JP2011118006A - Map display device, map display method, map display program and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To quickly change a display area for map data. <P>SOLUTION: The acquiring part 101 of a map display device 100 acquires map data of a predetermined area. A display part 102 includes: a display screen 102a displaying map data acquired by the acquiring part 101; and a touch panel 102b provided overlapping on the display screen 102a. A detecting part 103 detects object's approach and contact to the display part 102. The acquiring part 101 acquires map data outside an area displayed on the display part 102 when object's approach to the display part 102 displaying map data is detected. When the object's contact is detected, the display part 102 displays map data of an area acquired with the approach of the object. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a map display device that displays map data on a display screen, a map display method, a map display program, and a recording medium. However, the use of the present invention is not limited to the above-described map display device, map display method, map display program, and recording medium.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an information processing apparatus including a touch panel type input device, one having a function of detecting not only the contact of an object such as a user's hand but also the approach of the object and performing a predetermined process is known (for example, See Patent Document 1 below). In the following Patent Document 1, when it is detected that a user's hand has approached while map data is displayed on a display having a touch panel function, a map scale button or a screen for changing the display scale of the map data is displayed. Displays a scroll button for scrolling.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-083504

  However, in the above-described conventional technology, there is an example of a problem that an operation for scrolling display of map data is complicated. In a display having a touch panel function, an operation for scrolling display of map data is generally performed by touching a point on the touch panel corresponding to a direction to be scrolled. On the other hand, in the above-described prior art, it is necessary to select and press the button corresponding to the direction to be scrolled among the scroll buttons displayed on the screen, and the scroll operation cannot be performed quickly.

  Further, as a general problem of the scroll display of the map data, there is a problem that the processing load during the scroll process is large. For this reason, during the scrolling process, it takes a long time for the user to actually start scrolling after performing the scrolling operation, or part of the map data is missing immediately after the scrolling starts, and the scrolling display is smooth. There are many cases where this is not done.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, a map display device according to a first aspect of the present invention displays acquisition means for acquiring map data of a predetermined area, and displays the map data acquired by the acquisition means. Display means for detecting, and detecting means for detecting the approach and contact of the object with respect to the display means, wherein the acquisition means detects the approach of the object with respect to the display means displaying the map data. The map data other than the area displayed on the display means is acquired, and the display means is acquired along with the approach of the object when the contact of the object with the display means is detected. A map display device that displays the map data of a region.

  The map display method according to the invention of claim 9 is a map display method in a map display device for displaying map data, the first display step of displaying the map data of a predetermined area on a display means, A first detection step for detecting an approach of an object to the display means; and when the approach of the object to the display means is detected, the map data other than the area displayed on the display means is acquired. An acquisition step; a second detection step of detecting contact of the object with the display means; and when the contact of the object with the display means is detected, the map data of the area acquired in the acquisition step is displayed. And a second display step.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, a map display program causes a computer to execute the map display method according to the ninth aspect.

  A recording medium according to an eleventh aspect of the invention is characterized in that the map display program according to the tenth aspect is recorded in a computer-readable state.

It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of the map display apparatus concerning embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the map display process by a map display apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of a navigation apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline | summary of an approach detection type touch panel. It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline | summary of an approach detection type touch panel. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the scroll process of the map data by a navigation apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the map data acquired with a user's finger | toe approach. It is explanatory drawing which shows the other example of the map data acquired with a user's finger | toe approach. It is explanatory drawing which shows the other example of the map data acquired with a user's finger | toe approach. It is explanatory drawing which shows the other example of the map data acquired with a user's finger | toe approach.

  Exemplary embodiments of a map display device, a map display method, a map display program, and a recording medium according to the present invention will be explained below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the map display device according to the embodiment. A map display device 100 according to an embodiment includes an acquisition unit 101, a display unit 102, and a detection unit 103.

  The acquisition unit 101 acquires map data of a predetermined area. The map data of the predetermined area is, for example, map data of a predetermined range (specifically, for example, a range that can be displayed on the display unit 102) centered on the current point of the map display device 100, or specified by the user. This is map data in a predetermined range centered on a predetermined point.

