JP2010175316A - Gps instrument and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a display screen with attraction when the positioning information of a GPS satellite is notified. <P>SOLUTION: The present position of one's own vehicle and the azimuth angle and elevation angle of each GPS satellite are obtained by a GPS receiver. A circle S is described on a plane with one's own vehicle as the center, and the center O of the circle is set to be the position of one's own vehicle. A control unit supposes a hemisphere with the circle as the diameter and places a satellite-shaped 3D object Gob at a position on the hemisphere with the corresponding azimuth angle and elevation angle. A GPS satellite located at a position close to the center of the circle is therefore described at a higher position above the plane, while a GPS satellite located at a position distant from the center of the circle is described at a lower position above the plane. A guide line GS is drawn from the 3D object of a GPS satellite in the right downward direction (in the direction perpendicular to the plane), and an object indicating an intersection point (an intersection point object) Kob (×, in the example) is described at a position at which the guide line meets the plane. A virtual camera is set at a position and a range from which all the GPS satellites are viewed, and they are photographed to describe each object. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a target object detection device that detects a peripheral target object based on a current position, and a GPS device and program having a position detection function using GPS such as a navigation system.

  Stores and holds position information of a target to be detected by a vehicle speed measuring device or the like, and issues an alarm when the current position of the vehicle detected by GPS and the position of the target are in a predetermined positional relationship. There is a target detection device as described above (for example, Patent Document 1).

  In the case of the target detection apparatus described in Patent Document 1 above, for example, when the detection target and the current position of the vehicle reach a set distance (for example, 1 km, 500 m, etc.), “500 m ahead, XX. (XX indicates that an alarm by voice such as information (loop coil or the like) for specifying a target is output, or the information on the display is output and displayed as text.

  These target detection devices, for example, inform the driver of the approach to the vehicle speed measurement device, thereby contributing to preventing the driver from unintentionally overspeeding. In particular, since the vehicle speed measuring device is generally installed in a place where the speed is likely to be exceeded, it is possible to alert the driver to the overspeed in a dangerous place. .

  By the way, in the case of this type of target object detection device, some target object does not always exist around the own vehicle. In the case of a target detection apparatus with a display unit, a predetermined standby screen is drawn on the display unit during a period in which the target is not detected. Examples of the standby screen include a speedometer and a calendar. Then, when a predetermined event occurs such as receiving a predetermined microwave or detecting a surrounding target based on the current position of the vehicle, the screen is switched to an alarm screen or the like.

  As an example of the standby screen, as shown in FIG. 1, there is one that draws the reception state (positioning information) of the satellite signal. A mark M indicating a GPS satellite is drawn at a predetermined position in the circular display area r1 in the display screen, and the text display area r2 outside the circular display area r1 (right side of the display screen in the example in the figure) Information about the received GPS satellite (satellite number, reception level) is output. Some devices using GPS, such as a navigation device, have a function of notifying positioning information on such a screen in order to confirm the reception status of satellite radio waves.

Utility model registration No. 3070388

  However, in the conventional positioning information notification, although it is possible to recognize that there are many GPS satellites / few GPS satellites from the number of GPS satellite marks M drawn on the secondary plane, a circular display is provided. Since only the planar marks M are scattered in the region R1, there is a problem that it is not interesting. Also, there is a problem that it is difficult to understand what this screen means from the display content of the screen.

  Furthermore, although information on the GPS satellites received in the text display area r2 is displayed, the satellite numbers and reception levels of the GPS satellites are simply displayed in a tabular format, so that there is still a problem that it is not interesting.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides (1) GPS satellite detection means for receiving a GPS signal and detecting the position of the GPS satellite based on the GPS signal, and the position of the GPS satellite on the display unit. Display control means for performing display control, and the display control means displays a symbol indicating the GPS satellite detected by the GPS satellite detection means on a three-dimensional space including the position of the own device. A function of drawing a state of being arranged at a position corresponding to the position of the GPS satellite detected by the detecting means is provided. As the GPS device, there are a target detection device that detects a surrounding target based on the current position, and various devices having a position detection function using GPS such as a navigation system. When the current position of the GPS device is detected based on the GPS signal, the position detection means can be configured such that part or all of the position detection means is also used as the GPS satellite detection means. The symbol indicating the GPS satellite may be an object made of 3D imitating the GPS satellite as in the embodiment, an object made of a sphere or other simple three-dimensional shape, or a mark on a secondary plane.

