 displays the first frame line F1 and the second frame line F2 on the display screen 5 of the display device 4. In addition, when the frame lines F1 and F2 are being displayed and the state in which there is no touch operation on the touch panel 3 continues for a predetermined time or longer, the display change unit 18 displays the frame lines F1 and F2. Perform the erase process.

  In the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the operation setting unit 17 of the region setting unit 15 performs the enlargement operation in the central region A1, the non-change operation in the intermediate region A2, and the outer periphery as the scale change operation. A reduction operation is set for each area A3. In the example shown in FIG. 11, the contents of the scale changing operation in each of the areas A1 to A3 are not displayed on the display screen 5. However, the contents of the scale changing operation in each of the areas A1 to A3 are displayed on the display screen. 5 is a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The display position of the scale changing operation in this case may be a place indicated by a broken line in FIG. 11 or may be another place.

  In the present embodiment, the display change unit 18 is configured to change the display method of the frame lines F1 and F2 depending on whether the scale change operation involves a change in the map type or a change in the map type. Is also one preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example when the display method of the frame lines F1 and F2 is changed and displayed. Examples of the map type changed by changing the scale of the map M include a general map type and a city map type. Here, the general map is a map that is normally used in the navigation device 1 and is a map that is prepared for the entire region (for example, the whole of Japan) to be displayed as the map M. On the other hand, a city map is a map that is provided only for a part of an area such as an urban area or a downtown area and has a detailed shape of buildings and roads. And while a general map is displayed in the wide range to scale 100km-50m, for example, a city map is displayed in the narrow range of the detailed side to scale 50m-10m, for example.

  FIG. 12 shows the display of the frame lines F1 and F2 when the map M is further enlarged (detailed) when the map M of “50 m” which is the smallest scale of the general map is displayed, and the map is switched to the city map. Show. That is, in this example, the frame line F1 surrounding the center area A1 where the enlargement operation is set is represented by a double line. This indicates that the scale changing operation set in the center area A1 surrounded by the double-line frame F1 involves a change in map type, that is, a change from a general map to a city map. On the other hand, the frame line F2 indicating the boundary between the intermediate area A2 and the outer peripheral area A3 is expressed by a single line as in the normal case described above. This indicates that the scale changing operation set in the outer peripheral area A3 does not involve a change in map type. In addition, although illustration is abbreviate | omitted, it is a case where the map currently displayed on the display screen 5 is the largest scale of a city map, Comprising: In the state which switches to a general map when map M is further reduced (wide area), it is a frame F1 is expressed by a normal single line, and a frame line F2 surrounding the outer peripheral area A3 for which the reduction operation is set is expressed by a double line.

12 Other Embodiments (1) In the above embodiment, the case where the reference position Pb when the detection area of the touch panel 3 is divided into a plurality of areas is set at the center of the detection area of the touch panel 3 has been described as an example. However, the reference position Pb when dividing the detection area of the touch panel 3 into a plurality of areas is not limited to the center of the detection area. Therefore, for example, the reference position Pb is set at any position in the center of the detection area of the touch panel 3 such as setting the reference position Pb at a position away from the center of the detection area in any direction such as upward or downward. It is also preferable to set. FIG. 13 shows a case where the reference position Pb is set at a position spaced downward from the center of the detection area of the touch panel 3, and the detection area is positioned on the center side of the detection area including the reference position Pb. An example is shown in which the area is divided into three areas: a central area A1 to be performed, an intermediate area A2 set on the outer peripheral side of the central area A1, and an outer peripheral area A3 set on the outer peripheral side of the intermediate area A2. ing. Further, for example, setting the own position (the position of the own position mark S) acquired by the own position information acquiring unit 21 of the navigation device 1 as the reference position Pb is one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention.

(2) In the above embodiment, the detection area of the touch panel 3 is divided into two or three areas, and one of the enlargement operation, the reduction operation, and the no-change operation is set in each region. As explained. However, the contents of the scale changing operation set in each region are not limited to these, and one or both of the enlargement operation and the reduction operation may be set in a plurality of stages. It is. Such a configuration in which one or both of the enlargement operation and the reduction operation are in a plurality of stages is particularly suitable when the detection area of the touch panel 3 is divided into four or more. At this time, for example, when the enlargement operation has two steps, the first enlargement operation can be an operation that enlarges the scale by one step, and the second enlargement operation can be an operation that enlarges the scale by two steps. In such a relationship between the first enlargement operation and the second enlargement operation, it is preferable to set the second enlargement operation in a region on the outer peripheral side with respect to the region of the touch panel 3 in which the first enlargement operation is set. Similarly, when the reduction operation is performed in two stages, the first reduction operation can be an operation that reduces the scale by one step, and the second reduction operation can be an operation that reduces the scale by two steps. In such a relationship between the first reduction operation and the second reduction operation, it is preferable to set the first reduction operation in a region on the outer peripheral side with respect to the region of the touch panel 3 in which the second reduction operation is set.