  The display unit 102 includes, for example, a display screen 102a and a touch panel 102b. The display screen 102 a of the display unit 102 displays the map data acquired by the acquisition unit 101. The touch panel 102b is provided so as to overlap the display screen 102a. The touch panel 102b detects a contact of an object such as a user's finger on the surface, and outputs a signal instructing execution of processing corresponding to the display content of the display screen 102a at the touched position. In addition, the touch panel 102b may use the detection result of the contact of the object by the detection unit 103 described later for the processing.

  The detection unit 103 detects the approach and contact of an object with the display unit 102. As described above, the object is, for example, a user's hand. The detection unit 103 detects the approach and contact of an object, for example, by detecting static electricity on the object (user's finger). In addition, the detection unit 103 may be able to estimate the distance between the display unit 102 and the object based on, for example, a change in the detected static electricity amount.

  The detection unit 103 also determines a position on the display unit 102 that the object has approached (hereinafter referred to as “approaching position”) and a position on the display unit 102 that the object has contacted (hereinafter referred to as “contact position”). The detection unit 103 may continuously detect the approach position and detect the moving direction of the object.

  The acquisition unit 101 acquires map data other than the area displayed on the display unit 102 when the approach of an object is detected to the display unit 102 displaying the map data. When the object further approaches the display unit 102 and the object comes into contact with the display unit 102, that is, when contact of the object with the display unit 102 is detected, the display unit 102 acquires the area acquired as the object approaches. Display map data for. Here, the map data other than the region displayed on the display unit 102 is, for example, map data of a region adjacent to the region displayed on the display unit 102 when the approach of an object is detected.

  The acquisition unit 101 may determine the area of map data to be acquired based on the approach position of the object with respect to the display unit 102. Specifically, for example, among the areas adjacent to the area displayed on the display unit 102 when the approach of the object is detected, the direction of the approach position with respect to the reference position on the display unit 102 (hereinafter referred to as “approach direction”). ”) Is acquired. The reference position is, for example, an icon on map data representing the center point of the display unit 102 or the position of the own device. For example, when the object approaches the right side with respect to the reference position, the approach direction is the right direction. In this case, the acquisition unit 101 acquires map data of an area adjacent to the right side of the area displayed on the display unit 102.

  The acquisition unit 101 may determine the priority of the area of map data to be acquired based on the approach position of the object with respect to the display unit 102. For example, when the approaching direction of the object with respect to the reference position is the right direction, the map data of the region adjacent to the right side is first acquired with reference to the region displayed on the display unit 102, and then adjacent to the upper side or the lower side. The map data of the area is acquired, and then the map data of the area adjacent to the left side is acquired. In this case, the acquisition unit 101 can preferentially acquire from an area that is highly likely to be displayed by contact with an object.

  The acquisition unit 101 may determine the size of the area of map data to be acquired according to the distance between the reference position and the approach position. Specifically, for example, the longer the distance between the reference position and the approach position, the longer the length of the acquired map data in the approach direction, and the shorter the length in the direction perpendicular to the approach direction. That is, as the distance between the reference position and the approach position is longer, map data from the current display range to a range away from the approach direction is acquired. This is because the longer the distance between the reference position and the approach position, the higher the possibility of wanting to display map data at a position away from the current display position.

  When displaying the map data acquired in this way, the display unit 102 scrolls and displays the map data when the contact of the object is detected, and the distance between the reference position and the position (contact position) at which the object contacts. The scrolling speed may be changed according to the above. Specifically, for example, the scrolling speed is increased as the distance between the reference position and the contact position is longer. This is because the time required for scrolling the map data is constant regardless of the range of the map data. Since the length of the distance between the reference position and the contact position is proportional to the distance between the reference position and the approach position, the map data acquired by the acquisition unit 101 if the distance between the reference position and the contact position is long. Is long in the approaching direction. By increasing the scrolling speed, the time required for scrolling the map data long in the approach direction can be shortened.