  According to the present invention, a GPS satellite is drawn so as to be three-dimensionally arranged in a three-dimensional space. In particular, the function of drawing the positioning information in this way is usually an additional function different from the function of the original GPS device, and the product value is improved by increasing the added value. Further, since the drawing is performed when the output to the display unit based on the original function of the GPS device is not performed, the information provision based on the display unit can be effectively used. In addition, when entering a place where there is a shield that shields satellite radio waves (GPS signals) while moving (for example, valleys of buildings, under elevated places, etc.), from which direction GPS radio waves can be received, Intuitive grasp. Further, when looking up at the satellite direction and the direction of the shield from the current position, it is easy to take the correspondence between the contents of the screen and the actual position of the satellite. Therefore, confirmation of whether the GPS device is operating normally can be made easier than before.

  (2) The symbols indicating the GPS satellites can be arranged on a virtual plane covering the space above the own aircraft. As the virtual surface, for example, various types such as a hemisphere, a cube, a rectangular parallelepiped, a triangular pyramid, a quadrangular pyramid, and a cone can be applied.

  (3) The virtual plane is assumed to be a hemisphere centered on the position of the host vehicle, and the GPS satellite is located at a location corresponding to the position of the GPS satellite detected by the GPS satellite detection means on the hemisphere. A symbol indicating that can be drawn. The virtual surface can be easily drawn assuming a hemispherical surface, but an elliptical sphere or other arbitrary surface can be used as a surface on which symbols are arranged.

  (4) On the premise of the invention of (2) above, the GPS satellite detection means outputs the position of each GPS satellite as the azimuth and elevation angle of each GPS satellite relative to its own aircraft, and the display control means The azimuth angle and elevation angle of each GPS satellite output by the GPS satellite detection means are acquired, the corresponding positions of the azimuth angle and elevation angle on the virtual plane are obtained, and the position can be set as the corresponding location. As a result, a satellite that is close to its own position projected downward from the virtual plane is drawn at a position having a high distance from the projected plane, and a satellite that is far from the own plane is It is drawn at a position where the distance to is low. As a result, the user is informed of being positioned in the three-dimensional space without feeling uncomfortable.

  (5) The virtual surface may be drawn using a translucent color. In this way, it is possible to realize that a GPS satellite exists in the sky.

  (6) The symbol may be an object represented by a three-dimensional shape imitating the shape of a satellite. In this way, the reality is increased, the fun is increased, and the state can be grasped intuitively. Also, if you look at the display, you can see that you are surrounded by the satellite, so it is intuitively easy to understand what this screen means.

  (7) A virtual camera is installed in the sky, and the virtual satellite is detected so that all GPS satellite symbols detected by the GPS satellite detection means enter the display unit in a state where the viewpoint is projected obliquely downward. It is better to draw while moving the camera. In this way, all the currently detected GPS satellites can be viewed at once, and some of them can be easily recognized. Furthermore, since the symbol to be drawn moves by moving the virtual camera, the presence of the GPS satellite can be recognized more reliably.

  (8) It is preferable to provide a function of displaying azimuth information for specifying the azimuth on a plane including the position of the own device in the three-dimensional space. In the embodiment, the direction information indicates “N” in the north direction.

  (9) The display control means may draw a guide line extending in a direction perpendicular to a plane including the position of the own device in the three-dimensional space from the symbol of the GPS satellite. In this way, the presence of the GPS satellite symbol can be recognized from the presence of the guide line, and the direction in which it exists (azimuth and depression angle) can be recognized. Furthermore, when the tip of the guide line (opposite to the symbol) approaches the plane, it is possible to know on which position on the plane (corresponding to the virtual ground).

  (10) On the premise of the invention of (9), the display control means draws the guide line so as to reach the plane, and a symbol indicating an intersection at the intersection of the guide line and the plane ( It is preferable to draw “corresponding to“ intersection object Kob ”in the embodiment). In this way, the leading end (lower end) of the guide line reaches a plane (corresponding to the ground on which the vehicle moves), and the GPS satellite is drawn on the plane by drawing a symbol indicating the intersection at the point where the plane intersects ( It is possible to more easily recognize the position on the virtual ground).