(3) In the above embodiment, the case where the boundaries of the plurality of areas obtained by dividing the detection area of the touch panel 3 are rectangular frame lines obtained by reducing the outline of the detection area at a predetermined ratio will be described as an example. did. However, the shape of the boundary between a plurality of areas obtained by dividing the detection area of the touch panel 3 is not limited to such a rectangular shape. Therefore, for example, the boundaries of the plurality of regions may be squares or rectangles that are not related to the outer shape of the detection region of the touch panel 3, or various shapes such as circles, rhombuses, hexagons, and octagons. In this case as well, it is preferable that the boundaries of the plurality of regions are set in a circumferential shape surrounding the predetermined reference position Pb.

(4) In the above embodiment, as the area setting for the minimum scale when the scale of the map M is the minimum scale, the entire detection area of the touch panel 3 is set as one area, and the enlargement operation is set as the scale change operation. An example of doing this was described. However, the area setting for the minimum scale is not limited to such a setting. Therefore, for example, the area setting unit 15 sets the detection area of the touch panel 3 as the minimum scale area setting, the center area A1 including the reference position Pb on the center side of the detection area, and the outer periphery of the center area A1. One of the preferred embodiments of the present invention is to divide into two regions, the outer peripheral region A3 set on the side, and set the enlargement operation in the central region A1 and the non-change operation in the outer peripheral region A3.

(5) In the above embodiment, as the area setting for the maximum scale when the scale of the map M is the maximum scale, the detection area of the touch panel 3 is positioned on the center side of the detection area including the reference position Pb. The example in which the center area A1 and the outer peripheral area A3 set on the outer peripheral side of the central area A1 are divided into two areas, and no change operation is set in the central area A1, and the reduction operation is set in the outer peripheral area A3 has been described. . However, the area setting for the maximum scale is not limited to such a setting. Therefore, for example, the area setting unit 15 may set the entire detection area of the touch panel 3 as one area as the area setting for the maximum scale, and set the reduction operation as the scale change operation. one of.

(6) In the above embodiment, the area setting unit 15 has been described with respect to an example in which the scale of the map M is not the maximum scale or the minimum scale. However, the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration in which the region setting is changed more finely according to the scale of the map M displayed on the display screen 5 is also suitable for the present invention. This is one of the embodiments. In this case, for example, it is possible to change the position and size of a plurality of regions of the touch panel 3 each time the scale is changed by one. Moreover, it is also possible to make a configuration in which a plurality of scales are grouped and the positions and sizes of the plurality of regions of the touch panel 3 are changed each time the group is changed. At this time, it is preferable to narrow a region (for example, the outer peripheral region A3) in which the reduction operation is set as the scale change operation as the scale becomes smaller (wide area). This is due to the fact that as the scale becomes smaller (wide), the user is less likely to scale down and is more likely to zoom in. Similarly, it is preferable to narrow a region (for example, the central region A1) where the enlargement operation is set as the scale change operation as the scale becomes larger (detailed). This is because as the scale becomes larger (detailed), the user is less likely to enlarge and the possibility of reduction is increased.

(7) Although not described in the above embodiment, an input for changing the position and size of the plurality of areas of the touch panel 3 is accepted, and the position and size of the plurality of areas are changed based on the input. It is one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention to further include a region adjusting unit that performs the above. In this way, it is possible to adjust the position and size of each of the plurality of areas in which the scale changing operation is set according to the user's preference. Accordingly, it is possible to further improve the operability of the touch panel when searching for a destination and to improve the convenience for the user.

(8) In the above embodiment, the case where the map display device 2 according to the present invention is applied to the in-vehicle navigation device 1 has been described as an example. However, the map display device 2 can be applied to other uses. Therefore, for example, it is naturally applicable to a portable navigation device. In addition to this, the present invention can also be applied to a map display device used for a map database for guidance capable of performing destination search and the like, a map database for facility management, and the like.

  The present invention can be suitably used for map display devices such as a map database for various uses such as destination search and facility management, in addition to various in-vehicle and portable navigation devices.

The block diagram which shows schematic structure of the navigation apparatus which concerns on 1st embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the map displayed on the display screen of the navigation apparatus which concerns on 1st embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the map after the display change which performs scroll and reduction operation | movement with respect to the map shown in FIG. The figure which shows an example of the map after the display change which performs scroll and expansion operation | movement with respect to the map shown in FIG. The figure which shows an example of the map displayed on the area setting and display screen when the scale of a map is the minimum scale The figure which shows an example of the map displayed on the area setting and display screen when the scale of a map is the maximum scale The flowchart which shows the whole procedure of the display change process of the map which concerns on 1st embodiment of this invention. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the minimum scale processing of FIG. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the process for maximum scales of FIG. The figure which shows an example of the map displayed on the area | region setting and display screen of the navigation apparatus which concerns on 2nd embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the map displayed on the display screen of the navigation apparatus which concerns on 3rd embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the map displayed on the display screen of the navigation apparatus which concerns on 3rd embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the map displayed on the display screen of the navigation apparatus which concerns on other embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1: Navigation device 2: Map display device 3: Touch panel 4: Display device 5: Display screen 15: Area setting unit (area setting means)
18: Display change section (display change means)
21: Own position information acquisition means M: Map S: Own position mark Pb: Reference position A1: Center area A2: Intermediate area A3: Outer peripheral area P1, P2: Touch points F1, F2: Frame line