  Moreover, when the moving direction of the object is detected by the detecting unit 103, the acquiring unit 101 may determine the area of map data to be acquired based on the moving direction. More specifically, for example, map data of an area adjacent to an extension line in the movement direction is acquired from areas adjacent to the area displayed on the display unit 102 when the approach of an object is detected. For example, when the object moves from the lower left to the upper right with respect to the reference position, the moving direction is the upper right direction. In this case, the acquisition unit 101 acquires map data of an area adjacent to the upper right of the area displayed on the display unit 102.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the procedure of map display processing by the map display device. In the flowchart of FIG. 2, the map display device 100 first acquires map data of a predetermined area by the acquisition unit 101 (step S201), and displays the acquired map data on the display unit 102 (step S202). Next, the map display apparatus 100 determines whether or not the detection unit 103 has detected the approach of an object to the display unit 102 (step S203). Until the approach of the object is detected (step S203: No), the process returns to step S201 and the subsequent processing is continued.

  If the approach of an object is detected (step S203: Yes), the map display apparatus 100 will acquire the map data of other area | regions other than the area | region currently displayed on the display part 102 by the acquisition part 101 (step S204). Next, the map display apparatus 100 determines whether the detection unit 103 has detected contact of an object with the display unit 102 (step S205). Until the contact of the object is detected (step S205: No), the process returns to step S201 and the subsequent processing is continued.

  And if the contact of an object is detected (step S205: Yes), the map display apparatus 100 will display the map data acquired by step S204 on the display part 102 (step S206), and will complete | finish the process by this flowchart.

  As described above, when the map display device 100 detects the approach of an object to the display unit 102 that displays the map data, the map display device 100 acquires map data other than the displayed area and the object for the display unit 102. Is detected, the map data acquired as the object approaches is displayed on the display unit 102. Thereby, the map display apparatus 100 can change the display area of map data rapidly.

  Moreover, the map display apparatus 100 determines the area | region of the map data to acquire based on the approach position of an object. More specifically, map data of an area adjacent to the approach direction among areas adjacent to the area displayed on the display unit 102 is acquired. Thereby, the display area of map data can be quickly changed in the direction which a user desires.

  Further, the map display device 100 scrolls and displays the map data when the contact of the object is detected, changes the scrolling speed according to the distance between the reference position and the position where the object is in contact, and based on the contact distance. The size of the map data area to be acquired is determined. More specifically, the map display device 100 increases the scrolling speed as the distance from the reference position increases, and increases the length of the map data to be acquired in the approach direction and the length in the direction perpendicular to the approach direction. shorten. Thereby, map data in the scroll direction can be acquired in advance, and even when the scroll speed is fast, a quick and smooth scroll display can be performed.

  Further, the map display device 100 detects the moving direction of the object that is approaching, and determines the area of the map data to be acquired based on the moving direction. More specifically, the map display device 100 acquires map data of a region adjacent on an extension line in the movement direction. Thereby, the direction in which an object actually contacts can be predicted, and more useful map data can be acquired.

  Examples of the present invention will be described below. In the present embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to a navigation apparatus 300 mounted on a vehicle as the map display apparatus 100 according to the present invention will be described.

(Hardware configuration of navigation device 300)
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the navigation apparatus. A navigation apparatus 300 according to the embodiment includes a CPU 301, a ROM 302, a RAM 303, a recording / reproducing unit 304 for recording / reproducing various data, a recording unit 305 for recording various data, an audio I / F (interface) 306, a microphone 307, and a speaker 308. , An input device 309, a video I / F 310, a display 311, a camera 312, a communication I / F 313, and a GPS unit 314. Each component 301 to 314 is connected by a bus 320.

  The CPU 301 governs overall control of the navigation device 300. The ROM 302 records programs such as a boot program, a map data display program, and a route search program. The RAM 303 is used as a work area for the CPU 301. That is, the CPU 301 controls the entire navigation device 300 by executing various programs recorded in the ROM 302 while using the RAM 303 as a work area.

  The recording / reproducing unit 304 controls reading / writing of data with respect to the recording unit 305 according to the control of the CPU 301. The recording unit 305 records data written under the control of the recording / reproducing unit 304. As the recording / reproducing unit 304, for example, a magnetic disk drive or optical disk drive, and as the recording unit 305, for example, HD (hard disk), FD (flexible disk), flash memory, MO, SSD (Solid State Disk), memory card, etc. Can be used.

  An example of information recorded in the recording unit 305 is map data. The map data includes background data that represents features (features) such as buildings, rivers, and the ground surface, and road shape data that represents the shape of the road, and is composed of multiple data files divided by district. ing.