  (11) A function of changing at least one of the background color of the display screen and the color of the symbol according to the reception level of the GPS signal may be provided. In this way, the current reception level can be easily recognized by the color change. In the case of a function for changing the color of an object, it may be changed according to the reception level of a GPS signal from a corresponding GPS satellite for each object, or the reception level of a GPS signal from a representative GPS satellite may be changed. In addition, the colors of all objects may be changed. In particular, it is preferable to make individual changes as in the former because each GPS satellite can know the level of reception.

  (12) A plurality of windows are arranged in a display screen for drawing the symbols of the GPS satellites, and information on GPS satellites satisfying the display condition (satellite number and reception level in the embodiment) is displayed in each window. It may be configured to display. (13) In this case, the window may be drawn using a translucent color. In this way, even if the window is displayed on the display screen for drawing the GPS satellite symbol, it does not interfere with the visual recognition of the symbol. Therefore, each display area can be enlarged, and it becomes easy to see.

  (14) The display conditions are the top N items selected in descending order of the reception level of the received GPS signal, where N is the number of windows, and information about one GPS satellite is displayed in one window. It is good to do. By displaying information about one GPS satellite in one window, individual information can be easily recognized.

  (15) The window may be slid in from the end of the display screen. In this way, the window moves so that attention can be paid. Moreover, since it is divided into a plurality of windows, the movement can be individually separated. This window can be moved at the time of switching from another screen, for example, or may be moved periodically or at other timing. In particular, as in the embodiment, if the slide-in is performed from the top and is further moved downward as it is, it feels falling from the sky, and the fun is increased.

  (16) A function of changing the color of the window according to the reception level of the GPS signal may be provided. Thereby, the reception level can be easily recognized. The window whose color is changed according to the reception level may be drawn in a color corresponding to the reception level of the GPS signal from the GPS satellite displayed in the window. In this case, the color may be different for each individual window. Moreover, you may unify the color of all the windows. In this case, it is preferable to change to a similar color in accordance with the change of the background color.

(17) A position detecting means for detecting the position of the own vehicle and a map database for storing road map information are provided, and map data around the position of the own vehicle detected by the position detecting means is read from the map database. The generated map screen may be displayed on the display unit. This is preferable because the state of the road on which the vehicle is traveling or the state of the road on which the vehicle is about to travel can be confirmed while confirming the state of the GPS satellite.
(18) A program of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to realize the function as the GPS device according to any one of (1) to (17).

  In the present invention, since the symbol indicating the GPS satellite is drawn so as to be positioned in the three-dimensional space, the presence of the symbol can be recognized spatially and the interest is increased. In particular, the object is enhanced by making the symbol a three-dimensional object. It is also interesting to prepare multiple windows, display information about GPS satellites in each window, draw over the display area of symbols indicating GPS satellites, and move each window separately. Increase.

It is a figure which shows an example of the display mode which outputs the positioning information of the GPS satellite by a conventional system to a display part. It is a figure which shows suitable one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the display mode which outputs the positioning information of the GPS satellite in this embodiment to a display part. It is a figure which shows an example of the display mode which outputs the positioning information of the GPS satellite in this embodiment to a display part. It is a figure which shows an example of the display mode which outputs the positioning information of the GPS satellite in this embodiment to a display part. It is a figure which shows an example of the display mode which outputs the positioning information of the GPS satellite in this embodiment to a display part. It is a figure which shows an example of the display mode which outputs the positioning information of the GPS satellite in this embodiment to a display part. It is a figure which shows an example of the display mode which outputs the positioning information of the GPS satellite in this embodiment to a display part.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 shows a target detection apparatus as a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, a GPS receiver 1, which is a position detecting means, a microwave receiver 2, and a wireless receiver 3 are provided as receivers for receiving various radio waves and the like. The GPS receiver 1 receives a GPS signal, obtains a current position from the received GPS signal, and sends position information (longitude, latitude) of the obtained current position to the control unit 4.

  The microwave receiver 2 receives microwaves in a predetermined frequency band, and detects the signal level of the received microwaves when receiving microwaves in the set frequency band. Specifically, the RSSI voltage corresponding to the signal level and the electric field strength is used. The predetermined frequency band is, for example, a frequency band including a microwave frequency emitted from the vehicle speed measuring device. The wireless receiver 3 receives incoming radio waves in a predetermined frequency band. For example, the predetermined frequency may be a radio frequency band used when the emergency vehicle notifies the base station of the vehicle position.