Claims (18)

A map display device capable of displaying a map on a display screen at a plurality of scales,
A touch panel provided on the display screen;
An area setting unit that divides the detection area of the touch panel into a plurality of areas along a direction away from a predetermined reference position, and sets different scale changing operations between the areas;
When a touch operation on the touch panel is detected, the map is scrolled with reference to a position on the map corresponding to the touch point that is a point on the touch panel where the touch operation is detected, and the touch point belongs to Display changing means for performing a scale changing operation set in the area;
A map display device comprising:   The map display device according to claim 1, wherein the scale change operation is selected from one or more stages of enlargement operation, one or two stages or more of reduction operation, and no change operation.   3. The map display device according to claim 1, wherein boundaries of the plurality of regions are set in a circumferential shape surrounding a periphery of the reference position.   The map display device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the reference position is set at a center portion of a detection area of the touch panel.   The plurality of regions include a central region located on the center side of the detection region including the reference position, an intermediate region set on the outer peripheral side of the central region, and an outer periphery set on the outer peripheral side of the intermediate region The map display device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the map display device includes three regions.   The map display device according to claim 5, wherein the area setting unit sets an enlargement operation in the central area, a no-change operation in the intermediate area, and a reduction action in the outer peripheral area as the scale change operation.   The plurality of regions are two regions, a central region located on the center side of the detection region including the reference position, and an outer peripheral region set on the outer peripheral side of the central region. The map display apparatus as described in any one.   The region setting means includes a first setting for setting an enlargement operation in the central region, a reduction operation in the outer peripheral region, a no change operation in the central region, a second setting for setting a reduction operation in the outer peripheral region, and the center. The map display device according to claim 7, wherein any one of a third setting for setting an enlargement operation in a region and a no-change operation in the outer peripheral region is set as the scale change operation.   The area setting means sets the entire operation area of the touch panel as one area and sets an enlargement operation as the scale changing operation when the scale of the map displayed on the display screen is a minimum scale. The map display apparatus as described in any one of 1-8.   The area setting means sets the entire detection area of the touch panel as one area and sets a reduction operation as the scale change operation when the scale of the map displayed on the display screen is a maximum scale. The map display apparatus as described in any one of 1-9.   The area setting means, when the scale of the map displayed on the display screen is the minimum scale, the detection area of the touch panel, the central area located on the center side of the detection area including the reference position, It divides | segments into two area | regions with the outer periphery area | region set to the outer peripheral side of this center area | region, and enlargement operation | movement is set to the said center area | region, and no change operation | movement is set to the said outer periphery area | region. Map display device.   The area setting means, when the scale of the map displayed on the display screen is the maximum scale, the detection area of the touch panel, the center area located on the center side of the detection area including the reference position, 12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the central region is divided into two regions, the outer peripheral region set on the outer peripheral side, and a no-change operation is set in the central region, and a reduction operation is set in the outer peripheral region. The map display device described.   The map according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein when the touch operation on the touch panel is detected, the display change unit displays a frame line representing a boundary between the plurality of regions on the display screen. Display device.   The map display device according to claim 13, wherein the display change unit changes the display method of the frame line according to a case where the scale change operation involves a change in map type and a case where the change does not involve a change in map type.   The map display device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the region setting unit changes positions and sizes of the plurality of regions according to a scale of a map displayed on the display screen.   16. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an area adjustment unit that receives an input for changing the position and size of the plurality of areas and changes the position and size of the plurality of areas based on the input. The map display device according to item. A map display device according to any one of claims 1 to 16, and own position information acquisition means for acquiring own position information indicating the own position,
A navigation device that superimposes and displays an own position mark representing the own position indicated by the own position information on a map displayed on the display screen. A map display program for causing a computer to execute a process of displaying a map at a plurality of scales on a display screen provided with a touch panel,
The detection area of the touch panel is divided into a plurality of areas along a direction away from a predetermined reference position, and based on an area setting in which different scale changing operations are set between areas,
When a touch operation on the touch panel is detected, the map is scrolled with reference to a position on the map corresponding to the touch point that is a point on the touch panel where the touch operation is detected, and the touch point belongs to A map display program for causing a computer to execute display change processing for performing a scale changing operation set in the area.

Images