  The road shape data further includes traffic condition data. The traffic condition data includes, for example, whether or not there is a signal or a pedestrian crossing, whether or not there is a highway doorway or junction, the length (distance) of each link, road width, direction of travel, road type (highway, Such as toll roads and general roads).

  The function data is three-dimensional data representing the shape of the facility on the map, character data representing the description of the facility, and other various data other than the map data. Map data and function data are recorded in blocks divided by district or function. Specifically, for example, the map data is recorded in a state where each block can be divided into blocks such that each represents a predetermined district on the map displayed on the display screen. Further, for example, the function data is recorded in a state where each function can be divided into a plurality of blocks so as to realize one function.

  The function data is data for realizing functions such as program data for realizing route search, calculation of required time, route guidance, etc. in addition to the above-described three-dimensional data and character data. Each of the map data and the function data is composed of a plurality of data files divided for each district or each function. In this embodiment, map data is recorded in the recording unit 305. However, necessary map data may be received via the communication I / F 313 and used for various processes.

  The audio I / F 306 is connected to a microphone 307 for audio input and a speaker 308 for audio output. The audio I / F 306 D / A converts audio data instructed to be reproduced and outputs the audio data from the speaker 308 as audio. Note that the speaker 308 may be detachable from the navigation device 300 or may be located away from the main body of the navigation device 300. The microphone 307 is installed, for example, in the vicinity of the sun visor of the vehicle, collects the user's utterance, and outputs it to the audio I / F 306. The sound collected by the microphone 307 is A / D converted in the sound I / F 306.

  The input device 309 includes a remote controller having a plurality of keys for inputting characters, numerical values, various instructions, a keyboard, and a touch panel. The navigation apparatus 300 according to the present embodiment includes at least a touch panel using the display 311 as the input device 309. As will be described later, the touch panel of the navigation apparatus 300 can detect that an object such as a user's finger has touched the surface of the display 311 and can also detect that an object has approached the vicinity of the surface of the display 311. .

  The video I / F 310 is connected to the display 311 and the camera 312. Specifically, the video I / F 310 is output from, for example, a graphic controller that controls the display 311, a buffer memory such as a VRAM (Video RAM) that temporarily records image information that can be displayed immediately, and a graphic controller. And a control IC for controlling the display 311 based on the image data.

  The display 311 displays map data, icons, cursors, menus, windows, or various data such as characters and images. A sensor is provided on the surface of the display 311 and is used as an input device 309 (touch panel) by detecting the approach and contact of an object.

  The camera 312 captures images inside or outside the vehicle on which the navigation device 300 is mounted. The video imaged by the camera 312 may be either a still image or a moving image. The video imaged by the camera 312 is recorded in the recording unit 305 or the like via the video I / F 310.

  The communication I / F 313 is connected to a network via radio and enables data transmission / reception via the network. By using the communication I / F 313, the navigation apparatus 300 can also acquire map data (including update data of map data) via a network. That is, even if map data is not recorded in the recording unit 305, map data necessary for display on the display 311 can be acquired from an external server.

  Communication networks include LANs, WANs, public line networks and mobile phone networks. Specifically, the communication I / F 313 is distributed from a VICS center configured by, for example, an FM tuner, a VICS (Vehicle Information and Communication System) / beacon receiver, a radio navigation device, and other navigation devices. Get road traffic information such as traffic jams and traffic regulations.

  The GPS unit 314 receives radio waves from GPS satellites and outputs information indicating the current location of the vehicle on which the navigation device 300 is mounted. The GPS unit 314 includes various sensors such as a speed sensor, an acceleration sensor, and an angular velocity sensor. The output information of the GPS unit 314 is used when the CPU 301 calculates the current location of the navigation device 300. The information indicating the current location is information for specifying one point on the map data, such as latitude / longitude and altitude.

  Each component of the map display device 100 shown in FIG. 1 uses a program and data recorded in the ROM 302, RAM 303, recording unit 305, and the like in FIG. The function is realized.

(Scroll processing of map data by the navigation device 300)
Next, a map data scroll process by the navigation device 300 will be described. The navigation device 300 identifies the current location of the vehicle based on information output from the GPS unit 314 when performing route guidance and the like, reads map data around the current location from the recording unit 305, and displays it on the display 311. To do. In addition, the navigation device 300 receives, for example, designation of an arbitrary point from the user, reads map data of the designated point from the recording unit 305, and displays the map data on the display 311.