  The control unit 4 executes predetermined processing based on information input from the various receivers described above, and outputs predetermined alarms and messages using output devices (display unit 6, alarm lamp 7, speaker 8, etc.). Output. The predetermined process for determining the alarm content based on the information input from the receiver can use the same basic process as in the conventional technique. That is, when a signal having a certain condition is received / acquired, a corresponding alarm is output. Note that alarms using the speaker 8 include a buzzer and a voice.

  An alarm based on position information (current position information of the host vehicle) detected by the GPS receiver 1 will be described. In the database 5, the type and position information (longitude: latitude) of the target to be detected (traffic monitoring point such as a traffic monitoring device, facility or other target related to traffic such as a road station) Etc. are stored as a table structure associated with each other. Further, when the target has a monitoring direction / monitoring area as in the vehicle speed measuring device, information for specifying the monitoring area is registered in association with each other.

  Information regarding these targets is registered for certain targets at the time of shipment. This data can be updated by various known methods. The database 5 can be realized by a nonvolatile memory (for example, EEPROM) in the microcomputer of the control unit 4 or externally attached to the microcomputer. Furthermore, the database 5 also stores road map data.

  When the current position detected by the GPS receiver 1 and the position of the target registered in the database 5 satisfy a set condition such as being within a set distance, the vehicle 3 is indicated. A three-dimensional object (or two-dimensional mark) indicating the target object is drawn on the display unit 6 together with the three-dimensional object (or two-dimensional mark), and the positional relationship (direction and distance of the target object) is visually determined. Notification is made, and the type of the target object and the remaining distance are notified using the speaker 8.

  On the other hand, when there is no target registered in the database 5 around the own vehicle, or when there is no reception of a desired radio wave by the microwave receiver 2 and the radio receiver 3 and the event generation mode is not entered, the control unit 4 draws various standby screens on the display unit 6. As this standby screen, there is a screen that displays a speedometer, a calendar, or the like, or a reception state (positioning information) of a GPS satellite.

  In FIG. 3 and subsequent figures, as the standby screen displayed on the display unit 6, a screen for informing the positioning information is shown. In the present embodiment, the display unit 6 is realized using, for example, an organic EL display or a liquid crystal display.

  First, the layout of the screen area adopts a configuration in which a strip-shaped icon display area R2 is arranged below the rectangular main display area R1 that occupies most of the screen area. The icon display region R2 includes an icon indicating an operation state such as an icon I1 indicating a direction (north direction), an icon indicating a setting / mode of the device such as an icon I2 indicating a microwave reception sensitivity, and the like. . In addition, there are icons for notifying the type of target that is a detection target. Such a display is output by a control command from the control unit 4. Further, the current time is drawn on the right end of the icon display area R2. The date and other information may be drawn instead of the time.

  The main display area R1, as an original function of the target object detection device, mainly indicates the positional relationship between the target object and the own vehicle when the target object is detected. This is an area for display on the screen. When a plurality of targets are present in the displayed space, the objects of the plurality of targets are respectively drawn. Here, since it is a standby screen in which a target is not detected, it becomes an area | region which draws the object Gob which shows a GPS satellite in the position corresponding to the presence position about the GPS satellite which received the GPS signal. This object Gob is expressed in three dimensions (3D: solid). The controller 4 draws the GPS satellite object Gob based on the received signal from the GPS receiver 1.

  First, the control unit 4 acquires the current position of the vehicle and the azimuth and elevation angle of each GPS satellite from the GPS receiver 1. Then, a circle S is drawn on the plane centering on the own vehicle, and the center O of the circle is set as the own vehicle position (see FIG. 3 and the like).

  Next, the control unit 4 assumes a hemisphere having a diameter of the circle S, and places a 3D object Gob in the shape of a satellite at a position corresponding to the azimuth and elevation on the hemisphere. As a result, a GPS satellite located near the center O of the circle S is drawn at a position having a high distance from the plane, and a GPS satellite far from the center O of the circle S is drawn at a position having a low distance from the plane. The

  Further, the direction is displayed on the plane (N is displayed in the example). From the 3D object Gob of the GPS satellite, an object (intersection object) Kob (x in the example) indicating the intersection is drawn at the point where the guide line GS is drawn in the direction perpendicular to the plane and the guide line GS intersects the plane. draw.