  Here, the navigation apparatus 300 can perform scroll display of the displayed map using the touch panel function of the display 311. Specifically, for example, any point on the displayed map data is displayed. On the other hand, if there is contact from the user (generally, contact with the user's finger), the map data is scrolled so that the center of the map data moves to the point touched by the user. In addition, for example, when a user continuously contacts an arbitrary point (that is, when a long press is performed on the map data), the map data goes from the center (reference point) to an arbitrary point. By continuing to move the center of the map data in the direction, the map data is continuously scrolled.

  When performing such scroll display, the navigation device 300 reads the map data of the scroll destination from the recording unit 305, develops it in the VRAM, and outputs it to the display 311. In a normal navigation apparatus, these processes are started after contact with the display 311 is made. In this case, it may take a long time to start scrolling, or the map data may not be displayed because the map data drawing process is not in time.

  For this reason, the navigation device 300 detects that the user's finger is approaching using a proximity detection type touch panel that can detect not only the contact of the object but also the approach of the object. Pre-read the map data provided. When it is detected that the user's finger touches the display 311, the scroll operation is performed using the pre-read map data. Thereby, when scrolling is instruct | indicated, map data can be scrolled quickly.

  4 and 5 are explanatory diagrams showing an outline of an approach detection type touch panel. 4 is a diagram of the proximity detection type touch panel 400 as viewed from the lateral direction, and FIG. 5 is a diagram of the touch panel 400 as viewed from the front. As shown in FIG. 4, the touch panel 400 includes a capacitive touch sensor 401 on the surface of the display 311. The touch sensor 401 detects static electricity on the human body (for example, a user's finger), and detects the approach and contact of the human body with the touch panel 400.

  In addition, the touch sensor 401 estimates the distance between the human body and the surface of the touch panel 400 based on the detected static electricity amount. In FIG. 4, the touch sensor 401 is illustrated as having a predetermined thickness, but the actual thickness of the touch sensor 401 is thin enough to be ignored. For this reason, in the following description, the position of the surface of touch panel 400 in the horizontal direction (on the Z coordinate) and the position of the surface of touch sensor 401 are assumed to be the same.

  Here, the minimum amount of static electricity qmin that can be detected by the touch sensor 401 is set to qmin, and the amount of static electricity detected by the touch sensor 401 when the tip of the user's finger F touches the surface of the touch panel 400 (touch sensor 401) is represented by qmax. To do. For example, if the amount of static electricity qmin is detected when the distance between the tip of the user's finger F and the surface of the touch panel 400 is D1, the distance D between the tip of the user's finger F and the surface of the touch panel 400 decreases. The amount of static electricity q detected by the touch sensor 401 increases. For example, when the distance between the tip of the user's finger F and the surface of the touch panel 400 is D2 (D1> D2> 0), the electrostatic quantity q detected by the touch sensor 401 is qmin <q <qmax. That is, the distance D between the tip of the user's finger F and the surface of the touch panel 400 is shown as a function of the detected static electricity amount q. Using this, the touch panel 400 can detect the approach of the user's finger and the distance from the surface of the touch panel 400. Further, the contact of the user's finger may be detected when the detected static electricity amount reaches qmax, or the pressure on the surface of the touch sensor 401 may be detected.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the touch sensor 401 detects a position on the touch panel 400 where the user's finger F approaches or contacts. When detecting the position touched by the user's finger F, the touch sensor 401 takes the X coordinate in the horizontal direction and the Y coordinate in the vertical direction of the touch panel 401, for example, and the position P touched by the user's finger F is set to the coordinates (X, Y). When detecting the position of the user's finger F that is approaching, for example, the coordinates (X, Y) of the point having the shortest distance from the user's finger F (that is, the point having the largest amount of static electricity detected). Is detected as a position where the user's finger F approaches.

  Next, the procedure of the map data scroll process by the navigation device 300 will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure of map data scroll processing by the navigation device. In the flowchart of FIG. 6, the navigation apparatus 300 first calculates the current position of the vehicle using information output from the GPS unit 314 (step S601). Next, the navigation device 300 reads map data around the current position of the vehicle from the recording unit 305 (step S602) and displays it on the display 311 (step S603). At this time, for example, the navigation device 300 displays an icon indicating the current position of the vehicle superimposed on the map data. In addition, the navigation device 300 displays the map data so that the current position of the vehicle is displayed at the center of the display 311. The current position of the vehicle is not limited to the center of the display 311. For example, when the map data is displayed so that the traveling direction of the vehicle is always above the display 311, the current position of the vehicle is slightly below the center. It may be displayed on the side, and the display area of the map data on the traveling direction side may be made wider.

  Subsequently, the navigation device 300 determines whether or not the user's finger is approaching the display 311 using the proximity detection type touch panel 400 (step S604). When the user's finger is not approaching (step S604: No), the process proceeds to step S611. On the other hand, when the user's finger is approaching (step S604: Yes), the navigation apparatus 300 detects the coordinates of the position (approaching position) on the display 311 where the user's finger is approaching (step S605). The position where the user's finger is approaching is, for example, the point where the static electricity charged on the user's finger is detected most strongly.

  Subsequently, the navigation device 300 reads out, from the recording unit 305, map data in a direction (approach direction) in which the user's finger is approaching among areas adjacent to the currently displayed map data range (step S606). . Here, the approach direction is a direction from the center of the display (or the current position of the vehicle) toward the approach position.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of map data acquired as the user's finger approaches. In FIG. 7, map data currently displayed on the display 311 is an area 700. An icon 701 indicating the current position of the vehicle is displayed at the center of the area 700 (that is, the center of the display 311). The user's finger F is approaching the right side with respect to the icon 701. For this reason, the approach direction is on the right side, and the navigation apparatus 300 acquires map data of the area 710 adjacent to the right side of the area 700. The map data acquired at this time may be a range that can be displayed on the display 311 at a time, or may be a range that is larger (or smaller) than a range that can be displayed on the display 311 at a time.

  Returning to the description of FIG. 6, the navigation device 300 stores the map data read in step S606 in a drawing buffer (VRAM) (step S607). Subsequently, the navigation apparatus 300 determines whether or not the user's finger has touched the display 311 (step S608). When the user's finger does not touch (step S608: No), the process returns to step S604, and the detection of the approach of the user's finger is continued. At this time, if the approach direction of the user's finger changes, map data in the approach direction after the change is read and recorded.

  On the other hand, when the user's finger touches the display 311 (step S608: Yes), the navigation device 300 transfers the map data stored in the drawing buffer in step S607 (step S609) and approaches the display on the display 311. The map data is switched to the direction map data (step S610). At this time, the map data may be scroll-displayed by continuously changing the center position of the map data, or the map data display may be switched at a time.

  Until the vehicle finishes traveling (step S611: No), the navigation apparatus 300 returns to step S601 and repeats the subsequent processing. And if a vehicle complete | finishes driving | running | working (step S611: Yes), the process by this flowchart will be complete | finished.

  In the above description, the map data in the approach direction in which the user's finger F is approaching is read out, but map data in a range other than this may be read out. FIGS. 8-10 is explanatory drawing which shows the other example of the map data acquired with the approach of a user's finger | toe. FIG. 8 shows a method of reading the map data of the entire area adjacent to the currently displayed map data when the approach of the user's finger F is detected. In FIG. 8, an area 800 is map data displayed on the display 311. When the user's finger F approaches the display 311, the navigation device 300 reads the map data of the area 810 adjacent to the area 800 and stores it in the drawing buffer. When the user's finger F touches the display 311, the navigation apparatus 300 transfers the map data in the contact direction of the user's finger F from the drawing buffer to the display 311 and switches the display of the map data. With this method, even if the approach direction of the user's finger F is unknown, the map data can be read out in advance.

  FIG. 9 shows a method of detecting the moving direction while the user's finger F is approaching and reading out map data of an area corresponding to the moving direction. In FIG. 9, an area 900 is map data displayed on the display 311. When the user's finger F is approaching the display 311, if the navigation apparatus 300 moves from the upper left (finger F 1) to the upper center (finger F 2) of the display 311, the navigation device 300 first maps the area adjacent to the upper side of the area 900. Read the data and save it in the drawing buffer. This is because there is a high possibility of contact with the display 311 after the user's finger F continues to move.