  Then, a virtual camera is set at a position / range that all GPS satellites can look around, and each object is drawn in a captured state. In other words, a virtual camera is installed in the sky above the hemisphere, and the image is drawn in a state where the viewpoint is projected obliquely downward. For drawing these objects, a space in which a 3D object is arranged in a three-dimensional (3D) space is photographed as a two-dimensional image by a virtual camera, and the photographed 2D image is displayed on the display unit. It can be realized by a known technique. Further, since the viewpoint of the virtual camera is directed obliquely downward as described above, the circle S is drawn in an oval shape. Then, when the virtual camera (viewpoint) is controlled to move around the GPS satellites, as can be understood by comparing FIGS. The object will rotate.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the window W is drawn so as to overlap the display screen displaying each object. This window W is an area for displaying the satellite number of the GPS satellite that issued the received GPS signal and the reception level of the GPS signal. Here, the satellite number is a number assigned to 24 GPS satellites. In the present embodiment, four such windows W are prepared and arranged so as to be arranged side by side. The control unit 4 extracts four of the received GPS signals having the highest reception level and draws them from the left to the highest reception level.

  Further, each window W is slid in from the upper side and is moved vertically from the upper side of the display screen to the vicinity of the lower side when switching from another screen. As a result, each window W moves so as to fall from above, and in addition, the windows W are dropped and moved in order from the left side. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, immediately after the screen is switched, only the leftmost window W (the window that displays the maximum reception level) is drawn by sliding in from the upper side. The transition is such that three windows W as shown in FIG. 4 (two windows may be drawn in the meantime), and four windows W are drawn as shown in FIG. Further, since the left window that has been slid in first moves downward, each window W is positioned upward from the left to the right on the display screen as shown in FIGS. It becomes like this. Then, the window W that has reached the lower end of the display screen does not move downward any more and stays at that position, and the vertical difference in the display position of each window W is gradually reduced (see FIGS. 5 to 7). In addition, a layout arranged in a horizontal row at the lower right of the display screen is adopted.

  As described above, the text information indicating the positioning information is not simply output in a tabular format, but is slid in and moved from the upper end to the lower end of the display screen of the display unit 6. Therefore, the presence of positioning information by text information is conspicuous, and the positioning information of each GPS satellite is displayed separately in separate windows W, and the plurality of windows W are moved downward with a time difference. In this way, the movement is interesting and conspicuous, which increases the fun.

  Further, since each window W is translucent, the object Gob or the like can be visually recognized even if it is superimposed on the object Gob of the GPS satellite. Therefore, the object of the GPS satellite can be displayed largely over the entire display screen. In other words, by overlaying the positioning information based on the image and the positioning information based on the text, each display area can be taken larger, so that the size and shape of each object and the character (font) size are increased. Can be seen more easily.

  Furthermore, it is preferable that the hemispherical spherical surface is drawn in a semi-transparent color because the state of the spherical surface can be recognized, and the stereoscopic effect is more enhanced. Since this hemispherical sphere mimics a celestial body, the sun, moon, representative stars, constellations, etc. may be drawn. In this case, it may be arranged on the above-mentioned hemispherical surface for drawing the object Gob of the SD of the GPS satellite, or may be arranged on the hemispherical surface installed outside (with a large radius) from the satellite. At this time, drawing as a 3D object is preferable because it is more three-dimensional.

  Further, although not shown, the map 5 has road network information (road information) in the database 5 and a map screen generated by reading out map data around the detected position of the vehicle from the database 5. It is also possible to control the display. For example, the map screen may be drawn on the plane described above or on a plane parallel to the plane. At this time, if the image is drawn in a mode imaged obliquely from above with a virtual camera, the map information is displayed in an overhead view on a plane parallel to the plane.

  Furthermore, the background color, the color in the window, and the color of the satellite object may be changed according to the reception level of the GPS satellite. In this case, what influences the whole like the background color is changed, for example, corresponding to the maximum reception level (a correspondence relationship between the reception level and the color is set in advance). The color in the window may be changed according to the background color, or may be changed individually according to the positioning information (reception level) of each window W. The GPS satellite objects may be changed in accordance with individual reception levels, or all objects may be unified with a color that is easy to see in relation to the background color. In this case, it is preferable to change the shade according to the individual reception level (drawing with a darker color as the reception level is higher). The correspondence may be understood by making the corresponding window W color (font color) and the color of the GPS satellite object the same (each color-coded).