  More specifically, when the user's finger F moves from the upper left of the display 311 to the upper center of the display 311, the navigation device 300 first reads the map data of the area adjacent to the upper center of the area 900 and then adjacent to the upper right of the area 900. The map data of the area 910 to be read is read out. Thereafter, the navigation device 300 reads map data of an area adjacent to the right side of the area 900. Further, for example, when the user's finger F moves from the upper left to the center of the display 311, the navigation device 300 first reads the map data of the area adjacent to the lower right of the area 900, and then the area adjacent to the right, Finally, the map data of the adjacent area below is read out. Similarly, for example, when the user's finger F moves from the upper left of the display 311 to the center of the left, the navigation device 300 performs an order of an area adjacent to the left of the area 900, an area adjacent to the right, and an area adjacent below. Read map data.

  That is, when the navigation device 300 detects that the user's finger F has moved, the navigation device 300 first reads the map data of the area to be displayed when the user touches the display 311 as it is. Next, the navigation apparatus 300 reads the map data of the area | region displayed when a user's finger | toe F's movement continues as it is and the display 311 is contacted. Subsequently, the navigation device 300 reads map data of an area adjacent to the relative movement direction of the user's finger F. Thereby, the direction which a user wants to display can be estimated and map data can be displayed quickly.

  FIG. 10 shows a method of changing the map data reading area based on the distance from the center of the display 311 (or the icon indicating the position of the vehicle) at the position where the user's finger F approaches. In FIG. 10, an area 1000 is map data displayed on the display 311, and an icon 1001 indicating the current position of the vehicle is displayed at the center. When the user's finger F approaches a position close to the center of the display 311 (for example, the position of the finger F3), the navigation device 300 reads map data of the area 1010 adjacent to the area 1000. On the other hand, when the user's finger F approaches a position far from the center of the display 311 (for example, the position of the finger F4), the navigation device 300 reads the map data of the area 1020 adjacent to the area 1000.

  Here, when scrolling the map data, the navigation device 300 relatively slows down the scroll speed if the distance from the currently displayed area to the scroll destination area is short, and the distance to the scroll destination area is If it is far away, the scrolling speed is relatively fast. Comparing the area 1010 and the area 1020, the area 1010 is map data that covers a wide area close to the area 1000 (long in the vertical direction and short in the horizontal direction). On the other hand, the area 1020 is map data covering a range far from the area 1000 (long in the horizontal direction and short in the vertical direction).

  This is because when the user's finger F approaches a position close to the center of the display 311, the user is more likely to see map data in the vicinity of the current position of the vehicle in detail, and the reading direction of the map data is widened. This is because it is possible to deal with a wide range of cases when the user changes the scroll direction, which is considered beneficial. On the other hand, when the user's finger F approaches a position far from the center of the display 311, the user is likely to want to see map data in a range away from the current position of the vehicle, and it is necessary to increase the scroll speed. It is done. For this reason, it is considered that it is more beneficial to read a wide range of map data in a specific direction (scroll direction).

  In this embodiment, the capacitive touch sensor 401 described above is used. However, other methods may be adopted as long as the approach of the user's finger can be detected. Specifically, the approach of the user's finger may be detected by, for example, an infrared sensor, an optical sensor, or image detection using a camera image.

  In this embodiment, the map data is read from the recording unit 305. However, for example, the map data may be read from a server provided at a remote place via communication. In this case, when the map data is read after the user's finger touches the touch panel 400, it takes time to read the map data on the display 311 depending on the communication speed. Have.

(Modification)
In the above-described embodiment, when the user's finger approaches the touch panel 400, the map data of the area adjacent to the currently displayed map data range is read. Various information required when the map is displayed may be read out. Examples of the various information to be read include facility information, travel history information, route information, traffic jam information displayed on the map of the area, address information when searching for the area, and the like. In this case, the navigation apparatus 300 reads out corresponding information from various databases recorded in the recording unit 305, or acquires traffic jam information and the like from an external server.

  As described above, when the navigation apparatus 300 detects the approach of an object to the display 311 that displays map data, the navigation apparatus 300 acquires map data other than the displayed area and also makes an object contact with the display 311. If detected, the map data acquired as the object approaches is displayed on the display 311. Thereby, the navigation apparatus 300 can change the display area | region of map data rapidly based on a user's touch panel operation.

  Further, the navigation device 300 determines an area of map data to be acquired based on the approach position of the object. More specifically, map data of an area adjacent to the approach direction among areas adjacent to the area displayed on the display 311 is acquired. Thereby, the display area of map data can be quickly changed in the direction which a user desires.

  Further, the navigation device 300 scrolls and displays the map data when the contact of the object is detected, changes the scrolling speed according to the distance between the reference position and the position where the object contacts, and based on the contact distance. The size of the area of the map data to be acquired is determined. More specifically, the navigation device 300 increases the scrolling speed as the distance from the reference position is longer, and increases the length of the map data to be acquired in the approach direction and shortens the length in the direction perpendicular to the approach direction. To do. Thereby, map data in the scroll direction can be acquired in advance, and even when the scroll speed is fast, a quick and smooth scroll display can be performed.

  In addition, the navigation device 300 detects the moving direction of the object that is approaching and determines an area of map data to be acquired based on the moving direction. More specifically, the navigation device 300 acquires map data of an area adjacent to the extension line in the movement direction. Thereby, the direction in which an object actually contacts can be predicted, and more useful map data can be acquired.

  The map display method described in this embodiment can be realized by executing a program prepared in advance on a computer such as a personal computer or a workstation. This program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a hard disk, a flexible disk, a CD-ROM, an MO, and a DVD, and is executed by being read from the recording medium by the computer. The program may be a transmission medium that can be distributed via a network such as the Internet.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Map display apparatus 101 Acquisition part 102 Display part 102a Display screen 102b Touch panel 103 Detection part

Claims (11)

Obtaining means for obtaining map data of a predetermined area;
Display means for displaying the map data acquired by the acquisition means;
Detecting means for detecting the approach and contact of an object with respect to the display means,
The acquisition means acquires the map data other than the area displayed on the display means when the approach of the object is detected with respect to the display means displaying the map data,
The display means displays the map data of an area acquired as the object approaches when the contact of the object with the display means is detected.   The map display device according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit acquires the map data of a region adjacent to a region displayed on the display unit when the approach of the object is detected. The detection means detects a position where the object approaches the display means (hereinafter referred to as “approach position”),
The map display device according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit determines an area of the map data to be acquired based on the approach position.   The acquisition means includes a direction of the approach position relative to a reference position on the display means (hereinafter referred to as an “approach direction”) in an area adjacent to the area displayed on the display means when the approach of the object is detected. The map display device according to claim 3, wherein the map data of an area adjacent to the map is acquired. The display means scrolls the map data when the contact of the object is detected, and changes the scrolling speed according to the distance between the reference position and the position where the object contacts,
The map display device according to claim 4, wherein the acquisition unit determines a size of the area of the map data to be acquired according to a distance between the reference position and the approach position. The display means increases the scrolling speed as the distance between the reference position and the position where the object is in contact is increased.
The acquisition means increases the length in the approach direction of the map data to be acquired and shortens the length in the direction perpendicular to the approach direction as the distance between the reference position and the approach position is longer. The map display device according to claim 5. The detecting means continuously detects the approach position to detect the moving direction of the object,
The map display device according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit determines an area of the map data to be acquired based on the moving direction.   The acquisition means acquires the map data of an area adjacent to an extension line in the moving direction among areas adjacent to the area displayed on the display means when the approach of the object is detected. The map display device according to claim 7, wherein the map display device is characterized in that: A map display method in a map display device for displaying map data,
A first display step of displaying the map data of a predetermined area on a display means;
A first detection step of detecting an approach of an object to the display means;
When the approach of the object is detected with respect to the display unit, an acquisition step of acquiring the map data other than the area displayed on the display unit;
A second detection step of detecting contact of an object with the display means;
And a second display step of displaying the map data of the area acquired in the acquisition step when contact of the object with the display means is detected.   A map display program for causing a computer to execute the map display method according to claim 9.   A computer-readable recording medium on which the map display program according to claim 10 is recorded.

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