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, an example is shown in which the present invention is applied to a target object detection device as one of in-vehicle devices that are examples of GPS devices. However, the present invention is not limited to this, for example, in a car navigation device. Can also be applied. In this case, in the mode in which the positioning information is notified based on the GPS signal detected by the GPS receiver included in the car navigation device, the drawing process as in the above-described embodiment is not performed, or the route guidance is not performed. In the standby state, the drawing process as in the above-described embodiment can be performed as one of the standby screens. Furthermore, it is not limited to in-vehicle devices other than in-vehicle devices, but is not limited to in-vehicle devices. Portable navigation devices that can receive GPS signals and perform various processes, GPS built-in cameras, GPS built-in videos The present invention can also be applied to position recording devices such as cameras and GPS loggers, GPS signal recording devices, and other GPS devices.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 GPS receiver 2 Microwave receiver 3 Wireless receiver 4 Control part 5 Database 6 Display part 7 Lamp 8 Speaker

Claims (18)

GPS satellite detection means for receiving a GPS signal and detecting the position of the GPS satellite based on the GPS signal;
Display control means for performing control to display the position of the GPS satellite on a display unit,
The display control means corresponds to the position of the GPS satellite detected by the GPS satellite detection means on the three-dimensional space including the position of the own device, the symbol indicating the GPS satellite detected by the GPS satellite detection means. A GPS device having a function of drawing a state of being arranged at a location.   The GPS device according to claim 1, wherein the symbols indicating the GPS satellites are arranged on a virtual plane covering an upper space of the own device.   The virtual plane assumes a hemisphere centered on the position of the vehicle, and a symbol indicating the GPS satellite at a location corresponding to the position of the GPS satellite detected by the GPS satellite detection means on the hemisphere The GPS device according to claim 2, wherein the GPS device is drawn. The GPS satellite detection means outputs the position of each GPS satellite as the azimuth and elevation of each GPS satellite relative to its own aircraft,
The display control means acquires the azimuth angle and elevation angle of each GPS satellite output by the GPS satellite detection means, obtains the corresponding position of the azimuth angle and elevation angle on the virtual plane, and corresponds the position to the corresponding position. The GPS device according to claim 2, wherein the GPS device is a location.   The GPS device according to claim 2, wherein the virtual surface is drawn using a translucent color.   The GPS device according to claim 1, wherein the symbol is an object represented by a three-dimensional shape imitating the shape of a satellite.   Place the virtual camera in the sky so that all the GPS satellite symbols detected by the GPS satellite detection means enter the display unit in a state where the viewpoint is projected obliquely downward. The GPS device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the GPS device is drawn while moving.   The GPS device according to claim 1, wherein azimuth information for specifying a azimuth is displayed on a plane including the position of the own device in the three-dimensional space.   The display control means draws a guide line extending in a direction perpendicular to a plane including the position of the own device in the three-dimensional space from the symbol of the GPS satellite. The GPS device according to any one of 8.   The GPS according to claim 9, wherein the display control unit draws the guide line so as to reach the plane, and draws a symbol indicating the intersection at a point where the guide line and the plane intersect. machine.   11. The GPS according to claim 1, comprising a function of changing at least one of a background color of the display screen and a color of the symbol in accordance with a reception level of the GPS signal. machine. A plurality of windows are arranged in a display screen for drawing the symbol of the GPS satellite,
The GPS device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein information about a GPS satellite satisfying a display condition is displayed in each window.   The GPS device according to claim 12, wherein the window is drawn using a translucent color.   The display conditions are the top N selected in order from the reception level of the received GPS signal, where N is the number of windows, and information about one GPS satellite is displayed in one window. The GPS device according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that   The GPS device according to claim 12, wherein the window is slid in from an end of a display screen.   The GPS device according to any one of claims 12 to 15, further comprising a function of changing a color of the window according to a reception level of the GPS signal. Position detecting means for detecting the position of the own vehicle;
It has a map database that stores road map information.
The map screen generated by reading out map data around the position of the vehicle detected by the position detection unit from the map database is displayed on the display unit. The GPS device according to item.   The program for making a computer implement | achieve the function as a GPS apparatus in any one of Claims 1-17.